Crypto Market Update: SEC Pauses Bitwise ETF Conversion Soon After Approving Application

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$118,148, down by 0.7 percent over the last 24 hours. Its highest valuation on Wednesday was US$118,462, while its lowest valuation was US$117,583.

Bitcoin traded lower over the past 24 hours, hovering between $117,000 and $120,000 amid several market pressures.

A major whale moved over US$1.2 billion in dormant BTC, sparking speculation of potential selling.

After a rotation into altcoins, investors took profits following recent highs, while outflows from spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) signaled weaker institutional demand.

Ethereum (ETH) was priced at US$3,592.65, down by 1.9 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Wednesday was US$3,568.86, and its highest was US$3,657.02.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$188.86, down by 5.5 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$186.95, and its highest was US$192.58.

• XRP was trading for US$3.25, down 8.9 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.18, and its highest valuation was US$3.36.

• Sui (SUI) is trading at US$3.70, down 5.5 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.67, and its highest was US$3.84.

• Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.8152, down by 6.9 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$0.8058, and its highest was US$0.8370.

Today's crypto news to know

PNC Bank and Coinbase partner to advance digital asset solutions

PNC Bank and Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) have announced a strategic partnership to broaden access to digital asset solutions for PNC's clients and institutional investors.

The collaboration will leverage Coinbase's crypto-as-a-service platform, enabling PNC to offer secure and scalable cryptocurrency access. PNC clients will be able to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrencies directly through PNC's platform.

PNC will also provide essential banking services to Coinbase, signifying a mutual commitment to strengthening the digital financial system. Both companies emphasize that this partnership will meet the increasing demand for secure and streamlined digital asset access.

Goldman Sachs and BNY to launch tokenized money market funds

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and BNY (NYSE:BK) are preparing to offer institutional investors access to tokenized money market funds, aiming to enhance capital markets with real-time settlement, 24/7 access and increased efficiencies.

BNY clients will soon be able to invest in money market funds with ownership recorded on Goldman Sachs’ private blockchain, as per a Wednesday news release.

“As the financial system transitions toward a more digital, real-time architecture, BNY is committed to enabling scalable and secure solutions that shape the future of finance,” said Laide Majiyagbe, global head of liquidity, financing and collateral at BNY, adding that mirrored tokenization of money market funds is the first step.

This initiative involves major players such as BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Fidelity Investments, Federated Hermes and the asset management divisions of Goldman and BNY.

Tokenized money market funds offer a contrast to interest-bearing stablecoins, which are specifically prohibited under the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law last week. They provide yield, which makes them a low-volatility tool for hedge funds, pensions and corporations.

SEC halts Bitwise crypto index ETF conversion for review

On Tuesday (July 22), the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Division of Trading and Markets approved the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index to convert to an ETF, only to immediately pause it for review.

In a letter issued later that day, SEC Assistant Secretary Sherry Haywood said that the order will remain “stayed until the Commission orders otherwise.” Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas has suggested that the SEC might be delaying its approval until it establishes a listing standard for crypto ETFs.

Bitwise had applied for this conversion in November for its fund, which offers exposure to a range of cryptocurrencies.

Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, described the situation as “bizarre,” drawing parallels to the Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF conversion, which experienced a similar approval and subsequent pause on July 1.

Bitcoin millionaires surge by 16,000 in 2025, according to report

Nearly 16,000 new Bitcoin wallets have crossed the million-dollar threshold since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in January 2025, according to a Finbold report. The number of Bitcoin millionaires is up from 132,842 in November 2024 to 192,205 as of July 20, marking a 45 percent increase in just eight months.

Large holders with over US$10 million in BTC also saw gains exceeding 16 percent in the same period.

The surge has been linked to renewed investor optimism following Trump’s re-election, along with clear signals of regulatory support and clarity for digital assets.

A significant boost came this week when the US House passed the Genius Act. The legislation, expected to streamline compliance for institutions, is widely seen as the most comprehensive federal crypto framework to date.

The rapidly changing policy environment has encouraged capital inflows and bolstered confidence in US-based crypto markets, with the resulting daily average tallying to 88 new Bitcoin millionaires in 2025 alone.

South Korea warns fund managers to reduce exposure to crypto stocks

South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has issued informal warnings to asset managers over their exposure to crypto-related stocks and ETFs. According to the Korea Herald, firms with significant holdings in US-listed crypto companies such as Coinbase and Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) were reportedly told to scale back.

The directive follows the FSS’s longstanding 2017 stance prohibiting direct investment in virtual assets by financial institutions, despite recent global shifts in crypto regulation. While the agency has been reviewing possible easing of crypto rules, officials reportedly said that licensed entities must continue observing current guidelines.

The FSS has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the report.

PayPal unveils cross-border wallet platform

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has launched PayPal World, a cross-border payments network that integrates several of the world’s largest digital wallets, aiming to simplify international commerce for billions.

The platform’s initial partners include India’s UPI (via NPCI International), China’s Weixin Pay (via Tenpay Global) and PayPal’s own services including Venmo.

A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with Mercado Pago in Latin America.

According to PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, the initiative allows users to pay with their native wallets regardless of location. Chriss called it a potential “game changer” for frictionless payments in travel and e-commerce.

“The challenge of moving money across borders is incredibly complex, and yet this platform will make it so simple for nearly two billion consumers and businesses," Chriss said a recent press release.