The past week was marked by Bitcoin's recovery after its worst month in four years, the expiration of the MiCA transitional period in the European Union, and the first steps toward official cryptocurrency regulation in Russia. We analyze the key events and their impact on the market.

Bitcoin Regains Lost Ground

The leading cryptocurrency, which lost nearly 20% in June, started the week with a confident rebound from a local low of around $57,700. By July 1, the rate had surpassed the $60,000 mark, and by the weekend reached $63,300 on Binance, before correcting to $62,700. The weekly gain was 4.6%. Interestingly, altcoins in the top 10 showed higher dynamics: Solana (+12.7%), Ethereum (+11.7%), and the Hyperliquid token (+10%) significantly outperformed the flagship.

The movement began amid statements by Fed Governor Kevin Warsh about persistently high inflation in the US, which fueled interest in Bitcoin as a safe-haven asset. However, outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs continued for the eighth consecutive week — minus $526.6 million, although on Wednesday the products attracted $221.7 million. The Fear and Greed Index, while rising from 18 to 23 points, remains in the extreme fear zone. The total market capitalization recovered from $2.07 trillion to $2.17 trillion, with Bitcoin dominance dropping to 57.9% and Ethereum's share jumping to 9.8%.

MiCA: A New Era for Crypto Business in Europe

On July 1, 2026, the full MiCA regulation came into effect for all cryptocurrency platforms in the EU. Companies that failed to obtain a license are required to cease servicing European clients. According to the ESMA register, 244 crypto service providers were authorized by this date, including Kraken, Coinbase, and Bitstamp. The transitional period, which allowed operations under national rules, has ended, and any activity without a license is now considered a violation. The European Commission has already begun reviewing the regulation, launching public consultations to assess its alignment with current market realities.

Russia: From Law to Licensing

In Russia, the Central Bank has outlined specific timelines for launching crypto regulation. The law could come into force on September 1, 2026, after which market participants will be given time to prepare until July 1, 2027. From that date, administrative and criminal liability for illegal operations will take effect. Central Bank First Deputy Chairman Vladimir Chistyukhin expects the first operations under the new regime by the end of 2026 or early 2027. This is an important step for the legalization of the industry, which could attract institutional players.

Ecosystem Events and Quantum Security

In the Ethereum ecosystem, an independent non-profit organization, Ethereum Institutional, has been launched, aimed at promoting the network among banks and asset managers. Its board includes well-known figures, with anchor sponsors being BitMine, Sharplink, and ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin. StarkWare, meanwhile, presented a roadmap to protect StarkNet from quantum threats, using STARK proofs based on hash functions, making the network inherently resistant to quantum attacks. The plan includes replacing elliptic curves and implementing post-quantum signatures.

In Focus

  • The Ministry of Digital Development will become the sole regulator of AI in Russia.
  • Strategy's valuation fell below the value of its Bitcoin reserves for the first time.
  • Meta introduced AI for decoding brain activity.
  • Google warned the EU about privacy threats due to new search engine requirements.
  • Buterin outlined priorities for the new Ethereum roadmap.
  • Loopring announced the closure of its DEX.
  • JPMorgan criticized Strategy's Bitcoin sale.

Expert Commentary by Cryptalist: Bitcoin's recovery above $62,500 amid continued ETF outflows suggests that retail investors and miners are taking the initiative. However, for sustainable growth, it is necessary to overcome the $65,000 zone, where significant liquidity is concentrated. MiCA, while creating barriers to entry, will in the long term strengthen institutional trust in the crypto market in Europe. Russia, on the other hand, is betting on strict regulation, which may deter small players but open the door for large businesses. StarkNet's quantum security is not just a trend but a necessity for networks aiming to store significant assets.