An ancient BTC whale, dormant for seven years, has cleared two of its five ETH long positions, netting $39.36 million over three days, according to on-chain data from @ai_9684xtpa. This BTC whale still holds three ETH longs totaling 40,211.81 ETH with an unrealized profit of $11.17 million. Additionally, address 0x3f7...28027 reduced its ETH exposure in the past hour. This significant profit-taking by a major whale may influence ETH futures demand and contribute to short-term price volatility, prompting traders to watch for further whale activity and potential shifts in market sentiment.
CryptoQuant analyst CryptoMe highlights that Ethereum has recently outperformed Bitcoin. The surge in CME open interest for ETH, coupled with limited retail investor participation, suggests Ethereum’s relative strength over Bitcoin may continue in the short-to-medium term. Traders should watch institutional flows and OI trends as potential drivers of further ETH gains.
Bullish
EthereumBitcoinCME Open InterestCryptoQuantRetail Investors
Analyst evaluates Ethereum market cap at $560 billion. The Ethereum market cap reflects staking yields, early DeFi, and robust L1/L2 infrastructure. Its valuation is comparable to major firms like Tencent, Visa, and Netflix. A surge to $10 000 per ETH could rank it among the top 10 global assets, but that requires transformative adoption.
Bitcoin market cap of $2.2 trillion makes it the seventh-largest asset worldwide. With a tenfold gap to gold, BTC at $200 000 would match gold’s value. Bitcoin’s consensus as digital gold and inflation hedge underpins its long-term case. Projected annual returns of 15–20% suggest Bitcoin can close the gap in 10–15 years. The analysis positions Bitcoin as a more certain, long-term store of value compared to Ethereum’s evolving platform.
Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is gaining traction in its Phase 6 presale at $0.035 per token ahead of a confirmed $0.06 listing. The project has raised $14.75 million from over 15,550 holders, with whales investing more than $125,000 in the last 36 hours. Mutuum Finance combines Peer-to-Contract lending for assets such as BTC, USDT and BNB with Peer-to-Peer markets for tokens like DOGE and PEPE. Its dual-revenue model issues interest-bearing mtTokens and offers staking rewards, yielding passive income streams. Analysts highlight its low entry price, tokenomics that recycle fees into user rewards, and strong community-building initiatives, including a $100,000 giveaway and a beta launch alongside the token listing. With comprehensive tokenomics, active whale participation, and strategic launch plans, Mutuum Finance is positioned as a leading candidate for the next crypto bull run.
MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor posted an AI-generated image dubbing himself “Mr Orange,” referencing Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs to visually align with Bitcoin’s orange branding and signal further corporate accumulation. Strategy currently holds $75.15 billion in BTC. Historically, Saylor shares purchase charts on Sunday followed by Monday buying announcements—this week’s “Bitcoin is on sale” chart suggests another acquisition. Bitcoin trades around $111,820, down 2.41% over 24 hours. Meanwhile, Metaplane, the fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, added 103 BTC (worth $11.7 million), lifting its balance to 18,991 BTC (~$2.12 billion). Saylor’s pop-culture messaging and consistent disclosure cadence underscore ongoing bullish institutional sentiment toward Bitcoin. Traders should watch official purchase announcements for confirmation of Strategy’s next Bitcoin buy and monitor market dips for opportunistic entries.
Litecoin recovery shows mixed signals after LTC slipped below its long-standing ascending trendline on the daily chart. The break introduced caution, but key momentum indicators hint at a potential rebound. The Stochastic RSI bounced from oversold levels around 31, which often signals a short-term recovery. Spot market demand remains weak, with spot buy volumes holding under $1 million and Binance spot buy volumes down by $281 K, according to Hyblock Capital. However, derivatives traders are leaning bullish: LTC funding rates have steadily climbed over the past week, indicating leveraged optimism despite muted spot activity. If funding rates continue rising and RSI momentum holds, this dip could prove to be a fake-out rather than a full trend reversal. Traders should watch funding rates and RSI for confirmation of a sustainable Litecoin recovery.
SWIFT’s Chief Innovation Officer, Tom Zschach, praised the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) and Oliver Wyman for their “commendable work” on a Capital Markets Risk Mitigation Framework. The framework aims to guide regulated institutions in assessing and managing non-financial risks in public blockchains, supporting secure blockchain adoption at scale. Notable industry participants include Ripple (XRP), Hedera (HBAR), and Cardano (ADA). Feedback on the framework draft is open until October 3. SWIFT’s public endorsement signals growing institutional support and a positive outlook for broader blockchain adoption in global finance.
On-chain analytics show the FTX/Alameda staking address holds 4,737,092 staked SOL, worth ~$952M at current prices. This sizeable stake represents one of the largest publicly verifiable positions on the Solana network. Blockchain data reveals routine outbound transfers near the 10th of each month, while Arkham intelligence identifies the FTX liquidator wallet holding 255,076 SOL (~$51.3M). Separately, industry sources report institutional investors such as Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin are raising $1B to acquire additional SOL. This fundraising effort, still subject to regulatory approval, underscores growing institutional demand. The concentration of staked SOL by FTX/Alameda and active liquidator movement may affect Solana’s staking yields and token liquidity. Traders should monitor on-chain metrics and institutional flows for short-term price shifts and long-term network health implications.
Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto and Multicoin Capital are jointly raising up to $1 billion to purchase SOL tokens. This move signals an institutional shift in capital allocation toward Solana, diversifying beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Galaxy Digital, led by Mike Novogratz, and Jump Crypto plan to leverage regulatory-driven strategies, while Multicoin Capital, an early Solana backer, reinforces commitment via ecosystem projects like Serum and Helium. The timeline for fundraising and purchases remains unspecified, but this strategy underscores growing confidence in Solana’s market potential.
Bullish
SolanaInstitutional InvestmentGalaxy DigitalJump CryptoMulticoin Capital
Several major Bitcoin whales have offloaded over $2 billion in BTC to acquire Ethereum, triggering heightened market volatility and an ETH price surge. Data from WhaleWire indicates that one whale sold more than 24,000 BTC—including coins held for over five years—sending 12,000 BTC to the Hyperunite platform in a single day. Lookonchain reports that another long-term whale deposited 22,769 BTC ($2.59 billion) into Hyperliquid over five days, purchasing 472,920 ETH ($2.22 billion) and opening a 135,265 ETH ($577 million) long position. Analysts caution that multiple large holders or institutional players may be behind the Bitcoin sell-off rather than a single actor. With potential approval of Ethereum ETF staking on the horizon, market observers anticipate continued ETH outperformance and a possible altcoin season. This shift underscores a significant rotation from BTC to ETH, influencing both short-term trading and long-term portfolio strategies.
DeFi is entering an institutional tipping point driven by three converging forces: modular protocol upgrades, restaking infrastructure expansion and clearer regulatory frameworks. On the protocol side, Uniswap’s v4 introduces “hooks” that decouple trading pools and fee logic as pluggable modules, transforming the exchange into a flexible DeFi development platform. In security, EigenLayer’s multi-chain active validator services extend Ethereum-grade validation to Layer 2 networks and new on-chain services like oracles and data availability, lowering the barrier for secure deployment. From a compliance perspective, the EU’s MiCA regime and corresponding frameworks (travel rule, DORA) set licensing and operational standards for crypto-asset service providers, while the US SEC’s decision not to pursue enforcement against Uniswap Labs signals reduced legal risk for foundational DeFi protocols. Together, these trends drive three structural shifts: protocols evolve into composable platforms for rapid product innovation; security and performance stratify across base-layer, restaking and Layer 2 stacks; and institutional participation is enabled through standardized compliance interfaces. Challenges remain in balancing decentralization with regulatory demands, maintaining user-friendly interoperability, and defining legal structures for DAOs. Over the next 12–18 months, we expect modular product launches on v4 platforms, high-frequency services on restaked Layer 2s and formalized institutional pathways under predictable regulations. This three-way coupling of platformization, security spillover and regulatory integration lays the groundwork for DeFi’s next phase of sustainable growth.
RDA (Real Data Assets) is a new asset class proposed in 2025 by the Shanghai Data Exchange to monetize real-world data using blockchain. It wraps lifecycle and operational data of physical assets into standardized digital units (Data Asset Shells) that are immutable, verifiable and tradable. The RDA mechanism unfolds in three phases: asset preparation, issuance and trading. During preparation, data is encapsulated with rights certificates and management protocols. In the issuance phase, data service providers and financial institutions onboard assets on-chain under regulatory review. Finally, assets trade in domestic and international markets. RDA supports multiple financing channels, including “ShuYiDai” loans, equity financing, data-asset ABS and global fundraising. Key RDA features include real-data integration, transparency via blockchain, trusted yield distribution, value amplification and ecosystem collaboration. Pilot projects demonstrate RDA’s potential: Shanghai Steel Exchange’s STEEL-CNY stablecoin lowered transaction costs and aims for over CN¥10 billion in annual commissions; COSCO Shipping’s “FreightCNY” increased data valuations threefold with a projected RMB 50 billion annual clearing volume; and the first data-asset ABS listed on the Shanghai Exchange in August 2025. Challenges remain in scaling trade size, refining data rights, standardization, cross-border compliance and commercial model maturity. Looking ahead, RDA could expand across manufacturing, logistics and healthcare, innovate more financing products and drive international data-asset flows.
A single trading address purchased 2,123.14 ETH for $4,710 each, spending a total of $10 million USDT. After 10 days of consolidation, the buyer immediately placed a limit sell order at $4,800, aiming for a $191,000 profit. However, at current prices, the position shows an unrealized loss of $178,000. This activity highlights whale behavior and potential short-term resistance around the $4,800 level in Ethereum trading.
Neutral
ETHUSDTWhale TradingLimit Sell OrderUnrealized Loss
At the WebX Summit on August 25, Gate founder and CEO Dr. Han argued that the next-generation financial order will be built on-chain and Web3 adoption is inevitable. He reviewed Gate’s 12-year journey, highlighting sustained investments in trading security, regulatory compliance and ecosystem expansion. Dr. Han emphasized that mass Web3 adoption hinges not only on technology breakthroughs but also on improved user experience, clear regulatory policies and industry cooperation. Gate plans to lower entry barriers to help users and institutions engage with Web3 more smoothly. The exchange also unveiled a refreshed brand image and will host a VIP event on August 26 to network with global partners.
Galaxy Digital, Jump Trading and Multicoin Capital are planning a $1 billion Solana purchase. This institutional investment signals strong confidence in network scalability and the dApp ecosystem. Known for high transaction speeds and low fees, Solana has attracted major players seeking to boost market sentiment.
The Solana purchase could drive significant price impact. Increased demand from these heavyweight firms may push SOL prices higher. It also underscores broader institutional investment trends across cryptocurrency markets. Traders should watch for shifts in market sentiment following any official announcement.
Key takeaway: such a large-scale purchase highlights institutional belief in Solana’s long-term potential. It may accelerate ecosystem growth, fund new dApp projects, and reinforce network scalability. Keep an eye on SOL price action and related developments in decentralized finance for actionable trading opportunities.
Ethereum faces a critical test at the $4,900 resistance level as whale-driven outflows tighten supply. Over the past 48 hours, large holders pulled 200,000 ETH off exchanges, reducing sell-side liquidity and hinting at accumulation. Historically, such whale withdrawals have preceded price rallies, suggesting a bullish setup if demand keeps pace with shrinking supply.
On-chain indicators show ETH trading near its upper realized price band. This zone often triggers profit-taking, though strong bullish cycles can push prices past this threshold. Technically, Ethereum sits on support at $4,770 with bullish MACD signals. A clear break above $4,900 could open targets above $5,800, while failure may spark short-term pullbacks. Market sentiment remains fragile, with weighted sentiment down to -0.093 and social dominance falling. Traders should monitor whale activity, realized price bands, technical resistance, and sentiment to gauge if Ethereum will break out or stall.
Analysts highlight four altcoins—Solana (SOL), Polygon (MATIC), Binance Coin (BNB) and MAGACOIN FINANCE—as top buys entering September 2025. Solana’s network upgrade (Alpenglow) promises sub-150ms block finality, and with a 95% chance of ETF approval and institutional inflows, SOL trades at $187.27 (6.2% up 24h) on a $55.5 billion market cap. Polygon’s TVL has risen 43% YTD to $1.23 billion, while daily active users exceed 18.9 million; zkEVM scaling and the POL token migration underpin MATIC’s long-term strength. BNB hit an all-time high of $882 on August 21 before a slight pullback to $851, driven by $600 million in corporate treasury buys and plans by Nasdaq-listed BNC to hold 1% of its supply. MAGACOIN FINANCE presale offers early-stage exposure with a potential 30x ROI and a 50% bonus code, PATRIOT50X, fueling institutional interest. These altcoins combine network upgrades, ETF momentum and presale dynamics, positioning them for a powerful rally.
South Korea’s leading exchanges Upbit and Bithumb have issued a volatility warning for STG and ZRO tokens. The alert follows a recommendation from the Digital Asset eXchange Alliance (DAXA) after LayerZero acquired Stargate Finance. The acquisition may trigger unpredictable market swings and increased STG and ZRO volatility. Both exchanges urge investors to be aware of heightened volatility risk, citing integration challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and potential tokenomics changes. Stargate Finance (STG) is a cross-chain liquidity protocol. LayerZero (ZRO) is an omnichain interoperability protocol. The acquisition could affect their technical integration and market sentiment. Investors should conduct thorough research, assess risk tolerance, and diversify portfolios. Staying updated with announcements from Upbit, Bithumb, DAXA, LayerZero, and Stargate is crucial to manage STG and ZRO volatility. This cautionary move underscores the need for due diligence in the rapidly evolving crypto market.
Neutral
STG volatilityZRO volatilityLayerZero acquisitioncrypto riskSouth Korean exchanges
Dogecoin is trading at $0.2296 within a tightening symmetrical triangle, signaling an imminent breakout. Key Fibonacci levels mark $0.2217 as support (0.382 retracement) and $0.2431 as resistance (0.618). A daily close above $0.2431 with higher-than-average volume would confirm a bullish continuation towards $0.314. Conversely, a drop below $0.2217 risks a decline to $0.204–$0.19. Analysts expect a decisive Dogecoin breakout in early September, with volume confirmation essential. Traders should watch daily closes at these levels and set stops just below $0.2217 for longs or above $0.2431 for shorts. The Dogecoin breakout outlook hinges on volume and Fibonacci retracements around these critical support and resistance levels.
XRP is trading near $2.95, down 2.5% over 24 hours with $6.4 billion in daily turnover. After Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish remarks at Jackson Hole, XRP briefly topped $3.10. Crypto analyst Javon Marks points to a long-term symmetrical triangle breakout and the 1.618 Fibonacci extension as drivers for a 220% rally to $9.63, while the 2.618 level stretches beyond $123. Ripple’s recent court victory over the SEC has clarified XRP’s regulatory status, unlocking strong institutional inflows. Analysts now see intermediate targets between $5 and $9, with some forecasting up to $25 this cycle. Despite increased token supply, XRP’s market cap exceeds its 2018 peak by 41%. A convergence of technical setups, institutional buying and dovish macro signals underpins a bullish outlook for both short-term gains and a potential extended rally.
Ethereum price target analysis: Crypto analyst Astronomer sets three ETH/BTC ratio milestones this cycle. He identifies a former bottom zone on the ETH/BTC chart, supported by extreme negative sentiment, as the launchpad for a coordinated move. His first target is 0.058 ETH per BTC, implying about $6,500 for ETH at current BTC levels. The second target at 0.091 ratio translates to an Ethereum price target above $10,000, where he plans to sell half his spot holdings. His highest, aspirational target of 0.16 ETH/BTC would push ETH to $20,000 or more. This ratio-driven framework prioritizes relative outperformance over calendar timing. Traders should watch ETH/BTC reclaim 0.058, then 0.091 and finally challenge 0.16 to confirm the bullish path. Ethereum price target gains credibility if Bitcoin also rises further.
ZRO price has fallen 7.5% in 24 hours to $2.01 despite Stargate DAO approving the LayerZero acquisition proposal with nearly 95% of votes in favour. Over the weekend, Bitcoin (BTC) dipped to around $110,000 and Ethereum (ETH) traded above $4,700 after a $4,953 all-time high, contributing to the broader market pullback. Wormhole made a late $120 million cash offer for Stargate (STG), and Across and Axelar signalled potential bids if the process stalled. On the 4-hour chart, technical indicators remain bearish: the RSI sits at 54 and MACD lines are nearing a bearish crossover. If selling persists, ZRO could test $1.85 and possibly $1.625. However, with the LayerZero acquisition news, a rebound toward the first resistance at $2.38 is likely, and a sustained bullish momentum could propel ZRO to its price target of $2.60.
At Jackson Hole, Fed Chair Jerome Powell surprised markets with a dovish speech, highlighting downside employment risks and deeming tariff-driven inflation as likely transitory. While retaining a 2% inflation target and restrictive policy stance, Powell signaled openness to future easing. Equities surged, Treasuries bull-steepened and the dollar weakened in the ensuing crypto rally. Bitcoin saw modest declines amid six consecutive days of ETF outflows, while Ethereum outperformed sharply, driven by rising demand for ETH digital asset trusts (DATs) and record-high short positions in CME futures. Diverging volatility—Bitcoin’s implied vol hit new lows as ETH IV climbed—reflects shifting trader sentiment. Option markets price only a 15% chance of BTC reclaiming its all-time high within a month. Looking ahead, Nvidia earnings and US PCE data may add further volatility. Crypto traders should monitor ETF flows, volatility divergence and ETH futures positioning as key indicators for the next phase of the market rally.
Bullish
Federal ReserveCrypto MarketEthereumBitcoinETF Flows
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warns that traditional one-time passwords (OTPs) are no longer sufficient, fueling a surge in OTP fraud and SIM swap scams. In 2024, over 10,000 cybercrime complaints resulted in ₱198 million in losses, with 65% tied to financial scams involving OTP fraud, SIM swaps, and smishing. Scammers use prohibited hyperlinks to redirect users to phishing sites for test deposits and OTP verifications, hijacking legitimate banking and government threads, notably in “Ayuda” relief schemes. A thriving black market sells pre-registered SIMs for around ₱5,000, enabling syndicates to avoid SIM registration laws and target victims domestically and abroad. AI intensifies these efforts by personalizing attacks and mapping social networks, yet it also offers real-time fraud detection, as demonstrated by Google’s SynthID tool and 24/7 monitoring capabilities. The CICC advocates a “digital bayanihan” whole-of-government approach—uniting the BSP, AMLC, law enforcement, banks, e-wallet providers, and telcos—to adopt adaptive authentication, bolster cooperation with global platforms, and leverage AI and blockchain. For individuals, vigilance is paramount: never click suspicious links, protect OTPs, and verify sources before acting.
US President Donald Trump’s executive order now allows Bitcoin 401(k) inclusion under “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors.” 401(k) plans hold $8.9 trillion in assets, and opening them to crypto could drive demand for Bitcoin. Experts at Bitwise predict Bitcoin prices might exceed $200,000 this year, while Compass Mining highlights potential stability from passive 401(k) flows. However, Bitcoin 401(k) poses risks: high fees can erode returns—traditional plans average 0.26% fees versus “2 and 20” private equity and up to 1.5% for major Bitcoin ETFs. Legal and fiduciary concerns arise from Bitcoin’s volatility and complex tax treatments; asset managers warn participants could face lawsuits after sharp price swings. Staking provider Everstake calls for updated 401(k) systems and clear regulatory standards to manage volatility, custody, forks and airdrops. Critics argue that retirement plans lack the infrastructure for real-time crypto events. Some advisors recommend alternative vehicles—brokerage accounts or self-directed IRAs—over 401(k)s for crypto exposure. While Bitcoin 401(k) adoption may boost long-term demand and enhance portfolio diversification, its integration demands prudent risk management, fee transparency, and regulatory guidance to protect retirees.
Real-world asset tokenization (RWA) is accelerating as banks, asset managers and regulators join forces. Major financial institutions are issuing tokenized short-term debt and US Treasuries on blockchain networks, aiming to boost transparency and efficiency. Meanwhile, dollar-pegged stablecoins play the “cash leg” in on-chain settlements, enabling seamless clearing of tokenized funds and bridging DeFi platforms with traditional markets. European reforms such as the DLT Pilot Regime and MiCA create a clear regulatory framework, reducing compliance risk and paving the way for scalable cross-border RWA products. In Asia and the Middle East, jurisdictions like Singapore and Abu Dhabi have launched financial sandboxes to test tokenized debt instruments and cross-border transactions. Institutional adoption of stablecoins is rising alongside real-world asset tokenization, underscoring the synergy between cash-leg and asset-leg solutions. Despite challenges—regulatory fragmentation, infrastructure interoperability and market trust—low-risk assets like Treasuries and money-market funds, along with compliant stablecoins, are set to lead the next 12–24 months of growth. As institutions close the loop on compliance, custody and settlement, real-world asset tokenization moves from pilot to mainstream application.
Hong Kong stablecoin regulation took effect on August 1, 2025. It mainly targets the issuance and promotion of designated stablecoins. The law’s core concept of “offer” remains vague. This ambiguity poses compliance risks for USDT OTC traders. Licensed entities must hold one of five approved licences to offer designated stablecoins. Unlicensed OTC trading may incur severe penalties. Organisations can face fines up to HK$5 million and seven years in prison. The regulation does not directly ban peer-to-peer USDT trading. However, unclear definitions mean OTC platforms could be seen as “offerors” and thus need licences. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has clarified that actual OTC trades between individuals are beyond this law’s scope. Still, traders and brokers are advised to seek licensing or cease stablecoin services to avoid legal exposure. To continue offering USDT or USDC trading services, firms must register as a VASP, payment licence holder, or SFC type 1 licencee. This marks a shift from Hong Kong’s previously relaxed environment for stablecoin exchange. Market participants should reassess their compliance frameworks and consider licensing to safeguard operations under the Hong Kong stablecoin regulation.
Bearish
Stablecoin regulationUSDT OTCHong Kong cryptoCompliance riskCrypto licensing
Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by volume, released its latest Crypto Insights Report on Ethereum. The report outlines key technical levels, catalysts, and institutional trends shaping Ethereum’s outlook. It identifies a critical resistance at $4,867 – Ethereum’s all-time high – and sets the next target zone at $5,000–$5,500, supported by ETF inflows, whale accumulation, and network upgrades. Medium-term projections range from $6,700 to $10,000, depending on ETH/BTC performance and macro conditions. On-chain indicators, including a rising MVRV ratio and a nearly doubled ETH/BTC ratio, signal renewed bullish momentum. Meanwhile, institutional demand is surging, with declining exchange reserves suggesting a supply squeeze. The report underscores Ethereum’s strategic asset status and the potential for sharp price moves if demand intensifies.
Matrixport reports a six-week trend of capital rotating from Bitcoin ETFs to Ethereum ETFs. Bitcoin ETFs saw six consecutive days of net outflows last week, while Ethereum ETFs maintained inflows, reinforcing their market leadership. Dovish Fed signals failed to boost Bitcoin, as capital favors Ethereum products. Major treasury-focused institutions and high-profile investors are increasing allocations to Ethereum ETFs, drawing Wall Street attention. This rotation highlights growing confidence in Ethereum ETF products and indicates a shift in institutional preference within crypto investment strategies.