Crypto Price Analysis 6-3: BITCOIN: BTC, ETHEREUM: ETH, SOLANA: SOL, APTOS: APT, FILECOIN: FIL, CHAINLINK: LINK

The crypto market cap rose over 1% despite increased trade tensions between China and the US. Tensions escalated over the weekend after President Trump accused China of violating the Geneva Trade Pact, a charge the Asian giant rejected and accused the US of discriminatory and restrictive trade policies, highlighting the country’s decision to limit AI chip exports. While markets were rattled, crypto traded in positive territory, with Bitcoin (BTC) reclaiming $105,000 and moving to its current level around $105,411.

Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) has rebounded strongly to cross $2,600. The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency is up over 4%, trading at around $2,605. Ripple (XRP) is up over 1%, while Solana (SOL) is up over 2% and on the verge of reclaiming $160. Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), Toncoin (TON), Hedera (HBAR), Litecoin (LTC), and Polkadot (DOT) also registered notable increases. 

Robinhood Completes Bitstamp Acquisition 

Robinhood has completed the acquisition of Luxembourg-based crypto exchange Bitstamp. The acquisition allows the company to add over 50 licenses and registrations and an established institutional client base to its crypto arm. Robinhood acquired Bitstamp in a $200 million deal, agreed upon in June 2024, and was completed entirely in cash. Bitstamp has over 50,000 retail customers and 5,000 institutional clients, with most of its trading driven by its institutional base. The acquisition allows Robinhood to expand its crypto footprint beyond the US and into the European, UK, and Asian markets. 

Bitstamp reported $95 million in revenue for the last 12 months, while Robinhood made $252 million in the first quarter of 2025. The exchange posted about the acquisition on X, stating, 

“Bitstamp is now part of @RobinhoodApp. Together, we’re combining 14 years of trusted crypto expertise with Robinhood’s global vision - expanding access and building the future of crypto together.”

Robinhood is expanding its global footprint through acquisitions. On May 13, the company agreed to acquire Canadian crypto firm WonderFi for $179 million. The move was part of Robinhood’s strategy to expand its presence in the Canadian market. Robinhood general manager Johann Kerbat said the firm has not ruled out future acquisitions. 

“If we can find a way to accelerate by at least 18 months or two years — and we have a lot of great reason to believe this is a great acquisition — it’s something that we’ll definitely look at.”

FalconX Acquires Majority Stake In Monarq 

Crypto broker FalconX has acquired a majority stake in Monarq Asset Management’s parent company. According to reports, the move helps expand FalconX’s institutional client base and asset management services. Monarq Asset Management is a Cayman Islands-registered fund. FalconX has moved to expand its footprint in recent months, completing the acquisition of derivatives startup Arbelos Markets and announcing a partnership with Standard Chartered to scale institutional crypto banking. 

FalconX’s acquisition of Monarq expands its institutional client base beyond hedge funds, firms, and asset managers, allowing it to scale quantitative models and grow the firm’s team. FalconX claims to be the world’s largest digital asset prime brokerage, executing $1.5 trillion worth of trading with access to 94% of global digital asset liquidity. The company had settled with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for $1.8 million in penalties and disgorgement for failing to register with the agency. 

Australia Rolls Out New Crypto ATM Rules 

Australia’s national financial intelligence agency has rolled out new operating roles and transaction limits for crypto ATMs, citing growing scams. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has enforced a 5,000 Australian Dollar ($3,250) limit on cash deposits and withdrawals on crypto ATMs, scam warning signs, robust transaction monitoring, and enhanced customer due diligence obligations. Currently, the limits only apply to crypto ATM providers. However, AUSTRAC also wants crypto exchanges in Australia to consider imposing limits if they accept cash for crypto transactions. 

However, AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas has said the new rules are not binding and will remain under review, allowing them to be adjusted when needed. 

“The conditions are designed to help protect individuals from scams by deterring criminals from directing them to a crypto ATM, as well as to protect businesses from criminal exploitation. In light of the risks and harms, we consider it necessary to ensure the sector meets minimum standards and reduces the criminal misuse of crypto ATMs.”

The crackdown began after an AUSTRAC task force investigated data from nine crypto ATM providers and found that most users were over 50 years of age, accounting for 72% of transactions. 

Dow Rises Despite Renewed Trade Tensions 

US stocks ended Monday on a high despite rising trade tensions between the US, China, and the EU. The Nasdaq Composite registered an increase of 0.7%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.4%. On the other hand, the Dow Jones could only register a marginal gain of 0.1%. The increase came after China pushed back against President Trump’s accusation that it had violated the trade terms struck earlier this year. China hit back, accusing the US of escalating tensions by tightening export controls on AI chips and restricting visas for Chinese students and nationals. However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence that President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will resume talks soon. 

EU officials were also critical of the US over plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% from Wednesday and warned of retaliatory duties. 

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis 

Bitcoin’s (BTC) sluggish price action continued as it struggled to cross the 20-day SMA. The flagship cryptocurrency dipped below $105,000 on Monday as it started the week facing selling pressure and volatility, giving up early gains and registering only a marginal increase. Despite increased trade tensions and an unfavorable macroeconomic environment, BTC remained close to its all-time high. The flagship cryptocurrency registered a notable decline last week after reaching a new all-time high on May 22, plunging below key levels and moving averages. Despite recovering over the weekend, BTC has remained sluggish as it faces renewed selling pressure around $105,000, a level it has struggled to cross in recent sessions. 

Despite trading in positive territory, markets remain cautious, expecting more geopolitical volatility. According to the Kobeissi Letter, markets are pricing out the Ukraine-Russia peace deal, stating, 

“This is effectively the market pricing out the Russia-Ukraine peace deal that President Trump has been working on for 3+ months. However, we have yet to receive a single comment from the US or President Trump. Clearly, something is going on behind the scenes. How will the US respond?”

An independent analyst echoed similar concerns, stating, 

“Markets look like they are struggling to me, with gold looking strong & tensions with Russia escalating lead me to suspect selling today on the cards & for the start of June.”

The analyst predicted that if markets find momentum, BTC would probably outperform other assets, adding that sentiment around the asset remains bullish. Most analysts agree that BTC will trade sideways for the foreseeable future. Analysts for QCP Capital stated in a note to traders, 

“Despite the volatility, BTC continues to hover above $102k, a testament to underlying support. Volatility on the frontend has steadily compressed, and risk reversals have begun to normalize across tenors. This signals expectations for muted price action in the near term.”

BTC registered a sharp drop on Friday (May 23), dropping nearly 4% to $107,356. Despite the substantial drop, the price recovered over the weekend, rising 0.46% on Saturday and 1.16% on Sunday to cross $109,000 and settle at $109,103. BTC continued to push higher on Monday, registering a marginal increase, but was back in the red on Tuesday, falling 0.46% to $108,954. Sellers retained control on Wednesday as the price fell 1.03% and settled at $107,834. Bearish sentiment intensified on Thursday as BTC fell over 2%, slipping below the 20-day SMA and settling at $105,662.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure persisted on Friday as the price fell 1.51%, slipping below $105,000 and settling at $104,067. Despite the overwhelming selling pressure, BTC recovered over the weekend, rising 0.69% on Saturday and nearly 1% on Sunday to reclaim $105,000 and settle at $105,775. BTC fell to an intraday low of $103,734 on Monday as selling pressure returned. However, it rebounded from this level to register a marginal increase and settle at $105,903. The current session sees the price down nearly 1%, as BTC struggles to build momentum and push above the 20-day SMA. A break above this level could see BTC retest $110,000.

Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis

Ethereum (ETH) is looking to rebound after dipping below $2,500 on Saturday, with the price on an upward trajectory over the past few sessions. ETH’s recovery comes amid significant upheaval behind the scenes at the Ethereum Foundation. The foundation announced a restructuring of its Research and Development (R&D) efforts. Under the new structure, all R&D teams will operate under a new branded “Protocol” division focused on scaling the Ethereum base layer, improving roll-up capacity, and streamlining the user experience. The reorganization also includes strategic layoffs. The move comes after stinging criticism from developers and users after Ethereum’s slow progress and fragmented roadmap.

ETH’s price action seems to be aligning with the Ethereum Foundation's newfound strategic clarity. According to analysts, ETH is forming a bull pennant pattern, often seen before strong price jumps. A break above this level could push ETH past $2,700 and towards the $3,000 mark.

ETH plunged over 5% on Friday (May 23) and fell to $2,527. The price recovered on Saturday, registering a marginal increase, and continued pushing higher on Sunday, rising nearly 1% and settling at $2,551. Price action remained positive on Monday as ETH registered a marginal increase and settled at $2,564. Bullish sentiment intensified on Tuesday as the price rose nearly 4% to cross $2,600 and settle at $2,662. Buyers retained control on Wednesday, and ETH rose almost 1% to settle at $2,683.

Source: TradingView

ETH raced to an intraday high of $2,791 on Thursday as buyers attempted a move past $2,800. However, it lost momentum after reaching this level and fell nearly 2% to settle at $2,633. Bearish sentiment intensified on Friday as the price dropped almost 4%, slipping below the 20-day SMA and $2,600 to settle at $2,532. Price action remained bearish on Saturday, and ETH registered a marginal decline and settled at $2,528. Despite the overwhelming selling pressure, ETH recovered on Sunday, rising 0.44% to $2,539. ETH started the current week on a bullish note, increasing 2.67% to cross the 20-day SMA, reclaim $2,600, and settle at $2,607. The current session sees ETH marginally up as buyers and sellers struggle to establish control.

Solana (SOL) Price Analysis

Solana (SOL) is looking to rebound after finding support around $150. The price has reclaimed $160 during the ongoing session as buyers look to push the price higher. Bulls are eying $170 after record activity fuels bullish momentum, with the price racing to an intraday high of $164 during the ongoing session.

SOL started the previous weekend positively, rising 1.09% on Saturday and moving to $175. However, it lost momentum on Sunday, falling to an intraday low of $169 before recovering to reclaim $175, ultimately registering a marginal decline. Price action remained bearish on Monday as SOL registered a marginal decline and settled at $174. Despite the negative start to the week, SOL recovered on Tuesday, rising 1.03% to settle at $176. Price action turned bearish on Wednesday as SOL fell 2.55%, slipping below the 20-day SMA and settling at $172.

Source: TradingView

Sellers retained control on Thursday as the price fell over 3%, slipping below $170 and settling at $166. Selling pressure intensified on Friday as SOL plunged over 6%, falling below $160 and settling at $156. SOL registered marginal increases on Saturday and Sunday despite facing selling pressure to end the weekend at $157. SOL was back in the red on Monday, falling to a low of $151 before settling at $156, ultimately registering a marginal decline. The price recovered during the ongoing session, up nearly 3%, having reclaimed $160 and trading around $161.

Aptos (APT) Price Analysis

Aptos (APT) traded in bearish territory the previous weekend, plunging over 6% on Friday, slipping below the 20-day SMA, and settling at $5.33. Price action remained bearish on Saturday, dropping almost 1% to $5.30. APT fell to an intraday low of $5.01 on Sunday as selling pressure intensified. However, it rebounded from this level to settle at $5.27, ultimately registering a marginal decline. The price recovered on Monday, reaching an intraday high of $5.48 before settling at $5.29. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as APT rose 1.57% and settled at $5.37. The price registered a marginal increase on Wednesday despite volatility and selling pressure.

Source: TradingView

However, it lost momentum on Thursday, dropping over 4% to go below the 50-day SMA and settle at $5.15. Selling pressure intensified on Friday as APT plunged over 8%, slipping below $5 and settling at $4.74. APT remained in the red on Saturday but rebounded on Sunday, rising 1.55% to end the weekend at $4.80. APT started the current week positively, rising almost 2% to $4.89. The current session sees the price up over 1% as buyers look to build momentum and reclaim $5.

Filecoin (FIL) Price Analysis

Filecoin (FIL) plunged more than 8% on Friday (May 23), slipping below the 20-day SMA to $2.83. It remained red on Saturday and Sunday, dropping 0.42% and $0.47% to settle at $2.80. The price continued falling on Monday, registering a drop of almost 1% to $2.79. Despite the bearish sentiment, FIL recovered on Tuesday, rising over 3% and settling at $2.87. FIL plunged to an intraday low of $2.76 on Wednesday before rebounding to settle at $2.85, ultimately registering a drop of 0.79%. The price raced to an intraday high of $2.94 on Thursday as sellers attempted to reclaim $3. However, it lost momentum after reaching this level and fell over 3% to $2.76.

Source: TradingView

Bearish sentiment intensified on Friday as FIL plunged over 9%, slipping below $3 and settling at $2.50. FIL fell to a low of $2.43 on Saturday as selling pressure intensified. However, it rebounded and registered an increase of 3.57% to settle at $2.59. The price was back in the red on Sunday, dropping 0.69% to $2.57. FIL started the current week positively, rising over 2% to $2.63. However, it is back in the red during the ongoing session, down 0.30%, trading around $2.62.

Chainlink (LINK) Price Analysis

Chainlink (LINK) started the previous weekend in the red, dropping 1.28% to $15.34 on Saturday. It rebounded on Sunday, rising 1.22% to settle at $15.53. LINK registered a marginal decline on Monday but was back in positive territory on Tuesday, rising 2.54% to $15.92. Price action returned to bearish on Wednesday as LINK fell 1.50% to $15.68. Sellers retained control on Thursday as the price fell over 4% to $15.05.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure intensified on Friday as LINK plunged nearly 8%, slipping below the 50-day SMA and settling at $14.26. Despite the overwhelming selling pressure, LINK recovered over the weekend, rising 0.57% on Saturday and 0.65% on Sunday to reclaim $14 and settle at $14.06. LINK started the current week with a marginal increase and continues to push higher during the ongoing session, trading around $14.18.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.