It’s been another action-packed week in Crypto, with major headlines shaking up markets and signaling big moves ahead. From Trump’s tariffs spooking investors to Ethereum’s ETF struggles and a massive comeback from Bybit, the industry is experiencing significant momentum.
We also saw new ETF launches, IPO plans, and growing institutional interest in real-world asset tokens like MANTRA. Whether tracking market dips, policy changes, or technological growth, here’s a quick and easy breakdown of the top stories you don’t want to miss.
Trump’s Tariffs Trigger Crypto Crash, But Rebound May Follow
Crypto markets slipped into a technical bear phase, with Bitcoin falling by approximately 25% and altcoins like XRP and HBAR down over 25%. The crash is largely driven by fears over Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on imports, sparking recession worries. A U.S. downturn could lead to Fed rate cuts and quantitative easing—conditions that have historically increased Crypto. While short-term pain is expected, many analysts believe a strong rebound could follow as markets stabilize.
Ethereum Faces Pressure as ETF Outlook Worsens
Ethereum has dropped to $1,800 amid mounting pessimism over ETH ETF prospects. In March, ETH ETFs saw a record $403M in outflows, while Bitcoin ETFs gained traction. Many investors prefer holding ETH directly for staking rewards. With sentiment weakening, technicals suggest possible dips to $1,207. However, a break above $2,110 could signal a recovery. For now, Ethereum is underperforming while ETF interest remains lukewarm.
Bybit Bounces Back with $3.61B Inflows After Historic Hack
After losing $1.5B in a February hack tied to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, Bybit rebounded with $3.61B in March inflows—beating Binance’s $3.545B. The comeback is credited to new features like Retail Price Improvement, high-leverage options, and user tournaments. This increase in trust and activity signals resilience, positioning Bybit as a serious competitor in the CEX space despite Binance’s lead in volume.
Grayscale Pushes for Crypto ETF Approval with Digital Large Cap Fund
Grayscale has filed an S-3 form with the SEC to convert its Digital Large Cap Fund—holding BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and ADA—into a public ETF. This move would expand access from accredited investors to retail participants, offering diversified Crypto exposure in a regulated wrapper. If approved, it could increase adoption and add pressure for further ETF approvals across Crypto.
MANTRA ($OM) Eyes $12.85 as Institutional Momentum Builds
MANTRA is gaining steam as an RWA token, now trading at $6.38 with a potential target of $12.85. Institutional growth, Elliptic integration, and bullish technicals are fueling optimism. However, some analysts warn of a short-term dip ahead of a token unlock on April 18. A key SEC roundtable on RWAs in May could further shape its outlook and regulatory positioning.
Circle Prepares for April IPO with Backing from JPMorgan and Citi
The USDC issuer Circle will go public in April, with JPMorgan and Citi as lead underwriters. After a failed $9B SPAC attempt in 2022, the firm is targeting a $4–$5B IPO. Circle is expanding into Latin America and challenging Tether’s dominance. Its listing could legitimize stablecoins further and attract more institutional investment into crypto-based finance.
Base Surges to 6.9M Daily Transactions as Ethereum Struggles
While Ethereum struggles, its L2 network Base is booming—processing 6.9M daily transactions. With ultra-low fees ($0.0014 per transaction), scalable infrastructure, and apps like Friend.tech, Base handles 55% of L2 value transfers. Backed by Coinbase, Base aims for 25M users and $100B assets by year-end. It’s positioning itself as a key player in Ethereum’s scaling story.
Hut 8 and Trump Brothers Launch ‘American Bitcoin’ Mining Giant
Hut 8 and Eric/Donald Trump Jr. have launched American Bitcoin Corp., rebranding the former American Data Centers. The Hut 8 company owns 80% of the company, which aims to be the world’s most efficient Bitcoin miner. It will hold BTC on its balance sheet and plans to go public. Hut 8 will support infrastructure and operations, making this a politically charged mining powerhouse.
Will Ripple Reach $5? XRP Holds Key Support Amid Volatility
XRP price dipped to $2.06 but is holding key support at $1.90, remaining above its 25-week moving average. A break above $3.40 could open the door to $5, but a head-and-shoulders pattern suggests risks of falling to $1. Much depends on Ripple’s ETF prospects, growing bank partnerships, and macro factors like Trump’s trade policies.
U.S. States Race to Build Strategic Bitcoin Reserves
Following Trump’s executive order to create a national “digital Fort Knox” with 200,000 BTC, states like Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma are racing to adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset. Arizona is leading with legislation allowing up to 10% of public funds in BTC. While critics warn of volatility, advocates see long-term benefits and geopolitical potential.
Bitwise Launches Crypto-Linked Option Income ETFs
Bitwise has introduced three actively managed ETFs—IMST, ICOI, and IMRA—designed to generate monthly income using covered call strategies on MicroStrategy, Coinbase, and Marathon Digital stocks. These funds aim to profit from the high volatility of crypto-related stocks by selling options to collect premiums. While investors benefit from regular income and real-time strategy adjustments, their upside potential is limited. The ETFs target volatility in the digital asset space and carry a 0.98% expense ratio, with fee waivers on two funds through March 2027.
