Institutions: The crypto market continued deleveraging in Q2, with spot trading volume hitting its lowest level since Q3 2023.

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has begun using data analysis tools to screen for anomalous large-value transactions in the stablecoin market, focusing on Tether-issued USDT, to crack down on illegal fund flows and "gray economy" activities. BOT Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said initial screening has found some transactions suspected of deliberately evading disclosure requirements or transferring funds by bypassing the traditional banking system. As regulatory authority over digital assets falls under Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the BOT will refer relevant leads to the SEC for further investigation. The stablecoin probe is part of Thailand’s campaign to combat the "gray economy". Since April this year, Thailand has required banks to verify the purpose of cash withdrawals exceeding 5 million baht (about $150,000) per transaction, leading to a roughly 35% drop in large cash withdrawals. Starting in the fourth quarter, large cash deposits will also be required to declare their source of funds. Regulators have also tightened oversight over gold trading, large cash exchanges, and "money mule accounts" linked to online gambling, with monthly gold withdrawals falling from around 4,000 kg to roughly 700 kg. In recent years, Thailand has stepped up its crackdown on crypto-related crimes. Police recently dismantled a cross-chain money laundering network, where the involved wallets transferred over $122.5 million in funds within 10 months, and are still investigating a $300 million cross-border money laundering case and illegal crypto mining operations. Meanwhile, Thailand is advancing the development of a compliant crypto market: the Thai SEC has proposed a three-year development plan covering tokenized assets and crypto ETFs, while the BOT is pushing forward research and development of a baht-pegged stablecoin as part of financial infrastructure upgrades.

According to Bit.com market data, the US semiconductor equipment sector saw broad declines, with individual stocks performing as follows: Applied Materials (AMAT) fell 3.34%, Onto Innovation (ONTO) dropped 4.00%, Lam Research (LRCX) declined 4.64%, KLA (KLAC) fell 3.38%, Teradyne (TER) dropped 3.28%, and Entegris (ENTG) declined 4.95%.

According to Bit.com's market data, the U.S. optical communications sector saw broad declines, with individual stocks as follows: MRVL down 7.01%, LITE down 4.59%, Nokia down 5.99%, Corning down 3.76%, and AXTI down 11.85%.

According to a Reuters report, Yemen’s Houthi forces accused Saudi Arabia of launching an airstrike on Sanaa International Airport, claiming the attack aimed to prevent a passenger plane from Iran from landing. The Houthis noted this was the first publicly announced direct Iran-Sana flight in nearly a decade. Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed carrying out the airstrike. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea stated that Saudi Arabia launched multiple airstrikes on Sanaa Airport, marking the end of the previous de-escalation phase between the two sides, and warned Saudi Arabia would bear corresponding consequences. The Houthis subsequently announced full mobilization, warning that if further military strikes were launched, they might target airports and strategic facilities in Saudi Arabia. The report added the incident occurred shortly after an Iranian passenger plane arrived at Sanaa Airport. The Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition believe the flight is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and violates relevant UN resolutions; the Houthis, however, said the flight was for civilian and humanitarian purposes. Analysts believe the incident could further undermine the relatively fragile ceasefire that has held since 2022 and raise risks to Red Sea shipping.

Bank of America announced that it has raised the price target for AMD (AMD.O) from $550 to $620.

UBS Group announced that it has raised Intel (INTC.O) price target from $83 to $121.