Crypto Market Slides 2.6% Amid Fed Rate Hike, Crypto ETFs and ATM Scam

23-May-2026 CoinGabbar

Crypto Market On 23 May 2026 Noted a Drop, Still $GENIUS Surge 35%

The cryptocurrency noted a drop in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and DeFi assets amid rising fear sentiment, regulatory pressure, macroeconomic uncertainty, and expectations of tighter monetary policy.

Crypto Market Last 24 Hours Update: Prices, Volume & Trends

The global crypto market today reached a capitalization of $2.6 trillion, down 2.6% in the last 24 hours, while total trading volume was $85.6 billion.

Bitcoin’s (BTC) dominance in the industry remains strong at 58%, while Ethereum (ETH) holds 9.58%. The largest gainers in the industry over the past day are Polkadot and the XRP Ledger Ecosystem.

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis:

(Note: BTC and ETH are often viewed as less volatile historically, but still risky. The data recorded from CoinMarketCap website)

  • Bitcoin (BTC) price today reached $75,336.46, fell by 2.59% in the last 24 hours, with a trading volume of $29.8 billion and a market cap of $1.5 trillion.

Bitcoin (BTC) price today

  • Ethereum (ETH) price today is at $2062.44, declined 3.14% in 24 hours with a trading volume of $14 billion and a capitalization of $248.9 billion.

Ethereum (ETH) price today

Top Trending Crypto Coins Price in 24 Hours:

(Trending data is based on a combination of 24-hour price movement, trading volume, and CoinMarketCap.com trending metrics.)

  • Bitcoin price (BTC): $75,303.51, down 2.69% in the last 24 hours, trading volume (TV): $29.73B.

  • XRP price (XRP): $1.33, down 2.53%, TV: $2.01B.

  • Genius Terminal price (GENIUS): $0.5957, up 35.12%, TV: $139.64M.

  • Ondo price (ONDO): $0.3776, down 8.56%, TV: $475.87M.

  • Audiera price (BEAT): $1.29, surges 75.22%, TV: $95.51M.

Top 3 Crypto Gainers in 24 hours (Ranked by 24-hour percentage gain):

  • Quant price today (QNT): $77.86, climbed 6.56%, trading activity $20.85M.

  • Midnight price today (NIGHT): $0.03299, gained 6.45%, trading activity $26.92M.

  • NEAR Protocol price today (NEAR): $2.08, rises 4.26%, trading activity $1.19B.

Top 3 Crypto Losers in 24 hours (Ranked by 24-hour percentage loss):

  • edgeX price (EDGE): $1.25, down 16.26%, trading activity around $14.17 million.

  • Humanity price (H): $0.2009, lower by 13.07%, with trading volume near $38.57 million.

  • Dash price (DASH): $43.20, slipped 10.58%, trading activity close to $129.65 million.

Stablecoins and Defi Update:

  • Stablecoins reflect a 0.2% positive change over the past 24 hours, with a market capitalization of $318.3 billion and a trading volume of $72.6 billion.

  • The Overall (Defi) Decentralized Finance market drops sharply by 4.1% over the last 24 hours, with a market cap of $59 billion and trading volume (TV) of $5.66 billion. Defi dominance globally marked 2.3%.

Crypto Fear and Greed Index Today

Crypto Fear and Greed Index Today

Source: Alternative Me

The Fear & Greed Index stays at 28 today, unchanged from yesterday, showing continued market fear. Last week’s 31 and last month’s 46 reveal worsening sentiment. Bitcoin’s decline, altcoin volatility, macro uncertainty, and profit-taking pressure increased investor caution, reducing buying confidence across the market.

Latest Crypto Market News Today, May 23

(Note: All of these updates affect traders, as they impact liquidity, sentiment, and potential returns, and thus must be monitored closely.)

1. FBI Reports Rising Crypto ATM Scams: The FBI’s IC3 received 13,400 ATM scam complaints in 2025, with losses topping $388 million. Victims aged above 50 accounted for most reported losses. Also, California Shuts Down Hermes Bitcoin to close 42 crypto ATMs due to high fees and money laundering.

2. Moscow Exchange Plans Crypto Trading Launch: Russia’s Moscow Exchange plans to test its trading infrastructure this summer and officially launch limited cryptocurrency trading operations before the end of 2026.

3. Bank of America Expands Crypto Exposure: Bank of America increased ETF exposure to nearly $53 million, while its total digital asset-related investments, including Strategy and Coinbase, reached $2.2 billion.

4. Aave, MetaMask, and Mastercard Partner: Aave, MetaMask, and Mastercard launched payment integration, allowing users to spend yield-bearing crypto assets while continuing to earn DeFi rewards through Aave protocols.

5. AFL-CIO is opposed to Senate cryptobill: The CLARITY Act could leave retirement accounts and pension funds vulnerable to risky investment in cryptocurrency, America's biggest labor union federation said before a Senate hearing.

6. Kevin Warsh Officially Sworn In as Fed Chair: The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chairman, where he will serve until May 2030, as inflation worries grow.

7. Grayson Advances Hyperliquid ETF Filing: Grayscale's third SEC comment on the Hyperliquid ETF indicates the potential for multiple competing plans for the HYPE ETFs in the near future.

8. SEC's Delayed Approval of Tokenized Stock Trading Plan: The SEC had postponed plans for tokenized U.S. stock trading exemptions because of worries about shareholder rights, compliance issues, and unauthorized third-party stock tokens.

9. ICE & OKX launch Oil Perpetual Futures: Intercontinental Exchange teamed with OKX to launch BTC perpetual futures based on the price of Brent and WTI crude oil in regulated trading areas around the world.

10. Markets Fear Possible Fed Rate Hike: The Wall Street Journal reported investors increasingly expect potential Federal Reserve rate hikes as inflation, oil prices, and AI-driven economic demand continue rising.

Comparative Insight

Compared with the May 22 crypto update, a mild 0.4% global decline and a $2.66 trillion capitalization. May 23 saw heavier selling pressure with the market dropping 2.6% to $2.6 trillion. Bitcoin and Ethereum losses continued to widen, and the Fear & Greed Index remained low at 28. Despite positive signs of institutional adoption and developments related to ETFs, overall sentiment was bearish due to several factors, including regulatory crackdowns, inflation worries, potential Fed rate raises, and a pullback in DeFi activity.

What This Means for Cryptocurrency Users

The markets are cautious for users, with volatility, a decline in sentiment, and increasing regulations. But, even as price corrections and investor fear have dominated trading behavior, institutional adoption, ETF developments, and payment integrations highlight signs of long-term ecosystem growth.

Risk Context: This commentary is not about long-term conditions and is merely informational. It does not point to the price or indicate an action to take on the investment.

CoinGabbar’s Opinion

The volatile current cryptocurrency is not safe for short-term investors because of the decreasing value of cryptocurrencies, macroeconomic uncertainty, and fear. But even with long-term participation, there could be opportunities in projects that are fundamentally stable, the adoption of institutions, and the growing utility of blockchain, if one can carefully manage the risks.

Disclaimer: The information should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are very unstable and dangerous. You should never make an investment decision without doing your research (DYOR) and using a qualified financial advisor. All regions are not able to provide all the services or assets in question.

Also read: SUI Price Analysis Signals $0.817 Downside Risk If Sellers Stay Active
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