The crypto market saw a wave of politically charged developments this week, as macro policy shifts and regulatory rollbacks made headlines. From Trump's real-time influence over DeFi regulation to major acquisitions and volatility in Bitcoin, here are the top stories that moved the markets and influenced investor sentiment.

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1. Trump Nullifies IRS Rule Targeting DeFi Platforms

President Trump signed a pivotal bill repealing an IRS regulation that would have classified decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols as brokers, forcing them to report user activity for tax purposes. The repeal was seen as a political win for crypto advocates and a pushback against what many in the space considered regulatory overreach. reuters

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‍Impact: The repeal signals a shift toward deregulation, especially for DeFi. Removing the broker classification lowers compliance barriers, encouraging more U.S. capital into the space. Expect a boost in TVL and renewed momentum for U.S.-based DeFi participation.

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2. Ripple Acquires Hidden Road for $1.25B to Expand Institutional DeFi Access

Ripple made headlines with its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage firm specializing in institutional crypto access and post-trade services. The move positions Ripple to offer end-to-end trading infrastructure and integrate Hidden Road's systems into the XRP Ledger, deepening its footprint in the institutional DeFi space. Barron's

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Impact: XRP sentiment turned bullish following the news, with increased attention on Ripple’s broader enterprise strategy. Potential for long-term XRP demand growth.

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3. DOJ Scales Back Crypto Enforcement Against Platforms

The U.S. Department of Justice announced it will shift its enforcement strategy by no longer targeting crypto platforms for crimes committed by their users. Instead, prosecutors will focus on individuals who commit fraud or illegal activity directly. The decision reflects a broader policy shift under the current administration toward supporting innovation while still pursuing bad actors. thepaypers

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Impact: Positive regulatory signal. Market interpreted this as easing legal pressure on exchanges and DeFi protocols, potentially encouraging greater user participation.

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4. $TRUMP Meme Coin Faces $300M Unlock Risk

On April 17, $TRUMP meme coin holders associated with former President Trump will see over $300 million worth of tokens unlocked and made eligible for sale. The event has sparked concerns of a major price drop if significant selling occurs. Adding to the controversy is Trump’s ongoing political role, prompting criticism about conflicts of interest and ethical implications. MarketWatch

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Impact: Potential supply shock and reputational concern tied to Trump’s dual role as policymaker and crypto promoter. May trigger volatility in meme coin markets.

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5. Trump Tweets Drive Speculative Surge Ahead of IRS Repeal

Trump's tweet sequence included market-moving commentary: a rumor of regulatory pause, a denial, then a tweet saying “It’s a good time to buy,” followed by confirmation of the repeal.

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‍Impact: Markets responded to the real-time political narrative. Reinforces the power of high-profile figures in influencing sentiment and price action.

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6. Bitcoin Dips and Rebounds on Tariff Volatility

Bitcoin experienced a price dip to ~$77,000 early in the week due to renewed fears around U.S. trade tariffs announced by the Trump administration. However, BTC swiftly rebounded toward $80,000, signaling strong support at lower levels and investor confidence despite macroeconomic uncertainty. The dip-buying response reinforced Bitcoin’s status as a risk hedge amid policy tension.

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‍Impact: Highlights BTC’s sensitivity to macroeconomic policies. Volatility reflects strong dip-buying support and institutional interest in Bitcoin as a hedge.

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7. Weekly ETF Filings Highlight Growing Altcoin Exposure

A wave of ETF activity marked this week’s market as issuers continue expanding into altcoin territory.

• Canary Files for SUI ETF with the CBOE (April 8)
• 21Shares Files S-1 for Dogecoin ETF (April 10)
• VanEck Files for Avalanche ETF with Nasdaq (April 10)
• SEC Approves Options on Spot Ethereum ETFs, including those from BlackRock, Fidelity, and Bitwise (April 10)‍

Impact: The filings show increasing institutional interest in second- and third-tier crypto assets, not just BTC and ETH. The approval of ETH options adds more tools for sophisticated investors, while the DOGE, AVAX, and SUI filings reflect a growing appetite for diversified crypto exposure.

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Week 15: Institutional Moves, Policy Signals, and Political Power Plays

This week reflected a unique intersection of market mechanics and political influence. From real-time tweets driving speculative flows to policy rollbacks boosting DeFi, crypto continues to evolve in step with Washington. Despite a highly correlated macro backdrop and elevated uncertainty, Bitcoin demonstrated notable resilience holding above key technical levels and absorbing headline volatility. As institutional positioning aligns with shifting regulatory tides, selective exposure and forward-looking allocation remain essential in navigating this dynamic environment.

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