Aster token has soared 6,000% since its launch on September 17, backed by Yzi Labs and former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. However, ASTER retraced over 28% after hitting an all-time high. According to Lookonchain data, MrBeast bought 538,384 ASTER tokens for $990,000 across two wallets, averaging an entry price of $1.87. This $1M Aster purchase has divided traders: some view the celebrity endorsement as bullish for Aster’s visibility and liquidity, while others warn it may signal a market top. ASTER trades around $1.84, holding the $1.80–$1.85 support zone at the 50 EMA. Immediate resistance sits at $1.95–$2.00 near the 200 EMA. Trading volume spiked during sell-offs but is now shrinking, suggesting bearish momentum may be easing. A decisive break above $2.00 could prompt a rebound to $2.20. Failure to hold $1.80 risks a deeper correction toward $1.60.
Empery Digital, a Bitcoin Treasury firm, has secured a $50 million term loan maturing on August 31, 2026. The term loan carries no prepayment penalties and increases its previously committed facility from $25 million to $35 million, boosting near-term liquidity. Proceeds will fully repay outstanding debt under existing credit lines and fund an authorised share buyback program. As of September 18, 2025, the company repurchased 3.52 million common shares at an average price of $7.35 per share. These targeted capital allocation and balance-sheet management measures aim to strengthen financial flexibility and support shareholder returns while maintaining a conservative debt profile.
Vesting NFTs on BNB Chain reached $12.4M in daily sales, propelling BNB Chain to a leading $14M NFT volume—double Ethereum’s $7M. Operated by UNCX Network, these tradable token-lockup vouchers wrap vested tokens into NFTs, preserving original vesting schedules while unlocking liquidity. Data from Tokenomist shows $15B in token vesting released in September and $10B more unlocking in the next two months. Even partial adoption of Vesting NFTs could significantly scale the market. The surge highlights growing demand for liquidity solutions in token lockups. Well-audited smart contracts and clear legal frameworks will be key to broader adoption as Vesting NFTs gain traction in DeFi.
Veteran analyst Ted Pillows warns that Ethereum price may drop further to $3,500 before starting a recovery. This week, Ethereum (ETH) price fell to a two-month low of $3,900, mirroring Bitcoin’s 2020 post-$20,000 cycle. The analyst highlights a key support level at $3,800: holding this Ethereum price support could trigger a rally, while a break might push ETH down another 10–15%. Traders are eyeing the $3,800 zone as a short-term pivot. With "Uptober" approaching, market volatility remains high. This insight underscores the importance of support levels in ETH price action for crypto traders.
Ethereum is retesting its critical $3,800–$3,900 support zone after breaking down from a multi-week triangle. High trading volume on the breakdown signals active volatility and position reshuffling. If Ethereum holds this support and reclaims the descending trendline, it could stage a 28% rally toward $5,000. Traders should watch for a shift from sell-dominant to buy-dominant volume, clean daily closes above the trendline, and expanding trading ranges. A temporary dip to $3,500–$3,600 may act as a liquidity sweep to flush weak longs before a parabolic move. Key metrics: ETH at ~$3,937 with 24-hour volume near $62.8 billion. These technical confirmations will determine whether the market prepares for a sustained bullish leg.
Google has agreed to underwrite $1.4 billion in lease obligations for Fluidstack in return for a 5.4% stake in Nasdaq-listed miner Cipher Mining. This commitment is part of a $3 billion, 10-year agreement under which Cipher will supply 168 MW of high-performance computing power at its Barber Lake site in Texas, expandable to 500 MW. Analysts say the deal signals Wall Street’s growing appetite for integrating Bitcoin mining with AI infrastructure.
This marks Google’s second mining-linked investment in two months, following its 14% stake in TeraWulf in August. Industry data show Bitcoin mining stocks have recently outperformed BTC itself, driven by investor enthusiasm for AI-focused compute capacity.
On the chart, Bitcoin is trading near $109,400, below its 50- and 100-period SMAs around $113,700, forming a descending triangle with support at $107,300. Technical indicators remain bearish, with the RSI close to oversold. Traders may consider a short position around $109,500–110,000, targeting $107,300 with a stop above $112,500.
WallStreetBets founder Jaime Rogozinski signaled a bullish turn with XRP’s recent price breakout. The shift comes after Ripple and the SEC dropped appeals, granting XRP long-sought regulatory clarity. This new framework has reopened institutional adoption. At the same time, the XRP Ledger rolled out key upgrades. Its EVM-compatible sidechain enables smart contracts and DeFi applications. Enhanced batch transactions and compliance-friendly DEX features also boost network appeal.
Trading data reflects the changes. XRP liquidity and volumes have climbed sharply, and the token is outperforming many peers. Analysts now focus on institutional inflows, XRPL app growth, and developer activity to assess momentum. Although market volatility remains, XRP’s surge rests on legal and technical fundamentals. Traders should monitor order books and on-chain metrics to navigate the market.
Bitcoin liquidations on September 22 initiated a measured correction. The sell-off saw $1.7B in forced exits and cut open interest by $3.35B by September 26. Binance recorded a $913M stablecoin outflow, the largest in three months. Spot Bitcoin ETFs logged $253M in outflows, draining spot-buying liquidity.
Key on-chain metrics signal selective selling rather than panic. The estimated leverage ratio stayed stable, showing speculator deleveraging. Long-term holder SOPR held at 1.57, above breakeven, indicating profit-taking. Coinbase Premium remained positive, confirming sustained U.S. demand.
Traders should monitor open interest trends, stablecoin flows, ETF inflows and outflows, leverage ratio swings, LTH-SOPR movements, and Coinbase Premium. These indicators will reveal if selling is over or if a deeper correction to $105,000–$107,000 may materialize. Bitcoin liquidations have driven this pullback, but the lack of broad capitulation suggests the drop may offer buying opportunities rather than a full market reversal.
MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor predicts Bitcoin will resume its rally by year-end as demand from ETFs and public companies outpaces new issuance from mining. Miners currently generate around 900 BTC daily, while ETFs and firms acquired roughly 3,185 BTC per day in 2025, creating a significant supply squeeze. Saylor attributes the current correction to technical resistance and macro headwinds, arguing that digital gold is set for a smarter upswing.
He advises traders to position for higher highs by exploring undervalued altcoins during the market cooldown. According to Grok AI’s real-time analysis, three presale tokens stand out: Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER), a Layer 2 solution integrated with the Solana Virtual Machine; Maxi Doge (MAXI), a meme coin targeting Dogecoin supremacy through aggressive marketing; and TROLL (TROLL), a hype-driven token rooted in internet trolling culture.
These low-cap cryptos may offer outsized returns once Bitcoin’s price momentum accelerates. Traders should monitor ETF inflows, supply-demand gaps, and Layer 2 developments to capitalize on the next phase of the bull market.
Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz predicts major tech firms like Amazon and Uber will migrate their financial operations to blockchain-based systems. He argues that decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions—offering programmable money, continuous settlement, and composable workflows—address enterprise needs that legacy payment rails cannot meet. Schwartz emphasizes neutrality in public ledgers as a key feature for institutional adoption, allowing multiple counterparties to cooperate without a central gatekeeper.
The comments, featured in Episode 1 of Ripple’s Onchain Economy series, position DeFi as a practical enterprise tool rather than a speculative market. Ripple highlights the XRP Ledger (XRPL) as a neutral blockchain venue for institutional on-chain finance, citing over $1 billion in monthly stablecoin volume and upcoming protocol-level credit and asset controls. Schwartz asserts that DeFi will “take a huge bite” out of TradFi in the next few years, provided the blockchain sector delivers services with institutional-grade compliance and security.
BlockDAG presale has raised $387M across 30 batches and recently topped $410M by selling over 26.4B tokens at $0.0016 each. Early investors saw a 2,900% ROI, with projections up to 3,700%. The BlockDAG network uses a hybrid DAG and Proof-of-Work design. It supports WASM and EVM compatibility and can handle up to 10,000 TPS.
Adoption metrics highlight real-world traction. There are 3M users on the X1 mobile app and over 19,000 rigs, with nearly 20,000 X-Series miners shipped. More than 4,500 developers have built 300+ dApps. Transparency is ensured by Dashboard V4 for real-time presale data and wallet tracking. Independent audits by CertiK and Halborn validate security. Compared to SUI and LTC, which face growth limits, and projects like WLFI and SOL with volatility, BlockDAG offers scalable infrastructure and audited security, making it a strong long-term crypto investment.
Bitwise Asset Management has filed an S-1 with the US SEC to launch a Hyperliquid HYPE ETF, directly holding HYPE tokens under Coinbase Custody Trust Company with both cash and in-kind creations and redemptions. The spot ETF will not use leverage or derivatives, though listing exchange, ticker and fee structure await SEC review. New SEC guidance may speed approval but standard review applies since Hyperliquid lacks CFTC-registered futures, and Bitwise must file Form 19b-4. Hyperliquid is a Layer-1 for decentralized futures, with HYPE powering fees, incentives and governance. The project faces competition from Aster and heavy supply pressure from 237.8 million HYPE unlocking from November (~$500 million/month), while buybacks cover only 17%. Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes sold his HYPE before the unlock. SEC delays on altcoin ETFs (Pengu, AVAX, SEI) highlight regulatory headwinds. HYPE has slid about 1.5% on the day and is down 24% weekly, trading near $42—well below its mid-September peak of $58 as markets digest US GDP revisions. The SEC’s feedback on the Hyperliquid HYPE ETF filing and other altcoin ETF decisions will be key drivers for short-term price action and long-term adoption.
RCO Finance is accelerating its DeFi entry with a $0.16 presale price and an imminent BitMart exchange listing. The platform’s AI-powered robo advisor scans over 100,000 assets to automate portfolio optimization, targeting both retail and institutional users. To date, RCOF has secured more than $36 million in funding, including $20 million from institutional backers, and registered over 385,000 users on its live beta platform. The upcoming BitMart listing is expected to boost liquidity and visibility, potentially driving token price discovery from $0.16 toward $0.60 or higher. Security audits by SolidProof and a no-KYC policy further strengthen RCO Finance’s DeFi credentials.
The crypto trust crisis escalated in 2024, with scams generating $9.9 billion in illicit revenue. Sophisticated phishing sites, fake DeFi platforms, and malicious bridges have eroded user confidence in web3. Security tools and post-quantum cryptography solutions exist but remain optional, leaving infrastructure exposed. Experts warn that by 2030, blockchain systems must integrate post-quantum cryptography to prevent a broader credibility collapse. Until then, users face mounting phishing threats and potential quantum attacks. The crypto trust crisis demands that developers embed real-time phishing protection into core wallets, exchanges, and bridges. Prioritizing security alongside scaling and DeFi innovation is essential. Without swift industry action, future billion-dollar hacks will further stall retail adoption and undermine long-term market stability.
On September 26, on-chain analyst Yu Jin reported that a crypto whale which opened a short position on ETH at $4,718 two weeks ago has held the position and is now sitting on an unrealized profit of $9.1 million. The whale also added a new short position on XPL one hour ago, shorting 3.09 million XPL tokens at an entry price of $1.19. This aggressive bearish stance by a major market player underlines ongoing downward pressure on ETH and XPL prices. Traders should monitor open interest and whale activity for potential volatility spikes and price movements in the near term.
US core PCE inflation held steady at 2.9% year-on-year in August, meeting market expectations. The monthly core PCE price index rose by 0.2%, matching forecasts and revising July’s increase to 0.2%. This stable PCE index underlines persistent underlying inflation. For crypto traders, steady core PCE figures could temper expectations for further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. As rate outlook cools, crypto assets may see limited volatility in the short term. In the longer term, contained inflation spreads confidence across financial markets. Traders should closely watch upcoming Fed statements and the next CPI release to gauge monetary policy shifts. Key figures: August YoY core PCE 2.9%, MoM core PCE 0.2%.
GoPlus Security has issued an alert that a fake Uniswap website now ranks first in Google search results. Scammers leveraged Google Ads and free Google domains to create a fraudulent site mimicking Uniswap’s interface, tricking users into connecting wallets and signing transactions. The fake Uniswap website is designed to steal cryptocurrencies by intercepting private keys and approving malicious token allowances. Users searching for Uniswap can be misdirected to this phishing platform, posing a significant risk to DeFi participants. To mitigate the threat, GoPlus Security recommends verifying the official Uniswap domain (app.uniswap.org), disabling search ads for Uniswap in browser settings, and using anti-phishing extensions. Traders should remain vigilant and double-check URLs before interacting with DeFi platforms to safeguard their assets.
UK Finance has launched an 18-month pilot for tokenised sterling deposits with six major banks, including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Nationwide and Santander. The programme aims to create a digital pound representation of commercial bank money and tests use cases such as online marketplace payments, remortgaging and wholesale bond settlement. Quant Network will supply the blockchain interoperability infrastructure via its Regulated Liability Network, enabling programmable money features that enhance payment control, reduce fraud and speed up settlement times. The pilot, running until mid-2026, coincides with the Financial Conduct Authority’s planned crypto-asset regulations, highlighting the UK’s push to integrate tokenisation into mainstream banking. By distinguishing tokenised sterling deposits from stablecoins and e-money under existing banking law, the initiative could set new standards for institutional adoption of digital cash and influence future market stability for tokenised sterling deposits.
Vanguard is reportedly evaluating plans to allow its US brokerage clients to access crypto ETFs, marking a shift from its historically cautious stance on digital asset products. The initiative aligns with broader industry momentum as peers like Morgan Stanley and E*Trade partner with Zerohash to enable direct trading of Bitcoin, Ether and Solana in traditional accounts, with a rollout slated for the first half of 2026. By opening crypto ETF access, Vanguard aims to meet growing client demand for regulated digital asset exposure through established brokerage channels.
On September 17, the Federal Reserve delivered a market-anticipated Fed rate cut of 25 basis points to 4.00%–4.25%. However, Fed Chair Powell’s cautious tone and a split dot-plot signaled a ‘hawkish rate cut’ environment. The 10-year Treasury yield jumped, steepening the curve and underscoring persistent inflation concerns as headwinds for risk assets.
US equities hit fresh highs, but crypto markets showed mixed momentum. Bitcoin (BTC) failed to clear key mid-range levels and stalled at its 4-hour EMA clusters, hinting at a deeper retest toward range lows. Ethereum (ETH) also remained indecisive, unable to breach its weekly open. Altcoins saw compression breakouts near monthly opens, yet TOTAL3 and ‘Others’ stalled below prior highs.
Trading plans now focus on spot-based Fed rate cut scenarios: breakout entries on sustained highs and retest buys into mapped demand zones supported by rising EMAs. Traders should monitor the 10-year Treasury yield as a macro risk gauge. Strict position sizing and no leverage remain crucial ahead of further policy decisions. A sustained BTC reclaim above the mid-range with momentum could unlock broader beta, while deeper retests may present asymmetrical entry opportunities.
MIRA price hit an intraday high of $1.58 on Binance before retracing to $1.42. The token currently boasts a market capitalization of $248 million and a fully diluted valuation of $1.3 billion. This rapid pullback reflects short-term liquidity shifts rather than changes in core fundamentals. Traders should monitor on-chain volumes and order book depth to assess execution risk, relying on verified exchange feeds for accurate pricing. The MIRA price movement highlights the typical volatility seen in altcoins, suggesting potential breakout or further pullback opportunities based on evolving market dynamics.
XRP price is trading just below $3 after a 10% drop over the past week. The token has formed a near-term support zone between $2.91 and $3.09. A break above the immediate resistance at $3.21 could open the door to further gains toward $3.39, representing a 15% rally from current levels. Over the past six months, XRP price has gained over 25%, demonstrating resilience amid market volatility. However, if the $3 support fails, XRP could fall sharply to $2, testing traders’ confidence. Crypto traders should watch trading volumes and market sentiment for clues. Holding above key support remains essential for any short-term bounce. Conversely, failure to defend the $3 zone may trigger a bearish move. Monitoring resistance at $3.21 and $3.39 will help identify upside targets. Overall, the next few days will be pivotal for XRP price direction as bulls and bears vie for control.
Bearish
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Story Protocol (IP) has plunged roughly 50% from its all-time high near $15 to about $7.2 following rapid profit-taking after the Origin Summit in Seoul. Despite a $2.27 billion market cap, on-chain metrics reveal weak value capture: just $29.1 million in TVL and under $700 in daily protocol revenue, while peers of similar size report millions in fees. Fundamental concerns deepened after co-founder Jason Zhao’s departure. On the charts, IP broke down from its August–September ascending wedge and 50-day SMA, testing key support at $7. A breach below could drive prices toward $6.07, $5.40 or lower levels near $4.75 and $2.40. Traders should monitor PCE data, market sentiment and on-chain trends for reversal signals.
Bearish
Story ProtocolIP tokentoken crashtechnical analysisblockchain fundamentals
Flipster head of product Youngsun Shin outlined a roadmap for a hybrid crypto exchange at Taipei Blockchain Week 2025. He said future exchanges will go beyond spot and perpetuals. They will offer options and structured products for precise exposure. Shin predicts a convergence of on-chain transparency and off-chain liquidity. Flipster’s zero-spread exchange delivers real-time yield on balances and major perpetual pairs with no spreads. Built by traders, it focuses on speed and product innovation. Shin advised traders to adopt a long-term vision. Focus on protocols with real revenue and scalable chains. He also emphasized narrative cycles such as DeFi, GameFi and AI tokens. For short-term movements, he suggested monitoring macro releases like CPI and unemployment data. Shin’s insights underline how a hybrid crypto exchange can reshape trading strategies and market dynamics.
Kraken has officially listed the MIRA token, with trading live as of September 26, 2025. Mira Network (MIRA) is a decentralized AI infrastructure platform that enables collaborative model development, verifiable outputs, and community-driven monetization. Traders can deposit MIRA via supported networks—any other network will result in lost funds. Instant Buy and mobile app trading for MIRA will follow once liquidity thresholds are met. Note that geographic restrictions may apply. This listing expands Kraken’s crypto trading offerings and introduces a utility token focused on AI use cases. Keep an eye on liquidity and order book depth as MIRA trading ramps up.
Meme coin speculation has evolved into a high-stakes market driven by social buzz, whale presale entries and ROI projections. Traders hunting the next 100x meme coin are eyeing eight high-profile tokens, led by BullZilla (BZIL). BullZilla’s progressive price engine pushes its presale price up every $100,000 raised or every 48 hours. Stage 4B is priced at $0.00009241 with over 29.2 billion tokens sold, raising $670,000 from more than 2,100 holders. Early backers have seen 1,507% ROI, and a listing price of $0.00527 could yield 5,604% gains. BullZilla also offers 70% APY staking and deflationary Roar Burns. Purchasing requires a Web3 wallet, ETH funding, and a presale platform swap.
Other top meme coins include Brett (BRETT) on the Base network, leveraging culture-first branding and social media buzz; Simon’s Cat (CAT), integrating NFTs and gamified drops; DEGEN, a volatility-driven token for risk-takers; Bone ShibaSwap (BONE), the governance and gas token for Shibarium; Moo Deng (MOODENG), powered by Thai meme virality; SLERF (SLERF), reborn after a launch burn accident; and Useless Coin (USELESS), a self-deprecating project that turned “no value” into a marketing edge. As traders assess community momentum, token mechanics and urgency, BullZilla’s whale interest, staking incentives and progressive pricing make it the leading candidate for the next 100x meme coin.
Dogecoin price has lost key support levels at $0.262 and $0.250, signaling bearish momentum. The token traded below a crucial trend line near $0.228 and closed under the 76.4% Fib retracement of its recent high. Immediate downside targets include $0.220 and the $0.205 swing low. Failure to hold $0.205 could accelerate declines toward $0.20, with further downside at $0.181 and $0.162. Longer-term bears may eye $0.142 based on Fib extensions. On the upside, any recovery faces resistance at $0.232 trend line, $0.240 SMA, and $0.250 psychological level. A sustained break above $0.250 is needed to shift momentum and test $0.280 and $0.300 ceilings. Overall, Dogecoin remains under bearish pressure, and each recovery could offer optimal short entry points for traders.
Bearish
DogecoinTechnical AnalysisBearishSupport and ResistanceTrading Strategy
Sophie Bowler, Group Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Zodia Custody, explains how blockchain analytics and advanced crypto compliance tools are revolutionizing financial crime prevention. She highlights real-time risk monitoring via Chainalysis’s platform, which enables proactive detection of illicit activities on-chain—reducing manual tracing time from days to seconds. Bowler dispels misconceptions that compliance stifles innovation, emphasizing streamlined processes that empower growth while maintaining robust controls. She advocates leveraging TradFi best practices for digital assets, particularly in securing DeFi transactions. Bowler also credits dedicated support from Chainalysis, especially CSM Lucas Martino, for enhancing counterparty exposure assessments and risk decision transparency. Her insights suggest a maturing ecosystem where blockchain analytics and strong crypto compliance drive mainstream adoption and scalable, secure growth.
Momentum Finance has partnered with BuidlPad to launch a HODL yield campaign on the Sui network from September 26 to October 19. Users who deposit into the designated Sui pool can earn up to 155% APY. Early participants will unlock double Bricks rewards and gain early liquidity builder status ahead of the Token Generation Event (TGE). This initiative aims to drive DeFi growth, boost liquidity in the Sui ecosystem, and reward community engagement before TGE.