Crypto Market Update Bitcoin Stays Strong, Ethereum Faces Whale Sell-Off, and Vietnam Legalizes Crypto

The cryptocurrency market continues to be a double-edged sword. Bitcoin shows resilience above $105,000 after the attack on Israel, while Ethereum continues to face selling pressure from a recently reactivated whale wallet. MicroStrategy’s ongoing Bitcoin accumulation solidifies institutional bullishness in the crypto sector. Vietnam has formally legalized cryptocurrencies, the law going into force in 2026. Recent trading activities in popular tokens AAVE and PEPE further show the volatility that is expected in the space.
Bitcoin's Strength and Institutional Accumulation
Bitcoin has continued to show a lot of strength, seeing its price hold well above that $105,000 level despite the still present geo-political fears. Much of this stability comes from large institutional investment in the genre. US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced record inflows, with $86.3 million on Thursday and $301.7 million on Friday.
During one week alone, institutions flooded a record-shattering $1.37 billion into the Bitcoin market. This increase is indicative of their growing confidence in the asset’s long-term value. Further cementing this notion is MicroStrategy, which underlines Bitcoin’s strength as they are still the largest known corporate holder of Bitcoin with 582,000 BTC. Michael Saylor, a notable Bitcoin advocate, posted a Bitcoin chart with the statement "Bigger Dots are ₿etter," hinting at potential additional corporate acquisitions of Bitcoin.
Mining difficulty recently hit a record high of 126.9 trillion before dropping marginally to 126.4 trillion. The increase in mining difficulty is indicative of the increased computational power being focused on the Bitcoin network. This increase is a testament to its strong security and increasing adoption.
Ethereum's Whale Woes and Market Impact
Ethereum is still trying to figure out the impact of new selling pressure that has appeared from a reawakened whale wallet. Read more about every major cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency Correction Bitcoin is trading just below $2,500, having a hard time holding above $2,600. The whale wallet was last active in 2015, when its assets amounted to a mere $620. Most recently, it transferred over 1 million ETH.
In particular, the whale deposited 500 ETH to an address managed by Binance, indicating that the whale may be undergoing a liquidation event. As it stands, the wallet still contains 1,500 ETH, or $3.796 million. If and when that ETH is sold, it would have a huge bearish impact on the price. This sorry state of affairs highlights just how powerful big, inactive accounts can be in shaping market conditions.
The expected movement of these funds has thrown investors’ minds into turmoil, partially explaining the ongoing volatility in Ethereum’s price right now. Market participants are reportedly watching the infamous whale closely, with every further sell-off threatening to add even more downward pressure to Ethereum.
Altcoin Developments and Regulatory Advances
Even apart from Bitcoin and Ethereum, there are significant developments for other altcoins. MARA, another Bitcoin mining company, announced a 35% month-over-month production increase in May. They are smartly hoarding every Bitcoin that they mine. To be clear, it’s a bullish move, predicated on an expectation that Bitcoin’s overall future value will increase. Aave (AAVE) volatility, breaking the $285 resistance region, but unable to hold the price up past $325. This is a reminder of how difficult it can be for altcoins to hold on to upward momentum.
For PEPE (PEPE), the price is currently approaching a strong long-term ascending trendline support near $0.0000103. Once the price breaks below this level, it has room for much deeper falls. This underscores just how important technical analysis is in order to thrive in the altcoin market.
Vietnam officially legalized cryptocurrencies with its recently passed Digital Technology Industry Law. This law goes into effect January 1, 2026. This action represents a bold step toward greater implementation of cryptocurrencies in the region’s broader economies. Providing a clear legal framework can draw additional investment and innovation to the Vietnamese crypto market.

Ava Thompson
Blockchain Market Psychology Editor
Ava Thompson explores blockchain and market psychology through an evidence-based yet human-focused lens. She bridges strategic thinking with direct, nuanced communication, and her work features a balance of in-depth analysis and relatable storytelling. Outside the newsroom, Ava is an avid urban gardener and street art enthusiast.
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