Crypto Market Divided Ahead of April 2 “Liberation Day”: BTC Waits, Alts Run
The cryptocurrency market remains cautious Tuesday as investors await April 2nd, “Liberation Day,” as the Trump administration termed it when they impose new tariffs on the “Dirty 15” nations .
Market leaders Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) showed only modest gains over the past day. However, several altcoins were the true market movers, including Walrus (WAL), EOS, Curve Finance (CRV), and AI16Z. According to CoinMarketCap data, over the past 24 hours, WAL gained 22%, EOS climbed 15.19%, CRV rose 18.18%, and AI16Z’s price increased 16.75%.
Additionally, certain small-cap tokens delivered substantial gains, such as RFC (+293%) and DOGINME (+58.9%), according to CryptoRank. This data highlighted ongoing speculative momentum in specific market segments despite broader caution.
Despite near-term uncertainty, institutional players continue to demonstrate confidence in Bitcoin. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) added another 22,048 BTC to its corporate treasury, spending $1.92 billion for this latest batch at an average price of $86,900 per BTC.
Meanwhile, stablecoin issuer Tether acquired 8,888 BTC (worth ~$735M at the time) during the first quarter of 2025. These large purchases reinforce the view that major institutions are positioning for Bitcoin’s potential long-term appreciation.
Bitcoin’s current price action suggests consolidation. A critical near-term resistance level sits at $84,824, aligning with the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), a key short-term trend indicator. Chart analysis also indicates BTC might be in a potential accumulation phase above a key support level currently identified near $76,180.
If BTC fails to reclaim the 20-day EMA soon, it could retest lower support levels. Prominent technical analyst Ali Martinez noted that Bitcoin has an “air gap” below $80,000, meaning very little established technical support exists until the $70,000 price area.
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has dropped to 24 , indicating significant “Fear” among market participants. Simultaneously, Bitcoin’s market dominance (BTC.D) remains above 61%, generally suppressing conditions needed for a sustainable, broad altcoin market rally.
The chart tracking the total market cap of altcoins excluding Bitcoin (often called TOTAL2) highlights a declining Relative Strength Index (RSI), a commonly used momentum indicator. The RSI currently hovers around 40.40. This RSI level suggests altcoins may remain in a neutral-to-bearish short-term posture.
However, a bounce from these RSI levels could signal renewed upward momentum for altcoins. If the RSI moves back above the 50 level, the altcoin market could potentially see a significant rally.
Analysis using Fibonacci retracement levels further indicates key areas to watch. If the total altcoin market cap holds support above the 1.0 Fib level (around $923 billion), a potential breakout could follow.
The next major resistance target based on this analysis aligns with the 1.618 Fib extension level (around $1.16 trillion). However, if the broader market weakens further, lower Fibonacci support levels at the 2.618 ($630B), 3.618 ($450B), and 4.236 ($380B) extensions could come into play.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
Survey: Nearly 50% of Korean Investors Expect US Tariffs to Harm Crypto Market and Drive Price Drops
A recent survey conducted from March 25 to 28 shows declining optimism among Korean cryptocurrency investors. The survey , which polled 2,000 participants, tracks weekly market sentiment trends.
This week, only 21.4% of respondents believe Bitcoin (BTC) will rise significantly. This marks a sharp drop from last week’s 36.8%. Separately, 38.2% predict a stable market (down slightly from 42.1%), while those expecting a decline nearly doubled to 40.4%, up from 21.1% previously.
Notably, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $81,630. During the survey period, Bitcoin experienced a decline of about 4%, trading just above $83,700 on March 28. The price drop aligns with the growing investor caution reflected in the survey results.
When asked about the overall market outlook, 44.1% of investors described their sentiment as neutral. Meanwhile, 23% expressed optimism, including extreme optimism, while 32.9% reported feelings of fear or extreme fear. The data suggests a growing sense of caution among traders as uncertainty persists.
Related: This Analyst Believes Bitcoin’s Death Cross is Actually a Bullish Sign
Investors also watch external factors like the Trump administration’s planned reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect on April 2. The survey found almost half (49.5%) of respondents expect these tariffs to negatively impact the crypto market, potentially leading to price drops.
This caution persists even as overall crypto adoption in South Korea remains high. Reports indicate that by late 2024, approximately 15.6 million individuals—about 30% of the nation’s population—were investing in digital assets. The majority of these investors are reportedly men in their 30s, followed by those in their 40s.
Regarding the tariffs’ impact, the survey also revealed differing opinions within the Korean crypto community. About one-third (33.4%) believe the tariffs’ potential market effect is already priced in. They expect the market to rebound once related uncertainties settle. The remaining 17.1% foresee no significant market reaction.
Broader macroeconomic concerns likely influence current crypto sentiment as well. Recent global inflation data and shifting consumer confidence reports have contributed to uncertainty across both cryptocurrencies and related traditional markets like stocks.
Related: Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Display Contrasting Trends in Capital Flows
Meanwhile, while Bitcoin remains a focal point, altcoins play a significant role in the South Korean market. On Upbit, the country’s largest crypto exchange, altcoins account for 88% of the total trading activity. This indicates a strong interest in alternative digital assets despite Bitcoin’s declining investor confidence.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.