As we enter Q2 of 2025, the global crypto market finds itself steering a complex intersection of macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures.
BeInCrypto spoke with analysts Leena ElDeeb of 21Shares and Max Shannon of CoinShares, who offer distinct but insightful perspectives on the crypto space’s outlook for the new quarter.
Bitcoin’s Future: Bullish or Bearish?
The two analysts share a bullish outlook on Bitcoin, albeit with differing views on its short-term fluctuations. Leena ElDeeb sees the potential for Bitcoin to surpass $90,000, driven by macroeconomic factors such as a possible rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.
“February’s softer-than-expected CPI print boosted rate cut expectations. If rate cuts materialize, a wave of liquidity could reignite bullish momentum, pushing equities and Bitcoin past key resistance levels,” she told BeInCrypto.
In her view, Bitcoin could eventually hit a range between $150,000 and $200,000 by the year’s end, bolstered by growing regulatory clarity and political support, such as President Trump’s proposal for a strategic crypto reserve.
Max Shannon, on the other hand, remains more cautious about Bitcoin’s immediate future. He predicts that Bitcoin will continue to trade within a wide range of $70,000 to $90,000 in Q2, constrained by persistent tariff issues.
“The moment they [tariffs] get lifted will likely be a massive boon for the equities and crypto market,” he notes, indicating that a resolution could pave the way for Bitcoin’s next big move.
However, the analyst also suggests that the market may experience volatility as these macro factors play out.
Will Ethereum Bounce Back?
Both analysts acknowledge Ethereum’s struggles, particularly its nearly 40% drop in Q1. However, they also highlight key developments that could support a recovery in the next quarter.
ElDeeb points to Ethereum’s upcoming upgrade, the Pectra upgrade, which is expected to improve staking and network scalability.
“Ethereum’s staking is also about to be improved with the launch of Pectra. These changes are expected to boost the appeal of staking-enabled products,” she explained.
Additionally, she sees growing competition from other blockchain platforms like Solana and Sui, which are attracting retail users with faster and cheaper transactions. Despite this, ElDeeb remains optimistic about Ethereum’s long-term potential, particularly as scalability solutions begin to take effect.
Shannon is more skeptical of Ethereum’s future, specifically with its ongoing challenges in both the monetary and smart contract spaces.
“Ethereum is attempting to function both as a monetary asset, where it struggles to compete with Bitcoin, and as a smart contract platform, where it faces strong competition from Solana,” the CoinShares analyst stated.
Shannon also highlights Ethereum’s changing monetary policy and the increasing technical debt as concerns that could limit its growth in the short term.
DeFi and AI: The Next Big Trend in Crypto?
The rise and fall of celebrity meme coins like TRUMP, MELANIA, and LIBRA were hot topics in Q1 2025. Both analysts agree that the hype around this category of tokens is unlikely to be sustained in the long run.
ElDeeb points to the growing importance of decentralized finance (DeFi) and artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the next trend.
“The forthcoming cryptocurrency market rally is anticipated to be driven by significant advancements in decentralized finance (DeFi), particularly through innovative mechanisms that enhance token holder engagement,” she notes, citing Aave’s recent proposal to share revenue with AAVE token holders as a prime example of this trend.
On the flip side, Shannon suggests that the decline in meme coins and altcoins could be a sign of broader challenges in the altcoin market.
“The Melei controversy, pump.fun decline, and declining centralized and decentralized exchange volumes show altcoins could have a very hard time this year in my opinion,” he cautions.
As trading volumes continue to drop, Shannon forecasts that altcoins may continue to underperform.
“Even in a BTC bull run altcoins could underperform,” the analyst added.
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead to Q2 2025, both ElDeeb and Shannon anticipate continued market volatility. External macroeconomic conditions like US tariffs, interest rate decisions, and geopolitical factors will largely shape the market.
While ElDeeb maintains a generally optimistic view, predicting a recovery for both Bitcoin and Ethereum, Shannon advises caution, particularly with altcoins.
For investors, diversification remains key. ElDeeb emphasizes the value of Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralization, which have historically helped it recover from turbulent periods.
“We consider these market corrections as great market entry points,” she says.
Shannon, meanwhile, stressed the importance of caution in navigating the altcoin space. He added that Bitcoin could be the best bet for those seeking stability.
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