XRP, Ether Lead Crypto Losses as Bitcoin Eyes $70,000
Bitcoin remains the crypto market’s main risk barometer, with its direction often setting the tone for large-cap tokens including ether and XRP. Traders have treated $65,000 as a key dividing line between bullish and bearish momentum. A sustained break higher could improve risk appetite, while failure to advance would leave the market vulnerable. The $70,000 area, near bitcoin’s 200-day moving average, is viewed as the next major threshold for restoring broader confidence.
In the latest trading session, bitcoin slipped toward $64,000 after repeatedly failing to hold above $65,000, while ether and XRP led losses among major crypto assets. Market analysts said short positions had accumulated above $65,000, adding resistance around that level. Traders are now watching whether bitcoin can regain momentum and mount a run toward $70,000, where a move through the 200-day moving average could mark a more decisive shift in market sentiment.
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The history behind this eventEther Leads Crypto Market as Bitcoin Holds Above $63,000
The cryptocurrency market has shown strong resilience following its late-June decline. Bitcoin and Ether have held key technical support levels even as a stock-market rally driven by AI and chip shares has lost momentum. Traders see the move as an early sign of a more durable recovery. It also breaks from crypto’s typically close correlation with U.S. technology stocks, prompting global investors to reassess digital assets’ independent safe-haven value during macroeconomic turbulence.
Ether led the market with a 12% weekly gain in mid-July, driven mainly by Bitmine’s purchases and the launch of Robinhood’s Layer-2 network, which attracted more than $70 million in its first week. Bitcoin also held above $64,000 over the July 12 weekend. Analysts said Bitcoin could challenge $70,000 ahead of the Federal Reserve’s July 28 rate meeting if signals of a rate cut become clear.
Bitcoin and XRP Face Pressure From Fed Uncertainty and AI Demand Slowdown Fears
Bitcoin and XRP are highly sensitive to interest rates, inflation and risk appetite toward technology stocks. Uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s policy path and inflation concerns fueled by rising oil prices have tempered expectations for rate cuts. OpenAI’s revenue shortfall has also raised fears of slowing AI demand, prompting investors to pull money from riskier assets.
As of July 19, 2026, Bitcoin had briefly fallen below $76,000 before coming under pressure near $77,000. Galaxy Digital Chief Executive Michael Novogratz said a return to $100,000 in the near term had become more difficult. XRP fell below support at $1.40 over the same period, showing that the market remained driven by Fed decisions, oil prices and selling in technology stocks.
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