Crypto News Weekly Recap: Bitcoin ETF Rebound, Stablecoin Expansion, and Ethereum’s Quantum Roadmap

This week marked a potential turning point for Bitcoin ETFs as inflows returned following weeks of heavy outflows. At the same time, stablecoin infrastructure accelerated across payments, developer ecosystems, and mainstream consumer apps. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s long-term security roadmap took center stage as quantum resistance discussions intensified.

• US Bitcoin ETFs recorded over $500M in daily inflows, signaling renewed institutional appetite.
• Market structure debates around “paper Bitcoin” resurfaced.
• PayPal expanded stablecoin infrastructure with developer-focused issuance tools.
• Mastercard and MetaMask launched a US crypto spending card.
• Telegram integrated DeFi yield directly inside its app.
• Vitalik Buterin proposed a quantum-resistance roadmap for Ethereum.

Bitcoin ETFs regain momentum as BTC reclaims $68K

US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $506.5 million in daily inflows — the largest since early February — as Bitcoin reclaimed the $68,000 level. Weekly flows turned positive for the first time after five consecutive weeks of $3.8 billion in outflows.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the rebound with nearly $300 million in inflows, followed by funds from Fidelity Investments and Bitwise Asset Management.

Trading volumes across Bitcoin ETFs rebounded above $4.3 billion, indicating renewed participation after February’s sharp correction, which erased roughly $20 billion in net ETF assets.

However, discussions around ETF market mechanics resurfaced. Some analysts raised concerns about “paper Bitcoin” exposure and the role of authorized participants (APs) in price discovery. While no direct manipulation evidence was presented, the structural debate highlights how ETF-driven demand may influence Bitcoin’s price formation differently than spot accumulation.

PayPal expands stablecoin infrastructure with PYUSDx

PayPal partnered with MoonPay and M0 to launch PYUSDx — a framework enabling developers to issue application-specific stablecoins backed by PayPal USD.

Unlike the original PYUSD, PYUSDx functions as a tokenization and issuance layer that allows branded, ecosystem-specific stablecoins with cross-chain compatibility and reserve transparency.

The move signals a shift toward “stablecoins at the application layer,” where developers integrate programmable dollars directly into consumer platforms rather than relying solely on centralized exchanges or traditional banking rails.

As stablecoin competition intensifies, infrastructure providers are increasingly targeting developers and AI ecosystems as the next growth frontier.

Mastercard and MetaMask launch US crypto spending card

Mastercard and MetaMask launched the MetaMask Card across 49 US states, including first-time availability in New York.

The card allows users to spend crypto directly from a self-custodial wallet, retaining control of assets until the moment of payment. Unlike custodial crypto debit cards, funds do not need to be pre-loaded onto an exchange account.

The card is issued through regulated banking partners and works across Mastercard’s global merchant network. The launch represents another step toward integrating self-custody crypto wallets with mainstream financial rails.

Telegram integrates crypto yield inside its app

Telegram introduced yield-generating vaults within its built-in crypto wallet, enabling users to earn returns on Bitcoin, Ether, and USDt directly inside the messaging app.

The infrastructure leverages decentralized finance protocols operating in the background, while maintaining a simplified user interface. The integration aims to lower technical barriers associated with DeFi by embedding earning functionality into a consumer-facing app with over 150 million registered wallet users.

The development reinforces a broader industry shift: DeFi functionality is increasingly being abstracted behind mainstream user experiences.

Ethereum prepares for the quantum era

Vitalik Buterin outlined a roadmap to make Ethereum quantum-resistant, identifying four vulnerable components: validator signatures, data storage, user accounts, and zero-knowledge proofs.

Proposed upgrades include replacing BLS signatures with quantum-safe alternatives and transitioning from KZG data commitments to STARK-based systems. The plan also introduces recursive proof aggregation to reduce computational overhead.

While quantum computing threats remain theoretical in the near term, Ethereum’s proactive roadmap reflects growing awareness of long-term cryptographic risks.

The proposal positions Ethereum as one of the first major networks to actively plan for post-quantum security architecture.

Final Thoughts

This week illustrated a dual narrative in crypto:

On one side, Bitcoin ETFs showed signs of recovery after heavy sell pressure, hinting at renewed institutional participation. On the other, infrastructure development across stablecoins, payments, AI integration, and quantum security continues to accelerate.

Rather than purely price-driven cycles, crypto’s current phase appears increasingly defined by structural evolution. Institutional products, programmable dollars, and security upgrades are shaping the next stage of adoption — even as short-term volatility persists.