Cryptocurrency markets opened the week in a holding pattern, with Bitcoin drifting near $90,600 and other major tokens showing little directional conviction, even as venture giant Andreessen Horowitz unveiled a massive $15 billion fund and political tensions in Washington intensified.
Markets Tread Water
Digital assets showed muted movement to start the week, with few catalysts pushing prices meaningfully in either direction. Bitcoin held firm around the $90,600 mark, giving traders little to work with as they awaited a decisive break. Ethereum edged up roughly 1% to $3,110, while Solana gained about 2% to trade near $140.
The picture wasn't uniform across the board. XRP bucked the modest upward trend, sliding 2% to $2.04. Meanwhile, the day's most dramatic moves came from smaller tokens: IP surged 20%, and privacy coin Monero jumped 15% to set a fresh all-time high near $590.
- Bitcoin: steady at roughly $90,600
- Ethereum: up ~1% to $3,110
- Solana: up ~2% to $140
- XRP: down 2% to $2.04
- Monero: +15%, hitting a record high around $590
Monero's surge to a new all-time high stood out against an otherwise sleepy trading session.
Political Storm Clouds Over Policy
The regulatory and political landscape proved far more eventful than the markets. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell released a video statement asserting that criminal charges leveled against him stem from his refusal to lower interest rates amid pressure from former President Donald Trump. The comments highlight the persistent friction between the central bank and political actors pushing for looser monetary conditions.
Regulators are also turning their gaze toward the rapidly expanding prediction market sector. A newly proposed bill in the House of Representatives would prohibit lawmakers and federal officials from placing bets on prediction platforms, reflecting growing unease about a market that has swelled in size and influence.
A proposed House bill would bar lawmakers and federal officials from betting on prediction markets — a clear signal Washington is watching closely.
Big Capital Enters the Arena
On the investment front, Andreessen Horowitz closed a substantial $15 billion fund centered on a theme it calls "American Dynamism," with artificial intelligence and crypto positioned as core pill