The week ending August 17, 2025, brought sharp corrections across the crypto market. Bitcoin (BTC) briefly touched $124,000 before retracing to $118,000, while Ethereum (ETH) slipped below $4,800 after peaking past $4,700. The correction wiped out more than $100 billion in total market cap within 24 hours, fueled by policy signals, macroeconomic uncertainty, and technical rejections. Altcoin momentum also cooled. Speculation of an altcoin season faded mid-week as Bitcoin dominance climbed to 55%, dragging liquidity away from mid- and small-cap tokens. The TOTAL3 index signaled overbought conditions, with heavy losses in names like XRP and ADA amplifying trader liquidations. Let’s dive into the price moves of this weekly crypto update.
This week’s correction reminded traders that even in a bullish cycle, overheated conditions can reset sharply. The weekly crypto update highlights a market recalibration: Bitcoin reasserted dominance, altcoin hype cooled, and speculative momentum took a hit. Looking forward to this week, the spotlight is on whether BTC can hold $118,000 as support and if ETH can reclaim the $5,000 zone. Sustained strength there could reignite altcoin flows—but failure may deepen the consolidation phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the crypto market during the week ending August 17, 2025?
The market faced sharp corrections. Bitcoin fell from $124,000 to $118,000, Ethereum dropped below $4,800, and over $100B in market cap was wiped out in 24 hours due to macro uncertainty and technical rejections.
How did Bitcoin dominance affect altcoins?
Bitcoin dominance rose to 55%, pulling liquidity away from mid- and small-cap tokens. This cooled speculation around an altcoin season, with many altcoins posting heavy losses.
Which tokens were the top gainers of the week?
$ALU (+255%) – Pumped by Kuvi AI’s acquisition of Altura and AI + gaming hype.
$OKB (+162%) – Boosted by a $26B token burn improving tokenomics.
$EDGE (+152%) – Jumped after entering Coinbase’s top volume list.
$GFAL (+41%) – Gained ahead of Diamond Dreams’ global launch.
$QUBIC (+34%) – Broke out technically, with chatter boosted by Monero attack news.
Which tokens were the top losers of the week?
$PUBLIC (-54%) – Extreme post-listing volatility with heavy profit-taking.
$ZKJ (-35%) – Pulled back after the prior week’s rally.
#0x0 (-31%) – Declined on low volumes and fading hype.
$GPU (-30%) – Broke down from a bearish triangle pattern.
$ALVA (-22%) – Slipped during extended accumulation with no clear catalysts.
What does this correction mean for traders?
The correction showed that even in bullish cycles, overheated markets reset sharply. The focus now is whether BTC holds $118,000 support and if ETH can reclaim $5,000. Their performance may decide whether altcoin flows return or consolidation deepens.
