Crypto News Review & Fortuna AI Insights – Weekly Recap (April 9 to 15, 2025)
Introduction:
The cryptocurrency market entered the week of April 9th, 2025, under a cloud of uncertainty, with investor sentiment leaning towards caution and even fear. This apprehension was largely attributed to the evolving situation surrounding President Trump's tariff policies, casting a shadow over global trade and consequently impacting risk assets such as cryptocurrencies. The prevailing sentiment was reflected in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which registered in the "extreme fear" zone at the beginning of the week, indicating a significant level of anxiety among market participants. This initial fear likely stemmed from concerns about the potential for tariffs to stifle global economic growth, which could in turn reduce demand for and investment in cryptocurrencies.
Prior to this week, the cryptocurrency market had likely experienced a period of correction or consolidation following a wave of optimism sparked by President Trump's election. This post-election bullishness, fueled by expectations of a more favorable regulatory environment, may have led to a degree of market exuberance. However, the subsequent announcements regarding tariffs acted as a catalyst for a notable pullback, suggesting that the earlier positive momentum was susceptible to shifts in macroeconomic sentiment. The market's sensitivity to these developments underscored the interconnectedness of the cryptocurrency space with broader economic and geopolitical events.
Major Cryptocurrency News Headlines (April 9 - April 15, 2025):
- President Trump's tariff announcements and subsequent pause triggered significant market volatility.
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signaled an openness to establishing a regulatory sandbox for cryptocurrency exchanges.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) disbanded its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET).
- Anchorage Digital Bank was reportedly under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security.
- President Trump signed a bill that eliminates a Biden-era IRS rule concerning DeFi platforms.
- The Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as the new Chair of the U.S. SEC.
- World Liberty Financial (WLFI), backed by President Trump, announced an airdrop of its USD1 stablecoin.
- The Official Trump (TRUMP) meme coin is scheduled for its first token unlock on April 18th.
- BNY Mellon expanded its Digital Asset Platform by introducing data insights for the Ethereum network.
- MEXC exchange listed WalletConnect (WCT) and announced an airdrop event for users.
- Kraken partnered with Mastercard to facilitate Bitcoin payments across Europe.
- 21Shares formed an exclusive partnership with the House of Doge to launch a Dogecoin ETP in Europe.
- Phantom wallet faced a lawsuit alleging security flaws that led to a substantial crypto theft.
- Taiko project announced an upgrade deadline for testnet provers.
- BNB Network successfully completed a testnet upgrade (Lorentz hard fork).
- Mantra (OM) token experienced a significant price decline.
- The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market showed signs of a potential revival with an increase in sales volume.
Related: Crypto News Review & Fortuna AI Insights – Weekly Recap (April 4 to 9, 2025)
Market Analysis:
Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Action:
Bitcoin commenced the week around US$78,370 and demonstrated resilience by closing near US$83,000 , ultimately reaching US$84,586 by April 15th. However, this upward trajectory was not without its challenges. On April 9th, Bitcoin's price had dipped to $76,890.90, reflecting the initial negative sentiment fueled by tariff-related news. The market experienced a surge on the same day following reports of a potential tariff pause, with Bitcoin climbing above US$81,000. Nevertheless, this optimism proved short-lived as Bitcoin traded as low as $74,500 on April 9th before the market reacted to the pause. Daily price data further illustrates this volatility, with Bitcoin hitting a low of $74,589.67 on April 9th and a high of $85,310.53 on April 14th. This price action underscores Bitcoin's sensitivity to macroeconomic announcements, particularly those concerning President Trump's trade policies. The initial apprehension surrounding tariffs triggered a price decline, while the subsequent news of a pause prompted a notable rebound, highlighting the asset's tendency to react to shifts in the global economic outlook.
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, also experienced volatility during the week. Opening around US$1,579 , Ethereum saw minor gains, closing at US$1,620. However, similar to Bitcoin, Ethereum faced downward pressure at the beginning of the week, falling to $1,466.01 on April 9th and further dropping to $1,447.98 due to tariff concerns. Notably, Ethereum even touched a two-year low below US$1,500 on April 9th. Throughout the week, its price fluctuated between a low of $1,383 on April 9th and a high of $1,640 on April 15th. This steeper initial decline compared to Bitcoin suggests that Ethereum might have been perceived as a riskier asset or more susceptible to negative news during this period. The recovery for Ethereum was also less pronounced than that of Bitcoin, possibly indicating underlying concerns about its network performance or competition from other blockchain platforms.
Throughout the week, Bitcoin found support in the range of $74,000 to $76,505, with resistance levels around $79,605 to $83,000. Ethereum's support levels were observed between $1,383 and $1,466, while resistance was noted near $1,579 to $1,675. Technical analyses for Bitcoin presented a varied outlook, with some suggesting a potential end to the recent correction and the emergence of bullish signals. However, other indicators painted a more mixed picture, reflecting the market's overall uncertainty. Similarly, technical analyses for Ethereum indicated consolidation with the possibility of upward movement in some cases , while also highlighting its underperformance and the presence of bearish trends. The lack of a clear consensus in these analyses mirrored the broader market sentiment, which was heavily influenced by the rapidly evolving macroeconomic and regulatory news.
Regulatory Developments:
The SEC held its second digital assets roundtable, where it expressed a willingness to consider establishing a regulatory sandbox for cryptocurrency exchanges. This initiative could provide a controlled environment for exchanges to experiment with novel offerings, such as tokenized securities, under regulatory guidance. Such a move could foster innovation within the industry by reducing the immediate risk of enforcement actions for new and untested products, potentially leading to the development of more sophisticated and compliant crypto services.
In a notable policy shift, the DOJ disbanded its NCET. This decision signals a change in enforcement strategy, with the agency intending to focus on pursuing individuals who utilize cryptocurrency services for money laundering rather than targeting the platforms themselves. This approach could potentially alleviate some of the compliance burdens on cryptocurrency exchanges, offering them more clarity on regulatory expectations. However, the long-term impact on the overall enforcement landscape within the crypto space remains to be seen.
Anchorage Digital Bank reportedly came under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security concerning potential money laundering and financial crimes. This investigation underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrency custodians, particularly as institutional adoption continues to grow. Compliance with anti-money laundering regulations remains paramount for these entities, and this investigation could lead to stricter requirements for the sector.
President Trump signed into law a bill that eliminates a Biden-era IRS rule that mandated DeFi platforms to collect and report the same level of taxpayer information as traditional brokers. This legislative action is considered a significant victory for the DeFi industry, as the previous rule was perceived as overly burdensome and potentially detrimental to innovation in decentralized finance. The repeal of this rule could encourage further growth and development within the DeFi ecosystem.
The Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as the new Chair of the SEC. Atkins' stated focus during his tenure will be on establishing a "firm regulatory foundation" for the cryptocurrency market. This commitment to providing regulatory clarity could bring more stability to the market in the long term, potentially attracting greater institutional investment by reducing uncertainty and offering a more predictable regulatory landscape.
Related:
Institutional Adoption:
BNY Mellon took a significant step in bridging traditional finance and the crypto world by launching its Digital Asset Data Insights product on the Ethereum network. BlackRock, a leading asset management firm, became the first client to utilize this service, which allows for the secure and efficient delivery of both on-chain and off-chain data. This initiative enables the broadcasting of select fund accounting data to the Ethereum blockchain, enhancing transparency for investors in tokenized assets. This move by a major financial institution like BNY Mellon, with the participation of BlackRock, signifies the growing acceptance and integration of blockchain technology within mainstream finance.
Data indicates a continued trend of institutional adoption, with publicly traded companies increasing their Bitcoin holdings by 16% in the first quarter of 2025. This accumulation resulted in a total of 688,000 Bitcoin held by 79 companies, valued at approximately $57 billion. This growing corporate investment in Bitcoin suggests a strengthening belief in its potential as a valuable asset and a store of value within the corporate sector.
Furthering the integration of cryptocurrencies into everyday use, Kraken, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, announced a partnership with Mastercard. This collaboration aims to enable Kraken's users in the UK and Europe to spend their Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies at over 150 million merchants worldwide that accept Mastercard. This partnership marks a significant stride towards mainstream adoption by connecting the crypto ecosystem with traditional payment infrastructure, increasing the utility and accessibility of digital assets for a broader audience.
Macroeconomic Factors:
The cryptocurrency market experienced a rollercoaster week primarily driven by President Trump's pronouncements on trade tariffs. The initial announcement of widespread tariffs triggered a downturn in the market, causing the prices of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to decline. However, the market quickly responded to subsequent news of a 90-day pause on these tariffs for several countries, leading to a significant rebound in cryptocurrency prices and a surge in the value of crypto-related stocks. This positive momentum was somewhat tempered later in the week when announcements of forthcoming tariffs on electronics caused another dip in Bitcoin's price. These rapid shifts in market sentiment and price action underscore the cryptocurrency market's heightened sensitivity to global economic events and policy decisions, particularly those involving major economic powers like the United States and China.
Cryptocurrency Project Updates:
Aergo (AERGO) witnessed a remarkable surge of 232.6% in its value. This significant price increase followed the successful passage of a proposal (AIP-21) that outlines the network's expansion into an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-based layer-2 network. This positive market reaction suggests strong investor confidence in Aergo's strategic move towards greater interoperability with the Ethereum ecosystem, which is widely seen as a key driver for adoption and growth in the blockchain space.
Price predictions for Near Protocol (NEAR) during the week presented a mixed outlook. While some technical analyses suggested potential for short-term bullish movements , others indicated a bearish trend for the longer term. Despite a reported tenfold increase in user activity in 2023, the price of NEAR has experienced a decline in 2025. Furthermore, its market capitalization to Total Value Locked (TVL) ratio suggested overvaluation. This discrepancy between user growth and price performance indicates that factors beyond just adoption, such as broader market sentiment or competition from other platforms, are influencing NEAR's valuation.
World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a project backed by President Trump, announced plans for an airdrop of its newly launched stablecoin, USD1, to select supporters. Simultaneously, the Official Trump (TRUMP) meme coin is scheduled to undergo its first token unlock on April 18th, during which the project's team is set to receive 40 million TRUMP coins. These developments highlight the growing intersection between politics and the cryptocurrency market, with politically themed digital assets attracting both attention and scrutiny from investors and policymakers alike.
Taiko (TAIKO) announced a crucial upgrade deadline for all testnet provers, set for April 15th, 2025. This upgrade is deemed essential for maintaining the efficiency and security of the Taiko testnet, which is a critical phase in the development of the network. Successful and timely upgrades like these are vital for building trust and ensuring the long-term viability of blockchain projects.
BNB Network successfully completed its Lorentz hard fork on the testnet. This significant upgrade aims to reduce the block time to 1.5 seconds, thereby substantially increasing the transaction speed and overall network efficiency. Mainnet upgrades incorporating these improvements are scheduled for later in April, indicating BNB Chain's commitment to enhancing its performance and scalability.
MEXC exchange announced the listing of WalletConnect (WCT) on April 15th, 2025, accompanied by an airdrop event offering a total of 273,000 WCT and 50,000 USDT in rewards to users. Exchange listings and airdrops are common strategies employed to boost the visibility and adoption of new cryptocurrency projects by increasing their accessibility and incentivizing early participation.
Market Sentiment:
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index exhibited significant fluctuation throughout the week. Starting in the "extreme fear" territory with values of 18-19 on April 9th , the index gradually climbed towards "fear" and "neutral" categories by the end of the week, reaching 31 on April 14th. This progression indicates a shift in market psychology, moving from initial high anxiety triggered by tariff news towards a more balanced outlook as the week progressed, likely influenced by the subsequent tariff pause and the market's partial recovery. The index edged up to 43 by April 10th , further suggesting a gradual easing of investor fear, and reached neutral levels of 45 and 43 on April 13th and 12th, respectively.
Conflicting signals regarding market sentiment were observed at the beginning of the week. While some sources pointed towards a bullish trend driven by declining selling pressure and increasing buying momentum on April 9th , others described a state of "panic everywhere you look" on the same day. By Tuesday, April 15th, reports indicated that the upward movement of Bitcoin and Ethereum helped to lift the overall market sentiment. This volatility and these contrasting reports highlight the sensitive nature of the cryptocurrency market to the rapid flow of news, particularly concerning macroeconomic policies. The initial fear and uncertainty eventually gave way to a more cautious optimism as the market absorbed the week's events.
Blockchain Technology and Network Upgrades:
BNB Network successfully completed a testnet upgrade, the Lorentz hard fork, which is designed to significantly improve the network's speed and efficiency by reducing block times. Taiko announced an important deadline for provers to upgrade their clients on the testnet. These upgrades demonstrate ongoing efforts within the blockchain community to enhance network performance and scalability.
Interestingly, a report discussed how Ethereum's technical improvements, including faster and cheaper transactions following the Dencun upgrade, have seemingly outpaced investor interest. This suggests that market sentiment and price action are not always directly correlated with underlying technological advancements in the short term.
The emergence of new projects like NexChain.ai, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence with decentralized technology, promises high transaction speeds and enhanced smart contract capabilities. This trend indicates a growing interest in leveraging AI to further improve the functionality and performance of blockchain networks.
Related: How to Invest in Cryptocurrency | Step by Step Guide
Fortuna AI Insights:
While no specific news or reports from "Fortuna AI" were available within the provided snippets, the research material does highlight a growing trend and investor interest in the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Several sources mentioned the increasing integration of AI in various cryptocurrency projects. For instance, NexChain.ai is developing an AI-powered blockchain ecosystem , and Dawgz AI combines AI trading algorithms with meme culture. The listing of "Top 5 AI Crypto Coins of 2025" in recent articles and the identification of "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Blockchain" as a key narrative for the next crypto bull run further underscore this trend. Notably, the AI sector was identified as a leading area of growth in the crypto market for the week. Although not directly related to AI, Bitpanda's partnership with the ATP tour also points towards a broader trend of technological integration within different industries. These observations suggest that the intersection of AI and blockchain is becoming an increasingly significant area of focus and investment within the cryptocurrency market.
Related: Top Most Trusted Cryptocurrencies
Special Focus Areas:
Impact of President Trump's Tariffs:
President Trump's trade policies exerted a significant influence on the cryptocurrency market during the week of April 9th to 15th, 2025. The initial announcement of tariffs on imports from various countries, including Canada, Mexico, and China, triggered a notable downturn in the cryptocurrency market. Investors reacted with concern to the potential for increased global trade tensions and their potential negative impact on risk assets. Consequently, the prices of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced declines. However, the market demonstrated its sensitivity to policy shifts when the Trump administration subsequently announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for countries that agreed to negotiate trade issues. This news sparked a significant rebound in cryptocurrency prices and also led to a surge in the value of stocks associated with the crypto industry. This swift recovery highlighted the market's responsiveness to positive developments regarding trade. Despite this temporary relief, the market's vulnerability to trade policy announcements was further underscored later in the week when news emerged about forthcoming tariffs on electronics, resulting in another sell-off in Bitcoin. The events of this week clearly illustrate the interconnectedness of the cryptocurrency market with global economic policies and the importance for investors to closely monitor macroeconomic developments, particularly those related to international trade.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs):
The Decentralized Finance (DeFi) sector presented a mixed picture during the week. Aergo (AERGO) experienced substantial gains, which were described as "DeFi delight," following the approval of its network upgrade to become an EVM-based layer-2 solution. Additionally, the DeFi sector received a boost with President Trump signing a bill that eliminated a Biden-era IRS rule pertaining to DeFi platforms. However, not all news was positive for DeFi. The Real-World Assets (RWA) sector witnessed significant losses, primarily due to a sharp 90.5% decline in the price of Mantra (OM). This event serves as a reminder of the inherent volatility and risks associated with investments in the DeFi space.
The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market showed potential signs of recovery. Data indicated a 7% surge in NFT sales volume over the past week. Within the NFT space, CryptoPunks faced some trust issues following a tax evasion scandal, yet the collection still saw a notable surge in trading volume. In contrast, community-driven NFT projects like Pudgy Penguins and Doodles continued to demonstrate steady profitability. However, the broader NFT market also faced challenges, with the X2Y2 and Bybit NFT marketplaces announcing their closure due to declining trading volumes. Furthermore, reports indicated a sharp decline in overall NFT market sales volume in March 2025. Looking ahead, projections suggest a significant growth trajectory for the Gaming NFT industry by 2034. These contrasting trends suggest a maturing NFT market with varying performance across different collections and platforms.
Security Breaches and Exploits:
A significant security-related event during the week involved a lawsuit filed against Phantom wallet. The lawsuit alleges that security flaws within the wallet software led to a cryptocurrency theft amounting to $500,000, which also contributed to the collapse of the Wiener Doge token. This incident underscores the persistent security risks within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, particularly concerning digital wallets. It highlights the critical importance of robust security measures and the need for users to exercise caution when selecting and utilizing cryptocurrency storage solutions. The allegations against Phantom, including the storage of decrypted private keys in browser memory, raise concerns about the security protocols of even popular wallet providers.
Key Takeaways and Future Outlook:
The cryptocurrency market during the week of April 9th to 15th, 2025, was predominantly characterized by its reaction to macroeconomic developments, particularly President Trump's tariff policies, which induced significant volatility. Regulatory news presented a mixed landscape, offering some encouraging signs for innovation in the form of a potential regulatory sandbox and the repeal of a DeFi-related IRS rule, while also highlighting ongoing regulatory scrutiny through the investigation of Anchorage Digital Bank and the confirmation of a new SEC Chair. Institutional adoption continued its steady progress, evidenced by BNY Mellon's entry into tokenized assets and the increasing Bitcoin holdings of public companies. The AI sector within the crypto market demonstrated notable growth and strong investor interest. The DeFi and NFT markets exhibited a degree of volatility and mixed performance, indicating the dynamic nature of these emerging sectors. Finally, the lawsuit against Phantom wallet served as a stark reminder of the ever-present security risks within the cryptocurrency space.
Looking ahead to the week of April 16th, several factors warrant close attention. Further developments in the trade relationship between the US and China and any additional tariff-related announcements are likely to continue influencing market sentiment. The scheduled token unlock for the Official Trump (TRUMP) meme coin on April 18th could introduce price volatility for that specific asset. The mainnet upgrades for BNB Chain, slated for April 21st and 29th , could impact the price of BNB depending on the market's perception of their success and benefits. The cryptocurrency community will also be closely watching the SEC's ongoing discussions regarding a regulatory sandbox and any policy signals emerging from the tenure of the new chair, Paul Atkins. The performance of major cryptocurrencies around their identified support and resistance levels will be crucial in determining short-term market trends. Any further news or updates regarding the lawsuit against Phantom wallet could affect market confidence in cryptocurrency wallet security. Lastly, monitoring the Crypto Fear & Greed Index and social media sentiment will provide valuable insights into the evolving investor psychology.
Conclusion:
The cryptocurrency market during the week of April 9th to 15th, 2025, navigated a landscape heavily influenced by macroeconomic uncertainty, particularly surrounding President Trump's trade policies. While regulatory developments offered glimpses of potential progress and institutional adoption continued its trajectory, the market remained susceptible to external economic factors and the persistent threat of security breaches. The burgeoning interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology presents a promising avenue for future growth within the digital asset space. However, investors are advised to maintain a cautious and well-informed approach as the cryptocurrency market continues its evolution, shaped by a complex interplay of technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and global economic dynamics.
Key Tables for the Report:
Cryptocurrency Price Performance (April 9 - April 15, 2025)
| Cryptocurrency | Opening Price (April 9, 2025) | Closing Price (April 15, 2025) | High Price (During the week) | Low Price (During the week) | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $78,370 | $84,586 | $85,310.53 | $74,500 | +7.93% |
| Ethereum | $1,579 | $1,620 | $1,690 | $1,383 | +2.60% |
Crypto Fear & Greed Index Values (April 9 - April 14, 2025)
| Date | Fear & Greed Index Value | Sentiment Category |
|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2025 | 18 | Extreme Fear |
| April 10, 2025 | 39 | Fear |
| April 11, 2025 | 25 | Fear |
| April 12, 2025 | 43 | Neutral |
| April 13, 2025 | 45 | Neutral |
| April 14, 2025 | 31 | Fear |
📚 Sources and Further Reading
To ensure a comprehensive and well-researched crypto news analysis, this article draws insights from multiple trusted industry outlets. These sources provide valuable data on market trends, technical updates, sentiment indicators, and macroeconomic influences impacting crypto markets in March 2025.
Here are some of the key sources used in this article:
Building Brands Marketing – Blockchain Technology Trends 2025
Simplilearn – Top Blockchain Trends
Economic Times – Macroeconomic Factors and Crypto in 2025
Flitpay – Fear & Greed Index in Bitcoin
CoinCentral – Key Sectors to Watch for the Next Bull Run
These references provide additional context and deeper insights into the evolving crypto landscape.
