Bitcoin holds near $118,500 as crypto market surpasses $4 trillion milestone

​​​Bitcoin consolidates after touching $120,000 highs

​Bitcoin is currently trading around $118,500.00, down approximately 0.6% intraday after reaching significant highs near the $120,000.00 psychological level. This consolidation follows a remarkable rally that has captured institutional and retail attention globally.

​The recent pullback from the $120,000.00 peak represents healthy profit-taking rather than fundamental weakness. Bitcoin's ability to hold above $118,000.00 demonstrates strong underlying demand and suggests the broader uptrend remains intact.

​Market participants are closely watching whether Bitcoin can establish $118,000.00 as a new support level. A successful defence of this zone would likely pave the way for another attempt at the $120,000.00 resistance area.

​The cryptocurrency's price action continues to reflect growing mainstream acceptance and institutional adoption. This maturation process often involves periods of consolidation as the market digests rapid gains and establishes new trading ranges.

​Institutional accumulation drives long-term strength

​Corporate adoption of Bitcoin continues to accelerate, with companies like MicroStrategy leading the charge in strategic accumulation. Michael Saylor's investment vehicle now holds over $71 billion worth of Bitcoin, representing approximately 4,225 additional coins in recent acquisitions.

​This institutional buying pressure provides a fundamental floor for Bitcoin prices, as corporations view the cryptocurrency as a long-term store of value. Such large-scale accumulation reduces the available supply for trading, creating natural price support.

​The corporate treasury adoption trend extends beyond MicroStrategy, with other firms exploring similar strategies. This shift represents a significant evolution from Bitcoin's early days as primarily a retail-driven asset class.

​Institutional participation brings greater legitimacy and stability to the cryptocurrency market. Professional money management standards and regulatory compliance requirements help mature the overall ecosystem and reduce volatility over time.

​Ethereum benefits from ETF flows and DeFi growth

​Ethereum is currently trading at $3,670.00, down approximately 1% from recent highs near $3,758.00. The second-largest cryptocurrency continues to benefit from multiple growth drivers including exchange-traded fund inflows and decentralised finance expansion.

exchange-traded fund (ETF) products focused on Ethereum have attracted significant institutional capital, providing steady buying pressure. These regulated investment vehicles make it easier for traditional investors to gain exposure to Ethereum without directly holding the cryptocurrency.

​The decentralised finance sector built on Ethereum continues expanding, with total value locked in DeFi protocols reaching new milestones. Smart contract utility drives genuine demand for Ethereum as the network's native currency and transaction fee payment method.

​Ethereum's transition to proof-of-stake consensus has improved its environmental credentials and reduced token supply inflation. These technical improvements enhance Ethereum's appeal to environmentally conscious institutional investors and support longer-term price appreciation.

​Crypto market surpasses historic $4 trillion milestone

​The total cryptocurrency market capitalisation surpassed the significant $4 trillion mark on 18th July, highlighting the sector's remarkable growth trajectory. This milestone underscores Bitcoin's dominant position while acknowledging the broader ecosystem's expansion.

​Despite short-term volatility, the market demonstrated resilience with 90 out of the top 100 tokens posting gains during Thursday's session. This broad-based strength suggests healthy market participation across multiple cryptocurrency projects and sectors.

​The market cap briefly dipped to $3.88 trillion, representing approximately 2% decline from peak levels. Such consolidation is typical after major psychological milestones and often precedes further advancement as markets digest rapid growth.

​This $4 trillion achievement places the cryptocurrency market on par with some of the world's largest stock exchanges. The scale demonstrates how digital assets have evolved from niche investments to mainstream financial instruments requiring serious consideration.

​Security challenges persist amid rapid ecosystem growth

​Cryptocurrency crime remains a significant concern, with over $2.17 billion stolen by mid-2025 according to security reports. The ByBit exchange hack, involving approximately $1.5 billion, represents the largest single incident highlighting ongoing security vulnerabilities.

​These security breaches underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures across the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Exchanges, wallet providers, and DeFi protocols must continually enhance their security infrastructure to protect user funds and maintain market confidence.

​Despite these challenges, the cryptocurrency industry has made substantial progress in implementing better security practices. Multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and improved smart contract auditing have reduced overall risk levels significantly.

​Regulatory clarity emerges across major jurisdictions

​The United States has made significant regulatory progress with the GENIUS Act, which mandates full backing of stablecoins. This legislation boosts institutional trust by ensuring stablecoin issuers maintain adequate reserves to support their digital currencies.

​The Senate Banking Committee has advanced the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive crypto market structure bill aimed at clarifying SEC and CFTC jurisdiction. This regulatory clarity removes uncertainty that has long hindered institutional adoption and investment.

​In the UK, regulatory authorities are developing a pro-cryptocurrency framework aligned with European MiCA regulations and US models. Coinbase UK's leadership sees Britain benefiting from a "second mover" advantage in creating balanced regulatory approaches.