The US Crypto Report, what to look out for during the Fed’s rate meeting, and is capital moving to alts?

More regulatory and policy-related excitement is expected this week, with the highly anticipated US government Crypto Report set to be published on 30 July, the same day as the Fed’s interest rate decision. Investors will be watching not just for the rate call, but for how the politics between President Trump and Chair Powell continue to play out. Closer to crypto, Solana is making life easier for developers, while the early signs of altcoin season have come and gone. More actionable insights below.
Newsmakers
US Crypto Report could shed more light on government crypto policy
- The anticipated Crypto Report by the US government follows a 180-day study mandated by an executive order issued earlier this year. It’s expected to outline strategic steps for the country’s plans with cryptocurrencies, including details about the creation of a national strategic Bitcoin reserve.
- Bo Hines, Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Digital Assets, recently confirmed a release date of 30 July.
- The report could provide insights into Washington’s evolving stance on cryptocurrency regulation and innovation, and is widely expected to recommend a legislative framework that supports a forward-looking approach, continuing the administration’s aim to position the US as a global leader in the digital asset space. “America is now leading the way on digital asset policy,” Hines noted, without hinting at any other clues of what might be in the report.
What does this mean for crypto?
These aggressively-marketed crypto policy events in the US have become a recurring theme under the Trump administration. And they’ve often coincided with notable surges in crypto markets as investors digest the implications of the announcements. The latest Bitcoin high on 14 July, for example, aligned with the so-called “Crypto Week,” during which three key crypto bills advanced through the US legislative process. Investors will be watching closely for any regulatory or other details in the report that could impact the industry, and, by extension, crypto markets.
Solana upgrade to make network dev-friendly and more fair
- The Solana network will soon have a new system designed to improve how transactions are processed on the Solana blockchain.
- The Jito Foundation, an organisation that contributes to making Solana more efficient and institutional-ready, has announced the launch of the Block Assembly Marketplace (BAM).
- BAM makes it clear in what order transactions happen, so no-one can unfairly cut in line to make a profit. This helps keep things fair for everyone using the network. It also gives developers new tools to build financial apps directly into the foundation of the blockchain, and opens up new ways for people to earn money by supporting the network.
- “BAM opens up an entirely new design space for developers to build applications that weren’t possible before,” said Lucas Bruder, CEO of Jito Labs. “It gives builders more control, creates new ways to generate and share value, and lays the groundwork for a more dynamic, composable blockspace economy on Solana. Our goal is to grow the pie, by making Solana more transparent, programmable, and rewarding for everyone contributing to its success.”
What does that mean for crypto?
It’s an exciting time for crypto networks as they compete for a foothold in the growing tokenisation and payments space, which is becoming increasingly intertwined with traditional finance. To stay competitive, networks will need to continually upgrade their systems for greater efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance.
BTC dominance hits 4-month low, is altcoin season on the way?
- Bitcoin dominance, the share of Bitcoin’s market cap relative to the total market capitalisation of all cryptocurrencies, hit a four-month low last week. Some analysts say this could be an early sign of an altcoin season.
- Further signs include the Altcoin Season Index rising to 51. A reading below 25 signals Bitcoin season, while 75 and above indicates a strong shift toward altcoin season, when investor momentum moves to so-called altcoins, a loosely used term for any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
- Technically, altcoin season is confirmed when 75% of the top 50 cryptocurrencies, excluding stablecoins and other asset-backed tokens, outperform Bitcoin over a 90-day period. However, since last week’s market drawdown, the index has pulled back to 41.
What does this mean for crypto?
These indicators are by no means a crystal ball, but they do give investors a useful sense of where money is flowing in crypto markets, in this instance highlighting Bitcoin’s recent stall after its peak, while Ethereum and others continued to surge.
3 things to look out for during the Fed’s July Interest rate decision
- As the Federal Reserve Bank is set to decide whether to pause or cut rates in its meeting next week, Forbes has highlighted three key developments to monitor during the meeting.
Policy outlook and market expectations
- The Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady in the 4.25%-4.50% range, with no cut expected in July. However, the market is increasingly pricing in a possible cut in September.
Rising internal dissent
- There is reported internal disagreement within the Fed, as Governors Chris Waller and Michelle Bowman, both Trump appointees, are leaning toward a July rate cut. If they formally dissent, it would be the first time since 1993 that two governors have opposed the majority at the same meeting.
Political pressure and inflation risks
- President Trump continues to publicly pressure Chair Powell for aggressive rate cuts, raising concerns about Fed independence. Tariff-driven inflation also remains a concern, with analysts divided over whether its effects are temporary or long-term.
What does this mean for crypto?
Low-rate environments encourage spending, investment, and speculation, all of which tend to benefit equity and crypto markets.
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