Brodigy’s Buzz: 5 Crypto News Stories of August 2025 That Shook the Market
August was a defining month for Ethereum and broader crypto markets. ETH gained strength on the back of sustained ETF inflows, pushing it to new yearly highs and reinforcing its role as the anchor of DeFi activity. At the same time, macro uncertainty introduced bouts of volatility that tested market conviction. Here, the stories that shaped the month.
Ethereum Breaks $4,900, Fueled by ETF Inflows and Institutional Adoption
Ethereum surged to $4,953 in August — its highest level since 2021 — powered by spot ETF inflows and institutional adoption. On 8 August 2025, ETF inflows hit $1.01 billion in a single day. Moreover, corporate treasuries also joined the wave, with SharpLink Gaming disclosing $463 million in ETH holdings, 95% of which was staked.
Analysts highlighted ETH’s growing role on Wall Street, with some projecting a move toward $15,000 by year end, calling it “Wall Street’s preferred blockchain.” The 25% surge in ETH outpaced Bitcoin’s 3% gain. Altcoins benefited, with Chainlink up 26.85%. Yet volatility remained, with long liquidations of $236 million triggered below $4,200.
US Executive Order Allows Crypto in 401(k) Retirement Accounts
On 8 August 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order permitting cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement accounts. Assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum are now eligible. The move coincided with ETH breaking $4,000, adding momentum to its rally. Bitcoin climbed toward $120,000. The order opened new institutional and retail inflows. Speculation also grew around further ETF approvals, including a potential XRP ETF.
US PPI Data Dampens Rate Cut Hopes, Triggers Crypto Sell-Off
Mid month, hotter than expected US Producer Price Index (PPI) data reduced hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts. Crypto markets reacted quickly with Ethereum falling 2.43% below $4,500 and Bitcoin dropping 3.85% to under $119,000. Memecoins faced sharper losses, with PEPE down more than 10%. The dip briefly pushed ETH to $4,350, erasing gains from earlier highs. Still, strong ETF inflows and staking demand helped ETH recover above $4,500.
Corporate Treasury Adoption Surges with ETH as a Key Asset
Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) increased ETH accumulation in August. BitMine Immersion Technologies announced plans to acquire 5% of ETH’s total supply while SharpLink Gaming added $463 million in ETH, nearly all staked. By month’s end, 59 public companies collectively held more than $9B in ETH. This mirrored Bitcoin’s earlier corporate adoption cycle, but raised concerns about concentrated holdings and liquidation risks if prices corrected. With 35.7 million ETH staked by July’s end, exchange supply continued to tighten, supporting price momentum.
Aave’s DeFi Protocol Surpasses $35 Billion TVL
Aave reached a record $35B in total value locked (TVL) in August 2025, solidifying its dominance in DeFi markets. This represents a remarkable leap from around $24B earlier in July, a 45% increase in just weeks. Aave’s on-chain strength stood out with 85% year-over-year revenue growth, pushing annualised revenue over $110 million. Despite these milestones, market sentiment remained mixed. Aave’s token price dropped 23% from its July 2025 highs, reminding users that TVL gains do not always translate to immediate price appreciation, and that volatility is still very much part of the game.
August was dominated by Ethereum’s surge, regulatory breakthroughs, and DeFi expansion. Institutional capital and corporate treasuries pushed ETH to multi year highs, while macroeconomic pressures reminded markets of ongoing volatility. DeFi protocols added momentum, further anchoring Ethereum’s position at the centre of crypto finance.
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