US Government Shutdown Slows Crypto Market Growth By $408 Billion – Analyst Explains

The cryptocurrency market has entered a turbulent phase marked by intense selling pressure and heightened fear, as macroeconomic uncertainty weighs heavily on investors. Both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) have lost key support levels, signaling that bulls are losing control and that the market has shifted into a corrective phase. However, some analysts argue that this environment represents opportunity rather than collapse — a reset phase that could prepare the ground for stronger long-term growth.

A major catalyst behind the recent market weakness has been the US government shutdown, which introduced significant economic uncertainty. The halt raised global concerns about volatility and delayed crucial regulatory progress, including decisions on Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals. With official data on inflation and employment temporarily frozen, the Federal Reserve faced increased difficulty in guiding monetary policy, adding to investor hesitation.

Despite this challenging backdrop, Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to demonstrate resilience. Yet, the unstable political environment and disruption in financial regulation have amplified risk perception across digital assets. For now, the crypto market remains in a fragile equilibrium, caught between fear-driven selling and opportunistic accumulation as traders and institutions await clarity on both policy direction and macroeconomic recovery.

Crypto Market Growth Stalls as Uncertainty Takes Hold

According to a recent report by CryptoQuant analyst GugaOnChain, the cryptocurrency market has experienced a sharp deceleration in growth over the past month, reflecting mounting investor caution amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

The analysis of the Market Cap Growth Rate (MA Gap Ratio between 30-day and 365-day averages) revealed a steep slowdown between October 1 and November 10, resulting in an aggregate market capitalization loss of approximately $408 billion, according to the on-chain Market Cap Comparison indicator.

Bitcoin (BTC), while remaining relatively resilient, saw its growth rate decline from 16.75% on October 1 to 6.60% by November 10. The top 20 digital assets, excluding BTC, also experienced a significant slowdown, with their collective growth rate falling from 32.29% to 14.67% in the same period. The most severe impact was observed in mid- and small-cap assets, whose growth rate collapsed from 18.57% to a near standstill at 0.21% — a clear signal of fading market momentum and risk appetite.

The compression across all segments highlights how the absence of macroeconomic data, coupled with regulatory delays due to the US government shutdown, has heightened uncertainty. While Bitcoin continues to hold elevated levels, the broader market remains fragile.

CryptoQuant analysts conclude that a sustained recovery depends on policy clarity and the return of economic data flow. The resumption of government activities, inflation reports, and potential ETF updates could help restore investor confidence and reignite growth across the digital asset landscape.

Crypto Market Cap Tests Crucial Support Amid Broad Slowdown

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization currently stands around $3.48 trillion, showing signs of stabilization after weeks of persistent selling pressure. As seen in the chart, the market is consolidating near the 50-week moving average, a level that has historically acted as a crucial support zone during mid-cycle corrections. A decisive close above this area could signal resilience, while a breakdown below it may open the door for deeper retracements toward the $3.2 trillion region.

From a structural standpoint, the broader market remains in an uptrend, but momentum has clearly weakened since the late-September peak near $4.2 trillion. The declining volume over the past few weeks reinforces this cooling phase, suggesting that market participants are adopting a cautious stance amid macroeconomic and regulatory uncertainty.

Bitcoin’s relative stability above $100,000 has helped prevent a steeper market-wide correction, but the weakness in altcoins continues to weigh on aggregate valuations. If liquidity and investor sentiment improve, the market could attempt a recovery back toward $3.8–$4 trillion in the coming weeks.

However, sustained macro uncertainty or prolonged consolidation in Bitcoin could extend this period of stagnation, keeping total crypto capitalization trapped within the current range for the remainder of Q4 2025.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com