Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Edges Up 0.05% as Ethereum Drops 0.34% on August 17

Cryptocurrency prices on August 17, 2025, reflected a mixed trend as Bitcoin edged higher by 0.05%, while Ethereum posted a 0.34% decline. As of 9:00 AM KST, Bitcoin was trading at $117,418.76, marking a slight increase despite the broader market’s uneven performance [1]. Meanwhile, Ethereum dropped to $4,424.00, underscoring continued caution among investors in the second-largest digital asset [1].

Several altcoins exhibited strong gains, including Solana, which rose 2.10% to $189.65, and Avalanche, which climbed 2.26% to $24.31. XRP and Dogecoin also posted positive returns, with XRP gaining 0.90% to $3.10 and Dogecoin rising 1.04% to $0.2339. On the other hand, OKB stood out as the top gainer among major coins with a 20.89% increase in 24 hours. In contrast, Hyperliquid recorded the largest decline, falling 3.09%.

The market also saw the listing of new cryptocurrencies, including BoatKid (BOATKID), HODL Coin (HODL), and GPTON (GPTON), adding to the diversity of available digital assets [1]. Aleo and Shiba Inu posted modest gains of 0.72% and 1.04%, respectively, while Quai Network experienced a sharp 9.71% drop to $0.03659. These varied performances highlight the fragmented nature of the cryptocurrency market, where different assets react differently to underlying factors.

Bitcoin’s limited but positive movement suggests that the market remains in a consolidation phase, with the asset showing resilience amid broader uncertainty. Analysts have noted that Bitcoin’s price is still largely influenced by macroeconomic signals, such as central bank policies and inflation expectations. However, the lack of new regulatory developments or institutional buying pressure has limited the asset’s upward momentum [1].

Ethereum’s decline reflects the challenges it continues to face in maintaining a strong price trajectory following its post-merge efficiency improvements. While the network remains the leading smart contract platform, mixed on-chain activity and developer updates have not yet translated into strong investor confidence. The ongoing shift in capital toward smaller-cap altcoins and alternative blockchain solutions has further weighed on Ethereum’s performance.

As the cryptocurrency market remains closely linked to traditional financial markets, movements in equities, commodities, and foreign exchange rates continue to influence investor behavior in digital assets. This cross-asset correlation introduces both opportunities and risks, particularly for leveraged positions and short-term traders. Investors are encouraged to remain cautious and monitor key macroeconomic indicators, which are likely to shape the next phase of market activity.

Source: [1] Cryptocurrency Prices on August 17: Bitcoin 0.05%↑, Ethereum 0.34%↓, IT타임스 (https://www.ittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=80001)