The cryptocurrency market has experienced notable growth today, with a global cap reaching $4.02 trillion and rising by 1.03% according to CoinMarketCap data from August 17th, 2025. Bitcoin has seen significant price fluctuations in the last 24 hours, ranging between $117,144 and $118,484 before settling at $118,345 for a modest gain of 0.58%. While major cryptocurrencies are trading mixed, notable outperformers include CTSI, POND, and EPIC with respective gains of 43%, 26%, and 18%. The day’s top stories highlight the growing influence of DeFi, including initiatives from the U.S. Treasury for digital identity tools. Solana leads in active addresses among leading blockchains, while Ethereum PoS experiences notable changes to its queue. Sovereign wealth funds are set to dominate Bitcoin and blockchain staking strategies, Thailand plans to launch TouristDigiPay for cryptocurrency exchange, and market divergence between funding rates presents an interesting dynamic.