XRP and Solana are leading the ETF race as speculations soared over the potential launch of altcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US. Following Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETF approvals, attention has now shifted to these high-demand altcoins. Investors are hopeful that 2025 will mark a new era for crypto ETFs, especially with the US SEC’s recent leadership change fueling market optimism.
XRP & Solana Dominate ETF Buzz
XRP and Solana are at the center of the ETF spotlight after a major crypto breakthrough in early 2024 when the US SEC approved Bitcoin and Ethereum Spot ETFs. This created a ripple effect, accelerating demand for similar products based on other top altcoins.
Besides, it has also fueled discussions over the SOL Vs Ripple ETF launch.
XRP ETF Launch: Detail
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted that 72 crypto-related ETF applications are now awaiting review. Among these, XRP ETF stands out as a front-runner, thanks to its high liquidity on the US exchanges, which boosts its chances for regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, major players such as Grayscale, WisdomTree, and Bitwise have already submitted proposals for XRP-backed ETFs. According to Kaiko Research, Ripple’s native asset currently leads the US altcoin ETF race due to its deep liquidity and robust market presence.
Experts believe that an ETF approval could act as a catalyst for an XRP price surge. A recent episode of Good Morning Crypto labeled the potential approval a “perfect storm” for XRP, suggesting it could drive both retail and institutional demand significantly.
Solana ETF Launch Speculations: Details
Solana ETF is also not far behind XRP. Balchunas noted that 11 ETF filings are tied to SOL, including one from mutual fund giant Fidelity. The strong institutional interest in the network, combined with its growing DeFi and NFT ecosystem, positions Solana ETF as a serious contender in the race.
In Canada, Solana has already seen success with multiple spot ETFs going live, which adds pressure on U.S. regulators to keep pace.
Paul Atkins Takes US SEC Charge, Sparking Optimism
Amid the Solana and XRP ETF speculations, the recent entry of Paul Atkins as the new US SEC chair has further bolstered market sentiment. Atkins, known for his pro-crypto stance, is expected to accelerate the ETF approval process for digital assets.
In addition, market participants believe Atkins may push for friendlier crypto regulations and fast-track key filings, including XRP and Solana ETFs. However, while some speculate the Ripple vs SEC lawsuit may be resolved soon under his term, others remain skeptical.
A recent Cambridge report confirms that the United States now leads global Bitcoin mining, prompting questions about how China will respond. Though the country has long held an anti-crypto stance, Chinese mining pools have historically controlled a substantial portion of the global Bitcoin hashrate.
The US’s current competitive edge and renewed hostility over trade policy might motivate China to recapitulate. BeInCrypto spoke with representatives from The Coin Bureau and Wanchain to understand what might encourage China to change its stance toward digital assets.
US Overtakes China as Top Bitcoin Mining Hub
The US has firmly established itself as the world’s largest Bitcoin mining hub. A recent Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) report revealed that the US accounts for 75.4% of the reported hashrate.
Global distribution of Bitcoin mining activity. Source: CCAF.
This newest development confirms a notable reversal of power over Bitcoin mining dominance. China emerged as the world’s leading Bitcoin mining nation as early as 2017, leveraging its extensive mining infrastructure and low electricity costs to contribute upwards of 75% of the global hash rate at one point.
Yet, the country would later crack down on the industry.
China’s Crypto Crackdown
In 2019, the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC) signaled its intention to prohibit cryptocurrency mining by releasing a draft law categorizing it as an “undesirable industry.”
Two years later, at least four Chinese provinces began shutting down mining operations. These crackdowns intensified amid concerns over excessive energy consumption.
However, China possesses a proven capacity to adjust to geopolitical shifts that could jeopardize its economic dominance, and the current environment may present such a challenge.
Has Bitcoin Mining in China Truly Stopped?
Even with China’s official stance toward crypto, mining activity has not stopped within the region. In July 2024, Bitcoin environmental impact analyst Daniel Batten reported that the hashrate within China currently accounts for approximately 15% of the global total.
7/8
Bottom lines: 1. 15%+ hashrate still comes from China
2. If you have 200-500 miners and want to do renewable-energy mining, you’re welcome
3. This is particularly in Inner Mongolia, the Texas of China, which has a lot of wasted renewable power they want to monetize pic.twitter.com/r6QUgmLmjT
“Despite the official ban, the infrastructure is already in place: from offshore mining to cross-border trading hubs. With more global momentum behind crypto adoption and the US taking the lead, China may find itself incentivized to lean in more strategically, even if unofficially,” Nic Puckrin, Co-founder of the Coin Bureau, told BeInCrypto.
China also has a geographical advantage over the United States, especially regarding technological advancements.
Crypto mining, especially for proof-of-work cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, depends on Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) equipment to handle the necessary complex calculations for validation and mining.
China’s position as a top exporter of crypto mining hardware, particularly to the US, gives it a potential advantage should it decide to revive its mining sector.
Puckrin believes that the combination of trade friction and the US’s invigorated push for crypto dominance might be sufficient to make China reconsider its position.
“It’s unlikely China will make a public U-turn on its crypto mining and trading ban anytime soon. However, with US-based miners accounting for higher and higher proportions of Bitcoin’s hashrate, China is bound to be paying attention and may well be quietly reassessing its stance,” Puckrin told BeInCrypto.
However, China has strategies beyond restarting its Bitcoin mining industry to undermine the United States’ dominance.
China’s Nuanced Approach Beyond US Influence
Even though China opposes the widespread use of cryptocurrencies domestically, it may still see value in digital assets to counterbalance the US dollar’s global currency dominance.
Several countries worldwide have either adopted or are considering central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to strengthen their domestic currencies. China is at the forefront of these developments.
“Despite the ban on Bitcoin mining, China has actively participated in the digital asset space, through initiatives like CDBC research and the digital yuan, or e-CNY,” Wanchain CEO Temujin Louie told BeInCrypto.
In fact, China’s efforts to create a digital yuan are partly driven by its desire to de-dollarize its economy and lessen its dependence on the US dollar.
Louie also suggested that whatever move China makes, it won’t solely base its decision on what the US does or does not do.
That said, China’s decisions about digital currency will, in turn, affect how its position on crypto continues to develop.
“Weakening USD dominance, whether exacerbated or caused by President Trump’s approach to tariffs, may embolden China to be more aggressive in [its] efforts to internationalise the yuan, including the digital yuan, or e-CNY. Any change to China’s broader strategy will be reflected in [its] stance towards crypto,” he concluded.
China’s activity in other areas of international trade already proves how nuanced its policy changes tend to be.
Could China’s Conflicting Crypto Policies Signal a Change?
Aside from its appreciation of digital currencies like the e-CNY, China’s stance on crypto has already proven somewhat contradictory. These discrepancies may fuel the belief that the country might just be willing to revert—or at least soften—its total ban on mining.
A month ago, investment firm VanEck confirmed that China and Russia –two countries particularly burdened by US sanctions– are reportedly settling some of their energy trades using Bitcoin.
Russia and China are settling oil trades in BTC. I’ve heard first hand accounts of similar transactions with Venezuela. Full tankers are settled in BTC on the “grey” market. The U.S. Government crossed the Rubicon in 2022 by seizing Russian assets at the Federal Reserve and… pic.twitter.com/Y8OwJROw9W
“With the US dollar increasingly being used as a political lever –particularly in tariffed economies– other nations are actively exploring alternatives. Indeed, many countries around the world, including China and Russia, are already using Bitcoin as an alternative for trading in commodities and energy, for example. This trend is only going to accelerate as digital assets become a more prominent part of the global economy,” Puckrin told BeInCrypto.
According to Puckrin’s analysis of these indicators, China’s “shadow crypto economy” is projected to expand this year, which could result in a reassertion of its power. This resurgence would be primarily in response to de-dollarization efforts, rather than a reaction to US dominance in mining.
“We’ll likely see this activity ramping up in the near future, especially as more countries use crypto to bypass dollar-dominated systems,” he concluded.
It will remain crucial to interpret China’s intentions, especially regarding cryptocurrency, by observing its actions rather than relying solely on its official statements.
Ark Invest has its sights on a bullish outlook for Bitcoin (BTC) in its new price forecast for 2030. In upbeat fashion, Bitcoin ETFs have pulled in $2.65 billion in inflows over the last week as optimism runs high in the ecosystem.
Ark Invest Tips Bitcoin Price To Cross $1 Million By 2030
Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest has updated its Bitcoin price target for 2030, tipping the largest cryptocurrency to soar to new highs. According to ARK’s Big Ideas 2025 report, a worst-case scenario will leave BTC trading at $300,000 by the end of the decade.
Ark Invest predicts a base case of at least $710,000 per BTC in 2030 and a bullish projection of $1.5 million for a single Bitcoin.
Per the report, Ark Invest is hinging its prediction on a swathe of factors while taking into cognizance Bitcoin’s deterministic issuance schedule. With Bitcoin supply reaching 20.5 million units by the decade’s end and nearing its supply cap of 21 million, Ark Invest maintains an upbeat stance for the BTC price.
The report taps institutional investors via Bitcoin spot ETFs to be the largest growth driver over the next five years. Furthermore, Bitcoin’s status as digital gold will attract a new wave of investors given its “transparent store-of-value” nature in comparison to gold. The report tips an avalanche of investors from emerging markets turning to BTC to shield their assets from inflation and devaluation to fuel a sustained rally.
Other factors backing Ark Invest’s prediction include the incoming rise of nation-state and corporate treasuries. Sweden is tinkering with including Bitcoin into its foreign reserves, while Bitcoin maxi Samson Mow is calling for a Japanese Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Bitcoin ETFs Record $2.65 Billion In Inflows Amid Impressive Price Performance
While the Bitcoin price performance by Ark Invest is considerably bullish in the long term, short-term metrics are nothing short of impressive. Over the last seven days, Bitcoin spot ETFs have attracted $2.65 billion in inflows after a small blip in activity in early April.
Per the latest data, BlackRock’s IBIT pulled in the biggest funds with impressive daily inflows, closely followed by Fidelity’s FBTC. The gains follow Michael Saylor’s prediction that BlackRock’s IBIT will be the largest Bitcoin ETF after 2030.
The surge in Bitcoin ETF metrics comes on the heels of impressive price performance for the largest cryptocurrency. Bitcoin has staged a strong comeback to trade at $94K, gaining nearly 12% over the last week. Bitcoin price flashed brilliance as China bolstered its gold holdings, triggering optimism for a rally to reclaim $100K.
Several ecosystems will make headlines this week as part of the top crypto news list. Knowing about these events in advance can help traders and investors position their portfolios strategically to capitalize on the expected price movement.
Based on crypto’s adage to buy the rumor and sell the news situation or event, traders and investors can front-run the following events this week.
The Bitcoin Act Bill to Buy 1 Million BTC
The BITCOIN Act of 2025 is the top crypto news story this week. Introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis, the bill proposes the US Treasury acquire 1 million Bitcoin (BTC) over five years to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, mirroring the scale of US gold reserves.
“Sen Lummis says Trump backs Bitcoin act—bill to buy 1M BTC hits floor next week,” Crypto Goos reported.
Reintroduced in March 2025, the bill gained traction after President Trump’s executive order supporting a federal Bitcoin reserve. The act mandates secure, decentralized storage across the US, with a 20-year minimum holding period and transparency via proof-of-reserve (PoR) audits.
Funding would come from Federal Reserve (Fed) remittances and revaluing gold certificates. While Trump’s backing boosts momentum, passage remains uncertain due to legislative hurdles and debates over fiscal impact.
If passed, it could position Bitcoin as a formal reserve asset, potentially driving a price surge. It would also reinforce US financial leadership.
“By codifying this effort into law, we can ensure that our nation leverages digital assets to strengthen our financial future while maintaining its global leadership,” Senator Lummis said in a statement.
As of this writing, Bitcoin traded for $105,082, up by 0.69% in the last 24 hours.
Infinex’s Airdrop for KAITO Stakers
Another top crypto news story this week concerns Infinex. The multi-chain crypto platform announced a significant airdrop for KAITO stakers.
“For those of you staking KAITO, the airdrop will occur next week. We recommend you have your Genesis NFTs in the same wallet as your sKAITO, as the snapshot will happen soon,” Infinex wrote in a post.
The airdrop follows a $6 million token distribution in May 2025, which propelled Infinex to the top spot on Kaito’s sentiment rankings, with trading volume surging 320% to $18 million within hours.
KAITO, an AI-driven crypto analytics platform, rewards user engagement, and this crypto airdrop targets its stakers, offering tokens to boost ecosystem participation.
Infinex’s non-custodial wallet supports EVM chains and Solana, integrating staking and trading with a user-friendly interface. The airdrop aims to drive liquidity and attract speculators, though historical data suggests potential post-airdrop price volatility.
Infinex Wallet Adding Avalanche Support
Beyond crypto airdrops for KAITO stakers, Infinex will also add support for the Avalanche blockchain, expanding its multi-chain wallet capabilities.
“We have received proof of patron from Emin Gün Sirer. Avalanche incoming on Infinex next week,” wrote Infinex Kain.avax.
Emin Gün Sirer is the founder and CEO of Ava Labs and developed the Avalanche Consensus protocol underlying the Avalanche blockchain platform.
Avalanche’s high-throughput, low-latency network will enable Infinex users to trade, stake, and bridge assets seamlessly, tapping into Avalanche’s DeFi and NFT ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Infinex’s passkey-based security and gas-free transactions aim to simplify the user experience and compete with centralized exchanges (CEXs).
The integration could drive trading volume in AVAX and related tokens, with Infinex’s prior $6 million airdrop showing 320% volume spikes. Staking opportunities may also extend to Avalanche assets, attracting yield farmers.
Traders should monitor AVAX price action and Infinex’s token (INF) for potential volatility post-launch.
Ethereum’s New Initiative with Base
Also among the top crypto news this week, Ethereum is expected to announce a new initiative in collaboration with Base, Coinbase’s layer-2 scaling solution.
Base, built by Coinbase, enhances Ethereum’s scalability with low-cost, fast transactions while maintaining security. The initiative may focus on advancing DeFi or NFT ecosystems, given Base’s integration with Ethereum’s mainnet.
“Next week, in collaboration with Base and Ethereum, we are pushing a new initiative (for the culture). So look out for that,” Ethereum.org wrote on May 30.
The collaboration could involve new dApps, staking enhancements, or cross-chain interoperability, building on Base’s support for Optimism’s tech stack. This aligns with Ethereum’s broader push to improve user experience and reduce gas fees, potentially boosting adoption.
World Computer Summit
Another top crypto news this week concerns the World Computer Summit, starting Wednesday, June 3, hosted by DFINITY Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland.
Posts on X suggest that the event will feature major announcements and decentralized computing. It celebrates the fourth anniversary of the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP).
“What is the World Computer Summit 2025? It’s a global gathering of builders, thinkers, visionaries reimagining the internet for a decentralized world. Held in Zurich on June 3, it marks 4 years of the Internet Computer Protocol,” wrote Miss Knighty, a popular user on X.
The summit could reveal advancements in Web3, AI, and blockchain interoperability. Projects like Internet Computer (ICP) may unveil updates on decentralized AI or global compute networks, given their focus on a “World Computer” vision.
Internet Computer (ICP) price performance. Source: BeInCrypto
Past summits have driven market activity, with tokens like ICP seeing surges post-announcements. As of this writing, ICP traded for $4.93, up nearly 1% in the last 24 hours.
$46 Million TAIKO Unlock
Meanwhile, with key token unlocks to watch this week, the Ethereum-based L2 scaling solution, Taiko, will unlock $46 million worth of TAIKO tokens on June 5. This unlock will constitute over 69% of its circulating supply.
Taiko’s total supply is 1 billion, with 241 million tokens currently circulating. The unlock of 21.84 million tokens, valued at $42 million in August 2024, suggests a rising token price. With 81.55 million TAIKO tokens unlocked on Thursday, volatility is expected, especially if recipients cash in for early gains.
NotabThesens will be allocated to investors, protocol guild airdrop, and Taiko Labs, constituting the core team.
