With the global crypto market cap climbing to around $3.87 trillion (≈₹323 lakh crore) and 24‑hour volumes up slightly, Indian traders saw a positive yet cautious session. Bitcoin hovered near ₹9.9 lakh (≈$113K) while Ethereum crossed ₹3.7 lakh (≈$4.3K). Overall, the market benefitted from optimism around upcoming ETF approvals in the US and renewed interest from institutional investors, but sentiment remains fragile due to regulatory uncertainties at home and abroad.
Key Market Movements
- Total market cap: Up ~1.1 % day‑over‑day at $3.87 T; DeFi market cap around $41.7 B.
- Market volumes: 24‑h trading volume rose to $179.8 B, indicating renewed activity.
- Dominance: Bitcoin’s market dominance slipped slightly to ~62.6 %, while Ethereum’s share improved to just over 11 %.
- Global cues: Traders are watching the US Federal Reserve’s next policy statement, NFT market rebounds and China’s easing stance on stablecoins. Positive ETF rumours have kept bulls engaged.
- Local cues: India’s Supreme Court is pressuring the government to clarify cryptocurrency regulations, while the Reserve Bank of India reiterates its concerns about crypto’s impact on financial stability. 1 % TDS continues to dampen intraday volumes on local exchanges, but investor demand for alternative assets remains strong amid equity market volatility and a weakening rupee.
Top Coins Trending in India
Besides the usual heavyweights (BTC and ETH), Indian traders have been flocking to Chainlink (LINK) for its strong price rally and network upgrades. ZKWASM has become the most‑searched altcoin after surging nearly 20 % worldwide, while OKB grabbed attention with a 51 % spike, making it the day’s biggest gainer globally.
Bitcoin & Ethereum Price Movement
| Metric | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (approx. in INR) | ₹9,896,000 | ₹375,000 |
| Price (approx. in USD) | $113,293 | $4,309 |
| 24‑h % change | ▲ 0.24 % | ▲ 3.46 % |
| 24‑h high | $114,812 | $4,368* |
| 24‑h low | $112,344 | $4,118* |
| Market dominance | ~62.6 % | ~11.1 % |
| 24‑h volume | 300,636 BTC (~$34.0 B) | $47.4 B |
| Sentiment | Slightly bearish to neutral after failing to break above $115K; traders await U.S. macro data. | Bullish short‑term as ETH attempts to reclaim the $4.4K region; momentum strong amid staking inflows. |
Top Gainers (Altcoins) in India
| Altcoin | Price (INR) | 24‑h Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chainlink (LINK) | ₹2,283.56 | +5.27 % | Investors buying on network’s Oracle upgrades; top performer among large‑caps. |
| Sonic (S) | ₹27.80 | +4.24 % | Rising on gaming‑chain adoption; high social media buzz. |
| Aave (AAVE) | ₹26,235.00 | +3.85 % | Borrowing demand and real‑world asset lending narrative lift prices. |
| VeChain (VET) | ₹2.10 | +3.84 % | Strength from enterprise blockchain partnership news. |
| Algorand (ALGO) | ₹21.91 | +3.79 % | Benefitting from Algofi and token burn speculation. |
| Cosmos (ATOM) | ₹392.33 | +3.33 % | Gains after cross‑chain security upgrades. |
| Cardano (ADA) | ₹76.12 | +3.24 % | Gradual rally ahead of governance upgrade; strong Indian community. |
Top Losers (Altcoins) in India
| Altcoin | Price (INR) | 24‑h Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mantle (MNT) | ₹111.41 | −4.59 % | Profit‑taking after a prolonged rally; remains a long‑term favourite. |
| Lido DAO (LDO) | ₹112.70 | −3.37 % | Staking unlock rumours triggered a sell‑off. |
| Trump (TRUMP) | ₹751.60 | −1.72 % | Volatile meme‑token; investors rotated to new narratives. |
| Bittensor (TAO) | ₹29,868.00 | −1.09 % | Cooling off after AI‑token surge; liquidity lower. |
| Polygon (MATIC) | ₹31.19 | −0.69 % | Slight drop amid profit‑booking; network fundamentals remain strong. |
| Sei (SEI) | ₹25.89 | −0.63 % | Exchange‑token corrected after trading frenzy. |
Cryptocurrency Updates & Factors to Watch
- Regulation: India’s yet‑to‑be‑released discussion paper on digital assets could define the regulatory landscape. Keep an eye on GST & TDS announcements.
- Global macro: U.S. inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary may trigger volatility; traders are also watching potential ETF approvals.
- Technological developments: Ethereum’s roadmap toward sharding and the upcoming “Verkle trees” upgrade may continue to support ETH. Bitcoin’s halving event next year remains a big theme.
- Adoption trends: Growing institutional interest in tokenised real‑world assets (RWA), and integration of blockchain in supply‑chain finance are key narratives.
- Indian rupee movement: INR’s slide against the USD (around ₹87 per dollar) could attract investors to crypto as a hedge.
Outlook for Tomorrow (22 Aug 2025)
Crypto markets in India may remain range‑bound, influenced by overnight data from the U.S. and Asia. Bitcoin is expected to face resistance near $115K (≈₹10 lakh); a close above this level could open the door to $117K. Ethereum’s short‑term momentum is bullish, but profit‑booking might emerge near the $4.4K mark. Altcoin traders should watch for continued momentum in Chainlink, OKB (global top gainer), and memecoins like Dogecoin as sentiment can shift quickly. Regulatory headlines will be the wildcard—any hint of clarity from New Delhi could trigger fresh buying or selling. As always, investors should consider dollar‑cost averaging and maintain risk‑management strategies in this volatile space.
