Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Rebounds on Institutional Investment as Pudgy Penguins Surge 500% and Gold Holds Allure

This week’s crypto markets were shaped by Bitcoin’s institutional tailwinds, gold’s enduring allure, and a surge in NFT-driven speculation, with Pudgy Penguins leading the charge. Analysts and commentators highlighted diverging narratives around digital assets and traditional safe havens, reflecting shifting investor priorities amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Bitcoin BTC/USD faced intraweek volatility, dipping below $115,000 on July 25, 2025, after a “whale” investor executed large-scale transfers, triggering a broader market correction across altcoins and NFTs [1]. However, the asset rebounded above $117,000 following Galaxy Digital’s confirmation of a major institutional investment, reinforcing Bitcoin’s appeal as a long-term store of value. Jim Cramer, in a recent CNBC segment, echoed institutional optimism, advocating for Bitcoin as a hedge against escalating U.S. national debt and disclosing his personal accumulation strategy. His remarks contrasted with Peter Schiff’s skepticism, as the economist reiterated his preference for gold and silver, arguing that their recent price action signaled a potential “big leg up” that could realign investor focus from crypto to precious metals [2].

The NFT sector experienced a sharp upswing, with Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) outperforming Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. The Solana-based token saw a fivefold increase in value over a month, driven by social media momentum and retail investor enthusiasm [3]. While NFTs remain a speculative niche, their surge underscored crypto’s evolving role in attracting mainstream attention. Meanwhile, the UK’s plan to auction $6.7 billion in seized Bitcoin was praised by Schiff as a prudent fiscal strategy, though he warned against U.S. intervention to acquire the assets for strategic reserves.

A pseudonymous trader, known for accurately predicting the April crypto market bottom, issued a cautionary note this week, forecasting a potential local top in August. This warning came as Bitcoin stabilized post-whale activity, with market participants increasingly tracking macroeconomic indicators like inflation data and central bank policies to gauge risk-on/risk-off sentiment. Gold maintained its status as a counterbalance to crypto’s volatility, with physical bullion demand remaining resilient amid concerns over a global economic slowdown.

The week’s developments highlighted crypto’s growing integration into mainstream finance, yet challenges such as regulatory scrutiny and market concentration persist. While institutional adoption of Bitcoin and NFT-driven retail speculation signaled maturation, the divide between traditional and digital asset investors remained evident.

Sources: [1] [Bitcoin Whales and Institutional Moves Impact Crypto Market](https://ts2.tech/en/bitcoin-whale-dumps-9b-altcoins-whipsaw-nfts-boom-and-regulators-swoop-crypto-news-roundup-july-25-26-2025/) [2] [Bitcoin and Gold Compete as Safe-Haven Assets](https://www.moomoo.com/hans/news/post/55966546/bitcoin-gold-and-pudgy-penguins-stir-the-market-this-week) [3] [NFT Market Surges with Pudgy Penguins](https://www.kucoin.com/news)