On Wednesday, the European Commission opened a consultation to assess whether the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), in force since 2024, still fits the current crypto market and policy environment. The consultation runs until August 31 and comes as industry groups call for changes aimed at improving the competitiveness of euro-denominated stablecoins. Separately, a euro-pegged stablecoin initiative, Qivalis, has expanded backing to 37 banks after adding another 25 lenders.

On Tuesday, XRP slid to around $1.35, its lowest level since late April, after failing to hold a breakout above $1.50 that briefly reached $1.54 last Thursday. Analysts are watching whether the token can reclaim key weekly EMA levels at $1.50 and $1.80, or if weakness below the $1.29–$1.50 range could put the $1.00 area back in play.

Bitcoin is being watched closely after it ended the week near $77,450 and then slid to a new local low of $76,050, putting the market's focus on where it finishes this week. Analysts highlighted a weekly close below the 21-Week EMA near $78,000 and pointed to CME gap dynamics and leverage-driven selling as factors that could shape near-term direction.

Ethereum (ETH) climbed 3.5% intraday on Thursday before stalling at the $2,320 area, after the CLARITY Act advanced to a full Senate vote following a 15-9 bipartisan committee result. A weekly TD Sequential sell signal has appeared for the first time in nine months, while realized profits hit $74.58 million and ETH fell 5.5% over the past three days. Analysts outlined downside levels including $1,900, with additional targets at $1,565 and $1,090 if selling pressure intensifies.

Global crypto investment products extended a six-week inflow streak after taking in $857.9 million over the past week, led by $706.1 million into Bitcoin-focused funds. Ethereum products added $77.1 million while Solana and XRP brought in $47.6 million and $39.6 million, and the US accounted for $776.6 million of the weekly total. The rebound came as sentiment improved around the CLARITY Act ahead of the Senate Banking Committee’s markup session scheduled for Thursday, May 14.

At Consensus 2026, Bitmine Technology chairman Tom Lee said Bitcoin could finish late 2026 in a $150,000–$200,000 range and move “well past all-time highs.” He also projected Ethereum could reach $9,000–$12,000 into year-end as BTC trades near the $79,000–$80,000 area and analysts watch whether support holds.

With Bitcoin holding the $65,000-$66,000 range, Ark Invest CEO and CIO Cathie Wood said the period of 85%-95% drawdowns tied to a "very new technology" is finished. She argued that broader adoption and rising institutional participation have helped BTC become a "proven technology" and "proven monetary system," even as the market remains in a correction.

An analyst says Bitcoin may be nearing its final corrective phase after a bearish-flag breakdown, pointing to a historical signal on the three-day chart. The view centers on the 50- and 200-period SMA crossover, which previously coincided with major-cycle lows since 2014, as BTC trades around $67,000-$68,000 after a weekly close near $66,000.

Bitcoin fell more than 7% intraday on Friday to a three-week low of $65,700, dipping below $66,000 as traders looked toward the upcoming weekly close. Analysts said a loss of the current range and the 200-week EMA could open a move toward $60,000-$62,000, while separate historical models were cited as pointing to a potential 30%-45% drawdown. At the time of writing, BTC was trading around $65,600, down 6% on the week.