Welcome to this week’s Wayex Weekly Wrap-Up, where we break down the biggest stories shaping the crypto space. From Bitcoin’s historical February rally facing new hurdles to U.S. policymakers pushing for a “golden age” in digital assets, here’s what’s making headlines in crypto this week.
Let’s dive in.
Founder’s Corner: Richard’s Take on This Week in Crypto
As we all know, crypto never sleeps, and this week has been a perfect reminder of that. February has historically been a strong month for Bitcoin, but with President Trump announcing that the U.S. will be placing some heavy tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, we saw a large amount of rapid volatility in the market from this news.
Moreover, the U.S. government is already taking steps towards a more elaborate approach when it comes to digital assets out there, and the discussion around regulatory clarity is gaining traction.
This week, Ethereum has also attracted attention, but not for reasons that its holders and believers might want. The truth is that BTC has always done better than ETH since the migration to PoS (Proof of Stake) in 2022, and this has started to stir conversations surrounding the ETH shift’s long-term impact. In a surprising turn however, the SEC appears to be scaling back its crypto enforcement efforts which could indicate a long-awaited shift in regulatory pressure.
With all of these moving pieces, the market is showing that crypto’s next phase can be shaped not just by market trends but also by government decisions now more than ever.
Market Snapshot: Top 15 Cryptos of the week
Here’s a quick look at the leading cryptocurrencies, ranked by market cap.
This Week in Crypto 🚀
1️⃣ Bitcoin’s February Rally Faces New Obstacles
February has always been an important month for Bitcoin as the crypto asset registers an average gain of 12% for the month for the last decade. In fact, looking at the past data, Bitcoin has performed favourably for the month of February 7 out of the last 10 years which has been a good sign for the market.
However, the first quarter of 2025 has brought new challenges to the table. The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico have raised concerns and economic uncertainty. Usually, when global trade tensions rise, risk assets i.e. cryptocurrencies often face increased volatility as investors turn to safer assets.
Yet, there are still some market watchers who look at the situation with a glimmer of hope. They are saying that Bitcoin fundamentals are stronger than ever because more institutions are investing into it, and there is more on-chain activity, which overall indicates strong diamond hands for the future.
As the month spreads, the market continues being volatile, so it remains to be seen where Bitcoin will go. What do you think is the limit with Bitcoin in 2025?
2️⃣ U.S. Lawmakers Push for a ‘Golden Age’ of Crypto
The U.S. government is making some big moves in crypto policy, the world has been waiting for any sort of moves in the crypto space from large government bodies like the U.S. as it is assumed that once this has been done, other countries will follow suit. Trump’s newly appointed "crypto czar" and a group of congressional lawmakers are pushing forward new initiatives to bring clearer rules and greater legitimacy for the digital asset industry.
So what’s happening?
🔹 Proposed legislation to provide clearer rules for crypto businesses
🔹 Efforts to position the U.S. as a leader in blockchain innovation
🔹 Increased engagement with industry leaders to shape policy
Why does this matter?
History shows that regulatory clarity fuels adoption. When Japan became the first nation in 2017 to regulate Bitcoin as legal tender, it sparked a debate around the world about the legitimacy of crypto. Moreover, the MiCa regulation passed by the European Union in 2023 set rules, which other regions started to copy.
Now, all eyes are on the U.S. If these policy changes gain momentum, they could set the stage for a new era of crypto adoption and investment globally. Perhaps this may be the start of crypto finally becoming mainstream in the financial system.
What are your thoughts on the U.S. levelling up its involvement and stance in the world of crypto?
3️⃣ Bitcoin Up 160% Since Ethereum’s Merge
Ethereum’s long awaited and overhyped transition to a proof of stake in September 2022 was supposed to be a revolutionary development in the eyes of many. What actually happened was that BTC has outperformed ETH by over 160% since “The Merge”.
What could be driving this trend?
🔹 Bitcoin’s scarcity narrative remains a major draw for investors when comparing both assets, and ultimately choosing which asset as their number one choice for an inflation hedge
🔹 Some concerns remain about Ethereum’s staking centralisation. The new staking model has raised concerns about too much control being given to a few large validators, potentially making the network less decentralised than before.
🔹 Institutions still favour BTC over ETH, with ETFs and funds overwhelmingly choosing Bitcoin over Ethereum for long-term holdings.
Historically, major upgrades in crypto networks take time to prove their impact. Bitcoin also faced scepticism during its infant years, and Ethereum’s transition to PoS may still unlock long-term benefits like increased efficiency and lower fees. However, at this point in time Bitcoin is still king while Ethereum holders patiently await for its next big move.
What do you think—was the Merge a mistake, or is Ethereum still playing the long game?
4️⃣ The SEC is Scaling Back Its Crypto Enforcement Efforts
In a surprising shift, reports indicate that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reducing the size of its crypto enforcement unit, signalling a potential softening of its regulatory crackdown and stance on the market. The move comes after years of aggressive crackdowns on exchanges, token issuers, and DeFi platforms.
What does this mean?
🔹 Potential fewer enforcement actions? Some believe the SEC may be shifting their priorities and relocating resources, meaning potentially fewer lawsuits and penalties
🔹 Regulatory uncertainty continues, whether this could be a positive sign for crypto firms, we won’t fully see the impact until later down the track
🔹 Other regulators may step in, meaning the space still needs to watch for compliance updates. This news should not be an invitation to take their foot off the pedal when it comes to staying compliant.
Closing Thoughts: What’s Next for Crypto?
It has been a roller coaster of a week in the market. We saw a reminder of how the news can make an already volatile market more volatile and it is important in these times to understand how these kinds of market movements have occurred with other news in the past. This week’s updates highlight the intersection of market trends, regulatory shifts, and how institutional sentiment in crypto is changing. While Bitcoin’s usual February gains could face new challenges, U.S. lawmakers are pushing for more long awaited crypto-friendly policies, and the SEC’s enforcement shift could signal a rapid change in regulatory landscapes across the world.
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