Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Drops 2-3.8% as U.S. Inflation Data Spur Crypto Sell-Off

The cryptocurrency market experienced a broad sell-off on August 15, 2025, as Bitcoin dropped between 2% and 3.8%, slipping below the $119,000 mark. Ethereum followed with a decline of 1.4–2.4%, while XRP fell between 3.2% and 6.4%. The downward spiral was driven by hot U.S. inflation data that raised doubts about the possibility of an imminent Federal Reserve rate cut. Meme coins were especially hard-hit, with tokens like PEPE, SPX6900, and Fartcoin plummeting over 10%. Altcoins also saw widespread losses, with the exception of SKALE, which rose nearly 48% amid broader market pessimism [1].

Amid the turmoil, a new niche project is drawing attention: AnimeCoin. The initiative, led by the AnimeCoin Foundation, aims to create a blockchain-based anime ecosystem featuring platforms like Anime.com and Animechain, along with digital avatars. Texas-based GameSquare has been appointed as the agency of record for the project, aiming to leverage the popularity of anime among Gen Z and Gen Alpha demographics. However, analysts warn that such niche tokens often come with heightened volatility and speculative risk, given their reliance on fads rather than fundamental value [2].

On the regulatory front, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the government will no longer purchase additional Bitcoin for its strategic reserve and will cease selling confiscated crypto assets. The reserve, currently valued between $15 billion and $20 billion, will now depend solely on seized Bitcoin. This shift reflects a more cautious approach to managing the country’s crypto holdings and may signal a broader policy recalibration in the evolving regulatory landscape [3].

Separately, former Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan executive Richard Kim has been charged with securities and wire fraud related to a crypto-gambling scheme. Kim allegedly misappropriated over $4 million in investor funds intended for blockchain-based casino development, siphoning nearly $3.8 million into his personal accounts and gambling it away. He also allegedly misled investors to conceal the losses. If convicted, Kim could face decades in prison, marking one of the most prominent cases of financial misconduct tied to the crypto industry. The case underscores the ongoing risks associated with unregulated or mismanaged crypto projects [4].

The convergence of macroeconomic pressures, niche market enthusiasm, policy recalibrations, and fraudulent activity highlights the ongoing volatility and complexity of the crypto market. As investors grapple with these dynamics, the sector remains a high-risk, high-reward environment, with regulatory clarity and market fundamentals likely to play a growing role in shaping its trajectory.

Sources:

[1] Title: Bitcoin Drops, Meme Coins Crash, and U.S. Crypto Policy Shifts Amid AnimeCoin Hype & Goldman Exec Fraud

URL: https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689f2a97d3fffe3dd57d9451/

[2] Title: Bitcoin Drops, Meme Coins Crash, and U.S. Crypto Policy Shifts Amid AnimeCoin Hype & Goldman Exec Fraud

[3] Title: Bitcoin Drops, Meme Coins Crash, and U.S. Crypto Policy Shifts Amid AnimeCoin Hype & Goldman Exec Fraud

[4] Title: Bitcoin Drops, Meme Coins Crash, and U.S. Crypto Policy Shifts Amid AnimeCoin Hype & Goldman Exec Fraud