Bitcoin and Ethereum see gains while XRP defies the trend, with market outflows and new regulations adding uncertainty - IcoHolder.
The cryptocurrency market saw a modest rise over the past 24 hours, inching up by nearly 1% to reach a total valuation of $2.7 trillion. Despite the overall uptick, the performance among major tokens was mixed, with Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) gaining ground while others such as Solana (SOL) and Dogecoin (DOGE) posted losses.
Bitcoin continued its bullish momentum, crossing the $85,000 mark with a near 2% gain, fueling optimism about a potential push toward the $90,000 and $100,000 thresholds. Ethereum also saw an uptick of 1.27%, remaining stable above $1,600 but still struggling to rally toward $1,800. XRP followed suit with a 1% increase, trading around $2.15.
However, the broader altcoin space painted a more cautious picture. Solana slipped slightly, testing support below $130, while Dogecoin dropped nearly 3% to $0.160. Cardano, Stellar, Hedera, and Polkadot also recorded losses. On the flip side, Chainlink, Toncoin, and Litecoin managed notable gains, offering some counterbalance to the market’s choppy performance.
Adding to the sector’s turbulence was renewed scrutiny of Mantra (OM) after its token collapse. Mantra CEO John Mullin rejected claims that investors engaged in insider token dumps ahead of the crash. Mullin promised on-chain proof to refute accusations that Mantra insiders or key partners had sold off their holdings. Laser Digital, a strategic investor backed by Nomura, was named in initial reports but denied any connection to suspicious token movements. Data from Arkham Intelligence linked wallets moving over 43 million OM tokens to exchanges, but Laser insists those wallets are not theirs.
In a separate development, Google announced plans to tighten crypto ad regulations across Europe in compliance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. Beginning this year, crypto advertisers must be certified by Google and adhere to both MiCA and country-specific rules. While this move is seen as a positive step for investor protection, critics warn it could present significant hurdles for smaller firms struggling with dual compliance and financial thresholds. Bitget’s legal chief Hon Ng called the new rules a “double-edged sword,” noting that while they aim to reduce fraud, they may stifle innovation if applied too rigidly.
Market sentiment was also impacted by growing fears of trade tariffs, leading to $795 million in outflows from crypto investment products last week. Bitcoin bore the brunt, accounting for $751 million in outflows, although it still maintains $545 million in net inflows for 2025. Ethereum and Solana also posted sizable redemptions. In contrast, XRP defied the trend with $3.5 million in inflows, joined by smaller gains in ONDO, ALGO, and AVAX.
Bitcoin’s outlook remains divided among analysts. Despite surpassing $85,000, the flagship cryptocurrency has experienced subdued momentum amid mounting macroeconomic concerns. Hedge fund titan Ray Dalio warned of a deeper financial disruption than a typical recession, citing former President Donald Trump’s tariff strategies as a destabilizing factor. Dalio believes these policies could damage global monetary systems and fuel international economic conflict.
As BTC navigates conflicting trends—price gains versus capital outflows, bullish sentiment versus geopolitical warnings—its near-term trajectory remains uncertain. Market watchers are eyeing critical levels, with predictions ranging from modest consolidation to a sharp rally toward $102,000. For now, the market teeters between renewed optimism and underlying caution.
