Skoop15 August 25, 2025
Tom Lee’s Ethereum Play
Tom Lee has long been recognized as one of Wall Street’s most outspoken champions of Bitcoin, but his latest move signals a surprising pivot that has the entire crypto community talking. Lee has taken a massive position in Ethereum, reportedly through his holdings of more than 225,000 shares of $BMNR, coupled with a 10-year call option covering 5% of the company’s stock. With BMNR aggressively accumulating Ethereum — an estimated $6 billion worth of ETH purchased in just the last 60 days — the current market run-up is being almost entirely attributed to Lee’s conviction and influence. If his bet pays off, he stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars.
Can we blame him? From a pure investment standpoint, probably not. Ethereum has shown resilience, adoption, and use-case expansion that make it an attractive play. But for someone who has built his reputation on being a pillar of the Bitcoin-first philosophy, the optics are complicated. In a sense, Lee’s Ethereum push feels like a departure — a “sellout” in the eyes of Bitcoin maximalists who have long considered him one of their most credible public allies. That tension creates risk not just financially, but reputationally, for a man who has been a steady voice of conviction in a volatile industry.
Whether this proves to be a masterstroke or a misstep will depend on Ethereum’s long-term trajectory. But one thing is undeniable: Lee has placed himself squarely at the center of the ETH story, just as he once was for BTC. His willingness to pivot shows boldness, but also raises the question of whether chasing the next opportunity might ultimately tarnish the very credibility that made him a force in the first place.
World Series Wide Open
The Dodgers may sit as favorites at +300, but they’re vulnerable — and a long list of challengers is lurking. Yankees (10/1), Phillies (8/1), Padres (7/1), Astros (12/1), Giants (8/1), Tigers (8/1), and more are all live, with oddsmakers still giving most contenders a real shot. Heading into September, all but 12 teams still have a prayer, setting up what should be a chaotic, wide-open postseason.
Caesars Expands Betting Menu, Adds Universal Wallet
Caesars Sportsbook has rolled out a much bigger menu of betting options compared to last year, giving players more markets and flexibility to choose from. Even more notable, Caesars has introduced a Universal Digital Wallet that works seamlessly across 19 states, streamlining deposits and withdrawals for customers on the move.
It’s a smart play in the competitive U.S. market — more variety, more convenience, and a step toward keeping bettors loyal within the Caesars ecosystem.
A’ja, Aces Extend Streak to 10
The defending champs keep rolling. A’ja Wilson dominated with 36 points and 13 rebounds in Saturday’s win at Washington, powering the Las Vegas Aces to their 10th straight victory.
Next up: Las Vegas heads to Chicago on Monday, looking to keep their momentum alive as the postseason approaches. Nobody in the league wants to see the Aces right now.
Circa Contests Surge Amid “Vegas Demise” Talk
Despite constant chatter about Las Vegas losing its grip as the betting capital, Circa’s football contests are generating record interest. Director of Operations Jeffrey Benson confirmed that signups are already on a record pace with two weeks still left before kickoff.
The numbers suggest that while Vegas faces new competition from nationwide sportsbooks, its marquee contests still hold unique prestige — and bettors are flocking to be part of it.
U.S. Grabs 10% of Intel — Could Strategy Be Next?
The U.S. government taking a 10% ownership stake in Intel is both fascinating and controversial, raising questions about where the line is between support and control. For markets, it’s a precedent-setting move — and it begs the question: is this in the cards for Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) as well?
With Strategy holding billions in Bitcoin and serving as a de facto proxy for digital assets on Wall Street, government involvement — however unlikely — would spark major debate. For now, it’s speculation, but one that could reshape how investors view both tech and Bitcoin-linked equities.
Bet Thrive Live Expands to Weekly NFL Sunday Show
Bet Thrive Live is leveling up for football season with a new weekly Sunday show covering every NFL game on the slate. Each week will also highlight a feature game, adding a focal point within the broader coverage.
It’s a shift from the usual one-game-at-a-time format — and a clear step toward giving viewers a bigger-picture perspective while still spotlighting the marquee matchup of the week.
14 Countries with Largest Population
1. India ~1.44 billion
2. China ~1.41 billion
3. United States ~342 million
4. Indonesia ~283 million
5. Pakistan ~252 million
6. Nigeria ~234 million
7. Brazil ~217 million
8. Bangladesh ~173 million
9. Russia ~146 million
10. Mexico ~131 million
11. Ethiopia ~127 million
12. Japan ~123 million
13. Philippines ~119 million
14. Egypt ~112 million
Rockies Eliminated in August
It’s over early in Denver. The Colorado Rockies were officially eliminated from postseason contention on August 24, carrying a brutal 37–94 record and an eye-popping -349 run differential.
It’s been a miserable season at Coors Field, where the losses have piled up fast and the gap between the Rockies and the rest of the league has rarely looked wider. For fans in Denver, this year can’t end soon enough.
Storm Edge Mystics, Closer to Playoff Berth
The Seattle Storm continue their push toward the postseason, pulling out an 84–82 road win in Washington. Nneka Ogwumike delivered a massive performance with 30 points, capped by a buzzer-beating basket to seal the victory.
Seattle has made a habit of playing wild, down-to-the-wire games, and their knack for surviving late chaos makes them a dangerous draw in the playoffs. Whoever faces the Storm in the postseason won’t have an easy path.
Heisman Trophy Top Odds:
Arch Manning (Texas) 7/1
Cade Klubnik (Clemson) 7/1
Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) 8/1
Jeremiah Smith (Ohio St.) 12/1
Bueckers’ Scoring Streak Snapped at 30
Paige Bueckers was held in check as Dallas lost 90–81 to Golden State, finishing with 9 points and 9 assists. The outing ended her remarkable streak of 30 straight double-digit scoring games, a run that showcased her consistency as an offensive force.
For a Dallas team struggling to find rhythm this season, Bueckers remains the clear bright spot — a player capable of carrying the franchise forward even in the face of tough losses.
Bitcoin Dips on Whale Dump
Bitcoin took an abrupt dive Sunday afternoon as a whale dumped 24,000 BTC, sending price action tumbling to nearly $110,500 before recovering part of the loss. The move rattled markets and sparked fresh volatility across the board.
Some traders have been rotating out of BTC and into ETH, but such shifts carry elevated risk. For long-term positioning, chasing rotations is risky and not advised. Bitcoin remains the benchmark asset — and sudden whale activity is a reminder of just how sharp the swings can be.
MV-Phee Shines, Lynx Roll to 30th Win
Napheesa Collier made her return in style, dropping 32 points as the Minnesota Lynx handled Indiana 97–84. The win pushed Minnesota to 30–7, all but locking up the No. 1 seed in the postseason.
Despite the recent brilliance of A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas, Collier has been the league’s steadiest force all season. MV-Phee isn’t just a nickname — she remains the frontrunner for MVP, and the Lynx look like the team to beat heading into October.
