Crypto Market Update: Altcoin Decline, Rising XRP and Minority of Gainers

Today’s crypto news highlights significant market movements, including Coinbase’s warning on a potential crypto winter due to a 41% drop in altcoin market cap and major shifts in investor sentiment. Meanwhile, notable gains in currencies like Raydium and XRP signal rising interest, alongside developments in Ethereum ETFs and memecoin trends. Global economic influences, including inflation drops in Canada and ongoing trade tensions, add further complexity to the crypto landscape.

Coinbase Warns of Crypto Winter Amid Altcoin Market Cap Plunge
A recent report from Coinbase Research highlights a dramatic 41% decrease in the altcoin market cap, dropping from $1.6 trillion in December 2024 to approximately $950 billion in mid-April 2025. This decline may signify the approach of another “crypto winter”. Venture capital funding has also shrunk by 50–60%, prompting investors to adopt a more cautious attitude, as confirmed by the bearish COIN50 Index. Coinbase anticipates potential market stabilization in late Q2 2025 but advises a defensive strategy in the face of ongoing structural pressures.

Canada’s Inflation Declines with Lower Travel Costs
In March 2025, Canada’s inflation rate fell to 2.3%, down from 2.6% the previous month, significantly influenced by reduced fuel prices and cheaper travel to the U.S. Statistics Canada reports a 12% drop in airfares and a 4.7% reduction in travel tour costs. This economic shift coincides with heightened political tensions due to controversial remarks by President Trump regarding Canada, which may potentially boost the Liberal Party’s appeal amid ongoing economic discussions.

Significant Gainers in Crypto Markets
Today, the cryptocurrency market experienced notable increases, particularly with Raydium (RAY) rising by 15.20% to $2.36, supported by a substantial trading volume surge of 49.93%. Fartcoin also saw a 10.09% increase, reaching $0.9149, driven by a renewed interest in meme coins. Hyperliquid (HYPR) gained 12.61%, closing at $16.54, indicating robust momentum across DeFi, DEX, and meme coin sectors.

Janover Partners with BitGo for Solana Accumulation
Janover Inc. is collaborating with BitGo to enhance its strategy for accumulating Solana (SOL). The partnership allows Janover to purchase discounted locked SOL tokens through BitGo’s OTC desk, facilitating long-term holdings while utilizing staking for increased yields. This collaboration not only underscores Janover’s commitment to the Solana ecosystem but also takes advantage of BitGo’s extensive custody network and visibility.

XRP Insights: Trading Close to Key Breakout Level
XRP is currently priced at $2.08, reflecting a modest rise of 1.94% within the last 24 hours, with a peak of $2.12 noted. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates neutral momentum at 47.69, while the price remains slightly above the 9-day SMA of $2.0785, hinting at a potential short-term breakout. Sustaining above $2.10 could lead to testing higher resistance, though a fall below $2.04 may prompt selling activity.

Bullish Sentiment for Bitcoin Surges Globally
Traders on Polymarket are exhibiting a 90% confidence that Bitcoin will reach $82,000 by April 18. This optimism stems from a shift in sociopolitical sentiment favouring Bitcoin, alongside a price hovering around $84,700. A successful reclaim of the $85,000 mark could trigger up to $254 million in short liquidations, although the Crypto Fear & Greed Index indicates persistent fear at 30 out of 100.

Launch of Raydium’s LaunchLab in Response to Memecoin Trend
Raydium has introduced “LaunchLab,” a platform designed for the creation of memecoins aimed at competing with Pump.fun. The initiative offers free token launches alongside unique features such as customizable bonding curves. Tokens that successfully raise 85 SOL can graduate to Raydium’s AMM, which operates with a 10% fee for creators. Consequently, Raydium experienced a price increase of 14%, underlining the growing interest in the memecoin sector.

DWF Labs Expands Presence in the U.S.
Dubai-based DWF Labs has entered the U.S. market with the inauguration of a New York City office and a $25 million acquisition of World Liberty Financial (WLFI) governance tokens. This strategic move is aimed at fostering institutional partnerships and enhancing regulatory engagement, while offering liquidity for the USD1 stablecoin. DWF Labs emphasises the importance of the U.S. as a central hub for digital asset innovation and seeks to collaborate with WLFI on future financial systems.

Glider Secures Funding for AI-Driven DeFi Trading Platform
Glider, a self-custodial DeFi trading platform, has successfully raised $4 million in funding led by Andreessen Horowitz, with additional support from Coinbase Ventures and GSR. The platform aims to simplify crypto trading by integrating AI for automatic fund management, ensuring full asset custody remains in the hands of users. Slated for launch in the coming months, Glider aligns with increasing investor interest in AI and secure self-custodial solutions.

Continued Outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
As observed on April 16, US spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced a net outflow of $170 million, with Fidelity’s FBTC contributing the majority at $114 million. Ethereum ETFs also noted $12 million in outflows, marking the seventh day of declining trends. This stabilising trend highlights a prevailing caution among investors in the crypto ETF market as both Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to face selling pressure.

ChinaAMC to Launch Ethereum Staking ETF
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong has approved Ethereum staking services, enabling ChinaAMC to introduce a staking-enabled Ether ETF by May 15. This represents a significant advancement in Hong Kong’s ambition to become Asia’s digital asset hub, allowing investors to benefit from staking rewards while ensuring compliance and security standards.

Solana’s Momentum and Liquidity Dynamics
Solana has attracted over $120 million in liquidity recently from various blockchains, particularly Ethereum and Arbitrum, amid vibrant network activity and memecoin rallies. Despite signs of bearish divergence in technical indicators, which suggest potential corrections, $130 serves as critical support, while a close above $147 is necessary for a bullish trend signal. Market participants are navigating cautiously as Solana consolidates and targets resistance levels.

Silver Price Faces Selling Pressure
The Gold-Silver ratio has recently exceeded 100:1, indicating a notable divergence in the performance of these precious metals. While gold appreciates, silver has declined below the $32.60 support level and currently trades at $32.47. Analysts suggest holding caution against speculating a price reversal, advocating for risk-managed long positions in silver through algorithmic trading strategies.

Escalating Trade Tensions with China Over Tariffs
The trade environment has intensifying as China rebuffs the U.S.’s tariff “numbers game,” following the announcement of tariffs as high as 245% on Chinese imports. In retaliation, China has increased tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% and filed a WTO complaint, arguing that the U.S. actions threaten the stability of global trade norms.

XRP Sees a Surge Amid Legal Proceedings
Ripple’s ongoing legal struggle with the SEC is approaching a crucial resolution phase. Ripple is requesting an “indicative ruling” from Judge Torres to reinstate private XRP sales, pivotal for any future IPO. While the potential for a settlement exists, delays may extend the outcome until 2027. Currently, XRP’s price surged 20%, reaching $2, with analysts now speculating a rise to $10 if market conditions and legal clarity align favorably.