It’s been a wild week for crypto.
Trump just hit the 100-day mark in his second term, and let’s just say, they’ve been anything but quiet.
Between launching a memecoin, banning a U.S. CBDC, and sparking legal battles over tariffs, Trump has put crypto, the economy, and even global trade right in the spotlight.
At the same time, Bitcoin’s price is feeling every shockwave—climbing, dipping, and reacting to a mix of jobs data, trade tension with China, and rate cut speculation.
Add in new EU crackdowns on privacy tokens and a fresh wave of hacker threats, and it’s clear: May is off to a chaotic, high-stakes start for crypto.
This update breaks down everything moving the crypto markets right now and what could come next. Let’s unpack what’s happening and why it matters.
Trump Celebrates First 100 Days of Second Term
Source: Fox Philadelphia 29
On April 29, 2025, president Donald Trump marked the first 100 days of his second term with a rally at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan.
Key Trump Actions in the Cryptocurrency Sector
Executive Order 14178 – “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology”
Signed on January 23, 2025, the order revoked previous policies, banned the creation of a U.S. CBDC, and created a task force to propose a federal regulatory framework for digital assets within 180 days.
Creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
In March, Trump announced a national Bitcoin reserve using digital assets seized by the government, aiming to strengthen the U.S.’s role in the global crypto market.
Changes at the SEC
Trump appointed Paul S. Atkins as SEC chair. Known for his pro-crypto stance, Atkins suspended lawsuits against Coinbase and Ripple and announced that the SEC would not regulate memecoins.
Launch of the $TRUMP Memecoin
Before assuming office, Trump launched the $TRUMP memecoin. It quickly gained value but drew criticism for potential conflicts of interest and the politicization of digital assets.
Market Reaction and Controversies
Although Trump’s administration made pro-crypto moves, the market responded with caution.
Bitcoin, which had surpassed $109,000 on Inauguration Day, dropped around 10% amid uncertainty over trade policy and concerns that the $TRUMP coin distracted from deeper reforms.
Trump’s personal involvement in the memecoin raised ethical questions, with estimates suggesting it boosted his net worth by over $50 billion.
Public and Political Response
While Trump called his first 100 days a major success, public opinion is sharply divided. A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll shows that many Americans gave him a failing grade.
Compared to 2017, the number of independent voters giving a low rating rose from around 30% to 49% in 2025.
China Reduces Tariffs on Semiconductors and Other U.S. Products
Source: South China Morning Post
China is making calculated moves in its trade dispute with the United States.
Despite maintaining a tough public stance, the Chinese government is quietly easing some measures behind the scenes — at least in certain areas.
According to a recent Bloomberg report, China has quietly granted exemptions for about 25% of U.S. imports, representing roughly $40 billion in goods.
The goal of this discreet move is to:
- Avoid signaling weakness – China does not want to appear dependent on U.S. technology.
- Maintain negotiating leverage – Keeping the details under wraps allows China to use these exemptions as bargaining chips in future talks.
Which products are being exempted?
Image created with AI
The exemptions focus mainly on highly strategic products that China still heavily relies on, including:
- Semiconductors
- Medical equipment
- Aviation parts
These products are hard to replace with alternatives made in China or sourced from other countries. That makes them essential for the country’s industry and for keeping its supply chains running.
For U.S. exporters, this means that some companies — especially those in the high-tech sector like Apple, Nvidia, Dell, and others that depend on components manufactured by China — can still sell to China without paying extra tariffs, even though duties remain in place for other goods.
Apple accelerates U.S. production and reduces reliance on China to counter trade tariffs
Apple announced plans to purchase over $19 billion worth of chips made in the United States throughout 2025.
The main goal is to gradually reduce its reliance on manufacturing in China, in response to rising trade tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
As part of this shift, the company is also expediting shipments of iPhones made in China to the U.S. to avoid additional fees and is ramping up iPhone production in India, which is emerging as a new assembly hub for the American market.
U.S. Seeks Tariff Talks With China Amid Trade Tensions and Beijing’s Silent Concessions
Source: The Fulcrum
On May 1, the United States reached out to China through multiple diplomatic channels to initiate talks on the 145% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
The move suggests Washington is seeking a potential path to ease trade tensions with Beijing.
Though no formal talks have been confirmed, this outreach signals potential diplomatic movement.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett confirmed there have been “informal contacts” between the two governments.
He described China’s recent easing of some import duties as a “constructive sign”, pointing to possible de-escalation efforts.
While neither side has officially announced formal negotiations, the backchannel diplomacy and tariff exemptions suggest that both countries may be seeking off-ramps from a prolonged trade conflict.
‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Under Fire: Small Businesses and States Push Back
Source: Sky News
President Donald Trump’s newly announced “Liberation Day” tariffs have triggered a legal firestorm.
Thirteen U.S. states, alongside small businesses, are suing the federal government. Their argument is simple: these tariffs are unconstitutional and an abuse of presidential power.
At the center of the legal battle is the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The Trump administration is using this 1977 law to justify the tariffs. However, the IEEPA was originally designed for regulating economic transactions during national emergencies—and not for imposing tariffs.
Critics say Trump is stretching the law beyond its limits. Nowhere in the IEEPA does it mention the authority to levy tariffs, and its traditional use has been for sanctions—not taxes or trade barriers.
Throughout his young second term, Trump has used this statute to declare arbitrary tariffs on virtually all of America’s trading partners.
First, declaring 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and then various large tariffs on the rest of the world.
Source: Cointelegraph
To do so, Trump declared a “national emergency posed by the large and persistent trade deficit that is driven by the absence of reciprocity in our trade relationships and other harmful policies like currency manipulation and exorbitant value-added taxes (VAT) perpetuated by other countries.”
Key Legal Arguments Against the Tariffs
- Separation of Powers: The U.S. Constitution gives Congress—not the President—the power to impose tariffs. The lawsuits argue that Trump is violating this separation.
- Nondelegation Doctrine: Congress cannot hand over legislative powers without clear guidelines. The lawsuits claim that using IEEPA in this context fails that test.
- IEEPA Misuse: Legal experts and plaintiffs argue that the use of a national emergency law to justify economic protectionism is a legal overreach.
Even though Trump’s trade decisions caused volatility in traditional markets, Bitcoin still rose 14% in April, reaching $94,770 by the end of the month.
If the U.S. keeps pushing for isolated trade policies, it could give even more reason for people to turn to crypto as a global trading alternative.
Strong Jobs Data and Trump’s Push for Rate Cuts Boost Bitcoin Expectations
Source: Reuters
The U.S. labor market performed well in April, with 177,000 jobs added—well above the 130,000 forecast.
This upbeat data encouraged investors, who are also anticipating interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (Fed).
Still, the Fed decided to keep rates steady between 4.25% and 4.50%, signaling it’s in no rush to shift its policy.
Market pricing suggests a 40% chance of a rate cut by the Fed’s June meeting.
The next interest rate decision is set for May 7, and most analysts expect the Fed to hold rates unchanged.
Trump Pushes for Rate Cuts
Source: Truth Social
In his latest post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump once again called for the Fed to lower interest rates—something he has been doing regularly while upholding trade tariffs.
His frequent comments are intensifying the debate over the Fed’s next steps, especially as employment and inflation data remain under close watch.
If Trump’s pressure ends up influencing central bank decisions, Bitcoin could see further gains.
Bitcoin Impact
If the Fed cuts rates, it could give Bitcoin another boost, as the cryptocurrency is often seen as a hedge against inflation and a risk asset that benefits from lower interest rates.
The mid-term outlook remains positive, as a possible rate cut in July continues to attract investor interest.
Additionally, rising inflation and U.S.-China trade tensions may strengthen Bitcoin’s appeal as a safe haven during economic uncertainty.
Strong U.S. job numbers have increased market confidence, and the ongoing possibility of Fed rate cuts provides even more support.
With Trump’s push for lower rates keeping pressure on the debate, Bitcoin’s upward trend could continue if the Fed adjusts policy to support economic growth.
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs See Sharp Outflows After Recent Rally
Source: Token Post
After several days of strong inflows, the momentum behind Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs has slowed.
On April 25, 2025, according to a recent article from Bitcoin News, Bitcoin ETFs saw a net outflow of $56 million, marking a notable shift in investor sentiment.
This change shows a decline in investor confidence after a strong performance by crypto ETFs.
The drop happened just days after Bitcoin reached its recent highs and investor interest seemed to be at its peak. Now, that momentum has slowed down.
Most of the outflows came from Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), which lost $167.4 million in a single day. GBTC has seen steady outflows since it became an ETF, even as newer funds attract fresh investment.
Bitwise’s BITB gained $48.2 million, and Fidelity’s FBTC pulled in $36.7 million — showing that investors are favoring ETFs with lower costs and better trading conditions.
Ethereum ETFs Also See Pullback
Ethereum funds weren’t spared. Ether ETFs saw a combined outflow of $77.5 million. Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust (ETHE) accounted for $50.3 million of that amount, continuing the trend of investors moving away from older, higher-fee products.
While the outflows might seem negative, they could be part of a normal market cycle.
After a strong rally, it’s common for investors to lock in profits and rebalance.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs were a major driver of crypto’s rise in early 2025. These recent moves might just signal a pause before the next big shift.
On the flip side, the latest Token2049 in Dubai, held at the end of the month, featured a wave of bullish comments from big names in the space — which helped fire up investor excitement and push Bitcoin back toward the $100K mark, as you’ll see below.
Crypto Latest News: Token 2049 Dubai
The TOKEN2049 event in Dubai, held in late April 2025, boosted investor confidence and helped push Bitcoin’s price. Let´s take a look at the principal high-impact.
Eric Trump’s Crypto Push Lifts Bitcoin Sentiment
The TOKEN2049 Dubai event, held at the end of April 2025, boosted investor confidence in cryptocurrencies—especially following statements by Eric Trump. Representing the U.S. president, he delivered strong criticism of the traditional banking system, stating: “The current financial system is broken, slow, and expensive.” He went on to praise the superiority of decentralized technology and predicted that banks that fail to adapt will disappear within the next 10 years.
Experts at TOKEN2049 projected that Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2028, reflecting growing optimism about the future of cryptocurrencies.
Despite a recent 12% drop, announcements made during the event boosted investor confidence and reinforced a long-term growth outlook for the sector.
Also, Zach Witkoff, co-founder of World Liberty Financial, stated that the stablecoin USD1 will be used in a $2 billion investment by the Abu Dhabi-based firm MGX into Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally.
Eric Trump attended the panel where the announcement was made, but available sources do not confirm any direct involvement from Donald Trump in revealing the project. The initiative was presented by Witkoff, with both Eric Trump and Justin Sun contributing to the discussion.
Justin Sun Brings USD1 Stablecoin to TRON
During the TOKEN2049 event in Dubai, Justin Sun, founder of the TRON network, confirmed that the USD1 stablecoin — created by World Liberty Financial, a project linked to Trump Family — will be integrated into the TRON blockchain. USD1 is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and backed by U.S. Treasury bonds.
Sun also became the largest individual investor in WLF, contributing around $75 million, and now serves as the company’s official advisor.
The USD1 stablecoin will be used in a $2 billion investment from MGX into Binance, marking one of the largest transactions in the industry.
This collaboration strengthens TRON’s presence in the stablecoin market and highlights the growing connection between influential political figures and the crypto industry.
Tether Backs Gold-Backed Stablecoin XAUt with Over 7 Tons of Gold, Expands Global Reach
Source: BitcoinExchangeGuide
Tether, the issuer behind the well-known USDT stablecoin, is also gaining traction with XAUt—a digital asset backed by physical gold. The company confirmed it holds over 7.7 metric tons of gold in Switzerland to support the value of XAU₮. Each token represents one ounce of certified, audited gold.
In Q1 2025, XAUt reached a market capitalization of approximately $770 million, with its price hitting an all-time high of $3,423 in April. Demand surged as investors looked for safer assets amid ongoing economic and political instability.
The token’s adoption was further boosted when El Salvador officially recognized it, strengthening its position in the global market. According to Tether, XAUt offers the stability of gold with the efficiency of digital currency.
Bitcoin Faces Pressure from U.S.-China Trade Talks and Recession Fears in 2025
Source: Coinpedia
Bitcoin is entering a critical phase in 2025. Right now, it’s sitting in the middle of two major global issues: the threat of a recession in the U.S. and tense trade negotiations with China. How these play out could make or break Bitcoin’s next move.
Recession Could Hit by Summer, Say Analysts
Some Wall Street analysts — like the team at Apollo Global Management — think a U.S. recession might hit as early as this summer.
The warning stems from declining corporate profits — a scenario similar to what preceded the 2020 crash.
If a recession materializes, Bitcoin could be affected. While some view it as a store of value, it’s still treated as a risk asset.
During times of uncertainty, investors often pull out of both stocks and cryptocurrencies, which could put additional pressure on BTC’s price.
May Is a Make-or-Break Moment: U.S.-China Tariff Talks
Another key issue is the ongoing tariff negotiations between the United States and China.
Some exemptions are set to expire later this month, and without a new deal, tensions could escalate quickly — potentially impacting the cryptocurrency market.
Aurelie Barthere from Nansen warns that a negative outcome could cause Bitcoin’s price to drop by double digits.
On the other hand, a successful agreement between the two powers could ease economic pressure and pave the way for a potential market recovery.
Bitcoin Price Analysis
Source: Cointelegraph
As of Friday afternoon, May 2, 2025, the leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is trading at $97,190,45 and the total crypto market cap has officially returned to the $3 trillion mark.
This milestone reflects renewed investor confidence and reinforces the view that cryptocurrencies are once again being seen as a serious alternative to the traditional financial system.
According to André Franco, CEO of Boost Research, the market is reacting positively to signs of a truce in trade tensions between the United States and China.
This improvement in global sentiment has encouraged investors and boosted appetite for risk assets — including Bitcoin.
Earlier in the week, the U.S. GDP contracted by 0.3%, and core PCE inflation slowed down.
This shift led the market to believe that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates sooner than expected — a move that typically benefits assets like Bitcoin.
Following this economic data, Bitcoin ETFs briefly saw outflows totaling $56 million. However, the very next day, that trend reversed: $422 million in new institutional inflows poured into BTC, reinforcing the continued strength of institutional interest.
Bitcoin Shines While Gold Retreats
While gold has dropped nearly 10% in recent weeks, Bitcoin has climbed by the same percentage.
The contrast highlights Bitcoin’s growing role as an alternative hedge during periods of economic uncertainty.
Another key signal is the declining volume of BTC held on exchanges, suggesting reduced selling pressure and a possible shift toward long-term holding by investors.
Market Highlights
The top-performing cryptocurrencies of the day are:
- Immutable X (IMX): +35%
- EOS (EOS): +11%
- Quant (QNT): +10%
The crypto market sentiment heading into May 2025 appears more optimistic.
With a favorable macroeconomic backdrop, easing inflation, and strong institutional inflows, many investors are watching closely — especially those anticipating Bitcoin’s next major price rally.
Strategy and the Growth Driven by Bitcoin
Source: X
Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), led by Michael Saylor, continues to acquire billions in Bitcoin and has solidified its position as the largest institutional holder of the cryptocurrency, with 553,000 BTC valued at $37.9 billion.
Since adopting Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset in 2020, its stock has surged over 3,000%, outperforming companies like Nvidia, which saw a 916% increase over the same period.
This approach has attracted investors looking for Bitcoin exposure without buying the asset directly.
With a market capitalization exceeding $87 billion, Strategy has become a proxy for Bitcoin in the stock market and is seen as one of the leading corporate players betting heavily on the cryptocurrency.
Lazarus Group Sets Up Shell Companies in the U.S. to Target Cryptocurrency Developers
The North Korean hacker group Lazarus, already known for targeting blockchain projects and exchanges, has adopted a new method to attack cryptocurrency developers: creating shell companies registered in the United States.
According to a report by U.S. cybersecurity agencies, the hackers established three fake companies — BlockNovas, SoftGlide, and Angeloper Agency — posing as legitimate startups with websites, professional profiles, and even fake employee photos generated by AI.
Two of these were officially registered in the U.S. using fake identities and addresses.
The strategy involved posting fake job listings for blockchain developers on platforms like GitHub, Upwork, and other freelancer sites.
During the so-called hiring process, candidates were persuaded to download malware disguised as “technical tests.” Among the malicious programs used were BeaverTail, InvisibleFerret, and Otter Cookie — all designed to steal:
- Seed phrases
- Private keys
- Data from repositories and smart contracts
The FBI has already seized the BlockNovas domain and issued warnings to prevent further attacks.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams Like This?
- Be cautious with unknown companies or vague job listings
- Never run files sent by strangers without prior analysis
- Use up-to-date antivirus and firewall protection
- Never share your seed phrase or private key
This case highlights that hackers aren’t just targeting exchanges — developers are also in their crosshairs. Stay alert when receiving suspicious offers. Security begins with skepticism.
Read our full guide on crypto scams to learn how to spot fraud and protect your assets from common schemes.
U.S. Targets Huione Group Over Crypto Crimes and Ties to North Korea
U.S. authorities are stepping up enforcement against crimes involving the use of cryptocurrencies.
On May 1, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) proposed banning the Huione Group, a conglomerate based in Cambodia, from the U.S. financial system.
FinCEN accuses Huione of helping the North Korea-linked Lazarus Group launder over $4 billion in illicit funds between August 2021 and January 2025.
The network includes the crypto exchange Huione Crypto, payment platform Huione Pay, and the online black market Haowang Guarantee.
Among the most concerning findings:
- $36 million linked to pig butchering crypto scams
- $37 million in laundering operations for North Korea
- A non-freezable USD-pegged stablecoin, the US Dollar Huione (USDH), used to move funds discreetly
“The Huione Group became the marketplace of choice for malicious cyber actors,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, calling out its role in crypto crime at scale.
The proposed sanctions are now in a 30-day public comment period, after which they could be enforced to sever Huione’s access to U.S. banks and financial networks.
EU Prepares to Ban Privacy Coins and Anonymous Crypto Accounts by 2027
The European Union has approved a new set of rules that represents one of the strictest crackdowns on the use of anonymous cryptocurrencies.
Starting in 2027, both privacy tokens like Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC) and crypto accounts that do not go through identity verification will be banned.
The goal is to increase transparency in financial transactions, including within the crypto market.
According to Article 79 of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR), financial institutions—including banks, payment platforms, and crypto asset service providers (CASPs)—will no longer be allowed to maintain accounts that offer user anonymity. This also includes wallets that conceal the identity of their holders.
Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC) will no longer be allowed to be used or stored by companies operating within the EU. These coins make transaction tracking more difficult, which goes against the new rules.
The EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will be responsible for directly overseeing CASPs that operate in six or more member states, serve at least 20,000 customers, or process over €50 million annually.
All transactions equal to or above €1,000 will require identity verification, which especially impacts users of self-custodial wallets.
This new rule clearly shows that the European Union aims to restrict financial privacy in favor of tighter control and legal compliance.
The rules will take effect in 2027, but the regulation is being defined in stages through delegated acts and implementation instruments.
