by | Apr 9, 2025 | Business
Pasay City, Philippines – March 15 – The country’s premier celebration of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hit a high note as Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival marked its 10th anniversary at the CCP Open Grounds. With a powerhouse lineup of top OPM icons, rising stars, and immersive festival experiences, Fusion —organized by PraXis—once again proved why it’s the ultimate stage for Filipino music and talent.
A Decade of OPM Excellence
“Fusion’s 10th anniversary celebrates OPM as a vital part of who we are as Filipinos,” said PraXis CEO and Fusion founder Gladys Basinillo. “This is our moment to set a new standard for music festivals—proudly Filipino, and world-class.”
Thousands gathered to witness an unforgettable celebration of Filipino music. The stage lit up with performances from Ben&Ben, December Avenue, Zack Tabudlo, MAKI, The Itchyworms, Barbie Almalbis, Alamat, KAIA, ALLMO$T, and more. Surprise collaborations made the evening more surprising —including Barbie Almalbis and December Avenue’s nostalgic take on Tabing Ilog, and Miguel and Paolo Benjamin’s jam during MAKI’s set.
The festival showcased dance performances from D’Grind, the UP Varsity Pep Squad, and Manoeuvres Ignite. It also gave the spotlight to rising talents like 1ST One, G.A.T., Raya, The Vowels They Orbit, Better Days, Carissa, the Karaoke World Championships artists, and Amiel Sol—proving Fusion’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of OPM stars.
Photos from Jeremy Caisip, Yan Caringal, Harold Burce, Davin Reyes, Garcia, Nina FamosoGuided by the creative vision of director Paul Basinillo, Fusion embraced the theme “Musika Natin ’To”—transforming the event into a full-blown entertainment experience. “Fusion isn’t just about the past decade of OPM. It’s about shaping the future of Filipino music, artists, and fans. It’s about bringing people back to live events and making the festival an experience they’ll always want to be part of,” he shared.
The Fusion experience extended beyond the stage. Festivalgoers, calling themselves “sumakses,” immersed in interactive booths, exclusive merch drops, and perks and giveaways from sponsors like Nestea, Nescafé, Bear Brand Sterilized, Maggi, Dazz and Hapee, Fudgee Barr, VinFast, Tanduay Flavored Mixes, KFC, Chowking, McDonald’s, and more.
The night ended with a surprise finale featuring MAKI and Ben&Ben performing together as fireworks lit up the sky. The celebration continued into the afterparty with sets from DJ Bandit, DJ Ron Poe, and Mars Miranda—cementing Fusion as a landmark moment in OPM history.
Championing Filipino Music
Recognizing Fusion’s impact in elevating Original Pilipino Music (OPM) as both a cultural celebration and tourism asset, the Department of Tourism (DOT) underscored the festival’s role in promoting Filipino music as a pillar of the country’s creative industry. With its ability to draw thousands of fans and travelers, Fusion is helping position the Philippines as a vibrant destination for music lovers—both locally and internationally.
“With the immense talent of Filipino artists and the unwavering support of the Filipino youth, OPM deserves to be one of our country’s primary cultural exports,” said Gladys Basinillo. “This partnership with the Department of Tourism highlights how music and entertainment are deeply woven into our national identity. Through Fusion, we aim to amplify Filipino music on bigger stages—not just here at home, but around the world.”
Fusion’s mission to uplift Pinoy music is also supported by the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), reinforcing a shared advocacy for nurturing Filipino talent and growing the appreciation of homegrown artistry.
Together, these partnerships affirm Fusion’s position as more than just a festival—it’s a cultural movement for OPM’s continued evolution and global recognition.
Bringing the Fusion Experience Nationwide
Fusion continues to set the standard for OPM celebrations—uniting artists, audiences, and communities through the power of music.
Riding on the success of its Manila leg, Fusion is gearing up to take the celebration on the road, bringing the same OPM experience to regional stages across the country this year.
The music, the movement, and the magic of OPM are just getting started. Follow Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X for the latest stories and upcoming destinations.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2025 | Business
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. sponsors two pavilions at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and will host various events during the exhibition period. The Glico Group upholds its Purpose of contributing to people’s “Healthier days, Wellbeing for life,” continuously creating value in “Great Taste and Good Health.” Glico supports Expo 2025, under the theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
The company resonates with the Expo’s vision of promoting the exchange of diverse values worldwide, fostering new connections and creations, and showcasing hope for the future to the world. Through support and participation in pavilions, and various activities, Glico aims to propose unique value from the perspective of food and health to realize “Healthier days, Wellbeing for life” for people around the world.
Overview
Glico is a Silver Partner of the Expo’s Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART”, and a Premium Partner of the “Osaka Healthcare Pavilion”. In addition to supporting both pavilions, the company will host various related events during the exhibition period. At the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, Glico will present an exhibition focused on “Cellular-care,” a research theme centered on removing senescent cells. At the Expo’s Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART”, Glico will showcase its original product,”Rice soft candy,” co-created with the pavilion to highlight the potential of Japanese food culture and create sweets that bring happiness and contribute to a bright future for children.
As part of the produced events, Glico will host health education events at the “Reborn stage” at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. These events will focus on topics including ” Antioxidants” and “gut bacteria.” Additionally, at the EXPO Arena, we Glico will present “Matsuri”, a music event designed to inspire hope for the future.
Glico will also install “Seventeen Ice” vending machines at the Expo site. Coinciding with the opening, two new Japan-inspired ice cream products will debut, available both at the Expo and at major tourist destinations and train stations nationwide.
Exhibition at the OSAKA Healthcare Pavilion: Nest for Reborn
The Osaka Healthcare Pavilion is themed “REBORN,” representing people taking positive steps towards becoming their new selves. Glico shares this vision and will exhibit in the “Future Healthcare” zone with a display on “Cellular-care.”
“Cellular-care” – Research Focused on the Removal of Senescent Cells
“Cellular-care” is a new approach aimed at preventing aging by directly targeting cells. Glico is investigating the potential of targeting senescent cells, which play an important role in human health.
Cells continuously cycle through division, growth, aging, and eventual death. Normal cells gradually lose their ability to divide due to various factors such as aging, ultraviolet rays, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. As a result, they become senescent cells that accumulate in the body, contributing to health issues and aging.
Glico is investigating ways to target and remove senescent cells and exploring the active compounds involved in this process.
At the “Cellular-care Lab.” booth, the negative impacts of senescent cells on surrounding cells will be displayed, along with the approach of “Cellular-care” in an easy-to-understand manner. Visitors will also be able to experience approach to senescent cell removal through touch panels.
The uniform worn by the “Cellular-care Lab.” booth staff has been designed by the renowned Japanese designer Ms. Junko Koshino. It is a gender-neutral uniform, suitable for all genders, embracing the principle of diversity.
The design, inspired by lab coats, features a white base matching the color of Glico’s booth, and expresses the theme of “Future Healthcare.”
Note: The “Cellular-care Lab.” is located in the “Future Healthcare 1 Zone” of the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. A reservation for the “Reborn Experience Route” is required to enter this zone. For more details: https://2025osaka-pavilion.jp/reborn-route/
Exhibition at the Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART”
EARTH MART – “Thinking about the lives through eating.”
Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART”(Theme Producer: KOYAMA Kundo) is a conceptual supermarket where visitors can explore the interconnected cycle of food and life, discovering new perspectives for a more sustainable and nourishing future. It offers various experiences that encourage visitors to reset their thinking about food and discover new ways of eating. The pavilion invites visitors to reflect on the current state of food, technology, culture, and societal issues, as well as to find joy in eating and explore future clues for sustaining life in the next era of sustainable living.
“Rice soft candy”Made by Weaving Together Rice-derived Ingredients
In collaboration with “EARTH MART,” Glico has developed “Rice soft candy” to raise awareness of the potential of Japanese food culture and create sweets that bring happiness and contribute to a bright future for children.
“Rice (rice flour),” one of the “EARTH FOODS 25” (a list created by “EARTH MART” to share Japanese food with the world in order to improve the future of food globally),is not only Japan’s staple food but also a symbol of Japanese culture, nurtured alongside nature.
Glico has a long history of research and development, which began when the company’s founder, wishing to enhance people’s health through food, succeeded in kneading “glycogen” into caramel and launched the Glico nutritious caramel. Recognizing the vast potential of rice, Glico applied the technology it has cultivated since its founding to create an entirely new type of caramel by using rice as a key ingredient.
“Rice soft candy” is particular about the ingredients it uses. All ingredients, except sugar, are derived from rice, including rice syrup, rice flour, rice protein, and rice oil. It is crafted by weaving together rice-derived ingredients, resulting in a simple yet delicately unfolding flavor.
During the Expo, visitors can enjoy both the panel exhibition with actual samples of “Rice soft candy”, which will encourage visitors to reflect on the pavilion’s concept, the potential of food culture, and the future of food.
Glico Previously Served as a Judge in the Selection of “The ideas on Future sweets & snacks that make everyone on the Earth happy.”
At the Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART”, selected ideas submitted by the general public will be showcased. The first round of submissions was held from January 31 to May 20, 2024, targeting elementary school students in grades 4 through 6 worldwide. Glico participated as one of the judges, helping select ideas to be exhibited at the pavilion. A second round of submissions, this time open to all ages, began on March 18, 2025.
＜For Reference＞EARTH MART: https://expo2025earthmart.jp/en
Glico-Produced Events During the Expo 2025
The main events produced by Glico during the Expo 2025 are as follows:
Music Event
Date: Friday, August 1, 2025
Venue: EXPO Arena “Matsuri”
Overview: An event to express expectations for the future through music.
Health Awareness Event
Date: Sunday, September 21 – Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Venue: Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, Reborn Stage
Overview: Events focused on “Short-chain Fatty Acids” (Sep 21) and “Antioxidants” (Sep 22-24).
Expo-Related Initiatives
In addition to the events mentioned above, Glico will continue to develop new initiatives in collaboration with partners.
Installation of “Seventeen Ice” Vending Machines at the Expo 2025 Site
Release of Two New “Seventeen Ice” Products with unique Japanese Flavors
Installation Period: Sunday, April 13, 2025 – Monday, October 13, 2025
Installation Locations: Four “Seventeen Ice” vending machines will be installed at EXPO Arena “Matsuri.”
New Products: Two new products with unique Japanese flavors, “Hokkaido Milk” and “Uji Matcha”– will be sold at the Expo site as well as at major tourist spots and stations nationwide, starting from the opening of the Expo.
“MYAKU-MYAKU” Special Design of “Selection the Glico”（Gift Box Assorted Glico Treats）
Release Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Overview: A special design package of Glico’s popular products, featuring the Expo 2025’s official character “MYAKU-MYAKU,” will be sold.
Note: This will be a limited release in the Kinki region and will not be available at the Expo 2025 site.
[Notes of caution]
This document is an English translation of the Japanese original. In the event of any differences or inconsistencies between the Japanese and English versions, the Japanese language version shall take precedence.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2025 | Business
Asuene Inc., the leading provider of carbon accounting platforms in Asia, announced that this year, it provided CDP disclosure consultation services to 210 companies. As a result, 90% of these companies either improved or maintained their scores compared to the previous year. Notably, in the transition from ‘Disclosure’ to ‘Management’ levels (from B to F scores), 99% of supported companies achieved either an improvement or maintenance of their scores—demonstrating a high level of performance.
Asuene empowers companies to enhance their environmental disclosures and accelerate their decarbonization and ESG initiatives through its CDP disclosure consultation services.
CDP is a globally recognized framework for evaluating corporate climate-related disclosures. CDP scores are increasingly used by investors, customers, and stakeholders to assess companies’ climate strategies, risks, and preparedness, making them a key indicator of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) progress.
In FY 2024, CDP raised the standards for each scoring level, requiring more strategic and data-driven disclosures. As regulations become stricter and stakeholder expectations increase worldwide, organizations face significant challenges in preparing accurate, compliant, and impactful CDP responses.
To tackle these challenges, Asuene offers ‘ASUENE,’ a carbon accounting platform accompanied by climate consulting services tailored to various industries and disclosure levels. These services help clients improve their CDP scores and ensure the credibility of their environmental disclosures.
Consulting Results and Client Voices
Asuene provided CDP disclosure consultation services to 210 companies, and 90% of these companies either improved or maintained their scores compared to the previous year. Remarkably, in the transition from the ‘Disclosure’ level to the ‘Management’ level (from B to F scores), 99% of the supported companies either improved or maintained their scores.
We appreciate the consultant’s commitment to helping us identify the best strategy for our company.
Listed Manufacturer (Prime Market)
Thanks to your detailed feedback during the mock scoring phase, we made final improvements and achieved a B score—this is very satisfying!
Listed Manufacturer (Standard Market)
We appreciated the early mock scoring session and the preparation of customized presentation materials to emphasize our strengths.
Transportation Sector (Prime Market)
Asuene will continue to expand its consulting services for CDP and other ESG disclosure initiatives. The goal is to help clients enhance the precision of their reporting and improve overall sustainability governance. As global disclosure standards evolve, Asuene is dedicated to providing accurate and customized support to strengthen corporate ESG performance and promote sustainable growth.
CDP is a global non-profit organization that operates the only independent environmental disclosure system in the world. This system helps companies, capital markets, cities, states, and regions manage their environmental impacts.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by | Apr 9, 2025 | Business
Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has published an open letter by its Chief Legal Officer, Hon Ng, which highlights the exchange’s efforts in global regulatory compliance and expansion. The CEX continues to grow in the global crypto market by securing regulatory approvals and expanding its operations. With a strong focus on compliance, Bitget is navigating evolving regulatory landscapes with over eight licenses obtained while ensuring that users have access to a secure and transparent trading environment.
Hon Ng, Chief Legal Officer at Bitget, has addressed the company’s strategic direction in an open letter, providing plans to grow Bitget’s regulatory standing across multiple jurisdictions. His statements show the importance of regulatory dialogues and highlight upcoming initiatives that will shape the platform’s future.
“The regulatory environment surrounding digital assets is becoming more defined, and Bitget is taking proactive steps to work alongside authorities to ensure responsible growth. Compliance is not an obligation it’s a necessity; it’s about setting a standard for the industry and building a sustainable ecosystem for users,” said Hon Ng, Chief Legal Officer at Bitget.
Bitget has already secured registrations and approvals in several key markets, including Australia, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, the UK, the Czech Republic, and El Salvador. These achievements align with the company’s strategy of working within legal frameworks and supporting initiatives that promote advanced security and user protection. The legal and compliance teams are working closely to obtain additional licenses in jurisdictions that will further enhance the platform’s accessibility and credibility.
One of the primary objectives for the upcoming year is to refine the company’s compliance protocols. A strong Know Your Customer (KYC) process is being implemented to optimize user verification while adhering to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. In parallel, Bitget is investing in advanced transaction monitoring tools to detect and prevent illicit activity, ensuring that all operations adhere to the highest standards of financial integrity.
Collaboration with regulators and law enforcement agencies remains a key aspect of Bitget’s compliance efforts. The company has established direct communication channels with authorities to facilitate transparent reporting and improve response times in cases of suspicious activity. By adopting new technological solutions, Bitget aims to enhance global cooperation while safeguarding user privacy.
In addition to regulatory advancements, Bitget is focused on introducing innovative products that align with compliance requirements. Bitget is already building even stronger user protection, risk management features, and enhanced security measures that strengthen the platform’s durability and credibility. This is in line with the company’s targets of maintaining a secure, compliant, and user-centric trading platform.
As part of its commitment to responsible operations, Bitget strictly adheres to international sanctions controls. Users from restricted regions are prohibited from accessing the platform, ensuring that all activities remain within legal boundaries. A dedicated compliance team continuously monitors global regulatory developments to adjust policies as needed.
Bitget’s legal and compliance strategy is designed to adapt to the rapidly changing digital asset landscape. With regulatory discussions evolving worldwide, the company is prepared to adjust its framework to align with new policies and emerging industry standards. The legal team remains engaged in conversations with policymakers to contribute to the responsible development of crypto regulations.
“Compliance is a continuous process that requires foresight and collaboration. Our goal here is simple: we comply, expand, operate, and grow. Our focus remains on making crypto accessible to everyone globally, and each license and approval is a step closer to it,” added Ng.
Bitget’s ongoing expansion and compliance efforts reaffirm its role as a leading player in the crypto market. By staying ahead of regulatory changes and implementing rigorous security measures, the company indeed plans to keep its title of being one of the top most trusted crypto exchanges globally.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by | Apr 8, 2025 | Business
XRP faces a pivotal moment as whale sell-offs stir fear, yet bullish forecasts, ETF approval, and Ripple’s $1.25B Hidden Road acquisition fuel optimism. Will XRP rally past $2—or fall further before rebounding?
The cryptocurrency market is flashing green today, with many digital assets experiencing moderate gains. Yet amidst the optimism, XRP—the native token of Ripple—finds itself at a critical juncture.
The coin has seen significant whale movement, bullish predictions from top analysts, and a game-changing acquisition that could reshape Ripple’s future in institutional finance.
Whale Moves Stir Market Anxiety
A significant event that sent ripples through the market was the transfer of 200 million XRP tokens, valued at approximately $355.6 million, from an unidentified wallet to Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange.
Such a move is typically interpreted as a prelude to large-scale selling, signaling possible loss of confidence among whales—holders of substantial XRP reserves. The result?
A sharp drop in XRP’s price, falling to $1.60, igniting concerns about increased short-term volatility.
Technical Indicators Show Mixed Signals
Despite the bearish implications of the whale sell-off, technical analysts remain divided. Well-known analyst Dark Defender maintained his bullish stance, citing the firm hold of the $1.8815 level on XRP’s monthly chart.
Other analysts suggest that this might be a “boom or bust” moment, where XRP either rebounds significantly or dips further.
Crypto expert Ali Martinez pointed to a potential breakdown from a head-and-shoulders pattern, projecting a short-term bearish scenario that could see XRP drop to $1.30 if current support levels fail.
Bullish Forecasts: Will XRP Hit $2 and Beyond?
Not all outlooks are grim. Prominent analyst CredibleCrypto views XRP’s recent dip into the $1.61–$1.79 range as a possible demand zone, suggesting that consolidation here might lay the groundwork for a full-scale reversal.
Similarly, Casi Trades emphasized the importance of the $1.55 level, which coincides with the 618 Fibonacci retracement, as a strong potential rebound point.
If XRP bottoms around $1.55, Casi believes it could reignite the bullish case for a surge toward $8 to $13, although such targets are long-term aspirations.
In the short term, a break above $1.97 to $2.17 resistance levels is crucial to see XRP push past the psychological $2 mark, with higher resistance zones identified at $2.72 and $3.70.
At the time of writing this article on April 8, the price of XRP was $1.9047 with an increase of 1.07%. Indeed, the increase was weakened where during the day the crypto market was very strong, even XRP increased by almost 10%.
However, XRP is one of the tokens that remains green when other strong tokens, especially BTC, are declining again.
Macro Factors & Institutional Moves Fuel Optimism
One of the most notable bullish catalysts came from Standard Chartered, which predicted XRP could climb from $2 to $12 over the next four years, potentially boosting Ripple’s market cap from $113 billion to over $600 billion.
The bank cited Ripple’s growing influence in the cross-border payments sector, a domain historically dominated by SWIFT.
Ripple offers a faster, cheaper, and more transparent alternative—with transaction fees under $1 and settlement times measured in seconds.
Another key driver of optimism is the approval of Teucrium’s 2X Long Daily XRP ETF by NYSE Arca, which signals growing institutional interest and could improve XRP’s visibility in traditional financial markets.
Ripple’s $1.25 Billion Gamble on Hidden Road
Perhaps the most transformative development is Ripple’s acquisition of crypto prime broker Hidden Road in a landmark $1.25 billion deal.
This acquisition expands Ripple’s footprint in the institutional space, giving it access to Hidden Road’s 300 institutional clients and its ability to clear $3 trillion in annual transactions.
The deal brings strategic advantages:
1. Capital injection: Ripple plans to inject billions into Hidden Road’s operations.
2. XRP Ledger integration: Settlement and trade recording may occur on the XRP Ledger, increasing on-chain utility.
3. Use of RLUSD: Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, now with a $300M market cap, will be used as collateral for trades.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated, “We need the infrastructure in place to appeal and expand to a larger segment of the biggest bracket institutions.”
Challenges Ahead: Death Cross, Bear Traps, and Privacy Concerns
Despite the bullish fundamentals, XRP isn’t out of the woods yet. The token has already formed a death cross—a bearish technical signal where the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average—indicating the possibility of a further drop below $1 before recovery.
There’s also concern that the recent price bounce could be a “dead cat bounce”, a temporary recovery before further decline. XRP recently retested the $2 resistance, but unless it establishes strong support above it, a break-and-retest pattern could confirm more downside.
Institutional privacy concerns also persist. If Hidden Road relies on the public XRP Ledger for settlement, institutions may hesitate to fully engage due to transparency issues.
Solutions like Layer 2 privacy protocols or a private version of the XRP Ledger may be necessary to fully onboard traditional finance giants.
Conclusion: XRP at a Pivotal Moment
XRP stands at a high-stakes moment. While whale activity and bearish technical patterns suggest caution, positive fundamentals—including ETF approvals, major acquisitions, and bullish institutional forecasts—paint an optimistic longer-term picture.
The coming weeks will be crucial as XRP attempts to hold support levels, retest critical resistance zones, and prove whether it can indeed rally past $2—or fall further before a true rebound.
As Ripple expands its institutional presence, and as the regulatory climate continues to evolve in its favor, the real question might not be if XRP will rally—but when.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by | Apr 8, 2025 | Business
Bitcoin rebounds above $80,000 after a sharp drop amid U.S. tariff tensions. Explore expert analysis, technical signals like the “death cross,” institutional resilience, and what to watch next for crypto markets.
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, surged back above the $80,000 level on Tuesday, recovering from a five-month low as traders bought the dip.
However, investor sentiment remains fragile in light of escalating trade tensions driven by U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.
Bitcoin Rises Amid Market Rebound
By 09:31 ET (13:31 GMT) today, Bitcoin had gained 2.4% to trade at $80,285. This followed a volatile weekend during which the digital asset plunged to lows near $74,420, shedding over $10,000 in value as fears of a tariff-induced global recession sent shockwaves through financial markets.
At 7:32 AM on April 8, data from CoinMarketCap placed Bitcoin at $80,559.88, up 2.09% over the past day, with a market cap of $1.59 trillion and 24-hour trading volume of $88.59 billion.
While broader markets, including major Wall Street indices and Asian equities, began to stabilize following Monday’s steep losses, the recovery remains tentative. U.S. stock index futures pointed higher in Asian trading, helping support Bitcoin’s rebound.
However, when this article was written that evening, the price of BTC had again fallen by 0.56% and was trading at $78,853.
Trump’s Tariffs and Market Uncertainty
The renewed volatility stems from President Trump’s announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs targeting major economies. These measures, exceeding prior market expectations, rattled investors and drove a flight from risk assets—including cryptocurrencies.
Over the weekend, Trump doubled down on his stance, threatening even steeper duties on Chinese imports unless Beijing backs down from its own retaliatory measures.
Further uncertainty looms as the tariffs are set to take effect on Wednesday. Additional threats include potential levies on pharmaceutical and semiconductor imports — sectors critical to global supply chains.
Technical Warning: Bitcoin Confirms ‘Death Cross’
Despite Tuesday’s bounce, technical indicators remain bearish. Bitcoin recently formed a “death cross,” a key signal that occurs when the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average.
This pattern often precedes short-term weakness, particularly in markets lacking strong bullish catalysts.
Investing.com data confirmed the crossover this week, suggesting that Bitcoin could remain under pressure unless macroeconomic conditions improve or significant bullish triggers emerge.
Adding to concerns, several long-term Bitcoin holders have recently moved their holdings onto exchanges — often a precursor to selling.
Institutional Resilience and a Changing Investor Base
Despite recent price weakness, some analysts point to a more resilient foundation for Bitcoin. According to Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani, Bitcoin’s 26% pullback — though steep—is considerably milder than past crypto crashes, which sometimes saw losses of 70% or more.
Chhugani attributes this stability to the growing presence of institutional capital, including ETFs and corporate treasury allocations, which now dominate retail participation.
He views Bitcoin as a “probabilistic gold”—offering higher liquidity and volatility than traditional safe-haven assets like physical gold.
Indeed, year-to-date ETF inflows remain positive at approximately $770 million, suggesting continued confidence among larger players.
Altcoins Follow Bitcoin’s Lead
Broader cryptocurrency markets mirrored Bitcoin’s partial recovery. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, climbed over 5% to $1,569, rebounding from a two-year low.
Solana, Cardano, Polygon, and XRP posted gains between 8% and 13%. Meme coins also saw movement, with Dogecoin soaring more than 9% and the politically-themed $TRUMP token rising 4.6%.
CoinSwitch Markets Desk reported Bitcoin briefly touched $74,600 before rebounding to around $80,800, with approximately $377 million worth of Bitcoin liquidated in the process. Altcoins posted more modest gains, with XRP up 1.6%, SOL up 4.9%, TRX up 2.3%, and ADA up 4.6%.
As of April 8, the global cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $2.55 trillion, up 1.55% over the past 24 hours, while total market volume surged to $200.99 billion — a staggering 89.81% increase, reflecting heightened trading activity and volatility.
Looking Ahead: CPI Data and Market Sentiment
All eyes are now on upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which could heavily influence market direction. A softer-than-expected inflation reading may ease investor concerns and catalyze a broader recovery across risk assets, including crypto.
Alankar Saxena, CTO and Co-founder of crypto investment platform Mudrex, noted that Bitcoin is currently testing resistance at $84,000 with key support at $75,900.
He emphasized the growing conviction among long-term holders, saying that Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana have rebounded as much as 15% from recent lows.
“Amid prolonged trade fragmentation and geopolitical strain, Bitcoin’s role as a potential safe-haven asset is being re-evaluated,” Saxena said. “This could add to its upward momentum, especially if traditional markets continue to remain volatile.”
Market Risks Still Loom
Still, risks remain elevated. According to data from Coinglass, around $1.5 billion in bullish crypto positions were liquidated in the last 24 hours — the largest such flush in 2025.
FalconX’s head of APAC derivatives, Sean McNulty, warned that options markets are now signaling sustained selling pressure, with demand for put options rising considerably.
Will Clemente, former co-founder of Reflexivity Research, expressed caution: “While I think we’re closer to the end of this correction than the beginning, market uncertainty remains high, and Bitcoin is not immune when investors must sell assets to meet margin calls or internal risk thresholds.”
Conclusion
Bitcoin’s bounce above $80,000 provides some relief to crypto markets rattled by global trade tensions, but the road ahead remains murky.
As investors digest tariff fallout and await crucial inflation data, Bitcoin’s ability to hold current levels—and possibly reclaim higher resistance—will depend on broader risk sentiment and macroeconomic signals.
Until then, traders should brace for continued volatility and remain attuned to shifting geopolitical developments that could further influence the trajectory of digital assets.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
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