It’s been a historic week in crypto — and not just for Bitcoin.
BTC hit a new all-time high on Pizza Day, fueled by institutional demand, while Ethereum’s breakout could signal the return of altseason. XRP cooled off, and retail interest remains surprisingly low. Despite growing macro uncertainty — as fewer rate cuts are now expected from the FED — momentum is building. The next few weeks could shape the biggest moves of this cycle. This Friday, the FTX exchange is set to release $5 billion worth of stablecoins to creditors. Will that be the next spark?
Let’s break it all down in this week’s CryptoUnity Weekly Crypto News.
Bitcoin Hits All-Time High on Pizza Day – Fueled by Institutional Demand
Just like we predicted in last week’s news — Bitcoin (BTC) has done it.
On May 22, Bitcoin smashed through its all-time high and climbed to a record $111,880 (99.136 €). The historic milestone came exactly on “Bitcoin Pizza Day,” 14 years after the first BTC transaction, making the moment even more symbolic.
But the story doesn’t end there. Bitcoin also overtook Amazon in market capitalization, reaching $2.205 trillion and placing itself among the biggest giants in the global economy. Analysts say this could boost long-term confidence among mainstream investors.
After the ATH, Bitcoin faced a 4% dip triggered by U.S. tariff headlines, but quickly bounced back above $109,000 (96.500 €).
So, what drove the surge? Institutions. From BlackRock becoming the second-largest Bitcoin holder to Michael Saylor’s Strategy buying 4.020 BTC, large players are clearly leading the charge. Even GameStop surprised the market with its own Bitcoin acquisition — a sign that crypto is entering a new phase of adoption.
But while the price broke records, retail interest didn’t. According to CryptoQuant, small investor demand is still near bear-market levels — just 3.2%, compared to 30% during previous bull runs. App usage remains low, and Google search trends for “Bitcoin” haven’t picked up either. The Fear & Greed Index shows “greed,” but not euphoria — leaving plenty of room for further growth.
💡 Beginner tip: When prices rise without retail hype, it can mean the cycle still has room to grow — especially if big investors are buying.
Bitcoin Hits Resistance – What’s Next?
After breaking its all-time high, Bitcoin is now trading just below $110,000 (97.500 €) — a level that’s proving to be a strong resistance. For now, $110K is acting as a psychological and technical barrier.
What’s holding the market back? One big reason is macro uncertainty. Markets now expect fewer interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve this year, with the first likely only in September — not June, as many had hoped. Until more clarity arrives, many traders are playing it safe. In the short term, some analysts believe we could see a correction — possibly back to the $92,000–$95,000 range — before any new breakout.
But zooming out, the bigger picture is exciting. All signs point to this being the final stage of the current market cycle — a fast, dramatic rise that could be followed by a sharp correction and then a long bear market. Big players are already preparing.
Several market models suggest that if momentum stays strong, Bitcoin could reach $135,000–$150,000 this year and a few even suggest $200,000 or more, depending on how the economy and investors behave.
Institutional support is still strong. ETFs are seeing record inflows, and politicians in the U.S. are openly discussing Bitcoin-related laws and government purchases. At the same time, long-term holders aren’t selling, trading data shows confidence, and there’s still untapped liquidity — from both large funds and everyday investors.
💡Interest rate cuts matter because they make borrowing cheaper, which can boost investment and push risk assets like crypto higher.
💡 What’s a bear market? It’s a longer period when prices fall and stay low. It usually follows a big market rally — and offers new chances for smart investors.
$5 Billion Release from FTX – What It Means for the Market
This Friday, the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX is expected to release $5 billion worth of stablecoins to its creditors, following a court decision. That’s a lot of money — and it could have a major impact on the crypto market.
Why does it matter? In similar cases, these funds often find their way back into crypto. If even a part of this capital returns to the market, it could boost altcoin prices and bring new momentum, especially with Ethereum and others already showing signs of strength.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. But historically, such unlocks have led to short-term bullish waves. With the market already heating up, this could become one of the catalysts that shapes what happens next.
Ethereum: Altseason signal confirmed as ETH targets $4,000
Ethereum (ETH) has reclaimed a key level that previously triggered massive altcoin rallies—known as “altseasons.” This happened after ETH closed above a crucial trendline in the Gaussian Channel, which has historically marked the beginning of strong market momentum.
ETH is now trading above 2.300 €, and analysts expect a move toward 2.800 € next, with a possible breakout to 3.500 € by July. On-chain activity and futures volume support this view, and confidence is growing after the announcement of a $425M ETH treasury by SharpLink.
If this bullish trend continues, it could push the entire altcoin market higher—just like in past cycles. Analysts say this could bring us closer to the long-awaited Ethereum spot ETF approval in the U.S., which may act as the final spark.
💡 What’s an altseason? It’s a period when altcoins (cryptos other than Bitcoin) rise faster than BTC — and can offer major opportunities for early movers.
XRP Cooling Off… But the ETF Could Change Everything
After a 385% rally since late 2024, Ripple (XRP) is showing signs of cooling down. Network activity has dropped sharply, fewer addresses are active, and on-chain data shows that most capital entered near the recent highs — often a sign of a local top. XRP has also seen the largest outflow from institutional investment products, suggesting lower demand for now.
Despite that, some analysts remain optimistic — and the reason is clear: the U.S. SEC has officially started reviewing WisdomTree’s spot XRP ETF. If approved, it could open the door for major institutional inflows and push XRP back toward its all-time highs. Market odds for approval have already jumped to 84%, and expectations are building. While short-term pressure remains, all eyes are now on the ETF.
💡 ETFs make it easier for big investors to buy crypto. When an ETF gets approved, it often boosts demand for that asset.
We’re now deep into the final phase of this cycle — where things can move fast. Bitcoin is holding close to record levels, Ethereum is leading altcoins higher, and XRP is testing key support. But all eyes are also on this Friday, when FTX is set to release $5 billion in stablecoins into circulation.
The market is still far from overheated, which could mean more opportunities ahead.
Stay sharp, stay informed — and keep learning.
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