Bitcoin (BTC) Must Hold Above $78,500 to Avoid Further Downside. Toncoin (TON) Outperforms the Market.

Bitcoin (BTC) and major altcoins are witnessing significant price fluctuations, prompting analysts to reassess market predictions for the coming months.

Key Takeaways:

* Bitcoin must hold above $78,500 to avoid further downside toward $75,000.

* Altcoins are struggling, but Toncoin (TON) is rising after Telegram announced new integrations using the TON blockchain.

* The U.S. & EU are introducing new crypto policies that will reshape the industry in the coming months.

* Institutional investors are strategically accumulating Bitcoin despite the market downturn.

* Major technological advancements are setting the stage for a redefined crypto market.

The total market capitalization of the global cryptocurrency sector is now standing at $2.62 trillion, reflecting a 4.8% decrease over the past 24 hours. Trading volume remains lower than average, indicating that investors are continuing to exercise caution amid uncertain market conditions.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Today: Still Above Key Support

Bitcoin (BTC) dropped below the $80,000 mark for the first time in four months after a sharp sell-off triggered investor concerns over the Federal Reserve’s potential interest rate hikes. However, institutional demand for BTC remains strong, and analysts believe that the cryptocurrency must hold above $78,500 to prevent further downside toward the $75,000 range.

BTC is currently trading at $79,650, showing a decrease of 4.5% over the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin: Technical Levels to Watch

Resistance Levels: $81,500

Support Levels: $78,500

The next resistance level for BTC is at $81,500, which could be reached if the bulls regain control. The next support level is at $78,500, which could provide some support for the cryptocurrency if it drops further.

Top Altcoins Today: Toncoin Rises As Ethereum Struggles

World no.2 crypto Ethereum (ETH) has struggled to maintain momentum, with its price now down 3.8%. Other major altcoins are also seeing some losses today.

Other major altcoins:

* Solana (SOL): $99.70 (-5.2%)

* Ripple (XRP): $0.54 (-2.6%)

* Cardano (ADA): $0.67 (-4.1%)

* Dogecoin (DOGE): $0.091 (-3.9%)

* Toncoin (TON): $2.21 (+3.1%)

Among the standout performers is Toncoin (TON), which has risen by 3.1% following the announcement of new integrations using the TON blockchain for in-app payments and decentralized applications.

U.S. to Create Strategic Crypto Reserve Including Bitcoin & Ethereum

In a significant development, the U.S. government is establishing a Strategic Crypto Reserve, encompassing major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano, to bolster national security and provide a hedge against traditional fiat currency fluctuations.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to diversify the government's assets and mitigate economic instability.

The reserve will be funded through the liquidation of seized criminal assets, such as cryptocurrency holdings from illicit activities.

The move comes in response to President Biden's executive order in March 2022, which directed federal agencies to assess the risks and opportunities posed by digital assets.

The administration has already seized and liquidated $17 billion worth of Bitcoin from criminal operations, which will be used to kickstart the crypto reserve.

EU Introduces New Stablecoin Regulations

The European Union (EU) is introducing new regulations on stablecoins, requiring projects like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) to maintain higher collateral reserves.

The new rules, part of the EU's broader financial technology (FinTech) regulations, will take effect in Q3 2025.

The aim is to ensure the stability of stablecoins and protect investors from potential losses.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) will be responsible for setting the minimum buffer requirements for stablecoin issuers to hold in addition to the full value of the currency they are pegged to, such as the U.S. dollar or the euro.

The EBA will also assess the creditworthiness of the issuers and determine the types of assets that can be included in the buffer.

The buffer requirements will vary depending on the size and complexity of the stablecoin issuer and the stablecoin itself.

The new regulations are expected to have a significant impact on the stablecoin market, as they could lead to a shift in stablecoin market dominance.

China's Digital Yuan to Expand Internationally

People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced plans to expand the Digital Yuan (e-CNY) internationally, integrating it with BRICS financial systems to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar for cross-border trade settlements.

The move aligns with China