• Solana rallied 11% on macro relief, but a major whale offload sparks caution
• Trump’s tariff pause and Atkins’ SEC appointment reignite crypto risk appetite, fueling early altcoin momentum

Solana [SOL] is back in the spotlight. In a week marked by shifting regulatory winds and a surprising pause in global trade tensions, SOL has surged 11%, catching the attention of traders and analysts alike.

But beneath the surface of this rally, a major whale move has raised a few eyebrows – and questions.

SOL giant exits

One of Solana’s largest whales — who recently unstaked 1.32 million SOL — has begun offloading. Roughly 100,000 SOL worth $10.7 million was sent to Binance just a day ago.

This move appears to be linked to repaying a $20 million USDC loan, secured after depositing 1.2 million SOL into Kamino.

The whale’s action coincides with SOL’s ongoing rally, intensifying investor scrutiny for possible exit signals. This development could significantly influence market sentiment in the near term.

Macro tailwinds — A breather for risk assets?

President Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff pause and Paul Atkins’ confirmation as SEC Chair have delivered a one-two punch of relief for risk markets.

The tariff rollback offers a break from trade tensions, historically a bullish signal for crypto. Major cryptocurrencies have surged in the hours since the announcement.

Meanwhile, Atkins’ pro-market stance and rollback of enforcement-driven SEC policies signal a friendlier regulatory environment.

Together, these developments are reigniting appetite for higher-beta assets like Solana, with investors interpreting the moment as a green light for capital rotation into crypto.

Technical setup post tariff pause

Following President Trump’s tariff pause on the 9th of April, Solana is showing resilience — holding above $160 support with decreasing the selling pressure.

The daily chart suggests a symmetrical triangle forming, hinting at a potential breakout above $180.

Altcoin market cap has steadily climbed post-announcement, pressing against resistance near $1.17 trillion, signaling renewed investor risk appetite.

This aligns with the macro relief sparked by the tariff delay.

Additionally, at the time of writing, BTC.D was stalling near 55%, with signs of a potential double top formation. A decline below 54.5% could confirm a shift in capital toward altcoins.

Overall, the charts indicate a cautiously optimistic outlook, suggesting an early-stage altcoin resurgence fueled by geopolitical relief.

What could deter SOL’s rally?

Solana’s upward momentum is facing several macroeconomic and market risks. The U.S. CPI report on the 11th of April could heighten concerns about persistent inflation, potentially delaying Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Additionally, President Trump’s tariff policies—such as a universal 10% levy and up to 125% on Chinese goods—may further fuel inflation and unsettle markets over time.

On-chain, the altcoin market cap has slightly cooled since the tariff pause rally. If Bitcoin dominance continues to rise, investors’ risk appetite may shift back to BTC, weakening Solana’s relative strength.