Crypto news today: Bitcoin holds firm above $93K, fueled by record ETF inflows and bullish forecast

  • Bitcoin holds steady above $93,000, showing resilience after earlier correction.
  • US Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw massive $1.2B+ weekly inflow (“Pac-Man mode”), signaling strong institutional demand.
  • US Federal Reserve joined OCC/FDIC in withdrawing previous restrictive crypto guidance for banks.

Bitcoin continues to demonstrate significant resilience, maintaining levels above the crucial $93,000 mark after weathering a notable correction earlier this year.

This stability is underpinned by a confluence of factors, including surging institutional interest evidenced by record ETF inflows, increasingly bullish long-term price predictions, and a potentially easing regulatory landscape.

A primary driver of the recent strength has been the remarkable influx of capital into US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

These investment vehicles experienced substantial demand this week, attracting nearly $1.3 billion in net inflows, according to data from SoSoValue.

Tuesday alone saw inflows nearing the $1 billion mark, representing the strongest single day since mid-January.

This brings the total assets under management across these spot Bitcoin ETFs to an impressive $103 billion.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) continues to lead the pack, accumulating $2.7 billion year-to-date, including $346 million just last week.

Observing the broad participation across ten of the eleven available funds, Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas described the activity vividly, stating the ETFs had entered “Pac-Man mode.”

This widespread buying across multiple providers, rather than concentration in just one or two, suggests a broadening base of institutional conviction.

The total value traded across all spot Bitcoin ETFs reached $496 million, reflecting significant market activity.

Lofty projections: ARK Invest eyes $2.4 million bitcoin

Fueling longer-term optimism, prominent investment firm ARK Invest recently made headlines by significantly raising its 2030 price targets for Bitcoin.

Citing institutional investment as a primary catalyst, ARK lifted its “bull case” scenario from $1.5 million to a striking $2.4 million per Bitcoin by the decade’s end.

The firm also increased its “base” case to $1.2 million and its “bear” case to $500,000.

ARK research analyst David Puell explained the rationale, estimating Bitcoin could achieve a 6.5% penetration rate within the massive $200 trillion global financial system in their most optimistic scenario.

Furthermore, the firm’s model incorporates Bitcoin’s growing acceptance as “digital gold,” projecting it could capture up to 60% of gold’s approximately $18 trillion market capitalization.

Technical picture: holding support, eyeing breakout

From a technical analysis perspective, maintaining current levels is seen as critical.

Analysts emphasize the importance of Bitcoin holding support above the $93,500 zone to avoid potential downward pressure.

Crypto analyst Rekt Capital suggested BTC needs to consolidate above this level, ideally securing a weekly close above it, to “resynchronize with the former Reaccumulation range.”

Bitcoin has demonstrated its ability to trade above this mark this week, potentially reflecting its appeal as a safe haven amid ongoing geopolitical and trade uncertainties.

Sustaining this support could pave the way for a retest of the $100,000 barrier and potentially new all-time highs, according to expert consensus.

Further technical indicators point towards underlying market strength.

The amount of Bitcoin supply held in profit has reportedly surpassed the 16.7 million BTC “threshold of optimism.”

Historical analysis suggests that when Bitcoin consistently holds above this zone (as seen in 2016, 2020, and 2024), significant price appreciation often follows within months.

Traders like CrediBULL Crypto are looking for “one more leg on the lower timeframes” to confirm the breakout, suggesting momentum could potentially carry prices towards the $150,000 region if sustained.

Regulatory winds shifting? Fed withdraws guidance

Adding a potential tailwind, US banking regulators, including the Federal Reserve, recently took steps to withdraw previous crypto-specific guidance issued to banks in 2022 and 2023.

These earlier notices had often required pre-approvals for banks engaging in crypto activities and highlighted perceived risks.

By joining the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) in rescinding this guidance, the Fed stated the move aims to ensure its “expectations remain aligned with evolving risks and further support innovation in the banking system.”

While not creating new rules, this withdrawal effectively places decisions on crypto engagement more firmly in the hands of bank managers and compliance teams, pending potential future legislation from Congress.

Fed officials noted they “will instead monitor banks’ crypto-asset activities through the normal supervisory process,” potentially signaling a less prescriptive regulatory posture from these key agencies.

The combination of strong institutional inflows, ambitious long-term outlooks, supportive technicals, and a potentially less restrictive regulatory environment paints a compelling picture for Bitcoin as it holds key levels and eyes its next potential move higher.

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SEC postpones decisions on Polkadot and Hedera ETFs, over 70 filings await clarity

  • The agency would extend the deadline to June 11 to rule on Grayscale’s bid to convert its Polkadot Trust and Canary’s proposal to list a Hedera (HBAR) ETF.
  • A separate delay was also announced for the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, now pushed to June 10.
  • The delays come as the SEC, under new Chair Paul Atkins, faces a backlog of more than 70 crypto ETF filings.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has pushed back its decisions on crypto ETF proposals tied to Polkadot and Hedera, amid a broader wave of applications awaiting regulatory clarity.

The agency said Thursday it would extend the deadline to June 11 to rule on Grayscale’s bid to convert its Polkadot Trust and Canary’s proposal to list a Hedera (HBAR) ETF.

It was previously expected to be decided by the end of this week. A separate delay was also announced for the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, now pushed to June 10.

In its filing, the SEC cited the need for “sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change and the issues raised therein.”

Over 70 ETFs await approval

The delays come as the SEC, under new Chair Paul Atkins, faces a backlog of more than 70 crypto ETF filings.

Applications range from major altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Litecoin to meme coin-themed and leveraged products.

Analyst Eric Balchunas called the ETF queue “wild,” noting the inclusion of everything from “Penguins, Doge, and 2x Melania.”

Atkins, a former commissioner with strong ties to Wall Street, was confirmed on April 21 after a contentious Senate vote.

Acting Chair Mark Uyeda had held off on major rulings, with insiders saying a lack of permanent leadership froze progress.

Under Gary Gensler, the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 and spot Ethereum ETFs in July, following a court decision favoring Grayscale.

Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January, the SEC has signaled a more crypto-friendly stance, hosting industry roundtables and dropping several lawsuits against crypto firms.

Another roundtable, focused on crypto custody, is set for Friday.

BTC ETFs show strong demand

Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US have staged a remarkable comeback, pulling in $936.43 million in net inflows on Tuesday, April 22—marking their strongest single-day performance since mid-January, according to SoSoValue data.

That momentum held into the next day, with another $916.91 million in inflows logged on April 23.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) was the clear frontrunner, drawing $643.16 million, followed by Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB, which brought in $129.5 million.

The surge extends a four-day streak of inflows topping $100 million—a pattern last seen in late January, during a previous wave of institutional enthusiasm.

The sharp uptick follows a lull in ETF activity that had raised doubts about the durability of institutional interest.

However, the recent rebound has proven consequential, coinciding with Bitcoin’s surge past the $90,000 level.

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Will XRP price explode ahead of CME Group’s futures launch in May?

  • XRP price currently faces downward pressure at a key level.
  • CME Group’s XRP futures launch on May 19, 2025, joining BTC, ETH, and SOL.
  • What does this mean for the XRP price?

CME Group’s addition of XRP futures to its existing lineup—alongside Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana—underscores rising institutional interest in the digital asset and cements its role in the evolving crypto derivatives market.

However, with XRP currently facing bearish pressure at a key level and neutral market sentiment, will this development ignite a price surge, or will caution prevail?

CME Group’s XRP futures and Ripple price

Ripple’s XRP is one of the top cryptocurrencies in terms of overall gains in the past year.

Multiple catalysts, including the conclusion of the legal tussle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have helped the XRP price.

Now, the announcement of CME Group’s XRP futures launch on May 19, 2025, has sparked excitement.

CME Group’s introduction of cash-settled XRP futures, based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, offers institutional investors a regulated avenue to gain exposure to XRP.

Available in micro (2,500 XRP) and standard (50,000 XRP) contract sizes, these futures cater to diverse trading strategies, potentially boosting liquidity and price stability.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says it’s a major milestone.

Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, highlighted growing institutional and retail adoption of XRP and its underlying ledger (XRPL), suggesting the futures launch responds to rising demand for risk management tools.

Historically, CME’s futures for Bitcoin and Ether have drawn significant institutional interest, often stabilizing prices over time while occasionally sparking short-term volatility.

For XRP, the futures could attract new capital, but the bearish technicals and neutral RSI suggest a breakout may hinge on broader market strength or positive developments in XRP’s ecosystem.

While the launch is a bullish signal, immediate price explosions are uncertain, with sideways consolidation likely unless momentum shifts.

Investors should monitor support levels and market trends closely, maintaining a neutral bias with a slight bearish tilt for now.

XRP price analysis

XRP’s current price action paints a cautious picture.

XRP chart by TradingView

At $2.21, down 1% in the last 24 hours, XRP currently hugs the upper Bollinger Band.

Meanwhile, price has bounced off the midline, indicating resilience under pressure.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 55 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) show a bullish crossover.

However, the lack of robust momentum tempers expectations for an immediate rally.

Short-term sentiment leans bullish, though, with key support levels at $2.00 and $1.85 and major resistance at $2.5 and $3.

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