Crypto markets faced a notable correction on May 15, 2025, with prices sliding across the board. Total market capitalization fell to $3.4 trillion, down 4.4% from the previous day, while daily trading volume held steady at $119 billion. Bitcoin dipped to $102,067, while Ethereum followed with a 3% drop to $2,545. Altcoins also suffered, with Solana and Cardano falling more than 5%. The Fear and Greed Index climbed to 71, signaling rising caution among traders and hinting that the market could be overheated in the short term.

While the red wave may raise concern, institutional buying tells a different story. Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted significant inflows, reversing earlier losses. BlackRock alone added over $230 million, contributing to the nearly $320 million in net inflows for U.S.-based Bitcoin funds. This strong vote of confidence underscores sustained institutional interest despite price dips.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s footprint in decentralized finance continues to expand. According to DeFiLlama, BTC-based DeFi TVL has surged to over $6.2 billion, fueled by emerging protocols that enable Bitcoin-native applications. Dom Harz of BOB said the pullback is only surface-level, noting that “Bitcoin’s price, adoption, and innovation are all rising in tandem.” He emphasized that Bitcoin now ranks as the sixth-largest tradable asset globally, ahead of both Google and silver.

Looking ahead, traders are watching the $103,000 resistance level closely. A decisive close above it could trigger a new rally, while a break below $101,900 could test the psychologically important $100K support. Eyes are also on U.S. economic data and potential interest rate cuts in July, which could drive a shift into risk-on assets like crypto. Until then, market participants are advised to expect volatility but not panic—long-term fundamentals remain intact.