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Home Articles Crypto Weekly Recap: Here’s What Happened in Crypto This Week (May 18-24, 2025)

Crypto Weekly Recap: Here’s What Happened in Crypto This Week (May 18-24, 2025)

Joseph Alalade
Joseph Alalade
Joseph Alalade
Author:
Joseph Alalade
News Lead and Editor
Joseph is a content writer and editor who has actively participated in crypto for over 6 years. He enjoys educating others about Web3 and covering its updates, regulatory developments, and exciting stories.
May 25th, 2025

Crypto markets displayed a mixed performance this week, as Bitcoin responded to global news, while leading altcoins like Solana, BNB, Dogecoin, and Ethereum (ETH) advanced in price. Bitcoin price reached a record high of $111,970 but dropped below $108K following Donald Trump’s suggested 50% tariff on the EU, unsettling global markets. Ethereum also experienced a rise, surpassing $2,700 due to heightened demand for futures and influxes from smart money.

Here’s your quick roundup of what mattered most in the last seven days.

Uniswap’s UNI Token Gears Up as Unichain Volume Hits $10B Milestone

Uniswap’s Layer 2 network, Unichain, just crossed $10 billion in monthly volume, up 5x since the start of the year, signaling growing adoption and liquidity. With total L2 volume on Uniswap topping $26B, analysts say the UNI token could be next to rally, especially as Ethereum gains strength. One trader even predicts a 500% surge for UNI, pointing to its strong historical performance during previous DeFi booms and its close link to ETH price trends.

Bitcoin Price Dips After Trump Threatens 50% EU Tariff

Bitcoin pulled back sharply this week after President Trump announced a sweeping 50% tariff on all EU imports starting June 1. The move spooked global markets and wiped nearly $80 billion off the crypto market cap. BTC fell from an all-time high of $111,970 to around $108,000 within an hour. Altcoins tumbled alongside it, with Trump’s own $TRUMP token dropping over 15%. For now, crypto markets remain on edge amid rising geopolitical tensions.

SEC Reviews First-Ever Staked TRX ETF Proposal from Canary Capital

The SEC has formally acknowledged Canary Capital’s filing for a Staked TRX ETF—an innovative product offering spot exposure to TRON (TRX) and staking rewards. This marks a key step toward approval and reflects a regulatory shift under new SEC Chair Paul Atkins, who’s more open to crypto innovation. If approved, it would break new ground for U.S. crypto ETFs by integrating staking, a feature previously blocked under Gensler’s leadership.

Ethereum Solidifies Its Lead in Web3 with Major Upgrades and Partnerships

Ethereum is having a breakout year in 2025. In a May 22 update, the Ethereum team highlighted 21 key milestones, including the massive Pectra upgrade, which boosted scalability and introduced smart accounts. Big partnerships with Stripe, Uniswap, and Nasdaq further cement its role in DeFi and tokenization. With over 26,000 smart wallets using new features and L2 growth exploding, Ethereum continues to lead Web3 innovation, adoption, and real-world impact across finance and tech.

Kraken Unveils 24/7 Tokenized Stock Trading for Global Users

Kraken is launching xStock, a new platform offering 24/7 tokenized trading of major U.S. stocks and ETFs, like Apple and Tesla, exclusively for non-U.S. traders. Built on Solana and backed 1:1 by real shares via Backed Finance, the move blends traditional finance with crypto accessibility. In contrast to regular stock markets, xStock operates around the clock. Kraken aims to expand its offerings globally, positioning itself as a leader in regulated tokenized equities and borderless finance.

Binance Moves to Dismiss FTX’s $1.76B Lawsuit, Blames SBF for Collapse

Binance has asked a Delaware court to throw out FTX’s $1.76 billion lawsuit, calling the claims legally flawed. The case centers on a 2021 share buyback, which FTX now says was funded with misused customer deposits. Binance argues FTX’s downfall was due to internal fraud led by Sam Bankman-Fried, not Binance’s actions. It also disputes jurisdiction and denies any legal duty to complete its failed acquisition of FTX during the 2022 liquidity crisis.

Circle Eyes $5B Sale as IPO Plans Take Shape

Circle, the issuer of USDC, is preparing for a $5B IPO but may sell instead. The company has held informal talks with Coinbase and Ripple, reportedly rejecting Ripple’s $20B bid due to concerns over XRP-based payments. Coinbase is seen as a stronger candidate with $8B in cash and close ties to Circle. As USDC adoption climbs globally, Circle’s decision could redefine the stablecoin race and the future landscape of regulated crypto finance.

Vitalik Unveils New ETH Scaling Plan to Empower Local Nodes

Vitalik Buterin has proposed a new Ethereum scaling roadmap focused on improving Layer 1 efficiency without sacrificing Decentralization. The plan introduces ‘partially stateless nodes’ and advocates for EIP-4444 to reduce data loads, enabling everyday users to operate local nodes with less storage. As Ethereum expands through DeFi, NFTs, and gaming, Vitalik’s updates aim to boost throughput by up to 100x while maintaining the network’s accessibility, efficiency, and resistance to centralization.

Contributors

Joseph Alalade
News Lead and Editor
Joseph is a content writer and editor who has actively participated in crypto for over 6 years. He enjoys educating others about Web3 and covering its updates, regulatory developments, and exciting stories.