Institutions are buying Bitcoin again. Over $265 million inflow to ETFs in one day
Last week, Bitcoin prices remained relatively stable, hovering around the $63,000 level. The market reacted to the release of the minutes from the most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which largely confirmed investors' prior expectations.
Deciders agreed to keep interest rates unchanged during the June meeting, but the minutes showed that they still differ in their assessment of future monetary policy prospects. Most Fed officials indicated that further rate hikes could be considered if inflation proves persistent. Others suggested that rates might stay at the current level or be lowered over time if inflationary pressure remains weak.
At the same time, U.S. ETFs investing directly in Bitcoin again recorded net inflows after several weeks of intense selling. On Monday alone, inflows exceeded $265 million, which could signal the beginning of a shift in institutional investors' attitude toward Bitcoin.
In the coming week, market attention will again focus on inflation data. On Tuesday, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be released, and on Wednesday the Producer Price Index (PPI). Fed Chair Kevin Warsh will also present a semiannual monetary policy report to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which could trigger heightened asset price volatility.
MAJOR MARKET MOVES
ZEC prices rose last week by 14% after the asset was added to Forbes' list of the most interesting cryptocurrencies to buy in 2026. The justification cited a combination of limited supply, privacy-enhancing technology, and growing importance for institutional investors.
The list also included Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Hyperliquid.
NOTABLE STORIES
Circle receives final OCC approval to create a national trust bank
Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, received last week final approval from the U.S. Office of the Currency Controller to establish Circle National Trust, a federally regulated national trust bank. This is a significant step in the integration of stablecoins into the traditional financial system.
As a national trust bank, Circle National Trust will offer regulated digital asset custody services and strengthen the infrastructure supporting USDC, while operating within the regulatory framework established under the GENIUS Act.
Commenting on the decision, Circle co‑founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire said:
"Federal oversight of our trust bank sets a new standard for transparency, corporate governance, and the scale of Circle's infrastructure. It also opens a new stage of adoption where leading financial institutions can develop public blockchain‑based solutions with full clarity and confidence."
The decision confirms the accelerating integration of traditional finance with the digital asset market. Regulated institutions are increasingly using blockchain‑based infrastructure to handle payments, settlements, and tokenized financial instruments.
Blockchain Swift launches, and 17 banks prepare for pilot transactions
Swift, one of the largest global cross‑border payment systems, announced last week the launch of a new shared ledger based on blockchain technology. The solution aims to enable 24/7 cross‑border payments using tokenized bank deposits.
The decision was made as traditional financial institutions accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in response to growing competition from the stablecoin market, which is worth about $315 billion. Issuers such as Tether and Circle have shown that the transfer of digital value can occur instantly and around the clock.
Swift first presented plans to integrate distributed ledger technology into its core infrastructure in September of last year.
The new Swift platform uses distributed ledger technology to transfer client funds in the form of tokenized bank deposits, but final settlement will still occur via existing payment systems. This hybrid approach allows banks to offer faster and more flexible cross‑border payments without abandoning compliance, risk management, and control standards that apply in today's financial system.
Seventeen banks, including BNP Paribas, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Standard Chartered, UBS, and Wells Fargo, are preparing for the network pilot. This will be one of the largest real‑world tests of tokenized bank deposits to date.
The full Swift network currently connects over 11.5 thousand banks, financial institutions, and international corporations in more than 200 countries and territories. It also supports over 40 thousand payment routes worldwide.
