Crypto Market Digests Fed’s Rate Pause; Bitcoin Tests $100K Barrier

• Bitcoin trades near $100K as market digests Fed decision to keep interest rates unchanged
• Bitcoin ETF inflows top $5 billion since mid-April, signaling strong investor confidence
• Altcoins XRP, Solana, Cardano gain traction, mirroring Bitcoin’s strength near $100K level

Bitcoin trades near $99,500, just shy of the critical $100,000 mark, with crypto markets actively processing the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady . This confirmation from the FOMC, alongside robust institutional interest and strong Bitcoin ETF inflows, shapes investor optimism for a major BTC breakout.

The Federal Reserve concluded its FOMC meeting on May 7, 2025, announcing interest rates to remain unchanged. This widely anticipated decision now serves as a key data point for Bitcoin’s push beyond $100,000 toward new all-time highs. Supportive macroeconomic factors, like easing U.S.-China trade tensions that improve global risk appetite, also contribute to Bitcoin’s current strength.

Bitcoin $100K: Fed Holds Rates; Strong ETF Inflows Continue

Besides, inflows into Bitcoin ETFs since mid-April have surged past $5 billion, reinforcing bullish sentiment. These capital movements indicate growing investor confidence and strong demand for Bitcoin as it nears the $100,000 level. 

If current momentum continues, Bitcoin may not just breach $100,000 but also target price expansion throughout the summer. Consequently, attention is now sharply focused on the outcome of the FOMC meeting, which may serve as a key catalyst.

Altcoins React to Bitcoin’s Strength, Fed’s Confirmed Rate Stance

As Bitcoin contests the $100,000 level, altcoins such as XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) also draw renewed investor attention. XRP’s price is stabilizing with analysts charting an advance to the $2.60 mark. 

The number of wallets holding over 10,000 XRP continues to rise, and whales have reportedly accumulated over 900 million XRP. This trend suggests quiet confidence among large holders, likely in anticipation of a spot ETF approval.

Solana is also enjoyin g robust growth. April’s decentralized app revenue topped $162 million, with platforms like Pump.fun and Axiom Exchange leading the way. Institutional interest remains strong as major firms acquire significant volumes of SOL. Soul Strategies alone executed a $20 million tranche from a $500 million convertible note, potentially adding substantial buying pressure in the near term.

Cardano is not far behind. The upcoming launch of Bitcoin OS on Cardano has brought renewed attention to ADA. Meanwhile, the token’s reputation for security, decentralization, and reliability has earned praise from its community. Investors are now watching the $0.73 level for a breakout or a pullback to $0.61 for entry.

Crypto Ecosystem Expansion: New ETF Filings, AI on Blockchain Progress

ETF activity continues to expand across the crypto space. Bitwise filed for a NEAR Protocol ETF, while a CRO ETF is expected soon with 21Shares’ support. These developments underscore rising institutional interest beyond Bitcoin.

Related: Fed Won’t Block Banks From Crypto, Powell Signals No Rush for Rate Cuts

In another major milestone, Fraction AI has launched its mainnet on Ethereum’s Layer 2 Base. With over 320,000 users and millions of datasets, it’s redefining how AI interacts with blockchain. Users can now deploy AI agents for tasks such as code generation and financial analysis, earning “fractals” that influence future token distribution.