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  • Bitcoin stays above $104k as Fed leaves interest rate unchanged

    Bitcoin stays above $104k as Fed leaves interest rate unchanged

    Bitcoin trades near $105K amid low volatility; analysts offer mixed outlooks

    Key takeaways

    • BTC continues to trade above the $104k level despite the ongoing Middle East crisis.
    • The U.S. Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but expects inflation to decline in the coming months.

    Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged

    The major financial news of the week took place on Wednesday, with the FOMC confirming what many analysts already predicted. The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its key borrowing rate targeted in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December.

    Despite that, the apex bank stated that it expects inflation to remain elevated and sees lower economic growth ahead. Furthermore, the Fed expects to make two rate reductions later this year, as previously stated.

    Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, didn’t react to this news as the market had already priced it in. However, Bitcoin could rally higher in the near term as traders anticipate two rate cuts before the end of the year. At press time, the price of Bitcoin continues to trade around $104,700. 

    BTC could rally towards $106k amid improved technicals

    The market fundamentals continue to be poor, with the United States now increasingly involved in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. However, technical indicators favour a short-term rally for the world’s leading cryptocurrency.

    BTC surged above the 20-day exponential moving average ($105,851) on Monday. However, the bulls failed to sustain the higher level, and it dropped to the 50-day SMA on Tuesday.

    The relative strength index (RSI) is approaching the midpoint, signalling a possible rally in the near term. If Bitcoin breaks above the 20-day EMA in the short term, it could rally higher towards a new all-time high at $112k.

    However, if the bears remain in control and push the price below the 50-day SMA, the BTC/USDT pair could plunge to $100,000. Bulls will likely defend the $100k psychological level, as any drop below that could see Bitcoin test the $93k support level.
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  • Hyperliquid price outlook amid Eyenovia’s $50M HYPE treasury strategy

    Hyperliquid price outlook amid Eyenovia’s $50M HYPE treasury strategy

    Eyenovia Plans To Buy HYPE Tokens

    • Hyperliquid (HYPE) price fell below $40 amid profit-taking and crypto sell-off.
    • Despite positive news with Eyenovia announcing plans to add HYPE to treasury strategy, the price dipped 5%.
    • Bears may target deeper price dips if bulls give up territory.

    Hyperliquid (HYPE) dropped more than 5% on June 18, 2025, falling below the $40 mark even as Eyenovia, Inc.—a Nasdaq-listed ophthalmic technology firm—announced a $50 million investment in the token as part of its crypto treasury strategy.

    The move marks a significant milestone for both firms.

    Eyenovia’s announcement aligns with a broader trend of publicly traded companies increasing exposure to digital assets, adding crypto to their balance sheets amid growing institutional interest.

    Despite the bullish headline, HYPE extended losses following a recent all-time high, with the decline largely attributed to profit-taking.

    The price action leaves the Hyperliquid token vulnerable to further downside if selling pressure persists.

    Big news as Eyenovia plans HYPE treasury strategy

    On June 17, 2025, Eyenovia announced its plans for a private placement as it looks to establish a cryptocurrency treasury reserve.

    Specifically, the company wants its balance sheet to include Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE.

    This strategic pivot, which includes rebranding to Hyperion DeFi, aims to position Eyenovia as a leading validator on the Hyperliquid blockchain..

    Notably, Eyenovia’s $50 million investment targets the acquisition of 1 million HYPE tokens.

    Once executed, the company will become one of the top global validators on Hyperliquid’s layer-1 blockchain.

    The $50 million financing, secured through a private placement in public equity (PIPE) with institutional investors, involves issuing convertible preferred stock at $3.25 per share, potentially raising up to $150 million if warrants are fully exercised.

    Eyenovia has appointed Hyunsu Jung as Chief Investment Officer to lead this initiative, with plans to stake HYPE tokens via Anchorage Digital’s platform.

    Eyenovia’s chief executive officer, Michael Rowe, emphasized the strategy’s focus on long-term capital appreciation and shareholder value, citing Hyperliquid’s rapid growth and $8.4 million daily revenue.

    This move aligns with a growing trend among publicly traded companies diversifying into cryptocurrency treasuries.

    Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, is the biggest player with its over $60 billion Bitcoin (BTC) haul.

    Other companies have announced strategies for Ethereum, XRP, and Solana.

    Eyenovia stands out as the first US public company to adopt HYPE, potentially setting a precedent for decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens.

    “We are pleased to join the growing number of companies who have adopted similar strategies for the diversification, liquidity and long-term capital appreciation potential that cryptocurrency represents,” stated Michael Rowe, chief executive officer of Eyenovia.

    “Following a thorough review of all available alternatives, the Board and I have concluded that this transaction is in the best interests of our shareholders.”

    What is the outlook for the HYPE price?

    HYPE’s price has struggled to maintain momentum above $40, dropping to $39.89 after failing to sustain a recent peak of $45.50.

    On the daily chart, technical indicators paint a bearish picture, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sitting at 45.6, indicating neutral momentum with a slight bearish tilt, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) shows weakening bullish momentum.

    HYPE price chart by TradingView

    Open Interest (OI) on Hyperliquid futures has also declined, signaling reduced trader confidence, according to Coinglass data.

    Despite the current price dip, analysts forecast that such institutional endorsements could drive HYPE’s value higher.

    Moreover, Hyperliquid remains a strong project with massive perpetuals volume and revenue.
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  • Bitcoin Cash price forecast: BCH steady despite profit taking

    Bitcoin Cash price forecast: BCH steady despite profit taking

    Bitcoin Cash Token Steady Despite Profit Taking

    • Bitcoin Cash price hovered above $470 on June 18, 2025, despite broader profit taking.
    • BCH could break to December 2024 highs around $640.
    • However, a lack of decisive moves above $500 could allow for further declines if bearish momentum accelerates.

    Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is trading just below $470, marginally in the red for the day, while most major altcoins have seen sharper declines over the past 24 hours.

    The token, which is a fork of Bitcoin (BTC), is down 0.3% at the time of writing, faring better than most of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap, which are down between 1.5% and 3%.

    The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies has declined 1.5% to $3.26 trillion, reflecting a broader pullback in risk assets across global markets.

    Bitcoin Cash price dips amid crypto market weakness

    Despite the profit-taking that has intensified as uncertainty looms with the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, Bitcoin Cash shows notable resilience.

    Macroeconomic pressures have also not helped investor sentiment, providing a potential downturn outlook for BCH and most altcoins.

    The Bitcoin Cash price stood among the top gainers last week, rising to hit highs near $480.

    It outpaced peers and Bitcoin’s more modest gains as it extended above $400.

    However, the past 24 hours have seen BCH retreat from its multi-week highs, largely due to broader profit-taking across the market.

    Similar trends have seen Bitcoin price pullback from highs above $108k to under $105k, driven by geopolitical tensions.

    The recent military escalations between Israel and Iran have dampened investor confidence, contributing to market volatility.

    While there are positive developments, such as the US Senate’s passage of the GENIUS Act, broader uncertainty persists.

    Investors are thus largely cautious, a reflection seen in Bitcoin’s performance.

    Indecision runs high, and BCH’s delicate poise above $400 may be retested again.

    On the other hand, a flip could be huge for bulls.

    BCH price prediction

    Despite recent losses, Bitcoin Cash exhibits resilience, with bulls defending the $400 support level within an ascending triangle pattern.

    Often, such a pattern precedes bullish breakouts.

    Also steady is the Open Interest (OI) in BCH futures. Per Coinglass, OI has risen 2.8% to $487 million to signal continued trader confidence.

    Buyers may use the dip to position for a potential move.

    BCH chart by TradingView

    Technical indicators bolster this optimism, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 65 to suggest sustained bullish momentum.

    Bitcoin Cash’s daily chart also has the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) showing a bullish crossover, suggesting buyers retain the upper hand.

    Should BCH break above the key $500 resistance, the next target lies at the December 2024 highs of $640, potentially signaling a broader rally.

    On the downside, strong support exists at $400, with $375 acting as a critical floor.

    A breach below these levels could accelerate bearish pressure, particularly if Bitcoin falls below the psychological $100k level.
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  • Best crypto presales to buy as JP Morgan reportedly files trademark application for JPMD

    Best crypto presales to buy as JP Morgan reportedly files trademark application for JPMD

    Best crypto to buy as altcoin rotation favors low-caps: BRETT, BPEP, and TRX

    • Early-stage project Bitcoin Pepe has continued to attract strong investor interest.

    • The Bitcoin Pepe presale has raised over $14.6 million. The BPEP token is currently priced at $0.0416.

    • The team behind the ambitious project is expected to make a listing announcement later today.

    Bitcoin edged higher on Tuesday even as broader cryptocurrency markets showed mixed performance and global financial markets paused amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

    Both stocks and cryptocurrencies dropped sharply on Friday following renewed Israeli strikes, but sentiment began to recover on Monday.

    By early Tuesday, however, momentum appeared to stall. US index futures slipped, and crypto price action turned mixed over the past 24 hours.

    Digital assets often trade in line with high-risk tech stocks, rising on investor optimism but quickly reversing when sentiment weakens.

    While geopolitical shocks typically trigger initial sell-offs, markets often stabilise and begin to rebound as traders gauge the scope and implications of the conflict.

    Following the lead of the top cryptocurrency, early-stage project Bitcoin Pepe has continued to attract strong inflows, even amid heightened market volatility.

    Since launching its presale in February, the project has maintained steady investor interest, positioning itself as a standout in the increasingly saturated meme coin space.

    JP Morgan eyes crypto expansion

    JPMorgan Chase, the largest US bank by assets and market capitalisation, has reportedly filed a trademark application for JPMD, fueling speculation of a potential move toward launching a stablecoin.

    The application, dated Sunday, was accepted by the US Patent and Trademark Office but has yet to be assigned to an examiner.

    According to the filing, the trademark covers a broad range of services in the digital asset space, including trading, exchange, transfer, and payment functions.

    It also cites use cases in blockchain-based asset issuance, brokerage, clearing, and electronic fund transfers.

    While the word “stablecoin” is absent from the filing, the language suggests a digital asset infrastructure with potential overlap in real-world asset settlement and brokerage via distributed ledger technology.

    Bitcoin Pepe’s presale continues climbs

    Even in a volatile market, the accelerating adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets by traditional finance has helped lift sentiment across the broader crypto ecosystem.

    In this risk-friendly environment, investors seeking outsized returns are rotating back into speculative plays.

    One project gaining traction is Bitcoin Pepe, which is drawing attention for its effort to merge internet meme culture with a credible Layer 2 blockchain proposition.

    Widely regarded as one of 2025’s most closely watched crypto presales, Bitcoin Pepe has set itself apart with the ambition to “build Solana on Bitcoin”—an infrastructure vision aimed at combining the Bitcoin network’s security with the scalability typically associated with Solana.

    Unlike most meme tokens that trade solely on hype, Bitcoin Pepe is backed by a technical roadmap and infrastructure-driven narrative.

    The project has raised over $14.6 million in presale funding ahead of a listing announcement today, reflecting robust investor interest.

    As capital continues flowing into early-stage assets, Bitcoin Pepe is positioning itself to ride the speculative momentum into the final days of its token sale.
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  • Truth Social files for a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF

    Truth Social files for a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF

    Truth Social files for a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF

    • Truth Social has filed for a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF with the US SEC.
    • The Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF will offer combined exposure to BTC and ETH in one product.
    • The move marks Truth Social’s bold entry into digital finance.

    Truth Social has officially entered the cryptocurrency investment space, pursuing a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF.

    According to a tweet by Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart, the social media platform backed by US President Donald Trump on June 16, 2025, filed an S-1 registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a new cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF).

    The ETF, named the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF and carrying the proposed ticker “B.T.,” seeks to combine exposure to both Bitcoin and Ethereum in a single investment product.

    Truth Social’s entry into the financial sector

    This filing marks Truth Social’s most significant step yet into the financial sector, underscoring a growing interest in blockchain technology and digital assets.

    Although the platform initially launched as a political and social media outlet, it has increasingly expanded its focus to align with digital innovation trends.

    Now, with this ETF filing, the company appears to be positioning itself as a serious player in the intersection of finance, crypto, and digital infrastructure.

    Notably, the move not only signals Truth Social’s intent to diversify but also reflects a broader trend of mainstream platforms entering the digital asset space.

    In addition, venturing into the crypto space, Truth Social may be seeking to appeal to a younger and more tech-savvy demographic that is increasingly influential in both markets and politics.

    The Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF will offer BTC and ETH exposure

    The proposed ETF will offer investors exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum, within a single investment vehicle.

    Unlike many previous ETF attempts that focused on only one asset, this dual-exposure structure may appeal to investors looking for a more diversified entry point into the digital currency market.

    Sponsored by Yorkville America Digital, LLC, the fund is expected to track the market performance of both BTC and ETH, though full details will depend on the SEC’s approval process.

    With crypto markets maturing and regulatory clarity slowly improving, the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, if greenlit, would provide traditional investors with a regulated way to gain crypto exposure without needing to directly hold or manage the digital assets themselves.

    That level of accessibility could broaden crypto adoption among risk-averse or institutionally focused market participants.

    While SEC approval is never guaranteed, the application adds momentum to the growing wave of crypto-related financial products being proposed in the United States.
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  • Polyhedra’s ZKJ token collapses following ‘abnormal on-chain activity’

    Polyhedra’s ZKJ token collapses following ‘abnormal on-chain activity’

    Polyhedra’s ZKJ token collapses following ‘abnormal on-chain activity’

    • The Polyhedra Network (ZKJ) token has plunged 91% after abnormal on-chain activity.
    • Binance has blamed whale exits and a liquidation cascade for the token crash.
    • The upcoming June 19 token unlock may trigger further price drops.

    The cryptocurrency market has once again been rocked by a dramatic price collapse, this time involving Polyhedra Network’s native token, ZKJ.

    The ZKJ token has suffered an unprecedented decline of over 91% in less than 24 hours, sending shockwaves across exchanges and drawing scrutiny from regulators, investors, and analysts alike.

    ZKJ, which had been trading steadily around $2.00 for over a month, crashed to a record low of $0.2676 on June 15, 2025, wiping out nearly $500 million in market capitalisation.

    ZKJ token crash

    This price crash has raised serious concerns over liquidity risks, tokenomics structure, and the influence of large holders in decentralised finance.

    What caused the sudden Polyhedra Network (ZKJ) price collapse?

    The ZKJ price collapse began early on June 15 when Polyhedra Network posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a wave of “abnormal on-chain transactions” had struck the ZKJ/KOGE trading pair.

    Within hours, the token’s price plummeted by more than 83%, as market participants scrambled to understand what had triggered the meltdown.

    Binance later weighed in, attributing the collapse to a liquidity crisis stemming from large-scale withdrawals involving KOGE, a token closely paired with ZKJ.

    According to the exchange, these withdrawals created a “liquidation cascade” as major wallets began offloading their holdings.

    As KOGE’s USDT pool was drained, traders moved their assets into the ZKJ/USDT pool, which quickly became overloaded.

    This sudden shift overwhelmed the system, accelerating the sell-off and deepening the decline in ZKJ’s value.

    Massive withdrawals and whale activity

    Blockchain data has revealed several wallets that had been actively farming Alpha Points before the crash.

    One wallet alone withdrew more than $3.7 million in KOGE and $530,000 in ZKJ.

    Two other wallets combined pulled out nearly $5 million, further intensifying the downward spiral.

    These actions suggest the involvement of large holders, commonly known as whales, whose exits likely triggered cascading liquidations across leveraged positions.

    As prices tumbled, margin calls were activated, leading to forced liquidations that compounded the selling pressure.

    Although some community members have speculated about foul play, no leading blockchain analytics platform has verified such claims.

    Polyhedra, for its part, insists it is conducting a thorough review and maintains that its core technology remains unaffected.

    Binance has altered its Alpha Points rules for ZKJ and KOGE

    In response to the unfolding situation, Binance announced a major change to its Alpha Points rewards program.

    Starting June 17, trades between Alpha tokens, including ZKJ and KOGE, will no longer count toward Alpha Points calculations.

    This policy shift is aimed at reducing systemic risk and discouraging concentrated trading behaviors that can lead to abrupt market failures.

    Binance’s decision is being viewed as a proactive step to restore market integrity and reduce manipulation.

    Upcoming token unlock adds to the bearish pressure

    Further adding to investor anxiety is the imminent unlock of 15.5 million ZKJ tokens scheduled for June 19.

    Valued at approximately $10 million, this unlock could flood the market with fresh supply at a time when confidence is already severely shaken.

    Given that this represents more than 5% of the current circulating supply, market analysts warn that another sharp drop could occur if holders rush to sell upon unlocking.

    The timing could not be worse for a token already reeling from its steep fall.
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  • Bitcoin trades around $105K amid Middle East tensions: what’s next?

    Bitcoin trades around $105K amid Middle East tensions: what’s next?

    Bitcoin trades around $105K amid Middle East tensions; options skew negative

    • Bitcoin (BTC) trades around $105K, stuck in a range due to Israel-Iran conflict uncertainty.
    • BTC options show decisive flip to puts, signaling heightened investor anxiety and downside hedging.
    • Despite near-term jitters, Bitcoin’s current cycle gain of 656% is impressive given its larger market cap.

    Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around the $105,000 mark as the Asian trading week gets underway, caught in a holding pattern as market participants grapple with uncertainty over whether the Israel-Iran conflict will escalate into a broader regional war.

    While near-term sentiment is dominated by geopolitical anxieties and signs of market “overheating,” longer-term perspectives and discussions around potential network upgrades offer a more nuanced picture for the leading cryptocurrency.

    The current market stasis, with Bitcoin seemingly “stuck in this range,” is largely attributed to the precarious geopolitical situation, according to a recent note from trading firm QCP Capital.

    In a Friday note published on Telegram, QCP highlighted that risk reversals have “flipped decisively.”

    This means front-end BTC put options (which protect against price drops) are now commanding premiums of up to 5 volatility points over equivalent call options (which bet on price increases).

    This is a clear indicator of heightened investor anxiety and an increased demand for hedging against potential downside risks.

    Despite this defensive shift in options market positioning, QCP noted that Bitcoin has demonstrated notable resilience.

    Even amid recent volatility, which saw over $1 billion in long positions liquidated across major crypto assets, on-chain data reportedly shows that institutional buying continues to provide meaningful support for prices.

    Nevertheless, QCP emphasized that markets remain “stuck in a bind,” awaiting clarity on geopolitical outcomes, and warned that the digital asset complex will likely remain tightly linked to headline-driven sentiment shifts for the foreseeable future.

    Adding to the near-term caution, a separate report from on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant (as referenced in a related context, though not directly quoted in this specific source text) has suggested that certain metrics indicate the BTC market is “overheating.”

    This includes surging demand approaching previous peaks and a slowing pace of accumulation by large “whale” holders.

    These indicators suggest the recent rally, which pushed prices to a record near $112,000, might be nearing a short-term consolidation point, with $120,000 identified as a key resistance.

    Long-term perspective: cycle gains and maturation

    While recent volatility underscores short-term anxiety, data from Glassnode offers some reassurance for investors concerned about Bitcoin’s longer-term direction.

    Bitcoin’s current cycle gain stands at an impressive 656%.

    While this is lower than the returns seen in previous bull markets (1076% in 2015–2018 and 1007% in 2018–2022), it is arguably more notable given Bitcoin’s significantly larger market capitalization today.

    This suggests that investor demand is still keeping pace reasonably well with BTC’s maturation as an asset class, even as near-term macroeconomic jitters dominate current market sentiment.

    Beyond ‘spam’: the OP_Return debate and Bitcoin’s evolution

    Shifting focus to network-level discussions, Alex Thorn of Galaxy Research, in a recent note, addressed the sometimes contentious debate around OP_Return (a Bitcoin protocol feature allowing small amounts of arbitrary data on the blockchain).

    Thorn suggested that the furor over this feature was largely driven by a “loud but small group of critics” and that their reactions, characterized by “wild accusations of the ‘death of Bitcoin’,” were misplaced given the historically low levels of mempool congestion (the queue of unconfirmed transactions).

    On-chain data indicates that the mempool is virtually empty compared to a year ago.

    This counters the narrative prevalent in 2023 that a congested blockchain was suffocating Bitcoin, a notion that now appears significantly overstated.

    Thorn further highlighted the irony of labeling arbitrary data as “spam,” reminding observers that Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, famously embedded arbitrary text—the “chancellor on brink of second bailout” headline—in the blockchain’s very first (genesis) block.

    Instead of focusing on such debates, Thorn argued that the Bitcoin community’s attention would be better directed towards potential network upgrades like CheckTemplateVerify (CTV).

    CTV is a proposed opcode that would enable more sophisticated and strict spending conditions, often referred to as “covenants.”

    “We continue to believe [CTV] is a conservative but powerful opcode that would greatly enhance the ability to build better, safer methods of custody,” Thorn wrote.

    He also noted that around 20% of Bitcoin’s hashrate has already signaled support for this upgrade.

    Bitcoin upgrades are known to require extensive consensus-building within the community, a reflection of its open-source and decentralized ethos.

    Thorn emphasized that this cautious, deliberate approach to evolution remains critical for ensuring Bitcoin’s broader adoption and scalability in the long run.
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  • Bitcoin falls to $103K, options skew hits 3-month low as mideast tensions drive oil prices higher

    Bitcoin falls to $103K, options skew hits 3-month low as mideast tensions drive oil prices higher

    Bitcoin falls to $103K, options skew hits 3-month low as mideast tensions drive oil prices higher

    A sharp escalation in Middle East tensions sent shockwaves through global financial markets in the early Asian trading hours, triggering a significant spike in oil prices and prompting a flight to safety.

    Bitcoin (BTC) was not immune to the turmoil, experiencing a notable price drop as traders scrambled for downside protection, evidenced by a dramatic crash in short-term options skew.

    The seven-day skew for Bitcoin options, a key metric that measures the relative cost of bullish calls versus bearish puts listed on Deribit, plummeted to -3.84%.

    This marked its lowest point since April 16, according to data from Amberdata.

    In practical terms, this means put options, which offer traders protection against price declines, became the most expensive relative to call options in three months.

    The surge in demand for these protective puts also dragged the 30-day and 60-day skews into negative territory, signaling a broader shift towards caution among market participants.

    Traders typically purchase put options either to hedge existing long positions in the spot or futures markets or to directly profit from an anticipated fall in prices.

    The clear preference for puts indicates a growing unease about Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory amidst the heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

    Bitcoin’s price reflected this nervousness, falling to its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at $103,150, extending its 24-hour losses to 4.59%, according to CoinDesk data.

    This decline represented a significant retreat from earlier in the week when prices had briefly topped the $110,000 mark.

    Market bulls are now likely hoping that the 50-day SMA will provide a crucial support level, as a sustained break below it could attract further selling pressure, a pattern observed when this support level failed back in February.

    Oil surges as geopolitical cauldron boils over

    The catalyst for this market turbulence was a dramatic escalation in the Middle East.

    The per-barrel price of WTI crude oil surged by over 6% to $74.30, reaching its highest level since February 3 and extending its weekly gain to an impressive 13%, according to data from TradingView.

    This sharp upward movement in oil prices reportedly followed news of Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which supposedly drew retaliatory missile action from Tehran, though details remained fluid.

    Inflationary shadows and Fed policy under scrutiny

    Sudden and significant spikes in oil prices tend to have a global inflationary impact, and this latest surge is no exception.

    Concerns are now mounting that this could inject fresh inflationary pressures into economies worldwide, at a time when President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war already threatens to disrupt economic stability and fuel inflation, particularly in net-importer countries.

    This confluence of factors could significantly dent market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.

    If inflation re-accelerates, the Fed may be less inclined to ease monetary policy, potentially adding to downside volatility in both stocks and cryptocurrencies.

    As of writing, futures tied to the S&P 500 were trading 1.5% lower on the day, reflecting the broader risk-off sentiment.

    Traditional markets reel from geopolitical shock

    The reaction in traditional markets was swift and pronounced. US stock index futures were down approximately 1.5% across the board following the news from the Middle East.

    European market futures mirrored this decline, also trading down by roughly the same margin.

    In a classic flight to safety, bond prices moved higher as investors sought refuge from the volatility.

    Gold, another traditional safe-haven asset, also saw increased demand, adding about 0.75% in the past hour to trade at $3,428 per ounce.

    Crude oil, as previously noted, had soared by an even more dramatic 9% to $74 per barrel in the immediate aftermath of the reports.

    The 10-year Treasury yield dipped two basis points to 4.32%, indicating increased demand for US government debt.

    Currency markets also reflected the shifting risk landscape, with the US dollar gaining against the euro and the British pound, but losing ground against traditional safe-haven currencies like the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc.
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  • Ether outperforms Bitcoin in May; ETH derivatives volume surpasses BTC on OKX

    Ether outperforms Bitcoin in May; ETH derivatives volume surpasses BTC on OKX

    Ether outperforms Bitcoin in May; ETH derivatives volume surpasses BTC on OKX

    • Ether (ETH) at $2,770, up nearly 11% this month, outperforming Bitcoin’s (BTC) 5% rise.
    • ETH (45.2%) now overshadows BTC (38.1%) in trading volume on OKX’s perpetual futures market.
    • Despite BTC volatility, institutions are “buying the dips,” with long-term holder supply growing, per Glassnode.

    As Asian markets kicked off their Thursday trading, Ether (ETH) was changing hands at $2,770, having demonstrated robust performance throughout the month.

    This strength, particularly in derivatives markets where it’s reportedly overshadowing Bitcoin (BTC), signals a growing institutional appetite for Ethereum’s structural growth potential and its pivotal role in bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional finance (TradFi).

    Meanwhile, the broader crypto landscape is seeing a significant surge in stablecoin activity, with Tron emerging as a key beneficiary.

    Ether has notably outperformed Bitcoin this month, with CoinDesk market data showing an almost 11% rise for ETH compared to BTC’s 5% gain.

    This divergence is partly attributed to increasing institutional trading demand for Ethereum. Lennix Lai, Chief Commercial Officer at crypto exchange OKX, told CoinDesk in an interview that sophisticated investors are increasingly betting on ETH, a trend evident in its derivatives market activity.

    “Ethereum is overshadowing BTC on our perpetual futures market, with ETH accounting for 45.2% of trading volume over the past week. BTC, by comparison, sits at 38.1%,” Lai revealed.

    This finding aligns with similar trends observed on other major derivatives platforms like Deribit, as CoinDesk recently reported, suggesting a significant shift in how institutional players are allocating capital within the crypto space.

    This isn’t to say that institutional interest in Bitcoin has waned. A recent report from on-chain analytics firm Glassnode indicates that despite Bitcoin’s recent price volatility, institutions have been actively “buying the dips.”

    Glassnode’s analysis showed that long-term holders (LTHs) realized over $930 million in profits per day during recent BTC rallies, a distribution level rivaling those seen at previous market cycle peaks.

    Remarkably, instead of triggering a broader sell-off, the supply held by these LTHs actually grew.

    “This dynamic highlights that maturation and accumulation pressures are outweighing distribution behavior,” Glassnode analysts wrote, noting that this is “highly atypical for late-stage bull markets.”

    Despite these underlying strengths, both leading cryptocurrencies remain susceptible to geopolitical risks and unpredictable “black swan” events, such as the recent public dispute between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

    Such episodes serve as stark reminders that market sentiment can shift rapidly, even within structurally strong markets.

    However, beneath this surface-level volatility, institutional conviction appears to remain intact.

    Ethereum is increasingly being viewed as the preferred vehicle for accessing regulated DeFi opportunities, while Bitcoin continues to benefit from long-term accumulation by institutions, often via Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

    “Macro uncertainties remain, but $3,000 ETH looks increasingly likely,” Lai concluded, offering a bullish outlook for Ethereum’s near-term price potential.

    Stablecoin surge: liquidity pours in, Tron leads the charge

    The stablecoin market is experiencing a significant boom, recently hitting an all-time high market capitalization of $228 billion, marking a 17% increase year-to-date, according to a new report from CryptoQuant.

    This surge in dollar-pegged liquidity is being driven by renewed investor confidence, buoyed by factors such as the blockbuster Initial Public Offering (IPO) of stablecoin issuer Circle, rising yields in DeFi protocols, and improving regulatory clarity in the US This influx of capital is quietly redrawing the map of where liquidity resides on-chain.

    “The amount of stablecoins on centralized exchanges has also reached record high levels, supporting crypto trading liquidity,” CryptoQuant reported.

    Their data indicates that the total value of ERC20 stablecoins (those built on Ethereum) on centralized exchanges has climbed to a record $50 billion.

    Interestingly, most of this growth in exchange stablecoin reserves has been a result of the increase in USDC reserves on these platforms, which have grown by 1.6 times so far in 2025 to reach $8 billion.

    When it comes to the blockchain protocols benefiting most from these stablecoin inflows, Tron has emerged as the clear leader.

    Tron’s combination of fast transaction finality and deep integrations with major stablecoin issuers like Tether is credited with making it a “liquidity magnet.”

    Presto Research, in a recently released report echoing these findings, noted that Tron notched over $6 billion in net stablecoin inflows in May alone.

    This figure topped all other chains and positioned Tron with the second-highest number of daily active users, just behind Solana.

    Tron was also the top performer in terms of native total value locked (TVL) growth.

    In contrast, both Ethereum and Solana experienced significant stablecoin outflows and losses in bridge volume during the same period, according to Presto’s data.

    This suggests a potential lack of new yield opportunities or major protocol upgrades attractive enough to retain or draw in fresh stablecoin capital on those networks.

    Presto’s data confirms a broader trend: institutional and retail capital alike are increasingly rotating towards alternative Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions like Base, Solana (despite recent outflows, it still attracts users), and Tron.

    The common denominators among these favored chains appear to be faster execution speeds, more dynamic and evolving ecosystems, and, in some cases, more substantial incentive programs.
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  • XRP eyes fresh gains as Bitcoin correlation hits 0.91, RSI turns bullish

    XRP eyes fresh gains as Bitcoin correlation hits 0.91, RSI turns bullish

    • RSI remains above 50, indicating bullish momentum.
    • Resistance targets include $2.38 and $2.50.
    • A drop below $2.20 could invalidate the current rally.

    XRP appears to be aligning itself closely with Bitcoin’s performance, as fresh data shows a 0.91 correlation between the two cryptocurrencies.

    With Bitcoin hovering near $110,000, this unusually tight relationship is strengthening the case for a potential price surge in XRP.

    Technical indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) also suggest a build-up of buying pressure.

    As broader market momentum improves, XRP’s price action is increasingly seen as part of a larger bullish wave across the crypto space, raising the possibility of a breakout beyond its current range.

    Strong Bitcoin correlation boosts XRP

    XRP’s 0.91 correlation with Bitcoin highlights a clear pattern: the altcoin tends to rally when Bitcoin moves upward.

    This current high correlation is particularly significant, given Bitcoin’s attempt to breach its previous all-time highs.

    Historically, XRP has often mirrored Bitcoin’s trends, especially during strong bull cycles.

    When the correlation weakens, XRP usually underperforms, but with the metric climbing again, traders are taking this as a potential bullish signal.

    Bitcoin’s recent stability near the $110,000 mark is reinforcing this sentiment.

    Market watchers note that when BTC remains strong at key levels, altcoins like XRP typically gain in both price and volume.

    This is setting the stage for XRP to maintain upward momentum in the near term, especially if Bitcoin continues to test resistance levels above $110,000.

    RSI supports a bullish trend for XRP

    One of the key indicators showing positive momentum for XRP is the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which currently remains above the neutral 50 mark.

    This signals an increase in buying activity, with bulls maintaining control over the asset.

    If the RSI continues in this direction, XRP could build up the strength needed to challenge higher resistance zones.

    Momentum-based traders are likely to keep a close eye on this trend.

    With the RSI staying above the halfway line, it reflects sustained interest in the token from both retail and institutional players.

    The technical structure now favours buyers, as the RSI has consistently held in the bullish range for several days.

    This upward pressure could catalyse a fresh move in the altcoin’s price.

    XRP stabilises above support, targets new resistance

    XRP is currently trading at $2.33. The altcoin has managed to hold above the $2.27 support level, a crucial zone for maintaining its bullish setup.

    XRP price
    Source: CoinMarketCap

    Should XRP continue to hold this level, the next target would be the $2.38 resistance, which has previously acted as a strong ceiling.

    A break above $2.38 and a successful retest as support could propel XRP towards $2.50, a level that would reinforce its bullish momentum.

    However, a failure to defend $2.27 could open the door to short-term weakness.

    Key downside targets include $2.20 and $2.13, with a move below these levels risking a complete invalidation of the recent uptrend.
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