The cryptocurrency market started 2025 with a surge, reaching a $3.76 trillion market cap on January 7, driven by pro-crypto U.S. policies
However, sentiment shifted sharply later in January following DeepSeek’s AI breakthrough, which triggered concerns about overvalued U.S. tech stocks and led to a broader sell-off across traditional and crypto markets, according to Crypto Street.
Despite the turbulence, the crypto market still grew by 4.3% in January, with notable gains for XRP (+47.8%), Solana (+24.7%), and Bitcoin (+11.7%). Meanwhile, Ethereum (-8.2%) and Avalanche (-9.3%) saw declines as liquidity shifted to other assets.
Key Narratives to Watch in February 2025
Regulatory and Macroeconomic Developments
- U.S. Trade Policies: Potential new tariffs could impact investor risk appetite and influence crypto prices.
- Federal Reserve Rate Decisions: With only two rate cuts expected for 2025, cautious monetary policy could slow capital inflows into speculative assets.
- Stablecoin Regulations: U.S. lawmakers are discussing compliance measures for stablecoin issuers, which could shape institutional adoption.
Crypto ETF Expansion
The U.S. now has 47 active crypto ETF filings, marking a shift beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Upcoming approvals for altcoin and memecoin ETFs could drive new liquidity into the market.
Solana’s Continued DeFi and DEX Growth
Solana has outperformed Ethereum in DEX trading volume for four consecutive months, fueled by:
- Memecoin speculation ($TRUMP, $MELANIA)
- Low fees and high transaction speeds
- Increased validator adoption and liquidity incentives
With January’s Solana-to-Ethereum DEX ratio reaching an all-time high, the key question remains: Can Solana sustain i
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Author: Alex Orguno
