Bitcoin ETFs post modest July recovery amid late sell-off

Top news and prices for the major cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin ETFs return to monthly inflows in July. US Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded $172.4 million in net inflows in July, ending a two-month streak of withdrawals, according to Farside Investors data. The recovery followed nearly $7 billion in combined outflows across May and June. However, investor sentiment weakened toward the end of the month. The funds recorded a $265.4 million net outflow on 31 July, the largest daily withdrawal since 13 July, while weekly flows also turned negative after three consecutive weeks of inflows. Despite returning to positive monthly flows, US Spot Bitcoin ETFs remain down approximately $5.29 billion year-to-date, indicating that institutional demand has yet to recover fully.

Senate delays Clarity Act vote until September. The US Senate has delayed a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act until September, when lawmakers return from their August recess, Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed, as reported by The Block on Thursday. The delay gives lawmakers several more weeks to secure the 60 votes needed to advance the landmark crypto market structure bill. Senate Democrats have reportedly raised concerns about holding the vote ahead of the November midterm elections. With the Senate due to return in mid-September, the remaining weeks could prove critical for efforts to advance the legislation before election-related priorities take centre stage.

Russia adopts crypto law allowing regulated retail trading. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the country's cryptocurrency market, allowing regulated retail trading while maintaining the ban on using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, as reported by TASS on Tuesday. Under the new framework, retail investors will be able to buy approved cryptocurrencies worth up to 300,000 roubles (about $3,700) per year through authorised intermediaries, while qualified investors will face no purchase limits. Both groups must pass suitability tests. The Russian government has also approved a decree banning cryptocurrency mining and participation in mining pools across Moscow, the surrounding Moscow region and parts of the Kursk region from 15 August until the end of 2032.

SEC to review approval of Nasdaq Bitcoin options. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has paused the launch of Nasdaq PHLX's proposed cash-settled Bitcoin index options after granting a petition from CME Group to review the approval, according to an order issued on 29 July. CME argues that the contracts should fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) because they are based on a Bitcoin index rather than securities. The SEC has stayed the approval while the full Commission considers the challenge. The regulator has invited public comments supporting or opposing the proposal by 24 August but has not indicated whether it agrees with CME's position. Nasdaq first unveiled the proposed Bitcoin index options with CF Benchmarks in 2024. Unlike options on Spot Bitcoin ETFs, which are based on securities, the proposed contracts would track the price of Bitcoin directly, creating the regulatory dispute over whether the SEC or the CFTC should oversee them.

BNY Mellon enables crypto rewards for institutional clients. BNY Mellon has expanded its digital asset business through a partnership with Galaxy Digital, allowing institutional clients to earn rewards on cryptocurrencies held in custody with the bank. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, collaboration will integrate Galaxy's blockchain infrastructure with BNY Mellon's Digital Asset Custody platform, enabling institutions to generate rewards without moving their assets outside the bank's custody.

Best performing crypto in the top 10 over the last week: Hyperliquid (+0.06%)

Best performing crypto in the top 100 over the last week: Cardano (+19.76%)

As of August 7, 2026, 08:30 CET

The market's volume has reached $48.922 billion over the past 24 hours.