Bitcoin, having reached $68,800 yesterday, paused its decline and even recovered slightly during Asian trading today.

While the crypto market digests another bout of panic, the SEC Chair said that the regulator's guidance on crypto assets is only the beginning, serving as a bridge while Congress works on long-term legislation to structure the crypto market.

"Our rules must be clear enough to guide markets, flexible enough not to stifle innovation, and strict enough to protect investors," the official said.

The remark came amid rising requests from industry participants who have repeatedly called for greater regulatory clarity. The absence of new, much clearer rules breeds uncertainty and complicates both startups' operations and institutional investment, since institutions tend to avoid markets with unpredictable regulatory regimes. Against the backdrop of global economic turbulence and the rapid development of digital assets, the Securities and Exchange Commission is striving to craft a balanced approach. On the one hand, it must crack down on fraud and protect less-informed investors from potential harm. On the other hand, the regulator recognises that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies hold huge potential to transform financial markets and other industries.

So, while Congress develops long-term legislation, the SEC is using its available tools to set interim frameworks. This allows it to respond quickly to emerging problems such as market manipulation, unregistered securities offerings and insufficient transparency.

In the long run, the SEC and Congress aim to create a mature, resilient market that attracts both startups and traditional financial institutions while ensuring trust and safety for all participants.

Trading recommendations

Bitcoin

Buyers are currently targeting a return to $70,900, which would open a direct path to $73,000 and then to $74,600. The most distant upside target is around $76,500; a break above that would signal attempts to resume the bull market. On the downside, buyers are expected at $69,300. A move back below that area could quickly push BTC toward $66,700, with a further downside target near $64,900.

Ethereum

A clear close above $2,175 would open the way to $2,238. The most distant upside target is around $2,296; a break above that would indicate strengthening bullish sentiment and renewed buyer interest. On the downside, buyers are expected to enter the market at $2,078. A move below that area could quickly send ETH toward $2,007, with a further downside target near $1,915.

What's on the chart

• The red lines represent support and resistance levels, where price is expected to either pause or react sharply.
• The green line shows the 50-day moving average.
• The blue line is the 100-day moving average.
• The lime line is the 200-day moving average.

Price testing or crossing any of these moving averages often either halts movement or injects fresh momentum into the market.