This Week in Crypto: Bitcoin Tests $97,000, Sui Pokémon Collaboration Rumors, ProShares XRP ETF Delayed

Several interesting developments happened this week in crypto, cutting across diverse ecosystems. Key highlights, however, centered on Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP ecosystems.

Several interesting developments happened this week in crypto, cutting across diverse ecosystems. Key highlights, however, centered on Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP ecosystems.

In case you missed it, here is a roundup of the top stories this week in crypto.

Bitcoin Tests $97,000

Starting the list of what happened this week in crypto, Bitcoin tested the $97,000 milestone for the first time since February 2025. However, as of this writing, the pioneer crypto pulled back shortly after and was trading for $96,731.

The pioneer crypto displayed significant volatility over the past several weeks and months, enduring most of President Trump’s tariffs. Trade chaos, ranging from temporary pauses and committed retaliations to de-escalation rumors, exacerbated the volatility.

However, amid these uncertainties, Bitcoin emerged as a hedge against traditional finance (TradFi) and US Treasury risks. Institutional interest in BTC has also grown, with Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) recording increased inflows while Gold ETPs (exchange-trained funds) lagged.

Sui Pokémon Collaboration Talks

Another key highlight this week in crypto concerned speculation of a possible collaboration between the Sui blockchain and Pokémon. Amidst these talks, the SUI price soared over 60% within the week.

These rumors sparked after a privacy policy update for Pokémon HOME featured Parasol Technologies, LLC, as a new developer. Parasol Technologies is a Web3 gaming infrastructure company that Sui’s developer, Mysten Labs, acquired in March 2025.

Nevertheless, changes in one of the circulating documents quelled the speculation, clarifying what had been a key driver for the SUI price this week.

“The official Sui Foundation blog confirmed (and removed) Pokémon NFTs. They seem to be developing a cloud infrastructure that uses blockchain technology to address bugs, hacks, and duping while enabling transfers between compatible games—something that is already possible with Pokémon Home, another user highlighted.

Nevertheless, the correction did not quell speculation that Parasol may be involved in developing new features for Pokémon.

The SUI price has fallen almost 3% in the last 24 hours. As of this writing, it was trading for $3.47.

ProShares XRP ETF Rumors

Adding to the list of speculation this week in crypto, rumors spread that the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) had approved a ProShares XRP ETF (exchange-traded fund).

However, BeInCrypto shut down these claims, articulating that the approval was for ProShares’s Leveraged and Short XRP Futures ETFs. ETF analyst James Seyffart also provided further clarity, deeming the allegations false.

“UPDATE: A lot of people posting/reporting that ProShares will be launching XRP ETFs on April 30th. We have confirmed that this is not the case. We do not have a confirmed launch date yet but we believe they will launch — and likely launch in the short or possibly medium term,” Seyffart explained.

ProShares launched three futures-based ETFs: the Ultra XRP ETF, the Short XRP ETF, and the Ultra Short XRP ETF. This development followed the launch of Teucrium’s 2x Long Daily XRP ETF in early April.

ProShares’ XRP Futures ETF Sparked Optimism

Meanwhile, the approval of ProShares XRP futures ETF sparked optimism, inspiring sentiment that a spot XRP ETF would be next.

According to forecasts by industry expert Armando Pantoja, the move could lead to substantial capital inflow into the altcoin.

“A spot XRP ETF could be next, unlocking real demand and sending prices soaring. $100 billion+ could soon flood into XRP,” he wrote.

Pantoja recognized that the approval marked a significant turning point for the industry, expanding XRP’s investor base.

This optimism came as ProShares XRP futures ETF had already attracted significant attention from Wall Street and institutional investors.

The approval cleared the runway for the XRP ETF, granting Ripple’s token a regulated and accessible avenue for major financial players to engage.

“Futures ETF = first domino. Spot ETF = the tipping point. XRP’s long-term setup just got way stronger,” Pantoja remarked.

Another analyst was more measured amid heightened optimism, noting that the futures ETF was not the game-changer many might expect.

“It’s not the silver bullet that will trigger mass adoption or massive price action. The real catalyst will come when a Spot XRP ETF gets approved. Real tokens. Real demand. Real market impact,” John Squire posted.

SEC Delays XRP ETF Decision

To add to the list of developments in the XRP ecosystem this week in crypto, the US SEC delayed its decision on a prospective XRP ETF until June 17.

Before this news broke, crypto market participants awaited the final decision of XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE), and Ethereum staking ETFs. However, these were all be put off