"Retail Hype and Regulatory Hope Fuel Crypto's Green Week"

All cryptocurrencies recorded positive returns for the week ending March 8, as investor sentiment remained buoyed by macroeconomic stability and regulatory clarity in key markets. Bitcoin (BTC), the largest digital asset by market capitalization, rose 9.6% week-over-week, extending its rally as traders priced in potential U.S. spot ETF approvals. Ethereum (ETH) climbed 8.4% in the same period, supported by network upgrades and growing institutional interest. Altcoins outperformed major indices, with pump-and-dump tokens and intellectual property-themed coins leading the charge.

The performance of the sector contrasts with the broader financial markets, where equity indices showed muted gains and bond yields stabilized. The positive momentum in crypto is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic data and sector-specific developments. U.S. producer price index (PPI) data released on March 7 showed annual inflation easing to 2.4%, below expectations. The report reinforced the market's anticipation that the Federal Reserve will maintain its current rate policy, reducing the likelihood of aggressive rate hikes in the near term. This development has been particularly favorable for crypto, which is sensitive to interest rate expectations.

On the regulatory front, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has yet to issue a decision on pending spot Bitcoin ETF applications, but market participants remain cautiously optimistic. Analysts suggest that a greenlight for these products could bring in a new wave of institutional capital into the crypto market. Additionally, regulatory clarity in the EU, where the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework is nearing finalization, has added to the positive sentiment.

From a technical perspective, altcoins have seen the most aggressive price movements. Tokens linked to intellectual property rights management and blockchain-based creative industries have seen particularly strong interest. Pump-and-dump tokens, often driven by social media hype, have also posted sharp gains, reflecting the speculative nature of a significant portion of the crypto market. While these gains may not be sustainable in the long term, they highlight the current risk appetite among retail investors.

Looking ahead, the market will closely watch the upcoming U.S. consumer price index (CPI) release and the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. Any further signs of disinflation could strengthen the bull case for crypto. Meanwhile, the performance of pump-and-dump and IP-related coins remains a key barometer for speculative trading activity within the sector.