Crypto Market Reawakens as Bitcoin Breaks $100K — Is This the Start of the 2025 Bull Run?
Crypto Market Soars Again: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple Lead a Global Rebound
The global cryptocurrency market is back in the spotlight this week, climbing sharply after weeks of volatility and uncertainty. Following a short-term decline to nearly $3.46 trillion, total crypto market capitalization has bounced back to $3.51 trillion, sparking a wave of optimism across digital assets.
With Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple dominating the charts, analysts say a combination of institutional demand, new partnerships, and expanding tokenization in traditional finance is fueling the current rally.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Anchor the Recovery
Data from CoinMarketCap shows that Bitcoin (BTC) gained 0.22% over the last 24 hours, trading at $102,924.22 with a market capitalization surpassing $2.05 trillion. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) climbed 0.54% to $3,365.42, giving it a market value of over $406 billion.
The rise of the two largest cryptocurrencies signals a renewed wave of confidence from investors, many of whom had retreated after months of macroeconomic uncertainty. Analysts believe Bitcoin’s return above the $100,000 threshold is a crucial psychological milestone, indicating that large-scale buyers—often institutions—are returning to the market.
“After a long period of tightening liquidity, the market is breathing again,” said Kevin Zhao, a digital asset strategist at BlockPoint Analytics. “Bitcoin’s resilience has become the backbone of this rebound, and Ethereum’s continued network upgrades are providing much-needed confidence for long-term investors.”
Ripple’s Mastercard Deal Ignites Market Optimism
Among the most influential catalysts of the current rally is Ripple’s strategic partnership with Mastercard and Gemini, announced during the Ripple Swell 2025 conference in New York.
The collaboration focuses on integrating Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, built on the XRP Ledger, into Mastercard’s payment settlement infrastructure. This integration aims to modernize cross-border transactions, cutting settlement times from days to seconds.
According to Ripple executives, the rollout will begin once full regulatory approval is secured. The first phase involves integration into WebBank and Mastercard’s global payment system, followed by expansion into retail and institutional payment corridors.
“This partnership marks a defining moment for digital payments,” said Monica Long, President of Ripple. “By combining Mastercard’s global reach and Ripple’s blockchain technology, we’re setting new standards for transaction efficiency and transparency.”
Industry experts argue that this deal not only strengthens Ripple’s credibility but also sends a broader message to the market—that traditional financial giants are now moving decisively into blockchain.
Tokenization Trend Gains Momentum with Franklin Templeton’s Entry
Adding further fuel to the rally is Franklin Templeton’s bold move into blockchain-based investing. The global asset manager recently launched Hong Kong’s first tokenized money market fund, called the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund.
Registered under Luxembourg’s UCITS regulations, the fund allows both institutional and professional investors to gain exposure to U.S. government securities through blockchain technology.
The fund’s digital shares are recorded on the public blockchain, offering greater transparency and efficiency compared to traditional financial structures.
“This launch demonstrates our commitment to innovation and aligns with Hong Kong’s vision to become a leading global fintech hub,” said a Franklin Templeton spokesperson. “Tokenization bridges the gap between traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems.”
Industry observers note that this development underscores the mainstream acceptance of blockchain, accelerating the convergence of Web3 technology with conventional finance.
Altcoins Surge as Retail Investors Return
While Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to dominate the headlines, smaller altcoins have captured traders’ attention with explosive gains.
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Spring Staked SUI skyrocketed 290%, reaching $9.94.
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Sapien (SPN) surged 259% to $0.4439.
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DeAgentAi (DGAI) jumped 141% to $4.41.
Analysts attribute these gains to a wave of new listings, increased venture capital investment, and improved market liquidity. “Altcoins are benefiting from speculative enthusiasm,” explained Rachel Meyer, a senior analyst at CoinDesk Markets. “Retail investors are back, and they’re chasing high-risk, high-reward assets once again.”
This renewed enthusiasm in altcoins is often a leading indicator of a broader market bull run, suggesting growing appetite for risk and a belief that the worst of the market correction may be over.
Macroeconomic Winds Shift as U.S. Shutdown Ends
Another factor contributing to the rebound is the end of the 36-day U.S. government shutdown, which had previously dampened market sentiment and limited economic confidence.
During the shutdown, institutional trading volumes dipped, and investors sought refuge in stable assets. Now, as the U.S. economy reopens and fiscal operations normalize, crypto markets are regaining momentum.
Large holders, commonly known as “whales”, are reportedly increasing their accumulation rates, signaling renewed optimism. On-chain data shows a significant rise in wallet activity associated with institutional entities, often preceding price rallies.
“The whales are quietly accumulating again,” said Daniel Roberts, a blockchain researcher at ChainMetrics. “Historically, their activity has been one of the most reliable indicators of future bull markets.”
Global Sentiment Turns Bullish
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index, a widely followed sentiment indicator, climbed from 27 (“Extreme Fear”) to 54 (“Neutral”), reflecting improving investor confidence.
Social media activity surrounding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple has also spiked sharply in the last 72 hours. Google Trends data shows a 40% increase in searches related to “buy crypto” and “best coins to invest in,” indicating growing retail participation.
Meanwhile, DeFi (Decentralized Finance) protocols are witnessing fresh inflows. According to DefiLlama, total value locked (TVL) across all DeFi platforms has surpassed $210 billion, marking a 6% weekly increase.
Analysts See Early Signs of a Bull Market
Market experts caution that while optimism is growing, the next few weeks will determine whether this rebound solidifies into a sustained bull market.
“If Bitcoin maintains its level above $100K for the next 10 trading sessions, we could be looking at the early stages of a new bull phase,” noted Michael Hsu, Head of Research at Digital Asset Intelligence.
Ethereum’s roadmap, particularly its scaling improvements and rollups, could also play a key role in driving further momentum. Ripple’s RLUSD project, once live, might set new standards for how stablecoins interact with global payment systems.
Conclusion: A Market Reawakening
The latest surge across the crypto market is not just about short-term price movement — it reflects a deeper transformation in how digital assets are perceived globally.
With Ripple forging partnerships with financial giants, Franklin Templeton pioneering tokenized investment products, and Bitcoin reclaiming its psychological dominance, this phase could mark the beginning of a long-term structural recovery.
Whether this rally evolves into a full-blown bull run depends on macroeconomic stability and continued institutional engagement. But for now, the crypto market is alive and thriving — once again proving its resilience and power to reinvent global finance.
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