Bitcoin Tops $100K As Ethereum And Memecoins Surge

Bitcoin surged above $100,000 on Thursday for the first time since February, leading a broad crypto market rally that has seen Ethereum and several popular memecoins post double-digit gains. The rally comes amid growing optimism around a potential easing of trade tensions following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a trade agreement with the United Kingdom, signaling that the administration’s combative stance might be softening, according to CNBC.

The cryptocurrency market has added approximately $300 billion in total value during this rally, with Bitcoin rising more than 33% from its April low of $75,000. Meanwhile, Ethereum has surged by 13% and Trump’s official memecoin has outperformed major cryptocurrencies with an 18.1% gain in the past 24 hours, highlighting the continued influence of political developments on crypto markets.

Bitcoin Reclaims Six-Figure Milestone

Bitcoin’s return to the $100,000 level marks a significant psychological milestone for the cryptocurrency, which had struggled to maintain momentum after reaching an all-time high of $109,400 earlier this year. The flagship cryptocurrency is now within striking distance of setting a new record high, with technical indicators suggesting continued bullish momentum.

Market analysts attribute the recovery partly to traditional investors seeking to hedge against inflation concerns and potential market disruptions stemming from global trade tensions. The recent surge also coincides with strong inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have attracted over $40 billion since their launch in January 2024, with more than $1.7 billion added in May alone.

Ethereum Leads Altcoin Recovery

Ethereum has rebounded strongly alongside Bitcoin, gaining 13% to reach $2,516, its highest level in several weeks. The second-largest cryptocurrency has faced heightened selling pressure throughout much of 2025, underperforming relative to Bitcoin despite its critical role in the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The renewed interest in Ethereum comes as developers continue to make progress on scaling solutions and as institutional interest in staking services grows. With approximately 30% of all Ethereum now locked in staking contracts, the reduced circulating supply could amplify price movements as demand increases, potentially setting the stage for more significant gains if market momentum continues.

Presidential Politics Continue to Shape Crypto Market

President Trump’s influence on cryptocurrency markets remains profound, with his administration’s policy decisions and social media comments continuing to drive significant price action across the sector. The official Trump memecoin (TRUMP) has surged 18.1% in the past 24 hours, outperforming established memecoins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe, which gained 13.9%, 9.6%, and 11% respectively.

The performance of Trump-associated cryptocurrencies reflects the continued merging of politics and digital assets in the current market cycle. The Trump token, which now boasts a market capitalization of over $3 billion, has narrowed the gap with other top meme coins as traders anticipate further crypto-friendly policies from the administration.

Regulatory Landscape Evolves

The crypto industry’s regulatory environment continues to evolve under the Trump administration, which has moved quickly to implement a more favorable framework compared to the previous administration’s approach. Recent weeks have seen the Securities and Exchange Commission withdraw investigations into several crypto companies and drop its lawsuit against Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States.

These regulatory shifts have bolstered investor confidence in the sector’s long-term viability within the U.S. financial system. The upcoming White House Crypto Summit, scheduled to take place on Friday, is expected to provide further clarity on the administration’s vision for integrating digital assets into the broader financial landscape.

Market Outlook Amid Global Uncertainty

Despite the recent rally, some market analysts remain cautious about the sustainability of the current uptrend, noting that Bitcoin prices have been particularly volatile in response to geopolitical developments. Concerns about President Trump’s tariff policies have caused significant market fluctuations in April, dampening investor appetite for riskier assets such as cryptocurrencies.

However, the latest trade deal with the United Kingdom and potential progress in U.S.-China trade discussions have injected renewed optimism into the market. If these diplomatic efforts continue to bear fruit, reducing the risk of a global trade war, cryptocurrency markets could benefit from improved investor sentiment and reduced economic uncertainty in the coming months.