Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at $109,563, down 0.03% on the day and over 5% in the past week.
Ethereum (ETH) trades at $4,016, losing 2% in the past 24 hours and more than 10% on the week, reflecting broader weakness in smart-contract platforms. Solana (SOL) is among the hardest hit, dropping 3.2% daily and over 15% weekly to $202. Cardano (ADA) also fell to $0.78, shedding nearly 13% over seven days, while Dogecoin (DOGE) trades at $0.23, down almost 13% weekly. By contrast, BNB (BNB) showed some stability at $971, up 2.3% daily despite minor weekly losses. Overall crypto market capitalization sits near $3.78 trillion, with sentiment leaning toward fear as traders adjust to ongoing volatility.
Macro factors and policy speculation weigh on sentiment
Markets remain cautious as investors eye the Federal Reserve’s next moves, with speculation that the next Fed chair appointment could serve as a pivotal catalyst for Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. Analysts highlight that monetary policy leadership will be critical in shaping liquidity flows and investor risk appetite.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s recent underperformance compared to altcoins in Q3 has been notable, fueling discussions about an ongoing “altseason” dynamic. Despite BTC’s dominance, traders have rotated capital into select altcoins, reflecting a more opportunistic sentiment. Liquidity pressures and cautious macro positioning, however, continue to cap upside momentum across the board.
Regulatory debates and market structure define the narrative
Beyond price action, regulatory conversations continue to frame crypto’s outlook. Lawmakers and industry leaders are increasingly focused on market structure, tax issues, and the influence of foreign crypto deals, with roundtables and committee hearings underscoring the urgency of clear policy. Analysts argue that a more defined regulatory framework could unlock greater institutional participation while reducing the shocks of unexpected enforcement actions.
At the same time, the divergence between Bitcoin and altcoin performance highlights how different sectors of the crypto market react to both policy and macroeconomic expectations. Together, these themes suggest that while volatility remains high, the industry is steadily maturing under the combined weight of global adoption and regulatory scrutiny.
Recently we wrote that Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz suggested that Bitcoin could surge to new highs if the next U.S. Federal Reserve chair takes an aggressively dovish stance.
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