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Bitcoin slides below $106K, Ethereum struggles at $2.5K — what’s driving the drop?

 

The global crypto market has shown slight weakness today, with most major coins trading lower than yesterday. The total crypto market capitalization is around $3.31 trillion, showing a small dip due to profit-taking and global uncertainties. 

Here’s how the top cryptocurrencies are performing: 

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading near $105,241, down around 2.1% in the last 24 hours. The price touched a high of $107,529 and fell to a low of $103,597 during the same period. 

Ethereum (ETH) is trading at approximately $2,529.87, marking a 2.6% drop in one day. The coin’s daily range has been between $2,461 and $2,596. 

BNB is down by about 0.26%, hovering around $650. 

Other popular altcoins like Uniswap (UNI), Aptos (APT), Filecoin (FIL), Toncoin (TON), Litecoin (LTC), and Cardano (ADA) have also fallen between 2% to 6%. 

Trading volume remains high, with Bitcoin alone recording over $35 billion in 24-hour trading activity. This suggests traders are active despite the minor correction. 

 

Technical Trends and Price Patterns 

 

Bitcoin (BTC) 

 

Bitcoin is currently moving within a symmetrical triangle pattern, which is often seen before a big breakout. The pattern shows that buyers and sellers are equally strong, and the price is waiting for a trigger. If Bitcoin breaks above $108,000, a strong upward rally could start. However, if it falls below $103,000, a downward slide might follow. 

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for Bitcoin is around 68, which suggests the coin is still bullish but close to being overbought. If RSI goes above 70, traders may begin to sell. 

 

Ethereum (ETH) 

 

Ethereum recently crossed a major resistance at $2,350, supported by a massive whale buy, a wallet bought nearly 48,825 ETH, worth more than $127 million. This indicates strong interest from large investors. 

ETH’s RSI is near 65, showing healthy momentum. If Ethereum can stay above $2,600, another bullish wave could begin.

 

Altcoins 

 

Many altcoins are seeing high activity from whale wallets and more user transactions. XRP, in particular, has experienced a rise in daily transaction volume, which may point to quiet accumulation. However, without a market-wide rally, most altcoins remain under pressure. 

 

Big News Driving Today’s Crypto Market 

 

Stablecoin Law Passed in the U.S. 

 

The U.S. Senate has passed a new crypto bill called the GENIUS Act. This law will require all U.S.-based stablecoins (like USDT and USDC) to be backed fully by safe government assets like Treasury bonds. 

This move is seen as a step toward recognizing and regulating crypto, especially for stablecoins. Many large companies, including Amazon, Walmart, and major banks such as Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, are showing interest in launching their digital tokens. 

The bill will now move to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it may be combined with another law called the CLARITY Act, which aims to clearly define how crypto should be treated under U.S. law. 

 

Crypto Rules in Europe and Asia

 

In Europe, countries like Germany and Malta have started approving licenses for crypto companies under the new MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation. This is helping crypto businesses operate more openly across the continent. 

In India, however, things are more uncertain. The Reserve Bank of India has warned that trading cryptocurrencies could harm the country’s financial system. No new crypto law has been passed in India yet, but the government continues to monitor the situation. 

 

What Big Companies Are Doing in Crypto 

 

Tron Inc., founded by Justin Sun, is planning to go public by merging with an existing company. This will make it one of the few crypto firms listed on a stock exchange. 

JPMorgan, one of the world’s largest banks, is testing a U.S. dollar–backed digital token called JPMD. This token would be used by large institutions to move money on blockchain networks more efficiently. 

Coinbase, a leading U.S. crypto exchange, is working on offering stock trading through blockchain technology. If approved, this could bring traditional finance closer to the crypto world. 

 

Risks and Factors Influencing the Market 

 

Whale Activity and On-Chain Signals 

 

XRP’s ledger activity has increased, which often means large players are accumulating the coin quietly. 

Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to attract institutional attention, especially with rising ETF inflows and large wallet movements. 

 

Global Events and Economic Factors 

 

Recent inflation data from the U.S. showed that prices are slowing down. This supported stock markets and helped Bitcoin stay above $110,000 earlier this week. 

Strong performance by tech giants like Microsoft and NVIDIA has boosted investor confidence, which also spills into the crypto market. 

Tensions in the Middle East — especially between Israel and Iran — have made global investors nervous. In times of uncertainty, many traders move away from risky assets like crypto, which can lead to temporary drops. 

 

Political Influence 

 

Political discussions about crypto in the U.S. are heating up. Former President Donald Trump’s crypto investments and pro-crypto stance have sparked debate. This could delay or speed up regulation, depending on political decisions. 

In countries like India, unclear policies are holding back wider adoption. 

 

Market Predictions: What Might Happen Next? 

 

Bullish Scenario 

 

Bitcoin breaks above $108,000, Ethereum holds above $2,600. 

Laws like the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act are passed smoothly. 

Big companies continue launching crypto services. 

This could lead to a new bullish phase, with prices rising and investor confidence growing. 

 

Neutral Scenario 

 

Prices move sideways: BTC stays between $105,000–$108,000, ETH between $2,500–$2,600. 

Regulatory progress is slow but steady. 

The market waits for stronger triggers like ETF approvals or major announcements. 

 

Bearish Scenario 

 

Prices drop due to delays in crypto laws or global issues. 

Bitcoin falls below $103,000, Ethereum dips under $2,400. 

Investors pull money out due to fear or profit booking. 

This could bring a short-term correction across the crypto market. 

 

Final Thoughts

 

As of June 18, 2025, the crypto market is seeing a healthy mix of activity and caution. Bitcoin and Ethereum are facing mild corrections, while altcoins remain mostly under pressure. However, high trading volume and whale activity show that investor interest remains strong. 

Laws like the GENIUS Act in the U.S. and MiCA in Europe are slowly bringing structure to the crypto space. While some regions like India are still unsure, overall trends point toward growing global acceptance. 

Technical indicators suggest that the market is waiting for its next move. Whether that move is up or down will depend on legal progress, institutional action, and world events.