1. Bitcoin Surges Above $87,000
Bitcoin bounced back strongly, briefly crossing $87K on April 16. Analysts suggest renewed institutional interest and ETF flows are behind the move. Traders now eye the $92K resistance level. The halving event is also less than a week away, adding bullish pressure.
2. Ethereum Gas Fees Drop to Historic Lows
Average gas fees on the Ethereum network hit the lowest point since 2020. This is attributed to reduced on-chain activity and upgrades like EIP-4844, boosting optimism for Layer 2 adoption and DeFi engagement.
3. Kraken Launches Commission-Free Stock Trading
Crypto exchange Kraken has rolled out stock and ETF trading for U.S. users via its new app "Kraken Securities." It’s a major step in blending traditional and decentralized finance, challenging platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase.
4. TRUMP Meme Coin Unlock Sparks Debate
Over $320M in TRUMP meme tokens were unlocked this week. While the coin gained traction among right-wing influencers, critics warn the unlock may lead to a sell-off. Trump’s indirect link to the coin has added political heat.
5. Bitcoin ETF Inflows Hit 2025 Low
Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw their lowest net inflows of the year, raising questions about institutional sentiment. Grayscale's GBTC continues to bleed assets, while BlackRock’s IBIT maintains modest inflows.
6. Bhutan Ramps Up Green Crypto Mining
Bhutan’s government confirmed the use of its vast hydropower reserves for sustainable crypto mining. The tiny nation aims to balance innovation and eco-conscious practices, with support from international firms like Bitdeer.
7. Vitalik Buterin on Crypto’s Role in War Zones
In a recent talk, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin praised the role of crypto in war-torn Ukraine, citing transparent aid distribution and individual sovereignty as game-changers for crisis zones.
L8. Argentina’s $LIBRA Meme Coin Faces Scandal
The meme coin named after Argentina's national symbol ($LIBRA), backed by social media influencers and speculated links to President Javier Milei’s supporters, crashed after an initial pump. Many retail investors lost heavily, fueling calls for stricter regulation.
9. Standard Chartered Predicts BTC at $200K
The British banking giant projected Bitcoin could hit $150K–$200K by late 2025. Their forecast also includes Ethereum potentially reaching $8K–$10K, driven by ETF expansion and broader institutional entry.
10. Arthur Hayes: Peak is Near, Crash Inevitable
The BitMEX co-founder issued a blog post warning the market may see a sharp peak soon, likely post-halving, followed by a steep correction. He attributes it to macroeconomic tightening and excess leverage in altcoins.