Here’s a tighter, more streamlined rewrite:
A cooling rally in AI and chip stocks, paired with a stronger U.S. dollar, kept investors cautious at the start of the year’s second half.
Ether (ETH) led major cryptocurrencies higher on Monday, while Bitcoin held steady above $63,000 after recovering from last week’s dip to its highest level in over a month.
Bitcoin traded near $63,207, little changed on the day but up 5.5% over the past week. Ether posted stronger gains, rising 12.4% to about $1,777. BNB and Dogecoin each added roughly 5.5%, while Solana climbed 11.2% to around $80.77. Hyperliquid’s HYPE led the group with a 14.6% weekly jump, and XRP rose 9.4% to $1.14.
The gains came despite a more cautious macro environment. Momentum in semiconductor and tech stocks faded, raising questions about the staying power of this year’s AI-driven rally. South Korea’s Kospi index fell 1.4% as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined, while an MSCI index tracking Asian chipmakers also moved lower.
Brent crude slipped 0.6% to roughly $71.70 per barrel, easing some inflation concerns ahead of upcoming U.S. data.
At the same time, the U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies, creating pressure for crypto markets that have closely tracked its movements in recent months.
Still, digital assets held firm even as AI-related equities wavered — a shift worth noting. Over the past quarter, capital had largely rotated out of crypto into AI and chip stocks, with weakness in those sectors often dragging crypto lower.
Bitcoin enters the week having reclaimed its late-June losses. Its next direction will likely hinge on upcoming inflation data and whether major tokens can maintain support as U.S. trading activity returns to normal. Holding above $63,000 could signal a more durable recovery, though a strong dollar and uncertainty around AI stocks continue to limit upside momentum.
