LAB Token Collapses, Strike Launches New ‘Volatility-Proof’ Product, and More

WEEK IN REVIEW

‘I’m a Big Crypto Guy’: Trump Fields Bitcoin Question as $1,000 Trump Accounts Go Live

President Donald Trump declared himself “a big crypto guy” when asked whether bitcoin could be added to the newly launched Trump Accounts, as he rang… read more.

Editor’s comment:

Since reporting $1.4 billion in crypto income, it has become very clear to everyone that the President is indeed a “big crypto guy.” Whether he plans on putting crypto inside the new “Trump Accounts” remains to seen, as no digital asset component has been announced for the program.

OCC Clears Sony Bank to Open Connectia Trust for USD Stablecoin Business

Sony Bank has received conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to open a national trust bank built … read more.

Editor’s comment:

Sony’s new subsidiary is called Connectia Trust, which will operate as a wholly owned unit of Sony Bank under Sony Financial Group. It’s not exactly clear what Sony intends on doing with its new stablecoin. The company vaguely stated: “The establishment of this trust subsidiary is intended to contribute to the development of a medium‑ to long‑term business foundation for the Sony Financial Group’s digital asset businesses.”

Jack Mallers’ Strike Cuts Bitcoin Loan Terms to 6 Months to Kill Price Liquidations

Strike CEO Jack Mallers rolled out a new bitcoin-backed loan product on July 7 that removes price-triggered liquidations from… read more.

Editor’s comment:
The company says the loans will be “volatility-proof,” and cap LTV at 45% while carrying a roughly 2.95% rate premium. The product aims to improve on its regular loan product that launched in May 2025. Telling investors not to fear liquidations on products like this sounds like a big ask, but maybe Strike should be given a chance.

Michael Saylor Declares Bitcoin Has ‘No Spam Problem’ as BIP-110 Debate Escalates

This week, Strategy founder and bitcoin bull Michael Saylor turned to X to argue that Bitcoin has “no spam problem,” pointing to… read more.

Editor’s comment:

Given the small impact on the network of OP_RETURNs, Alex Thorn, Galaxy’s head of research, said that “BIP-110 is an extremely disruptive & dangerous response.” Currently, they only make up about 0.1% of Bitcoin’s blockspace.

LAB Token Crashes 80% to $1.25 as $5B Market Cap Vanishes in 48 Hours

LAB Trade’s native token collapses 90% in 48 hours, wiping out billions in market cap amid insider control and manipulation allegations… read more.

Editor’s comment:

Insiders destroying the price and walking away with billions of dollars has sadly become a tale as old as time in the crypto space. ZachXBT blasted the centralized exchanges for failing to step in before things escalated with LAB: “If CEXs cared, profits from the accounts manipulating the price would be distributed to users at a minimum. Unlocks for investors were scheduled to begin later this month, however, multiple late vesting changes occurred in the past.”