Ether Outperforms as Bitcoin Stabilizes Above $63,000 Threshold

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A slowing rebound in AI and semiconductor stocks, coupled with a stronger U.S. dollar, kept investors cautious as markets entered the second half of the year.

Ether (ETH) led major cryptocurrencies higher on Monday, while Bitcoin held above $63,000 after rebounding from last week’s lows to its highest level in more than a month.

Bitcoin traded near $63,207, largely flat on the day but up 5.5% over the past week. Ether outpaced its peers, climbing 12.4% to around $1,777. BNB and Dogecoin each rose about 5.5%, while Solana gained 11.2% to roughly $80.77. Hyperliquid’s HYPE posted the strongest weekly performance with a 14.6% jump, and XRP advanced 9.4% to $1.14.

These gains came despite a more cautious macro backdrop. The rally in technology and chip stocks showed signs of fading, raising concerns about the strength of this year’s AI-driven surge. South Korea’s Kospi index dropped 1.4% as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined, while an MSCI index tracking Asian semiconductor stocks also slipped.

Brent crude fell 0.6% to about $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 a headwind for crypto markets that have closely followed its movements in recent months.

Even so, crypto held steady while AI-related equities wavered — a shift worth noting. Over the past quarter, capital had largely rotated out of digital assets and into chip and AI stocks, with weakness in those sectors often dragging crypto lower.

Bitcoin enters 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 return to normal. Holding above $63,000 could signal a more sustained recovery, though a strong dollar and uncertainty around AI stocks continue to limit upside momentum.