Crypto Chronicles:Dijital Gold

1-2025 is no longer about cycles — Bitcoin is reading something else entirely

The global economy is precarious in 2025. Global markets are more volatile and unpredictable due to the U.S.'s purposeful trade rule reengineering.

The Trump administration's tariff rises have altered the post-globalization playbook. These shifts have raised recession worries, forcing central banks, companies, and governments to constantly adjust.

Goldman Sachs expects the effective U.S. tariff rate to rise 16 percentage points this year. While this seems like a technical change, the real-world effects are already visible.

Goldman now predicts drastically reduced U.S. GDP growth, lowering its 2025 prediction to 0.5%. Recession probability have risen to 45% over the following year.

Unemployment might reach 4.7%, while core PCE inflation could reach 3.5%. The combination of decreasing growth and sustained inflation limits policymaking error.

Analysts predict three “insurance cuts” from the Federal Reserve to mitigate the damage. The Fed must relieve labor market pressures without reviving inflation, which is tougher in this shaky global economy.

Japan is experiencing the impact. Export-heavy economies are vulnerable to global trade shocks. Slower foreign demand and cautious corporate investment have hampered Japan's economy.

GDP growth is expected to be 1.0% in 2025 and 0.7% in 2026. If a U.S.-led recession occurs, the Bank of Japan may defer raising interest rates.

Europe is also readjusting. Goldman Sachs has lowered its Euro area GDP forecast to 0.7% and its inflation and ECB terminal rate forecasts.

The UK's economy is also hampered by weakening global demand and financial tightening.

Regional narratives resonate in developing markets. China's 2025 growth projection is 4.0%. Even more remarkable is the possibility of negative inflation. More rate cuts are expected, but tariffs and declining commodity prices may outweigh them.

Other emerging economies, especially in Latin America, Central Europe, and Asia, are lowering their estimates. Financial tightening and declining global demand have become major impediments for many.

Nobel laureate Paul Krugman said, “It's not the size of the policy shift, but the uncertainty around it that could cause a recession. Policy reversals may aggravate the situation since they increase uncertainty.”

2-What will XRP need to replace Bitcoin as digital gold?

Bitcoin's diminishing identification with digital Gold or a Gold-alternative and XRP's increasing demand and value among institutional investors and traders are two significant factors that might make XRP the next "digital Gold."

According to TradingView, XRP has outpaced Bitcoin with year-to-date returns of 3.71% and six-month gains of over 300%. Bitcoin just rose over $91,000 for the first time in 45 days.

The present market cycle is shaped by Bitcoin's dissociation from U.S. stocks and gold's record high. Current circumstances put strain on Bitcoin's digital gold story, according to JP Morgan analysts.

JP Morgan analysts said that the market has put pressure on Bitcoin's digital gold story.

The flashy metal benefits from economic instability and increased demand, but JP Morgan Managing Director Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou argues, “Bitcoin’s volatility and correlation with equities raises questions over its ‘digital gold’ narrative. We expect gold to climb as the debasement trade continues.”

Gold seems to be favored by the “debasement trade,” which drives demand for inflation-resistant assets like gold and Bitcoin. With investors risk-off, cash is migrating from stocks and crypto to gold.

According to JP Morgan experts, Bitcoin's worth is $62,000 if manufacturing costs are factored and $71,000 if volatility is corrected.

3-Sui climbs 11% in a day as memecoin fever grows

Due to the memecoin frenzy, Sui has gained momentum and a good technical outlook.

SUI (SUI) is rising in price and network activity. SUI rose 11.86% to $2.43 on April 22. A technical breakthrough and rising memecoin activity drove the price increase.

In terms of SUI coins, decentralized exchange volume and network value locked have increased. After breaching 3 billion SUI in February, DEX volume hit 3.2 billion SUI in March. Since December, TVL has risen to 2.5 billion SUI, a multi-month high.

4-Ledger launches Pudgy Penguins with crypto security and culture

The “Frozen for the Future” partnership between Ledger and Pudgy Penguins comprises 1,000 custom-designed Ledger Flex devices and 500 themed protection covers with Pudgy Penguins' artwork and branding.

At TOKEN2049 in Dubai from April 29 to May 1, the collection will be available globally on ledger.com and pudgypenguins.com starting April 28.

The limited edition Ledger Flex devices protect users' digital assets in stylishly with full Ledger-grade security. Pudgy Penguins Chief Creative Officer Peter Lobanov wanted security to represent “something that reflects the fun, inclusive spirit that Pudgy Penguins stands for.”

The cooperation shows Ledger's commitment to culturally relevant partnerships to deliver secure self-custody to more people, and Pudgy Penguins' role in linking Web3 and mainstream audiences with accessible, consumer-friendly goods.

References

https://crypto.news/ledger-blends-crypto-security-with-culture-in-pudgy-penguins-launch/

https://crypto.news/sui-rises-11-in-a-day-as-memecoin-craze-gains-momentum/

https://crypto.news/what-will-it-take-for-xrp-to-replace-bitcoin-as-digital-gold/

https://crypto.news/2025-global-fragility-and-bitcoin-response/