Category: NEWS

  • Ethena looks to gain as Mega Matrix scoops $6m ENA for treasury strategy

    Ethena looks to gain as Mega Matrix scoops $6m ENA for treasury strategy

    Ethena (ENA) rallies 16% as $8B TVL sparks bullish momentum

    • Ethena price hovered near $0.70 amid overall crypto market wobbles on Friday.
    • Mega Matrix announced it acquired $6 million of ENA for its treasury strategy.
    • Analysts see scope for ENA to approach the $1 mark in the coming weeks as bulls regain control.

    Digital asset treasury moves have been the talk of Wall Street for a while now, and the latest cryptocurrency to attract notable investment is Ethena (ENA).

    On Friday, Singapore-based short-video streaming operator Mega Matrix announced its institutional foray into the DAT ecosystem with a $6 million scoop of ENA tokens.

    While the news came amid an overall crypto downturn, ENA price remained near a key level of $0.70.

    Mega Matrix buys $6 million ENA for treasury

    Mega Matrix announced in a press release that it has completed a $6 million purchase of ENA tokens.

    The company said the move reflects its commitment to a diversified treasury approach focused on stablecoin governance assets, with the Ethena token positioned as a central element of its “DAT Strategy.”

    “Following our launch of MPU’s Stablecoin Governance Token Treasury Reserve (DAT) strategy, we have further expanded our holdings of $ENA and will continue executing weekly accumulations based on market conditions, strengthening our commitment to building the premier treasury reserve for stablecoin governance tokens,” Mega Matrix management said in a statement.

    According to the announcement, the purchase was executed over several weeks through open-market transactions on major exchanges, allowing Mega Matrix to build its position without disrupting market dynamics.

    Mega Matrix said it has acquired a total of 8.46 million ENA tokens at an average purchase price of $0.7165 per token.

    The company noted that holding ENA provides potential governance influence along with exposure to staking rewards and protocol fees, aligning with the broader objectives of its DAT strategy to optimise treasury yields in digital asset markets.

    ENA price forecast: Why else is Ethena bullish?

    With a market capitalization of $4.6 billion, Ethena now ranks among the top 50 cryptocurrencies.

    Backed by endorsements from established entities, the token is drawing attention similar to other leading altcoins such as BNB, XRP and Solana — a trend that could support further adoption of Ethena and similar projects.

    Other than the crypto treasury bets spree, Ethena’s bullish outlook stems from several interlocking factors, including a leading role in the stablecoin market.

    Ethena’s USDe stablecoin has surged to more than $14 billion in circulating supply, underscoring strong demand from investors seeking dollar-denominated returns via DeFi strategies such as delta-hedging and staking.

    Broader market dynamics, including improving regulatory clarity and ETF approvals, are also contributing to the bullish outlook.

    At the same time, Ethena’s open-market ENA buybacks and whale accumulations are reinforcing sentiment.

    With momentum building, analysts see scope for ENA to approach the $1 mark in the coming weeks as bulls regain control.

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  • Immutable price: IMX surges 17% to outpace top altcoins

    Immutable price: IMX surges 17% to outpace top altcoins

    Image Of Immutable Token

    • Immutable price soared 17% as bulls jumped to $0.96 amid gains for altcoins.
    • The IMX token has swung bullish after Immutable’s 2.9 million IMX token rewards.
    • Growth on web3 gaming and regulatory clarity are potential catalysts for IMX price.

    Immutable (IMX) has surged 17% in the past 24 hours and more than 50% over the week as gains put IMX among the top performers on the day.

    Gaming partnerships, enhanced token rewards, and favorable regulatory developments have all helped IMX price in recent weeks, and the token currently outpaces top altcoins.

    Altcoin rally and Immutable’s 17% price gain

    Immutable’s explosive growth is promoted by a series of high-profile partnerships that have strengthened its position in the web3 gaming sector.

    A notable collaboration with South Korean gaming giant Netmarble, has expanded Immutable’s reach into mainstream gaming markets in addition to a recent integration with Chainers, a web3 MMO game, unveiled on September 16, 2025.

    These partnerships, alongside earlier collaborations with Ubisoft and GameStop, have driven on-chain activity.

    Notably, Messari’s Q1 2025 report noted a 5.7% quarter-on-quarter increase in daily transactions on the platform.

    The merger of Immutable with Immutable’s zkEVM chain, forming the “Immutable Chain,” has further optimized scalability, attracting developers and players alike.

    These developments have cemented Immutable’s reputation as a leading platform for NFT-based gaming, contributing significantly to IMX’s recent price surge.

    The IMX token has shown resilience, rising to a rank of 90th among top cryptocurrencies after previously falling out of the top 100 earlier this year.

    This uptrend provides a notable contrast to the broader crypto gaming sector, which has faced significant headwinds.

    Numerous projects in the space have reportedly ceased operations due to funding challenges and unsustainable economic models.

    IMX price gains amid rewards

    Immutable’s mobilization is also driven by enhanced token rewards and positive regulatory shifts, with recently increased weekly IMX token rewards to approximately 2.9 million, boosting liquidity and incentivizing user participation.

    A partnership with Seychelles-based MEXC exchange enables seamless token transfers to Immutable’s zkEVM chain, enhancing accessibility for investors.

    Immutable co-founder Robbie Ferguson highlighted some of the milestones for IMX over the past year. He shared this via X.

    Catalysts for IMX price?

    Developments in regulatory front also helped IMX’s surge.

    In March, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concluded its probe into Immutable.

    The move signaled a more favorable stance toward blockchain gaming.

    Additionally, the SEC’s approval of generic listing standards for commodity-based trust shares has improved sentiment for altcoin ETFs, indirectly benefiting IMX.

    Immutable price chart by CoinMarketCap

    The token could break above the psychological level of $1 in coming weeks after it hit highs of $0.96, its highest mark since February.

    While Immutable’s rally aligns with strong fundamentals related to web3 gaming, and broader market optimism, traders may derail the momentum over the past month.

    Mainly, the corrections will be down to profit taking and a downturn for the market. In this case, $0.45 and $0.30 are key support zones.



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  • ZRO price outlook as PayPal expands PYUSD to more chains via LayerZero

    ZRO price outlook as PayPal expands PYUSD to more chains via LayerZero

    PayPal Logo

    • LayerZero and PayPal bring stablecoin PYUSD to nine new blockchains.
    • PayPal will use LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) standard to expand PYUSD to Aptos, Tron and other networks.
    • Bulls could target $3.20 next before an extended rally brings $7.14 into play.

    PayPal is teaming up with LayerZero to expand its stablecoin PayPal USD (PYUSD) to an additional nine new networks, with this coming amid slight gains for LayerZero’s token ZRO.

    As LayerZero helps PayPal enhance the interoperability and accessibility of PYUSD through Stargate Hydra and the permissionless token, PYUSD0, what does this mean for ZRO?

    LayerZero and PayPal partner to expand PYUSD to 9 new chains

    LayerZero, a leading interoperability protocol, has partnered with PayPal to expand the reach of PYUSD across multiple blockchain networks.

    According to LayerZero’s blog post, this collaboration leverages LayerZero’s infrastructure to support real-world payments by combining it with PYUSD’s liquidity.

    The stablecoin initially launched on Ethereum and later expanded to Solana and Arbitrum.

    However, this expansion means it’s now available on nine more blockchain networks, including Tron, Avalanche, Aptos, Ink, Sei, and Stable.

    This expansion is facilitated through Stargate Hydra, a bridging platform that utilises LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) standard, ensuring a permissionless and compliant token deployment from the outset.

    PayPal is making the expansion through PYUSD0.

    “As the stablecoin market continues its rapid growth beyond $270 billion, innovations like this are essential for creating the seamless, interoperable financial infrastructure that users and developers demand. By working together, we will enable PYUSD to reach new markets faster while maintaining compliance and composability from day one,” said David Weber, head of ecosystem at PayPal USD.

    ZRO price outlook amid notable LayerZero integrations

    The integration of LayerZero’s technology with major players like PayPal could help spark further interest in ZRO.

    Already, recent developments, including the launch of Stargate Fast Swaps, have highlighted LayerZero’s ambition to dominate the cross-chain swap market.

    The Fast Swaps feature, which offers sub-second quotes, guaranteed pricing, and single-second execution, is built in partnership with Aori and powered by LayerZero’s messaging capabilities.

    LayerZero’s revenue generated from Fast Swaps will be channelled into ZRO buybacks, potentially impacting the token’s market dynamics.

    As LayerZero continues to integrate with high-profile projects, the ZRO token’s value may benefit from increased utility and demand.

    The token rose to nearly $2.10 following the news of PayPal USD integration, and although bulls have failed to hold onto the gains, the price remains nicely poised for an uptick.

    Bulls could target $3.20 next before an extended rally brings $7.14 into play.

    On the other hand, key levels to watch may include the March 2025 lows of $1.50.



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  • Markets brace for September’s endgame as Bitcoin leads post-Fed crypto Rally

    Markets brace for September’s endgame as Bitcoin leads post-Fed crypto Rally

    Bitcoin reclaims $117K as the Fed’s long-awaited rate cut revives trader optimism and risk appetite.

    • Bitcoin reclaims $117K as the Fed’s long-awaited rate cut revives trader optimism and risk appetite.
    • Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin post strong price action, fueling hopes of further breakouts.
    • September’s $4.5B token unlocks cast volatility across altcoins, shifting capital flows in the sector.

    The crypto market put on an energetic display this Friday, shaking off recent bouts of uncertainty with a strong overnight rally powered by fresh optimism.

    Major tokens, led by Bitcoin surged after the US Federal Reserve delivered a long-awaited rate cut, sparking renewed risk appetite among traders.

    The mood was lively as Bitcoin reclaimed key levels and Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin each posted dynamic price swings.

    This rebound arrives amid swirling sentiment, as traders balance bullish momentum against lingering macroeconomic headwinds.

    Blue-chip movers: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, DOGE

    At the top of the board, Bitcoin (BTC) hovered above $117,000 in Friday trading, enjoying a lift after the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut put risk assets back in focus.

    Bitcoin’s performance set the tone, showing about a 1% daily gain and signaling renewed comfort for bulls who had watched levels slip to near $115,000 earlier in the week.

    Ethereum followed suit, trading at roughly $4,600 and holding above psychological support as technical analysts flagged signs of short-term resistance, but mostly positive undercurrents.

    Solana (SOL) charged ahead to around $247, buoyed by talk of a potential breakout if its historic $250 resistance falls as traders are watching that level closely for momentum.

    Meanwhile, XRP remained pressed just above $3.10; analysts noted a robust daily RSI and possible breakout if it clears this threshold, eyeing targets above $3.20 if upside volume persists.

    Dogecoin (DOGE) slipped slightly, last seen around $0.28 after an initial morning pop; the meme coin is consolidating with active speculation about another upswing if key technical support holds.

    Altogether, the major cryptos painted an optimistic but cautious technical picture as the day unfolded.

    Markets brace for September’s endgame

    Beyond the price action, several big stories have traders sitting up straight.

    The Fed’s long-discussed interest rate cut was far and away the top catalyst, delivering a tailwind to the entire risk-asset space and providing a confidence boost at a time when global markets are searching for stability.

    Industry insiders also watched closely as September’s scheduled token unlocks, totalling over $4.5B began to cast their shadow mid-month, stoking some sector-specific volatility and shifting flows among altcoins.

    Regulatory winds were swirling as the SEC and CFTC neared new clarity on digital assets, sparking hope among institutions for more definitive rules of the road, adding another undercurrent of optimism for long-term industry maturation.

    This blend of macro and sector developments means the stage is set for potentially explosive moves as Q4 approaches.

    The upshot for traders and industry-watchers is clear: September’s endgame is shaping up as a moment of high drama.

    With macro drivers, critical token dynamics, and regulatory headlines all hitting at once, the coming days could offer firm direction, whether that brings further upside or a new round of volatility remains the question hanging in the air.

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  • NEAR protocol price surges as AI Tokens jump on Nvidia’s $5 Billion intel bet

    NEAR protocol price surges as AI Tokens jump on Nvidia’s $5 Billion intel bet

    NEAR Surges Amid Nvidia Deal

    • NEAR jumps 11% to $2.98 as Nvidia’s $5B Intel stake sparks AI crypto rally.
    • AI tokens surge with NEAR, TAO, Render and The Graph gaining on chip deal optimism.
    • NEAR eyes $3.6–$4 breakout as AI adoption and bullish charts fuel momentum.

    NEAR Protocol price jumped more than 11% in 24 hours to hit $2.98 amid a broader rally in AI-linked cryptocurrencies.

    The AI token’s uptick aligned with momentum that stemmed from Nvidia’s strategic $5 billion investment in Intel, with Bittensor, Render and The Graph among the top crypto AI gainers.

    Tokens like Aster jumped 500% on Thursday.

    NEAR price retests $2.98 as Nvidia news boosts AI tokens

    NEAR Protocol’s token experienced a sharp uptick, retesting the $2.98 resistance level with an 11% pump.

    This came after the cryptocurrency traded to lows of $2.70 earlier in the week, and the surge aligns with the overall crypto bounce and Nvidia’s announcement of a $5 billion equity stake in Intel.

    This deal, which includes collaborative development of AI-optimized PC and data center chips.

    It’s a move that points to Nvidia’s push to fortify US semiconductor capabilities amid global supply chain tensions.

    The investment arrives at a pivotal moment for Intel, following a $9 billion US government stake via the CHIPS Act and a $2 billion infusion from SoftBank, bolstering Intel’s balance sheet and foundry ambitions without immediate reliance on Nvidia’s manufacturing needs.

    AI tokens surge

    For the AI crypto ecosystem, this move amplifies optimism as the partnership signals the AI chipmaker’s potential to “innovate for customers” as it grows its business.

    NEAR, designed as an AI-native blockchain with sharding technology enabling up to 100,000 transactions per second, stands to benefit if momentum catalyzes price gains.

    The protocol’s Nightshade consensus and tools like Near Tasks for AI agents resonate with Nvidia’s ecosystem, and key integrations may see the altcoin explode further.

    Today’s Nvidia-fueled pump has similarly lifted the AI token sector: TAO climbed 7.7%,RENDER 8%, and The Graph (GRT) 5.9%, per CoinMarketCap data.

    Broader market tailwinds, including Bitcoin’s recovery to above $117,600, have added an uplift to the upswing.

    NEAR’s market cap moved back above $3.7 billion to rank 34th among top cryptocurrencies.

    What’s next for NEAR price?

    NEAR’s trajectory hinges on sustained AI momentum and technical breakouts targeting $3.6.

    Both the RSI and MACD on the daily chart support upside continuation.

    A look at the chart also shows a potential triangle pattern breakout.

    NEAR price chart by TradingView

    While downturn risks include macroeconomic headwinds, such as potential US regulatory scrutiny on AI chips or broader crypto volatility, NEAR has the potential to see levels above $4 in coming weeks.

    The project’s protocol upgrades and global AI adoption trends could allow bulls to target highs of $8.

    On the flip side, primary support could be around $2.62.

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  • Aster token pumps more than 500% post-TGE launch

    Aster token pumps more than 500% post-TGE launch

    Aster

    • ASTER token soars 550% to $0.52 post-TGE.
    • Total value locked catapulted to $1 billion, doubling pre-launch figures.
    • Aster’s debut bolsters BNB Chain’s ecosystem, boosting the BNB price.

    The Aster ($ASTER) token’s debut saw it hit $0.58, rocketing by more than 500% within hours.

    Aster then slightly pared the gains as traders looked for profits post-TGE and airdrop distribution for the YZi Labs-backed protocol.

    Altcoins such as Lagrange, EigenLayer and BNB have outshone the broader market.

    Launching at an initial price of approximately $0.08, the token swiftly ascended to a peak of $0.52.

    It is a move that encompassed a staggering 550% gain in its first trading session and saw ASTER’s market capitalization rally past the $800 million threshold.

    On debut, Aster rose to rank among the top 150 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

    As the token’s price pumped, daily volume rose to over $420 million in the initial 24 hours, up 1800%.

    While the 500% climb validates Aster’s utility in perpetual trading, bulls have to be aware of a potential sharp pullback if price overextends into the overbought territory.

    Aster TVL jumps to $1 billion

    Aster’s total value locked has exceeded expectations, surging to over $1 billion within days of the TGE in a milestone that represents a more than twofold increase from pre-launch figures of around $400 million, attracting over 330,000 new wallets and solidifying Aster’s position as the second-largest perpetual DEX globally.

    The influx highlights the platform’s multi-chain prowess, spanning BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum, where users leverage unique collateral options like liquid-staking as BNB and yield-bearing USDF stablecoins.

    Privacy-focused innovations, such as zk-proofs have drawn sophisticated traders seeking capital efficiency without custodial risks whereas Aster’s integration with PancakeSwap has boosted ecosystem liquidity, contributing to a 15% uptick in BNB’s price over the past week.

    Market observers note that this $1 billion TVL not only enhances on-chain stability but also positions Aster to capture a slice of the $16 billion Hyperliquid pie, potentially driving annual revenues toward $500 million through fee structures that reward $ASTER holders.

    A significant first step for $ASTER on BNB Chain

    For $ASTER, this TGE marks a transformative debut on BNB Chain, laying the groundwork for broader DeFi adoption.

    As a high-performance Layer-1 with privacy at its core, Aster Chain empowers seamless perpetuals and spot trading, democratizing access for both novice and pro users via intuitive Simple and Pro modes.

    The platform’s non-custodial ethos, coupled with governance via $ASTER enables fee discounts and protocol upgrades.

    Implementation of this feature aligns with the community-first principles that propelled BNB Chain’s growth to over $16 billion in TVL.

    This milestone extends beyond numbers as it validates BNB Chain’s edge in low-fee, high-throughput environments, especially as altcoin rotations favor derivatives amid Bitcoin’s stabilization above $117k.



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  • Lagrange price rockets 80% amid listing on South Korea’s largest crypto exchange

    Lagrange price rockets 80% amid listing on South Korea’s largest crypto exchange

    Bitcoin Soared Amid Wall Street Gains

    • Lagrange price skyrocketed by over 80% after South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, announced trading support.
    • Upbit also listed Lombard, a Bitcoin DeFi protocol.
    • Both BARD and LA tokens pared gains amid rising profit-taking.

    Lagrange (LA), a zero-knowledge (ZK) infrastructure project, saw its price skyrocket by more than 80% following a listing announcement by Upbit, South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange.

    As Upbit’s move sparked widespread interest, LA price reached intraday highs of $0.64 and ranked among the top gainers as it outpaced the likes of Wormhole, EigenLayer and Pudgy Penguins.

    Lombard, another token landing on Upbit, witnessed a sharp spike before swiftly paring gains amid profit-taking.

    Lagrange price soars 80% after Upbit listing announcement

    As noted, upward momentum for Lagrange gained traction with the announcement of its listing on Upbit.

    In an update, Upbit said it would list LA for spot trading against the Korean won, with the BARD/KRW pair available at 19:30 pm local time on Sept. 18.

    Following the news, LA’s price spiked by more than 80%, pushing the token’s value to highs of $0.64.

    LA price had hovered at lows of $0.35 prior to Upbit’s announcement.

    The price surge aligns with historical trends that have seen newly listed tokens, particularly on major exchanges like Upbit, go parabolic amid significant volatility.

    Lagrange price chart by CoinMarketCap

    Upbit also lists the Bitcoin DeFi platform Lombard

    South Korea’s Upbit has also expanded its list of supported cryptocurrencies with the listing of  Lombard (BARD).

    The exchange announced trading support for the native token of the Bitcoin DeFi platform on Thursday, adding trading pairs for BTC and Korean won.

    Upbit’s listing of BARD adds to the growing number of tokens that have found traction on the leading crypto exchange in South Korea.

    Investors interested in leveraging Bitcoin’s stability for DeFi applications will fancy Lombard, which aims to bring Bitcoin-based capital markets on-chain, and rallied amid a confluence of other factors too.

    BARD and LA price outlook

    Lagrange’s zero-knowledge proof generation platform has attracted support from global giants such as Nvidia, ZKSync developer Matter Labs and Polygon.

    Meanwhile, Lombard is a project looking to tap into Bitcoin’s growing DeFi ecosystem. Analysts note that both tokens are riding exchange momentum.

    Nonetheless, volatility may engulf both before a steadier growth trajectory emerges.

    As of writing, LA traded around $0.48, sharply paring gains amid a staggering 1,120% spike in daily trading volume.

    BARD meanwhile hovered around $1.08, again having sharply retreated from its intraday peak of $1.61.

    Analysts expect the buzz around these tokens will cool off and likely add to downward pressure.

    However, the overall broader market sentiment is bullish.

    As such, holding key levels at $0.40 and $1 could be key to LA and BARD’s short term price outlook.

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  • Eigen price spikes 33% as EigenLayer leads fresh altcoin rally

    Eigen price spikes 33% as EigenLayer leads fresh altcoin rally

    Eigen Price Jumps To Lead Altcoins

    • EigenLayer price hovered around $2.03, up by 33% after breaking to highs of $2.09.
    • The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s move to approve a rules-based listing standard buoyed altcoins.
    • EIGEN price also gained as the Fed cut interest rates,

    EigenLayer (EIGEN) is surging. Its price hovers near $2.03, currently up by 33% in 24 hours as a broader rally boosts altcoins.

    The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a notable resurgence amid the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision and a key regulatory win for altcoins.

    EigenLayer price jumps 33% to retest key level

    As most altcoins posted minor gains in early trading on Thursday, EigenLayer’s EIGEN token experienced a dramatic 33% price increase.

    The EIGEN token climbed from lows of $1.50 to hit highs of $2.09, with the sharp uptick marking a significant continuation following a breakout of a descending triangle pattern.

    Some catalysts of the uptick include partnerships and integrations, regulatory developments and macroeconomic indicators.

    For instance, on September 17, 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved generic listing standards for commodity-based trust shares.

    It means the regulator is adopting a rules-based approach that will streamline the approval process for exchange-traded products on platforms like the NYSE, Nasdaq, and Cboe Global Markets.

    EIGEN gained ground as the Federal Reserve’s rate cut supported broader risk sentiment, while optimism has also been fueled by EigenLayer’s recent partnership with Google.

    In the past 24 hours, trading in the protocol’s native token surged, with volumes topping \$427 million — a 260% jump alongside a sharp pickup in activity.

    Crypto rally: EIGEN leads altcoin surge

    EIGEN’s impressive performance is not occurring in isolation; it is leading a fresh wave of enthusiasm across altcoins, particularly those within the Ethereum ecosystem.

    Tokens associated with layer-2 solutions, DeFi protocols, and restaking mechanisms have seen gains ranging from 10% to 25% in the past 24 hours.

    Ethereum-linked projects are regaining prominence after months of Bitcoin-led momentum, with EigenLayer at the forefront through a string of new partnerships.

    The protocol has recently expanded ties with Moonbeam and Aethir, while also joining forces with Google.

    As part of that collaboration, EigenCloud is serving as a launch partner for Google Cloud’s new Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), underscoring the project’s growing role in Ethereum’s broader ecosystem.

    “AP2 helps create a global verifiable economy where agents can coordinate, transact, and prove their actions to humans and to each other. EigenCloud makes sure they are held accountable by any counterparty,” said EigenLayer founder Sreeram Kannan.

    Other altcoins to rally amid the latest surge include EtherFi and Lido DAO, both boasting double-digit gains in the past 24 hours.

    Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, Sui and NEAR Protocol are some of the altcoins to outpace the broader market and peers as altcoins signal new momentum.



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  • Bitcoin calm, altcoins surge: Fed cut ushers in new chapter for crypto markets

    Bitcoin calm, altcoins surge: Fed cut ushers in new chapter for crypto markets

    • Bitcoin steady at $116K as Ethereum, Dogecoin, Solana, and XRP rally strong.
    • XRP and Dogecoin ETFs debut in US, unlocking fresh mainstream investor demand.
    • Fed rate cut sparks hope for a new crypto rally not seen since the 2021 bull run.

    The crypto market woke up to a new monetary landscape after the US Federal Reserve delivered its long-awaited rate cut, lowering borrowing costs by 25 basis points.

    Unlike past years when central bank decisions would send digital assets lurching in one direction, Wednesday’s policy pivot sparked a measured response from market heavyweights, even as traders searched for the next big catalyst.

    Bitcoin steady, altcoins lead gains

    Bitcoin proved its maturity by brushing off early choppiness. The world’s leading crypto hovered just above $116,000 for most of the day, slipping a modest 0.35% in a session marked by tight range-trading and lower-than-average spot volumes.

    For seasoned market watchers, the calm felt telling: Wall Street’s risk radar may be shifting, but Bitcoin continues to march to its own beat.

    Ethereum took the baton and ran with it. The second-largest cryptocurrency jumped 2.5%, breaking through the $4,600 mark in early trade.

    Bulls pointed to optimism that cheaper money will revive DeFi and NFT activity, while a pickup in staking metrics added further tailwind.

    Meme coin faithfuls celebrated a minor breakout as Dogecoin surged 5.5%. Blame it on lighter liquidity, or credit it to the social media machine, either way, DOGE’s run was the day’s standout among retail traders.

    Solana, meanwhile, snapped back 3.9% to trade near $245, with bullish developer news propelling fresh capital into the ecosystem.

    Not to be left out, XRP managed a 1.8% pop, riding a string of solid inflows and a brewing rumor mill over new ETF products.

    Investors will be watching closely: if the Fed signals more cuts ahead, the tide for high-beta risk assets could turn decisively, something crypto bulls haven’t had in their favor since 2021.

    New XRP, DOGE ETFs shine; LayerZero makes waves

    While prices grabbed headlines, the day was just as busy beyond the charts.

    For starters, US investors got their first taste of XRP and Dogecoin ETFs, thanks to listings from REX Shares and Osprey Funds.

    It’s a landmark moment for altcoin access on mainstream platforms, and early volume figures suggest significant pent-up demand among both retail and institutional players.

    Elsewhere, LayerZero, an up-and-comer in the cross-chain arena sealed its $110 million acquisition of Stargate, with overwhelming backing from the Stargate DAO.

    The move was widely interpreted as a signal that decentralized finance is firmly in “consolidate and build” mode as competition heats up just below the major protocols.

    With macro currents swirling and new products landing on the scene, digital assets are poised for a lively finish to September, one in which both the cautious and the bold can find opportunity.

    All eyes are now on the next signals from Washington and Wall Street to see if crypto’s comeback rally truly has legs.

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  • Mantle targets new ATH after hitting $1.77 amid ZK rollup upgrade

    Mantle targets new ATH after hitting $1.77 amid ZK rollup upgrade

    Mantle Price New Peak

    • Mantle surged by 15% to reach a record high of $1.77.
    • The total value locked exceeded $2 billion, making Mantle the largest ZK rollup by TVL.
    • Mantle’s transaction volumes also soared, with hundreds of thousands of daily transactions.

    Mantle Network’s native token, MNT, surged to a record all-time high of $1.77 on September 17, 2025, driven by the successful completion of its mainnet upgrade to a zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup architecture in a landmark development for Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem.

    This price gain comes as other cryptocurrencies like PancakeSwap and Filecoin also edge higher.

    Mantle completes ZK rollup upgrade

    Mantle’s transition from an optimistic rollup to a full ZK rollup represents a pivotal evolution in its infrastructure with the upgrade, enabling the network to generate validity proofs for state transitions without disclosing underlying data, thereby bolstering security and reducing reliance on fraud-proof challenges.

    This shift addresses longstanding limitations of optimistic models, where transactions assume validity until contested, potentially delaying finality.

    “With today’s mainnet upgrade, the journey is complete: Mantle is now the world’s largest ZK rollup by TVL, with over $2 billion secured by Succinct’s technology,” said Edward Li, growth and business development lead at Succinct.

    Mantle’s total value locked (TVL) stood at approximately $218 million prior to the upgrade as  post-implementation having ballooned to over $2 billion, cementing its status as the world’s largest ZK rollup by this metric.

    By incorporating EigenLayer’s , Mantle ensures robust decentralization without overburdening the base chain, a hybrid approach that has drawn praise from developers seeking EVM-compatible environments.

    Mantle price outlook and token performance

    The announcement catalyzed an immediate price rally for Mantle, with MNT climbing over 15% to breach its previous peak of $1.68 set last month.

    According to trading data from major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, MNT’s market capitalization surpassed $5.4 billion, ranking it among the top 30 cryptocurrencies.

    Analysts have also related the price surge to a number of factors, like renewed institutional interest in ZK technologies amid Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade.

    Mantle’s ecosystem incentives, including yield-bearing stablecoins like mETH and upcoming products such as crypto index funds, also boosted price.

    Mantle price chart by TradingView

    Looking at Mantle’s price chart, the cryptocurrency trades around $1.64, slightly lower than the $1.77 all-time high.

    Selling pressure contributed to the decline in MNT price.

    However, bulls are targeting a new ATH amid a bull flag pattern as Mantle’s ZK framework unlocks cross-rollup interoperability.

    With over 5.86 million active accounts already, predictions suggest total value locked could double by year-end, driven by partnerships with EigenLayer and Succinct.

    Nonetheless broader market challenges might persist, including competition from established ZK players like Polygon zkEVM and potential regulatory scrutiny on restaking mechanisms.

    In this case, the price levels to watch could include $1.40 and $1.09.

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