Bitcoin stalls near $78K as USDC climbs on Binance

Bitcoin traded around $77,911, up 0.67% for the day, after a short push toward $80,000. Open interest across derivatives markets slipped 0.81% to $122.62 billion and total liquidations fell 46.89% to $163.29 million. The average relative strength index was 53.08 and the Altcoin Season Index read 36.

The price sits roughly 30% above Bitcoin’s 2026 low near $60,000 and about 36% below its October 2025 peak of $126,000.

Exchange data show Circle’s USDC balance on Binance declined to about $4.5 billion in early March and recovered to $7.51 billion by April 21. That balance remains 8.2% below the $8.32 billion held on the exchange in November 2025.

Other major tokens moved modestly higher. Ether traded at $2,317.97, up 0.18%. Solana was at $85.75, up 0.42%. XRP rose 1.57% to $1.4332.

Outside crypto markets, spot gold fell 0.2% to $4,683.23 per ounce after touching its lowest level since April 13, leaving gold down nearly 3% for the week. U.S. gold futures for June delivery dropped 0.5% to $4,699. The U.S. dollar was positioned for its first weekly gain in three weeks, and the 10-year Treasury yield rose about 2% over the week. Brent crude climbed roughly 18% for the week and remained above $105 a barrel amid concerns over military activity in the Middle East and delays in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Open interest is the total value of outstanding derivative contracts. Liquidations are forced closures of positions when margin requirements are not met. The recent declines in both measures point to lower leverage and fewer forced unwindings in crypto derivatives markets compared with earlier periods of higher volatility.