Bitcoin hits $103K but DeFi is a mixed bag
The cryptocurrency market saw significant growth, with a total market capitalization surpassing $3.27 trillion, a rise of 8.6% over the week. Bitcoin peaked at $103,600 on May 8, regaining the six-figure mark for the first time since January. This surge coincided with Donald Trump's announcement of a trade deal with the UK, potentially eliminating tariffs. Meanwhile, Ethereum's Pectra upgrade propelled Ether's price from $1,800 to over $2,300. Despite a rise in mining participation in Rootstock to 81% in Q1 2025, total value locked (TVL) for Rootstock fell by 7.2%, reflecting broader trends with Ethereum DeFi, which experienced a 27% decline in TVL. April was marred by crypto hacks totalling nearly $360 million across 18 incidents. In the decentralized applications sector, AI DApps are gaining traction, with a notable increase in market share. Xapo Bank's CEO indicated a growing confidence among Bitcoin holders in utilizing their Bitcoins for loans, integrating the asset while avoiding selling during periods of need.
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