Bitcoin News Today: Crypto markets brace for Fed signals, token unlocks, and geopolitical shifts in August 2025

Global crypto markets enter August 2025 in a pivotal positioning phase, with investors closely monitoring macroeconomic signals, token unlock schedules, and legacy developments from past industry failures. The month is marked by a packed economic calendar, including the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report on August 1 and key inflation readings such as the CPI on August 12 and PPI on August 14. These data points will shape expectations around the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy, a key driver of liquidity in the crypto space [1].

The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, scheduled for August 21–23, is expected to provide further clarity on the Fed’s stance. Past iterations of the event have shown that even subtle hints from central bank officials can trigger sharp market reactions, with dovish signals typically pushing crypto prices higher while hawkish messaging often leads to corrections [1].

Adding to the uncertainty is the expiration of the 90-day tariff truce between the U.S. and China in early August. If tensions escalate, investors may shift toward perceived safe havens, potentially increasing demand for stablecoins [1].

On the token supply side, August sees a number of scheduled unlocks, beginning with Sui (SUI) on August 1, when $167 million in tokens entered circulation. SUI’s price dropped from above $4 to around $3.53 following the unlock. Additional unlocks from Aptos (APT) on August 12 and Avalanche (AVAX) on August 15 could also influence short-term liquidity, though the total unlock value of $3 billion is lower than the $6.3 billion seen in July [1]. Market participants appear more resilient, with many projects employing strategies such as staking incentives to mitigate price pressure.

Meanwhile, the FTX bankruptcy continues to play a role in shaping market sentiment. The exchange is set to distribute its third round of creditor payouts in mid-September, with $1.9 billion in assets expected to be allocated. This follows prior disbursements of $1.2 billion in February and $5 billion in May [1]. While the latest payout is smaller, the movement of recovered funds—whether back into crypto or out entirely—remains an open variable that could influence flows.

Looking at market performance, Ethereum has outperformed Bitcoin since mid-July, rising over 40% in 30 days as capital rotates into altcoins and traders position for key protocol upgrades. In contrast, Bitcoin saw a modest 4% gain over the same period [1]. This shift suggests growing interest in ETH’s development roadmap and may reflect broader market rotation as investors reassess valuation dynamics among major tokens.

Institutional adoption and regulatory engagement also remain in focus. Hong Kong is set to host Bitcoin Asia 2025 on August 28–29, following the success of its 2024 edition. With scheduled speakers including officials from the city’s Legislative Council and Securities and Futures Commission, the event highlights the region’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a key player in the digital asset ecosystem [1].

The macroeconomic and technical factors at play in August suggest that the direction of crypto flows will be dictated as much by external forces—such as Fed policy and inflation outcomes—as by internal market mechanics like token unlocks. As liquidity conditions evolve, the ability of crypto to sustain its recent momentum will depend on how well investors navigate shifting macro narratives and adjust capital positioning accordingly.

Source:

[1] https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688cf734a088f132****3935/