The 45% AI Memecoin Rally That Came Out of Nowhere

Hello and welcome to Crypto Intel, the twice-weekly newsletter covering the latest updates, breaking news, and exciting opportunities in the crypto world.

No charts broke. No influencers tweeted. But the ground still shifted—and it's the kind of shift that doesn't reverse easily.

One came from inside the boardroom. One was whispered into policy chambers. And one echoed across a voting booth that just reset the rules for an entire economy.

These weren't hype-fueled spikes or headline-grabbing blowups. They were structural moves—slow, deliberate, and already in motion.

ETF Surge (Sponsored)

Crypto Enters a New Era—27 Experts Speak Out

Trump’s recent crypto announcement just triggered a major market shift—right as Bitcoin and ETFs hit fresh highs.

Institutional money is pouring in, but some of the smartest minds in crypto are looking beyond Bitcoin.

Now, 27 top insiders—co-creators of Tether, Solana, and THORChain—are revealing what comes next.

From hidden altcoin plays to major predictions, this is rare access to crypto’s elite.

[Claim Your Free Ticket to the Crypto Community Summit 2025]

Market-Moving News

This week wasn't about volatility. It was about positioning—who's buying, who's building, and who's quietly changing the rules.

Each story points to a deeper shift in crypto's foundation. Watch closely because, by the time it's obvious, the moment's already passed.

Adoption

Corporate Bitcoin Treasuries Now Hold Over 3% of BTC Supply

According to Standard Chartered, 61 companies now hold a combined 673,897 BTC—roughly 3.2% of Bitcoin's total supply. That's more than twice what they held just two months ago.

The trend has accelerated rapidly, with "Strategy imitators" growing their BTC reserves from under 50,000 to about 100,000 BTC. This surge outpaced even MicroStrategy's own recent purchases.

Standard Chartered cautions that this corporate pile-on might introduce volatility in the future. Around 50% of these firms have average entry prices above $90,000—well above Bitcoin's current level.

Should BTC drop significantly, many of these balance sheets could fall underwater. That could lead to forced selling, adding downside pressure to already volatile markets.

Still, companies like SolarBank and Blockchain Group are entering anyway, citing Bitcoin's long-term potential. SolarBank even filed for a Coinbase Prime account to help custody its assets.

Michael Saylor remains unfazed, claiming Strategy's capital structure can handle a 90% BTC drop for years. He says the risk is calculated—and worth it.

For investors, this signals that institutional belief in BTC as a reserve asset isn't fading—it's multiplying. But with high average entry points and short-term hype cycles, expect sharper drawdowns if sentiment turns.

Regulation

SEC to Shift Toward "Notice and Comment" Rulemaking on Crypto

New SEC Chair Paul Atkins told Congress the agency will draft crypto rules through "notice and comment," not enforcement. This marks a break from Gary Gensler's litigious approach.

Atkins emphasized a need for "fit-for-purpose" standards tailored to crypto's unique traits. These rules will address custody, issuance, and fraud prevention.

He noted that the SEC's job is to enforce existing obligations—not make law through court battles. Clear "rules of the road," he argued, will help investors identify scams and build trust.

The SEC's internal Crypto Task Force will spearhead this effort, with a report expected in the coming months. Its goal is to make innovation compatible with compliance.

Atkins also requested Congress dismantle the SEC's FinHub, saying innovation should be embedded agency-wide. He believes FinHub's functions can be absorbed into broader operations.

The SEC recently dropped several longstanding enforcement actions and clarified that common staking practices do not breach securities laws. That signals a broader softening in the agency's posture.

For investors, this shift reduces fear around sudden legal action and signals a return to transparent policymaking. If the SEC follows through, it could unlock greater institutional participation and product growth.

Midyear Market Map (Sponsored)

The Hottest 7 Stocks for Q2 2025

Summer market momentum is here—and these 7 tickers are at the center of it.

This free investor guide features top-ranked stocks selected for their growth potential, market trends, and expert analysis.

It’s a must-read for anyone looking to position their portfolio for a strong second half.

The list is available for FREE, but only for a limited time.

Grab the “Top 7 Stocks for Q2 2025” Now

Government

South Korea Elects Pro-Crypto President Lee Jae-myung

Lee Jae-myung has been elected South Korea's new president after a snap election triggered by political unrest. His campaign centered on economic reform—and strong crypto integration.

Lee plans to let the country's $884B pension fund invest in Bitcoin and approve domestic spot ETFs. He's also championing a Korean won-backed stablecoin to reduce capital flight.

His rival also supported crypto, but Lee's win gives the market clearer pro-digital asset momentum. Nearly 80% of eligible voters turned out, the highest in decades.

Bitcoin spiked to nearly $108,500 on Korean exchanges after the news. The so-called kimchi premium reemerged, pushing local BTC prices roughly 2% above global levels.

Lee also aims to boost AI, overhaul the prosecution system, and experiment with shorter work weeks. These policies suggest a broader push for modernization and innovation.

Uncertainty remains around whether crypto will be prioritized once Lee takes office. But his early public statements and party backing signal serious commitment.

For investors, South Korea is shaping up to be one of the most bullish G20 nations on crypto. If policy aligns with campaign promises, expect rising demand and deeper capital inflows from the region.

AI Trade Shift (Sponsored)

New AI Leaders Emerging in U.S.-China Trade Shakeup

As U.S.-China trade tensions rise, chip exports are being restricted—and big names like Nvidia could face major revenue hits.

But this disruption is creating space for U.S.-based AI companies with strong domestic operations and rapid revenue growth.

A new report reveals 9 under-the-radar AI stocks poised to benefit from this shift.

Download the full list today—free for a limited time.

Access the “Top 9 AI Stocks for This Month” Now

Future Forward

The biggest changes don't crash through the front door—they drift in through software updates, background decisions, and silent consensus shifts. Blink, and you miss them.

But if you catch them early, you're not reacting—you're positioning. That's the edge: staying one move ahead before the crowd even sees the board.

Crypto Conferences:

💎 Rust Summit 2025 (Jun 5, 2025)

💎 Hedgeweek Digital Assets Summit Europe 2025 (Jun 5, 2025)

💎 TON of People (Jun 5, 2025)

Upcoming Airdrops:

🎁 EKET Airdrop (Jun 7, 2025)

🎁 Shuffle (SHFL) Airdrop (Jun 10, 2025)

🎁 Solidus Ai Tech (AITECH) Airdrop (Jun 16, 2025)

Upcoming Token Launches:

🚀 Fusio (FUSIO) IDO on Spores (Jun 6, 2025)

🚀 Sahara IDO on Buidlpad (Jun 8, 2025)

🚀 Plasma (XPL) Public Sale (Jun 9, 2025)

Which event are you most excited for? Let us know!

Crypto Know-How: What Is Sharding?

Sharding is a way to make blockchains faster by splitting the network into smaller pieces called "shards." Each shard processes its own set of transactions in parallel instead of making the whole network handle everything at once.

Think of it like splitting a big line at a checkout into smaller lanes—more lanes, faster processing. Sharding helps reduce congestion and keeps fees lower as networks grow.

Each shard still connects back to the main network, so everything stays secure and consistent. They share updates and stay in sync, even while running separately.

Sharding is already being tested or used by Ethereum and other next-gen blockchains. It's one of the most promising ways to scale crypto without sacrificing decentralization.

That's it for now—if we missed something, we know you'll call it out. Thanks for riding the signal—same thread, next wave.

Everything Else

• Hackers have stolen over $2.1B in crypto so far this year, with CertiK reporting a major shift toward social engineering and wallet-based attacks.

• Pakistan revealed plans for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and crypto-powered infrastructure during meetings with Trump's digital asset team at the White House.

• California passed a bill in a 68-0 vote to let state agencies accept crypto payments, putting the state on track to join others like Florida and Colorado.

• A Trump-linked asset manager filed for a Truth Social-branded Bitcoin ETF, signaling a deeper crossover between crypto products and US political branding.

• The Czech government faces a no-confidence vote after its justice minister resigned over a $45M Bitcoin donation tied to a convicted dark web operator.