Cryptocurrency prices have tumbled in jarring fashion over the last 24 hours, with BTC, ETH, SOL, and ADA recording steep losses. As traders try to make sense of the crypto market crash, the immediate cause is heightened US-Iran tensions and the grim prospects of an Iranian retaliation on US soil. Crypto Market Sheds $1.1 Billion
Crypto markets are primed for a massive breakout as institutional investors ramp up exposure to high-potential altcoins. Strategic investments today could yield 100x returns by 2026.
Demand for crypto assets spiked after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November 2024. While prices have retraced since his inauguration, institutional demand—one of the key forces behind last year’s rally—has only grown.
Since the start of 2025, several altcoins have been targeted by U.S.-based corporate investors. Firms are racing to list altcoin ETFs as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has relaxed its stance on crypto under the Trump administration.
More so, the recent departure of Gary Gensler has led to the rollback of multiple regulatory sanctions, with the SEC dropping existing charges against Coinbase, Robinhood, Ripple (XRP), and Uniswap.
This policy shift has significantly increased the likelihood of multiple altcoin ETFs receiving approval, further fueling institutional interest. According to Polymarket data, crypto bettors are now pricing in 70% chance of Litecoin ETF approvals, with similar odds inferred for all other altcoin with filings in progress.
Here are five altcoins that could deliver astronomical returns as institutional adoption accelerates.
1. Cardano (ADA)
Cardano has maintained its reputation as one of the most secure and decentralized proof-of-stake (PoS) networks. With growing enterprise adoption and strategic partnerships in Africa and Latin America, ADA is a prime candidate for institutional investment. If the SEC approves an ADA ETF, price discovery could push Cardano to new all-time highs.
Cardano Price Action
With ADA price currently trading at $0.7401, a move to $740.10 could turn a $100 investment into $100,000.
2. Solana (SOL)
Solana has dominated the Layer-1 race, boasting lightning-fast transactions, low fees, and an expanding ecosystem. Recent partnerships with Visa and Shopify have strengthened its position as a leader in real-world blockchain applications. If institutions begin allocating large capital to SOL-based ETFs, a parabolic price surge is inevitable.
Solana (SOL) Price Action
With Solana price currently trading at $133.18, a move to $133,180 could turn a $100 investment into $100,000.
3. Litecoin (LTC)
Litecoin has long been considered the silver to Bitcoin’s gold. With its strong security, low transaction fees, and recent privacy upgrades, LTC remains a favorite for institutional investors seeking a reliable store of value. The approval of an LTC ETF could trigger substantial price appreciation.
Litecoin price action
With Litecoin price currently trading at $91, a move to $91,000 could turn a $100 investment into $100,000.
4. Hedera (HBAR) Price Action
Hedera Hashgraph is backed by major corporations, including Google, IBM, and Boeing. Its energy-efficient consensus mechanism and high-speed transactions make it an ideal choice for institutional adoption. With governments and enterprises integrating Hedera for tokenization and CBDCs, HBAR has massive upside potential.
Hedera (HBAR) Price Action
With Hedera price currently trading at $0.19, a move to $195 could turn a $100 investment into $100,000.
5. Aptos (APT) – The Next-Gen Blockchain Infrastructure
Aptos, developed by ex-Meta engineers, is gaining traction as a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain designed for mass adoption. Its parallel execution engine enables unmatched scalability, making it attractive for institutions looking beyond Ethereum and Solana. With corporate backing growing, APT is a top pick for explosive growth.
Aptos price action
With Aptos price currently trading at $5.29, a move to $5,290 could turn a $100 investment into $100,000.
Summary:
With institutional capital flowing into crypto and regulatory hurdles fading, the next bull cycle is set to be historic. Smart investors positioning themselves in high-upside altcoins today could witness 100x gains by 2026. As the ETF narrative unfolds, Cardano, Solana, Litecoin, Hedera, and Aptos are poised for considerable growth as the year unfolds.
The crypto market is seeing notable fluctuations as various factors influence the prices of major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and Dogecoin (DOGE). As of late April, new trends are emerging that have shifted the focus of traders and investors. These factors are affecting market sentiment and shaping expectations moving into May.
Donald Trump and Eric Trump Comments Impact
Accoding to Santiment, the discussions surrounding U.S. politics are having an impact on the crypto market, particularly with recent comments from President Donald Trump and his son, Eric Trump. Eric Trump recently emphasized the importance of cryptocurrencies, urging banks to adopt digital currencies or risk facing extinction.
He specifically pointed out Bitcoin as a solution to the current financial system’s flaws. His statements align with broader concerns over the financial infrastructure, and they have fueled conversations about the potential role of cryptocurrencies in the future.
President Donald Trump’s economic views, particularly his stance on tariffs, are also drawing attention. He has continued to advocate for high tariffs on foreign imports, a position that has led some to link his policies to broader economic challenges. However, the U.S. has taken the initiative to reach out to China through multiple channels in an attempt to open discussions regarding tariffs.
Investors have noted that his remarks about the stock market and the economy are often intertwined with his views on crypto. As a result, these political developments are contributing to ongoing market volatility, with some traders seeing them as signals of uncertainty that could influence both traditional and digital assets.
U.S. GDP and Economic Data Affecting Crypto Markets
Recent economic data have also influenced the development of the crypto market. The first quarter results showed that the GDP of the US went into the negative territory for the first time in the next three years with a contraction of 0.3%. This has led to fears of a recession in the United States and slow economic growth in the country. The negative figure in GDP has however influenced market sentiment and many investors have had to adjust their positions in their portfolios.
Furthermore, the continued inflationary pressure remains a topic of concern. The Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index for March showed a year-over-year inflation rate of 2.3%, slightly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
This has left investors uneasy especially with regard to the Federal Reserve policy meeting that is due on May 7. Since there are rumors of a possible recession, traders are managing their investment portfolios, and some of them are seeking haven in cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin since some consider the crypto as a safe-haven.
TOKEN2049 and Crypto Developments in Dubai
The TOKEN2049 event in Dubai has brought attention to the region’s growing role in the global crypto space. The conference has had more than fifteen thousand participants including the best leaders in the field of blockchain and cryptocurrency. At TOKEN2049, many concerns have been raised concerning the future of the crypto market with individuals sharing their opinions on what could be next in the market.
Dubai’s growing significance in the crypto world is also evident in developments like the Trump Tower Dubai accepting cryptocurrency payments for luxury apartments.
These movements point to the fact that digital currencies have gradually been adopted in the global system of finance. This event and similar news brought more attention towards the region and Middle East as the potential hub for cryptocurrency, and investors are paying great attention to such possibilities as they impact the market.
Bitcoin and Altcoin Market Movements
Bitcoin has seen a strong rally over the past week, rising to the $94,000 to $96,000 range, only to experience a pullback in the last 24 hours. As Bitcoin’s price began to stabilize, traders shifted their attention to altcoins, resulting in a market-wide surge of over 10% in the past week.
Despite Bitcoin’s dominant position in the crypto market, altcoins like XRP, Ethereum, and meme coins like Dogecoin have seen increased trading volume as investors search for higher-risk, higher-reward opportunities. Ethereum price has followed the BTC price trend with ETH trading at $1,800, a 0.3% dip with bulls holding on despite the turbulance in the crypto market.
At press time, XRP price was trading at $2.20, a 4% decline from the intra-day high of $2.30 boosted by the postponing of an XRP ETF approval decision by the US SEC. Dogecoin price, due to a similar reason of DOGE ETF postponing and has as a result witnessed a 3% decline to $0.1730.
Meme coins, in particular, have seen a spike in discussion and interest as their prices rise. This has been a characteristic pattern, as retail investors often turn to these assets during bull markets, driven by the potential for quick gains. However, many traders have been cautious, recalling the losses from the previous bear market cycle.
Crypto market capitalization closed the week above $2.7 trillion mark on Saturday, April 5, while Trade war panic wiped over $1 trillion off US tech stocks including Apple, NVIDIA and Microsoft.
Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia all lose $3 trillion valuation as Trump tariffs Wipe Out $1 trillion in 3 days
As Trump announced fresh tariffs on Wednesday, global Markets reacted swiftly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 3000 points plunging 7.4%, while Crude Oil (WTI) also tumbled more than 10% as manufacturers and commodities traders brace for a blip in global commerce.
But the most dramatic losses came from the United States’ technology sector. Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA—three of the most valuable companies globally—shed more than $1 trillion in market capitalization combined after Trump announced the sweeping tariffs on Wednesday.
US Stock Market Performance over the past week, April 5 2025 | Source: TradingView
Apple alone fell 15.02% on the week, while NVIDIA’s stock lost 15.4% following supply chain concerns tied to the semiconductor industry. Microsoft declined 15.9%, extending its weekly loss to the steepest seen since October.
Notably, all three stocks which traded above the $3 trillion mark in the past year have now plunged below that historic threshold.
Largest Companies globally ranked by market capitalization as of April 5 2025 | Source: companiesmarketcap.com
At press time, on Saturday April 5, Apple (AAPL) sits atop with $2.83 trillion market cap, while Microsoft (MSFT) and NVIDIA (NVDA) follow with current valuations of $2.7 and $2.3 trillion valuations respectively.
Historically, such synchronized declines among the biggest U.S. corporations suggest investors are reacting to systemic market risks rather than, individual stock performance outlook.
This affirms that China’s swift retaliation—announcing new tariffs on U.S. exports within 48 hours—has sparked fears of a sustained trade war.
The looming supply chain risks has prompted investors to pivot away from US stocks towards alternative markets like private credit and cryptocurrencies.
Altcoins Brace for Breakout as Crypto Market Cap Holds at $2.7T Amid Trade War Concerns
Bitcoin price has held firmly above the $80,000 mark, despite US Trade tariffs sparking intense market turbulence across global financial markets over the past week. BTC’s resilient price action has caught investor’s attention, with the positive sentiment extending towards altcoins.
On Wednesday, the White House triggered widespread investor anxiety by unveiling sweeping new tariffs on imports from multiple trading partners, including China, India, Mexico, and the European Union.
Early market reactions show that cryptocurrencies withstood the sell-pressure while US Stocks, and manufacturing commodities markets nose-dived.
Crypto Spot Market Performance, April 5 2025 | Source: Coingecko
As seen in the Coingecko chart above, the aggregate crypto market capitalization stands at $2.7 trillion at press time, keeping weekly timeframe losses below the 8% mark. Not only has Bitcoin price held above the $82,000, the resilient performance extended to the crypto sector as a whole.
As seen in the chart, top ranked altcoins like XRP, BNB and Cardano are holding key support levels around $2, $590 and $0.65 respectively, as global markets saw major sell-off response to Trump’s tarrfis.
But in the crypto-sector as weak hands exited, and BTC held steady, altcoin found new buyers as as investors exiting us stocks sought assets unexposed to trade tensions. In effect, Crypto markets only declined 8% in the past week, while Microsoft, Nvidia and Apple all plunged by more than 15%.
As investors exited those markets, the displaced capital found its way into the crypto markets, which has kept top altcoins that Ethereum, XRP, BNB. and Solana consolidating near the $1,800, $2, $600.
For context, of the top 5 ranked cryptocurrencies are posting BTC, ETH, BNB and XRP are all posting less than 1% losses on the weekly timeframe.
Meanwhile, Solana the worst performer among the top-ranked altcoins this week, settles at $119 at press time, having only plunged 5%, despite active bearish catalyst from token unlocks, and upcoming FTX payouts.