The digital asset market meets July 9 with mixed sentiment. While leading coins show sideways dynamics, events are unfolding in the industry that could reshape the landscape for months to come: Europe prepares to revise MiCA under pressure from the US GENIUS law, DeFi analytics platform Zapper announces its closure, and giant Paradigm raises $1.2 billion for AI and crypto startups.
Market: Calm Before the Storm?
Bitcoin (BTC) started the day in a narrow range. As of 07:35 Moscow time, the asset is trading around $62,338, with a daily low of $61,492 and a high of $62,885. Ethereum (ETH) is also flat at $1,740. In the top 10 by market cap, the daily growth leader is BNB (+0.21%), and the weekly leader is Ethereum (+6.63%). The largest 24-hour drop is recorded for Solana (-0.87%), and the weekly drop for Dogecoin (-0.98%).
In the top 100, Arbitrum stands out with a 9.59% daily gain, while DeXe shows an impressive +25.05% over the week. Among the laggards are Jupiter, losing 6.99% in a day, and Audiera, falling 20.73% over seven days.
Zapper Ceases to Exist
DeFi analytics platform Zapper has officially announced its closure. The website, mobile app, and API services will cease operations on August 3. The project, founded in 2019 and backed by billionaire Mark Cuban in 2021, could not survive the decline in market demand. The seven-year history of the platform, which allowed traders to track token prices and monitor positions by connecting wallets, is coming to an end. This is another wake-up call for the sector: only those who adapt to the new reality survive.
Paradigm Raises $1.2 Billion for AI and Crypto
Crypto venture firm Paradigm has announced raising $1.2 billion for its fourth fund. The funds will go toward investments not only in cryptocurrencies but also in artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies. Launched in 2018, the company has already raised over $4 billion in three previous funds focused on crypto. Among its portfolio projects are the perpetual contract exchange Hyperliquid and the prediction market platform Kalshi. This move by Paradigm is a clear signal: the future lies in the convergence of blockchain and AI.
Europe Revises MiCA Due to GENIUS
European Union officials plan to revise the MiCA regulation in light of the US stablecoin law GENIUS coming into effect. The updated rules, to be considered in 2027, aim to expand the scope of regulations, particularly regarding companies outside the EU that issue stablecoins. European regulators are forced to clarify how to regulate US-based issuers operating in EU countries.
My comment: The closure of Zapper amid falling demand is a troubling signal for the entire DeFi sector. Investors should reconsider their portfolios in favor of projects with a strong fundamental base and real user demand. At the same time, the influx of capital from Paradigm into AI and crypto confirms that "smart money" is betting on the synergy of these technologies, not on short-term speculation.