Tag: Altcoin

  • Chainlink crashes below $14 as Bitcoin slumps to $95K, altcoin market bleeds heavily

    Chainlink crashes below $14 as Bitcoin slumps to $95K, altcoin market bleeds heavily

    ethere Price Bearish

    • Chainlink price fell by double digits to below $14 on Friday, losses that came amid broader market turmoil.
    • LINK’s dump aligned with the sharp dip for Bitcoin to under $96,000.
    • Further losses could see Chainlink price plunge towards $10.

    The cryptocurrency market is reeling under intense bearish pressure, with Chainlink (LINK) price plummeting below the $14 mark alongside huge dips for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

    Bitcoin’s drop below $96,000, with bears touching $95,860, fueled losses for ETH and SOL, which fell 10% each to new multi-month lows.

    The selling pressure triggered a cascade effect, dragging other altcoins like Cardano and Chainlink into the red.

    LINK is at risk of registering a deeper rout.

    Chainlink dips below $15

    Chainlink (LINK) price is among the top coins to suffer a dramatic fall as Bitcoin’s crash to a six-month low below $96,000 slammed sentiment hard.

    LINK traded at $14.08 as of the early US market session on Friday, down 11% in the last 24 hours. According to CoinMarketCap data, the double-digit loss extends the altcoin’s plunge in recent days to 25% in the past month.

    When considering the week’s cumulative decline, bulls are sharply down since hitting a recent high of $19.12.

    The altcoin’s market cap now stands at $9.76 billion, while daily volume has spiked 43% to nearly $1.2 billion to highlight the intensified market activity.

    Bitcoin plummets as bears crash bulls

    As highlighted, Chainlink price fell sharply amid a bearish onslaught that intensified with BTC’s sudden dip.

    While cryptocurrencies had dumped on Wednesday as investor concern around macroeconomic and geopolitical turbulence mounted, alts’ decline accelerated as fake news about Strategy selling BTC surfaced.

    Posts that Michael Saylor was selling bitcoin appeared to relate to redistribution in wallets and not selling.

    Analysts like Miles Deutscher were quick to point out the fake news, and onchain data analytics platform Lookonchain shared the details below.

    However, as Bitcoin dumped amid the initial selling, Chainlink followed suit. 

    The token’s price action mirrored the market’s fear sentiment, hitting lows last seen in April. Indeed, Chainlink’s plunge below $14 allowed bears to revisit lows of $13.90.

    The alt may be hovering around the $14 mark as bulls eye a rebound, but losses threaten increased bleeding towards the all-important $10 mark.

    Despite the dip, Chainlink price remains bullish long term, with factors such as macroeconomic tailwinds, regulatory shifts and partnerships key catalysts.

    There is also the buzz around spot exchange-traded funds, which are gathering release pace with a spot XRP ETF launching in the US this week.

    LINK could also benefit from the Chainlink Reserve initiative, which added over 74,049 LINK tokens this week to bring the total haul to over 803,387 LINK.



    Source link

  • Starknet (STRK) price soars 30%, but why is the altcoin rising?

    Starknet (STRK) price soars 30%, but why is the altcoin rising?

    Starknet (STRK) price soars 30%

    • Starknet (STRK) price technical breakout signals bullish momentum with new resistance near $0.214.
    • Bitcoin staking and BTCFi incentives drive STRK adoption and network growth.
    • S-Two prover deployment has also boosted throughput, privacy, and decentralisation on Starknet.

    Starknet (STRK) price has surged dramatically in recent days, catching the attention of traders and crypto enthusiasts alike.

    The altcoin has gained more than 30% in just 24 hours, fueled by a combination of technological upgrades, strategic integration with Bitcoin, and renewed market optimism.

    This sudden upswing has sparked questions about what is driving STRK’s momentum and whether the altcoin can sustain its gains in the near term.

    Bitcoin staking boosts STRK utility

    One of the primary drivers behind the rally is Starknet’s BTCFi initiative, which allows Bitcoin (BTC) holders to stake their BTC and earn STRK rewards while maintaining custody.

    The program has already attracted significant capital, with over $200 million staked on the network, including 880 million STRK and 835 BTC, according to the latest reports.

    By tapping into Bitcoin’s massive $2.1 trillion market capitalisation, Starknet positions STRK as a key rewards token and a practical asset for paying network fees.

    The BTCFi ecosystem expansion not only strengthens Starknet’s liquidity but also enhances its cross-chain utility.

    Investors are closely monitoring total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin staking, which currently sits at around $1.5 billion, to gauge continued adoption and the altcoin’s potential growth.

    The influx of BTC and STRK into the network has bolstered confidence in the protocol’s future, creating a clear catalyst for the recent price surge.

    S-Two Prover accelerates adoption and decentralisation

    Another major factor propelling STRK is the deployment of StarkWare’s next-generation S-two Prover.

    Released on the mainnet a few days ago, this open-source zero-knowledge proof system is designed to increase throughput, reduce verification costs, and strengthen decentralisation.

    By producing validity proofs for every block up to ten times faster than its predecessor, the S-two prover allows real-time verification of off-chain transactions and supports new types of applications, from private DeFi protocols to zk-secured games and verifiable AI.

    S-two is designed to operate efficiently even on consumer hardware, meaning that anyone can participate in the network without relying on centralised data centres.

    This advancement not only improves network security and censorship resistance but also significantly enhances user experience.

    The combination of speed, privacy, and accessibility makes Starknet a more compelling platform for developers and investors alike, contributing directly to bullish sentiment surrounding STRK.

    Market analysts also note that the recent surge is supported by optimism surrounding Starknet’s v0.14.0 upgrade.

    The update introduces distributed sequencers, 6-second blocks, and EIP-1559-style fee burns, all of which improve decentralisation and network efficiency.

    While early migration caused temporary outages, the upgrade underscores Starknet’s commitment to building a secure, scalable Layer 2 ecosystem that can interact with both Ethereum and Bitcoin.

    Technical breakout fuels the STRK price rally

    From a technical perspective, STRK has confirmed a major bullish breakout.

    The altcoin surpassed the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.1343 and remains above the 30-day simple moving average of $0.1216.

    Starknet price chart
    Starknet price chart | Source: CoinMarketCap

    Momentum indicators such as the RSI and MACD show strong upward trends, signalling that the altcoin has invalidated much of its previous yearly downtrend.

    With resistance set near $0.214, traders should closely watch whether the current momentum can push STRK to new highs.



    Source link

  • Could Trump’s $2,000 tariff rebates for Americans stimulate an altcoin surge?

    Could Trump’s $2,000 tariff rebates for Americans stimulate an altcoin surge?

    Trump’s proposed $1-2K tariff rebates could spark consumer spending and a selective rally in altcoins.

    • Trump considers $1,000–$2,000 tariff rebates for American households.
    • Rebates aim to reduce the $37T national debt but face legal hurdles.
    • Analysts see potential for a targeted altcoin surge, not a full-blown rally.

    US President Donald Trump is reportedly thinking about giving American households a tariff rebate somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000.

    He is pitching it as a kind of “dividend for the people,” and naturally, it could shake up both consumer spending and the markets.

    The main aim? To chip away at the $37 trillion national debt.

    But here’s the interesting part, people are already speculating this move could spark another altcoin rally, kind of like what we saw back in 2020–2021 when pandemic stimulus checks sent retail investors rushing into crypto.

    Trump’s tariff dividend: Policy and legal challenges

    The rebates Trump is talking about would come from the revenue generated by his aggressive tariff policies.

    So far in 2025, those tariffs have brought in about $215 billion, and some projections suggest it could hit $300 billion by the end of the year.

    Trump has been clear that reducing the national debt is still the main goal, but he’s also hinted at sending cash directly to Americans, saying something like, “We’re thinking maybe $1,000 to $2,000 – it would be great.”

    The administration even claims that tariffs could eventually pull in over $1 trillion a year, though that’s still very much up in the air.

    But here’s the catch: the legality of these tariffs is under serious judicial review.

    The Supreme Court is set to hear a case in November 2025 to decide whether the president actually has the constitutional authority to impose broad tariffs.

    Past rulings from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit have already raised questions.

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has even warned that if the courts rule against them, the government might have to refund anywhere from $750 billion to $1 trillion in collected and projected revenue.

    So, while the rebate idea sounds exciting, this legal uncertainty makes it far from guaranteed.

    Altcoin markets: a potential surge?

    Analysts are saying that if these rebates actually happen, we could see a surge in altcoin investing.

    A 2023 study by Harvard’s Marco Di Maggio found that when households get extra cash, it often leads to more people buying crypto, especially retail investors looking for yield or a hedge against inflation.

    That’s exactly what happened during the 2020–2021 altcoin boom, when Bitcoin’s dominance fell from 73% to 39%, thanks largely to pandemic stimulus checks flowing into digital assets.

    Things are a bit different now, interest rates are over 4%, and the total crypto market cap has grown to $4 trillion.

    But experts like Wintermute strategists say any new “alt season” would likely be more selective, focusing on coins with real utility instead of pure speculation.

    Still, the psychological boost from direct payments, along with expected Federal Reserve rate cuts, could get retail investors excited again.

    Platforms like XRP and Solana might be among the big winners if attention shifts toward innovation-driven blockchains.

    Source link

  • Eigen price spikes 33% as EigenLayer leads fresh altcoin rally

    Eigen price spikes 33% as EigenLayer leads fresh altcoin rally

    Eigen Price Jumps To Lead Altcoins

    • EigenLayer price hovered around $2.03, up by 33% after breaking to highs of $2.09.
    • The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s move to approve a rules-based listing standard buoyed altcoins.
    • EIGEN price also gained as the Fed cut interest rates,

    EigenLayer (EIGEN) is surging. Its price hovers near $2.03, currently up by 33% in 24 hours as a broader rally boosts altcoins.

    The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a notable resurgence amid the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision and a key regulatory win for altcoins.

    EigenLayer price jumps 33% to retest key level

    As most altcoins posted minor gains in early trading on Thursday, EigenLayer’s EIGEN token experienced a dramatic 33% price increase.

    The EIGEN token climbed from lows of $1.50 to hit highs of $2.09, with the sharp uptick marking a significant continuation following a breakout of a descending triangle pattern.

    Some catalysts of the uptick include partnerships and integrations, regulatory developments and macroeconomic indicators.

    For instance, on September 17, 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved generic listing standards for commodity-based trust shares.

    It means the regulator is adopting a rules-based approach that will streamline the approval process for exchange-traded products on platforms like the NYSE, Nasdaq, and Cboe Global Markets.

    EIGEN gained ground as the Federal Reserve’s rate cut supported broader risk sentiment, while optimism has also been fueled by EigenLayer’s recent partnership with Google.

    In the past 24 hours, trading in the protocol’s native token surged, with volumes topping \$427 million — a 260% jump alongside a sharp pickup in activity.

    Crypto rally: EIGEN leads altcoin surge

    EIGEN’s impressive performance is not occurring in isolation; it is leading a fresh wave of enthusiasm across altcoins, particularly those within the Ethereum ecosystem.

    Tokens associated with layer-2 solutions, DeFi protocols, and restaking mechanisms have seen gains ranging from 10% to 25% in the past 24 hours.

    Ethereum-linked projects are regaining prominence after months of Bitcoin-led momentum, with EigenLayer at the forefront through a string of new partnerships.

    The protocol has recently expanded ties with Moonbeam and Aethir, while also joining forces with Google.

    As part of that collaboration, EigenCloud is serving as a launch partner for Google Cloud’s new Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), underscoring the project’s growing role in Ethereum’s broader ecosystem.

    “AP2 helps create a global verifiable economy where agents can coordinate, transact, and prove their actions to humans and to each other. EigenCloud makes sure they are held accountable by any counterparty,” said EigenLayer founder Sreeram Kannan.

    Other altcoins to rally amid the latest surge include EtherFi and Lido DAO, both boasting double-digit gains in the past 24 hours.

    Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, Sui and NEAR Protocol are some of the altcoins to outpace the broader market and peers as altcoins signal new momentum.



    Source link

  • The altcoin uprising: Ether, Solana, and BNB defy market fear as Bitcoin stalls

    The altcoin uprising: Ether, Solana, and BNB defy market fear as Bitcoin stalls

    The altcoin uprising: Ether, Solana, and BNB defy market fear as Bitcoin stalls

    • Major altcoins like Ether and Solana are strongly outperforming Bitcoin.
    • BNB, the token of BNB Chain, surged 6% to a new all-time high of 875.
    • Bitcoin’s market dominance is on the verge of hitting a new six-month low.

    In a stunning display of defiance, a powerful cohort of major altcoins staged a dramatic comeback on Wednesday, completely eclipsing Bitcoin and brushing off a wave of risk-aversion that sent traditional stock markets lower.

    The move signals a potential changing of the guard, as leadership in the digital asset space appears to be shifting, at least for now, from the king to its court.

    The rebellion was led by BNB, the native token of the BNB Chain, which blasted through to a fresh all-time high, surging 6% to hit 875.

    The ferocity of the rebound was just as palpable in the Ethereum market, where Ether (ETH) rocketed 7% from its overnight lows to 4,350, completely erasing all of Tuesday’s losses in a single, powerful move.

    Some market observers speculated the rally was fueled by ETH treasury firms strategically buying the dip.

    The strength was broad-based. Solana’s SOL gained a formidable 6.1%, also outpacing its recent decline, while tokens for ChainLink and AAVE put on even more impressive shows, soaring 10% and 7%, respectively.

    A king on shaky ground

    While the altcoin market was exploding with activity, Bitcoin was a sea of calm. The leading cryptocurrency advanced a modest 1.4% from its lows, trading just above 114,000.

    This tepid performance was more in line with the broader capital markets, where major stock indices like the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq closed in the red.

    This stark divergence is forcing a market-wide reassessment. The relative strength of altcoins during a period of fear is a notable and potentially significant signal.

    Bitcoin’s dominance—a key metric measuring its share of the total crypto market capitalization—is now teetering on the brink of a new six-month low.

    Historically, a sustained fall in Bitcoin’s dominance is the classic harbinger of an “altcoin season,” a period where smaller, riskier tokens take the lead.

    But before investors get carried away by dreams of repeating the wild, speculative rallies of past cycles, a crucial note of caution has been sounded.

    Analysts at ByteTree, led by Shehriyar Ali and Charlie Morris, warn that the rules of the game have fundamentally changed.

    “An alt season may be brewing, but it will not look like the wild rallies of the past,” their report stated. 

    Instead, it will be defined by selective, fundamentals-driven growth, rewarding quality projects and penalising those without substance.

    The message is clear: the era of blind speculation may be over. The current uprising is not lifting all boats equally.

    Instead, it appears to be a more discerning, mature rebellion, one that is selectively rewarding projects perceived to have genuine value and long-term potential.

    Source link

  • BNB sets altcoin market abuzz amid major Wall Street treasury bets

    BNB sets altcoin market abuzz amid major Wall Street treasury bets

    BNB hits a new all-time high

    • BNB price rallied to new all-time highs amid major institutional interest.
    • After Nano Labs earlier in the day, CEA Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: VAPE) and 10X Capital are eyeing up to $1.25 billion to buy BNB.
    • Initiative could see BNB price explode in coming days.

    BNB price soared to a new all-time high of $859 on Monday as an unprecedented institutional interest and strategic corporate investment bet in the digital asset emerged.

    With Nano Labs doubling down on BNB earlier in the week, it was another Wall Street firm that added to the frenzy of publicly traded companies eyeing BNB.

    That initiative is the plan to raise up to $1.25 billion for BNB by CEA Industries Inc. and 10X Capital – backed by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao’s YZi Labs.

    BNB price hovered around $847 at the time of writing.

    CEA Industries and 10X Capital’s takes bold BNB bet

    On Friday, CEA Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: VAPE) and 10X Capital, backed by YZi Labs, announced a $500 million private placement.

    The companies are looking to establish the largest publicly-listed BNB treasury company in the U.S.

    The deal, which could reach $1.25 billion with exercised warrants, aims to acquire substantial BNB holdings, and will offer institutional and retail investors exposure to the BNB Chain ecosystem.

    Led by David Namdar, co-founder of Galaxy Digital, and Russell Read, former chief investment officer of CalPERS, the initiative comes as BNB stands out.

    The coin’s surge to a new all-time high puts these plans into sharper focus, bringing more attention to the cryptocurrency.

    “Treasury companies have proven to be the cleanest, most transparent gateway for institutions to access digital assets. With BNB powering hundreds of millions of users globally, this marks the right time for a well-capitalized BNB treasury company to enter the U.S. market,” said Hans Thomas, founder and CEO of 10X Capital.

    The PIPE has attracted over 140 subscribers, with both institutional and crypto-natives joining in.

    Apart from YZi Labs, others are Pantera Capital, GSR, Borderless, Arrington Capital, Blockchain.com, Kenetic, and Protocol Ventures.

    BNB, SOL, and XRP gains amid treasury strategies

    BNB’s price surge aligns with broader market enthusiasm for digital asset treasuries.

    Trading at $847 with a 4.6% daily gain and $3.9 billion in trading volume, BNB is eyeing a potential breakout to $1,000 or higher.

    Much of the upside comes amid a surge in BNB treasury commitments- efforts also seen across Solana, XRP and Ethereum.

    For BNB, such efforts include Nano Labs and Windtree Therapeutics, which recently revealed a $700 million commitment towards a BNB treasury strategy.

    Elsewhere, VivoPower International has launched an XRP-focused treasury, while Upexi and DeFi Development Corp have its eyes on SOL as a treasury asset.



    Source link

  • Why is ZK proof altcoin Lagrange (LA) dropping amid a rally in crypto market

    Why is ZK proof altcoin Lagrange (LA) dropping amid a rally in crypto market

    Lagrange (LA) dropping as the crypto market rally

    • Lagrange (LA) drops 22% despite Binance listing and market rally.
    • LA price currently hovers near key support at $0.3902 after a sharp correction.
    • The recent price drop follows June’s 216% surge after Coinbase listing.

    Lagrange (LA), a zero-knowledge proof altcoin designed to power advanced blockchain computations, is experiencing a sharp price decline even as broader crypto markets enjoy a bullish momentum.

    The downturn comes at a time when major coins like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are climbing, leaving investors wondering why Lagrange is bucking the trend so dramatically.

    Although the project has been praised for its cutting-edge infrastructure, recent events seem to be reshaping market sentiment around the LA token.

    Binance listing triggered unexpected sell-off

    Just days ago, Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, announced its official support for Lagrange (LA), listing the token on several of its services, including Binance Simple Earn, Convert, Margin, and Buy Crypto.

    Contrary to expectations, the news did not boost LA’s price; instead, it marked the beginning of a rapid downturn, with the asset plummeting from a seven-day high of $0.676 on July 9 to $0.416 within 24 hours.

    This decline continued into July 11, as Lagrange (LA) shed an additional 12.2% in daily trading, settling at $0.3996 despite the high trading volume of over $164 million.

    While exchange listings typically trigger price surges, some analysts suggest that the Binance announcement may have encouraged profit-taking from traders who had anticipated the news.

    A brutal 7-day correction

    The recent 7-day trend has not been kind to Lagrange, with its price tumbling by over 22%, placing it near a key support zone between $0.3902 and $0.4554.

    Lagrange price chart

    With broader market sentiment remaining positive, LA’s decline is unusual and hints at token-specific dynamics at play rather than market-wide weakness.

    Currently, the altcoin is hovering just above a crucial technical level at $0.3902, and failure to hold this support could lead to further downside.

    However, if buyers manage to regain control, analysts say a short-term rebound toward $0.4800 or even $0.5000 remains within reach.

    Notably, the decline follows a recent rally in June, when LA surged by over 216% after being listed on Coinbase, rising from $0.253 to $1.50 in just a day.

    That spike, while impressive, may have set the stage for a correction, especially with the token hitting an all-time high of $1.72 on June 6 before reversing course.

    Since then, LA has dropped nearly 77% from its peak, creating growing concerns among traders about the sustainability of its gains.

    This rapid boom-and-bust cycle has made LA a volatile token to watch, particularly for short-term traders navigating resistance and support zones.

    Where does Lagrange (LA) go from here?

    While Lagrange’s recent price trajectory is troubling for holders, the asset is approaching technical levels that could invite fresh buying interest.

    Should Lagrange (LA) maintain support above $0.3900, there is potential for a modest rebound in the short term, particularly if positive momentum from the broader market spills over.

    On the other hand, a breakdown below this level could lead to increased selling pressure, potentially pushing the token toward new lows.

    For now, investors are advised to watch market signals closely and weigh the risks of volatility against the project’s strong technological foundation.

    Source link

  • Pepe, dogwifhat see price gains amid altcoin spike

    Pepe, dogwifhat see price gains amid altcoin spike

    Pepe And Dogwifat Memecoins Jumped As Bitcoin Rose

    • PEPE jumped to above $0.0000092, up nearly 13% as volume spiked 46%.
    • Meanwhile, dogwifhat hit highs of $0.64, also up 13% as altcoins mirrored Bitcoin gains.
    • Analysts say President Donald Trump’s announcement of a trade deal with the UK could spark further gains.

    Pepe (PEPE) and dogwifhat (WIF) are among the top gainers in the crypto market today as Bitcoin rides bullish sentiment to near $100k.

    The meme coins, ranked 28th and 98th by market cap on CoinMarketCap, posted double-digit gains as Bitcoin rose 3%, hitting a two-month high alongside a broader rally in risk assets.

    PEPE traded at around $0.000009217, up by 12.59% at the time of writing. Whale activity suggests investor confidence.

    Meanwhile, dogwifhat hovered near $0.64, up 13% in the past 24 hours.

    The gains happened alongside a spike in trading volume, Pepe recording a 46% surge in daily volume to $766 million, while dogwifhat saw an increase of 44% to about $242 million.

    dogwifhat, Pepe surge as crypto reacts to trade deal news

    Bitcoin surged as investors reacted to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a massive trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom.

    As risk-on sentiment kicked in, equities signaled a rally with futures up. Cryptocurrencies, including the memecoins PEPE and WIF, rose alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

    EOS and Pudgy Penguins led the top performers.

    With the trade deal likely to be among many others lined up, analysts say an easing of tariff tensions could spark fresh market optimism.

    “President Trump teased a major trade deal this morning, with speculation pointing to the UK. Despite a few details, the headline alone sparked a sharp risk-on reaction across global markets,” QCP Capital analysts noted.

    “Crypto jumped on the news. $BTC rose 2.74% to reclaim $99K, while $ETH surged 6.89%, breaking out of a three-week range. Options flow showed strong demand for May and June calls, signalling renewed bullish sentiment,” they added.

    PEPE and WIF price outlook

    While analysts urge a cautious approach as the US markets open, they see a BTC close above $100k as potentially adding to the upside.

    This scenario could see meme coins soar amid capital rotation into anticipated gainers.

    The surge in volume and open interest (+13% to $454 million for PEPE, and +16% to $244 million for dogwifhat) suggests strong interest in the tokens.

    If this sentiment holds as BTC rallies, buying pressure could see PEPE and WIF rise to key levels.

    WIF price could return to above $1 if bulls edge higher.

    Meanwhile, Pepe may see a zero taken off the price range, with recent hurdles at $0.000015 and $0.000020 key.



    Source link

  • Altcoin market cap drops 41% amid crypto winter fears

    Altcoin market cap drops 41% amid crypto winter fears

    • Bitcoin and COIN50 fall below 200-day moving averages.
    • Venture capital remains 60% below 2021 levels despite mild rebound.
    • Market may stabilise between mid and late Q2 2025, says Coinbase.

    The risk of a renewed crypto winter is rising, Coinbase Research warned this week, as key technical and macroeconomic indicators suggest the digital asset market may be entering another prolonged downturn.

    In a note published yesterday, Coinbase said Bitcoin has slipped below its 200-day moving average—a level widely seen as a bearish signal.

    The COIN50 index, which tracks the top non-Bitcoin assets on the platform, has also fallen beneath its long-term support.

    Adding to the market stress are surging global tariffs and prolonged fiscal tightening, both of which are weighing on investor sentiment and curbing inflows into crypto.

    The situation echoes the 2022 crash, when over $2 trillion in market value was wiped out within 18 months.

    Altcoins have been hit the hardest. Excluding Bitcoin, the total crypto market cap has dropped 41% since its December 2024 peak, falling to $950 billion.

    That figure is lower than any level recorded between August 2021 and April 2022, a time when market turbulence was already high.

    Altcoins fall 41%

    According to Coinbase, the sustained drawdown in altcoins highlights the weakening appetite for riskier crypto investments.

    Tokens outside the Bitcoin ecosystem have seen sharp sell-offs amid thin liquidity and a lack of new capital.

    The COIN50 index now trades well below its 200-day average, signalling broad technical weakness across the sector.

    Retail interest has also declined, while institutional flows remain limited. This suggests that the bullish momentum seen in late 2024 has largely dissipated.

    Many smaller projects are underperforming, particularly those in niche segments such as decentralised AI, Web3 gaming, and tokenised real-world assets.

    Funding stays low

    Coinbase’s report also points to stagnation in venture capital. Although investment volumes have picked up modestly since late 2024, they remain 50% to 60% below the highs recorded during the 2021–2022 cycle.

    This has left many early-stage startups without the runway to scale, pushing some to pause development or downsize operations.

    The absence of fresh capital has slowed innovation across key verticals.

    Many in the industry had expected decentralised finance, metaverse applications, and crypto crowdfunding models to lead the next bull cycle. Instead, these areas have stalled.

    Macro weighs on sentiment

    Coinbase cited external economic pressures as a major reason for the recent slump.

    Tighter monetary policy, high interest rates, and the escalation of global tariffs have all eroded investor confidence.

    David Duong, head of institutional research, said the investment environment has become “paralysed” as both traditional and crypto markets face liquidity stress.

    These macro headwinds have discouraged speculation and limited the flow of capital into digital assets.

    Traders have pulled back, focusing instead on safe-haven assets as geopolitical risk and inflation remain elevated.

    Recovery may follow

    Despite the gloom, Coinbase believes the market may find a bottom between mid and late Q2 of 2025.

    A stabilisation in macro conditions—particularly a slowdown in inflation or an easing of interest rates—could help revive capital flows.

    Coinbase warns of a potential crypto winter as altcoins drop 41% and Bitcoin breaks key support. Market cap falls to $950b, mirroring 2022’s downturn.

    According to Duong, sentiment may reset quickly once market stress subsides, opening the door to a recovery in the second half of the year.

    The report stops short of making bullish predictions but says tactical positioning may be useful in the current environment. Analysts suggest keeping a close eye on liquidity trends and macro data as potential signals of a shift in momentum.

    Source link

  • Grayscale expands altcoin list to 40 in April, adds Dogecoin, and PYTH trusts

    Grayscale expands altcoin list to 40 in April, adds Dogecoin, and PYTH trusts

    • Kaspa, THORChain, Starknet, and Worldcoin were removed.
    • 9 new unclassified projects include Babylon and Berachain.
    • The asset list may change intra-quarter with fund rebalances.

    Grayscale Investments has expanded its “Assets Under Consideration” list to 40 cryptocurrencies as of April 10, 2025.

    This marks a shift from its January list, which featured 39 tokens, and continues the asset manager’s quarterly strategy of reviewing potential future products.

    Alongside the expansion, Grayscale has formally launched single-asset trusts for Dogecoin (DOGE) and Pyth Network (PYTH), spotlighting the assets now making the leap from consideration to active investment vehicles.

    The revised list also includes new entrants like VeChain and Plume while removing tokens such as Kaspa, Starknet, and THORChain across various sectors.

    Dogecoin and PYTH enter trust products

    Dogecoin and PYTH were both upgraded from Grayscale’s consideration list to formal trust products in early 2025.

    The Grayscale Dogecoin Trust launched on January 31, followed by the Pyth Trust on February 18.

    Dogecoin continues to be one of the most actively traded meme coins, while PYTH’s growth reflects increasing demand for on-chain oracle services.

    Their addition follows Grayscale’s broader aim to diversify its offerings beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum-focused products.

    Removals across key sectors

    This quarter’s update saw multiple removals that indicate a narrowing of focus across Grayscale’s asset categories.

    Kaspa was removed from the currencies section, which now includes no assets. Sei, Sonic, and Starknet were cut from smart contract platforms.

    THORChain and Injective Protocol were dropped from financials, while Ai16z and Virtuals Protocol were removed from consumer and culture.

    Grayscale also eliminated Flock.io, Hyperbolic, and Worldcoin from its utilities and services.

    These changes reflect a redefined view of which assets Grayscale considers relevant to long-term product development.

    New additions include VeChain and Plume

    Several tokens have been added across sectors in this update.

    VeChain has been included in the smart contract platforms category, potentially due to its continued push into enterprise use cases.

    In financials, Plume Network and SYRUP have been added, while Aixbt by Virtuals has joined consumer and culture.

    Geodnet (GEOD) now appears under utilities and services, and IP has been reclassified from utilities to consumer and culture.

    In addition to reclassifications, nine new projects have been added that remain uncategorised under the Grayscale crypto sectors framework.

    These include Babylon, Berachain, Monad, Movement, Lombard, Mantra, Eliza, DeepBook, and Walrus.

    Projects like Prime Intellect, Sentient, and Space and Time, which appeared in the January list, remain present.

    Strategy shift in evaluation

    Compared with the 35 assets listed in October 2024, the increase to 40 in April 2025 reflects Grayscale’s ongoing effort to monitor the evolving crypto market.

    The firm has reiterated that this list may be updated as frequently as 15 days after quarter-end and is subject to intra-quarter changes, especially when multi-asset products are rebalanced or new single-asset trusts are launched.

    The current update, published on April 10, 2025, is part of Grayscale’s broader approach to regularly assess token viability, market demand, and regulatory alignment.

    The additions of VeChain and SYRUP, alongside the removals of Starknet and Worldcoin, signal a shift in focus toward tokens with clearer institutional relevance or growing retail traction.

    While inclusion in the list does not guarantee the launch of a trust, market watchers will likely monitor these assets closely for future product announcements.

    Source link