Here’s another rewritten version with a smoother, more concise flow:
A fading rebound in AI and semiconductor stocks, alongside a stronger U.S. dollar, kept market sentiment cautious as the second half of the year began.
Ether (ETH) led gains among major cryptocurrencies on Monday, while Bitcoin remained firm above $63,000 after rebounding from last week’s lows to reach a one-month high.
Bitcoin was trading around $63,207, largely flat on the day but up 5.5% over the past week, according to CoinDesk data. Ether outpaced other majors, rising 12.4% to roughly $1,777. BNB and Dogecoin each gained about 5.5%, while Solana climbed 11.2% to around $80.77. Hyperliquid’s HYPE topped the list with a 14.6% weekly increase, and XRP advanced 9.4% to $1.14.
These gains came despite a more cautious broader market backdrop. The rally in AI and chip stocks showed signs of losing momentum, raising doubts about the durability of this year’s tech-driven surge. South Korea’s Kospi index fell 1.4% as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined, while an MSCI index of Asian semiconductor stocks also slipped.
Meanwhile, Brent crude dropped 0.6% to about $71.70 per barrel, easing some inflation pressure ahead of upcoming U.S. data releases.
The U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies, creating a headwind for crypto markets, which have closely tracked its movements in recent months.
Still, crypto’s resilience amid weakness in AI-related equities stands out. Over the past quarter, funds have largely rotated from digital assets into AI and chip stocks, with downturns in those sectors often dragging crypto lower as well.
Bitcoin begins the week having recovered its late-June losses. Its next move will likely depend on upcoming inflation data and whether major tokens can maintain support as U.S. trading volumes normalize. Holding above $63,000 may signal a more sustained recovery, though a firm dollar and uncertainty around AI stocks continue to cloud the outlook.
