Market Signal Briefing

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.64% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Keysight (KEYS - Free Report) Based in Santa Rosa, CA, Keysight Technologies, Inc. is a provider of electronic design and test instrumentation systems. In 2013, Agilent Technologies announced that it will split into two independent companies. One of the companies was named Keysight Technologies, which became a fully independent electronic measurement company on Nov 1, 2014 and got listed on the New York Stock Exchange on Nov 3, 2014, with ticker symbol KEYS.

KEYS is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Computer and Technology stock. KEYS has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 5.7% over the past four weeks.

Five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $7.07 per share. KEYS boasts an average earnings surprise of +4.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, KEYS should be on investors' short list.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.64% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Everest Group (EG - Free Report) Based in Warren, NJ and established in 1999, Everest Group, a Delaware reinsurance company and a direct subsidiary of Holdings, is a property and casualty insurer and reinsurer in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Everest Group underwrites property and casualty reinsurance for insurance and reinsurance companies in the U.S. and international markets. As of Dec 31, 2024, Everest Reinsurance had statutory surplus of $5.6 billion. The company’s business strategy is to sustain its leadership position within targeted reinsurance and insurance markets, provide effective management throughout the property and casualty underwriting cycle and achieve an attractive return for its shareholders.

EG is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Finance stock. EG has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 0.6% over the past four weeks.

Four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.26 to $45.51 per share. EG boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, EG should be on investors' short list.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.64% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: ATI (ATI - Free Report) Pittsburgh, PA-based ATI Inc. is a diversified specialty materials producer. The company was created in November 1999 when Allegheny Teledyne spun out Teledyne Technologies and Water Pik Technologies into standalone companies.

ATI is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Aerospace stock. ATI has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 0.3% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2025, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $3.06 per share. ATI boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, ATI should be on investors' short list.

Exclusive

Starbucks is closing its iconic Capitol Hill Roastery, just minutes from its Seattle headquarters

Starbucks' iconic Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill in Seattle will be among the locations shuttered by the company in its latest restructuring, Business Insider has learned.

Stephen Ehlers/Getty Images

2025-09-25T13:32:08Z

Starbucks announced Thursday it would close 1% of its corporate stores and lay off 900 non-retail staff.
Among the closures will be its flagship Reserve Roastery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle.
The location was among the first unionized Starbucks stores and a prominent backdrop for protests.

Starbucks' iconic Reserve Roastery in Seattle is among the stores the company is closing, Business Insider has learned.

Starbucks on Thursday announced it would close many of its corporate-owned stores across North America, targeting locations where the company said it found it is "unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect" or where it doesn't "see a path to financial performance."

A letter was posted on the Reserve Roastery door early Thursday morning, breaking the news that it would close. The store is in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, just minutes from the company's headquarters.

"To our Cap Hill neighbors and friends," it began.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of the Seattle Reserve Roastery. This location has been the destination of coffee lovers from down the block and around the world. That you have chosen to share this experience with us is deeply appreciated," it continued.

The letter, signed by "The Starbucks Coffee Company," thanked the Capitol Hill neighborhood for its support and loyalty over the years, adding the "meaningful connections" forged at the store "will not be forgotten."

"At the heart of it all are our Cap Hill partners, who have gone above and beyond to create the best customer experiences possible," the letter reads, referring to in-store staff, which Starbucks calls partners. "We care deeply about them and are working closely to support them through this transition."

"While this was a difficult decision to make, we remain dedicated to serving you and hope to see you again soon at one of our other Starbucks coffeehouses," the letter concluded.

The Seattle Reserve Roastery was among the first unionized Starbucks stores, voting to unionize with Starbucks Workers United in April 2022.

It was also a prominent backdrop for protests, including a demonstration as recent as Monday, in which staff gathered for a rally to demand a completed labor contract.

Union-represented status was not a factor in the decision-making process related to the closure, Starbucks confirmed.

A company spokesperson confirmed the closure when reached for comment by Business Insider, and said Starbucks remains committed to its Reserve Roastery concepts in Chicago, Milan, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert at [email protected] or Signal at byktl.50. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

Starbucks

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SummaryMicron Technology, Inc. is a leading DRAM and NAND producer, benefiting from surging AI-driven demand, especially in high-bandwidth memory, or HBM.MU posted strong Q4 earnings and bullish guidance, with revenue and EPS beats driven by AI data center growth and improved pricing power in DRAM.Despite robust growth prospects, MU trades at elevated valuations, reflecting AI optimism, but faces cyclical risks and significant China exposure.Given its cyclical nature and current premium pricing, I rate MU as a Hold, cautioning against overestimating its AI exposure versus true fundamentals. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Introduction Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:MU) is yet another semiconductor company on my list to review, assessing whether it could be a strong play in today’s ever-hungry world of chips. With the company just

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Halma PLC's (LSE:HLMA) update pointed to "encouraging progress", analysts said, after the FTSE 100 group raised its full-year outlook. 

The Amersham-headquartered safety equipment conglomerate now expects low double-digit percentage organic growth, up from its earlier guidance of a high single digit, sending its shares to new all-time highs.

Citi analysts said they think points to around a 3-4% upgrade to 2026 consensus revenue expectations.

"The upgrade is mainly driven by the strong growth (~40%) in photonics."

With adjusted EBIT margin guidance maintained at modestly above the middle point of the 19-23% range, Citi said it sees consensus adjusted pre-tax profit increasing to circa £510 million compared to the current consensus at £493 million and adjusted operating profit to at least £530 million before the expected one-off gain from disposals.

UBS analysts said they were also reassured by orders continuing to trend well with a book-to-bill ratio above 1.0x.

"We raise our revenue and profits estimates by circa 4% across FY26-27 to reflect the guidance upgrade," the UBS team said, driving a share price target upgrade to £40 [from 3,730p].

"We view this as another very strong print by Halma and continue to see an attractive compounding growth investment case in Halma, and hence reiterate our Buy rating."

Broker Panmure Liberum noted that the shares currently trade on at 32 times forecast earnings, a premium to the peer group, "but we believe this is justified given its low earnings volatility and acquisition track record which today's announcement continues to reinforce".

Key Takeaways TSMC plans volume production of its A16 process in the second half of 2026.A16 offers 8-10% speed gains or 15-20% power efficiency versus the N2P process.TSMC's Q2 2025 revenues jumped 44% as 3nm and 5nm nodes drove 58% of wafer sales.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM - Free Report) , also known as TSMC, is preparing to launch its A16 process technology, with volume production expected in the second half of 2026. The A16 node, which is an extension of its 2nm platform, introduces Super Power Rail (“SPR”) technology, which enhances power delivery and efficiency.

Compared to the N2P process, A16 promises 8% to 10% speed gains or 15% to 20% better power efficiency, along with a further increase in chip density. These improvements are significant for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, where performance and energy use are critical.

AI infrastructure has become increasingly power-hungry, with hyperscalers and chip designers seeking solutions that balance computational speed with electricity costs. Taiwan Semiconductor’s A16 node is positioned to address these needs. If widely adopted, it could help the company secure more business from leading AI chipmakers and cloud providers.

Taiwan Semiconductor continues to lead the global chip foundry market. Its scale and technology make it the first choice for companies driving the AI boom. The company’s latest earnings report highlights its continued dominance. In the second quarter of 2025, TSMC’s revenues surged 44% year over year. This growth was powered by the booming demand for its advanced 3nm and 5nm nodes, which now account for 58% of total wafer sales.

The A16 bet highlights Taiwan Semiconductor’s strategy to stay ahead in the AI arms race. A timely rollout could cement its dominance in data center chips, but any delays or weaker-than-expected uptake may limit the advantage. The node’s rollout will be a critical factor in TSMC’s long-term AI growth story. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 revenues indicates a year-over-year increase of 35.9% and 14.5%, respectively.

How Are TSMC’s Rivals Working on AI Chip Manufacturing?Intel (INTC - Free Report) and GlobalFoundries (GFS - Free Report) are also expanding their presence in AI chip manufacturing.

Intel is investing heavily in its foundry business, aiming to produce advanced chips. The company is currently focusing on its 18A process, which signifies 1.8nm chips. Intel’s 18A process is claimed to have higher performance and efficiency, which will help the company better compete with Taiwan Semiconductor’s upcoming N2 chips.

GlobalFoundries focuses more on mature nodes. However, the company is witnessing some AI-related demand, especially in edge computing and embedded AI. GlobalFoundries is working to expand capacity in the United States and Europe to attract customers looking for supply-chain flexibility.

TSM’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Taiwan Semiconductor have risen around 42.2% year to date compared with the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s gain of 22.6%.

Taiwan Semiconductor YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, TSM trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 26.32, lower than the sector’s average of 29.45.

Taiwan Semiconductor Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Taiwan Semiconductor’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 39.6% and 11.6%, respectively. Estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been revised downward in the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Taiwan Semiconductor currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Brent Technical Analysis
Brent markets are hanging around the $69 level, which, of course, is an area that’s been significant support and resistance. Also, the scene of a gap back at the beginning of the month of August. The 200 day EMA sits right around the $70 level. So, at this point, it’s close enough. I really need to see Brent break above there to get overly bullish.

Short-term pullbacks could be buying opportunities if you’re a short-term trader, but really at this point, we’re still at the top of a range. That hasn’t changed. $65 is the floor at the bottom, and we are nowhere near it. So, I think if we do start selling off, maybe short term short sellers might get involved in trying to drive it down there. But it looks like we’re trying to rally at least. So, we’ll just wait and see.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Big Screen Entertainment (OTC:BSEG), bigscreenentgroup.com, has announced its investment in The Intimacy Coordinator, a striking new short film recently spotlighted in Variety. BSEG Chief Executive Kimberley Kates will serve as Executive Producer on the project, which begins shooting shortly. The film dives into the shadowy world of intimacy coordination on film sets, reimagined through a tense and unsettling psychological thriller filled with unexpected twists. Le.

September 25, 2025 09:40 ET

 | Source:

SEALSQ

Geneva, Switzerland and Taipei, Taiwan, Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today announced that AuthenTrend Technology, Inc., a Taiwan-based global leader in FIDO passwordless authentication solutions, started working on a proof-of-concept (PoC) integrating SEALSQ’s Quantum Shield “QS7001” chip into a fingerprint-enabled security key: “ATKey PQC edition”. This milestone aims to create the world’s first1 quantum-proof biometric authentication device, advancing FIDO2 and PKI-compliance with post-quantum ready security.

This collaboration highlights SEALSQ’s leadership in cutting-edge post-quantum technology products to strengthen digital trust as quantum computing threats emerge: The PoC will integrate match-on-device fingerprint biometrics with SEALSQ’s post-quantum cryptography, creating a phishing-resistant, user-friendly solution that aligns with zero-trust security models and anticipates regulatory mandates like CNSA 2.0 and EO 14144. It aims to protect identities and access credentials against vulnerabilities in traditional algorithms like ECDSA, RSA and ECC, which could be compromised by quantum computers within the next years, while still being resistant to traditional attacks.

The Quantum Shield QS7001, set for commercial launch in mid-November 2025, is a RISC-V-based secure hardware platform featuring NIST-standardized ML-KEM (Kyber) and ML-DSA (Dilithium) quantum resistant algorithms embedded at the hardware level. Offering superior efficiency over software layer implementations, enhanced side-channel protection, and tamper resistance, the QS7001 is designed to secure high-stakes applications, including enterprise access, financial services, and IoT ecosystems. AuthenTrend’s fingerprint technology available on the ATKey PQC edition will enhance the key’s adoption across markets in APAC, EU & US.

“The Quantum Shield QS7001 is a game-changer for secure authentication, and AuthenTrend’s PoC marks a critical first adoption of this technology,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO of SEALSQ. “As an early adopter, AuthenTrend is setting a new standard for quantum-proof biometric security keys, combining seamless usability with future-proof protection.”

“AuthenTrend is proud to lead the charge in integrating SEALSQ’s Quantum Shield QS7001 into our security key solution,” said Zake Huang, CEO of AuthenTrend. “This PoC aims at delivering quantum-ready authentication that protects our customers against emerging threats while maintaining the convenience they value.”

SEALSQ continues to expand its post-quantum portfolio, having secured over 1.75 billion devices worldwide. With initiatives like the QVault TPM (planned for H1 2026) and the SEALQUANTUM.com Lab, the Company supports industry transitions to quantum-safe encryption through dedicated research and development.

About AuthenTrend Technology, Inc.
AuthenTrend Technology, Inc., headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, specializes in FIDO2-certified passwordless authentication solutions, including biometric security keys and smart cards. With a global network of partners, AuthenTrend delivers secure, user-friendly digital identity verification for consumers and enterprises across authentication, access control, and decentralized applications. For more information, visit www.authentrend.com.

About SEALSQ:
SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable.

SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries.

For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit www.sealsq.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include SEALSQ's ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ's filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC.

SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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HomeIndustriesAutomobilesSales in Europe are down 37% from the year-ago periodPublished: Sept. 25, 2025 at 9:45 a.m. ET

A Tesla car dealership in Berlin, Germany, was doused in blue paint by protesters on March 31, 2025. Tesla's European sales continued to struggle in August. Photo: Omer Messinger/Getty ImagesTesla Inc. suffered yet another month of falling sales in Europe, and shares of the electric-vehicle maker were dropping on Thursday.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reported that Tesla TSLA sold 8,220 cars in the European Union in August, a roughly 37% drop from the same period a year ago. Year to date, Tesla sales have dropped 43%.

About the Author

Barbara Kollmeyer is based in Madrid, where she leads MarketWatch's pre-markets coverage of financial markets and writes the Need to Know column. She has worked in London and Los Angeles for MarketWatch previously. Follow her on Twitter @bkollmeyer.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Southern Copper (SCCO - Free Report) shares ended the last trading session 8.4% higher at $119.5. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 12.8% gain over the past four weeks.

The company’s shares have gained on the back of higher copper prices. Copper futures climbed 3.77% to a near two-month high of $4.84 per pound after Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX - Free Report) declared force majeure at its Grasburg mine in Indonesia. Mining operations have been temporarily suspended since Sept. 8 following the sudden inflow of approximately 800,000 metric tons of wet material though the mine. Freeport now expects third quarter 2025 sales to be 4% lower for copper and 6% lower for gold than its previous estimates. Notably, the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia is one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits. Hudbay Minerals (HBM - Free Report) recently announced the temporary suspension of operations at its Constancia mine in Peru due to protests. Even though the company said that this will not impact its 2025 output, it has led to supply concerns, boosting prices. 

This miner is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.11 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -3.5%. Revenues are expected to be $3.09 billion, up 5.3% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For Southern Copper, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 11.1% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. And a positive trend in earnings estimate revision usually translates into price appreciation. So, make sure to keep an eye on SCCO going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Southern Copper belongs to the Zacks Mining - Non Ferrous industry. Another stock from the same industry, Energy Fuels (UUUU - Free Report) , closed the last trading session 1.2% higher at $16.87. Over the past month, UUUU has returned 35.4%.

Energy Fuels' consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at -$0.08. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of -14.3%. Energy Fuels currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Here are the stocks with buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider today, September 25th:  

Smithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD - Free Report) : This pork producer and food-processing company, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 3% over the last 60 days.

Smithfield Food's has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 9.97 compared with 10.80 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of A.

VEON (VEON - Free Report) : This company which is engaged in telecommunication and digital services, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings increasing 15.2% over the last 60 days.

VEON has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 5.21 compared with 17.60 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of A.

1st Source (SRCE - Free Report) : This bank holding company which offers a broad range of commercial banking, personal banking and trust services, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4.2% over the last 60 days.

1st Source has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 10.07 compared with 11 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of B.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Value score and how it is calculated here.

TL;DR

HYPE finds immediate support at $44–45, while $50 remains the first key resistance level.
Analysts point to $38–40 as major support, with deeper levels around $30, $28, and $23.
Open interest holds strong at $2.17B, showing heavy trader activity despite recent price correction.

Price Pullback and Key Levels
Hyperliquid (HYPE) has fallen more than 26% in the past week, dropping from recent highs near $59 to around $42 at press time. Trading volume over the last 24 hours is around $907 million, with a daily decline of 4%.

On shorter timeframes, the previous range POC $44–$45 is serving as immediate support. Resistance at $50 corresponds to the last breakdown. A slightly stronger wall forms around $52–$53, aligned with weekly and Monday opens. A failure of the $44–$45 line could rally interest towards the lower levels.

Analysts Note Support and Market Imbalance
Crypto Bully said HYPE retraced more than expected but is still holding above the range POC.

$HYPE

– Retraced quite a bit more than expected. However the range prior to breakout is holding well so far as we’re trading right at the POC

– Can add here for a move back towards $50 (support that broke through which lead to the breakdown), invalidation is price finding… pic.twitter.com/cC4cyPIwtL

— Crypto Bully (@BullyDCrypto) September 24, 2025

Ali Marinez added that the $42 region aligns with a key retracement level, calling it a “golden buy-the-dip zone.” His chart outlines a potential rebound path that could take HYPE back toward $55, provided the $42 support holds.

Source: Ali Martinez/X
Husky pointed to other factors weighing on the market, including buybacks, whale selling, and token unlocks. He remarked, “That last move down is the imbalance that screams at me, though, I’d expect to see some of that filled.” Husky marked support at $38–40, with deeper levels at $30, $28, and $23. Short-term resistance is placed in the $47–50 area.

HIP-3 Update and Governance Proposals
According to Hyperliquid News, the final draft of HIP-3 is nearly ready. It includes staking requirements for creating decentralized exchanges, fee adjustments for stablecoins, and slashing penalties. HYPE staking benefits would extend to all HIP-3 trading pairs.

The final version of HIP-3 is almost ready.

– Bug bounties now correspond to those on the mainnet.

– To create a HIP-3 Dex, you must stake at least 500,000 $HYPE (which will be reduced over time).

– The first three assets will not be auctioned, but subsequent ones will function… pic.twitter.com/sgLxi49bTw

— Hyperliquid News (@HyperliquidNews) September 25, 2025

Separately, investment firm DBA has proposed reducing HYPE’s total supply by 45%, aiming to improve investor appeal. The proposal is under discussion and has not been enacted.

Futures Open Interest
Futures data shows open interest (OI) remains elevated at $2.17 billion. As May rolled in, OI crept slowly upward from less than $1 billion to current levels, suggesting the continued activity in the derivatives market.

Source: Coinglass

July and mid-September saw OI climbing together with price rallies. The recent fall from $59 down to $42 did not even see much of an unwind, meaning a whole lot of positions are still open. These are when high OI on a downtrend leaves markets open to volatility in the event of increasing liquidations.

DeFi Development Corp. strengthens capital strategy with $100M buyback, while Solana eyes potential breakout above $240.

Izabela Anna2 min read

25 September 2025, 11:57 AM

DeFi Development Corp. has strengthened its capital allocation strategy with a major increase to its stock repurchase program. The company, which is known for pioneering a treasury model centered on accumulating Solana (SOL), announced that its Board of Directors has expanded its existing buyback authorization from $1 million to $100 million. This move highlights the firm’s confidence in its long-term strategy, even as Solana faces short-term market challenges.

Repurchase Program DetailsThe authorization gives management flexibility to repurchase shares of common stock on the open market under prevailing market conditions. According to the press release, the company will have an active threshold of $10 million before updating the Board for further purchases. 

All repurchased stocks will either be retired or held as treasury stock. This flexibility enables the company to adjust its capital management according to market fluctuations while ensuring compliance with regulations.

Besides enhancing shareholder value, the expanded program may help stabilize investor confidence at a time of uncertainty for the digital asset sector. Management has stressed that timing and scale of purchases will be dependent on market, liquidity, and broader corporate priorities.

Solana Price Action and Technical OutlookWhile the buyback plan underscores corporate optimism, Solana itself has experienced notable price pressure. As of press time, the token trades at $205.50, marking a 2.29% decline in the past 24 hours and nearly 17% over the past week. Its market capitalization remains substantial at over $111 billion, supported by a circulating supply of 540 million SOL.

However, technical analysis suggests a potential turning point. According to market analyst Trader Tardigrade, Solana is forming a giant Wyckoff re-accumulation pattern on the weekly chart. The structure, lasting over 640 days, indicates that Solana may be preparing for a decisive breakout. 

Source: X

Support levels are clustered between $120 and $200, while resistance at $230–$240 remains critical. A confirmed weekly close above $240 could pave the way toward $300 and higher levels.

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Izabela Anna

Izabela Anna is a knowledgeable freelance journalist, who boasts over five years of experience covering the cryptocurrency market. Her tenure has seen her navigate through the ebbs and flows of multiple market cycles, giving her a deep understanding within. Her journalistic focus lies in dissecting price action dynamics, scrutinizing the on-chain landscape, and providing insights from a technical perspective, making her a trusted voice in the realm of cryptocurrency reporting.

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Latest Solana (SOL) News Today

Bitcoin fell, nearly erasing gains from Wednesday’s rebound, while ether slid more than 3% to trigger large liquidations. Sep 25, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

The crypto market slid early Thursday as ether, the second-largest token, dropped more than 3% to below $4,000. The decline triggered large liquidations, including a multimillion dollar loss for one whale.

BTC$111,620.12 also fell 1.5% to $115,600, nearly erasing gains from Wednesday’s rebound. Other major cryptocurrencies followed suit amid declines in Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures, likely caused by rising odds of a U.S. government shutdown.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Coins like recent outperformers ASTR, AVAX and PUMP suffered double digit losses over 24 hours.

One analyst pointed to cryptocurrencies as an early warning indicator for broader financial markets.

"Crypto is once again signaling shifts in risk appetite," said Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FXPro. "Altcoins and smaller developed market currencies have been weakening since the Federal Reserve’s rate cut last week, and major U.S. indices began following this trend from Tuesday onward."

Token Talk

by Francisco Rodrigues

The price of Hyperliquid’s HYPE token is significantly underperforming the wider crypto market, mainly due to growing competition from BNB Chain-based derivatives exchange Aster and forthcoming token unlocks.Aster, which is backed by YZi Labs, overtook Hyperliquid in daily perpetual trading volume this week in an upset that sent shockwaves through crypto’s on-chain trading ecosystem.In just one week, Aster’s open interest ballooned 33,500%, leaping from $3.7 million to $1.25 billion. Its 24-hour trading volume hit $35.8 billion, more than double that of Hyperliquid, which logged $10 billion according to DeFiLlama data. Total value locked (TVL) on Aster also jumped, almost tripling to $1.85 billion.The platform’s token, ASTER, has added more than 344% in the past week to $2, giving it a fully diluted valuation of $15.9 billion. HYPE slid to $43 from $58.4.HYPE's drop coincides investor anxiety over upcoming token unlocks. In late November, 237 million HYPE, worth more than $10 billion at current prices, will gradually become liquid over a two-year period.Derivatives Positioning

Open interest (OI) in futures tied to many major tokens has declined in the past 24 hours, with AVAX witnessing the sharpest drop, nearly 12%.Still, overall positioning in BTC futures remains elevated, with OI hovering close to record highs. ETH's futures OI has increased to 14.45 million ETH, despite large liquidations on the decentralized exchange Hyperliquid.OI in USDT- and dollar-denominated SOL perpetuals on major exchanges has increased slightly from 29 million SOL to 30.28 million SOL since Asian hours, as the spot price drops toward $200. Some traders seem to be shorting the decline.XRP, SOL, HBAR, TRX, SUI and XLM stand out as coins with negative funding rates, pointing to a bias for bearish short positions.On the CME, the downtrend in BTC futures OI has resumed while OI in ether futures has risen back to record highs above 2.2 million ETH. The annualized three-month basis in ETH has dropped to 7% from 9.8% in a sign of weakening of bullish pressures.On Deribit, BTC and ETH put options continue to draw premium relative to calls, painting a bearish picture. Some traders picked up out-of-the-money lower strike ether puts via OTC desk Paradigm.Más para ti

Stablecoin-Focused Plasma's XPL Token Debuts With Over $2.4B Market Cap

hace 11 minutos

XPL functions as a gas token, staking asset, and reward token, with a total supply of 10 billion tokens.

Lo que debes saber:

The Plasma blockchain's native token, XPL, launched on major exchanges like Binance and OKX, with a market cap of $2.4 billion.XPL functions as a gas token, staking asset, and reward token, with a total supply of 10 billion tokens.Plasma introduced Plasma One, a stablecoin-native neobank, to offer users permissionless access to digital dollar transactions.Leer la noticia completa

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Aster (ASTER), a newly launched multi-chain decentralized exchange (DEX), is making headlines in the cryptocurrency market, having achieved a major 2,182% increase since its debut, and boasting a market capitalization of approximately $3.7 billion, according to CoinGecko data.

Inside Aster’s Ecosystem
What has significantly contributed to ASTER’s rise is the platform’s approach to bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional trading practices. The platform offers a non-custodial trading experience, allowing users to engage in both perpetual and spot trading while earning yield on their collateral. 

This dual capability positions it as a unique decentralized exchange (DEX), particularly given its offering of 24/7 stock perpetuals that include major equities, while operating across several networks, including the BNB Chain, Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Arbitrum (ARB). 

The ASTER token, which governs the platform, incentivizes participation, and distributes trading fees, include mechanisms like Rh Points, which are earned through trading volume and determine airdrop allocations, and Au Points, generated by holding yield-bearing assets. 

Binance Co-Founders Behind It
Aster’s development is closely linked to YZi Labs, the rebranded venture arm of Binance Labs. The backing of Binance co-founders Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Yi He, has significantly propelled the token’s adoption.

A pivotal moment in the cryptocurrency’s trajectory occurred when CZ publicly endorsed the project on social media, commending its progress and encouraging continued development. 

The community’s enthusiasm was further amplified by the significant investment from popular YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), who reportedly purchased $114,000 worth of the cryptocurrency, driving the price to new heights. 

The token’s credibility received an additional boost when Bybit became the first centralized exchange to list it, signaling institutional confidence and enhancing liquidity for traders.

Looking ahead, the new platform has ambitious plans to launch “Aster Chain,” a Layer 1 blockchain tailored for high-performance, privacy-focused derivatives trading. This upcoming development will incorporate zero-knowledge proof technology, ensuring anonymized trades.

The 1-hour chart shows the token’s continuous surge. Source: ASTERUSDT on TradingView.com
At the time of writing, ASTER is trading at $2.27, which is just 5% below its record high of $2.41 reached earlier on Wednesday. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

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Ronaldo is a seasoned crypto enthusiast with over four years of experience in the field. He is passionate about exploring the vast and dynamic world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and its practical applications for achieving economic sovereignty. Ronaldo is constantly seeking to expand his knowledge and expertise in the DeFi space, as he believes it holds tremendous potential for transforming the traditional financial landscape.

Plasma’s mainnet beta launch sparked a pre-market rally for XPL tokens. The asset expanded to $0.84 about an hour ahead of the official launch. 

XPL tokens, the native assets of the Plasma network, were expected to enter price discovery on September 25. The date was set for the official launch of the Plasma mainnet beta, expecting the first blocks to start from 12:00 GMT. As Cryptopolitan reported this week, the Tether-backed chain announced its launch ahead of time, potentially allowing the event to boost the token hype.

Plasma rallied just ahead of the public beta launch, expecting a valuation of over $1B upon launch, with an almost immediate Binance listing. | Source: CoinMarketCap.
Minutes before the network’s launch, XPL had a pre-market rally. XPL bounced from its previous range of $0.78 to $0.84, expecting additional volumes. Ahead of the launch, Lbank volumes dwindled to zero, but the token shifted to BingX, with $1.7M in daily volumes. 

Price discovery for XPL is closely watched, as the token went through a cycle of price volatility. Whales on Hyperliquid caused massive short liquidations, sparking suspicions of market manipulation. XPL may remain risky and volatile in the days after its official launch. 

Plasma to launch with $2B stablecoin supply
Plasma is a high-profile project, deciding on a long run-up to its mainnet launch. The chain expects to start with $2B in stablecoin liquidity from its very first day of operation. Plasma will also launch with immediate access to 280M Binance users, immediately activating Plasma-based USDT. 

In a market that is saturated with chains, Plasma has recognized the importance of guaranteed liquidity to attract users. 

Plasma mainnet beta will go live with $2B+ in liquidity, making us the 8th largest chain by stablecoin supply.

The future is bright, on Plasma. pic.twitter.com/KPALwq1AJq

— Plasma (@PlasmaFDN) September 23, 2025

The Plasma project is one of the well-funded IEO, raising over $75M for a valuation of $500M. The project raised $51M from a public sale and an additional $24M from VC rounds. Plasma has gained support from Bybit, potentially expecting a relatively fast listing. On Thursday, Plasma also expects to launch on Binance just an hour after the chain’s launch.

The projected market cap for the project is $1.49B based on free-float XPL tokens. Plasma is a low-float token, with a total market cap of $8.28B.

Will XPL trade close to $1? 
The XPL token is yet to show its price discovery and achieve mass appeal. XPL was relatively flat during pre-market trading, though the token launch suggests a rally coming soon. 

Based on Polymarket prediction pairs, XPL will launch with a valuation above $1B on its first day of trading. 

On Hyperliquid, the token also continues with lively speculation, inviting 81 whales to take positions. A total of 24 whales are shorting XPL, while 30 whales have taken long positions. The biggest position is an XPL short with a notional value of $1.1M. 

The token has accrued significant social media hype, showing that despite the recent meme season, utility projects are making a comeback. As with other high-profile events, XPL and Plasma have also invited potential scams and malicious links for claiming XPL tokens.

Get $50 free to trade crypto when you sign up to Bybit now

Key takeaways:

The slowdown in spot Bitcoin ETF flows signals weak institutional demand, hinting at a cooling bullish sentiment 

$108,000 is a short-term target for the bears, with some BTC analysts predicting a drop to $90,000.

Bitcoin (BTC) sellers emerged again on Thursday as the drop to $111,000 sparked fears that a further correction toward $90,000 might be on the horizon.

BTC/USD hourly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin ETF demand weakensInstitutional investors are reducing their exposure to spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) following the recent weakness in BTC price. 

Inflows into the Bitcoin ETFs cooled after strong inflows at the beginning of September. Net inflows fell 54% to $931.4 million last week from $2.03 billion the week prior, according to Glassnode’s latest Weekly Market Impulse report.   

“While overall accumulation remains intact, the slowdown suggests a pause in institutional demand,” the onchain data provider said in an X post on Wednesday.  

US spot Bitcoin ETF net flows. Source: GlassnodeSuch behavior stands out versus early September, when a steady price increase accompanied healthy ETF inflows. 

When the BTC/USD increased by 10% to near $118,000 between Sept. 2 and Sept. 18, net inflows topped $2.9 billion over eight trading days, per data from Farside Investors. This included the largest daily net inflow in two months of over $741.1 million.

US spot Bitcoin ETF netflows for February 2025 (screenshot). Source: Farside InvestorsThe spot taker CVD (Cumulative Volume Delta) indicator, which tracks the cumulative difference between market buys and sells over 90 days, has remained taker sell dominant since mid-August.

This means retail traders have been consistently selling BTC more than buying, reinforcing the risk-off behavior.

Bitcoin Spot Taker CVD data. Source: CryptoQuantBTC could see a deeper correction heading into October if ETF flows remain cool and the spot taker CVD stays sell-dominant.

Bitcoin price to see “deeper flush” to $90,000?With demand waning, pessimism is mounting over BTC price strength.

“Not much strength on $BTC after a strong day yesterday,” said MC Capital founder Michael van de Poppe in an X post on Thursday.

An accompanying chart showed that if Bitcoin loses the $112,000-$110,000 support zone, it could drop toward the $103,000-$100,000 demand zone, a good “area to start looking for buys.”

“I would assume that we’ll be going to get some more downside and then we’re done for the current period, meaning that we’ll be in up-only mode.”BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Michael van de PoppeMeanwhile, fellow analyst AlphaBTC shared an hourly candle chart showing the BTC/USD pair trading in a descending parallel channel.

Bitcoin could drop toward the channel’s lower boundary around $108,000 if the support at $112,000 doesn’t hold. Lower than that, the price could see a “deeper flush” possibly toward the $105,000-$100,000 range.

Additionally, BTC price has dropped below the 0.95 quantile cost basis at $115,300, signaling potential risk, according to Glassnode. The Cost Basis Quantile serves as a key metric for gauging market risk levels and potential price action zones for Bitcoin. 

“Reclaiming it would signal renewed strength, but failure to do so risks a drift toward lower supports around $105K–$90K.”— glassnode (@glassnode) September 24, 2025
As Cointelegraph reported, Bitcoin’s double top pattern also targets near $90,000 if support at $107,000 does not hold.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

A whale has turned a $300,000 investment in Aster (ASTER) into a $7 million profit, according to on-chain data.

The token’s surge in value coincides with Aster’s perpetual trading volume hitting a new high of $35.86 billion in 24 hours, surpassing its rival, Hyperliquid.

Whales Cash Out on ASTER
Blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain was the first to report the transaction via X, noting that a pseudonymous user, Unipcs, had withdrawn a total of 3.24 million ASTER from Gateio. The whale later shared an update breaking down the trade, saying they had purchased 3,245,933.37 ASTER tokens for $299,166.79 at an average price of $0.0922 per coin, a position now worth over $7.1 million at current prices.

They explained that the transfer was mainly to consolidate tokens into a public wallet and clarified, “So to those who have been messaging to say, ‘welcome to the ASTER trade’: I opened the trade a week ago!”

Elsewhere, whale 0x5bd cashed out 1.56 million ASTER, amounting to approximately $3.57 million from Bybit. The investor had accumulated 6.718 million coins at an average entry price of around $1.98 and continues to hold 8.26 million tokens valued at about $19 million.

Large holders have gone on an ASTER buying spree over the past 24 hours, with CryptoPotato reporting that whales scooped up more than $48 million worth of the token across multiple purchases.

Meanwhile, ASTER’s rally shows no signs of slowing, with the token climbing more than 270% in the past week. Its momentum has been driven by support from YZi Labs and public endorsements from CZ.

Aster’s Daily Volume Surpasses Hyperliquid’s
Aster is slowly starting to gain ground over Hyperliquid, its largest competitor. Data from DefiLlama also shows that it led in daily perpetual trading volumes, reaching $35.86 billion in the past 24 hours. On the other hand, Hyperliquid reported about $10 billion in the same period.

The project has also recorded a notable rise in open interest in less than a week. CoinGlass data shows that the metric climbed from $3.72 million on Friday to $1.24 billion at the time of writing, an increase of nearly 33,200%.

Open interest is the total number of contracts that remain unsettled and is often used as a measure of liquidity and market confidence. The rise suggests traders are committing more capital to Aster.

Additionally, its total value locked (TVL) has climbed to $2.09 billion, marking a 233% increase from $625 million recorded on Friday.

TL;DR

PEPE’s TD Sequential shows green “A13” and red “9,” often seen before short-term reversals.
Daily triangle pattern holds firm as price consolidates near the lower boundary, keeping support intact.
Over $600K in long positions liquidated, showing traders betting bullish during downtrend weakness.

TD Sequential Flashes Buy Signal
PEPE’s daily chart has triggered two TD Sequential buy signals, according to analyst Ali Martinez. A green “A13” appeared on September 22, followed by a red “9” candle on September 24. Both are widely monitored indicators that traders often associate with a potential pause in selling pressure.

Meanwhile, these signals came after PEPE dropped more than 17% over the last seven days, with the token hitting local lows before recovering slightly to $0.00000969. Martinez remarked,

TD Sequential just flashed two buy signals on $PEPE daily chart! pic.twitter.com/5Ith9GTtCw

— Ali (@ali_charts) September 25, 2025

At the time of writing, PEPE trades at $0.0000094 with a daily turnover of $370 million. The token is down 2% over 24 hours.

Symmetrical Triangle on Daily Chart
Another perspective was shared by analyst Butterfly, who noted PEPE is consolidating within a symmetrical triangle pattern. The price is currently moving near the lower boundary of the formation, which has acted as support on several occasions this year.

Butterfly commented,

“Smart money is loading up. After bulls regain full control, $PEPE has potential to soar toward new highs.”

A breakout above the triangle’s upper line would strengthen bullish expectations, with potential to retest previous swing highs. Until that occurs, PEPE remains in consolidation.

Indicators Point to Exhaustion
On the 4-hour chart, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 31, close to the oversold mark of 30. This level suggests that downward momentum may be stretched, increasing the chance of a relief bounce.

Source: TradingView
The MACD line is slightly below the signal line, with only a narrow gap separating the two. This shows that downward momentum is slowing. A positive crossover would give further evidence of a rebound attempt.

Additionally, futures market data shows long traders absorbed heavier losses than shorts. On September 25, more than $600,000 in long positions were liquidated, compared with $46,000 in shorts. The largest losses were recorded on OKX and Gate.

Source: Coinglass
The imbalance suggests that many traders expected a rebound, which failed to hold. Large liquidations of long positions during a downtrend often reflect overextended bullish bets being cleared from the market. Until leverage resets, conditions may stay volatile.

ETH price today is navigating turbulent conditions after briefly dipping below $4,000. Despite short-term pressures from macroeconomic factors and ETF inflow slowdowns, exchange balances have plunged to nine-year lows, signaling strong accumulation. This dynamic could set the stage for a future supply shock and renewed momentum for ETH crypto.

Macro Factors Weigh on ETH PriceEthereum’s dip below the psychological $4K level was driven by a mix of technical breakdowns, global risk sentiment, and cascading liquidations. While the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points in September, the move failed to spark the expected market-wide rally.

Adding to the cautious mood, Ethereum spot ETFs recorded subdued inflows this month. Net inflows total roughly $110 million so far in September, far below the $3.8 billion seen in August. This contrast highlights how institutional demand has slowed, limiting immediate upside momentum for ETH price USD in the short term.

Exchange Balances Fall to Nine-Year LowsYet, beneath the surface, on-chain signals tell a different story. Ethereum exchange balances have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly a decade, showing a decisive trend toward long-term holding. Millions worth of ETH have been withdrawn from centralized exchanges in recent weeks, reflecting accumulation rather than panic.

For ETH price prediction models, such withdrawals often suggest reduced selling pressure. By prioritizing self-custody and staking, both whales and retail participants are creating conditions that may trigger a supply shock. If demand strengthens while liquidity remains low, the Ethereum price chart could shift into an accelerated uptrend.

Key Levels Flip from Resistance to SupportOn the technical side, ETH price forecast sentiment improved after the asset cleanly retested a critical resistance zone, turning it into new support. Previous attempts at this level had ended in rejection, but the recent breakout marked a stronger market structure shift.

ETHEREUM JUST FLIPPED RESISTANCE INTO SUPPORT.

3 brutal rejections before.
Now? A clean breakout + bullish retest.

Every time a retest comes, panic floods the market.
But that’s exactly when focus pays.$ETH isn’t stalling. It’s loading for liftoff. pic.twitter.com/vSIUiaFJnF

— Merlijn The Trader (@MerlijnTrader) September 25, 2025 Every retest typically sparks short-term panic in ETH crypto markets. However, with support now confirmed, momentum suggests that Ethereum may be consolidating for another leg higher. Traders view this setup as a potential launchpad for ETH price to retest its prior all-time highs if buying pressure persists.

Institutional Confidence and Long-Term OutlookDespite weaker ETF inflows, the overarching accumulation trend shows growing institutional conviction in Ethereum’s long-term prospects. Reduced liquidity on exchanges, combined with staking incentives and capital rotation from stablecoins, strengthens the ETH price forecast. The ETH price today, around $4,014, could be a staging ground for larger moves as supply conditions tighten further.

TL;DR

M2 Capital, the investment arm of UAE-based M2 Holdings, has confirmed a $20 million investment in Ethena’s governance token, ENA.
Ethena manages USDe, a synthetic stablecoin, and sUSDe, a yield-bearing version, with TVL approaching $15 billion.
The deal strengthens M2’s strategy to integrate innovative digital assets into wealth management services across the MENA region, targeting institutional investors and expanding exposure to scalable decentralized finance solutions.

M2 Capital Limited has announced a $20 million commitment to Ethena, adding to its growing portfolio of digital finance ventures. Ethena’s system is built on a two-token structure: USDe, a synthetic dollar backed by crypto collateral and stabilized through delta-neutral hedging, and sUSDe, a version designed to generate yield. According to DeFiLlama data, Ethena’s TVL has exceeded $14 billion, and the protocol has produced more than $666 million in annualized fees, demonstrating its rapid growth and strong adoption.

Kim Wong, Managing Director and Head of Treasury at M2 Holdings, emphasized that this investment will enhance offerings for sophisticated clients in regulated environments. By incorporating Ethena’s model, M2 aims to deliver products that balance security, stability, and attractive returns, which are increasingly in demand among institutional investors in the Middle East. The move reflects M2’s broader strategy to support blockchain-native solutions capable of redefining modern finance.

The announcement also comes as institutional interest in DeFi protocols continues to accelerate. Analysts highlight that M2’s involvement may help Ethena strengthen its credibility with regulators and encourage wider acceptance across traditional finance circles. With cross-border payments and tokenized assets gaining traction in the region, partnerships like this illustrate how digital-native platforms are slowly merging with established investment practices.

Ethena’s Role In Shaping The Next Phase Of Stablecoins
Ethena’s mechanism combines collateralization with hedging to provide USDe, a price-stable synthetic dollar, and sUSDe, a yield-bearing instrument currently offering around 6% APY. This design positions Ethena as a key alternative to traditional fiat-backed stablecoins, although the UAE central bank maintains that only AED-backed stablecoins qualify as legal tender. Nevertheless, the appetite for decentralized solutions across the region is steadily increasing, creating space for protocols like Ethena to thrive.

Conor Ryder, Head of Research at Ethena, stated that stablecoins remain the backbone of the digital asset economy and argued that a crypto-native synthetic dollar could represent the largest opportunity for the industry. M2 Capital’s latest move follows earlier investments in the Sui Foundation and Nasdaq-listed SUI Group Holdings, underscoring its long-term commitment to blockchain infrastructure. With Middle Eastern institutions seeking scalable and regulated solutions, the addition of Ethena reflects a calculated bet on the future of synthetic assets.