Today's headlines:

– Markets surge as Dogecoin leads altcoins
– NFT market rebounds to $6 billion
– Ethereum’s symbolic ‘Torch Relay’ sparks buzz
– US banks push back on crypto licenses
– UK weighs selling seized Bitcoin
– AI reshapes entertainment and industry
– $6.9M lost in TikTok hardware wallet scam
– CoinDCX hacked for $44 million
– El Salvador’s Bitcoin buying freeze
– Crypto wealth linked to California disappearance
– Mastercard calls stablecoins’ moment a turning point

The Crypto Radio LIVE has just launched across platforms, bringing you the hottest topics of the day wherever you are. Tune in weekdays at 1pm GST – Dubai time – for daily news in a brand new format.

Below is a breakdown of everything we covered today – Monday July 21, 2025 – from UK to El Salvador and Netflix to Olympic-style NFT torches. Make sure you tune in again tomorrow on YouTube and X to catch the news as it happens.

Markets surge as Dogecoin leads altcoins

Crypto markets started the week on a high, with the global market cap climbing to nearly $3.95 trillion and daily trading volume surging 48% to $195 billion. Dogecoin led the altcoin rally with a 9% jump, followed by Solana’s 6.5% rise, fueled by renewed retail interest and speculative momentum.

Bitcoin dominance remained steady at 59.6%, while Ethereum rose above $3,800, signaling strength from institutional buyers. The Fear & Greed Index hit 71, placing the market firmly in “greed” territory – often a moment when smart money starts taking profits and repositioning quietly.

NFT market rebounds to $6 billion

The NFT sector saw a remarkable comeback, surging more than 20% in a day to reach a $6.3 billion market cap. A wallet known as 0x1bb3 made headlines by spending $5.9 million on 45 CryptoPunks, sparking fresh excitement across Ethereum-based collections.

Weekly Ethereum NFT sales hit $75 million, a 300% jump since mid-July. Other collections like Moonbirds, Pudgy Penguins, and Bored Ape Yacht Club also saw a boost, suggesting a broader shift in sentiment toward high-value digital art, even as Solana, Bitcoin, and BNB Chain trailed behind in volume.

The NFT market cap just pumped 17% in a day from $5.1B to $6.0B.

Which NFTs are you holding? pic.twitter.com/yIauTicwpy

— CoinGecko (@coingecko) July 21, 2025

Ethereum’s symbolic ‘Torch Relay’ sparks buzz

Adding to Ethereum’s momentum is the “Ethereum Torch,” a unique NFT traveling wallet-to-wallet among key figures like its co-founder Joseph Lubin to mark Ethereum’s 10th anniversary.

This relay celebrates developers, artists, and builders, culminating in a public “burn” on July 30. Afterward, anyone can mint a free commemorative NFT.

The event has captured the imagination of the crypto community, blending cultural celebration with market enthusiasm and highlighting Ethereum’s central role in the NFT revival.

0/ The Ethereum Torch is now lit.

The Torch is an NFT honoring the people and values that have shaped Ethereum’s first decade and will help build its future.

It will be symbolically passed from wallet to wallet in the 10 days leading up to Ethereum’s 10 year anniversary. pic.twitter.com/nEIY8JOIna

— Ethereum (@ethereum) July 20, 2025

US banks push back on crypto licenses

In the US, the Bank Policy Institute – representing JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and other financial giants – urged regulators to pause crypto banking license applications until clearer policies are set. The letter targets firms like Custodia Bank, warning that they may pose systemic risks despite specializing in crypto.

While the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency says it’s reviewing licenses case by case, the pushback underscores a broader power struggle between old-guard banks and crypto-native challengers trying to gain mainstream legitimacy.

UK weighs selling seized Bitcoin

The British government is sitting on more than $7 billion worth of Bitcoin seized from criminal cases, including major fraud and drug operations. With Bitcoin near all-time highs, some officials and insiders have suggested that selling the stash could provide a much-needed budget boost amid sluggish growth and rising debt.

While no formal sale has been announced, the possibility has sparked debate: offloading large amounts could rattle markets, and observers warn that a government sale might send bearish signals. Still, it marks another moment where Bitcoin is seen not just as a fringe asset but as part of national economic conversations.

AI reshapes entertainment and industry

Netflix has sparked heated debate by using generative AI to create a building collapse scene in its Argentinian sci-fi drama The Eternaut. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised the result as ten times faster than traditional methods, and Netflix is also testing an AI voice tool for personalized viewer recommendations. But many in Hollywood warn of looming job losses, with up to 200,000 film and TV roles at risk by 2027, particularly for newcomers.

Meanwhile, in the construction sector, Bedrock Robotics raised $80 million to retrofit bulldozers and excavators with autonomous systems, aiming to tackle the US labor shortage. Founder Boris Sofman argues the tech won’t eliminate jobs but will unlock stalled housing and infrastructure projects, generating new employment opportunities. Across both industries, the central debate is not just about automation but about how AI reshapes the nature of work – and who stands to benefit.

$6.9M lost in TikTok hardware wallet scam

In China, a crypto user lost $6.9 million after purchasing what appeared to be a sealed Ledger hardware wallet from Douyin, the local version of TikTok. Investigators say the device was compromised before sale, allowing criminals to drain the user’s funds almost immediately.

The case has raised alarms about the risks of buying security devices from unofficial channels, highlighting how even well-known brands like Ledger can become vectors for theft if sourced through the wrong platforms.

CoinDCX hacked for $44 million

Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX confirmed a $44 million hack after attackers compromised an internal account used for liquidity provisioning. Co-founder Sumit Gupta assured customers that no user funds were affected and losses would be covered from treasury reserves. However, the team faced sharp criticism for waiting 17 hours to disclose the breach, reigniting concerns about transparency and trust in centralized exchanges, especially in high-growth crypto markets like India.

El Salvador’s Bitcoin buying freeze

El Salvador hasn’t bought Bitcoin since February, despite public claims of daily purchases. Photo: Unsplash / Esau Fuentes

Despite President Nayib Bukele’s frequent social media claims of daily Bitcoin purchases, a letter from El Salvador’s finance ministry to the IMF revealed that the country hasn’t acquired new Bitcoin since February. The increase in reserves reported earlier this year stems from consolidating existing holdings, not fresh buys.

This disclosure has raised fresh questions about transparency in El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy and whether public-facing narratives align with the country’s actual financial maneuvers.

74-year-old vanishes with crypto fortune

A troubling story out of California has drawn attention to the real-world risks of crypto wealth. A 74-year-old man disappeared in May, and police believe his family’s crypto fortune played a role, with over $1 million drained from his accounts through suspected impersonation.

Authorities are investigating possible kidnapping, and a $250,000 reward has been offered. The case highlights that crypto-related crime isn’t limited to online scams – it can spill into physical safety concerns.

Mastercard calls stablecoins a turning point

Mastercard has hailed the recent passage of the Genius Act – the first US law specifically regulating stablecoins – as a “turning point” for institutional adoption of digital assets. Jesse McWaters, Mastercard’s head of global policy, said the company has been preparing for this shift, aiming to integrate stablecoins into trusted payment systems. The move could bring crypto-backed payments into everyday consumer tools, blending blockchain innovation with familiar financial infrastructure.