DeFi Tokens Plunge Amid Contagion: AAVE and ZRO Down 22%, LDO 19%, Santiment Reports

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have been fluctuating, and Bitcoin falls below $74,000

The Strait of Hormuz blockade triggers a major shock in the crypto market: after Bitcoin first breaks above $78,000, it then falls back to $74,000, and the market remains in panic. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the transmission mechanism between geopolitical shocks and crypto market price action.

BTC rose 0.56% in 15 minutes: trading volume surges and buy-side dominance drives a spot rebound

From 07:15 to 07:30 on April 20, 2026 (UTC), BTC achieved a +0.56% short-term return in mainstream markets. The price range touched 74718.5 - 75568.1 USDT, and the 15-minute intraday swing reached 1.14%. In this phase, market attention warmed up, trading activity rose noticeably, and overall volatility increased. The main driver behind this deviation is that for mainstream trading pairs such as BTC/USDT, the 15-minute trading volume increased month-over-month to +15%, forming a buy-side dominant pattern that pushed spot prices upward to break higher. Inflows directly drove the short-term upside. On-chain data shows that large BTC transfers were dispatched to new wallets in a structured, staged manner, with no concentrated sell pressure flowing to trading platforms. This releases a rebalancing signal rather than a sell signal, which helps ease short-term sell pressure. The chain

ETH jumps 1.22% in 15 minutes: DeFi segment activity and trading volume surge resonate to drive the move

2026-04-20 07:15 to 07:30 (UTC), ETH’s short-term return reached +1.22%. The price range spanned from 2285.19 to 2332.62 USDT, with a 2.07% amplitude. During this period, market attention heated up, volatility noticeably intensified. On-chain transaction volume rose in tandem, and key mainstream on-chain activity indicators expanded significantly on a month-over-month basis. The primary driver of this deviation was an increase in transaction activity related to DeFi protocols, which boosted the share of on-chain Gas consumption. At the same time, total on-chain transaction volume saw a sharp surge in a short time. DeFi scenarios such as decentralized exchanges and lending protocols led to a direct surge in demand for ETH, driving funds to flow quickly into the market. In addition, the average Gas fees and Gas prices on the ETH network continued to climb in this window, further validating that high-frequency trading and active capital were accelerating into the market and strengthening short-term bullish sentiment. Second, on-chain data also showed an expansion in liquidity related to stablecoins and ERC20 assets, strengthening market buy-side power. Although historical large-wallets such as Wilcke still held a large amount of ETH after early March, this cycle did not trigger abnormal transfers or large-scale sell-offs. Meanwhile, the positioning structure of mainstream ETH did not show passive deleveraging or concentrated liquidation. Under the combined effects of multiple factors, global buy-side demand was amplified, and short-term ETH volatility was further elevated. Be alert to the risk of capital sustainability after a surge in high-frequency trading volume and Gas fees. If subsequent incremental buying is lacking or on-chain attention cools down, ETH may face short-term pullback pressure. Monitor changes in large-holder positions, any abnormal shifts in network fees, and liquidity volatility on the DeFi protocol chain. While there have been no signs of security incidents involving major contracts and protocols so far, short-term liquidity disturbances still need close observation. Keep monitoring fund flows and on-chain structure to stay informed about subsequent market changes.

Hong Kong-Listed Qunhe Technology Surges Over 100%

Gate News message, April 20 — Qunhe Technology, a company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, surged 106.99% in today's trading session.

BTC breaks through 75000 USDT

Gate News bot message, Gate market shows that BTC has broken through 75000 USDT, with the current price at 75007.8 USDT.

CHZ (Chiliz) up 6.98% in 24 hours

Gate News update, April 20, according to Gate market data. As of the time of writing, CHZ (Chiliz) is trading at $0.0434. It is up 6.98% over the past 24 hours, with a high of $0.0443 and a low of $0.0398. The 24-hour trading volume is $323.8k. The current market cap is approximately $448 million. As the exclusive utility token of Socios.com, Chiliz gives sports and esports fans the right to jointly manage teams, events, leagues, and other activities. Through voting, Chiliz grants fans in the sports and esports space the right to "joint control," allowing them to participate in team management and strategic decision-making. Any league, team, or event can implement this model by applying blockchain. Fans can become opinion leaders for any competition project by using the Socios.com platform that supports Chiliz payments. Teams, leagues, and other types of projects in sports and esports can also be monetized by giving fans a certain degree of decision-making power. This information does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware of market volatility risks.