DeLorean launched an onchain reservation system and non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace for its upcoming electric vehicle launch, introducing a new blockchain-based approach for reserving and reselling cars.

According to DeLorean, its Build Slot NFT collection grants holders priority access to purchase DeLorean’s upcoming electric car, Alpha 5 EV. The model is the carmaker’s first vehicle in over 40 years, inspired by the iconic flux capacitor from the movie Back to the Future.

The company created an exclusive marketplace for its NFT holders, in which users can buy or trade the NFTs using the USDC (USDC) stablecoin on the Sui network and will be able to earn rewards.

DeLorean says that each vehicle’s history and performance data will be recorded onchain through the FLUX protocol, including key data such as battery health, maintenance records, accident history, and verified odometer readings. 

This detailed data makes it easier for auto enthusiasts to bid on or resell vehicles in the secondary market, the company said.

DeLorean NFT platform. Source: DeLorean

“Since DeLorean’s emergence in the 1980s, the brand has stood as a symbol of vision, rebellion, and futuristic innovation,” according to Cameron Wynne, the chief brand officer at DeLorean. “By using blockchain technology, we’re setting a new standard for the automotive industry,” Wynne said.

The NFT-based reservation system and the tokenization of an electric vehicle signal DeLorean’s interest in digital assets. The company is also the first carmaker to introduce a utility token, the DeLorean ($DMC) token.

DMC tokenomics. Source: Deloreanlabs 

Luxury brands exploring blockchain, NFTs

NFTs are becoming digital passports for luxury goods, linking to full lifecycle benefits such as reservation, maintenance, resale, and membership services.

By tokenizing luxury products using NFTs, brands can enhance their technological appeal while reinforcing a sense of scarcity and community value.

Global fashion brand Louis Vuitton ventured into NFTs in 2023, offering NFT holders exclusive access to certain products like a $6,400 digital mini trunk, a $9,000 bag and a varsity jacket worth around $8,400.

LVMH Group launched the blockchain-based AURA platform, where luxury items are represented as unique NFTs containing information such as the origin of raw materials, production date and maintenance history.

Magazine: Pranksy: Inside the anonymous life of an NFT legend — NFT Collector

Key takeaways:

Bitcoin’s rally to new price highs happened as funding rates and trading sentiment remained unusually subdued.

Rising stablecoin supply and global M2 growth indicate untapped liquidity and the potential for further price increases.

Long-term holders are not aggressively selling, reflecting their expectation for continued Bitcoin price appreciation.

Bitcoin (BTC) hit a new all-time high on May 21, with prices rising to $111,860 on Binance on May 22, but the markets lack the state of frenzy associated with new highs. Economist and crypto commentator Alex Krüger noted that “this is the least euphoric new all-time highs” for Bitcoin, after highlighting subdued funding rates for Bitcoin across crypto exchanges.

Bitcoin price and aggregated funding rate. Source: Coinalyze

The chart illustrates that the current BTC funding rate is significantly below previous market highs observed during March and November 2024. The funding rate was six times higher in Q1 and three times higher in Q4 last year.

These low rates indicate minimal speculative activity in the futures market, with the rally driven by spot buyers rather than leveraged traders, reducing the risk of over-leveraged corrections. 

Such a scenario also indicates that Bitcoin might not have reached a state of euphoria yet. 

The availability of untapped liquidity in the crypto ecosystem underscores the potential for further growth. Stablecoin market capitalization, often a leading indicator of incoming capital, has risen to 14% in 2025. Tether’s (USDT) market cap jumped to $152 billion from $139 billion in January, while Circle’s USDC supply has increased by 35% to $58 billion. 

Total stablecoin supply. Source: Token Terminal

Stablecoins often act as a bridge for new capital entering the crypto market, and their growth suggests a substantial pool of liquidity that has yet to be fully deployed into Bitcoin and other crypto assets. 

Additionally, global liquidity trends provide further tailwinds. The global M2 money supply, which measures the total money in circulation across major economies, grew by 5% in Q1 2025, driven by monetary policy adjustments in the US, EU, and Japan.

Cointelegraph reported a strong correlation, exceeding 80%, between Bitcoin’s price and global liquidity, typically with a 60-day lag, pointing to further buying pressure in the coming months.

Bitcoin price and Global M2 supply. Source: X.com

Related: These 4 memecoins can outperform Bitcoin this cycle

“Muted” profit-taking reflects confidence in Bitcoin

Glassnode data adds another layer of insight into Bitcoin’s current market dynamics. Despite the new highs, profit-taking among Bitcoin holders remains restrained. The data analytics platform noted,

“When $BTC hit all-time high yesterday, total profit-taking volume was around $1.00B – less than half the amount realized when #BTC first crossed $100K last December, which hit $2.10B. Despite a higher price, profit realization was far more muted.”

This muted activity suggests that long-term holders are not rushing to cash out, which typically reflects confidence in further price appreciation.

Bitcoin spent volume by age data. Source: X.com

The lack of widespread participation indicates that Bitcoin’s rally is not a crowded trade, leaving room for new capital to enter the market. The restrained profit-taking, combined with low speculative activity in the futures market, paints a picture of a market far from overheated or “euphoria”.

Related: Bitcoin tops Amazon market cap on ‘Pizza Day’ as price sets new highs

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Key points:

Mixed results for US jobless claims fail to dent risk-asset enthusiasm.

Despite concerns over the bond market, Bitcoin and stocks enjoy stability at the start of the Wall Street trading session.

BTC price expectations remain lofty amid low volatility and a curious lack of profit-taking.

Bitcoin (BTC) focused on $111,000 around the May 22 Wall Street open as record highs met mixed US unemployment data.

BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Bitcoin, stocks brush off jobs uncertainty

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC price volatility cooling in line with stocks.

The latest US macroeconomic data painted a conflicting picture of labor market resilience to inflation trends.

Initial jobless claims came in below expectations at 227,000, while continuing claims exceeded their target by 13,000.

Far from a wary reaction, however, risk assets maintained prior levels, leading analysis to bullish conclusions over market sentiment.

“Initial Jobless Claims came in cooler than expected. Continuing Claims came in hotter than expected,” Blacknox, cofounders of trading resource Material Indicators, reacted on X. 

“BTC is in price discovery, and the market wants to celebrate the good news and ignore the bad news.”

Fellow co-founder Keith Alan described the jobless numbers as “a bit more fuel for BTC momentum.”

“Keep watching Bitcoin and Gold,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter continued.

Kobessi added that it expected some form of government intervention in the bond market after stocks’ volatility kicked in the day prior.

On today’s episode of the bond market:

The US 30Y Bond yield just hit 5.15% for the first time since October 2023.

Other than October 2023, 30Y Yields have not been this high since July 2007.

We expect attempted intervention by Trump and Bessent as the Fed refuses to cut… https://t.co/GUptlBLyCK pic.twitter.com/0DONKceum6

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) May 22, 2025

Bitcoin due “bigger move” amid low profit-taking

Comparing the latest all-time highs to previous cycles, meanwhile, Bitcoin market participants revealed surprising behavior.

Related: Bitcoin ‘looks exhausted’ as next bear market yields $69K target

Volatility and mass profit-taking, they noted, were both conspicuously lacking at $111,000.

“Can’t recall a time in history where $BTC just casually traded around in a 1% range at all time highs,” popular trader Daan Crypto Trades told X followers. 

“Bigger move following once it breaks this local tiny range. Quite a lot of positions being build up on both sides.”BTC/USDT 15-minute chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/X

Order book liquidity data from monitoring resource CoinGlass thickening bids and asks around spot price. 

BTC liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlass

Elsewhere, onchain analytics platform Glassnode flagged steadfast resolve among hodlers despite 100% supply profitability.

“When $BTC hit all-time high yesterday, total profit-taking volume was around $1.00B – less than half the amount realized when Bitcoin first crossed $100K last December, which hit $2.10B,” it noted on the day. 

“Despite a higher price, profit realization was far more muted.”Bitcoin spent volume by coin dormancy. Source: Glassnode

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.