Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

The National Sheriffs’ Association has withdrawn its opposition to the Clarity Act and adopted a neutral position. The association previously warned that the bill could create anti-money-laundering loopholes by exempting some crypto developers and infrastructure providers from money-transmitter rules. In a letter to Senate leaders John Thune and Chuck Schumer, NSA President Sheriff Troy Wellman and Executive Director Justin Smith said the legislation was too complex for the group to take a firm position. They urged lawmakers to continue the legislative process and establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets. The Clarity Act would define how digital assets are classified as securities, commodities or payment stablecoins. The bill passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support last year but has faced delays in the Senate during 2026. A vote is now expected this month after an earlier delay. An updated version introduced in July addressed some concerns, including restrictions on government officials and their families issuing or promoting crypto assets. Banking groups remain concerned about stablecoin yield, while some lawmakers have raised ethics and implementation issues. Supporters, including Senator Cynthia Lummis, say the bill would give law enforcement stronger tools against illicit finance. The NSA’s shift is a positive political signal for the Clarity Act, although passage remains uncertain.

Robinhood Chain revenue reached about $15.15 million over seven days, according to DefiLlama, following $4.13 million in the preceding 24-hour period. The seven-day figure ranked third among the tracked crypto projects, behind Circle at $45.57 million and Tether at $16.23 million. Robinhood Chain revenue also exceeded Uniswap’s roughly $3.5 million and Arbitrum’s $1.36 million over the same period. Earlier data showed cumulative Robinhood Chain revenue had reached $20.69 million, highlighting rapid recent fee generation and network activity. However, DefiLlama does not identify whether the revenue came from transaction fees, trading activity or other sources. Traders should monitor network usage, related-asset demand and whether Robinhood Chain revenue remains elevated before treating the data as a market signal.

Balancer has sent an on-chain message to wallets linked to the 31 August Balancer V1 exploit, offering a white-hat bounty in exchange for returning approximately $234,000 in stolen funds. Balancer said it would not pursue legal action over the act of returning the funds, provided the conditions are met. The attacker must respond and return the assets by 5:00 on 9 September 2026. If there is no response, Balancer plans to use technical, on-chain and legal measures to identify and pursue the attacker. The Balancer exploit remains a key security event for DeFi traders, although the relatively limited loss and recovery offer are unlikely to create broad market pressure. Traders should monitor wallet movements, fund recovery progress and any impact on BAL sentiment.

PayPay has received a Buy rating from The Value Pendulum, which began coverage of the Japanese digital payments company. The investment case centres on PayPay’s alliance with Seven & i Holdings, which could accelerate digital payment adoption in Japan, a market viewed as underpenetrated. PayPay is also expanding into financial services through its acquisition of a 70.2% stake in T&D Financial Life Insurance. The company aims to use its approximately 75 million users to cross-sell insurance and other wealth-management products as Japanese consumers reassess their financial assets. PayPay trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.4 times, below GMO Payment Gateway’s 26.9 times. Its PEG ratio of 0.74 is presented as evidence of potentially attractive valuation, although the investment case depends on successful integration and execution of these inorganic growth initiatives. For traders, the key themes are Japanese fintech adoption, digital payments, financial-services cross-selling and valuation. The article is an analyst opinion rather than a company announcement, and it does not provide a direct catalyst for cryptocurrency markets.

Volkswagen has expanded its restructuring plan after CEO Oliver Blume confirmed an initial target of 19,000 job cuts in Germany by the end of 2026. The company’s supervisory board later approved the Future Plan 2030, adding about 50,000 further positions to be eliminated by 2030 and bringing total planned reductions to roughly 100,000 worldwide. Volkswagen expects to manage departures through natural attrition, early retirement and voluntary exits, with no compulsory layoffs announced so far. The restructuring targets high production costs, weak European demand, the expensive electric-vehicle transition and competition from Chinese manufacturers such as BYD. Four German plants reportedly have annual overcapacity of more than 500,000 vehicles, while alternative uses for the Emden and Zwickau facilities are under review. Volkswagen also plans to halve its model lineup and reduce product complexity by about 75% by 2035. Despite the job cuts, Volkswagen plans €135 billion in capital spending and research and development from 2027 to 2031. Blume is targeting a 9% operating margin, annual sales of about 9 million vehicles and operating profit of approximately €31 billion by 2030. Volkswagen shares reportedly rose 6% to 7% after the approval as investors focused on potential cost savings. For crypto traders, the job cuts have no direct cryptocurrency catalyst. The impact is neutral for digital-asset prices, although the announcement may reinforce broader concerns about industrial growth, consumer demand and fiscal pressure. Volkswagen shares could remain sensitive to details on plant restructuring, savings and execution.

Entering the crypto top 10 by market cap mainly increases visibility, media coverage and potential trading activity. It does not guarantee higher prices, institutional investment or lower risk. Market cap is calculated as token price multiplied by circulating supply, so a ranking can rise because of price gains or newly circulating tokens rather than equivalent capital inflows. The article highlights Zcash (ZEC), which reportedly reached about $1,023 on 4 September 2026. Its market capitalisation rose to roughly $17 billion after gains of about 94% in one month and more than 2,300% over one year, briefly pushing ZEC into the crypto top 10. The move illustrates that top-10 status is an outcome of market activity, not an independent source of value. Traders should assess liquidity, trading volume, derivatives open interest, custody options, regulation, token concentration, developer activity and protocol revenue. Fully diluted valuation (FDV) and future token unlocks are also important. A project with a low percentage of its eventual supply in circulation may face significant dilution even after entering the top 10. The crypto top 10 can attract attention from institutions, but ranking alone is insufficient. Regulated investment products, reliable price discovery, liquid derivatives and institutional custody are more influential. Market-cap rank should therefore be treated as a screening tool, not a measure of safety or fundamental strength.

The Goldilocks economy narrative gained support as US stocks rallied broadly after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller delivered dovish comments that pushed bond yields lower. All S&P 500 sectors except energy advanced. Markets are also assessing mixed signals from the Federal Reserve. Officials appear to be using a “good cop, bad cop” approach, combining dovish guidance with hawkish rhetoric to manage expectations and keep financial conditions stable. The base case is that interest rates will remain unchanged for now. Strong services activity and retail sales point to resilient consumer demand. Third-quarter US GDP growth is tracking near 3%, suggesting continued economic expansion without an immediate overheating threat. Consumer spending remains the main growth engine, while steady artificial intelligence investment is supporting business activity. Trade deficits remain the primary drag on growth. For traders, the Goldilocks economy outlook is supportive of risk assets because it combines solid growth with expectations for stable or less restrictive monetary policy. However, persistent inflation, future Fed communication, Treasury yields and incoming economic data could quickly alter market sentiment. The article focuses on traditional markets and does not identify any specific cryptocurrency or blockchain project.

Robinhood stock tokens have triggered a dispute with AMC Entertainment after CEO Adam Aron said AMC neither approved nor participated in the tokenised AMC product. Robinhood said its on-chain stock-token decentralised exchange surpassed $3 billion in volume within 63 days and covered more than 190 listed companies. The tokens are issued by Robinhood Assets (Jersey) Limited and track US share prices, but provide no equity, voting or other shareholder rights. They are unavailable to users in the US, Canada, UK and Switzerland and are not registered under US securities law. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev dismissed the concerns. Aron said the structure could weaken investor protection, demanded that Robinhood stop AMC-related trading and is considering legal action, potentially involving the US Securities and Exchange Commission. AMC shares rose as much as 20.87% in pre-market trading before paring gains. The dispute also drove a speculative rally in Robinhood-linked meme coins. MEME briefly exceeded a $150 million market capitalisation, while CONCERN, CINEMA and GME attracted attention. Robinhood stock tokens and related meme coins remain exposed to regulatory, disclosure and liquidity risks. Traders should treat these tokens as highly volatile, attention-driven assets rather than direct claims on AMC shares.

Hyperliquid will reduce the minimum order value for result orders from $10 to $1 in its next network upgrade, according to HyperliquidNews on X. The change lowers the entry threshold for traders and could increase participation in smaller-sized positions on the Hyperliquid platform. Hyperliquid has not yet provided further details on the upgrade schedule or whether the change will affect fees, liquidity or order execution. Traders should monitor the upgrade announcement and early changes in trading volume, market depth and user activity. The update is relevant to Hyperliquid users, particularly retail traders and strategies that require small orders.

The article argues that crypto utility, rather than token price or market hype, should guide investment decisions. Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies are often valued through narratives, momentum and speculation, but a high market price does not prove that a token solves a real problem. Crypto payments could improve cross-border transfers by reducing reliance on banks and intermediaries, although compliance, fraud, volatility, regulation and operational risks remain. The article also highlights the importance of the wider crypto infrastructure, including wallets, exchanges, payment processors, custody services, liquidity providers and blockchain networks. For traders, the key questions are whether a project has real users, genuine network activity, strong security and compliance, and a necessary token. A project’s long-term value may be tested by whether people would continue using it if its price stopped rising. The article concludes that crypto may eventually become an invisible layer of the global financial system. Everyday users could benefit from faster and more connected payments without needing to understand the blockchain technology behind them. This suggests that sustainable crypto adoption will depend more on practical utility and user-friendly ecosystems than on short-term speculation.

Fidelity Digital Assets’ updated 2026 “Getting Off Zero” report says Bitcoin can appreciate against the US dollar without taking market share from gold. Research head Chris Kuiper argues that Bitcoin and gold are complementary assets, despite sharing exposure to inflation, currency debasement, debt concerns and fiscal risks. Fidelity says a zero Bitcoin allocation can act like a short position because investors remain exposed to the risk of missing further gains. Its portfolio analysis suggests that a 1%–3% Bitcoin allocation may improve risk-adjusted returns, while allocations of roughly 9%–10% could maximise returns in a traditional 60/40 portfolio. The firm recommends funding Bitcoin exposure primarily by reducing bond allocations rather than selling gold. Bitcoin and gold have historically alternated in periods of outperformance. Gold rose about 70% from 2019 to 2020, while Bitcoin subsequently gained more than 100%. Fidelity says their long-term correlation remains low because Bitcoin also has a technology and network-growth component, unlike gold. The report highlights growing institutional access. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products reportedly hold about $123 billion in assets under management. Fidelity also points to expanding Bitcoin use in collateral, lending and derivatives markets, while warning that leverage and uneven regulation can still amplify market sell-offs. For traders, the report supports the long-term institutional adoption case for Bitcoin but is not an immediate price catalyst. Bitcoin remains sensitive to liquidity, inflation expectations, bond yields and risk appetite.

The US jobs report sharply changed market expectations for Federal Reserve policy. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, well above the 56,000 forecast. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, while revisions added 55,000 jobs to June and July figures. The US jobs report showed that hiring was concentrated in food services and drinking places, which added 59,000 jobs, and local government education, which added 42,000. Wage growth reached 3.1% year on year, and labor-force participation rose to 61.6%. The stronger labor market increased expectations for a 25-basis-point Fed rate hike in September to about 59%, from 52% before the release. Treasury yields and the US dollar rose, while gold and silver declined. Bitcoin fell below $80,000 after trading above $81,000, with leveraged long positions reportedly liquidated. US equities were mixed, as investors weighed stronger economic growth against higher interest rates and pressure on valuations. Traders will now focus on the August CPI report, due on September 11, ahead of the Fed’s September 15–16 policy meeting. Inflation data may determine whether policymakers use the stronger employment conditions to justify tighter monetary policy.

Kraken Futures has launched the AI Chip Supercycle Challenge, a one-month trading competition running from September 4 to October 4, 2026. The event features a $20,000 USDG prize pool and ranks traders solely by realized PnL, meaning only closed positions count. Participants can trade six new equity perpetual contracts: SK Hynix (SKHYNIX), SOXL, SOXS, Nebius (NBIS), Samsung (SAMSUNG), and SanDisk (SANDISK). The products cover memory, semiconductor-sector exposure, AI cloud infrastructure, and data storage. SOXL and SOXS are 3x leveraged ETFs, creating additional risk when traded through perpetual contracts. Traders must enroll before opening positions. At least $1 in realized profit is required to qualify for prizes. The leaderboard updates in real time and supports both long and short strategies. First place receives $3,500, while rewards extend through rank 150 and beyond via a proportional share of a remaining $1,050 pool. Availability varies by jurisdiction and excludes residents of the EEA, United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The AI Chip Supercycle Challenge may increase short-term trading activity and liquidity in the listed equity perps, but it does not directly signal a bullish or bearish outlook for cryptocurrencies.

Guidewire Software (GWRE) reported strong fiscal fourth-quarter results, with revenue rising 15% year on year and annual recurring revenue (ARR) increasing 19%. The insurance software provider also expanded margins and won customers including Nationwide. Cloud products such as PricingCenter and ProNavigator continued to support bookings and recurring revenue growth. Despite the positive results, Guidewire Software shares fell about 15% after management issued subdued near-term guidance. Revenue growth is expected to slow, while first-quarter ARR guidance remains cautious. The stock trades at roughly 41.5 times expected non-GAAP fiscal 2027 earnings, limiting its valuation appeal. High switching costs, low customer churn and the regulated insurance technology market support Guidewire’s long-term growth potential. However, weaker forward growth and a demanding valuation reduce the margin of safety. The overall view is Hold. Traders should monitor ARR momentum, cloud bookings, customer wins, margins, updated guidance and valuation multiples.

KKR’s private credit fund, KKR-Income Trust I, saw redemption requests fall to about 2.5% of net asset value in Q3 2026, down from more than 5% in Q2. The decline indicates easing liquidity pressure after KKR capped withdrawals when requests exceeded its usual 5% quarterly limit. The KKR private credit fund will pay $34.7 million to meet Q3 redemptions and a further $10.5 million in delayed Q2 requests. The fund had $1.4 billion in net assets, returned 1.9% in Q2 and has delivered an annualised net return of 10.3% since inception. However, wider private credit risks remain. Non-accruing loans across the sector rose to about 2.8% in 2026, the highest level in roughly a decade. Blackstone’s BCRED faced heavier pressure, with Q3 redemption requests reaching 10% of net asset value before withdrawals were capped at 5%. For traders, the KKR private credit fund’s lower redemptions are a modest sign of improving investor confidence, but rising loan defaults and liquidity gates remain indicators of stress in private markets. The development has no direct impact on cryptocurrency prices, though it may influence broader risk appetite and sentiment toward alternative assets.

Chinese banks are increasing US Treasury purchases after raising dollar deposit rates above 3% for balances exceeding $50,000. The strategy attracted foreign-exchange deposits worth $1.18 trillion in China by the end of July, up 17.9% year on year. Major state-owned banks are using these dollar deposits to buy Treasuries rather than converting yuan into dollars, helping them avoid direct pressure on the yuan and easing regulatory concerns. The US 10-year Treasury yield rose more than 30 basis points since early June to 4.76%, creating a margin between deposit funding costs and Treasury returns. China’s record trade surplus continues to generate large dollar inflows, while domestic dollar-denominated safe assets remain limited. As a result, US Treasuries offer Chinese banks a liquid destination for excess dollars. The Treasury purchases could support demand for US government debt and influence global bond yields, currency liquidity and broader risk appetite. For crypto traders, the main keyword is Chinese banks and US Treasuries: the development is an indirect macro signal rather than a direct cryptocurrency catalyst. Chinese banks and US Treasuries should be monitored alongside the dollar, Treasury yields and liquidity conditions.

Lululemon stock fell more than 18% after hours and about 20% in premarket trading after the athletic-apparel retailer cut its fiscal 2026 outlook for the second time. The decline could erase roughly $2.8 billion in market value, while shares are already down more than 40% in 2026. Second-quarter revenue fell 4% year on year to $2.42 billion, below the $2.46 billion analyst estimate. Comparable sales declined 9%, while revenue in the Americas dropped 8%. Sales of signature leggings fell about 20%, highlighting weaker demand for a key product. Net income declined to $329.2 million, or $2.92 per share, from $370.9 million a year earlier. Lululemon now expects fiscal 2026 revenue of $10.35 billion to $10.5 billion, down from its previous forecast of $11 billion to $11.15 billion. Adjusted earnings guidance was reduced to $9.48-$9.73 per share from $10.95-$11.15. The company expects third-quarter revenue to fall 10%-11% year on year. Interim CEO Meghan Frank cited uneven customer reactions to new products and negative social media commentary. Incoming CEO Heidi O’Neill, who takes over on 8 September, will need to improve product launches, rebuild demand and counter competition from Alo Yoga and Vuori. Store space has expanded about 11% year on year, increasing cost pressure as the company’s largest market contracts. For crypto traders, the Lululemon stock sell-off has no direct effect on cryptocurrency fundamentals. It may, however, reinforce broader concerns about consumer demand, retail earnings and risk appetite across traditional markets.

Virtuals Protocol is moving beyond a speculative crypto launchpad to build infrastructure for autonomous AI agents and robots. Its EconomyOS combines agent identities, wallets, email, virtual cards and computing payments, allowing agents to access services, spend funds and receive income with limited human involvement. The Agent Commerce Protocol enables agents and robots to request jobs, negotiate terms, use escrow, submit results and settle payments on-chain. Virtuals plans to track this activity through “Agentic GDP” (aGDP), which could become a more useful growth indicator than token launches or market capitalisation. The protocol also uses bonding curves and milestone-based token releases to fund early agent projects, although the wider AI-token market has faced severe pump-and-dump and liquidity risks. The latest development extends the model into robotics. Eastworlds reports 31 Unitree G1 humanoid robots, costing about $13,500 to $43,900 each, and is building testing and teleoperation infrastructure. Its Robotics Launch programme will support selected teams, although applicants must maintain a fully diluted valuation of at least $5 million for one week before review. Virtuals has not disclosed robotics customers, revenue or proven commercial outcomes. For crypto traders, the key potential catalyst is a revaluation of Virtuals Protocol based on AI-agent infrastructure and real-world robotics activity. Sustained job volume, recurring revenue, robot deployments and aGDP growth could support the VIRTUAL token over the long term. Until those metrics are verified, execution, liquidity and adoption risks are likely to limit any durable price impact.

USD/JPY fell 2.1% over 24 hours to 155.459 in an earlier move, signalling sharp Japanese yen strength against the US dollar. By 4 September, USD/JPY had briefly recovered to 156.0 and was trading at 156.055, up 0.2% over 24 hours. USD/JPY remains a key gauge of short-term yen and dollar sentiment. The move has no direct cryptocurrency catalyst, but traders should monitor US interest-rate expectations, Treasury yields, the dollar and global risk appetite. Changes in USD/JPY volatility could affect Bitcoin indirectly through shifts in global liquidity and macro risk sentiment.

AI data-centre optical interconnect company iPronics has raised $125 million in Series B funding. Maverick Silicon and Light Street Capital co-led the round, with participation from Nvidia, Triatomic Capital, Bosch Ventures, Catalight Capital and the European Innovation Council Fund. The financing brings iPronics’ total funding to $177 million. iPronics develops rack-scale optical switching equipment for AI infrastructure. Its programmable optical layer allows AI clusters to adjust network connections in real time for training and inference workloads. The company plans to use the new funding to expand operations and accelerate commercial deployments. The deal highlights continued investor interest in AI infrastructure, optical networking and data-centre technology, but it has no direct cryptocurrency or token-related component.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) raised its fiscal 2026 revenue-growth forecast to 34%–37% and lifted its non-GAAP earnings-per-share outlook to $3.75–$3.85, citing strong artificial intelligence demand. HPE also introduced a fiscal 2027 revenue-growth framework of 13%–17%. The upgraded HPE outlook followed third-quarter revenue of $12.2 billion, up 34% year on year, while non-GAAP diluted EPS reached $1.11. Cloud & AI revenue rose 25% to $9.0 billion. AI Systems orders reached $2.4 billion, and the company reported an AI backlog of $6.8 billion, driven by inferencing and agentic-AI workloads. However, HPE shares fell more than 3% in extended trading. CFO Marie Myers said component supply remained constrained, with memory the main bottleneck, followed by NAND, CPUs and drives. Investors are therefore focused on whether HPE can convert its AI backlog into revenue while securing enough hardware components. The HPE results highlight strong AI infrastructure demand but also underline execution risks across the technology sector. Supply shortages could limit near-term growth and margins despite positive fiscal guidance.

QumulusAI (QMLS) began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market in mid-July after going public without raising new capital through a traditional IPO. The AI infrastructure company plans to increase high-performance computing capacity from 8 megawatts to 18 megawatts by the end of the year. QumulusAI reported second-quarter revenue of $6.7 million, up 118% year on year, while gross margin reached 67%. The company is funding its expansion through customer deposits, GPU-backed debt, equipment leases and convertible notes, rather than a primary equity offering. This approach could limit immediate shareholder dilution, but it may increase financing costs and balance-sheet risk. The investment case depends on QumulusAI executing its data-centre build-out and converting capacity growth into sustainable revenue. Key risks include reliance on a small number of customers, limited liquidity, internal-control weaknesses and the potential costs of debt and convertible financing. The company has been assessed as a speculative Buy with a 12-month price target of $9.50. For traders, QumulusAI is a high-risk AI infrastructure stock rather than a cryptocurrency project. Its outlook is closely linked to demand for AI computing, funding conditions and execution of the planned capacity expansion.

The US August jobs report showed strong labour-market resilience. Non-farm payrolls increased by 162,000, far above forecasts of 50,000 to 65,000, while the unemployment rate held at 4.1%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised June and July payrolls higher by a combined 55,000 jobs, reversing earlier concerns about weakening employment. Private-sector hiring rose by 127,000 and government employment increased by 35,000. Leisure and hospitality added 62,000 jobs, restaurants gained 59,000, and local-government education added 42,000. Manufacturing and construction also expanded. The information sector was the main weak spot, losing 23,000 jobs, including cuts in cloud services, data processing, web hosting and publishing. Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month on month and 3.1% year on year to $37.75. The labour-force participation rate increased to 61.6%, while the number of workers involuntarily employed part-time fell by 414,000 to 4.4 million. The strong jobs report eases recession fears but may increase expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike. For crypto traders, higher-rate expectations could pressure Bitcoin, Ethereum and other risk assets by supporting the US dollar and Treasury yields.

US August nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000, substantially exceeding the 56,000 forecast. The previous reading was revised from a 23,000 decline to a 21,000 increase. The US unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, matching expectations and the previous figure. The stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls data may influence Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations, Treasury yields and the US dollar, with potential knock-on effects for crypto markets. Traders will also assess whether the employment strength reduces the likelihood of aggressive monetary easing. The report provides no evidence of widespread job cuts, although future revisions and upcoming inflation data will remain important for the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

US-China military talks took place for the first time between General Yang Zhibin, head of China’s Eastern Theater Command, and Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command. The meeting was held on September 4 on the sidelines of the 28th Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference in Canada and was confirmed by China’s Ministry of Defense. The US-China military talks are significant because the Eastern Theater Command oversees China’s forces facing Taiwan. Previous senior military contacts generally involved the Southern Theater Command, which is responsible for the South China Sea. The Eastern Theater includes naval, air, ground and rocket forces and is the command most directly linked to a potential Taiwan contingency. The meeting follows efforts to restore military communication channels after the November 2023 Biden-Xi summit. However, tensions remain high. Paparo has described recent Chinese military activity around Taiwan as rehearsals for forced unification. Beijing has also previously suspended military communications over US arms sales to Taiwan and visits by American officials. For crypto traders, the development is a neutral near-term signal. Direct military communication could reduce the risk of accidental escalation, but it does not change the underlying strategic dispute or China’s stated position on Taiwan. Traders should monitor Taiwan Strait activity, US-China diplomatic statements, semiconductor supply risks and broader risk sentiment, as renewed tensions could pressure equities and cryptocurrencies.

The crypto market staged a broad rally as cooling rate-hike expectations and a weaker dollar encouraged risk-taking. Bitcoin (BTC) rose about 5% to above $81,000, while Ethereum (ETH) gained roughly 5% to $2,526 and Solana (SOL) climbed 4% to $104. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $730 million in net inflows on Thursday, their strongest daily result since January. Ethereum ETFs attracted $141 million, ending a three-week streak of net outflows. More than 119,000 traders were liquidated for over $500 million during the rally. Altcoins outperformed in several areas. Zcash (ZEC), Hyperliquid (HYPE) and LIT reached new all-time highs, while XRP, BNB and other major tokens also advanced. PONS surged to a new $500 million market capitalisation after Uniswap announced purchases of the token. Meme-token activity also intensified, with MEME reportedly rising sharply and several Robinhood Chain tokens posting triple-digit gains. The rally remains dependent on macroeconomic data. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller indicated he could support holding rates steady if inflation improves, but rate-hike odds remained close to 50%. The latest US jobs report was identified as the next major catalyst ahead of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting. Traders should watch employment data, ETF flows and leveraged liquidation levels, as disappointing figures could quickly reverse the crypto rally.

Smith & Wesson (SWBI) has been upgraded from “hold” to “buy” after a strong first quarter of fiscal 2027. Smith & Wesson reported 32.3% year-on-year revenue growth, supported by solid demand for handguns and long guns, product innovation and a favorable product mix. Recent NICS background-check data and management commentary suggest that end-user demand is improving. New product launches have also reportedly gained traction. The company’s valuation remains below that of industry peers on an EV/EBITDA basis. If SWBI were revalued at comparable peer multiples, the stock could have roughly 50% upside. The upgrade reflects stronger operating momentum and an attractive valuation, although investors should continue to monitor firearm demand, regulatory developments, consumer spending and quarterly earnings. The article concerns a US-listed firearms manufacturer rather than the cryptocurrency market.

The IMF has revised its assessment of El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings, acknowledging that the country’s reserves genuinely increased rather than merely moving between government wallets. The IMF said all Bitcoin added since 27 June 2025 came from private donations, not public funds. El Salvador held approximately 7,764 BTC in early September 2026. The clarification supports the country’s compliance with conditions attached to its $1.4 billion Extended Fund Facility. A staff-level agreement covering the programme’s second and third reviews could release about $140 million, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. The IMF also raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast for El Salvador to 4.5%. El Salvador has transferred majority ownership and operational control of its Chivo Bitcoin wallet to a private operator, while retaining a minority stake and custodial responsibilities. The IMF’s updated position gives greater clarity on El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy, but the identity and motives of the private donors remain undisclosed. For Bitcoin traders, the news is mainly a regulatory and sovereign-adoption development. It confirms Bitcoin donations can increase state holdings without directly using taxpayer funds, but it does not represent a new open-market purchase or immediate source of demand.

Kalshi, the US prediction market platform, saw its US traffic reach 15.4 million visits in July 2026, according to Similarweb estimates. That was about 1,520% higher than the fewer than 1 million visits recorded in August 2025. US users accounted for nearly 80% of Kalshi’s total traffic. Trading activity grew even faster. Kalshi’s monthly notional volume reached about $40 billion in August 2026, up from $874 million a year earlier, an increase of roughly 4,500%. The wider prediction-market sector reached $50.7 billion in monthly volume, with Kalshi representing nearly 79% of the total. Sports contracts generated 83% of Kalshi’s July trading volume. The growth has intensified regulatory scrutiny. The main dispute is whether Kalshi’s sports contracts should fall under federal derivatives oversight or state gambling laws. New Jersey has referred the issue to the US Supreme Court, while Michigan authorities are also seeking restrictions on the platform. Traffic from Canada and the UK also increased, despite Kalshi’s membership agreement barring users in both jurisdictions from directly accessing or trading on the platform. Kalshi has partnered with Canadian financial services firm Wealthsimple to offer eligible contracts through a separate application. For crypto traders, Kalshi’s expansion indicates strong demand for event-based trading and may increase competition for speculative capital. However, regulatory rulings, enforcement actions and access restrictions could affect Kalshi’s liquidity, valuation and wider prediction-market sentiment. The direct price impact on major cryptocurrencies is likely to remain limited.