Crypto News Catchup: Crypto Holds the Line, Bitcoin Steady, Solana Soars, and New Tax Winds Blow

Last week, the crypto landscape navigated a wave of macroeconomic pressures, regulatory shifts, and price action. Bitcoin held firm near $84,000 despite a sharp downturn in U.S. manufacturing data and renewed concerns over President Trump’s tariff agenda. While analysts flagged potential near-term volatility, steady ETF inflows and continued accumulation by Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy helped anchor sentiment. Solana outperformed major peers, surging to nearly $140 following the launch of Canada’s first spot Solana ETFs with staking features and infrastructure upgrades at Coinbase. Meanwhile, Slovenia moved closer to taxing crypto gains, proposing a 25% capital gains tax starting in 2026, sparking discussion among investors and policymakers.

Bitcoin Wobbles as U.S. Manufacturing Slumps and Tariff Fears Rise

Bitcoin may face short-term pressure after the Philadelphia Fed’s latest manufacturing survey showed the sharpest decline in activity since 2020. Analysts warn that weakening economic data, combined with rising prices and uncertainty around President Trump’s tariff plans, could weigh on financial markets, including crypto. Despite this, Bitcoin has shown resilience, trading around $84,000 and outperforming equities like the S&P 500 since early April.

Strong Hands, Steady Price: ETFs and Saylor Anchor Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s recent price stability amid macro uncertainty is largely due to long-term holders like ETF investors and Michael Saylor’s firm, according to Bloomberg. With over $131 million in ETF inflows in the past month and MicroStrategy’s continued accumulation, these “stronger hands” are helping reduce volatility. Despite market turmoil and Trump-era tariffs, Bitcoin has remained above $84,000, outperforming traditional markets like the S&P 500.

Technical Analysis

After bouncing back from its April 7 low of $74,377.98, Bitcoin made another push higher, briefly challenging the 50-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA). Technical signals now point to a growing bullish trend, with the Momentum Oscillator climbing above the 100 mark and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) moving past the neutral 50 threshold.

If this positive momentum holds, immediate resistance levels to watch are $88,415, $94,884, and $97,090. However, should sentiment shift, support may be tested at $81,777, with deeper levels near $74,377 and $70,355 potentially coming into play.

Solana Soars: ETF Launch and Coinbase Upgrades Fuel April Rally

Solana (SOL) climbed to nearly $140 on Friday—its highest level in April—driven by the launch of Canada’s first spot Solana ETFs with staking and key infrastructure upgrades at Coinbase. SOL jumped 6% on the day and is up nearly 22% over the week, outpacing Bitcoin and Ethereum. The new Canadian ETFs, issued by firms like 3iQ and Purpose, offer yield through staking, while Coinbase’s enhancements aim to improve Solana transaction speed and reliability.

Slovenia Proposes 25% Tax on Crypto Profits Starting 2026

Slovenia’s finance ministry has proposed a 25% tax on capital gains from crypto beginning in 2026. The tax would apply to profits from selling crypto for fiat or using it for goods and services but not to crypto-to-crypto swaps. Gains made before 2026 are exempt, and losses can offset future profits. The move aims to align crypto with other capital investments and could generate up to €25 million annually.

Conclusion

Last week’s developments highlighted both the resilience and evolving dynamics of the crypto market. Bitcoin’s stability above key levels—despite bearish macro signals—was underpinned by long-term investor confidence, while Solana’s rally underscored growing institutional interest beyond BTC and ETH. Meanwhile, regulatory moves like Slovenia’s proposed crypto tax signal an ongoing push to formalize digital assets within traditional financial frameworks. As uncertainty around tariffs and inflation lingers, crypto’s role as both a risk asset and potential safe haven remains firmly in focus.