Ether Drives Crypto Stability as Bitcoin Holds Above $63K

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A slowdown in the recovery of AI and semiconductor stocks, combined with a strengthening U.S. dollar, kept sentiment cautious as markets entered the second half of the year.

Ether (ETH) led gains among major cryptocurrencies on Monday, while Bitcoin remained steady above $63,000 after rebounding from last week’s lows to reach its highest level in over a month.

Bitcoin was trading near $63,207, largely unchanged on the day but up 5.5% over the past week, according to CoinDesk data. Ether outperformed, climbing 12.4% to around $1,777. Meanwhile, BNB and Dogecoin posted gains of roughly 5.5% each. Solana hovered near $80.77, marking an 11.2% weekly increase, while Hyperliquid’s HYPE led the majors with a 14.6% rise. XRP also advanced, trading at $1.14, up 9.4% over seven days.

These gains persisted despite a more cautious macro backdrop. The rally in technology and semiconductor stocks lost momentum, raising concerns about the sustainability of this year’s AI-driven surge. South Korea’s Kospi index dropped 1.4% as shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined, while an MSCI index tracking Asian chipmakers also moved lower.

Brent crude slipped 0.6% to approximately $71.70 per barrel, helping to ease inflation concerns ahead of upcoming U.S. price data later this month.

At the same time, the U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies, creating a headwind for cryptocurrencies, which have closely followed dollar movements in recent months.

The resilience of crypto markets, even as the AI-driven equity rally faltered, marks a notable shift. Over much of the past quarter, capital had flowed out of crypto and into chip and AI stocks, with weakness in those sectors often dragging digital assets lower.

Bitcoin enters the new week having recovered its late-June losses. Its next direction may depend on upcoming inflation data and whether major cryptocurrencies can maintain strength as U.S. market activity returns to full levels. Holding above $63,000 could signal a more durable recovery, although a strong dollar and uncertainty around AI stocks continue to limit clear upward momentum.