NFT-related tokens delivered the strongest sector performance in the second quarter, gaining an average of 55.4% even as dollar-denominated NFT trading volume fell to multi-year lows. Artemis data shows that the average gains from NFT-related tokens surpassed the second-best performance, which was Ethereum’s (ETH) 37.2%, by nearly 50%. Pudgy Penguins’… Listen ⇢

US President Donald Trump has issued five pardons for figures in the crypto and blockchain industries, and may have received requests from Changpeng Zhao and Sam Bankman-Fried. Anatoly Legkodymov, a Russian national and former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato, reportedly requested a federal pardon from US President Donald Trump after… Listen ⇢

The XRP ETF conversation is no longer just speculation, and many industry participants and investors are on high alert. Interestingly, there are a string of important regulatory deadlines falling in July that might influence when and how an XRP ETF will hit the market. A recent post by Crypto Crusader… Listen ⇢

The meme coin market just posted a 16% daily surge, signalling a major bullish cycle. Momentum picked up after BONK appeared in Grayscale’s Q3 fund reshuffle, quietly validating meme coins as part of the broader market structure. In the last 24 hours, capital has started moving like it’s rotating into… Listen ⇢

French J3 cybercrime unit launches probe into X’s algorithm as EU scrutiny intensifies. The French Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into X over the alleged use of its algorithm for foreign interference. According to a statement from Magistrate Laure Beccuau on Friday, prosecutors have launched a probe into… Listen ⇢

Entering the “banana zone” $250,000 per Bitcoin? “Rich Dad Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki has shown off his ability to use conceptual metaphors, calling himself a “fat pig” sitting on a sufficient amount of Bitcoin.  The animalistic “pig” metaphor refers to disciplined investors who increase their positions gradually and take… Listen ⇢

The past 24 hours have witnessed bitcoin (BTC) record all-time highs (ATHs) again and again, with the latest being at almost $119,000. While it is evident that institutional demand and whale movements are driving this rally, analysts have identified another cohort of investors who have contributed to the surge. According… Listen ⇢

Alchemy Pay wins South Carolina license, now licensed in ten states. New MTL expands Alchemy Pay’s fiat-crypto services with full compliance. Global push continues as Alchemy Pay eyes MiCA and Hong Kong next. Alchemy Pay has reached another important milestone. The global fiat-crypto payment gateway has been granted a Money… Listen ⇢

U.S. lawmakers may actually get a crypto bill to the president’s desk. The House is set to vote on market structure and stablecoin legislation next week, bringing the U.S. a vital step closer to drafting new rules for the industry. You’re reading State of Crypto, a CoinDesk newsletter looking at… Listen ⇢