Learn Live ICYMI: Market meltdown or mega opportunity?
As market volatility continues to dominate headlines, investors are asking: is this the start of a major downturn, or the perfect setup for the next big rally? That’s exactly what we explore in our latest livestream.
In the 24th episode of our Learn 101 livestream, we uncover Market Meltdown or Mega Opportunity: Let’s Talk Strategy.
Our series, Learn Live ICYMI, provides a recap of our Learn 101 livestreams, offering you comprehensive expertise and insights from leading figures in the crypto industry in case you miss the livestream.
Joining the livestream on May 8, 2025 were two distinguished crypto influencers,: Alex Marzell and James Crypto Guru. Under the moderation of Sabrina Chua, Senior Content Strategist at Bybit, this episode explores Market Meltdown or Mega Opportunity: Let’s Talk Strategy.
Key Takeaways:
Bitcoin has performed more like gold than stocks in a turbulent market.
While Ethereum doesn’t have Bitcoin’s level of hype, it has the potential to grow over the next several months and even longer.
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) and diversification are key ways to reduce risk.
Tariffs, macro moves — and why it’s not all doom and gloom
Tariffs imposed by the United States have rattled global markets, but Alex Marzell sees this as a testament to crypto’s resilience. In his view, Bitcoin is behaving more like gold than like traditional equities, offering a safe haven in uncertain times.
James Crypto Guru adds that the tariffs were introduced partly because of the overheated market. Ironically, when markets are booming, policymakers often try to cool things down — a tactic Trump employed during his first term, deflating markets before reigniting them with positive news. James predicts a rebound by September. Ongoing geopolitical tensions may also drive capital flows into Bitcoin, as individuals move their money ahead of potential relocations caused by war.
Alex Marzell agrees, noting that Bitcoin has seen consistent net inflows despite the turbulence. In the short term, he believes Trump’s social media posts could have an outsized impact on Bitcoin’s price. The market is primed for growth, especially given the surge of interest in Bitcoin Spot ETFs. But in order for retail demand to truly accelerate, Marzell believes that Bitcoin’s price will likely need to stay above $100,000 for an extended period. High interest rates remain a headwind, as they reduce the disposable income available for crypto investments.
James observes that retail investors now have a much smaller influence on price movements. Whales — large institutional players — are the primary drivers, pouring billions of dollars into Bitcoin daily. But while Bitcoin’s price is increasingly whale-driven, Alex points out that altcoins and meme coins remain heavily fueled by retail traders. With growing enthusiasm around Ethereum, he suggests an altcoin season may be on the horizon.
Bitcoin: Looking ahead
Both crypto observers agree that September could mark a major peak for Bitcoin this cycle, based on historical patterns. However, Alex is cautious about relying too heavily on the traditional four-year cycle, given Bitcoin’s increasing liquidity and sensitivity to multiple market forces. Meanwhile, James believes Trump’s cautious rhetoric has so far restrained the market, and that once his tone shifts, prices could surge.
Technically speaking, Alex sees major resistance levels forming between $102,000 and $105,000. Meanwhile, James highlights that today’s market is far more stable than previous cycles, thanks to the dominance of whales who tend to dollar-cost average (DCA) their positions. This approach creates more gradual, steady price increases, rather than wild swings driven by speculative retail traders.
How traders are protecting their portfolios right now
When it comes to Ethereum, both experts agree that ETH is well-positioned for growth in the current cycle, with altcoin season likely to follow soon after. But Alex warns that many investors miss out on altcoin gains because they only buy in after prices have already surged. In his view, accumulating Ether now remains one of the strongest plays. James echoes that sentiment, revealing he’s going long on ETH himself. He explains that timing matters: when Bitcoin’s price is rising sharply, traders often rotate out of altcoins and into BTC. But when Bitcoin’s price starts to level off, altcoins typically begin to rally.
James also notes that serious crypto investors — including billionaires — don’t exit the market during downturns. Instead, they keep injecting capital into both new and established projects, positioning themselves for the next wave. Alex adds that because altcoins have much smaller market caps compared to Bitcoin’s, it takes far less capital to move their prices. As a result, strong inflows can spark explosive gains in a relatively short time.
Spotting opportunity: How to prepare without FOMO
When asked whether it’s already too late to enter the market, both experts firmly say no. Instead, they emphasize managing risk with disciplined strategies. Alex recommends DCA as a way to smooth out volatility, combined with diversification to avoid overexposure. He suggests limiting crypto to 10% or 20% of your overall portfolio, warning that concentrating your position too heavily in any single asset or asset class can significantly amplify risk.
James highlights the importance of education before taking action. In his view, reacting impulsively without understanding the fundamentals often leads to costly mistakes.
Alex adds that relying on a single indicator is never sufficient. Proper market reading requires a holistic approach, blending multiple signals and deeper analysis. While some indicators may be easier for beginners to grasp, he stresses that building a broader understanding of tools used for technical and fundamental analysis is key to long-term success.
Closing thoughts
This Learn 101 livestream offers timely insights into whether we’re facing a market meltdown or a mega opportunity. As the crypto landscape matures with growing institutional involvement and steadier price action, short-term headlines hold less sway over Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. For investors, the key takeaway is clear: success lies not in chasing daily news, but in staying informed, managing risk and positioning strategically for the cycles ahead.
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