Key Takeaways

• – Markets Are Wobbling, Not Collapsing: Despite a $10 trillion equity wipeout and ongoing trade tensions, both traditional and crypto markets are showing signs of cautious recovery—though volatility remains high.
• – Crypto Bounces Back (For Now): Bitcoin and Ethereum rebounded after near-breakdowns, but underlying fear persists. Institutional sentiment is shifting, with new products like the XRP leveraged ETF signaling renewed confidence.
• – Web3 Eyes the Long Game: BlackRock’s Larry Fink championed tokenization as finance’s next frontier, while ETHGlobal Taipei spotlighted builders solving real-world challenges. The future is still under construction.
• – Liquidity & Trust Take Center Stage: As DeFi grapples with stagnant TVL and fragmented incentives, thought leaders are calling for smarter liquidity models and social trust to scale the next phase of Web3.

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Markets don’t sleep—and this week, they tossed and turned. A global stock rout shaved trillions off valuations, crypto made a shaky comeback, and trade tensions returned to the spotlight. Yet amid the chaos, there were flashes of brilliance: new crypto ETFs, bold investor letters, and deep reflections on liquidity and trust. From Larry Fink’s call for tokenized markets to ETHGlobal Taipei’s builder energy, the Web3 space kept pushing forward. Whether you’re a trader, a builder, or just trying to stay ahead, this week’s recap distills the most essential insights to help you navigate the noise—and spot what really matters.

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Table of Contents

Macro Overview

Crypto Price Overview

Top Macro News

Top Crypto News

Must-Read Web3 Analyses

Crypto Twitter Buzz

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Macro Overview

After a brutal $10 trillion wipeout last week, global markets finally caught their breath — though nerves remain raw. Tuesday brought a cautious rebound as dip buyers stepped in and investors looked for clarity on Trump’s escalating trade war. In Asia, Japan’s Topix index soared over 6% after Trump tapped two Cabinet members to begin bilateral trade talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, signaling Tokyo may get first dibs in tariff negotiations. Chinese stocks also climbed as state-linked funds stepped in to stabilize markets, and the central bank promised more liquidity support.

Over in Europe, the Stoxx 600 rose 1.1% after suffering its worst three-day loss in five years, while U.S. equity futures pointed to a stronger open. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively. Treasuries rebounded, though volatility in bond markets remains high, especially with this week’s auctions of 3-, 10-, and 30-year notes looming.

S&P 500 Futures Image Credit: TradingView

Investors are now pricing in three Fed rate cuts in 2025, with the first expected in June. But uncertainty is thick in the air. Trump is threatening an additional 50% tariff on China, rejected the EU’s zero-tariff offer, and continues to send mixed signals on potential relief.

Meanwhile, oil and gold prices ticked higher, and the dollar softened — classic signs of cautious risk-on sentiment. Encouragingly, companies like BYD and Samsung posted upbeat outlooks, helping lift tech optimism in the region.

Bottom line? It’s a much-needed pause, but we’re still in choppy waters. With geopolitical posturing, policy ambiguity, and central bank maneuvering all in play, markets may be green today — but confidence is still on shaky ground.

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Crypto Price Overview

After a shaky start to the week, the crypto market is showing signs of life again — but don’t expect smooth sailing just yet.

Bitcoin (BTC): Back from the Brink?

Bitcoin price has clawed its way back near the $80,000 mark after dipping dangerously close to $75,000. As of today, BTC price is trading around $79,524, marking a 6% daily gain. It bounced between $74,853 and $80,936, giving traders plenty of heartburn. Still, analysts warn that if Bitcoin slips below its support level of $73,745, it could slide all the way down to the $55K–$57K zone. For now, it’s a cautious thumbs-up, but nobody’s betting the house just yet.

BTC/USDT Image Credit: TradingView

Ethereum (ETH): Rebound with a Side of Uncertainty

Ethereum price also managed a comeback, rising over 8% in the past 24 hours to hover around $1,571. Just days ago, ETH price touched a two-year low of $1,410, raising alarm bells across the DeFi and NFT space. Today’s bounce — with a high of $1,608 — brings some relief, but the token still feels heavy under broader macroeconomic pressures and growing whale sell-offs.

ETH/USDT Image Credit: TradingView

Other Movers to Watch:

• – BNB is up nearly 5%, trading at $557, as Binance’s network activity picks up.
• – XRP surged over 10% to hit $1.86, riding the wave of renewed optimism in the Ripple vs SEC saga.
• – Cardano (ADA) climbed 11.7% to $0.58, helped by strong staking activity.
• – Solana (SOL) bounced 11%, landing at $108, with developers continuing to build despite recent network hiccups.

The overall crypto market cap rose to $2.54 trillion, up 4.3%, but the Fear & Greed Index remains deep in “Extreme Fear” territory. So while prices are rising, sentiment still says: proceed with caution.

Image Credit: CoinStats

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Top Macro News

Wall Street Loses $5 Trillion in Two Days

The US stock market is in freefall, with over $5 trillion erased in just 48 hours. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both tumbled, pushing tech-heavy indices into bear market territory. The sharp selloff was triggered by President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on dozens of countries, which sent investors scrambling. Despite the financial carnage, Trump remains firm, calling the drop a necessary move to “rebalance global trade.”

China Fires Back with Market Support

Beijing isn’t backing down. In response to Trump’s latest threats, China vowed to “fight to the end” and quickly launched market stabilization measures. State-backed funds stepped in to buy stocks, the central bank injected liquidity, and the yuan was allowed to weaken past 7.20 per dollar — the lowest level since 2023. Analysts now expect China to embrace a more flexible exchange rate strategy to keep exports competitive.

Tesla Takes a Hit from Trade War and Musk

Tesla stock sank 15% in two days as the company got caught in the crosshairs of the US-China trade conflict. Wedbush slashed its price target by 43%, citing Elon Musk’s ongoing PR troubles and rising anti-American sentiment in China — a key market for the EV giant.

The global mood? Still tense.

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Top Crypto News

Teucrium Launches First-Ever Leveraged XRP ETF

ETF provider Teucrium has made headlines with the launch of the first leveraged XRP exchange-traded fund: the Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF, now trading on NYSE Arca. This product offers investors double the daily returns of XRP without requiring direct exposure to the token itself. It’s designed for short-term, high-conviction traders seeking amplified gains—but also comes with significantly higher risk. With XRP back in the spotlight thanks to regulatory clarity and growing DeFi integration, this ETF arrives at a time of renewed institutional interest.

Galaxy Digital Moves Closer to Nasdaq Listing

Crypto investment firm Galaxy Digital is gearing up to go public on Nasdaq under the ticker GLXY, following SEC approval of its restructuring plan. A shareholder vote is scheduled for May 9, which, if passed, will finalize the move. The company plans to maintain its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange during a transitional period. The dual listing could boost visibility and liquidity as Galaxy continues to expand its footprint in digital asset management.

Tether Considers New Stablecoin Just for the U.S.

Tether is reportedly developing a new U.S.-domiciled stablecoin, tailored specifically for the American market. CEO Paolo Ardoino shared that the move would align with ongoing regulatory discussions, reflecting Tether’s strategic push to stay compliant and competitive in a tightening U.S. policy environment.

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Must-Read Web3 Articles

Larry Fink: Tokenization, Bitcoin & the Future of Finance

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink’s latest investor letter isn’t just finance talk—it’s a wake-up call. He boldly suggests Bitcoin could challenge the U.S. dollar’s reserve status if debt keeps spiraling. He praises DeFi for making markets faster and more transparent, and calls tokenization the key to democratizing finance—imagine owning a fraction of a skyscraper or private equity fund. With major moves into infrastructure and private credit, BlackRock is betting big on this new financial era.

Dive-in: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4772236-larry-finks-2025-annual-chairmans-letter-to-investors

Circle’s IPO Attempt Sparks Debate

Circle is gearing up for another shot at going public, but investors are raising eyebrows. Its valuation has dropped nearly in half, and most of its revenue comes from U.S. Treasuries—tricky with interest rates set to fall. Add in massive profit-sharing with Coinbase, and Circle’s margins look tight. Still, with new global partnerships and growing stablecoin adoption, it’s a pivotal moment that could make or break its future.

Dive-in: https://www.panewslab.com/zh/articledetails/w533b2xp.html

(The original deep-dive article is presented in Chinese. Be sure to keep an auto-translator ready.)

Stablecoin Yields: Smarter Ways to Earn

If your stablecoins are just sitting idle, you’re missing out. A deep-dive guide explores everything from simple lending to advanced strategies like funding-rate arbitrage. Projects like Ethena, Ondo, and Pendle show that yield farming is evolving—offering better returns without wild risk.

Dive-in: https://mirror.xyz/zhaotaobo.eth/G_kbXo-qsNfYOcKiKscXc8f0XNP6Op2GDo7xJ1Cy-lg

(The original deep-dive article is presented in Chinese. Be sure to keep an auto-translator ready.)

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Crypto Twitter Buzz

This week on Crypto Twitter, the vibes were equal parts sharp, experimental, and thought-provoking. Here’s a breakdown of what got the community buzzing:

🚀 ETHGlobal Taipei Highlights

ETHGlobal Taipei showcased 226 projects, narrowing them down to the top 8 finalists. Builders from all over the world shared groundbreaking ideas—from novel DeFi tools to creative L2 infrastructure. The event reaffirmed that Asia is becoming a serious Web3 innovation hub.

Jump-to-Tweet: https://x.com/ETHGlobal/status/1908803397278654744

📉 Bitcoin ≠ S&P500

@tmel0211 fired off a timely reminder: Bitcoin wasn’t created to move like the S&P500. While institutions love drawing comparisons, BTC was designed to be different—uncorrelated, disruptive, and outside the norm.

Jump-to-Tweet: https://x.com/tmel0211/status/1908346012814762259

(The original tweet is presented in Chinese. Be sure to keep an auto-translator ready.)

🛠️ Weekend Building Energy

@dwr’s tweet dropped 50 mini app ideas, sparking a wave of dev motivation. The message? Stop waiting for the perfect pitch—just build something cool. Execution > excuses.

Jump-to-Tweet: https://x.com/dwr/status/1908307344456581274

💧 DeFi’s Liquidity Dilemma

@paramonoww raised concerns about DeFi’s current state—TVLs are flat, and liquidity incentives aren’t cutting it. It’s time to rethink how we bootstrap real, sticky liquidity.

Jump-to-Tweet: https://x.com/paramonoww/status/1907163920877678881

🧠 Scaling Trust > Scaling Tech

@NTmoney shared a gem on social scalability, emphasizing that blockchain’s real power isn’t speed—it’s trust and inclusiveness at scale. Something to keep in mind as protocols mature.

Jump-to-Tweet: https://x.com/NTmoney/status/1907506604842561862

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Conclusion & Outlook

While the markets may have found a momentary floor, uncertainty remains the name of the game. The macro landscape is still weighed down by geopolitical tensions, looming recession fears, and central bank watchfulness. In crypto, even as prices rebound, sentiment stays cautious—underscored by that stubborn “Extreme Fear” reading on the Fear & Greed Index.

Yet it’s also a time of building and big-picture thinking. From Galaxy Digital’s Nasdaq push to Tether’s stablecoin strategy shift, institutional moves are picking up. Larry Fink’s vision of tokenization democratizing access to capital feels less like hype and more like a roadmap.

Looking ahead, keep your eyes on bond auctions, Fed signals, and BTC’s next battle at the $80K line. On-chain, the liquidity conversation is heating up, and we’re likely to see new models emerge for sustainable DeFi incentives.

Bottom line? Volatility may rule the short term, but innovation is what drives the long run. Stay nimble, stay curious.

Disclaimer: Everything in this article reflects the personal views of the author and does not represent the opinions of XT.COM. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research.

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Quick Links:

• – April Economic Calendar for Crypto Traders
• – Trade War & the Emergence of a Crypto Strategic Reserve: What to Expect
• – Top 9 Crypto Narratives Shaping 2025: AI, DeFi, Tokenization, and More
• – Beyond the Candlesticks: How On-Chain & Macro Factors Drive Bitcoin’s Growth
• – Ethereum Pectra Upgrade Breakdown: Account Abstraction, Staking, and More
• – Monad Blockchain Explained: A Faster, Scalable Alternative to Ethereum

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