Crypto Retreats Amid Global Trade Tensions

Bitcoin and the broader altcoin market gave back part of their recent gains as trade tensions between the US and parts of Europe resurfaced, pushing traders back into a risk-off mindset. Bitcoin pulled back toward the $92,000 area and is trying to stabilize, but sellers remain active and are not giving the bulls much breathing room. Several analysts have warned that an extended US–EU trade dispute could keep pressure on risk assets in the near term. While traditional safe havens like gold and silver pushed to fresh all-time highs, BTC has lagged behind. Network economist Timothy Peterson believes this gap will eventually close, saying Bitcoin and gold are heading in the same direction but moving at different speeds. From a trader’s perspective, the short-term setup remains fragile. CrypNuevo noted that uncertainty could drag BTC lower, with the 2026 yearly open near $87,000 and range support around $80,500 acting as key downside levels to watch.

Away from price action, memecoin launchpad Pump.fun is shifting gears by launching an investment arm called Pump Fund. The initiative includes a $3 million hackathon designed to back early-stage teams with longer-term potential, marking a strategic move beyond pure memecoin speculation as trading volumes cool from earlier 2025 highs. This pivot suggests parts of the market are quietly repositioning for sustainability rather than hype-driven cycles.

Institutional flows tell a mixed but encouraging story. Crypto investment products posted their strongest inflows of 2026 so far, with CoinShares reporting $2.17 billion in weekly inflows. Bitcoin dominated with $1.55 billion, while Ether, XRP and Solana also attracted steady capital. However, sentiment weakened late in the week as geopolitical headlines triggered profit-taking. On the altcoin side, Injective approved a major tokenomics overhaul aimed at making INJ more deflationary, though the token remains deep in a longer-term downtrend despite optimistic community response.

Revolut, a London-based digital banking and payments company, has applied for a full banking license in Peru as part of its expansion across Latin America, Bloomberg reported on Monday. If approved, the license will allow the company to operate as a regulated bank in the country, adding Peru to a list of regional markets alongside Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Bloomberg said Revolut plans to compete primarily with incumbent banks rather than newer fintech rivals. Revolut has identified remittances and cross-border payments as key parts of its local strategy, noting that about 1 million people in Peru rely on money sent from abroad. According to World Bank data, personal remittances to Peru totaled $4.93 billion in 2024. Julien Labrot, Revolut’s Peru CEO, said the expansion is aimed at increasing competition and improving access to financial services in the local market. Revolut, a neobank founded in 2015, has recently expanded its crypto offerings alongside broader growth across its platform. In April 2025, the company reported a record year, with 2024 net profit increasing 130% to 790 million pounds ($1.06 billion) year-on-year, fueled by strong customer growth and a rebound in cryptocurrency trading activity.

The crypto market is currently trading in a cautious, headline-driven environment. Bitcoin holding near $92,000 is constructive, but momentum remains weak unless buyers reclaim higher levels with conviction. Trade war concerns and geopolitical uncertainty are likely to keep volatility elevated in the short term. Institutional inflows show that longer-term confidence is still intact, even as short-term traders reduce exposure. Altcoins remain selective, with capital favoring larger names over smaller, higher-risk tokens. Structural upgrades and tokenomics changes may help individual projects, but they are unlikely to drive immediate price reversals. Gold outperforming Bitcoin suggests risk aversion is still dominant. For now, range trading and patience remain the preferred approach. A clear shift back to risk-on sentiment will likely require easing macro tensions or stronger confirmation from price action.

Bitcoin’s recent pullback has brought the price back to the 20-day EMA near $92,625, which is now a key short-term level traders are watching closely. So far, buyers are still showing interest around this zone, suggesting that dip demand has not disappeared. If Bitcoin gets a strong bounce from the 20-day EMA, sentiment could quickly improve, opening the door for a push above $97,924. A clean move through that level would put $100,000 back in focus, with $107,500 acting as the next upside target if momentum builds. However, if BTC fails to hold the moving averages and closes below them, it would signal that bulls are losing control. In that case, price action could turn choppy, with Bitcoin likely ranging between $84,000 and $97,924 as traders wait for clearer direction.

Ether continues to trade inside a symmetrical triangle, reflecting hesitation from both buyers and sellers. The 20-day EMA near $3,190 is slowly rising, while the RSI sits close to neutral, showing a balanced fight between bulls and bears. If ETH slips below the 20-day EMA, it may stay trapped inside the triangle for longer, frustrating momentum traders. A breakout above the resistance line would shift the bias in favor of the bulls and could send Ether toward $3,569 and then $4,000. On the flip side, a decisive break below the triangle support would be a bearish signal and could drag ETH down toward $2,623.

BNB briefly dipped below its 20-day EMA around $912, but the long lower wick shows buyers stepping in on weakness. For bulls to regain momentum, BNB needs to reclaim $960 and hold above it. That would signal renewed strength and open the path toward the pattern target near $1,066. If sellers manage to push the price back below the 50-day SMA at $884, it would suggest that the recent breakout attempt has failed. In that scenario, BNB could slide back to the uptrend line and potentially revisit the $790 support.

In the near term, Bitcoin is sitting at a make-or-break zone around the 20-day EMA, and traders should watch closely for either a strong bounce or a clean breakdown. A move above $97,924 would likely attract momentum buyers targeting $100,000 and higher. Failure to hold current levels could keep BTC stuck in a wide range, favoring short-term range traders. Ether remains a patience game, with the triangle structure suggesting a sharp move once a breakout or breakdown occurs. Bulls will look for confirmation above resistance, while bears are eyeing a loss of triangle support. Until then, fakeouts remain a risk. BNB shows early signs of dip buying, but it still needs follow-through above $960 to confirm strength. A rejection near resistance would quickly shift control back to sellers. Overall market sentiment remains cautious but not broken. Volatility is likely to expand soon, making risk management critical. Traders should stay flexible and let price confirm direction before committing

heavily.

Earnings Disclaimer: The information you’ll find in this article is for educational purpose only. We make no promise or guarantee of income or earnings. You have to do some work, use your best judgement and perform due diligence before using the information in this article. Your success is still up to you. Nothing in this article is intended to be professional, legal, financial and/or accounting advice. Always seek competent advice from professionals in these matters. If you break the city or other local laws, we will not be held liable for any damages you incur.

The post Crypto Retreats Amid Global Trade Tensions appeared first on Platinum Crypto Academy.