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Bitcoin and other crypto assets faced headwinds in the first quarter of 2025 as global economic tensions intensified. After a strong start to the year driven by optimism over President Donald Trump’s return and supportive macroeconomic expectations, the crypto market struggled with a sharp drop in trading volumes.
According to a new report by Kaiko, the tariff measures introduced by the Trump administration contributed to increased volatility and risk-off behavior among market participants.
Crypto Q1 Volume and Liquidity Performance
Bitcoin, which had rallied to new highs in January, has now fallen by over 25% from its peak, ending the quarter down approximately 12%. Ethereum and the top altcoins also saw declines, with AI and memecoins posting average losses above 50%.
Weekly volumes for BTC, ETH, and other major tokens averaged $266 billion, down 30% from levels seen in late 2024. Kaiko attributed much of the decline to offshore exchange activity falling and traders pulling back due to rapid market swings and uncertainty.
U.S.-based exchanges maintained strong market depth despite broader selloffs, buffering the impact on Bitcoin’s liquidity. Platforms like Coinbase, Kraken, and CEX.IO collectively comprised 60% of BTC’s market depth in Q1.
This allowed BTC to outperform many altcoins, which suffered from both reduced demand and thinner liquidity. Kaiko noted that this environment favored larger-cap assets and further highlighted the resilience of BTC compared to other riskier assets in the crypto space. The report noted:
Altcoin volatility surged in early 2025, reaching multi-year or all-time highs for certain tokens, notably Cardano’s ADA. Bitcoin’s volatility also rose, from 34% in February to 51% in March, though it stayed below the peaks observed during last August’s carry trade unwinding. The growing volatility gap between Bitcoin and altcoins may discourage risk-averse traders from entering the market in the near future.
The Path Ahead: Outlook For Q2
Looking forward, Kaiko analysts believe the second quarter could offer renewed opportunities. The White House’s recent decision to delay tariff implementation by 90 days has already sparked a short-term rally, suggesting sensitivity to macroeconomic developments remains high.
More importantly, structural tailwinds are building: the expansion of the stablecoin market, pending ETF approvals for altcoins, and the appointment of pro-crypto SEC Chair Paul Atkins could all support a recovery
In addition, the stablecoin sector, led by USDT and USDC, has grown 33% since late 2024, now exceeding $230 billion in supply. Historical data from Kaiko suggests that expansions in stablecoin supply often precede broader crypto rallies.
With over 40 crypto-related ETF applications pending review and two stablecoin bills gaining momentum in Congress, the potential for renewed institutional participation is rising.
Kaiko’s report concluded that if market volatility subsides and regulatory clarity improves, Q2 may mark a shift in sentiment. While risks remain from geopolitical tensions and economic policies, the combination of macro catalysts and maturing infrastructure may pave the way for renewed growth, particularly for Bitcoin.
Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
Meet Samuel Edyme, Nickname – HIM-buktu. A web3 content writer, journalist, and aspiring trader, Edyme is as versatile as they come. With a knack for words and a nose for trends, he has penned pieces for numerous industry player, including AMBCrypto, Blockchain.News, and Blockchain Reporter, among others.
Edyme’s foray into the crypto universe is nothing short of cinematic. His journey began not with a triumphant investment, but with a scam. Yes, a Ponzi scheme that used crypto as payment roped him in. Rather than retreating, he emerged wiser and more determined, channeling his experience into over three years of insightful market analysis.
Before becoming the voice of reason in the crypto space, Edyme was the quintessential crypto degen. He aped into anything that promised a quick buck, anything ape-able, learning the ropes the hard way. These hands-on experience through major market events—like the Terra Luna crash, the wave of bankruptcies in crypto firms, the notorious FTX collapse, and even CZ’s arrest—has honed his keen sense of market dynamics.
When he isn’t crafting engaging crypto content, you’ll find Edyme backtesting charts, studying both forex and synthetic indices. His dedication to mastering the art of trading is as relentless as his pursuit of the next big story. Away from his screens, he can be found in the gym, airpods in, working out and listening to his favorite artist, NF. Or maybe he’s catching some Z’s or scrolling through Elon Musk’s very own X platform—(oops, another screen activity, my bad…)
Well, being an introvert, Edyme thrives in the digital realm, preferring online interaction over offline encounters—(don’t judge, that’s just how he is built). His determination is quite unwavering to be honest, and he embodies the philosophy of continuous improvement, or “kaizen,” striving to be 1% better every day. His mantras, “God knows best” and “Everything is still on track,” reflect his resilient outlook and how he lives his life.
In a nutshell, Samuel Edyme was born efficient, driven by ambition, and perhaps a touch fierce. He’s neither artistic nor unrealistic, and certainly not chauvinistic. Think of him as Bruce Willis in a train wreck—unflappable. Edyme is like trading in your car for a jet—bold. He’s the guy who’d ask his boss for a pay cut just to prove a point—(uhhh…). He is like watching your kid take his first steps. Imagine Bill Gates struggling with rent—okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but you get the idea, yeah. Unbelievable? Yes. Inconceivable? Perhaps.
Edyme sees himself as a fairly reasonable guy, albeit a bit stubborn. Normal to you is not to him. He is not the one to take the easy road, and why would he? That’s just not the way he roll. He has these favorite lyrics from NF’s “Clouds” that resonate deeply with him: “What you think’s probably unfeasible, I’ve done already a hundredfold.”
PS—Edyme is HIM. HIM-buktu. Him-mulation. Him-Kardashian. Himon and Pumba. He even had his DNA tested, and guess what? He’s 100% Him-alayan. Screw it, he ate the opp.
Disclaimer: The information found on NewsBTC is for educational purposes only. It does not represent the opinions of NewsBTC on whether to buy, sell or hold any investments and naturally investing carries risks. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use information provided on this website entirely at your own risk.
