After a week rocked by intense global trade tensions, the cryptocurrency market managed to close in the green, showcasing a surprising level of resilience. Bitcoin led the sentiment shift with a modest 2.1% gain, but it was Solana (SOL) and Avalanche (AVAX) that truly stole the spotlight with double-digit surges, shrugging off early-week panic triggered by fresh U.S.-China tariff escalations.
Solana Price Action: Whiplash to $130+ Highs
Solana entered the week trading just under $120, only to nosedive below $98 within 24 hours as fears of a broader economic clash rattled markets. But the tone flipped dramatically following President Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on key tariffs, sparking a risk-on rally that sent Solana rebounding hard.
The asset’s recovery wasn’t smooth—brief consolidation near $110 occurred midweek—yet by April 12, 10 a.m. EST, SOL reached a high of $130.72, locking in a 9.5% weekly gain. The performance reaffirms Solana’s role as a high-beta asset in crypto, especially within DeFi and NFT verticals.
Avalanche and Hedera See Similar Spikes
Avalanche (AVAX) followed a comparable path, starting its ascent on April 9 from just over $16, rallying steadily to hit $20.54 by April 12 at 11 a.m. EST. Its 12.8% gain made it the top-performing asset among the top 20 cryptos for the week.
Meanwhile, Hedera (HBAR) climbed from a low of $0.1435 to hit $0.1739, maintaining its gains with notable price stability over the final three days of the week. The consistent uptrend in AVAX and HBAR reflects broader investor bargain-buying behavior amid improving geopolitical sentiment.
Ethereum Posts Sharp Loss Despite Market Recovery
Standing in stark contrast, Ethereum (ETH) had its roughest week in recent memory. The asset plunged 8.4%, bottoming at $1,431 during the market’s “Black Monday” collapse—its lowest level in over two years.
Despite mild relief later in the week, ETH failed to reclaim its opening levels and remained well below $1,800, raising concerns about network congestion, high gas fees, and shifting investor appetite. As competitors like Solana continue gaining traction, Ethereum’s relative weakness is sparking fresh debates around Layer-1 market dominance.
Weekly Crypto Performance Snapshot
| Asset | Weekly Change | Low | High | Trend Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solana | +9.5% | ~$98 | $130.72 | Volatile drop, strong rebound |
| Avalanche | +12.8% | ~$16 | $20.54 | Best performer, steady rally |
| Hedera | +6.6% | $0.1435 | $0.1739 | Solid recovery, holding strength |
| Ethereum | -8.4% | $1,431 | <$1,800 | Prolonged weakness, weak bounce |
