This Week in Crypto: Bitcoin Hashrate Plummets, OKX Lands in Spain, and More

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Welcome to this week’s top crypto developments, where we break down the most impactful events shaping the digital asset landscape from June 21 to June 27, 2025. From dramatic shifts in Bitcoin’s network strength to major regulatory milestones and surprising market movements, we’ve got you covered with in-depth insights on Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, blockchain innovation, fintech integrations, and macroeconomic trends influencing the space.

Stay informed, stay ahead—let’s dive into the key stories defining this week in crypto.

Bitcoin Hashrate Drops to 8-Month Low: Warning Sign or Buying Opportunity?

The Bitcoin network has shown signs of strain as its average daily hashrate fell to 684.48 EH/s, according to data from BitInfoCharts—the lowest level recorded since October 2024. This notable decline raises questions about miner profitability, network security, and potential price implications.

A lower hashrate typically indicates that miners are shutting down operations, often due to rising electricity costs, falling BTC prices, or hardware inefficiencies. While short-term dips aren’t uncommon during market corrections, an extended drop could make the network more vulnerable to 51% attacks—though still highly unlikely given Bitcoin’s overall resilience.

However, some analysts see this as a natural market correction. As older ASIC miners become unprofitable, only the most efficient operations survive, leading to a leaner but more sustainable mining ecosystem. Historically, such periods have preceded major price rallies once market confidence returns.

👉 Discover how shifting mining dynamics could create new opportunities for investors in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does a falling Bitcoin hashrate mean for investors?
A: A declining hashrate may signal reduced mining activity due to economic pressure. While it doesn’t immediately threaten security, prolonged drops can affect network stability and investor sentiment.

Q: Is a low hashrate bullish or bearish for Bitcoin?
A: It's complex. In the short term, it may reflect bearish conditions. However, post-halving cycles often see temporary dips followed by strong rebounds as weaker miners exit and stronger ones consolidate.

Q: How is hashrate measured and why does it matter?
A: Hashrate measures the total computational power securing the Bitcoin network. Higher values indicate stronger security and miner confidence; lower values suggest potential stress points.

OKX Expands Into Spain with MiCA-Compliant Services

OKX has officially launched its regulated services in Spain following the acquisition of a MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license earlier in 2025. This strategic move marks a significant step in OKX’s European expansion, allowing it to offer localized, compliant crypto trading and financial services to both retail and institutional clients.

With this authorization, OKX becomes one of the first major global exchanges to operate under full European Union regulatory oversight in Spain. The platform now supports EUR-denominated transactions, enhanced KYC procedures, and improved customer protection mechanisms aligned with MiCA standards.

This development reflects growing institutional acceptance of digital assets across Europe and underscores Spain’s emergence as a fintech and crypto innovation hub.

👉 Learn how regulated platforms are transforming crypto access across Europe.

Why Spain Matters in the Crypto Landscape

Spain has rapidly evolved into one of Europe’s most crypto-friendly markets. Recent studies show increasing adoption rates across regions like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, driven by younger demographics and growing financial literacy around blockchain technology.

Moreover, local regulations have become increasingly clear and supportive, encouraging both domestic startups and international players like OKX to establish a strong presence.

Ripple vs. SEC: Court Denies Joint Motion Ahead of August Ruling

In a pivotal development for the long-running legal battle between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Judge Analisa Torres rejected a joint motion filed by both parties on June 26. The request sought a “indicative ruling” that would have paved the way for dissolving the existing injunction against Ripple and significantly reducing the company’s penalty.

The denial means that all eyes remain on August 15, the next critical date in the case. Legal experts suggest this ruling reinforces judicial caution, indicating that any resolution must go through formal legal channels rather than negotiated shortcuts.

The outcome could set a precedent for how other crypto firms are regulated under U.S. securities law.

Could XRP Be the Surprise Winner of Q2?

Despite trading below $2.50 for over a month, XRP is showing signs of potential breakout momentum as Q2 comes to a close. According to technical indicators from Coinglass, liquidation heatmaps reveal decreasing short positions—a signal some traders interpret as bullish pressure building.

Additionally, growing interest in fast settlement layers and cross-border payment solutions continues to highlight XRP’s utility. With Ripple’s ongoing global expansion and positive regulatory signals outside the U.S., sentiment around the asset is gradually improving.

While regulatory uncertainty persists domestically, international adoption remains strong—particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is XRP a good investment right now?
A: That depends on risk tolerance and outlook on regulation. Technically, it shows consolidation patterns typical before volatility spikes. Fundamentally, its use case in payments remains compelling.

Q: How does XRP differ from other payment-focused cryptos?
A: XRP settles transactions in 3-5 seconds with minimal fees and was built specifically for financial institutions needing rapid liquidity across borders.

Q: What happens if Ripple wins its case against the SEC?
A: A favorable ruling could lead to renewed exchange listings in the U.S., increased institutional investment, and broader market recognition of XRP as non-security.

Binance to Delist Five Altcoins in Early July

Binance has announced plans to delist ALPHA, BSW, KMD, LEVER, and LTO during the first week of July. The decision follows standard review procedures assessing trading volume, market demand, and project viability.

While delistings can trigger short-term sell-offs, they also reflect healthy ecosystem curation—removing underperforming assets to maintain platform quality.

Users holding affected tokens are advised to withdraw them before deadlines or trade them for supported assets.

Chainlink and Mastercard Partner to Simplify On-Chain Crypto Purchases

In a landmark collaboration bridging traditional finance and decentralized systems, Chainlink and Mastercard have formed an alliance to enable over 3 billion bank card users to buy cryptocurrencies directly through their cards—securely linked to on-chain settlements via Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP).

This integration aims to eliminate friction in crypto onboarding by allowing seamless fiat-to-crypto purchases while maintaining compliance and security standards—a major leap toward mainstream adoption.

Tether Increases Stake in Juventus FC Amid Club World Cup Frenzy

Tether has upped its stake in Juventus Football Club to over 10%, investing approximately €128 million, making it the second-largest shareholder. The move signals Tether’s ambition beyond stablecoins—aiming for influence in sports governance by seeking a seat on the club’s board.

Amid the FIFA Club World Cup excitement, this high-profile investment strengthens Tether’s brand visibility while aligning with broader trends of blockchain firms entering sports sponsorship and ownership.

👉 See how digital finance leaders are reshaping industries beyond crypto.

Regional Insights: How Spaniards Invest in Cryptocurrency

A recent study by Criptan reveals fascinating regional differences in Spanish crypto investment behavior:

Demographically, millennials dominate activity—but Gen Z adoption is accelerating fast thanks to simplified apps and financial education initiatives.

These insights confirm Spain’s status as a European leader in crypto adoption, supported by regulatory clarity and growing public trust.

Expert Spotlight: Why XRP, XLM, and HBAR Are Built for Interoperability

Versan Aljarrah, founder of Black Swan Capitalist, emphasizes that the current crypto cycle isn’t just about holding assets—it's about moving them efficiently. In this context, he highlights XRP, Stellar (XLM), and Hedera (HBAR) as foundational networks engineered for speed, scalability, and cross-system communication.

Each offers unique advantages:

Together, they represent the next evolution of digital asset infrastructure—interconnected, fast, and purpose-built.


Core Keywords

Bitcoin hashrate | OKX Spain | MiCA license | XRP price prediction | Binance delisting | Chainlink Mastercard partnership | Tether Juventus | crypto adoption Spain