The cryptocurrency market rose on May 19, 2025, as global risk appetite increased due to possible peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. Bitcoin and Ethereum lead the comeback, indicating investor confidence in risk assets, FXStreet, and Reuters. ReutersBlockchain News reported that digital asset values rose with equity markets, demonstrating the rising link between cryptocurrencies and traditional financial instruments.
Trump: Russia-Ukraine Talks to Begin
After a lengthy chat with Putin, President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war” on May 19. Trump expressed cautious optimism about peace prospects in a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and EU, France, Italy, Germany, and Finland leaders, Reuters reports. The Vatican may host the idea, emphasizing the need for high-level diplomacy in de-escalating a major global crisis in the 21st century (Reuters).
Markets Rally on Ceasefire Hopes
Investors saw Trump’s comments as a decrease in global risk, leading to safe-haven investments in gold and government bonds. The shift in attitude caused a slight sell-off in precious metals, with spot gold weakening by 0.4%. Silver falls below $32 an ounce due to decreased safe-haven demand (Mitrade). Oil prices remained stable as traders anticipated information on ceasefire timing. However, market indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 gained on lower conflict-related interruptions to energy and commodities supply chains (Yahoo Finance).
Crypto Rallies on Risk-On Sentiment
Bitcoin rallied by 3.5% throughout the trading day, approaching the $68,000 resistance mark, which was temporarily breach earlier in the session, Blockchain News reported. Ethereum gained 4%, partly due to on-chain signs indicating increasing accumulation by whale-level addresses. As reported by Glassnode data, a Blockchain News report. Solana and Cardano both rallied, gaining from renewed speculative interest and anticipation for wider adoption given a brighter regulatory outlook under the current U.S. government.
Blockchain News said that S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures rose 0.8% and 1.2%, boosting crypto pre-market activity. Over $250 million in institutional investments in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds were made in the previous week, indicating a risk-on climate (CoinShares, Blockchain News). Cryptocurrencies increasingly serve as a barometer for global risk sentiment, highlighting their rising relevance in diverse portfolios. Blockchain News.
Trump Boosts Crypto Confidence
Recent pro-crypto actions under President Trump indicate a more lenient regulatory framework. In March 2025, an executive order created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile for other tokens (Wikipedia). This action has raised questions about state-level Bitcoin holdings and boosted institutional investor confidence.
Bitcoin’s rise toward $68,000 emphasizes the $65,000 support level, which held despite intraday retracements and expected buying pressure, Blockchain News. A 7% rise in addresses owning several bitcoins indicates accumulation by larger participants, potentially limiting downside risk (Blockchain News). However, caution is necessary as ceasefire discussions and risk-on sentiment depend on genuine diplomatic progress, not just tentative pledges.
Ceasefire Talks Lift Bitcoin
Diplomatic actions, regulatory signals, and technical market forces have favored bitcoin increases. Trump’s remarks on Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations lessened geopolitical uncertainty, increased risk sentiment, and sparked a broad crypto market rally. In the next weeks, investors must weigh peace progress against digital asset volatility by monitoring on-chain, macroeconomic, and geopolitical indicators.
In Summary
As prospects for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war raised world risk appetite, cryptocurrencies exploded on May 19, 2025. Leading increases in investor confidence and significant institutional purchasing were seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum. President Trump helped reduce geopolitical concerns and boost financial markets by declaring forthcoming ceasefire negotiations. Under Trump, pro-crypto policies also helped to drive the movement. Though there is great hope, investors are wary about the longevity of peace and market volatility.
