Bitcoin and ether held steady on Thursday even as broader market sentiment stayed risk-averse, with several major altcoins seeing deeper pullbacks. AERO, STRK and FET were among the day’s weakest performers, reflecting the ongoing “fear” mood across the digital asset landscape.

Bitcoin hovered near $103,000, while ether gained slightly to trade just below $3,500. Despite the stabilization in the top two cryptocurrencies, indicators remain cautious: the average crypto RSI sits in neutral territory, and the Fear and Greed Index continues to show 25/100, signaling persistent negative sentiment.

Altcoins saw more pronounced volatility. AERO dropped 18% following news of its merger with Velodrome, while STRK and FET registered double-digit declines as traders rotated out of higher-beta assets.

One standout was XRP, which climbed 3.5% after heightened activity in the options market boosted demand.

Markets now await a clear catalyst to determine the next major trend. Analysts note that bitcoin must either confirm a deeper correction from October’s all-time high or establish a firmer bottom near $98,000. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar’s strength — holding near 99.8 — remains a headwind; a move above 100 could add further pressure to risk assets, including crypto.