Crypto news and market trends | Bitpanda Weekly Wrap #14

Key price movements

BTC: -0.19 %, 91.446,08 € 

ETH: -5.47 %, 2.087,90 €

S&P 500: +1.36  %

Euro Stoxx 50: +0.93 %

Prices as of 9.45am, 27 June 2025

The big news this week is the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which has seen markets (mostly) snap back to pre-conflict patterns. Although the initial news delivered a predictable surge in prices across most asset classes (barring the risk assets that saw gains during the conflict), through the week, we’ve seen a bit of divergence as initial optimism faded. Unsurprisingly, a leaked US intelligence report casting doubt on the effectiveness of recent strikes didn’t do much to improve sentiment, nor does the lingering risk that the ceasefire could unravel.

In the crypto world, Bitcoin’s price reaction throughout the conflict is worth mentioning. As with other higher-risk assets, it initially fell, before quickly recovering above $100,000. No panic, no liquidation spiral, no collapse in liquidity. For an asset often dismissed as speculative, this kind of behaviour feels… well, uncomfortably stable. This week it’s stabilised around €91,000 by mid-week after a dip, although overall sentiment is still neutral, and altcoins in particular were noticeably absent from the broader rally.

The real winner this week was US stocks, which are once again testing new all-time highs. Some notable overachievers included Nvidia, Alphabet, AMD, Coinbase, and Circle.

European markets, by contrast, were a bit more tentative. Stocks that had rallied on hopes of geopolitical calm, including Barclays and Anglo American, gave back gains, and the FTSE 100, DAX, and CAC all drifted lower.

While Brent crude edged lower and Gold climbed, investor attention has shifted back to the ever-popular topic of central banks and interest rates. In the US, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled patience on rate cuts, telling lawmakers the Fed can afford to wait before reacting to tariffs or inflation surprises. Markets remain split on the outlook, with doves pushing for cuts as soon as July - though plenty of hawkish resistance still looms. As the dust settles on geopolitics (for now), monetary policy is once again the main character.

Explore the latest crypto prices, stock prices, and market trends.

All that glitters

*TL;DR: Silver is nearing a breakout on supply crunches and industrial demand, while central banks are piling into gold. A timely reminder that all that glitters is not gold.*

Gold gets quite a lot of attention from investors, and it’s easy to see why. Currently holding steady above $3,300, gold now accounts for nearly a fifth of global foreign exchange reserves, a number that is rising fast and has officially surpassed the euro. Central banks bought 290 tonnes in the first five months of 2025, with China, India, and Turkey leading the charge. Risk is a big factor here, and for institutions as risk-averse as central banks, ‘safe’ structural hedging is a very large priority. The risk here isn’t just conflict. With trust in the US dollar weakening, vaults of gold are starting to look attractive again.

Take away the central bank interest and its use in jewellery, however, and what are you left with? Not much. Silver never quite managed to attain the dizzying levels of support that gold has enjoyed for centuries, but with gold supplies falling and demand for risk-off assets rising, it might be about to have its moment. Unlike gold, silver has several practical uses, including industrial use in solar and electronics, medical equipment, silverware (go figure) and…well, also jewellery. As the industrial uses for silver are substantially higher than for gold, with roughly 58% of annual demand coming from industry, it tends to be more aligned with overall economic cycles. Maybe something to look out for in the upcoming months, particularly if the demand in data centre construction, spurred by AI advancements and cloud services, continues to grow…

Crypto investors might be familiar with the idea of Bitcoin dominance, and there’s a similar concept in play between gold and silver. With demand for precious metals rising and the supply of both falling, the silver market is definitely one to keep an eye on.

BP merger rumours spring a leak

*TL;DR: Shell says it’s not in talks to buy BP, but markets think they doth protest too much.*

Oil markets were stirred this week by reports that Shell and BP might be exploring a mega-merger - a deal that, if true, would reshape the global energy landscape. The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed sources claiming early-stage talks were underway, suggesting Shell could be eyeing BP’s $82 billion market cap as a path to closing the gap with ExxonMobil. But Shell was quick to douse the story, stating: “No talks are taking place.”

The markets don’t believe them. BP shares surged as much as 10% before trimming gains, while Shell dipped 1%. Whether the rumour was just that, or a trial balloon from a strategic leak, the idea isn’t far-fetched. Analysts have long speculated about a Shell-BP tie-up - especially as BP wrestles with its pivot away from renewables and activist investor pressure mounts. For Shell, it is a viable route to shoring up its place in the energy arms race, closing in on ExxonMobil’s dominance and leapfrogging Chevron. For now, both companies are publicly committed to ‘sharpening performance’ and ‘simplifying operations’ (whatever that means). But in the deal-hungry oil sector, a denial today doesn't necessarily mean no tomorrow.

Crypto comings and goings

*TL;DR: Investor sentiment is shifting, but seasonal patterns may temper enthusiasm.*

There’s a growing sense that investors are warming up to risk again. With the U.S. dollar looking less certain and Fed rate cuts still on the table, crypto is slowly working its way back into favour. Capital flows into digital assets have picked up, especially into Ethereum, suggesting that appetite for exposure is returning, even if it’s cautious for now.

Still, it’s not all sunshine. Historically, June hasn’t been kind to Bitcoin. If it closes the month in the red, 2025 would mark its fourth straight summer loss. Compare that to the S&P 500, which is on track for its third seasonal rally in a row, and the contrast couldn’t be clearer. As July nears, the market is holding its breath to see whether this time will be different.

Disclaimer

This article is distributed for informational purposes, and it is not to be construed as an offer or recommendation. It does not constitute and cannot replace investment advice.
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