Why This Week Was So Significant & What's Ahead

Hi Reader,

Thanks for reading The BlockByte Weekly, where we summarise the key updates in crypto over the last week and provide our perspective on what you need to know as an investor.​
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Weekly Snapshot

• BTC: $117,963 (~A$180,987) (+0.4%)
• Crypto Market Cap: $3.81T (+5.5%)
• Gold: $3,349/oz (+0.8%)
• S&P 500: 6,296 (+0.7%)
• ASX 200: 8,757 (+2.0%)
• 10-Year Treasury Yield: 4.4% (-0.8%)

Executive Summary

This week was one of the most significant in years for crypto markets. President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law, establishing clear regulations for stablecoin issuance, custody, and anti-money laundering protections. This new law will have significant implications on the entire digital asset market for years ahead, driving demand for U.S. debt, accelerating mainstream crypto adoption, and making capital flows into assets like Bitcoin seamless. We explain why in detail below.

In addition, the US administration is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order opening the US $9 trillion retirement market, including 401(k)s and IRAs, to Bitcoin and alternative assets, with a potential 1% pension fund allocation generating $90 billion in demand—surpassing the $86.7 billion in Bitcoin held by the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT).

Lastly, Ethereum surged 22% to a six-month high of $3,675 this week, fueled by $2.1 billion in spot ETF inflows and corporate treasury strategies, with analysts targeting $4,000 in the near term and up to US $15,000 by year end. The GENIUS Act and growth of stablecoins positions blockchains like Ethereum and Tron for strong potential growth in the years ahead.

Key Stories This Week

3 Reasons The GENIUS Act Is So Monumental

On Friday, President Trump walked into the East room of the White House to deliver a speech to a room filled with executives of the largest crypto companies in the world including Coinbase, Tether, Chainlink, Kraken and more. The GENIUS Act which had significant support from both Republicans and Democrats stands for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins. The law sets out clear definitions of who can issue stablecoins, custody requirements and anti-money laundering regulations to ensure consumer protections.

Why is this law so significant?

Stablecoins already process more transaction volume than Visa and Mastercard combined. The passing of this law will have three significant impacts on digital assets that investors should be aware of.

1. Stablecoin issuers could stabilise demand for the dollar and US debt: Demand for US debt (treasury bills) which will back stablecoins will surge dramatically. For every dollar of stablecoin issued, the stablecoin issuers must hold either a bank issued dollar in reserve or highly liquid government issued treasury bills. Stablecoin issuers buying treasury bills provides a buyer for the $37 trillion dollars of debt that needs to be refinanced by the US government. Long-term this helps to stabilise the dollar and importantly, make crypto payments mainstream.
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2. From bank accounts to wallets: The switch from traditional bank accounts to 'crypto wallets' and stablecoins over the coming years is going to be rapid. Stablecoins offer significant speed and cost advantages compared to using traditional currency held in bank accounts. Namely, you will be able to send currency anywhere in the world at a fraction of the cost and near instantly. No more 2-5 day delays.
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3. Easier for money to flow into Bitcoin & digital assets: The transition to wallets will have a profound impact on digital asset prices, including scarce units of account like Bitcoin in the years to come. As a reader and investor you already know how painful it can be at times to transfer money from your bank account, to an exchange and then buy Bitcoin. In the very near future, your stablecoin wallet will be able to transact seamlessly to buy coffees at your local coffee shop, but also to exchange into Bitcoin and other crypto assets without needing to go through an interrogation from you bank every time. This future is a future we're building at BlockByte and we couldn't be be more thrilled to have you on the journey with us.

Trump to Open US $9 trillion Retirement Market to Crypto

As of July 20, 2025, President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order that would open the US $9 trillion U.S. retirement market, including 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), to investments in Bitcoin and other alternative assets. This move marks a significant shift in U.S. retirement savings policy, aiming to integrate digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and potentially others into mainstream retirement planning. For context, a 1% allocation from US only pension plans would create US $90 billion of additional demand, more than the largest Bitcoin ETF which holds US $86.7 billion of Bitcoin today.

Ethereum Surges to Six-Month High, Fuelled by Corporate Treasury Strategies

Earlier this week, Ethereum soared to $3,675 for the first time since January 2025, still trading 27% below its all-time highs of US $4,862 set back in November 2021. Ethereum has shown a recent rally, up 22% over the past week driven by strong institutional demand from Ethereum treasury companies as well as US-listed spot ETFs recording US $2.1 billion in inflows last week.

@IncredibleTrade

$BMNR $SBET $ETH #Ethereum $4K first target .. maybe to $15K if math is right.

10:29 AM • Jul 20, 2025

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Fund Strat's Tom Lee outlines his near-term price target of US $4,000 for Ethereum, with a potential stretch of up to US $15,000 by year end. Whilst we think the latter price target may be a stretch by year end, we are bullish on Ethereum's prospects. With the GENIUS Act being signed into law, stablecoins will drive additional demand for blockchains like Ethereum and Tron. These two chains settle more than 80% of stablecoin transaction volumes which we've called out in previous newsletters.

If you'd like to discuss any of these developments in more detail, feel free to reach out any time.

Until next week,
James

James Brannan
Managing Director
BlockByte
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(+61) 412 393 634
​james@blockbyte.com.au​
​https://blockbyte.com.au/​

BlockByte does not provide financial advice. We provide a personalised brokerage service with tailored support, research and secure custody for investing in digital assets. Reach out to our team to discuss how we can help.

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