At the forefront of BNB’s recent surge is its impressive 12% increase in value, propelling it to nearly $620. This surge, occurring over just seven days leading up to March 29, has caught the attention of both seasoned investors and newcomers to the crypto space. Notably, this surge has narrowed the valuation gap between BNB and its main competitor, Ethereum (ETH), which saw a more modest 5% gain during the same period.

Analysts point to a variety of factors influencing BNB’s upward trajectory, including the impact of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the momentum of decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. The crypto market’s recent bullish trend has been closely tied to inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, despite a temporary setback in the week ending March 23. However, positive indicators, such as decreased outflows from funds like Grayscale GBTC, suggest a potential resurgence in investor confidence.

BNB’s price momentum has been undeniable, with a notable surge of 61.7% in the first half of March. However, this momentum hit a snag after reaching a peak of $645, prompting speculation about whether BNB has reached its zenith. Comparisons to previous peaks, such as BNB’s all-time high valuation of $116 billion in November 2021, provide valuable context for evaluating its current performance.

One metric that has garnered attention is the total value locked (TVL) on BNB Chain, which represents deposits in the network’s smart contracts. While BNB’s recent surge has been impressive, its TVL has experienced a notable decline, falling from $15.7 billion at its peak to just $7.1 billion. However, it’s essential to consider the broader context of the crypto market, particularly the contraction of DeFi projects since late 2021, before drawing conclusions about BNB’s performance.

Despite the decline in TVL, BNB Chain’s activity remains promising. Decentralized applications (DApps) on the BNB Chain, including non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces, games, and social networks, continue to attract significant engagement. In the past week alone, nearly 2 million active addresses have been participating in DApps on the BNB Chain, underscoring the platform’s continued relevance and utility.

A significant factor influencing the cryptocurrency market’s recent uptrend is the movement of funds into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Despite experiencing a setback in late March with a net outflow of $890 million, recent figures show a promising decrease in outflows from Grayscale’s GBTC fund, suggesting a potential shift in sentiment.

BNB’s price trajectory in the first half of March was undeniably bullish, with a staggering 61.7% increase. However, momentum waned after hitting a peak of $645, coinciding with a market capitalization of $96.4 billion. It’s worth noting that while BNB reached its all-time high valuation of $116 billion in November 2021, the recent surge has reignited optimism among investors.

Assessing BNB Chain Metrics

A closer look at on-chain data from BNB Chain provides valuable insights into the current state of affairs. Total value locked (TVL) on BNB Chain, representing deposits in the network’s smart contracts, experienced a notable decline from $15.7 billion at the peak to just $7.1 billion recently. However, it’s essential to contextualize this decrease within the broader crypto market, particularly the contraction seen in decentralized finance (DeFi) since late 2021.

While TVL serves as one metric for evaluating a blockchain’s success, it’s essential to consider other factors, such as user activity and adoption. In this regard, BNB Chain’s resilience and continued engagement from users paint a positive picture for its future prospects.

As investors and analysts monitor BNB’s performance, one question remains: Can Binance Coin break past the $620 mark and sustain its bullish momentum? While on-chain and derivatives metrics hint positively, only time will tell whether BNB’s rally is just getting started or if it’s approaching a peak. In the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, one thing is certain: Expect the unexpected.