Bitcoin News Today: Regulators and Macro Forces Shape a Divided Crypto Market Rally

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP have shown relative stability in the face of a volatile week for the broader crypto market, while Dogecoin (DOGE) has seen a notable increase in price and investor interest. The market has been shaped by a mix of macroeconomic factors, regulatory developments, and evolving sentiment around institutional adoption.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) reached a record high above $124,000 last week, driven by positive catalysts including regulatory progress and institutional involvement. Analysts at Bernstein have projected that Bitcoin could potentially reach $200,000 within the next six to 12 months, calling it a "long, exhausting bull run" extending into 2027 [1]. These expectations are rooted in the firm’s belief that the U.S. government, particularly under the Trump administration, is actively working to position the country as the global crypto capital. This includes initiatives like the SEC's "Project Crypto" and the passage of the GENIUS Act, which created a federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins [1].

Despite these bullish forecasts, the cryptocurrency faced a correction this week. On Monday, Bitcoin dropped to approximately $114,706, a 1.1% decline from its recent peak, as macroeconomic concerns—such as higher-than-expected inflation data—prompted investors to take profits and triggered liquidations across the market [2]. Long positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum were particularly affected, with combined liquidations exceeding $500 million in a 24-hour period. This pullback, however, is being viewed by some as a strategic cooldown rather than a sign of weakness, especially with continued support from crypto ETF inflows and corporate accumulation [2].

Ethereum (ETH-USD), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has also shown resilience. It reached a price of $4,354.00 after nearly hitting its all-time high of $4,800 last week. The token has surged over 150% from April’s market lows, supported by growing demand for blockchain applications such as smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) [1]. Analysts expect Ethereum and other major altcoins like Solana (SOL-USD) to continue gaining traction as more corporations integrate them into their balance sheets [1].

In contrast, Dogecoin (DOGE) has experienced a recent uptick in price and attention. Although it lacks the institutional backing of Bitcoin or Ethereum, Dogecoin’s performance has been buoyed by retail investor enthusiasm and speculative trading. The altcoin has not been explicitly mentioned in the latest regulatory developments but has benefited from the broader positive sentiment in the crypto space [2].

The market remains in a state of flux as investors monitor key macroeconomic data and policy developments, particularly the Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While the recent pullbacks may be seen as healthy corrections, the overall trajectory of the crypto market continues to reflect growing acceptance and adoption across both institutional and retail segments [2].

Source:

[1] Bitcoin could reach $200,000 within 6 months during 'long exhausting crypto bull market (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-could-reach-200000-within-6-months-during-long-exhausting-crypto-bull-market-173358527.html)

[2] Crypto Market Today: Bitcoin sinks to $115,000 after hitting its newest record (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/18/crypto-market-today.html)