Bitcoin Surges 1.3% to $108,008 Amid Risk-On Sentiment and Fed Hints

Bitcoin (BTC) has rebounded to trade above $108,000, recovering from last week’s dip below the six-figure level amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. This rebound reflects a broader shift towards risk-on sentiment, supported by improving macro signals and renewed optimism across the crypto market. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks this week indicated that rate adjustments remain on the table, contingent on progress in trade talks and signs of easing inflation. These remarks were interpreted by markets as a signal of a potential policy pivot by late 2025. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $108,008, up 1.3% over the past 24 hours, while Ether (ETH) was holding at $2,490, posting a 1.8% gain.

Strong momentum is also building around early-stage projects, particularly Bitcoin Pepe. The project’s presale has continued to attract investor interest, supported by its positioning as a meme-centric Layer 2 solution on the Bitcoin network. This infrastructure-first strategy appears to be gaining traction among investors, with the presale having already raised over $15.6 million. Confirmed exchange listings on MEXC and BitMart have added momentum, with another listing announcement expected on June 30, further increasing interest as the presale approaches its final stage.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin considering cryptocurrency holdings as part of single-family mortgage loan risk assessments. This shift could allow crypto investors to use their digital assets to qualify for home loans. FHFA Director William Pulte announced the move, stating that he had instructed the housing finance giants to “prepare their businesses to count cryptocurrency as an asset for mortgage,” aligning with the broader push to position the United States as a leader in the crypto space. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back more than half of all US home mortgages, currently rely on traditional financial assets for their risk assessment frameworks. Incorporating crypto could mark a notable departure from established underwriting practices.

Increasing regulatory clarity in the United States is expected to enhance visibility across the altcoin and meme coin sectors, potentially shifting investor sentiment in favor of projects that offer tangible utility. As regulatory oversight expands, market focus may begin to move away from purely speculative plays toward initiatives that combine cultural resonance with meaningful technical foundations. Bitcoin Pepe is aligning itself with this evolving narrative, merging infrastructure development with viral appeal. Positioned as a Layer 2 solution, Bitcoin Pepe seeks to combine Bitcoin’s base-layer security with the scalability typically associated with platforms like Solana—an approach that differentiates it from much of the meme coin space.