Bitcoin’s $100K Dreams Stall as SBF Moves Prisons: Crypto Week in Review (April 19–25)
Hope and Uncertainty Grip the Crypto Markets
The crypto world witnessed a whirlwind week marked by stalled Bitcoin price ambitions, regulatory optimism, and shocking shifts in the fate of key figures like Sam Bankman-Fried. While Bitcoin bulls dream of six-figure valuations, real-world developments suggest a more complex path ahead.
Bitcoin’s $95K Barrier May Hold Strong
Analysts Warn of Market Weakness
Despite a surge that saw Bitcoin flirt with the $95,000 mark, experts remain skeptical about a true breakout. Keith Alan, co-founder of Material Indicators, pointed out declining trading volumes and weak market signals, casting doubt on Bitcoin’s ability to surpass resistance without a significant catalyst.
“For me, a pump above $95K would invalidate the bearish signal,” Alan explained, though he warned it could simply represent a short squeeze rather than a true rally.
Michael Saylor Backs New SEC Chair for Crypto Progress
Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), expressed enthusiastic support for new SEC Chairman Paul Atkins. In an April 23 X post, Saylor claimed Atkins “will be good for Bitcoin,” signaling a potential shift in the regulatory climate toward crypto-friendliness.
Supporting this sentiment, Blue Macellari of T. Rowe Price noted the SEC’s increased engagement with the crypto industry, including multiple roundtables aimed at fostering understanding and innovation.
Trump Memecoin Team Debunks $300K Dinner Rumor
The Official Trump Token team moved swiftly to quash rumors suggesting that participants needed $300,000 worth of TRUMP tokens to dine with President Trump.
An April 25 statement clarified that no such requirement exists, despite on-chain data from the Solana blockchain sparking community confusion.
Serbia’s Prince Filip Predicts Bitcoin Breakout
Serbia’s Prince Filip Karađorđević offered a bold forecast for Bitcoin, suggesting that market manipulation may be suppressing Bitcoin’s price ahead of a potential “omega candle” rally.
In an interview with Simply Bitcoin, the prince emphasized Bitcoin’s deflationary nature, stating, “Its value is always going to rise over time.”
Sam Bankman-Fried Relocated to Lower-Security Prison
In a notable legal twist, Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, has been moved to Terminal Island, a low-security federal correctional institution.
Previously held at the more violent Victorville medium-security facility, SBF’s relocation hints at a softer incarceration phase as he serves out his sentence for his role in the FTX collapse.
Riot Platforms Secures $100M Bitcoin-Backed Loan
Bitcoin mining giant Riot Platforms announced a $100 million credit line with Coinbase, using Bitcoin as collateral.
CEO Jason Les stated that the loan will fuel Riot’s corporate operations and expand strategic initiatives, underscoring the growing financialization of crypto assets.
Winners and Losers: Weekly Price Snapshot
At week’s end:
-
Bitcoin (BTC) sits at $94,738
-
Ether (ETH) trades at $1,789
-
XRP stands at $2.18
-
Total market cap: $2.96 trillion (via CoinMarketCap)
Top Weekly Gainers:
-
Official Trump (TRUMP): +71.78%
-
Sui (SUI): +66.94%
-
Bonk (BONK): +64.21%
Top Weekly Losers:
-
DeXe (DEXE): –5.58%
-
UNUS SED LEO (LEO): –3.12%
-
PAX Gold (PAXG): –1.12%
Quotes That Shaped the Week
“2025 could be blockchain’s ‘ChatGPT’ moment for adoption.”
— Citigroup Analysts
“Bitcoin supply on exchanges is dropping — and public companies are fueling it.”
— Fidelity
“Bitcoin’s real resilience lies in actual usage, not just optics.”
— Fei Chen, Intellectia AI
“Paul Atkins will be good for Bitcoin.”
— Michael Saylor, Strategy
“We aim to build a new market, not just beat the old one.”
— Jack Mallers, Strike
“Bitcoin is the cleanest shirt in a dirty laundry.”
— Bitfinex Analysts
Bitcoin’s Next Move: Can It Find Momentum?
Despite recent highs, Bitcoin faces major resistance levels ahead. Whether new catalysts — from SEC reforms to institutional moves like Riot’s loan — can ignite a sustained rally remains to be seen.
Share This
