TL;DR

BlackRock adds $283M in Bitcoin; Amazon invests $13B in AU data centers; Vietnam legalizes crypto from 2026.

Highlights

• BlackRock added $283M in Bitcoin , as U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs acquired 12,700 BTC ($1.3B) in a week1.
• Vietnam approved a Digital Technology Law, legalizing crypto trading and custody from 2026 with a regulatory framework2.
• Amazon will invest US$13B in Australian data centers and solar farms by 2029 to support AI/cloud growth3.
• xAI is internally testing Grok 3.5 with web voice features, targeting public launch soon4.
• Taiwan imposed new export controls on Huawei and SMIC , restricting AI chip technology shipments5.
• ZKJ and KOGE tokens crashed over 60% on Binance Alpha, triggering $99M in liquidations and highlighting DeFi risks6.
• Bybit launched USDT-settled CFDs on 78 U.S. stocks, gold , and forex directly in-app8.
• Bybit to launch Solana -based Byreal DEX on June 30, aiming for CEX-level liquidity on-chain9.
• Ethereum overtook Solana in daily blockchain fees and DEX volume for the first time since 202410.
• Major trader AguilaTrades opened a $200M, 20x leveraged Bitcoin long on Hyperliquid, with plans to scale to $255M11.
• Sarepta paused Elevidys gene therapy shipments for non-ambulatory patients after a second fatal liver failure7.
• BT Group CEO signaled further AI-driven job cuts beyond the 55,000 already planned12.
• Baykar and Leonardo formed LBA Systems JV, debuting new combat drones at the Paris Air Show13.
• Renault CEO Luca de Meo will step down in July, reportedly to lead Kering 15.

Commentary

Institutional appetite for digital assets remains strong, with BlackRock and other U.S. ETF issuers accumulating over $1.3B in Bitcoin last week, despite recent volatility and token-specific disruptions1. Vietnam’s move to legalize crypto with a clear regulatory framework from 2026 could make the country a new hub for blockchain startups and cross-border capital, offering VCs a clearer path for compliant investment in Southeast Asia2.

Amazon ’s $13B commitment to Australian data centers and renewables signals continued hyperscaler investment in AI and cloud infrastructure, which should support regional enterprise SaaS and AI startups, as well as those in energy optimization3. Meanwhile, xAI’s Grok 3.5 internal testing and BT ’s plans for further AI-driven workforce reductions both highlight ongoing adoption of advanced AI models and automation, with implications for enterprise tech and labor efficiency startups412.

Market structure risks in crypto remain acute, as evidenced by the ZKJ and KOGE token crashes and $99M in liquidations on Binance Alpha6. This underscores the need for robust risk management and transparency in DeFi protocols—an area where infrastructure startups may find opportunity. Bybit ’s expansion into USDT-settled TradFi CFDs and its upcoming Solana -based DEX reflect continued convergence between centralized and decentralized trading, and may drive new product innovation for fintech and infrastructure ventures89.

Geopolitical and regulatory developments—such as Taiwan’s new chip export controls and Sarepta ’s gene therapy pause—continue to shape both risk and opportunity sets, particularly for startups in deep tech, biotech, and supply chain resilience57. Leadership changes at Renault and Kering , as well as new defense tech joint ventures like Baykar -Leonardo , may also create openings for startups aligned with shifting corporate and strategic priorities1315.