Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at US$103,366, a decrease of 0.9 percent in the last 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$102,624 and a high of US$106,042 as the market opened.

Bitcoin price performance, June 20, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

The Bitcoin price stalled after reaching around US$106,500, then sank below US$104,000 as an unusually large expiry of options and futures contracts worth US$6.8 trillion occurred on US stock indexes.

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday (June 18), but Christopher Waller, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, said a cut is possible next month if inflation remains controlled.

Cuts typically boost risk assets like Bitcoin. Markets have already pushed the US dollar index to a three year low, so a surprise rate cut could further weaken the dollar and propel Bitcoin forward.

Ethereum (ETH) is currently priced at US$2,415.98, a 3.5 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$2,396.50, and its highest valuation was US$2,556.46 as trading commenced.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$139.45, down 4.1 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$136.98 after peaking at its opening price of US$147.68.

• XRP pulled back from its opening price of US$2.17, its highest valuation of the day, to trade at US$2.12 as the markets wrapped, a 2.1 percent decrease in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$2.09.

• Sui (SUI) closed at US$2.72, a declineof 3.9 percent over the past 24 hours. Its price also peaked this morning at US$2.85 and its lowest valuation was US$2.66.

• Cardano (ADA) is priced at US$0.5783, down 3.6 percent in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$0.5636, and its highest valuation was US$0.6044.

Today’s crypto news to know

Coinbase launches Stablecoin payments platform for e-commerce

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) has unveiled a new product called Coinbase Payments, designed to help online retailers accept stablecoins like USDC with minimal friction. The system is built to mirror traditional card infrastructure so that merchants can plug it in without having deep cryptocurrency knowledge.

The platform targets marketplaces such as Shopify (TSX:SHOP,NYSE:SHOP) and eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY), giving small to medium businesses a cost-effective alternative to credit card fees.

Shopify is the first to integrate the system, allowing merchants to accept USDC payments through Coinbase’s Layer 2 Base network. The platform supports crypto wallets like Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask and Phantom and includes features for transaction authorization, refunds and recurring payments.

Circle surges as Senate approves Stablecoin Bill

Circle (NYSE:CRCL) shares continued to rally on Friday, jumping another 11 percent after a 34 percent surge the day before, as momentum builds behind a Senate-approved bill to regulate stablecoins.

The GENIUS Act, a bipartisan effort, could bring long-awaited legal clarity to stablecoin issuers like Circle, which manages the US$32 billion USDC token. Although the bill still needs approval from the House and requires a signature from US President Donald Trump, investors are already optimistic.

Circle shares are now trading at US$221, up from an initial public offering price of just US$31 — signaling massive investor confidence amid a changing regulatory climate.

South Korea’s central bank weighs in on stablecoins

Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong said at a press conference this week that the central bank is not opposed to a won-based stablecoin, but is concerned about managing the FX of the token, according to Reuters report.

‘Issuing won-based stablecoin could make it easier to exchange them with a dollar stablecoin rather than working to reduce the use of a dollar stablecoin. That in turn could increase demand for dollar stablecoin and make it difficult for us to manage forex,’ Chang-yong told reporters in Seoul.

Earlier this month, South Korea’s Democratic Party proposed the Digital Asset Basic Act, which aims to establish a regulatory framework to enable local companies to issue won-denominated stablecoins.

Parataxis to launch institutional Bitcoin treasury company

Parataxis Holdings, an affiliate of digital asset-focused investment company Parataxis Capital Management, announced Friday that it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling interest in biotech company Bridge Biotherapeutics (KOSDAQ:288330) for an investment of 25 billion South Korean won, roughly US$18.5 million.

Following the closing of the deal, Parataxis will become Parataxis Korea and be repurposed as a treasury vehicle for institutional Bitcoin exposure, joining a growing list of companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheet.

“Inspired by the growing interest in BTC treasury strategies seen in companies like Strategy in the US and Metaplanet in Japan, we believe institutional interest in this space is increasing globally,” said Andrew Kim, a partner at Parataxis Capital. “We see South Korea as an important market in the evolution of BTC adoption.”

“We are incredibly excited to create the first BTC treasury company in South Korea backed by an institutional-grade platform. Given the strategic nature of BTC on the global stage and its finite supply, we believe that building and growing a company like Parataxis Korea and accumulating a BTC treasury will benefit our shareholders as well as the country over the long run,” echoed founder Edward Chin.

Kraken introduces Bitcoin staking with Babylon partnership

Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, made a landmark announcement on Thursday (June 19), revealing a strategic partnership with Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon to introduce a staking product that allows Kraken users to earn interest on their Bitcoin holdings without the need for bridging, wrapping or lending.

These traditional methods, while enabling some forms of yield generation, can introduce additional risks and technical hurdles for users. Kraken and Babylon aim to provide a more streamlined, secure and accessible way for Bitcoin holders to generate passive income. The interest earned through this new product will come in the form of BABY tokens, the native cryptocurrency of the Babylon protocol.

Arizona advances bill to create state Bitcoin reserve

Arizona is one step closer to becoming the second US state with an official Bitcoin reserve, after its Senate narrowly passed House Bill 2324. The bill allows the state to hold abandoned digital assets as unclaimed property and establishes a Bitcoin and digital assets reserve fund for those holdings. The news comes on the heels of House Bill 2749, which was signed into law in April and amended Arizona’s forfeiture laws to recognize digital assets.

HB2324 will now return to the House for final approval before heading to the governor’s desk. Earlier efforts to invest seized funds directly into BTC were vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, who cited concerns over crypto’s volatility.

If passed, Arizona would join New Hampshire in formalizing a state-level Bitcoin reserve.

Similar legislation is pending in Texas.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$104,043, a decrease of 0.8 percent in the last 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$103,832 and a high of US$105,218.

Bitcoin price performance, June 18, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin hovered around US$105,000 on Wednesday morning before pulling back to around US$104,000 in the leadup to the US Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged.

The crypto market has displayed resilience despite mounting geopolitical tensions, which have been tempered in light of the Senate vote to advance the GENIUS Act. Institutional buying, partly fueled by an influx of corporate treasuries, is helping to support demand amid uncertainty.

Key levels to watch are US$102,000 to US$104,000 as support and US$106,000 as resistance.

A breakout above US$112,000 could trigger a liquidation cascade to US$114,000, while a drop below US$100,000 risks deeper downside toward US$98,000.

Ethereum (ETH) is currently priced at US$2,498.86, a 1.4 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$2.471.24, and it reached a high of US$2,533.07.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$145.22, down 2.7 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$144.08 and reached a high of US$146.55.

• XRP was trading at US$2.15, a 2 percent decrease in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$2.12, and it reached an intraday peak of US$2.16.

• Sui (SUI) was trading at US$2.78, showing a decreaseof 3.5 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation was US$2.73 as the markets opened, and it reached an intraday high of US$2.80.

• Cardano (ADA) is priced at US$0.5935, down 4.2 percent in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$0.5908, and its highest valuation was US$0.6052.

Today’s crypto news to know

Senate advances GENIUS Act

In a vote of 68 to 30, the US Senate passed the GENIUS Act, advancing the legislation to the House.

“With this bill, the United States is one step closer to becoming the global leader in crypto,” said Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee from the Senate floor before the Tuesday (June 17) vote.

‘Once the GENIUS Act is law, businesses of all sizes, and Americans across the country will be able to settle payments nearly instantaneously rather than waiting for days or sometimes even weeks,’ he added.

Ubyx platform aims to boost stablecoin adoption

Ubyx, a new stablecoin clearing platform designed to boost stablecoin adoption through face value redemptions, has secured US$10 million in seed funding, according to a company announcement made on Tuesday.

The round was led by Galaxy Ventures, and included participation from Coinbase Ventures, Founders Fund, VanEck and Paxos among others. Ubyx intends to launch its platform, which will enable regulated banks and fintech companies to redeem stablecoins directly for fiat currency at par value in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Ubyx’s partners include stablecoin issuer Paxos and blockchain firm Ripple.

Ondo Finance launches alliance for on-chain asset adoption

On Tuesday, Ondo Finance introduced the Global Markets Alliance, a collaborative effort to encourage the adoption of on-chain financial assets. Founding members include eight crypto platforms: Solana Foundation, Bitget Wallet, Jupiter Exchange, Trust Wallet, Rainbow, BitGo, Fireblocks, 1inch and Alpaca, with expectations for additional members to join.

Ondo Finance specializes in real-world asset tokenization and recently launched a layer-1 blockchain designed for institutional on-chain assets. The platform provides tokenized treasury products collateralized by US government debt.

Corporate crypto investments exceed US$880 million in two days

Four publicly traded US companies announced a total of US$844 million in cryptocurrency investments on Tuesday, signaling a growing trend of corporations seeking returns through Bitcoin and other digital assets.

Hong Kong-based DDC Enterprise (NYSEAMERICAN:DDC) secured US$528 million via three securities purchase agreements, funding the company will use to acquire 5,000 Bitcoin over the next three years to fulfill with company’s goal of building the ‘world’s most valuable Bitcoin treasury.”

Major investors included Anson Funds and Animoca Brands’ venture capital arm.

Fold Holdings (NASDAQ:FLD), recognized as the first publicly traded Bitcoin financial services firm, secured a US$250 million equity purchase facility. Net proceeds are primarily intended for further Bitcoin acquisitions.

BitMine Immersion Technologies (NYSEAMERICAN:BMNR), a firm specializing in Bitcoin mining equipment rentals, announced its purchase of US$16.3 million worth of Bitcoin, utilizing funds from a recent stock offering.

Eyenovia (NASDAQ:EYEN) disclosed a US$50 million private placement to establish a reserve for the Hyperliquid (HYPE) token. It intends to acquire over 1 million HYPE tokens to be staked on Anchorage Digital’s crypto platform.

In Europe, Paris’ Blockchain Group (EPA:ALTBG) expanded its Bitcoin reserves with the acquisition of 182 BTC for approximately US$19.6 million. This purchase increases the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 1,653 BTC and was financed through a series of convertible bond issuances.

Buying continued on Wednesday with the announcement of health services company Prenetics Global’s (NASDAQ:PRE) US$20 million Bitcoin investment. This news coincided with the appointment of former OKEx COO Andy Cheung to Prenetics’ board of directors, and Tracy Hoyos Lopez, chief of staff of strategic initiatives at Kraken, as an advisor to the company’s Bitcoin strategy.

Crypto-finance integration deepens with collateral expansions

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Coinbase Derivatives and Nodal Clear announced they are expanding their partnership to allow Circle’s USDC stablecoin to be used as collateral in US futures markets. This initiative is anticipated to be the first regulated instance of USDC being used as collateral, with Coinbase Custody Trust acting as the custodian.

The goal of this integration is to encourage wider acceptance of stablecoins within regulated derivatives markets. Pending approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the integration is scheduled to launch in 2026.

Meanwhile, ARK Invest, led by Bitcoin bull Cathie Wood, sold 642,766 shares of USDC issuer Circle (NYSE:CRCL), worth US$96.5 million, over Monday (June 16) and Tuesday.

This occurred as Circle’s stock price declined by almost 12 percent during the same period. This marks ARK’s first divestment of Circle since its explosive NYSE public debut on June 5. Circle’s share price has since recovered, ending the trading day valued at US$199.59, 35 percent above Monday’s opening price of US$147.54.

In other news, Deribit and Crypto.com will now begin accepting BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) tokenized US Treasury fund (BUIDL) as collateral for trading accounts held by institutional and experienced clients. This allows these traders to use a low-volatility, yield-generating asset to back leveraged positions, reducing their margin requirements.

These steps reflect a growing trend toward deeper crypto-finance integration.

New XRP ETFs launch on Toronto Stock Exchange

Three new XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) launched on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) on Wednesday, offering Canadian investors direct exposure to the XRP cryptocurrency.

These new ETFs expand accessibility to digital asset investments for Canadians within a regulated framework.

Allied Critical Minerals (CSE:ACM,FSE:0VJ0) is advancing two strategically important, past-producing tungsten projects—Borralha and Vila Verde—in northern Portugal. These brownfield assets offer a rare blend of near-term production potential and large-scale exploration upside, positioning ACM to emerge as the leading tungsten producer outside China. With 100 percent ownership of both projects and strong local support, the company is well-positioned to help secure a reliable supply of this critical metal for Western markets.

To capitalize on strong market conditions, ACM raised $4.6 million to advance a high-impact growth plan. This includes drilling at Borralha to expand its NI 43-101 resource and building a pilot plant at Vila Verde, set to begin in Q4 2025. The plant will process tailings and alluvial material, targeting ~250 tonnes of WO₃ annually and generating $4–5 million in revenue, supporting near-term cash flow with minimal dilution.

Borralha is ACM’s flagship development-stage project, located 100 km northeast of Porto. A historic producer of over 10,280 tonnes of high-grade wolframite concentrate (66 percent WO₃) until 1986, the brownfield asset is now advancing under a Mining Rights Concession and a newly updated NI 43-101 resource (effective July 31, 2024).

Company Highlights

• Strategic Focus on Critical Metals: Allied Critical Minerals is developing two tungsten projects – Borralha and Vila Verde – in mining-friendly northern Portugal, targeting near-term production and long-term scale.
• Advanced Brownfield Assets: Both projects are historic producers with significant infrastructure, community support and technical momentum. Borralha produced tungsten from 1904 to 1986, and holds a newly updated NI 43-101 compliant resource.
• Pilot Plant Launch in 2026: A pilot plant at Vila Verde is slated for construction in Q4 2025 with 150,000 tpa throughput capacity, expandable to 300,000 tpa. Target output of ~250 tons WO₃ annually is expected to generate $4 million to $5 million in revenue, funded through non-dilutive financing.
• Offtake and Government Support: Allied has signed an LOI with Global Tungsten & Powders and is in discussions with additional refineries. Expressions of interest from US and EU defense-linked buyers are ongoing.
• High Impact Drill Campaign: A fully funded 5,000 meter drill program is currently underway at Borralha, with assays expected to expand resources and define the high-grade Santa Helena Breccia zone.
• Differentiated from Peers: Allied is one of only a few public companies in the Western world with near-term tungsten production potential, outpacing peers such as American Tungsten and Fireweed, in both timeline and resource readiness.

This Allied Critical Metals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

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Investment Insight

Coelacanth Energy presents strong growth potential in the Canadian light oil and natural gas sector with encouraging well test results, a robust infrastructure buildout, and a management team with a track record of repeated success, making it a compelling growth story.

Overview

Coelacanth Energy (TSXV:CEI) is a junior oil and natural gas exploration and development company, focusing primarily on the prolific Montney region in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. With a substantial landholding of approximately 150 net sections in the Two Rivers area of Montney, Coelacanth is strategically positioned to harness the potential of one of the most resource-rich natural gas basins in North America.

Coelacanth distinguishes itself with a two-pronged strategy: near-term production growth and long-term resource development. Supported by advanced geological delineation and a robust infrastructure buildout, the company is poised to scale efficiently as it transitions from exploration to production.

Backed by a management team that has built and sold six successful oil and gas companies, Coelacanth is focused on delivering returns through disciplined capital deployment and operational execution.

The Montney Advantage

The Montney Formation spans British Columbia and Alberta and is known for its high levels of recoverable natural gas and liquids. Montney has attracted numerous large oil and gas producers, including companies like Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), Shell, ARC Resources (ARX), Tourmaline Oil Corp (TOU), and ConocoPhillips (COP). The presence of such large players highlights the importance of this region in contributing to both the Canadian and global energy markets.

Coelacanth’s landholdings are strategically located in the Two Rivers area of Montney, giving it access to a highly productive portion of the basin. Unlike many junior exploration companies, Coelacanth is drill-ready, positioning it favorably among its peers. By securing significant infrastructure and landholdings, Coelacanth ensures its ability to tap into the natural gas and oil resources that lie beneath its properties, a key advantage in the competitive Montney region.

Company Highlights

• Over 150 net sections of contiguous land in the Two Rivers area, located in the Montney geological fairway, a prolific oil and liquids-rich natural gas region.
• Strategic proximity to major producers like ARC Resources, Tourmaline Oil Corp, Shell and ConocoPhillips.
• Fully permitted and funded infrastructure development program, with first production from Two Rivers East Pad started in June 2025 and expected to ramp through the summer.
• Phase 1 facilities will support initial production of 8,000 boe/d; Phase 2 will add compression and double total capacity by Q4 2025.
• Nine wells have been drilled and tested at the 5-19 pad, collectively flowing at over 11,000 boe/d in flush test rates.
• Estimated production growth: 4,000 boe/d in 2025; 11,000 boe/d in 2026; 15,000 boe/d in 2027.

Key Projects

Two Rivers East and Two Rivers West

The Two Rivers Montney development is the cornerstone of Coelacanth’s growth strategy. This multi-zone resource play features Lower, Upper, Basal and Middle Montney formations, offering significant running room for future development. The company has drilled and tested nine wells on the 5-19 pad (seven Lower Montney, one Upper, one Basal), yielding impressive flush production test rates totaling more than 11,000 boe/d, on a combined basis. Some wells tested at over 1,200 boepd with 50 percent light oil, highlighting strong liquids yields.

Two Rivers Asset Advantage

Two Rivers East started first production in June 2025, with production to be systematically ramped up over the summer. This production is supported by a new Phase 1 facility capable of processing 30 mmcf/d of gas and associated oil. Phase 2, planned for late 2025, will double capacity with added compression.

The Two Rivers West project, already in production, complements the East project with upside in the Upper Montney and delineation potential across additional benches. Test wells have demonstrated commercial deliverability and support long-term production sustainability.

Market Access and Takeaway Agreements

Coelacanth has secured long-term gas takeaway for its growing production base. The company holds firm commitments for up to 100 mmcf/d of natural gas takeaway capacity and has secured processing capacity of up to 60 mmcf/d at a third-party facility. Oil and condensate produced from the Montney light oil window can be trucked to regional terminals or connected via infrastructure to major hubs including Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Prince George.

On the gas side, Coelacanth has egress options through pipelines such as NGTL, Westcoast and Alliance, and is strategically positioned to benefit from future access to LNG Canada via the Coastal GasLink system.

Board and Management

Rob Zakresky – President and CEO

Rob Zakresky has a significant background in the oil and gas sector, previously serving as the president and CEO of Leucrotta Exploration as well as five additional predecessor companies. He has been with Coelacanth Energy since its inception and is recognized for his strategic leadership and focus on enhancing shareholder value. His expertise in financial management and operations is reflected in his approach to driving the company’s growth.

Bret Kimpton – Vice-president of Operations and COO

Bret Kimpton joined Coelacanth Energy in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as vice president of production at Storm Resources, where he contributed to significant production growth. He has a strong background in construction and operations, especially in the Montney region of British Columbia, managing various fields. His role at Coelacanth focuses on overseeing operational efficiency and implementing the company’s growth strategies.

Nolan Chicoine – Vice-president of Finance and CFO

Nolan Chicoine has also been with Coelacanth Energy since its inception. His responsibilities encompass financial oversight, including financial planning, reporting, and analysis. He plays a crucial role in aligning the financial strategies with the company’s operational goals. His background includes significant experience in financial management as CFO for Leucrotta Exploration, Crocotta Energy, and Chamaelo Energy.

Jody Denis – Vice-president of Drilling & Completions

Jody Denis is the former drilling, engineering & operations engineer at Leucrotta Exploration. Prior to that, he was senior operations advisor at Black Swan Energy, drilling manager at ARC Resources, and drilling and completions manager at Birchcliff Energy.

John Fur – Vice-president Geosciences

John Fur is the former manager, exploration of Leucrotta Exploration, and former senior geophysicist at Crocotta Energy, Chamaelo Energy, Chamaelo Exploration, Viracocha Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, Post Energy, Amber Energy and Husky Oil.