The crypto market saw renewed momentum this week as Bitcoin broke above $23,000 and Ethereum surged past $1,600, signaling a potential shift in sentiment after months of bearish pressure. Behind the price movements, key developments in regulation, infrastructure, and platform innovation are shaping the next phase of digital asset adoption. This report covers critical global policy updates, major project milestones, notable funding rounds, and exclusive insights into OKX’s latest product enhancements — including its strategic partnership with TradingView and the launch of the Staking Vault automated strategy.
Global Regulatory Landscape
Regulatory clarity remains a pivotal force influencing market stability and institutional participation. This week brought mixed signals from major economies:
- U.S. SEC Classifies Nine Cryptocurrencies as Securities: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has reportedly identified nine digital assets as securities, intensifying scrutiny on exchanges and issuers. This move underscores the growing need for compliance-ready platforms that support transparent listing standards.
- Philippine Central Bank Rules Out Crypto Ban: In contrast, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas affirmed it has no plans to ban cryptocurrencies, recognizing their role in financial inclusion and remittances. The stance supports innovation while advocating for risk-based oversight.
- EU Member States Approve Digital Markets Act (DMA): The landmark legislation aims to curb monopolistic practices by tech giants and promote fair competition. Its implications extend to blockchain ecosystems, potentially opening doors for decentralized alternatives to traditional digital services.
These developments reflect a maturing global framework where regulation is shifting from reactive bans to structured integration — a trend利好 for compliant platforms like OKX.
Regulatory evolution is not slowing down. As governments define clearer rules, users and investors should prioritize platforms with strong compliance infrastructure and global licensing.
Major Blockchain & Project Updates
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops Sharply
Bitcoin’s network difficulty adjusted downward by 5.01% to 27.69T, marking the largest decline in over a year. This reset follows prolonged hash rate instability due to macroeconomic pressures and energy cost fluctuations. For miners, lower difficulty means improved profitability margins — potentially encouraging reactivation of dormant rigs and boosting network resilience.
👉 Discover how market cycles impact mining economics and what it means for long-term holders.
Ethereum Merge Progress Accelerates
Vitalik Buterin confirmed that 90% of Ethereum’s merge testing is complete, with the Goerli testnet upgrade scheduled for August 8–10. This final test before the mainnet transition brings the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) era closer than ever. Once live, the merge will reduce Ethereum’s energy consumption by ~99.95%, addressing one of the most persistent criticisms of blockchain technology.
Tencent Exits NFT Space; TRON DAO Steps In
Tencent is winding down its digital collectibles platform Huanhe (Fantasy Core), signaling a strategic retreat from NFTs in mainland China. However, Sun Yuchen announced that TRON DAO intends to acquire the project, highlighting continued interest in NFT infrastructure despite regional regulatory constraints.
This transition reflects a broader trend: while some tech giants scale back due to compliance risks, decentralized organizations see opportunity in acquiring undervalued assets and expanding ecosystem reach.
Notable Funding Rounds
Institutional confidence in blockchain innovation remains strong, evidenced by several high-profile raises:
- Aptos Raises at $2.75B Valuation: The Move-language-based Layer 1 blockchain is reportedly seeking new capital at an impressive valuation, driven by growing demand for scalable and secure smart contract platforms.
- Modular Capital Secures $20M: This crypto hedge fund focuses on systematic trading strategies across derivatives and spot markets, indicating sustained appetite for algorithmic investment vehicles.
- Optic Lands $11M Seed Round: Backed by Kleiner Perkins and Pantera Capital, Optic provides visual NFT verification tools that combat fraud — a critical need as digital ownership gains mainstream traction.
These investments highlight two key trends: the rise of high-performance blockchains and increasing focus on trust and authenticity in digital asset ecosystems.
OKX Platform Developments
Strategic Partnership with TradingView
OKX has officially deepened its collaboration with TradingView, one of the world’s leading charting platforms. Now:
- TradingView users can connect their accounts directly to OKX for seamless trading execution.
- OKX users gain access to advanced TradingView technical analysis tools within the OKX interface.
This integration bridges sophisticated analytics with real-time trading — empowering both retail and professional traders with institutional-grade insights.
New Listings: EURT, XAUT, XETA, AZY
OKX continues expanding its asset offerings:
- Euro Tether (EURT) and Tether Gold (XAUT) were listed on July 18 (HKT), with trading pairs including BTC/EURT, ETH/EURT, EURT/USDT, and XAUT/USDT.
- XANA (XETA) launched on July 19 (HKT) with XETA/USDT.
- Amazy (AZY) went live on July 20 (HKT) via AZY/USDT.
These additions enhance portfolio diversification options, especially for users seeking exposure to fiat-pegged assets and tokenized commodities.
Earn Products: EURT & XAUT Now Available for Staking
Starting July 20 at 11:00 HKT, OKX introduced staking support for EURT and XAUT:
- Users can earn passive income by locking these assets through the Finance > Earn section.
- Accessible via web (top navigation bar) or app (homepage > Earn).
This expansion strengthens OKX’s position as a one-stop platform for both trading and yield generation.
Launch of Staking Vault – Automated Portfolio Strategy
OKX has rolled out the Staking Vault, an intelligent rebalancing strategy available on both web and mobile apps. Key features:
- Automatically adjusts allocations across a user-selected basket of up to 10 spot assets.
- Supports all listed spot trading pairs on OKX.
- Simplifies portfolio management for users seeking hands-off exposure to multiple tokens.
This innovation caters to investors who want dynamic risk management without constant monitoring — a step toward democratizing advanced investment strategies.
👉 Explore how automated strategies like Staking Vault can optimize your crypto portfolio performance.
OKX NFT Marketplace Updates
The OKX NFT platform remains active with community-driven initiatives:
- Whitelist campaigns launched for CrypCade (July 22) and Popilart (July 18).
- Total NFTs indexed: 118,068,885.
- Platform IGO history demonstrates consistent success in launching emerging digital art projects.
With growing emphasis on authenticity and utility, OKX NFT continues to build bridges between creators, collectors, and DeFi integrations.
OKC Network Performance
OKC (OKX Chain) maintained steady growth over the past week:
- 1.11 million transactions recorded (avg. 158,800 daily).
- 11,865 new addresses created (avg. 1,695 per day).
- Total non-zero addresses: 2.33 million out of 4.72 million total addresses.
Data sourced from OKLink, confirming ongoing adoption of the OKC ecosystem for DeFi, NFTs, and cross-chain applications.
Market Recap & Outlook
This week marked a significant rebound:
- Bitcoin surpassed $23,000
- Ethereum climbed above $1,600
Primary drivers include:
- Anticipation around the Ethereum merge
- Oversold conditions following aggressive liquidity tightening
- Short-term speculative recovery amid reduced selling pressure
However, macroeconomic headwinds persist. With the Federal Reserve’s July meeting looming, another aggressive rate hike could reignite volatility. While current momentum suggests a possible bull trap within a broader bear market, long-term fundamentals — especially post-merge Ethereum and scalable Layer 1s — remain compelling.
Short-term price action should not overshadow structural progress. The real value lies in platforms enabling access, yield, and innovation — regardless of market cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Staking Vault on OKX?
A: It’s an automated investment strategy that dynamically rebalances a user-defined portfolio of up to 10 cryptocurrencies to optimize returns and manage risk.
Q: Can I use TradingView charts on OKX?
A: Yes. OKX users can now access full TradingView charting tools directly within the OKX platform for advanced technical analysis.
Q: Is EURT available for earning interest?
A: Yes. Euro Tether (EURT) is supported in OKX’s Earn program, allowing users to stake and earn yields starting July 20, 2022.
Q: How do I join an NFT whitelist on OKX?
A: Visit the OKX NFT marketplace, check active projects, and follow participation rules such as holding specific tokens or completing tasks.
Q: What is the significance of the Ethereum Goerli testnet merge?
A: It’s the final major test before the mainnet merge. A successful Goerli upgrade paves the way for full transition to Proof-of-Stake.
Q: Where can I find OKC blockchain data?
A: All official metrics are available via OKLink — OKX’s blockchain explorer providing real-time insights into transactions, addresses, and smart contracts.
Final Thoughts
Amid evolving regulations, technological breakthroughs, and shifting market dynamics, platforms that combine security, usability, and innovation will lead the next wave of adoption. OKX’s recent moves — from integrating TradingView analytics to launching automated strategies like Staking Vault — reflect a clear vision: empowering users with tools that simplify complexity without sacrificing control.
👉 Start exploring advanced trading and earning tools designed for today’s crypto landscape.