Cryptocurrency prices have dropped sharply in the past 24 hours. Investors pulled out of risky assets due to the rising tensions between the US-China trade war.
The US has now raised tariffs on Chinese imports to as high as 245% tariffs on imports as a result of its retaliatory actions and added new limits on chip exports.
Trump has reportedly urged China to initiate the trade talks saying that the US does not need a deal. However, China responded that the US must stop using pressure and threats if it truly wants to resolve the issue through negotiations. “For any dialog to happen, it must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
The U.S. had previously imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, while China responded with a 125% tariff on U.S. goods.
Bitcoin and Broader Market Declines
Bitcoin has dropped over 2% in response and the broader crypto market dropped 3.75%. Stock markets were also impacted as Nasdaq 100 futures fell over 1% and S&P 500 futures dropped 0.65%. Although Bitcoin stayed relatively stable during earlier sessions, signs suggest that its recent bull run might slow down. It is currently trading at $83,826, down over 2% in the past day.
Besides, Bitcoin dropped below its 200-day simple moving average on March 9, which often signals major trend shifts. According to Coinbase institutional, this move suggests that Bitcoin’s sharp decline marks the start of a new bear market cycle which started in late March itself.
The Bull Market Is Over?
Coinbase Institutional’s research head, David Duong said that a key risk-adjusted performance metric called the Z-score indicates that the crypto bull run likely ended in late February. The market has since been moving sideways neither bullish not bearish, but neutral.
However, crypto prices have held up relatively well. A trader at market maker Wintermute believes that this stability gives traders more confidence to use protective strategies like hedging. Therefore, some prime brokers have moved from being cautious to neutral on risk assets. The upcoming market moves will likely depend on actual economic data.
The Macro Factors
Key economic data is set to be released this month, including a speech from Fed Chair today where investors expect insights on the next rate cut move. Meanwhile, the uncertainty in risk assets has pushed investor towards safer assets like Gold, which is now up over 26% this year, while dollar has dropped 9%. Gold also hit a new record high of $3,300 per ounce amid escalating US China tensions.
Analyst Ali Martinez has recently pointed out that Bitcoin is consolidating within a channel, and since the $83,200 support level is holding strong, there’s a good chance it could bounce back and rise toward the middle or top of that range. It remains to be seen if Bitcoin will rise back up or drop further.
Ethereum reached a notable milestone earlier this month when the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved options trading for several spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The move is expected to increase liquidity, attract interest from institutional investors, and solidify Ethereum’s position as a major cryptocurrency.
Yet Ethereum’s smaller market cap relative to Bitcoin means it is also vulnerable to gamma squeezes, thereby increasing investor risks. BeInCrypto consulted an expert in derivatives trading and representatives from FalconX, BingX, Komodo Platform, and Gravity to analyze the potential impact of this new characteristic.
This week marked the official debut of options trading for spot Ethereum ETFs in the United States. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) was the first to list options, with trading commencing on the Nasdaq ISE.
Shortly after, a broader availability of options followed, including those for the Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE) and the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust (ETH), as well as the Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW), all of which began trading on the Cboe BZX exchange.
This move allows a wider range of investors, beyond crypto traders, to benefit from hedging and speculation opportunities on Ethereum’s price through options on familiar investment vehicles like ETFs without direct ownership.
The timing of this news is particularly positive, as Ethereum has been losing some ground in the market lately.
Options Trading to Bolster Ethereum’s Market Position
A significant decline in market confidence surrounded Ethereum this week, with BeInCrypto reporting its price had plummeted to its lowest point since March 2023. This drop coincided with a broader market downturn, worsened by Donald Trump’s Liberation Day.
Meanwhile, large Ethereum holders are increasingly selling off substantial amounts, putting downward pressure on their prices. Ethereum’s value has fallen sharply by 51.3% since the beginning of 2025, and investor confidence has waned, as evidenced by a decrease in addresses holding at least $1 million in ETH.
Holders with at least $1 million worth of ETH. Source: Glassnode.
With options trading now accessible to more traders, experts anticipate that Ethereum’s market position will improve.
“ETH’s been leaking dominance, stuck sub-17%. Options give it institutional gravity. It becomes more programmable for fund strategies. More tools mean more use cases, which then in turn means more capital sticking around,” Martins Benkitis, CEO and Co-Founder of Gravity Team, predicted.
This newfound accessibility of options trading will create additional opportunities for investors and the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Greater Investor Access and Liquidity
The SEC’s approval of Ethereum ETFs in July 2024 was significant because it allowed traditional investors to enter the crypto market without directly holding the assets. Now, with options trading also available, these benefits are expected to be even greater.
The Ethereum ETF market will naturally become more liquid with increased participation through options trading.
High Trading Volumes and Hedging Demands
The SEC’s fresh approval of options trading for Ethereum ETF investors suggests that the market will likely initially experience a high trading volume. As a result, market makers must be prepared.
An increase in call options will require institutional market makers to hedge by buying more Ethereum to meet demand.
Ethereum will also secure a unique advantage, particularly in institutional trading, enhancing its perceived quality and driving optimism among key market participants.
“ETH just got a serious institutional tailwind. With options now in play, Ether is stepping closer to BTC in terms of tradable instruments. This levels up ETH’s legitimacy and utility in hedging strategies, narrowing the gap on Bitcoin’s dominance narrative,” Benkitis told BeInCrypto.
Yet, rapid surges in options trading could also have unintended consequences on Ethereum’s price, especially in the short run.
Will Investors Suffer a Gamma Squeeze?
As market makers rush to acquire more of the underlying asset in case of a higher volume of options calls, Ethereum’s price will naturally increase. This situation could lead to a pronounced gamma squeeze.
When market makers hedge their positions in this scenario, the resulting buying pressure would create a positive feedback loop. Retail investors will feel more inclined to join in, hoping to profit from Ethereum’s rising price.
The implications of this scenario are especially pronounced for Ethereum, considering its market capitalization is notably smaller than that of Bitcoin.
Retail traders’ aggressive buying of ETHA call options could compel market makers to hedge by acquiring the underlying ETHA shares, potentially leading to a more pronounced effect on the price of ETHA and, by extension, Ethereum.
“We believe option sellers will generally dominate in the long-run but in short bursts we could see retail momentum traders become massive buyers of ETHA calls and create gamma squeeze effects, similar to what we’ve seen on meme coin stocks like GME. ETH will be easier to squeeze than BTC given it is only $190 billion market cap vs BTC’s $1.65 trillion,” Joshua Lim, Global Co-head of Markets at FalconX, told BeInCrypto.
Arbitrage involves exploiting price differences for the same or nearly identical assets across different markets or forms. This is done by buying in the cheaper market and selling in the more expensive one.
According to Grant, traders will increasingly look for and exploit these price differences as the market for ETH options on different platforms develops.
While arbitrage activity is expected to refine pricing and liquidity within the Ethereum options market, the asset continues to operate under the shadow of Bitcoin’s established market leadership.
Will Landmark Options Approval Help Ethereum Close the Gap on Bitcoin?
Though Ethereum achieved a major landmark this week, it faces competition from a major rival: Bitcoin.
In late fall of 2024, options trading started on BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), becoming the first US spot Bitcoin ETF to offer options. Though not even a year has passed since the original launch, options trading on Bitcoin ETFs experienced strong trading volumes from retail and institutional investors.
According to Kadan Stadelmann, Chief Technology Officer of Komodo Platform, options trading for Ethereum ETFs will be comparatively underwhelming. Bitcoin will still be the cryptocurrency of choice for investors.
“Compared to Bitcoin’s Spot ETF, Ethereum’s ETF has not seen such stalwart demand. While options trading adds institutional capital, Bitcoin remains crypto’s first mover and enjoys a greater overall market cap. It is not going anywhere. It will remain the dominant crypto asset for institutional portfolios,” Stadelmann told BeInCrypto.
Consequently, his outlook does not include Ethereum’s market position surpassing Bitcoin’s in the immediate term.
“The once-promised flippening of Bitcoin’s market capitalization by Ethereum remains unlikely. Conservative and more-monied investors likely prefer Bitcoin due to its perceived safety compared to other crypto assets, including Ethereum. Ethereum, in order to achieve Bitcoin’s prominence, must depend on growing utility in DeFi and stablecoin markets,” he concluded.
While that may be the case, options trading doesn’t harm Ethereum’s prospects; it only strengthens them.
Can Ethereum’s Options Trading Era Capitalize on Opportunities?
Ethereum is now the second cryptocurrency with SEC approval for options trading on its ETFs. This single move will further legitimize digital assets for institutions, increasing their presence in traditional markets and boosting overall visibility.
Despite recent significant blows to Ethereum’s market position, this news is a positive development. Although it might not be sufficient to surpass its primary competitor, it represents a step in the right direction.
As investors get used to this new opportunity, their participation level will reveal how beneficial it will be for Ethereum.
The cryptocurrency market has always been marked by cycles of dramatic growth and corrections, but one narrative remains consistent: Bitcoin (BTC) often leads the charge.
With analysts speculating that BTC could finally reach the $200,000 milestone, interest in altcoins like Solana (SOL) and emerging players such as BinoFi (BINO) has risen sharply.
While Bitcoin often sets the tone, Solana and BinoFi are carving their paths with unique opportunities, making them key assets to watch in this scenario.
Solana (SOL): Proven Innovation in a Maturing Market
Solana has been one of the standout performers over the last few years, emerging as a leader in providing high-speed, low-cost blockchain solutions. Known for its blazing-fast transaction speeds and scalability, Solana has positioned itself as one of the strongest competitors to Ethereum, especially within the realms of decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and NFTs.
If Bitcoin does indeed surge to $200K, Solana is likely to ride the wave due to its established reputation and growing adoption. Investors tend to flock to proven altcoins during bullish Bitcoin cycles, especially those with active developer ecosystems and growing utility.
The question for Solana is how much higher it can go. Historically, during Bitcoin’s bull runs, top altcoins have experienced outsized gains compared to Bitcoin itself. If Bitcoin doubles its price to reach $200K, Solana could potentially see triple-digit percentage growth.
With market dynamics in its favor, some experts suggest SOL could retest or even surpass its previous all-time high.
BinoFi (BINO): An Undervalued Opportunity with Explosive Potential
While established tokens like Solana are excellent for steady growth, newer projects such as BinoFi (BINO) offer a different kind of potential. At just $0.02 per token, BinoFi is a hidden gem in the cryptocurrency market, but one that’s beginning to garner attention due to its advanced technology and ambitious roadmap.
BinoFi’s standout appeal lies in its hybrid approach to liquidity. It combines the best of both centralized and decentralized trading, offering users a streamlined experience without compromising on security or control. This makes it a strong choice for traders who are tired of choosing between accessibility and regulation-free decentralized platforms.
One of the most exciting aspects of BinoFi’s future is its upcoming Minimum Viable Product (MVP) launch. This milestone will provide investors with their first opportunity to interact with BinoFi’s ecosystem, which promises simplified cross-chain trading, gasless transactions, and innovative security.
With these features, BinoFi aims to solve real pain points in crypto trading, positioning itself as more than just a speculative asset.
What Could BinoFi Achieve if Bitcoin Hits $200K?
For tokens like BinoFi, Bitcoin’s price surge has historically acted as a major catalyst. If Bitcoin reaches $200K, the speculative interest in affordable and promising projects like BinoFi would skyrocket.
BinoFi (BINO) is making waves in the cryptocurrency presale market, advancing rapidly through its current phase with growing investor enthusiasm.
Currently priced at just $0.02 per token, the project has already captured attention thanks to its ambitious roadmap and innovative features. With a listing price set at $0.30, early backers are looking at significant returns of a 1500% surge right out of the gate.
What’s fueling the excitement? Experts are pointing to BinoFi’s strong fundamentals and its potential to revolutionize crypto trading through its hybrid liquidity model.
Analysts predict that BinoFi could achieve astonishing gains of up to 9900% post-listing as it gains traction and adoption. This translates into a rare opportunity for presale participants to maximize their profits before BinoFi’s value skyrockets.
Investors are particularly drawn to its low-risk entry point during the presale compared to its projected listing price and beyond. With the token’s current price sitting at only $0.02 and a listing price of $0.30, it offers a highly attractive proposition for those looking to position themselves early in a high-upside opportunity.
For forward-thinking investors, BinoFi represents more than just a speculative play. It’s a chance to become part of an innovative project that could redefine the trading landscape. With the clock ticking on the presale and prices set to soar, the question isn’t whether BinoFi is worth backing, but whether you’ll act fast enough to secure your position.
Final Thoughts
While Solana offers proven innovation and a stable growth trajectory, BinoFi represents the kind of early-stage opportunity that could provide massive returns for those who recognize its potential before it achieves wider adoption.
The post Solana (SOL) & BinoFi (BINO) Price Prediction: How High Can They Go When Bitcoin (BTC) Hits $200K? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
The cryptocurrency market has always been marked by cycles of dramatic growth and corrections, but one narrative remains consistent: Bitcoin (BTC) often leads the charge. With analysts speculating that BTC could finally reach the $200,000 milestone, interest in altcoins like Solana (SOL) and emerging players such as BinoFi (BINO) has risen sharply. While Bitcoin often …
A massive $237 million XRP transfer reported by Whale Alert caused a stir in the crypto community, with many speculating that a major whale had just bought a huge amount of XRP. But according to Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz, that’s probably not the case.
Instead, Schwartz believes the large transaction was just an exchange withdrawal – not a fresh buy. Still, the buzz has raised fresh questions about XRP’s price movement and how transparent the market really is.
What Really Happened with the $237M XRP Transaction?
Whale Alert flagged a transfer of 236,982,972 XRP (worth $567,278,563) from the Kraken exchange to an unknown wallet. This triggered speculation across X, with some users pointing out that despite the massive transfer, XRP’s price didn’t move at all.
Experts on X discuss that XRP may be facing some fundamental issues, and manipulation is concerning.
Ripple CTO: “Almost Certainly” Just an Exchange Withdrawal
Ripple CTO David Schwartz stepped in to calm the speculation. He explained that the transfer was “almost certainly” just a withdrawal from Kraken – not a new purchase. That would explain why there was no price impact.
This isn’t the first time large XRP transfers have made headlines. Earlier this month, Whale Alert reported similar movements, none of which had any major effect on XRP’s price. That’s because these transfers aren’t actual buy orders. They’re just token movements between wallets.
Analysts Flag Caution Despite Bullish Sentiment
Crypto app Alva responded to the news, highlighting technical indicators that suggest caution. According to Alva, XRP is showing overbought conditions and a bearish MACD signal, pointing to a possible pullback – even though overall sentiment remains positive.
Whale activity and institutional interest often shape the crypto narrative, but falling open interest may be a sign for traders to stay cautious. Still, for long-term investors, these dips could offer good entry points if XRP adoption continues to grow.
XRP Price Holds Steady
Despite the buzz around the $237 million transfer, XRP’s price hasn’t reacted much. As of now, it’s trading at $2.43 – down around 3.95% in the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko.
One user on X pointed out that every buy has a matching sell, and in this case, the transfer didn’t represent a real trade.
So… Just Another Day in Crypto?
While the XRP community buzzed over the massive transfer, Ripple’s CTO has likely put the rumors to rest. The transfer was probably just a typical exchange withdrawal.
Still, the reaction online shows how quickly the crypto crowd jumps to conclusions, especially when high-value transactions are involved.
In a market where speculation moves faster than facts, staying informed is more important than ever.
The post Ripple CTO Dismisses $237M XRP Buy Theory Amid Manipulation Claims appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
A massive $237 million XRP transfer reported by Whale Alert caused a stir in the crypto community, with many speculating that a major whale had just bought a huge amount of XRP. But according to Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz, that’s probably not the case. Instead, Schwartz believes the large transaction was just an exchange withdrawal …
