Crypto News, July 2: Circle USDC Hit by Blackrock and Ripple XRP Backed OUSD, Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Recovering
Bitcoin recovered to $60,000 after dropping to a 21-month low of $58,000, while Ethereum reached $1,600 during the bounce. OUSD launched as a new stablecoin backed by Ripple XRP and other partners.
British GP storylines to look out for as Sprint weekend returns
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will feature a Sprint race format returning to the weekend schedule. Key storylines will focus on driver performances and championship competition during the European summer racing period.
The Google Health API Got a CLI: ghealth is an Open-Source Tool for Your Fitbit Air Data
An open-source command-line tool called ghealth exposes 40 data types from the Google Health API as JSON. The single Go binary is a community project that enables access to Fitbit and other health data through OAuth authentication.
3 On-Chain Signals Point to Deepening Bitcoin Capitulation
Bitcoin fell 20.48% in its worst month since June 2022 during a risk-off market period. Three on-chain indicators suggest deepening capitulation, with Bitcoin ETFs logging $8.475 billion in outflows near capitulation levels.
Sightings of humpback whales surge in Rio de Janeiro, fueling demand for whale-watching trips
Humpback whale sightings off Rio de Janeiro's coast are increasing as populations recover from commercial whaling. The surge in whale observations during annual migration has accelerated demand for whale-watching trips in the region.
Real-Time Payments Could Add $19.3 Billion to Argentina’s GDP
Real-time payments could add $19.3 billion to Argentina's GDP. Brazil's Pix platform, launched in 2020, now has more than 150 million users.
Core Banking’s New Mission Is Keeping Up With Instant Expectations
Core banking systems have shifted from invisible infrastructure handling basic transactions to central strategic assets. They now must support instant payment expectations and serve as the primary system of record for customer relationships.
AI’s Data Center Boom Creates a New Antitrust Challenge
Data center expansion to power AI development is creating new antitrust challenges that test century-old U.S. competition laws. The issue centers on building sufficient energy infrastructure to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence systems.
42% of Issuers Say Fraud and Disputes Are Driving Up Costs
Fraud and disputes are increasing costs for card issuers, with 42 percent reporting these issues as significant financial drivers. Fraud prevention has shifted from a back-office function to a critical component of issuer growth strategy because each blocked purchase and failed dispute affects cardholder relationships.
SAP Restricts Hiring, Travel to Fund ‘Significant’ AI Push
SAP is reducing hiring and travel spending to fund increased investments in artificial intelligence development. The company is redirecting resources to compete against emerging rivals in the AI technology space.
Solana launches onchain governance and sets entry fee at 100,000 SOL staked
Solana introduced an onchain governance system requiring validators to stake 100,000 SOL to create proposals. Stakers can override their validator's voting decisions through Solana Governance Proposals.
Modric and Ronaldo reunited at World Cup as Croatia aim to snap Portugal’s streak
Luka Modric made his international debut for Croatia on March 1, 2006, the same evening Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal's 3-0 victory against Saudi Arabia. Both players have had parallel careers with their countries and may face each other at the World Cup in what could be their final meeting.
Good News in History, July 2
Caesar Rodney rode through a nighttime storm despite asthma and facial cancer to reach the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. His arrival enabled Delaware to vote for American independence, providing the decisive support needed for the Declaration of Independence to pass.
Global Markets See Equities Advance, Led by Asia and Tech Sector, Private Markets and Credit Remain Active
Global equity markets advanced in June 2026, with Asia and the technology sector leading gains while private markets and credit remained active. PitchBook released its monthly snapshot on June 30, covering performance across public equities, private capital, debt, real estate, and commodities.
Ether, solana, dogecoin in the green after Warsh comments push bitcoin above $60,000
Bitcoin rose above $60,000 following Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's comments that inflation risks had declined. Solana gained approximately 16% during the week while a semiconductor selloff in Asian markets reduced capital flowing from crypto to AI investments.
Ten-man US into last 16 after gutsy win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States advanced to the World Cup last 16 by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 while playing with ten men after a player was sent off in the 64th minute. Folarin Balogun scored in the 45th minute before receiving a red card for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Senator Lummis Calls to Stop ‘Baseless Attacks’ on the Clarity Act
Senator Lummis defended the Clarity Act by identifying more than 16 safeguards against digital-asset illicit finance claims. She rejected Senator Warren's argument that the bill would weaken standards for crypto transactions.
NVIDIA Unlocks AI Compute at Scale, Inviting Partners to Power the AI Infrastructure Buildout
NVIDIA is enabling partners to access large-scale accelerated computing infrastructure for AI production inference and token generation at scale. The shift addresses growing compute demands from continuously operating AI factories that require multi-tenant systems with high utilization rates.
Sources: Brown heading to Philly in blockbuster
The Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks from 2028 and 2031, and two second-round selections. The 76ers acquired Brown, their longtime star player, as part of this blockbuster deal that reshapes both rosters.
New Indonesia roadmap aims to protect Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity
The Indonesian government is developing a roadmap to protect Indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation, with drafting that began in June 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen recognition and protection of Indigenous peoples and local communities whose traditional practices have safeguarded Indonesia's ecosystems.
'Absolutely No Sign' of Let Up in AI Demand, UBS Says
Semiconductor stocks remain in high demand with no indication of slowdown in overall AI demand. UBS Wealth Management maintains a slightly overweight position in semiconductor stocks based on this outlook.
New tool maps public land with potential for hundreds of thousands of affordable homes in British Columbia
A new research tool identifies over 50,000 publicly owned land parcels in British Columbia with potential for affordable housing development. The B.C. Public Lands Map combines federal, provincial, and municipal data and reveals up to 273,000 potential housing units on vacant and underused land in Metro Vancouver alone.
LSST begins full operations with key contributions from Japanese researchers and engineers
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time has begun full operations, with over 80 Japanese researchers participating in the project through data access. Japanese engineers contribute software and operational systems expertise developed through prior work on the Subaru Telescope.
Credit Card Payments Outpace Debit for First Time Since 2000
Credit card payments surpassed debit card payments for the first time since 2000 in the United States during 2024. Cards remained the most common noncash payment method overall, while ACH payments continued to represent the largest transaction value.
Huge, specially designed heat pump saves a Norwegian agricultural cooperative millions
A specially designed heat pump installed for a Norwegian agricultural cooperative recovers process heat to generate more energy than it consumes. SINTEF, Aneo, and Felleskjøpet collaborated to transform this heat recovery technology from theoretical research into an operational industrial-scale electricity-saving system.
Sun-powered sponges may generate 11% of tropical coral reef productivity
Sponges in tropical coral reefs use photosynthesis to produce nutrients, potentially generating 11% of the reef's total productivity. Researchers at the University of Amsterdam's Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics published findings in Functional Ecology showing that sponges supplement their filter-feeding with photosynthetic energy production.
What’s Up: July 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA
A predawn gathering of the Moon and planets occurs early in July 2026, while a returning comet becomes visible during the same period. Saturn's rings will appear at a new angle, and July offers optimal viewing conditions for observing the Milky Way.
How extreme weather impacts white stork survival in Bulgaria
White storks in Bulgaria face increasing survival threats from extreme weather, according to a 15-year study examining injured birds treated at a wildlife center between 2010 and 2025. The research, published in Biodiversity Data Journal, analyzed admission and treatment outcomes at the Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center of the Green Balkans NGO.
Robinhood Launches Blockchain Designed for Real-World Assets
Robinhood launched Robinhood Chain, a Layer 2 blockchain built on Arbitrum Platform for real-world assets. The blockchain integrates with Alchemy, BitGo, and Chainlink and connects to Robinhood's existing onchain users.
Celtics reportedly trade 2024 NBA finals MVP Jaylen Brown to 76ers after stormy few weeks
The Boston Celtics traded 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. Brown had expressed unhappiness with his treatment by the Celtics before the trade.