Crypto Flat as A16z Raises $15B and Policy Headlines Build
Crypto majors were mostly flat heading into the Monday open, while a16z raised $15 billion with AI and crypto among its focus areas. The roundup also included Ripple’s UK approval, BNY Mellon’s tokenized deposit launch, X’s planned smart cashtags, and Tether freezing $182 million in USDT tied to Venezuela oil trades.
What happened?
Crypto majors were mostly flat heading into the Monday open, while a16z raised $15 billion with AI and crypto among its focus areas. The roundup also included Ripple’s UK approval, BNY Mellon’s tokenized deposit launch, X’s planned smart cashtags, and Tether freezing $182 million in USDT tied to Venezuela oil trades.
Why it matters
Crypto majors were little changed heading into the Monday open, with Bitcoin flat at $90,600, Ethereum up 1% at $3,110, Solana up 2% at $140, and XRP down 2% to $2.04, according to Decrypt’s market roundup. Among the larger movers, IP rose 20%, while Monero gained 15% and reached a new all-time high of $590.
Crypto majors were little changed heading into the Monday open, with Bitcoin flat at $90,600, Ethereum up 1% at $3,110, Solana up 2% at $140, and XRP down 2% to $2.04, according to Decrypt’s market roundup. Among the larger movers, IP rose 20%, while Monero gained 15% and reached a new all-time high of $590.
The muted market action came alongside a busy run of institutional, regulatory, and policy headlines. For readers, the mix matters because it shows crypto trading without a strong directional move even as major firms, banks, social platforms, and lawmakers continue to shape the sector’s infrastructure and rules.
Andreessen Horowitz raised $15 billion to fund its American Dynamism strategy, with AI and crypto described as key areas of focus. Separately, VanEck projected that Bitcoin could reach $53 million by 2050, tying the long-term scenario to assumptions around adoption, trade settlement, store-of-value demand, and 29% annual growth.
Payments and banking developments also stood out. Ripple received FCA approval to scale crypto payments in the UK, while BNY Mellon debuted tokenized deposits for institutional and digital-native clients, adding to the steady push by traditional finance firms into blockchain-based settlement and deposit products.
Policy and platform updates rounded out the day. Fed Chair Jerome Powell released a video message claiming criminal charges he faces are tied to his refusal to cut interest rates in line with Donald Trump’s wishes; X announced plans for “smart cashtags” showing live crypto and stock prices next to tickers; a new House bill would bar lawmakers and federal officials from using prediction markets; and Tether froze $182 million in USDT linked to Venezuela oil trades.