Crypto’s Biggest Moves of 2025: Trump, Solana, and Institutional Gold Rush
How Governments, Banks, and Institutions are Embracing and reshaping Digital Assets
Hey Alphafellaz,
We’ve got some news: starting this week, we’re shifting our newsletter sendouts to Monday afternoons (CET). We hope this change helps you start your week informed and ahead of the curve. We also believe this will better serve our growing audience of professional readers.
Additionally, a big Thank You for the incredible engagement on last week’s newsletter — you all exceeded expectations! It’s clear that we’re building something meaningful together, and your support is what keeps us going strong.
Speaking of backing things up … remember when we mentioned Trump’s inauguration might impact crypto forever? Not long after, the $Trump memecoin was launched, sparking unexpected momentum across the space. This frenzy delivered a huge boost to the Solana network, driving SOL to a new all-time high and propelling DEX tokens upward.
However, the rapid spike in activity also highlighted some growing pains. Solana’s infrastructure was tested, leading to delays on Coinbase. In response to user frustration and calls for greater transparency, Coinbase committed to strengthening its systems to support faster Solana deposits and withdrawals going forward.
It’s been a week of surprises, innovation, and lessons learned—exactly the kind of developments that make this space so dynamic. We’ll continue to track these trends and deliver timely insights every Monday.
Looking forward to next week,
— 🩸💀 AMERICAN RADASS
The next part of this newsletter is sponsored content. While we partner with carefully selected projects, we want to be transparant about these integrations.
You’re invited to Haus of Nouns at ETHDenver!
On February 28 we’re hosting a pop-up event at ETHDenver with community artwork, merch customization and live music performances for all Nouns DAO fans: Haus of Nouns (RSVP HERE).
📰 How EU and US Institutions are Fueling Crypto Adoption
Crypto regulations are heating up on both sides of the Atlantic this week. Crypto.com just became the first exchange to snag a MiCA license in the EU, with OKX already scoring a pre-authorization under the same framework.
Meanwhile, Crypto.com’s new platform for U.S. investors shows how big exchanges are tailoring services to different regions. Trump has now signed an executive order pushing for a strategic Bitcoin reserve, and states like California, Massachusetts, and Wyoming are getting in on the action. While President Trump also plans to block Central Bank Digital Currencies to support new crypto regulations, it’s looking like digital assets aren’t just for private players anymore.
On the institutional side, a Bitcoin ETF with downside protection is on the way. Goldman Sachs has invested $710 million into them, despite claiming the dollar’s not in danger. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink even predicts Bitcoin could soar to $700k, and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is bullish enough to call for multimillion-dollar BTC down the line.
Plus, Coinbase’s partnership with Morpho to offer Bitcoin-backed loans on Base is just one more sign that crypto and traditional finance are merging faster than ever before.
📰 Trump’s New SEC Means Big Changes for Crypto
Further leaning into his crypto-friendly approach, Trump has unveiled an SEC task force dedicated to clarifying the rules of the crypto game. “Crypto Mom” Hester Peirce is taking the lead, and with Gensler heading out, Trump’s choice of Mark Uyeda, a more crypto-friendly voice, as acting chair signals a possible shake-up. Trump has also appointed crypto advocate Caroline Pham as the CFTC’s acting chair, adding another pro-crypto voice in the government mix.
Meanwhile, the SEC is still pressing forward on its Ripple appeal, and Helium’s founder is gearing up to fight an agency lawsuit.
On a brighter note, the latest SEC ruling gives banks the green light to custody crypto, hinting at a more open regulatory landscape ahead.
📰 OTHER NEWS FROM THE PAST WEEKS
Pump.fun set single-day revenue record, raking in $15.5 million
Trump and Doge meme coins get ETF filings as Trump begins second term in office
Retail is Coming: Google Searches for Cryptocurrency Hit Five-Year Peak
Bank of America CEO on When Banks Will Embrace Crypto for Payments
Bernstein says some may cringe, but Trump memecoin is a ‘paradigm shift’ in US crypto approach
Charles Hoskinson Outlines Chainlink Partnership, Bitcoin Liquidity and Stablecoin Focus for Cardano
Ethereum Developer Eric Conner Steps Down, Blames “Lost Passion” Amid Leadership Issues
Vitalik Buterin defends Ethereum Foundation leader Aya Miyaguchi amid community attack
Vitalik Buterin suggests the Ethereum Foundation is considering staking its ETH holdings
CBDC Incoming? Bank of England Advances Digital Pound Project with New Testing Laboratory
✨ NEW IN THE SPACE
Top 5 Crypto Airdrops to Watch for the Fourth Week of January
Over 40% of TRUMP Meme Coin Holders are First-Time Investors, Survey Claims
Legal and Tax Implications of Trump’s Meme Coin Launch: What You Need to Know
TON Blockchain Becomes Telegram’s Sole Crypto Infrastructure
LINE introduces Telegram-style Dapps to boost Web3 adoption in Asia
Bitget Research Claims 20% of Gen Z and Alpha are Open to Crypto-based Pensions
Senate Banking Committee Names Sen. Cynthia Lummis Chair of Digital Assets Subcommittee
El Salvador Adds More BTC to Its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in January
Rumble Makes its First Bitcoin Purchase As a Part of its $20 Million Treasury Plan
💀 RUG PULLS & LEGAL UPDATES
NFTs Endure One of Their Weakest Years Since 2020 in Trading and Sales
Telegram Malware Scams Surge 2,000%, Overtaking Phishing Attacks
Ethereum’s $4,000 Hope Diminishes as Dominance Hits a 4-Year Low
FBI Shuts Down $20 Million Crypto Laundering Operation, Indian Man Gets 10 Years in Prison
Trump family’s memecoin launches spark frenzy of scam tokens
Coinbase Would Delist Tether’s USDT If New US Legislation Requires
Fake US Treasury XRP wallet scam exposed through on-chain analysis
North Korea hack group possibly behind $70 million Phemex exploit, experts say
Scammers Hack Former Brazilian President’s Social Media to Promote Meme Coin
China Sells 194K Bitcoin Worth Nearly $20 Billion, Contradicting Treasury Claims
Vivek Ramaswamy Resigns as D.O.G.E Co-Lead to Run for Ohio Governor: Report
👔 WEB3 JOBS
Interested in listing your job openings on 0xcareers and Alpha Schedule? Email radass@alphaschedule.io
Interested in advertising in Alpha Schedule? Email radass@alphaschedule.io
🤓 DISCLAIMER: NFA & DYOR
This newsletter is a curated overview of the most exciting things I’ve read the past week, the projects I’ve researched, and the Coins or NFTs I’ll be trying to buy.
This means I’m - per definition - biased, so don’t consider this as financial advice, and keep doing your own research if you see something you like.