The crypto market is getting hammered, with $810 billion wiped out in a massive sell-off that’s shaking investor confidence. Bitcoin (BTC-USD) has dropped 15% over the past month, while Ethereum (ETH-USD) and Solana have taken even bigger hits. What’s fueling the meltdown? A mix of delayed pro-crypto policies from the Trump administration, a record-breaking $1.5 billion hack at Bybit, and Argentina’s memecoin fiasco have left traders reeling. Hopes for rapid regulatory changes have cooled, and investors are starting to rethink their positions as the reality of a slower policy rollout sets in.
Trump’s latest tariffs have only added fuel to the fire, triggering a broader pullback from risk assets, including crypto. His own memecoin launchinitially seen as a show of support for digital assetshas collapsed by 83%, reinforcing concerns about speculative tokens. Meanwhile, Bitcoin ETFs, which were a major force behind last year’s rally, just saw nearly $1 billion in outflows in a single day. The message is clear: institutional players are scaling back, recalibrating expectations, and waiting for real policy moves before making their next big bet.
So where does crypto go from here? The U.S. still has the potential to become a major hub for digital assets, but momentum is stalling as investors wait for clarity. Institutional confidence is shaky, and until Washington delivers concrete regulatory direction, the market could stay in limbo. Broader macroeconomic pressures and global regulatory developments will also play a role in shaping the next chapter. For now, crypto remains in a holding pattern, with investors weighing whether to stay on the sidelines or dive back in.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
