Crypto Rally Builds: Bitcoin Crosses $108K Briefly; Ether, Altcoins Mixed Amid Caution

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The cryptocurrency market is showing renewed vigor as Bitcoin briefly surged past $108,000 on Thursday, signaling growing confidence among investors despite mixed performance across altcoins. With geopolitical tensions easing and institutional interest intensifying, digital assets are regaining momentum—though caution remains prevalent among retail traders.

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Bitcoin Reclaims Momentum Amid Institutional Buying

Bitcoin climbed to a daily high of $108,305 before settling around $107,800—marking a 1.5% gain for the day. This upward movement reflects stronger-than-expected demand and increasing institutional participation. Over the past seven days, BTC has appreciated more than 3%, reinforcing technical support and suggesting sustained bullish sentiment.

A key driver behind this rally appears to be institutional accumulation. BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF reportedly acquired 3,210 BTC and 22,550 ETH, signaling long-term confidence in both major cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, Japanese firm Metaplanet made headlines by purchasing 1,234 BTC for $132.7 million—surpassing Tesla’s current Bitcoin holdings and underscoring global corporate appetite for digital reserves.

Additionally, GameStop raised $450 million through zero-interest notes and publicly announced plans to allocate part of the proceeds into Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Such strategic moves reinforce Bitcoin’s evolving role as a store of value and hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty.

Ethereum Holds Strong Ahead of Key Resistance

Ethereum followed suit with a 1.8% increase, trading at $2,481 and maintaining support above $2,470. Analysts remain optimistic about ETH’s potential breakout toward $2,800, especially given strong inflows into Ether-based ETFs. However, futures data indicates some trader caution, possibly due to upcoming market events.

With technical indicators showing resilience and open interest rising, Ethereum appears well-positioned for a push higher—if broader market conditions remain favorable.

Mixed Performance Across Altcoins

While Bitcoin and Ethereum lead the charge, altcoin performance remains divided. XRP, BNB, Chainlink, and Litecoin posted modest gains of up to 1%, benefiting from the overall positive sentiment. Notably, niche tokens like Pi, Kaspa, and Bitcoin Cash saw significant rallies, driven by community momentum and increased trading volume.

However, several high-profile altcoins experienced pullbacks:

These assets declined by as much as 2.5%, reflecting profit-taking and risk-off behavior among retail investors. Particularly sharp drops were seen in Sei, Fartcoin, Stacks, and Curve DAO Token, which fell 8–10%, likely due to short-term traders locking in gains after recent rallies.

This divergence highlights a maturing market where capital flows are becoming more selective—favoring fundamentals and utility over speculative hype.

Market Outlook: Volatility Ahead Amid Options Expiry and Macro Data

Analysts anticipate heightened volatility in the coming days. A $20 billion options expiry scheduled for Friday could amplify price swings, especially if key support or resistance levels are tested.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus, emphasized that order books show growing interest near $111,000—a potential target if bullish momentum continues. Conversely, $104,000 remains a critical support level; a break below could trigger further selling pressure.

Sathvik Vishwanath of Unocoin noted that elevated open interest and neutral funding rates suggest an impending breakout. “Liquidation clusters between $106K and $110K may attract stop-hunts,” he warned. “A decisive move above $108.5K could unlock momentum toward $112K–$115K.”

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Regulatory Headwinds Loom in Key Markets

Despite bullish trends, regulatory developments continue to cast shadows. Barclays Bank will ban cryptocurrency purchases via credit cards starting June 27—a move expected to reduce retail accessibility in the UK. While not targeting crypto directly, such restrictions may dampen short-term speculative activity.

Nonetheless, CoinDCX research suggests that Bitcoin’s strength is uplifting overall market sentiment. “Bitcoin's positive influence on altcoins is clear,” the team stated. “The overall trend remains stable, setting the stage for the next bullish wave.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why did Bitcoin surge past $108,000?
A: The surge was driven by easing geopolitical tensions, strong institutional buying—including acquisitions by BlackRock and Metaplanet—and increased confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset.

Q: Is Ethereum likely to reach $2,800 soon?
A: Analysts believe ETH has a strong chance of reaching $2,800 if current support holds and ETF inflows remain robust. However, trader caution in futures markets suggests upside may be gradual.

Q: Why are some altcoins falling while Bitcoin rises?
A: This divergence often occurs during risk-selective phases. As capital rotates toward established assets like BTC and ETH, weaker or overbought altcoins face profit-taking and reduced liquidity.

Q: What impact will the $20 billion options expiry have?
A: Large options expiries can trigger volatility as positions are squared off. Traders watch for pinning effects near strike prices, especially around key levels like $108K–$110K for Bitcoin.

Q: How does institutional buying affect crypto prices?
A: Institutional accumulation signals long-term confidence, increases demand, stabilizes prices, and often encourages retail participation—creating a virtuous cycle of adoption and valuation growth.

Q: Could regulatory changes slow down the crypto rally?
A: Yes. Measures like Barclays’ credit card ban may limit retail access in certain regions. However, global adoption trends and corporate treasury allocations suggest regulatory headwinds are being offset by fundamental demand.


The crypto market is coiled for a breakout. While Bitcoin tests new highs and institutions double down on digital assets, traders must remain alert to shifting sentiment and macroeconomic cues. With technical strength building and liquidity positioning favoring upward movement, the stage is set for another leg in the ongoing bull cycle—provided key levels hold and volatility doesn’t spiral out of control.