This week, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) kept rising, consolidating around $103,000 and getting close to its highest price ever, $109,000, from January. The hope of U.S. interest rate cuts and renewed interest from big investors drives this increase.
Other cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum and Solana, also saw strong growth, while Uniswap’s Unichain approached a $10 billion milestone.
In other news, BlackRock introduced tokenized Treasuries to decentralized finance (DeFi), and Coinbase made history with the S&P 500. This is a quick crypto weekly recap for May 11–17.
Trump Family’s Crypto Portfolio Sinks $53M Amid Liquidity Woes
The Trump-backed World Liberty Financial Initiative (WLFI) has seen its crypto portfolio fall by $53 million, down from a peak of $550M to $291M as of mid-May. The decline stems from risky bets on low-liquidity tokens like MOVE and Mantle (MNT), poor risk controls and limited exit options. Despite holding majors like ETH and WBTC, operational inexperience and regulatory concerns have added pressure. Recovery hinges on market rebound and a sharper investment strategy.
EOS Rebrands as Vaulta, Surges on Web3 Banking Pivot
EOS is making a comeback under its new name, Vaulta, with a fresh focus on decentralized banking. The rebrand includes a 1:1 token swap to $A and partnerships for Bitcoin banking tools. The news sparked a 12% price jump and renewed investor interest, especially after a $3M purchase by Trump-linked World Liberty Financial. With staking rewards, strong exchange support, and a bullish chart setup, targets of $1.30 to $1.95 are now in sight.
Terra Luna Classic Nears 410B Burn Milestone as LUNC Eyes Breakout
LUNC is consolidating just below $0.000073 as Terra Luna Classic approaches a major milestone: 410 billion tokens burned. With weekly burns exceeding 300 million, that number could be hit this month. Major contributors include Terraform Labs and Binance. Technically, LUNC is flashing signs of accumulation, forming an inverse head and shoulders pattern. A breakout above $0.000072 could send the price toward $0.000102, marking a potential 58% rally from current levels.
BlackRock Brings Tokenized Treasuries to DeFi with sBUIDL on Avalanche
BlackRock has taken a major step into DeFi by launching sBUIDL on Avalanche, turning its $3B BUIDL fund into a yield-generating, composable asset. Built with Securitize and integrated with Euler Finance, sBUIDL lets users earn Treasury yields while using the token as collateral to borrow stablecoins. With high loan-to-value ratios and dual rewards, BlackRock’s move signals a new phase of real-world asset integration into decentralized finance. Aave and others may soon follow.
FTX to Distribute $5B to Creditors in Second Payout on May 30
FTX will begin its second major payout to creditors on May 30, 2025, distributing over $5 billion through BitGo and Kraken. This marks a key step in the exchange’s ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan. Claimants must complete know-your-customer (KYC) and tax forms to receive funds. Payouts will vary by claim type, with some receiving up to 120%. FTX warns users to stay alert for scams and promises more distributions in the months ahead.
Ethereum Launches $1T Security Initiative to Scale Blockchain for the World
The Ethereum Foundation has launched its “Trillion Dollar Security” (1TS) initiative, aiming to upgrade Ethereum’s security infrastructure for mass adoption. The multi-phase project focuses on mapping risks, fixing vulnerabilities, and communicating Ethereum’s security strength globally. Backed by top researchers and launched after the Pectra Upgrade, the plan positions Ethereum as the foundation for a safer, internet-scale financial system that rivals or surpasses traditional tech in trust and resilience.
Uniswap’s Unichain Races Toward $10B Milestone Amid Explosive Growth
Unichain, Uniswap’s new layer-2 network, is seeing massive momentum. In just 30 days, active addresses soared over 3,000%, DEX volume jumped 74% in a week, and total transactions now top $8.45 billion, closing in on the $10B mark. It’s now the third-largest L2 by DEX volume and has outpaced Polygon, Cardano, and Tron. Backed by Uniswap’s reputation and faster, more interoperable tech, Unichain is quickly becoming a major force in DeFi.
Solana Targets $195 as Bulls Eye a Run to $250
Solana (SOL) is gaining steam, climbing 33% in the past month and trading near $177. Technical charts show a bullish structure, with analysts eyeing $195 as the next breakout level. If that flips to support, $250 could be in reach. Backing the rally is a booming ecosystem, $9.2B in DeFi TVL, $4.2B in DEX volume, and surging app revenue—all pointing to strong fundamentals behind the price momentum.
VanEck Brings U.S. Treasuries On-Chain with Tokenized Fund Launch
VanEck has launched VBILL, its first tokenized U.S. Treasury fund, offering qualified investors real-time settlement, 24/7 liquidity, and a stable $1 NAV per share. Built for institutions, the fund runs on Avalanche, BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Solana, with Wormhole enabling cross-chain transfers. Backed entirely by U.S. Treasuries and repo agreements, VBILL aims to modernize money market access and set a new standard for blockchain-based financial products. Trading went live on May 13, 2025.
Coinbase Makes History as First Crypto Firm in S&P 500
Coinbase has joined the S&P 500, becoming the first crypto company to earn a place in the prestigious index. The news sent its stock soaring 11% after hours, adding over $5 billion to its market cap. Despite a challenging year, Coinbase met the index’s strict profitability and listing criteria. The milestone follows its $2.9B Deribit acquisition and underscores growing mainstream acceptance of crypto in traditional finance.
