bitcoin

Openbank adds cryptocurrency trading for German customers

Openbank, Grupo Santander’s fully digital bank, now allows customers in Germany to buy, sell, and hold major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano.

The service integrates seamlessly with existing investments, removing the need to transfer funds to other platforms. It also provides the protection of MiCA regulations and the backing of Santander.

Competitive fees of 1.49% per trade apply, with no custody charges, and the service will soon be available to customers in Spain. Over the coming months, Openbank plans to expand its portfolio and introduce new features, such as direct conversion between different digital assets.

The launch strengthens Openbank’s investment offerings in Germany, complementing its Robo Advisor and thousands of stocks, funds, and ETFs. It also includes an AI-powered broker platform providing target prices for European and US stocks.

Grupo Santander emphasises that the new crypto trading service responds to customer demand while broadening the bank’s range of innovative, technology-driven investment products.

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Quantum breakthroughs could threaten Bitcoin in the 2030s

The rise of quantum computing is sparking fresh concerns over the long-term security of Bitcoin. Unlike classical systems, quantum machines could eventually break the cryptography protecting digital assets.

Experts warn that Shor’s algorithm, once run on a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, could recover private keys from public ones in hours, leaving exposed funds vulnerable. Analysts see the mid-to-late 2030s as the key period for cryptographically relevant breakthroughs.

ChatGPT-5’s probability model indicates less than a 5% chance of Bitcoin being cracked before 2030, but risk rises to 45–60% between 2035 and 2039, and nearly certainty by 2050. Sudden progress in large-scale, fault-tolerant qubits or government directives could accelerate the timeline.

Mitigation strategies include avoiding key reuse, auditing exposed addresses, and gradually shifting to post-quantum or hybrid cryptographic solutions. Experts suggest that critical migrations should be completed by the mid-2030s to secure the Bitcoin network against future quantum threats.

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Bitcoin rallies above 116k on rate cut hopes

Bitcoin climbed nearly 4.42% over the past week, trading at $116,031 on Monday as investor optimism grows ahead of an expected US rate cut. Analysts say the rally is driven by technical factors and expectations of a 25bps Fed rate cut.

Edul Patel, CEO of Mudrex, highlighted that Bitcoin is holding above $115,400, with $117,100 acting as key resistance and $113,500 providing strong support.

Other cryptocurrencies are showing mixed trends, with Solana breaking out at $242 and potentially reaching $261 if buying momentum continues, while Ethereum consolidates around $4,600–$4,700.

The broader crypto market capitalisation stood at roughly $4.06 trillion, with institutional flows via ETH ETFs and shrinking exchange reserves tightening sell-side pressure. Analysts warn that high long-term Treasury yields may limit gains despite rising speculative demand ahead of the Fed decision.

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Bitcoin holdings in El Salvador spread across new addresses

El Salvador, the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender, has restructured its national bitcoin holdings to strengthen security against potential future threats. The National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC) announced that the country’s 6,280 BTC, worth around $687 million, has been split across 14 new addresses, each holding no more than 500 BTC. Officials say this change reduces exposure to risks, including those that could arise from advances in quantum computing.

The concern stems from the possibility that quantum computers, once powerful enough, could break cryptographic protections and reveal private keys. While no such machine exists today, bitcoin developers have long debated the timeline of this threat. ONBTC also highlighted that avoiding address reuse improves security and privacy while allowing the government to maintain transparency.

The broader bitcoin community remains divided on the urgency of quantum risks. Some experts argue the issue is exaggerated, while others warn that the industry may have far less time than previously thought. A developer known as Hunter Beast recently cautioned that breakthroughs in IBM’s quantum experiments suggest the worst-case scenario could arrive within three years.

The bitcoin strategy of El Salvador continues to draw criticism from international institutions. The IMF, which approved a $3.5 billion loan to the country, insists that no new bitcoin purchases have been made this year and that the government is merely reshuffling its reserves. The ONBTC disputes this claim, maintaining that fresh purchases are still taking place despite pressure to scale back its cryptocurrency policies.

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Businesses absorb Bitcoin at four times the mining rate

Private and public businesses are acquiring Bitcoin nearly four times faster than miners are producing new coins, according to financial services firm River.

Companies, including publicly traded treasuries and private businesses, purchased an average of 1,755 BTC daily in 2025, with ETFs adding 1,430 BTC daily. Governments also joined in, buying about 39 BTC per day.

In contrast, miners produced just 450 BTC daily, raising fears of a potential supply crunch.

In the second quarter of 2025 alone, treasury companies acquired 159,107 BTC, bringing business holdings to around 1.3 million BTC. Michael Saylor’s firm Strategy leads with a corporate reserve of 632,457 BTC, making it the largest known holder.

Strategy says aggressive buying does not affect short-term prices, as most transactions are handled off-exchange through OTC markets. Analysts, however, continue to speculate that dwindling exchange reserves could become a powerful bullish force.

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Analyst warns AI will make stocks obsolete in favour of Bitcoin

Analyst Jordi Visser warns AI could make traditional stocks obsolete by speeding up innovation, making public companies inefficient investments. He said Bitcoin is a longer-lasting investment, based on belief rather than fleeting corporate ideas.

Visser suggested that AI could compress a century of innovation into just five years, reshaping finance and capital markets. He believes investors will prefer belief assets like Bitcoin, noting its long-term resilience mirrors gold’s role as a store of value.

Momentum behind Bitcoin adoption is also gathering elsewhere. Eric Trump told the Bitcoin Asia 2025 conference that the cryptocurrency could reach $1 million as nation states, companies, and wealthy families add it to their reserves.

Public firms are shifting business models to hold Bitcoin directly, diverting capital from traditional equity markets.

Bitcoin’s market capitalisation currently exceeds $2.1 trillion, and some analysts predict it could surpass gold in the decades ahead. Its global, yield-generating design in DeFi could help Bitcoin surpass gold as a store of value.

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Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by late 2025

Analysts suggest Bitcoin’s current bull cycle may reach new highs of $150,000 by December 2025, driven by supply scarcity and sustained institutional holdings. The growth is expected to be slower than previous cycles but could extend into early 2026.

Technical analysis shows that each successive cycle delivers smaller gains. While early cycles saw increases of 61%, 42%, and 35%, the current cycle may peak at 27%.

Experts argue that a deceleration in growth often results in longer-lasting uptrends rather than signalling an end to momentum.

Liquidity data points to further upside potential. Bitcoin held in long-term storage has returned to historically high levels, reducing the amount available for trading. Analysts warn that scarcity may boost prices, but sudden large sell-offs could push Bitcoin down to $90,000–$100,000.

The debate continues over the timing and duration of the cycle. Some experts say the bull run is nearly over, while others believe institutional activity is changing the traditional four-year halving cycle.

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AI model forecasts Bitcoin to fall below $100,000

Bitcoin has slipped below $110,000, and according to Finbold’s use of ChatGPT-5, a further drop could occur in the coming weeks. The model outlined technical resistance and seasonal factors pointing to September weakness.

Key levels around $112,000 and $106,000 are under pressure, with the AI projecting a sharp decline toward $98,000 if support breaks. Historically, September has been one of Bitcoin’s worst-performing months, adding to the bearish outlook.

Despite the short-term caution, demand from ETFs and long-term holders may offer support between $95,000 and $98,000. Longer-term technicals remain intact, with the 200-day average sitting near $95,000.

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Bitcoin price drops after whale sell-off while Ethereum holds

Bitcoin price weakened sharply after a $2.7 billion whale sell-off sparked automated liquidations, pushing the cryptocurrency toward key support near $110,500. Over $846 million in liquidations doubled the total crypto capitalisation to about $3.83 trillion.

Indicators suggest short-term volatility and choppy price action.

Technical metrics highlight the divergence between Bitcoin and Ethereum. Bitcoin’s ADX at 16 and RSI near 42 signal low trend conviction and growing selling pressure, while the Squeeze Momentum Indicator points to potential volatility ahead.

Ethereum remains comparatively resilient, with an ADX around 41, a bullish 50–200 EMA spread, and RSI near 59, supporting continued positive momentum.

Traders are advised to emphasise risk management amid elevated uncertainty. Key Bitcoin support levels sit at $110,500 and $107,000–$107,600, with resistance at $116,000 and $120,000. Ethereum support ranges from $4,194 to $4,400, while immediate resistance reaches $4,954.

Tightening stop-losses, reducing leverage, and waiting for confirmed volatility resolution are recommended before initiating new positions.

The recent whale-induced volatility demonstrates how a large order can swiftly impact market dynamics. While Bitcoin shows fragile trend conditions, Ethereum’s technical strength provides a measure of stability.

Monitoring indicators and key levels remains essential for navigating the current environment.

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Brazil examines legislation for national Bitcoin reserve

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies Economic Development Commission will hold its first hearing on 20 August to examine a proposal to establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve. The legislation aims to diversify Treasury assets and protect reserves from currency and geopolitical risks.

Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança requested the hearing to gather expert input from government agencies and financial institutions. Lawmaker Eros Biondini highlighted global examples such as El Salvador, the US, China, Dubai, and the EU to support the initiative.

The bill assigns custody responsibilities to Brazil’s Central Bank and Finance Ministry and requires biannual reports on RESBit performance and risk assessments.

Brazil leads Latin America in crypto adoption, ranking 10th globally, with nearly $76 billion in crypto traded last year. The proposal positions the country among nations exploring digital asset reserves as hedges against traditional currency.

Following the hearing, the proposal will undergo review by four Chamber committees before full consideration and Senate approval. Expert and monetary authority input will guide committee reviews and amendments, supporting a strong legislative framework for Brazil’s proposed Bitcoin reserve.

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