Bitcoin gains 12%, mirrors gold as trade war, recession fears mount

  • Bitcoin gained 12% in two weeks to April 22, showing resilience amid US-China tariffs.
  • Observers note Bitcoin decoupling from stocks, behaving more like gold (safe haven).
  • US plans for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve potentially bolster its asset status (Nansen CEO).

Bitcoin has demonstrated notable strength in recent weeks, seemingly shrugging off the escalating trade tensions between the US and China that have unsettled broader financial markets.

This resilience, marked by a significant price increase, is fueling observations that the cryptocurrency is increasingly behaving like a traditional safe-haven asset, akin to gold, rather than mirroring the volatility often seen in tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq.

Divergence amid trade turmoil

In the two weeks leading up to April 22, Bitcoin registered a solid 12% price gain.

This upward movement occurred even as the trade dispute intensified, with the US imposing tariffs reported up to 125% on China, prompting reciprocal measures from Beijing.

Unlike many other assets sensitive to global trade disruptions, Bitcoin appeared relatively insulated, strengthening the argument for its potential role as a store of value during geopolitical uncertainty.

Alex Svanevik, CEO of crypto intelligence firm Nansen, highlighted this trend, noting Bitcoin’s apparent “decoupling” from traditional stock markets.

“Unlike altcoins and major indexes like the S&P 500, Bitcoin has remained relatively stable despite the global trade tensions,” Svanevik observed, according to the analysis.

However, he cautioned that while resilient to specific trade issues, Bitcoin remains susceptible to broader macroeconomic headwinds, particularly the growing fears of a potential economic recession.

Bolstering the safe-haven narrative: US reserve plans

Adding another layer to Bitcoin’s evolving status is the concept of a potential US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Plans outlined in a presidential executive order suggest the government intends to hold Bitcoin, initially comprising assets seized in criminal investigations.

More significantly, the order details potential future strategies for acquiring more Bitcoin, possibly funded through tariff revenues or by re-evaluating the Treasury’s gold certificates to generate surplus funds, potentially avoiding the need to sell existing gold reserves.

Svanevik believes such “regulatory developments will play a significant role in Bitcoin’s growth as a global asset,” potentially enhancing its legitimacy and appeal.

Recession shadow looms despite crypto gains

While Bitcoin charts its course, the macroeconomic outlook remains clouded. Concerns about a potential US recession are intensifying, acting as a significant counterweight to bullish sentiment in risk assets.

A recent report from JPMorgan notably increased its estimated probability of a US recession occurring in 2025 from 40% to 60%.

The report underscored that existing tariffs, particularly citing the high 145% tariff on China in this context, continue to pose a “significant threat to global growth.”

Against this backdrop, the Federal Reserve is anticipated to begin easing monetary policy, likely starting in September 2025 with further rate cuts expected through January 2026.

While monetary easing could stimulate the economy, it might also influence demand dynamics for assets perceived as riskier, potentially including Bitcoin, depending on how investors weigh inflation hedges versus growth prospects.

Navigating an uncertain future

Bitcoin’s trajectory appears increasingly shaped by a complex interplay of factors.

Its resilience during the recent trade friction supports the narrative of it maturing into a gold-like store of value.

Continued institutional interest and potential government actions like the Strategic Reserve could further solidify this perception.

However, the looming threat of a broader economic downturn and ongoing regulatory developments, particularly in the US, remain critical variables.

As global economic anxieties persist, Bitcoin’s ability to maintain its appeal as a hedge against turbulence will be closely watched.

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MANTRA founder’s 150M OM burn proposal gets 81% support: can it spark a recovery?

  • Mantra CEO to burn 150M OM tokens to rebuild trust after the 90% Mantra price crash.
  • 81% of the community has backed the burn proposal.
  • While some are optimistic about the impact of the token burn, the OM price continues to struggle at $0.50.

After the dramatic 90% Mantra price crash on April 13, 2025, as a result of reckless liquidations, Mantra’s founder and CEO, John Patrick Mullin, has announced a bold plan to burn his personal allocation of 150 million OM tokens.

This move aims to rebuild trust in the Layer 1 blockchain focused on real-world asset tokenization.

While the April 13 crash wiped out over $5 billion in market capitalization in mere hours, Mullin’s commitment to burn tokens valued at approximately $82 million at current prices has stunned the crypto community.

Community overwhelmingly supports Mullin’s proposal

An X poll conducted by John Patrick Mullin has garnered over 8,900 votes, with over 81% of respondents backing the immediate burning of his tokens.

This strong endorsement reflects the community’s desire for decisive action to try and help the OM token recover.

According to the burn proposal, the tokens, currently being unstaked, will be sent to the network’s burn address by April 29, 2025.

The process ensures transparency and adherence to protocol rules.

Mantra is also exploring a larger burn with ecosystem partners, with discussions underway to incinerate an additional 150 million OM tokens.

This would total to 300 million tokens being burned, or 16.5% of the 1.817 billion total supply.

Such a reduction could significantly alter the token’s supply dynamics.

If successful, the total OM token supply would drop to approximately 1.517 billion OM tokens.

Potential impact of the proposed Mantra token burn

The burn is expected to impact Mantra’s tokenomics positively.

It will reduce the bonded ratio from 31.47% to 25.30%. Staked tokens will decrease from 571.8 million to 421.8 million.

This adjustment will boost the staking APR for remaining tokens.

Higher staking rewards could incentivize holders to lock up their OM. Reduced selling pressure might support price stability.

However, despite the announcement, OM’s price has remained stagnant, currently trading at approximately $0.5396, up by only 0.1% in the past 24 hours.

Following the burn announcement, the token saw a slight uptick to an intraday high of $0.5585 before quickly falling back to the $0.50 range.

Presumably, the ongoing unstaking process may be delaying significant price movement, while market skepticism persists after the crash’s shock.

Approximately 4 million OM tokens unlock every few weeks, and with 45% of the supply still locked, selling pressure could counteract the burn’s benefits.

The April 13 crash raised suspicions of foul play, with community members accusing the Mantra team of orchestrating a sell-off, claims that Mullin and investor Laser Digital firmly denied.

Can Mantra’s price recover in case of a burn?

Currently, OM’s price struggles to break above $0.55, especially with the ongoing unlocks and potential liquidations looming large.

Going by this, the market sentiment remains cautious, and the burn’s psychological impact may not fully materialize until it’s complete.

However, in the long term, the burn could lay a foundation for growth.

A 16.5% supply reduction is substantial, and coupled with staking incentives, it could tighten the circulating supply, leading to a normal supply-demand curve that could result in a hike in price.

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Bitcoin ETFs see biggest inflows since January on Monday

  • The ETF inflow coincided with a sharp move in Bitcoin prices, which reclaimed the $91,000 level.
  • Total inflows across Bitcoin ETFs reached $381.3 million on April 21.
  • RK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) captured the largest share at $116.1 million.

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States posted their largest single-day net inflow in almost two months, with April 21 marking the strongest session since January 30.

The ETF inflow coincided with a sharp move in Bitcoin prices, which reclaimed the $91,000 level for a brief window before retracing to around $90,000.

BTC ETF inflows on Monday

Total inflows across Bitcoin ETFs reached $381.3 million on April 21, with ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) capturing the largest share at $116.1 million.

Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed with inflows of $87.6 million.

Grayscale, which had previously struggled with outflows after converting its Bitcoin trust to an ETF, showed signs of stabilization as its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) recorded combined inflows of $69.1 million.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), the largest Bitcoin ETF by assets under management, drew $41.6 million, down from pre-weekend levels on April 17.

Other funds, including HODL and EZBC, contributed $11.7 million and $10.1 million, respectively.

The inflows return after a strong week for outflows

According to CoinShares’ latest report, the United States recorded total outflows of $71 million for the week, indicating that April 21’s activity was an outlier amid otherwise tepid sentiment.

In contrast, European markets maintained a more constructive stance toward digital assets.

Switzerland led the region with $43.7 million in net inflows, while Germany added $22.3 million. Canada also saw modest inflows of $9.4 million during the period.

CoinShares noted that overall digital asset investment products saw modest weekly inflows of $6 million.

Midweek, stronger-than-expected US retail sales figures triggered a sharp outflow of $146 million from digital asset funds, reflecting market sensitivity to macroeconomic data.

Bitcoin-specific products closed the week with net outflows of $6 million, despite the significant daily inflow figure on April 21.

Meanwhile, short Bitcoin products recorded their seventh consecutive week of outflows, with $1.2 million withdrawn, bringing total redemptions over the period to nearly 40% of assets under management.

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New SEC chair Paul Atkins begins term as 72 crypto ETFs await approval

  • Paul Atkins confirmed as SEC chair with 52-44 Senate vote.
  • Crypto firms donated over $85 million to Trump inauguration.
  • SEC’s new direction may favour altcoins and DeFi platforms.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has entered a new phase of crypto oversight with the appointment of Paul Atkins as its 34th chairman.

Nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in a 52-44 vote earlier this month, Atkins is returning to the SEC with a clear message—making the US the most secure and attractive investment destination globally.

In his first public statement, he signalled that crypto regulation would be a central focus of his administration, marking a departure from former Chair Gary Gensler’s hawkish stance on altcoins.

Surge in crypto ETF filings under Atkins’ watch

Atkins’ arrival comes at a pivotal time for the crypto market. Since Gary Gensler’s resignation, the SEC has been flooded with a wave of crypto-related exchange-traded fund (ETF) filings.

According to data compiled by BeInCrypto, there are currently 72 pending applications awaiting review, spanning spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, altcoin funds, and meme coin-backed offerings.

ETF analyst Nate Geraci pointed out that several key issues now fall under Atkins’ jurisdiction. These include decisions around staking for Ethereum ETFs, in-kind creation and redemption mechanisms for spot funds, and rulemaking related to derivatives.

The sudden rise in applications is being interpreted as a strategic move by asset managers to capitalise on the shift in leadership.

Altcoins and meme coins may gain SEC favour

The contrast between Atkins and Gensler is already being felt. Gensler had argued that most cryptocurrencies lacked intrinsic value and were fuelled by hype, which he said made them unstable investment vehicles.

His tenure was marked by consistent pushback against altcoin and meme coin products, delaying or denying multiple ETF approvals.

Under Atkins, however, industry analysts believe there could be a regulatory thaw, especially for tokens beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

His market-friendly stance is raising expectations that several high-profile altcoin ETFs may be approved in the coming months. One analyst claimed the SEC had become a “pro-crypto administration”, reflecting the optimism within the industry.

Key lawsuits dropped under Trump-era SEC

Beyond ETFs, Atkins inherits an SEC that has recently seen several major crypto enforcement cases dropped or concluded.

Companies including Coinbase, Ripple, Kraken, Uniswap, and Yuga Labs reportedly had investigations or lawsuits closed in the months leading up to Atkins’ confirmation.

Public filings show these firms, among others, collectively donated over $85 million to Trump’s inauguration committee, prompting scrutiny over the SEC’s independence.

The Biden-era SEC, under Gensler, had aggressively pursued these firms, alleging securities violations across various token offerings and staking services.

But the Trump-led pivot, now cemented by Atkins’ leadership, is being interpreted by legal experts as a broader retreat from that enforcement strategy.

What Atkins’ SEC means for crypto regulation

Paul Atkins previously served as SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008. Known for advocating market deregulation and supporting innovation, his return signals a broader political shift in US financial regulation.

As the SEC oversees a $2.8 trillion crypto market, Atkins’ decisions over the coming months are likely to set the tone for how the agency treats decentralised finance, altcoins, and tokenised assets.

The crypto industry is now watching closely to see whether this new direction will lead to lasting regulatory reform or if challenges will resurface depending on the outcomes of ongoing political shifts in Washington.

Either way, the SEC’s near-term trajectory is now tied to Atkins’ interpretation of investor protection and market integrity in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.

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Kaspa (KAS) price jumps 13% to lead top gainers today

  • Kaspa (KAS) price rose sharply as Bitcoin traded to above $88k
  • The 13% jump for KAS puts it among the top gainers today.
  • Kaspa price could target $0.2 in the short term.

Kaspa (KAS), a proof-of-work cryptocurrency leveraging the innovative GHOSTDAG protocol, has surged 13% in the last 24 hours, making it the top gainer among the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

This rally comes amid a broader market upswing, with Bitcoin (BTC) climbing above $88,000 and top altcoins showing signs of renewed momentum.

The surge suggests Kaspa’s unique blockDAG technology, which allows parallel block creation for faster transactions, continues to attract investor attention.

Kaspa price today

As of writing on April 22, 2025, Kaspa’s price is approximately $0.091, with a double digit increase in 24 hours.

Notably, the altcoin’s price is up 48% in the past two weeks and reached an intraday high above 0.092, its highest level since early March.

With a market cap of around $2.4 billion, KAS currently ranks 37th globally.

Meanwhile, the trading volume has spiked by over 80%, reaching $115 million, a scenario that signals strong market interest.

Despite KAS price being well below its all-time high of $0.2075 from August 2024, today’s performance suggests Kaspa is regaining traction.

The coin’s ability to process multiple blocks per second, aiming for 10 or even 100, underpins its appeal for scalability-focused investors.

Bitcoin helps bulls higher

Bitcoin’s climb above $88k has ignited optimism across the crypto market, providing a tailwind for altcoins like Kaspa.

The OG crypto’s resilience, driven by positive sentiment around institutional adoption and potential U.S. regulatory shifts, has lifted market confidence.

Granted, other top altcoins, including Dogecoin and IOTA, have also posted gains over the past week.

However, Kaspa leads the pack among 100 largest by market cap. Its proof-of-work model, akin to Bitcoin’s, positions it as a beneficiary of BTC’s bullish momentum.

I’m addition, MARA’s mining of KAS tokens since September 2023 further ties Kaspa’s fortunes to the broader PoW ecosystem, boosting its credibility and investor interest.

KAS price analysis

Technical indicators point to a bullish outlook for Kaspa.

A look at the daily chart shows KAS breaking above the $0.089 resistance, now acting as support, with the next targets at $0.106 and potentially $0.15.

Kaspa price chart by TradingView

The possible double bottom pattern combines with bullish indications from the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD).

The latter shows a bullish crossover, signaling continued upside potential.

However, volatility remains a risk, which could hinder a short term surge to $0.2. But if buyers sustain the momentum, this hurdle could give way to an extended rally.

 

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