As of February 18, 2025, the global cryptocurrency market cap fell by 0.26% to $3.18 trillion. Despite the overall decline in market value, trading volume surged significantly, with intraday total trading volume rising by 56.04% to $94.67 billion. Bitcoin (BTC) prices continued to hover around $96,000, while Ethereum (ETH) saw a modest increase of 2%. Meanwhile, XRP and Solana (SOL) prices fell by 2%-5%, further increasing market uncertainty.

Bitcoin (BTC) closed at $96,258, a slight increase of 0.07% from yesterday. The intraday low and high for the token were $95,243.54 and $97,032.24, respectively. Bitcoin's market dominance rose by 0.10% to 59.83%.

Ethereum (ETH) prices rose by about 2% over the past 24 hours, closing at $2,712. The 24-hour low and high for the token were $2,640.18 and $2,848.78, respectively.

In 2025, U.S. macroeconomic policies will be the key determinant for the second half of the crypto bull market. Unlike previous cycles, this bull run is characterized by institutional dominance due to regulatory compliance, making institutions more sensitive to macroeconomic factors. This week, two macroeconomic data points are worth noting:

1. Federal Reserve Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the Fed's January meeting, released early Thursday, will reveal officials' stance on tariffs, which could indirectly impact the crypto market.

2. University of Michigan Inflation Expectations Data: The inflation expectations data released on Friday evening are highly anticipated. If the data exceeds 4.3%, it could further erode market confidence. Conversely, a decline in the data could boost market sentiment.

1. Sui (SUI)

   • Currently trading at $3.10, SUI is one of the fastest-growing altcoins.

   • Analysts predict a 300% growth potential for this year, with VanEck's Patrick Bush highlighting Sui's efficiency and scalability.

   • Sui is a high-performance blockchain platform known for its fast transaction speeds and strong ecosystem potential, led by a team with Meta backgrounds.

2. Aave (AAVE)

   • AAVE's price movement shows that it is exploring key resistance levels after a significant rebound.

   • The token recently approached the resistance level of $249, and if it breaks through, it could target the next resistance level at $245.03.

   • Aave has gained attention due to the increase in funds locked in the chain (TVL), and the market considers it undervalued.

Despite the uneven performance of Bitcoin and some altcoins in the current market, macroeconomic policies and market sentiment remain the key factors determining the direction of the bull market's second half. As uncertainties gradually dissipate, the market is expected to continue its upward trend. Investors should closely monitor macroeconomic data and policy dynamics while keeping an eye on promising altcoins like Sui and Aave.