Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at US$108,948, down by 1.6 percent in the last 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$107,741 and a high of US$109,997.

Bitcoin price performance, July 4, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin’s rally to US$108,000 followed strong US labor data that boosted risk appetite early on, alongside continued inflows into Bitcoin spot ETFs (nearly US$50 billion), which helped anchor prices despite broader equity market pullbacks.

Market watchers also noted heightened volatility following the reactivation of two long-dormant Bitcoin wallets containing roughly 20,000 BTC (worth over US$2 billion), raising questions about potential future dumping.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$2,549.85, down by 2.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$2,502.39 and its highest was US$2,600.55.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$150.30, up by 5 percent over 24 hours. Its highest valuation as of Friday was US$153.26, and its lowest was US$146.61.

• XRP was trading for US$2.24, down by 1.4 percent in 24 hours. The cryptocurrency’s lowest valuation was US$2.21 and its highest was US$2.28.

• Sui (SUI) is trading at US$2.92, showing a decrease of 3.6 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation was US$2.87 and its highest was US$3.07.

• Cardano (ADA) is priced at US$0.5817, down by 3.1 percent in the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Wednesday was US$0.5715 and its highest was US$0.6028.

Today’s crypto news to know

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill passes Congress, sending cryptos higher

US President Donald Trump’s flagship Big Beautiful Bill, featuring sweeping tax cuts, narrowly passed the House of Representatives on July 3 with a 218 to 214 vote and now awaits his signature.

Elon Musk criticized the bill for potentially inflating the deficit by trillions, while Trump suggested Musk’s criticism stemmed from policy clashes on EV incentives.

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong also raised concerns that a ballooning debt could paradoxically fuel Bitcoin’s status as a reserve asset.

Bitcoin traded near US$109,886 after the news, with other leading coins including Ethereum and Solana also posting gains. The total crypto market cap climbed to US$3.39 trillion following the vote.

Bitcoin power shift as whales sell 500,000 BTC to institutions

A major redistribution of Bitcoin is underway as long-time holders of large amounts of Bitcoin have sold off around 500,000 Bitcoin over the past year, worth more than US$50 billion at current prices.

According to a Bloomberg report, these sales are being absorbed almost equally by institutional buyers, including spot ETFs and corporate treasuries. That pattern is turning Bitcoin from a high-volatility speculative bet into a steadier institutional portfolio allocation. Despite consistent positive news for crypto in recent months, the asset has struggled to break through resistance around US$110,000, showing a consolidation phase.

Some of the whales cashing out are early holders dating back to Bitcoin’s earliest cycles, Bloomberg reports, who are swapping Bitcoin for stock-linked deals instead of simply liquidating.

Russian giant Rostec to issue ruble-backed stablecoin

State-owned Russian conglomerate Rostec is moving to launch a ruble-pegged stablecoin called RUBx and a payments network named RT-Pay before year-end, according to Russian state media.

The stablecoin will be anchored one-to-one with ruble deposits held in treasury accounts, and its code will be independently audited by CertiK. RT-Pay will integrate directly with Russia’s banking system, aiming for instant settlement and smart contract functionality even outside business hours.

Rostec says its platform will follow Russia’s anti-money-laundering and terrorism-financing requirements, in line with the Bank of Russia’s rules.

The stablecoin will run on the Tron blockchain, with its smart contract code to be published on GitHub.

Coinbase’s Base sees US$4 billion in outflows, Ethereum gains US$8.5 billion

Coinbase’s Layer 2 network Base has lost significant traction this year, registering US$4.3 billion in net outflows through cross-chain bridges, data shows.

This downturn is a sharp reversal from the US$3.8 billion of inflows Base attracted in 2024, when it led the sector in bridge activity. Meanwhile, Ethereum has staged a comeback, seeing US$8.5 billion in inflows compared to net outflows last year.

The slowdown in stablecoin supply growth on Base, now holding steady above US$4 billion since May, points to a maturing user base and declining trading volumes.

Bridges are key pieces of crypto infrastructure that allow assets to move between chains, supporting interoperability.

Nano Labs starts US$1 billion BNB buying plan with US$50 million purchase

Hong Kong-based chipmaker Nano Labs (NASDAQ:NA) has made its first major move in an ambitious plan to hold up to 10 percent of Binance Coin (BNB) in circulation, snapping up US$50 million of BNB this week.

The company disclosed buying around 74,315 BNB at an average price of US$672, funded partly by convertible notes.

Nano Labs ultimately plans to allocate US$1 billion to BNB holdings, signaling a vote of confidence in Binance’s ecosystem. However, its shares fell nearly 5 percent on Thursday and lost another 2 percent after hours, reflecting investor worries about its exposure to volatile crypto reserves.

Nano Labs’ reserves, including Bitcoin, now stand around US$160 million in total.

Q2 review: Market maturation, institutional integration and regulatory milestones

Q2 highlighted a maturing market that can absorb shocks while maintaining focus on long-term growth.

While scrutiny of officials’ crypto dealings, including those of US President Donald Trump and his family, kept headlines lively, the broader trend was one of increased credibility.

Early in the quarter, trade tensions between the US and China, combined with ongoing concerns that tariffs will lead to an economic fallout, dampened investor sentiment and weighed on risk assets.

However, investor confidence in Bitcoin was evident in its resilience. After a slide to around US$76,000 at the start of April, it reached the US$90,000s mid-month, before hitting a new all-time high of US$111,000 on May 22.

Institutional accumulation and clearer regulatory signals backed this sentiment, exemplified by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of rule changes allowing Ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) options.

The SEC also updated its guidance on crypto company disclosures, while US President Donald Trump signed a resolution repealing the IRS’s DeFi broker rule. Closing off the quarter, the Federal Housing Finance Agency directed mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on June 25 to propose single-family mortgage loan risk assessments that consider cryptocurrency on US-regulated exchanges as reserve assets.

These policy shifts were accompanied by surging investor interest in tokenized assets, including tokenized gold — with PAXG and XAUt hitting US$1.54 billion in market cap — and RWA products, particularly within real estate. Momentum was further extended into stablecoin yield products and new ETF filings.

A US$300 million large-scale infrastructure deal between global financial group Macquarie (ASX:MQG) and Bitfarms (TSX:BITF,NASDAQ:BITF) for a high-performance computing center exemplified the growing confidence among fintechs in the long-term viability of digital assets. This growing confidence was further underscored by Robinhood’s (NASDAQ:HOOD) expansion of its crypto footprint, notably with the early June acquisition of Bitstamp.

Combined, these events demonstrated growing market confidence in crypto’s future.

Meanwhile, Ripple’s acquisition of global prime broker Hidden Road signaled a new phase in TradFi-DeFi integration, accompanied by the Fed’s easing of restrictions on banks’ crypto exposure.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s clarification allowing banks to trade and outsource crypto operations signaled that US regulators increasingly view crypto infrastructure as critical to modern financial services.

Reports of Circle (NYSE:CRCL), BitGo, Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) and Paxos exploring bank charters further underscored the convergence of TradFi and DeFi, as did Coinbase’s US$100 million credit facility to Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT); this type of structured financing is typically reserved for banks.

Further solidifying this trend, Stripe finalized a deal to acquire Privy, bringing crypto wallet infrastructure in-house and underscoring how fintech leaders are embedding digital asset rails into their core platforms.

Coinbase also acquired derivatives marketplace Deribit, a US$2.9 billion investment, part of a broader move to dominate digital asset infrastructure and market access. In the retail space, investor exposure widened through Galaxy Digital (NASDAQ:GLXY) and Circle’s Wall Street debut.

Policy also evolved. The GENIUS Act, a legislative companion to the STABLE Act, advanced in the Senate, proposing guardrails for stablecoins while carving out flexibility for banks to issue tokenized deposits, while crypto reserve legislation advanced in New Hampshire, Texas and Arizona.

Still, operational risks remained. A US$223 million exploit hit the Cetus protocol, and Coinbase suffered a US$20 million ransomware attack, reminders that digital assets remain a high-stakes environment.

Bitcoin price performance, Q2 2025. 

Chart courtesy of CoinGecko.

Investor Insight

Quimbaya Gold’s strategic focus on Colombia offers a compelling opportunity for gold exploration in a prolific, yet underexplored region supported by a favorable permitting environment. The upside potential is worthy of examination by any savvy investor.

Overview

Quimbaya Gold (CSE:QIM) is a junior gold exploration company focused on its high-grade gold projects in Colombia. The company’s portfolio spans 59,057 hectares across three highly prospective regions in the Antioquia mining district. This region is responsible for approximately 50 percent of Colombia’s total gold production, equivalent to around 1 million ounces (Moz) annually.

Positioned right next to Aris Mining’s (TSX:ARIS) Segovia mine, Quimbaya leverages its proximity to established infrastructure and gold-rich geological formations. With Colombia being one of the most underexplored yet top mining jurisdictions in South America, Quimbaya’s projects are uniquely poised for significant discoveries.

Quimbaya’s projects benefit from Colombia’s favorable permitting environment, enabling faster transitions from discovery to production, compared to its global peers. Quimbaya’s strategy focuses on value creation through new discoveries and monetizing them via strategic transactions, including joint ventures and operational contracts.

Quimbaya has established a significant partnership with Independence Drilling, Colombia’s largest drilling company with over 40 years of experience. The agreement secures 100,000 meters of drilling over five years, with Independence Drilling accepting part of its payment in Quimbaya shares. This innovative structure demonstrates strong confidence in Quimbaya’s projects, ensuring cost-effective and efficient drilling operations.

The company’s management team brings extensive and deep expertise in exploration in Colombia, corporate finance and project development. Quimbaya trades on multiple exchanges: CSE (QIM), OTCQB (QIMGF), and FSE (K05).

Company Highlights

• Quimbaya Gold controls 59,057 hectares across three distinct projects in Antioquia, Colombia — renowned as the country’s top mining department, accounting for over half of Colombia’s gold production.
• The flagship Tahami project is adjacent and on trend to Aris Mining’s Segovia mine, one of the highest-grade gold mines globally. Tahami benefits from its strategic proximity to Segovia and its potential for discovery of high-grade vein gold systems.
• Tight share structure (60 percent insider/family offices/institutions ownership) with a market cap of approximately C$11.45 million, ensuring alignment with shareholder interests.
• Quimbaya has entered into a partnership with Independence Drilling, Colombia’s largest drilling company, which secures an extremely cost-effective 100,000 meters of drilling over five years.
• Quimbaya utilizes software that allows for rapid and cost-effective acquisition of mining claims, giving the company a competitive edge in securing high-value assets.
• The technical team’s proven track record of major discoveries in Colombia positions Quimbaya as a standout explorer in the region.
• Fully funded into 2026 for multi-project advancement in Colombia after closing $4 million financing

Key Projects

Tahami Project (Flagship)

The Tahami project is located in Segovia, Antioquia, adjacent to Aris Mining’s Segovia mine, one of the highest-grade gold mines in the world. Spanning 17,087 hectares, Tahami’s geology features mesothermal veins with multiple mineralization events underlain by Precambrian metamorphic rocks consolidated within the San Lucas Gneiss unit.

Several vein systems from Aris Mining’s Segovia project, including the Sandra K and El Silencio veins, extend towards Quimbaya’s tenements. Both the Sandra K and El Silencio veins align with structural orientations of known high-grade deposits. The project also boasts more than 25 historical artisanal mines, underscoring its prospectively.

Quimbaya’s exploration plan for Tahami involves leveraging advanced geochemical and geophysical surveys to generate drill targets. These efforts will be complemented by modern 3D geological modelling and an initial drilling campaign to test high-grade zones. The integration of historical data and cutting-edge technology positions Tahami as a prime asset for discovery. The initial drilling campaign is anticipated to commence by late Q2 of 2025 and will prioritize the high-grade targets identified in preliminary exploration work.

Maitamac Project

Located in Abejorral, Antioquia, 80 kilometers south of Medellín, the Maitamac project spans 33,223 hectares and offers excellent road access. This emerging gold metallogenic district features mesothermal veins and potential porphyry gold-copper systems.

Initial surface rock samples have reported gold grades of up to 3.2 g/t, with stream sediments revealing over 1 g/t gold. Identified as a promising district by the Colombian Geological Services, Maitamac is positioned alongside the past producing ABE project and structural corridor which has produced mined shoots averaging 26 g/t gold.

Team

Alexandre P. Boivin – CEO and Director

Alexandre Boivin is an entrepreneur with more than 10 years of experience in corporate finance and Colombian mining. Through his extensive experience in the mining industry, corporate finance, capital markets and business development, Boivin has been instrumental in managing and funding early-stage companies through a network of partners and investors immersed in the capital markets. Under his leadership, Quimbaya Gold has secured significant investments to advance its exploration projects. His commitment to the company’s growth is further demonstrated by his substantial shareholding in Quimbaya Gold.

Olivier Berthiaume – CFO and Director

Olivier Berthiaume is an accountant with over 12 years of experience working with early-stage companies in the Canadian markets. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montreal and specializes in private-to-public market transactions, compliance, corporate governance, and corporate growth strategies. Berthiaume has held various director and officer positions in junior mining companies.

Sebastian Wahl – Vice-president, Business Development

Sebastian Wahl brings over 15 years of experience in the mining industry, with a strong focus on precious metals trading, capital markets, and corporate development. Wahl has played a pivotal role in shaping Quimbaya Gold’s strategic direction and elevating its external positioning during a critical growth phase.

Ricardo Sierra – Exploration Manager

Ricardo Sierra is a professional economic Geologist with over 18 years of exploration experience in Colombia-Chile-Cuba-Brazil in orogenic, mesothermal, porphyry type deposits, epithermal systems, and stratabound. Sierra started his career with ANGLO AMERICAN as an exploration geologist in greenfield and brownfield exploration, supervising diamond drilling on their Colombian properties. His knowledge in vein systems, critical in understanding mineralization processes, was honed while exploration superintendent with Continental Gold (now Zijin Mining Group) on their Buritica (Antioquia) deposit, also in their regional exploration (Choco, Nariño, Cauca, Antioquia). Sierra graduated in 2007 as a geologist from Universidad de Caldas (Colombia). He is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM) and is a qualified person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101, also he is a Competent Person (CP) of Comision Colombiana de Recursos y Reservas Mineras (CCRR).

Dr. Stewart Redwood – Senior Technical Advisor

Stewart Redwood is a distinguished geological consultant with more than 40 years of experience in mineral exploration and economic geology, specializing in epithermal, porphyry and skarn deposits, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. His notable achievements include significant discoveries, including the San Cristobal silver-zinc deposit in Bolivia, the Romero gold-copper deposit in the Dominican Republic, and the Antamina copper-zinc project in Peru, recognized as the world’s largest copper skarn deposit. Throughout his career, Redwood has held key positions in prominent mining and exploration companies, including as chief geologist Latin America for AngloGold Ashanti, founder president and CEO of GoldQuest Mining, and VP exploration of Colombia Goldfields (which merged with Gran Colombia Gold). He has been instrumental in the success of Gran Colombia Gold’s Marmato project (now owned by Aris Mining), currently an 8.8 Moz deposit in the construction stage.

Nicolas Lopez Villegas – Technical Advisor

A Colombian native, with over 28 years of experience focused in the mining district of Antioquia, currently the CEO of MINING BRAIN SAS, Nicolas Lopez, leads this consulting company advising on the implementation, development of sustainable mining projects all over Colombia. Prior to the establishment of his consultancy practice, Lopez spent 12 years as Colombia & Nicaragua’s country manager for IAMGOLD, having devoted the previous 10 years with MINEROS SA as head of exploration & geology. Villegas played a pivotal role in major discoveries, including the first porphyry copper-gold deposit in the Colombian middle Cauca belt, known as Titiribi. a significantly rich gold-copper geological region. As a seasoned executive in gold exploration, Villegas holds a geology degree from Universidad de Caldas (Colombia), a Governance in Oil & Mining degree from Oxford University (UK) and he is a Qualified Person (QP).

Terence Ortslan – Advisor

Terence Ortslan is a seasoned resource executive with over 40 years of experience, having served in advisory capacities across the mining, metals, and fertilizer sectors. He provides guidance on investment and technical aspects of the industry, as well as strategic and policy advice tailored to mining companies. Additionally, Ortslan advises financial institutions on investment decisions, offers direction to international industry organizations, and consults with governments on fiscal and industrial regulations. He also supports universities in enhancing their educational standards and assists corporations with decision-making, boardroom leadership, shareholder value enhancement, and strengthening ES parameters. Ortslan holds a Bachelor of Engineering & Applied Geophysics and an MBA from McGill University.