Following one of the most dramatic swings of 2025, the global cryptocurrency market has staged a surprising recovery, regaining approximately $190 billion in market capitalization over 24 hours.
As of October 13 (GMT+2), total crypto assets stand near $4.019 trillion, up from $3.83 trillion the previous day, as per data retreived by Finbold from CoinMarketCap.
On October 10, the market was rocked by the announcement of sweeping new U.S. trade measures that included 100% tariffs on Chinese tech exports and tighter export controls on critical software. The policy shock sent shockwaves through global markets, triggering the largest single-day drop in crypto history. Nearly $19 billion worth of leveraged positions were liquidated, with altcoins absorbing the heaviest losses. Bitcoin, while not immune, held up comparatively better during the chaos.
By October 12, total market cap was sat at $3.83 trillion, but traders quickly seized on the opportunity for bargain buying as signs emerged that trade tensions might not escalate further.
Bitcoin price rebounds
Driven by a combination of forced liquidation wash-outs, short covering, and renewed institutional inflows, Bitcoin rebounded toward the $115,000 mark after briefly sinking below $105,000, while Ethereum recovered above $4,100 from sub-$3,500 levels. Smaller tokens also experienced a relief bounce, though many remain below their pre-crash valuations.
Despite the recovery, investor confidence remains fragile. The speed and scale of the crash underscored the crypto sector’s vulnerability to external shocks, particularly those tied to geopolitical policy. Market watchers caution that volatility could remain elevated in the days ahead, with sentiment hinging on further developments in U.S.-China trade relations.
