Market Signal Briefing

The Polkadot community is advancing a proposal to launch pUSD, a fully collateralized stablecoin backed exclusively by DOT.The stablecoin would allow users to borrow against their holdings, integrate with the Treasury, and potentially replace DOT inflation.The proposal has gained 75.4% support, reflecting strong community backing for a stablecoin viewed as crucial to Polkadot’s DeFi liquidity.The Polkadot community is moving toward launching a native stablecoin, pUSD, backed entirely by its DOT token.

The proposal calls for deploying the DOT-collateralized stablecoin on the Polkadot Asset Hub using the Honzon protocol stack. This is the same framework that previously powered Acala’s failed aUSD stablecoin.

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Polkadot Community Backs pUSD to Reduce Reliance on USDT and USDC
According to the proposal, pUSD is structured as an over-collateralized debt token, allowing users to borrow against their DOT holdings without liquidating them.

PUSD aims to address past shortcomings and provide the network with a fully collateralized, decentralized stablecoin by focusing solely on DOT as collateral.

If approved, it could reduce reliance on external stablecoins like USDT and USDC, while streamlining the OpenGov DOT-USDC/USDT conversion mechanism.

“This would be expected to be the NATIVE stablecoin for Polkadot Asset Hub, reduce/replace dependence on USDT/USDC including OpenGov DOT-USDC/USDT stablecoin conversion process,” the proposal stated.

Polkadot Treasury could also integrate the stablecoin, enabling users to make payments in pUSD instead of DOT. This would eliminate the need for the Treasury to manage separate stablecoin reserves.

Additionally, it could also pave the way for using pUSD for staking rewards, gradually replacing DOT inflation over time.

Meanwhile, Polkadot’s push for a native stablecoin comes at a critical juncture in the development of the blockchain network.

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According to DeFi Llama data, the network hosts less than $100 million in stablecoin assets, a fraction of the liquidity available on Ethereum and Solana.

Polkadot Stablecoin Market Cap. Source: DeFiLlama
This shortage has constrained decentralized finance activity and limited developer experimentation on Polkadot.

Considering this, Gavin Wood, Polkadot’s co-founder, stressed that a fully collateralized decentralized stablecoin is “strategically essential.” He added that it needs to be deployed as soon as possible to unlock the network’s financial potential.

“Polkadot Hub should have a native DOT backed stable coin because people need it and otherwise we will haemorrhage benefits, liquidity and/or security,” Wood said.

Notably, the proposal has already gained significant traction within the community. The governance vote currently shows 75.4% support, inching toward the 85.6% threshold required for approval.

Meanwhile, the push for pUSD also aligns with a broader industry trend of projects launching native stablecoins to enhance liquidity and drive ecosystem growth.

The stablecoin industry, currently dominated by Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC, is projected to reach $4 trillion by 2030.

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Jump Trading's Firedancer team proposed eliminating Solana's fixed compute unit block limits through SIMD-0370, allowing validators to dynamically scale transaction capacity based on hardware performance rather than arbitrary protocol restrictions to create market-driven incentives where block producers continuously upgrade equipment for higher revenues.

The cryptocurrency market came under pressure this week as a wave of selling dragged down major assets. The total global crypto market capitalization fell 2.76% over the past 24 hours, settling at $3.75 trillion.

Key NotesEthereum bulls need to hold above $4,000 for a potential ETH price recovery to the upside.Market experts, including Lark Davis and Michael van de Poppe, highlight that historical trends favor a strong Q4 and Q1 for ETH.Despite volatility, Ethereum whales accumulated 431,018 ETH worth $1.73 billion from major exchanges in the past three days.
Over the past week, Ethereum price has corrected another 10.35%, slipping under the crucial support of $4,000. Big market players and ETH whale entities see this correction as an opportunity to accumulate more. Crypto market experts also believe that the ETH bottom formation could be near, and so a reversal to the upside could follow soon.

Ethereum Price Reversal Ahead As RSI Slips Into Oversold Region
Popular crypto analyst Lark Davis recently noted that Ethereum price has fallen 20% over the past two weeks, pushing its Relative Strength Index (RSI) into the most oversold territory since April. The last time ETH reached such levels, it went on to rally 134% within two months.

The second-largest cryptocurrency has bounced from the $3,800–$3,900 range. Davis noted that this is a key support level that ETH price must hold to maintain a bullish outlook. Market watchers suggest that if broader crypto sentiment improves in the fourth quarter, this oversold signal could pave the way for Ethereum to target the $7,000–$8,000 range.

ETH RSI in oversold territory | Source: TradingView

Furthermore, popular crypto analyst Michael van de Poppe stated that September has been a historically weak month for ETH and the crypto market. However, he still expects a good Q4 ahead, followed by a strong Q1 2026. In a message on X, Poppe wrote:

“The markets always have a correction in September / October. Historically, Q4 and Q1 are a great period for altcoins. September is a terrible month, and that’s what we’ve seen with $ETH, it’s down nearly 10%. Q4 is almost always positive, Q1 is the best quarter in the history”.

As of now, ETH is trading at $4,006. Failing to hold this crucial support could trigger a downside further to $3,600. The MVRV price bands indicate that an ETH price drop to $ 2,750 cannot be ruled out.

ETH Whales Accumulate Over $1.7B from Major Exchanges
Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain reported that large Ethereum whales have accumulated 431,018 ETH, valued at approximately $1.73 billion, over the past three days.

Whales keep accumulating $ETH!

16 wallets have received 431,018 $ETH($1.73B) from #Kraken, #GalaxyDigital, #BitGo, #FalconX and #OKX in the past 3 days.https://t.co/0DPxgZMGN7 https://t.co/xtPLBKo9LZ pic.twitter.com/oEXZKIErmr

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) September 27, 2025

The inflows were distributed across 16 wallets from major platforms, including Kraken, Galaxy Digital, BitGo, FalconX, and OKX. This signals continued accumulation by whales despite recent market volatility.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Cryptocurrency News, Ethereum News, News

Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.

Bhushan Akolkar on X

Sun, 28/09/2025 - 10:34

Binance founder CZ has ended rumors about his role in Aster after DEX token surged 8,000% in week and was hailed as 'next BNB'

Cover image via U.Today

Aster's launch has been one of the most jaw-dropping crypto stories of the year. The decentralized exchange built on BNB Chain has seen daily trading volumes go above $20.8 billion, leaving Hyperliquid behind on $9.7 billion.

Its token, ASTER, shot up by more than 8,000% in just a week since its debut, peaking at $2.30 and pushing its market capitalization past $3.7 billion.

The speed of that move makes it look like Binance founder CZ might have had a hand in it. People are still wondering about the launch, the financing ties through YZi Labs and the sudden appearance of Trust Wallet partnerships. Aster was being called "the next BNB," and some posts even said Changpeng "CZ" Zhao was part of the core team.

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Is Binance and CZ behind Aster?That rumor died down pretty quickly though as Zhao himself made it clear that he isn't running Aster, he is just advising its builders. 

But this didn't really change things much. As long as Binance was involved in some way, even if it was a small part, that was enough to keep the project in the eye of the public.

It's not all about Binance ties as Aster's got market participants hooked with a fresh product feature — hidden orders that let traders make bids and offers without showing them on-chain.

That feature, along with the fee discounts and how well it works with BNB's ecosystem, gave it the kind of reputation that most new DEXes miss out on.

Skeptics say the exchange is washing its volume because it's got a few big wallets holding a lot of the supply. But supporters say that the fact that BNB Chain is backing it, CZ is on the advisory board and it's getting a lot of traction shows why people already think of Aster as the next big thing.

Related articles

“I think we're on the tail end of gradually, and we're at the beginning phases of suddenly,” Mow told host Danny Knowles.

Ted Hisokawa
Sep 28, 2025 09:28

ONDO trades at $0.87, down 1.07% in 24 hours, as technical indicators signal oversold conditions with RSI at 37.50 and price approaching lower Bollinger Band support.

Quick Take
• ONDO currently trading at $0.87 (-1.07% in 24h)
• ONDO RSI at 37.50 suggests oversold conditions approaching
• Price testing critical support near $0.86 with bearish MACD momentum

What's Driving Ondo Price Today?
The ONDO price action today reflects broader market uncertainty, with no significant news events emerging in the past week to provide clear directional catalysts. This absence of major announcements has left ONDO vulnerable to technical trading patterns and broader cryptocurrency market sentiment.

The current price decline of 1.07% places ONDO within its 24-hour trading range of $0.87 to $0.89, suggesting consolidation rather than panic selling. Trading volume on Binance spot market reached $9.84 million over the past 24 hours, indicating moderate but not exceptional interest in the ONDO/USDT pair.

Without fresh fundamental catalysts, traders are focusing primarily on technical levels and momentum indicators to guide their ONDO positioning decisions.

ONDO Technical Analysis: Mixed Signals With Oversold Momentum
Ondo technical analysis reveals a complex picture with both bearish momentum and potential oversold bounce conditions. ONDO's RSI currently sits at 37.50, approaching the traditional oversold threshold of 30, which often signals potential reversal opportunities for contrarian traders.

The MACD indicator presents a more concerning picture for ONDO bulls, with the main line at -0.0240 and signal line at -0.0053, creating a bearish histogram reading of -0.0187. This bearish momentum suggests that selling pressure remains intact despite the approaching oversold conditions.

Ondo's Stochastic oscillator shows extreme readings with %K at 6.44 and %D at 10.91, both well below the 20 level that typically indicates oversold conditions. These readings suggest ONDO could be due for a technical bounce, though the timing remains uncertain.

The moving average structure tells a tale of weakening momentum, with ONDO price at $0.87 trading below all major moving averages. Ondo's SMA 7 at $0.90, SMA 20 at $0.99, and SMA 50 at $0.97 all present resistance levels that bulls must reclaim to shift the technical narrative.

Ondo Price Levels: Key Support and Resistance
Based on Binance spot market data, Ondo support levels are critically important at current price levels. The immediate ONDO support sits at $0.86, which aligns closely with the strong support level and represents a crucial floor for the token.

ONDO's position within the Bollinger Bands provides additional context, with the current price near the lower band at $0.84. The %B position of 0.1062 indicates ONDO is trading in the lower 10% of its recent range, suggesting either oversold conditions or the beginning of a more significant downtrend.

Ondo resistance levels present significant challenges for any recovery attempt. The immediate and strong resistance both converge at $1.14, which also represents ONDO's 52-week high. This level represents a 31% upside from current prices but would require substantial momentum to reach.

The middle Bollinger Band at $0.99 serves as an intermediate resistance target, coinciding with Ondo's SMA 20. A move above this level would suggest the current bearish momentum is losing steam.

Should You Buy ONDO Now? Risk-Reward Analysis
For aggressive traders, the current ONDO price presents an interesting risk-reward setup. The proximity to support at $0.86 provides a relatively tight stop-loss level, limiting downside risk to approximately 1.1% from current levels. However, the bearish MACD momentum suggests patience may be rewarded with better entry opportunities.

Conservative investors should wait for confirmation of support holding and preferably see ONDO's RSI begin to turn higher from current levels around 37.50. A break below the $0.86 support could trigger further selling toward the 52-week low of $0.67, representing a potential 23% decline.

Swing traders might consider a scaled approach, buying small positions near current levels while reserving additional capital for potential lower prices. The daily ATR of $0.05 suggests ONDO typically moves about 5.7% daily, providing opportunities for active traders.

The overall bullish trend designation suggests that any weakness could represent a buying opportunity for long-term holders, though timing remains crucial given the current technical setup.

Conclusion
ONDO price faces a critical juncture at $0.87, with technical indicators presenting mixed signals that require careful navigation. While ONDO RSI suggests oversold conditions may lead to a bounce, the bearish MACD momentum warns against premature optimism. Traders should watch the $0.86 support level closely over the next 24-48 hours, as a break could accelerate selling pressure. Conversely, a hold above support combined with improving momentum indicators could set up ONDO for a test of resistance near $0.99.

Image source: Shutterstock

ondo price analysis
ondo price prediction

Timothy Morano
Sep 28, 2025 09:34

CAKE price retreats to $2.55 (-1.16%) as profit-taking follows recent surge driven by PancakeSwap's record $58.7B trading volume and supply reduction proposal.

Quick Take
• CAKE currently trading at $2.55 (-1.16% in 24h)
• PancakeSwap's RSI sits at 46.58, indicating neutral momentum with bearish MACD divergence
• Record $58.7 billion trading volume milestone drove recent 8% rally before current pullback

What's Driving PancakeSwap Price Today?
The current CAKE price decline represents a natural consolidation following significant gains earlier this month. PancakeSwap experienced a remarkable surge on September 20th when CAKE price broke above $2.75, reaching $2.79 after the platform announced record-breaking trading volumes.

The primary catalyst behind the recent rally was PancakeSwap's announcement of achieving $58.7 billion in trading volume during August 2025, marking a historic milestone for the decentralized exchange. This achievement initially sparked an 8% price increase as investors recognized the platform's growing market dominance in the DEX space.

Adding fuel to the bullish sentiment, the PancakeSwap community proposed reducing the total CAKE token supply to 450 million tokens, a deflationary measure that typically supports long-term price appreciation. However, today's 1.16% decline suggests traders are taking profits after the recent gains, with CAKE price now testing crucial support levels.

CAKE Technical Analysis: Mixed Signals Emerge
PancakeSwap technical analysis reveals a complex picture with both bullish and bearish indicators present. CAKE's RSI currently reads 46.58, positioning the token in neutral territory rather than oversold or overbought conditions. This suggests that while selling pressure exists, CAKE hasn't reached deeply oversold levels that might attract aggressive buying.

The MACD indicator presents a more concerning signal for short-term traders. PancakeSwap's MACD histogram shows -0.0159, indicating bearish momentum is building despite the overall bullish trend. The MACD line at 0.0196 remains below the signal line at 0.0355, suggesting that downward pressure may continue in the near term.

Moving averages paint a mixed picture for CAKE price action. The token trades below its 7-day SMA at $2.65 and 20-day SMA at $2.64, indicating short-term weakness. However, PancakeSwap remains well above its 200-day SMA at $2.37, confirming the longer-term bullish structure remains intact.

The Bollinger Bands analysis shows CAKE trading in the lower portion of the bands, with a %B position of 0.3524. This suggests PancakeSwap has room to move higher toward the upper band at $2.94 if buying pressure returns.

PancakeSwap Price Levels: Key Support and Resistance
Critical PancakeSwap support levels emerge at $2.40 for immediate support and $2.33 for strong support. The current CAKE price at $2.55 sits precariously between these levels and the pivot point at $2.58. A break below $2.40 could trigger additional selling toward the strong support zone.

On the upside, CAKE resistance appears formidable at $3.15, which represents both immediate and strong resistance levels. This confluence suggests that any meaningful recovery attempt will face significant selling pressure near these levels. The 52-week high of $3.09 reinforces this resistance zone's importance.

For CAKE/USDT traders, the daily ATR of $0.15 indicates moderate volatility, providing opportunities for both swing and day trading strategies. The 24-hour trading range between $2.55 and $2.64 demonstrates the current consolidation pattern.

Should You Buy CAKE Now? Risk-Reward Analysis
Based on Binance spot market data, different trading approaches suit various risk tolerances. Conservative investors might wait for CAKE price to find clear support above $2.40 before considering entries, as this would indicate the recent selling pressure has stabilized.

Aggressive traders could consider the current levels attractive, given PancakeSwap's strong fundamental backdrop with record trading volumes. However, risk management becomes crucial with stop-losses placed below $2.33 to limit potential downside.

The risk-reward profile appears favorable for longer-term holders, as PancakeSwap's growing market share and potential supply reduction create positive fundamental drivers. Short-term traders should monitor the CAKE RSI for oversold readings below 30, which could signal tactical buying opportunities.

Swing traders might focus on the gap between current levels and the Bollinger Band upper limit at $2.94, representing approximately 15% upside potential if bullish momentum returns.

Conclusion
CAKE price faces a critical juncture at $2.55 as the token digests recent gains from the record trading volume announcement. While PancakeSwap technical analysis shows mixed signals, the fundamental strength from achieving $58.7 billion in monthly volume provides underlying support. Traders should monitor the $2.40 support level closely over the next 24-48 hours, as a decisive break could trigger further selling toward $2.33. Conversely, a bounce from current levels with improving RSI momentum could target the $2.94 resistance zone.

Image source: Shutterstock

cake price analysis
cake price prediction

Darius Baruo
Sep 28, 2025 09:40

ICP price drops to $4.15 (-0.72%) with bearish momentum building. Critical support at $4.00 now being tested as technical indicators flash warning signs.

Quick Take
• ICP currently trading at $4.15 (-0.72% in 24h)
• Internet Computer's RSI at 33 signals oversold conditions approaching
• No major news catalysts driving current price action
• Bears testing critical $4.00 support level

What's Driving Internet Computer Price Today?
The ICP price movement today appears to be driven primarily by technical factors rather than fundamental news, as no significant developments have emerged in the past week. This lack of positive catalysts has allowed bearish sentiment to persist, with sellers continuing to pressure Internet Computer below key moving averages.

The absence of fresh bullish news has left ICP vulnerable to broader market sentiment and technical selling pressure. Trading volume of $5.22 million on Binance spot markets suggests moderate interest, but not enough buying pressure to reverse the current downtrend.

ICP Technical Analysis: Bearish Signals Emerge
Internet Computer technical analysis reveals concerning signals across multiple timeframes. The ICP RSI reading of 33 indicates the asset is approaching oversold territory, though it hasn't yet reached the extreme oversold level of 30 that often signals a potential bounce.

Internet Computer's MACD indicator shows bearish momentum with a reading of -0.2179, while the MACD histogram at -0.0483 confirms that selling pressure remains intact. The Stochastic oscillator provides additional confirmation of bearish conditions, with the %K at 15.49 sitting well below the 20 level.

Moving averages paint a clear picture of Internet Computer's weakness. The ICP price currently trades below all major moving averages, including the 7-day SMA at $4.23, 20-day SMA at $4.63, and the critical 200-day SMA at $5.19. This configuration typically indicates a strong bearish trend.

The Bollinger Bands analysis shows ICP positioned at just 0.1176 of the band width, placing it very close to the lower band at $4.00. This proximity to the lower band suggests Internet Computer is experiencing significant selling pressure.

Internet Computer Price Levels: Key Support and Resistance
Based on Binance spot market data, Internet Computer support levels are critically important right now. The immediate support at $4.00 aligns perfectly with both the Bollinger Band lower boundary and the strong support level, making this a crucial zone for ICP bulls to defend.

If the $4.00 level fails to hold, Internet Computer could face a deeper correction toward the 52-week low of $4.09, which sits dangerously close to current levels. This proximity to annual lows adds extra significance to the current support test.

On the upside, ICP resistance begins at the immediate level of $5.16, followed by stronger resistance at $6.08. However, given the current bearish momentum, these levels appear distant targets for any near-term recovery attempt.

The Internet Computer pivot point at $4.17 sits just above current levels, suggesting that any bounce would need to reclaim this area to shift the short-term bias from bearish to neutral.

Should You Buy ICP Now? Risk-Reward Analysis
For aggressive traders, the approaching oversold conditions in Internet Computer's RSI could present a short-term bounce opportunity, particularly if the $4.00 support holds. However, the risk-reward ratio heavily favors waiting for clearer signs of a reversal.

Conservative investors should avoid Internet Computer until it can reclaim key moving averages, particularly the 20-day SMA at $4.63. The overall weak bullish trend classification doesn't provide sufficient confidence for long-term positioning at current levels.

Day traders might consider the ICP/USDT pair for potential bounces off the $4.00 support, but should maintain tight stop-losses given the proximity to 52-week lows. The daily ATR of $0.21 provides guidance for position sizing and stop-loss placement.

Swing traders should monitor whether Internet Computer can hold above $4.00 and begin to show signs of accumulation. A break below this level would likely trigger additional selling pressure and extend the correction.

Conclusion
The ICP price faces a critical juncture at $4.00 support, with bearish technical indicators suggesting further downside risk if this level fails. While the approaching oversold conditions in Internet Computer's RSI might attract some buying interest, the overall technical picture remains challenging for bulls. Traders should watch closely for any signs of stabilization above $4.00 over the next 24-48 hours, as a break below could accelerate selling toward new lows.

Image source: Shutterstock

icp price analysis
icp price prediction

Historically, Bitcoin has performed best in the final quarter of the year.

For the year, Bitcoin (BTC 0.21%) is only up 20%. However, Bitcoin historically performs best in the final quarter of the year.

In 3 of the past 12 years, Bitcoin has more than doubled in value in Q4. And that means Bitcoin -- currently trading around the $112,000 mark -- legitimately has a chance of breaking through the $200,000 price level in 2025.

Obviously, a lot has to go right for Bitcoin for this to happen. But several key catalysts are starting to appear that could send Bitcoin higher. So can Bitcoin do it again, and finish the year with a flourish?

Image source: Getty Images.

The historical evidence
Taking a big picture view of Bitcoin's quarterly performance in the period from 2013 to 2025, the final quarter of the year is when Bitcoin typically posts its best performance. Over the past 12 years, Bitcoin has delivered an average return of 85% in Q4.

No, that's not a typo. Bitcoin has the potential to almost double in value in a span of just three months. That could be why Tom Lee of Fundstrat is still calling for Bitcoin to hit a price of $200,000 by the end of the year. And why online prediction markets are still giving Bitcoin a 5% chance of hitting $200,000 in 2025, despite a lackluster Q3.

The historical evidence from Bitcoin is too good to ignore. In 2024, Bitcoin soared by 48% and in 2023, Bitcoin soared by 57% in the final quarter of the year. In both cases, Bitcoin went on to post triple-digit returns and become the top-performing asset in the world.

And wait, it gets even better. In 2020, Bitcoin soared by 168% in the final quarter of the year. In 2017, Bitcoin skyrocketed by 215% in Q4. And in 2013, Bitcoin went absolutely parabolic, soaring by 480%.

Of course, the standard caveat applies here: past performance is no guarantee of future performance. And that's doubly true for a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, given its historic volatility. That being said, there's certainly enough evidence in the historical record to give Bitcoin maximalists confidence heading into the final months of 2025.

Potential catalysts
The good news is that two new catalysts are starting to appear on the horizon for Bitcoin. One of these is monetary easing from the Federal Reserve. Historically, rate cuts have been good for crypto, and especially for Bitcoin. These rate cuts encourage investors to move into riskier and more volatile assets, and that definitely includes Bitcoin.

It remains to be seen, however, how long and steep the rate cuts are going to be. The Fed has a dual mandate to keep the economy growing while simultaneously keeping inflation in check. So that might limit how deep these rate cuts are really going to be.

In fact, in the week after the first Fed rate cut in September, Bitcoin actually lost value. That's not a good sign.

Another potential catalyst is ramped up buying of Bitcoin by sovereign governments around the world. The United States, by announcing the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve back in March, has now paved the way for other nations to embrace Bitcoin. The thinking is that sustained buying of Bitcoin by sovereign governments could give a major lift to its price.

In August, United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that new buying of Bitcoin for the strategic reserve will not occur until 2026 at the earliest. But that doesn't prevent other nations from launching Strategic Bitcoin Reserves of their own. As of September 2025, a handful of nations have either officially announced the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve or have unveiled public plans to buy and hold Bitcoin as a strategic asset.

Can Bitcoin turn in a repeat performance?
Admittedly, there's no good reason why Bitcoin should perform so well in the final quarter of the year. In other words, this seasonality factor could simply be an artifact of the data. And it's not like Bitcoin always performs well in the final quarter of the year. In 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022, Bitcoin turned in double-digit losses.

That being said, the level of interest being shown in Bitcoin by sovereign nations right now is simply unprecedented. If they decide to go on a Bitcoin buying spree by the end of the year, it could be off to the races for the world's most popular cryptocurrency once again.

Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

TLDR:

Ethereum has dropped 20% in two weeks, testing the $3,800–$3,900 support zone.
ETH RSI is at its lowest since April, when it rallied 134% within two months.
Over 2.1M ETH are queued for withdrawal with a 37-day average wait time.
198k ETH remain in line to stake, suggesting ongoing network participation despite low yields.

Ethereum has had one of its toughest two-week stretches this quarter. Its price slid 20%, wiping out weeks of slow gains. Yet some traders see this as a window rather than a warning. 

The oversold RSI level is flashing a setup not seen since April. Staking withdrawals are also piling up, raising questions about ETH supply. The next few weeks could decide whether Ethereum holds its $3,800 line or breaks lower.

Ethereum Price and RSI Signal
Crypto analyst Lark Davis pointed out Ethereum’s RSI has dropped into oversold territory, its lowest level since April. Back then, ETH rallied more than 100% in the following two months. Traders now watch for a repeat if the market turns bullish into Q4.

Ethereum has dropped 20% in two weeks$ETH RSI is in its most oversold territory since the April lows.

The last time $ETH was this oversold, it rallied 134% in two months.

It has bounced nicely off the $3,800-$3,900 level, which if it wants to remain bullish, must hold this… pic.twitter.com/1L3AAjBZGm

— Lark Davis (@TheCryptoLark) September 27, 2025

CoinGecko data shows ETH trading at $4,005, up 0.33% in the last 24 hours but still down over 10% in a week. The $3,800 to $3,900 range has acted as a key support zone over recent sessions. Holding this level is seen as critical for any recovery attempt.

RSI readings this low often attract buyers looking for discounted entries. The timing aligns with growing speculation that crypto markets may see a shift in sentiment later this year.

Staking Queue Hits 2.1 Million ETH
On-chain data shows a mounting queue of ETH waiting to exit staking. MartyParty highlighted that 2.15 million ETH are currently lined up to withdraw. He also warned of low yields on older staking protocols and the risk of long wait times.

Ethereum staking queue. Remember to unstake Ethereum requires waiting in a queue for months. Here is the queue today. 2.15m $ETH waiting to exit 198k waiting to enter. See for yourselves->https://t.co/yk8vFmexTh

Beware of staking on older protocols like Ethereum and Cardano,… pic.twitter.com/I1w40AnXLY

— MartyParty (@martypartymusic) September 27, 2025

Crypto Patel updated that the average wait to unstake is now 37 days. This backlog locks up billions in ETH that will eventually hit the market once processed. Some traders believe this temporary supply restriction could ease sell pressure in the near term.

At the same time, nearly 198,000 ETH still wait to enter staking, reflecting continued participation despite low rewards. The balance between staking inflows and withdrawals could influence ETH liquidity heading into Q4.

Crypto investors are hoping that XRP can regain its mojo in the final months of 2025.

XRP (XRP 0.43%) has already displayed its explosive upside potential during the past 12 months. In the period from November 2024 to January 2025, XRP -- the crypto token created by Ripple Labs back in 2012 -- skyrocketed by a head-spinning 580%. Then, this summer, it nearly doubled in value, from $2 to $3.65, in a span of mere weeks.

But here's the problem: Ripple (XRP) is once again languishing under the $3 mark, and is now in the red during the past 30 days. Can the world's fourth-largest cryptocurrency regain its mojo in 2025, or is it time to look elsewhere for other high-octane alternatives?

Image source: Getty Images.

Hype vs. reality for Ripple (XRP)
From my perspective, the biggest problem with XRP is that it has failed to live up to its advance billing. Nearly every quarter, there's some amazing new catalyst that is supposed to send the price of XRP soaring to the moon.

This year, for example, there has been considerable discussion about the XRP-powered blockchain (known as the XRP Ledger) eventually replacing or integrating with the incumbent SWIFT payment network for cross-border bank transfers. According to this line of thinking, SWIFT is running on 50-year-old technology that's slow, clunky, and badly in need of a replacement. In contrast, XRP offers near real-time settlement of payments, and is considerably cheaper.

In theory, if the XRP Ledger captures even a tiny fraction of the cross-border payment market, it could result in the value of XRP soaring. After all, the SWIFT network sees nearly $150 trillion in transaction volume each year. Earlier this year, Ripple executives suggested that the XRP Ledger might capture as much as 14% of this market within the next five years, or roughly $21 trillion in transaction volume.

That's the hype. The reality is that stablecoins are arguably much better and much more efficient than XRP at accomplishing the same task. After all, XRP is really just a bridge currency. It's a currency that banking institutions use to convert from one currency to another. So there's always a certain amount of exchange risk when using XRP, given that its value can swing wildly. Banks don't have the same problem with stablecoins, which are pegged 1-to-1 to the U.S. dollar, and are designed to preserve their value.

What is XRP's true upside potential?
Unfortunately, all the hype and buzz surrounding XRP makes it difficult to forecast its true upside potential. It's not uncommon to see price estimates for XRP that project it becoming a $10 token within the next few years.

For example, earlier this year, Standard Chartered unveiled its three-year price forecast for XRP. The bank sees XRP rising to $12.50 by the end of 2028. However, if you dig deep into the numbers, it's easy to spot a few flaws.

Most importantly, Standard Chartered thinks XRP is going to hit a price of $5.50 by the end of this year. Given its current price of about $2.80, that implies a near-doubling in value within a period of three months. Moreover, it assumes that XRP will trade higher than $4 -- something that it has never done in its 13-year history.

Don't ignore XRP's coin supply
Keep in mind, too, that XRP's enormous coin supply is driving much of its current market cap. The current circulating supply of XRP is 60 billion coins. Thus, even if the price of XRP fell to $0.50 (which is where it was trading back in November 2024), it would still rank among the top 10 cryptocurrencies, with a market cap of $30 billion.

Simply put, XRP's coin supply of 60 billion leads to a vastly inflated market cap that could be misleading for investors. By way of comparison, the total lifetime supply of Bitcoin (BTC 0.20%) is capped at just 21 million coins, and the current supply of Ethereum (ETH 0.40%) is just 120 million.

Of even more concern, Ripple insiders control an estimated 40% of the coin supply. That's an extreme concentration of ownership for a digital asset that is supposed to be decentralized. Any selling by these insiders could tank XRP's price, as we saw earlier this summer, when a single Ripple insider dumped 50 million XRP.

Time to buy XRP?
For these reasons, I'm extremely hesitant to buy XRP right now. Instead, I'm looking elsewhere for high-potential alternatives. There are plenty of bargain-basement cryptos priced for less than $5, and some of them -- such as Sui (SUI -1.77%) -- arguably have even more upside potential than XRP right now.

Although XRP may have plenty of upside potential over the long haul, it's hard to see XRP going on another epic rally during the final three months of the year. As long as Bitcoin remains mired in a slump, making it unlikely the entire sector heads higher, the breakout potential of XRP probably is limited.

Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Sui, and XRP. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, Sui, and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

11h10 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Luc Jose A.

As euphoria fades more and more in the crypto market, Pi Network, already controversial, has just brushed a new historic low. Officially, the global context is to blame. However, technical signals paint an even darker picture: absence of rebound, low volume, indicators in the red. Doubt is setting in. Is Pi Network losing control of its trajectory?

In brief

The PI token of Pi Network has just brushed a new historic low, increasing doubts about its market dynamic.
Several technical indicators (ATR, EMA 20) point to a possible break of support and a risk of further decline.
The analysis reveals a marked weakness in volatility and an absence of a clear bullish rebound.
The decline in trader participation and the absence of capital inflow worsen the situation.

A bearish dynamic confirmed by indicators
Since September 22, the PI token has stagnated after reaching a historic low at $0.1842, despite the launch of the V23 update. It now oscillates between support at $0.2565 and resistance at $0.2917, without managing to start any significant rebound.

This situation illustrates the market’s inability to generate rebound momentum, despite a historically low level.

Several technical indicators reinforce this bearish scenario :

The Average True Range (ATR) is falling : since September 23, this key volatility indicator has been continuously dropping, reaching 0.0234. This trend reflects a gradual weakening of momentum.

The PI crypto remains below its 20-day exponential moving average (EMA 20) : situated at $0.3185, this moving average acts as a technical resistance. This configuration confirms this bearish outlook.

No bullish recovery detected : the price’s inability to break through resistance suggests a takeover by sellers and raises fears of an imminent break of support at $0.2565.

These signals converge towards a scenario where the crypto price could break its current support and head again towards its historic floor. The market shows few positive signs, and technical analysis currently shows no clear bullish build-up.

A free-fall participation and absence of catalyst
Beyond the on-chain data related to the price, it is the behavioral indicators of market participants that add to the concern. Indeed, there is a notable decrease in trader participation on the spot market, reflecting growing disinterest.

This decline reveals the gradual disengagement of traders on the spot market and the absence of inflow of new capital into the token. It is therefore not only a temporary technical weakness but a clear withdrawal of liquidity and confidence in the asset.

This withdrawal is also expressed by the absence of a visible catalyst likely to reverse the trend. As long as Pi Network does not break the $0.2919 threshold, the probability of a reversal remains low.

A breakthrough of this level could mark the beginning of a recovery attempt, pushing the PI price above its 20-day moving average. However, in the absence of a resurgence of bullish sentiment, the most likely scenario remains a return of the price to the historic low, or even an extension of the decline if the current support gives way.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019.
Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

As Bitcoin adoption grows, more companies seek additional methods of raising funds to acquire the leading digital asset. Most have turned to Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) programs; however, these moves have backfired on their shares.

A report from the market analysis platform CryptoQuant revealed that the shares of most Bitcoin treasury entities that raised capital through PIPE programs have plummeted significantly. Worse still, others face the risk of further decline.

BTC Firms Turn to Private Fundraises
In PIPE offerings, publicly traded companies sell newly issued shares to a group of institutional or accredited investors. These programs are separate from their public offerings. They are characterized by features such as faster financing for the company and shares at a lower-than-market price for investors. PIPE investors also have the option to sell their shares after filing a resale registration.

Companies often offer PIPEs to quickly raise capital for buying BTC during bullish market conditions. Unlike public offerings and traditional financing methods, PIPEs are flexible and usually signal strategic intent to investors.

“Several Bitcoin Treasury Companies have opted to fund their Bitcoin purchases using a PIPE. Bitcoin Treasury Companies often need large blocks of capital quickly to front-run expected BTC rallies, announce large BTC purchases to rebrand their equity narrative or start their treasury strategy, and to continue to expand their total Bitcoin holdings,” CryptoQuant stated.

Although one of the few viable options for Bitcoin treasury firms, PIPEs can negatively impact a company’s stock performance. The offerings usually increase the number of shares in circulation, thereby diluting existing shareholders. In situations like these, selling pressure from PIPE investors creates a supply overhang that pulls down the stock price.

PIPE Shares Fall 97%
The share prices of most Bitcoin treasury companies that raised capital through PIPE have fallen toward their PIPE issuance levels. The declines range from 42% to 97%. Stocks still trading above their PIPE offering prices face declines of up to 50%.

Companies like Kindly MD (NAKA) have watched their stock plummet by 97% after their PIPE raise. NAKA declined over 50% in a single day after PIPE shares were unlocked for trading. Others, such as Empery Digital (EMPD) and Sequans Communications (SQNS), are already trading below their PIPE issuance price.

Additionally, entities like Strive (ASST) and Cantor Equity Partners (CEP) face downside risk, with their shares trading above their PIPE prices. They could still fall at least 50% before hitting the PIPE issuance levels.

CryptoQuant says only a sustained BTC rally will prevent the continuation of this trend.

It makes sense to buy the chain that's a hub for value-generating activity.

Owning a crowded mall filled with window shoppers is nice, but owning a crowded mall where people are actually buying stuff is a proper moneymaking business, and in crypto, this premise is no different. Lots of wallet addresses flit tokens around blockchains each day, but only some of those users generate revenue for a chain's projects.

And that's what brings us to Solana (SOL 0.07%) today. Its user base is both big, and, per one critical signal, economically active. So if you're trying to decide where to put your next $1,500 investment, this is the kind of signal you want to see. Let's hop in and understand what's going on.

Image source: Getty Images.

This metric is more than buzz
Cryptocurrency networks with smart contract functionality, like Solana, have ecosystems of applications that users and investors can use.

The number of active users of the ecosystem is thus an important metric, tallying the unique wallet addresses that made a transaction, generating revenue for an application on a chain. Importantly, we're talking about revenue as something distinct from a chain's gas (user) fees or other fees it charges users to conduct any action; while those network fees might accrue to the network or get burned, in this context revenue is income for a third party that's offering a product or service using the chain as a venue. In other words, this metric filters for users who actually paid for something that a project could book as sales if it filed a financial statement.

On this yardstick, Solana is in excellent shape. During the 30-day period ended Sept. 24, the chain recorded roughly 27.1 million monthly ecosystem active users. In comparison, Ethereum's monthly ecosystem active users were just 1.9 million in the same period despite the chain's market cap being $475 billion, more than four times Solana's. It thus looks like Solana has the upper hand against its biggest competitor at the moment.

But why does this distinction matter for investors?

Because revenue-generating usage tends to correlate with durable demand for block space, network fees, and the overall stickiness of an ecosystem's projects relative to the capital it recruits. And Solana's fees and application revenue point to exactly that, as its chain-level fees generated and its decentralized application (dApp) revenue consistently rank among the highest in the crypto sector, which signals real economic activity rather than empty motion. The more users and capital there are, the more developers will be incentivized to create more projects for them to use, and that attracts even more of them. Plus, every new bit of utilization of the chain means higher demand for the native token (in this case, Solana itself), which is necessary to pay network fees.

So this is a very bullish signal for Solana, and it's pointing to the coin being a screaming buy.

How to turn this big green flag into an investment plan
So, how should you approach a $1,500 investment in this coin?

First, understand why you're doing what you're doing by articulating an investment thesis. From my perspective, the buy thesis here is that Solana has more economically active users today, which sets it up for more fee capture and app growth tomorrow. That, in turn, will attract more developers and capital, hopefully prompting the arrival of more users with more money to spend.

Next, be sober about risk. Solana has had outages and congestion episodes that frustrated users in the past. Those appear to be resolved, but it could (temporarily) become a victim of its own success if the influx of new users is too big.

There is also a significant competitive risk, which is much more important to know about. Ethereum still anchors the largest developer economy and it's winning a lot of support from financial institutions, even if its active monthly user count today is lower per this particular metric. The momentum that's benefiting Solana today could potentially operate in the opposite direction if a competitor like Ethereum can make its platform look more attractive.

Finally, it's best to set your expectations cautiously. Assuming that Solana continues to convert unusually large numbers of active users into durable application revenue and developer traction, the long-term setup is favorable. But the coin could still be volatile or even go down a lot in the short term, and macroeconomic factors can have a strong impact on its performance.

Plan to dollar-cost average (DCA) into your position across a few weeks, keep a multiyear investing horizon in mind, and make sure to keep tabs on the chain's usage statistics because they're a big part of what holds the entire thesis together.

Alex Carchidi has positions in Ethereum and Solana. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum and Solana. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Following a painful and volatile trading week, in which BTC saw its price tumble by over six grand, the cryptocurrency has finally calmed over the weekend, around $109,500.

Most larger-cap alts have produced little to no volatility since yesterday, but some of the smaller caps have gone on a tear.

BTC Calms at $109.5K
It was just over a week ago when the primary digital asset challenged the $118,000 resistance, only to fail and begin a more profound and violent correction. At first, the asset was driven south to $115,500 during the previous weekend before the bears took complete control of the market on Monday.

The first leg down pushed bitcoin to a 10-day low of $112,000 in what appeared to be a flash crash. It quickly bounced off to $114,000, but the bears didn’t let go and kept the pressure on. As a result, BTC slumped to a three-week low of under $109,000 as the week progressed.

After losing over $6,000 from Monday to Thursday, bitcoin finally calmed. It even jumped past $110,000 briefly on Friday, but to no avail, and was pushed south to $109,500, where it has been positioned for most of the weekend.

Its market cap continues to struggle at $2.180 trillion, while its dominance over the alts is up to 56.5% on CG.

BTCUSD. Source: TradingView
MYX on a Roll
Most larger-cap alts have produced minor moves over the past day, but are deep in the red weekly. For instance, ETH has slumped by double digits and struggles at $4,000, which is a crucial support level that could determine the asset’s next move.

Further notable losses come from the likes of SOL, DOGE, ADA, HYPE, LINK, and AVAX, all of which have dumped by double digits.

On a daily scale, HASH and MYX stand in a league of their own, with gains of 24% and 11%, respectively.

The total crypto market cap has remained sideways at around $3.850 trillion after losing $300 billion weekly.

Cryptocurrency Market Overview. Source: QuantifyCrypto

Cover image via U.Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

The run is over. Bitcoin spot ETFs saw huge net outflows of $903 million at the end of the trading week of Sept. 22-26, following four weeks of net inflows. Weeks of consistent accumulation are erased by the reversal, which also indicates a change in investor sentiment, as the cryptocurrency market is impacted by profit-taking and macro pressures.

Everyone takes hitIt was not just Bitcoin that was hurting. With all nine funds reporting redemptions for the week, Ethereum spot ETFs also saw significant outflows of $796 million. After months of resiliency, this coordinated withdrawal from the two top digital assets points to a general cooling in institutional crypto products, indicating that risk appetite is waning.

BTC/USDT Chart by TradingViewIn terms of price, Bitcoin lost traction with its short-term moving averages and traded close to $109,000. The next important support zone is the 200-day EMA, which is around $106,200. The breakdown below the 100-day EMA, which is around $112,800, confirmed weakness. Bitcoin’s long-term defense line has historically been the 200 EMA, whether bulls can hold it will determine how much deeper the correction gets.

HOT Stories

ETFs bleedingETF and on-chain data now present a cautious picture. The weekly ETF flows chart reveals the biggest withdrawal in months, where billions of net assets have been lost. While weekly net inflows fell to almost -$903 million, total net assets across Bitcoin ETFs fell to $143 billion. Bitcoin volumes surged during the decline, and such sharp withdrawals frequently result in selling pressure on the spot market.

With $796 million leaving ETFs in a single week, Ethereum’s story is similar to Bitcoin’s decline. The coordinated withdrawal from both assets shows that institutional players are removing their entire, at least temporarily, exposure to cryptocurrency rather than just moving their money around.

The stability of Bitcoin above $106,000 to $108,000 will be critical in the future. Losses could reach the psychological threshold of $100,000 if this zone is not maintained. Even after weeks of consistent institutional accumulation, the most recent ETF outflow data demonstrates how quickly sentiment can shift, even though long-term fundamentals are still sound.

Over the last week, XRP slipped below the psychological $3 support level as it lost about 7.02% of its price value. Since then, the altcoin has maintained a steady price consolidation around the $2.78-$2.79 region, without retesting the newly formed resistance level. Meanwhile, recent on-chain data has provided some cautionary market insights, highlighting a key support zone.

XRP Bulls Must Avoid Crash Below $2.73 – Here’s Why
In an X post on September 27, crypto analyst Ali Martinez revealed the existence of a price gap sitting between the $2.73 and $2.51 price levels.  Central to Martinez’s revelation is the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) metric, which specifies how much XRP was last transacted at different price levels, but in relation to its all-time high. 

Source: @ali_charts on X
As an extension of its primary function, the indicator quantifies trading activity across different price levels, therefore highlighting potential support and resistance zones. According to the chart shared by Martinez, there is considerable trading activity across several XRP’s price zones. However, there is a price range closest to its current value at $2.78, within which there has been very little trading activity.

This price range, set between $2.51 and $2.73, comprises relatively less market activity, creating what Martinez describes as a price gap, where little support or resistance exists. The higher boundary of the price gap is at the $2.73 level, where about 1.60 billion XRP were transacted. A fall below this price floor would likely result in a straight decline towards $2.51, as any little support lies between both price regions.  Notably, XRP last touched $2.51 in July.

XRP Price Outlook
As of this writing, XRP is valued at about $2.78 despite a modest 0.78% gain in the last day. Meanwhile, the altcoin’s daily trading volume is down by 58.95% and valued at $3.02 billion.

According to CoinCodex, XRP is currently facing bearish sentiment, with traders showing caution amid subdued market conditions. Meanwhile, the Fear and Greed Index sits at 33, signaling fear and a lack of strong buying momentum. Over the past 30 trading sessions, XRP has recorded 13 red days, underscoring the weakness in recent performance

Despite this, price predictions suggest little volatility ahead, with no significant change expected in the next five days or over the coming month. This indicates that XRP may remain range-bound as investors await clearer market signals or catalysts. With sentiment leaning negative, short-term traders may exercise caution, while long-term holders continue to monitor for potential shifts in broader crypto market dynamics.

XRP trading at $2.7869 on the daily chart | Source: chart on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Flickr, chart from Tradingview

These stocks are down on the year, but not out for long-term investors.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.65%) is chock-full of industry-leading companies --- many of which pay dividends. But stodgy dividend-paying companies aren't in style right now.

Mega-cap growth stocks like the "Ten Titans" have been driving broader market gains. After all, the allure of a few percentage points of yield isn't all that interesting when the S&P 500 is up 73% since the start of 2023.

Honeywell International (HON 0.24%), Nike (NKE 0.09%), and Salesforce (CRM 1.09%) are three Dow components that have all lost value in 2025. Here's why these three dividend stocks are great buys now for patient investors looking for ideas outside of red-hot growth stocks.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Honeywell is cutting the red tape in an effort to create shareholder value
Honeywell investors are waiting for the industrial conglomerate to split into three stand-alone publicly traded companies. The materials business is expected to spin off later this year or early next year, while the automation business and aerospace segment are expected to become independent companies in the second half of next year.

It's unclear which component will stay in the Dow, or if a different company will replace Honeywell. After all, it was added to the Dow in 2020 to give the index exposure to the defense industry, industrials, and the industrial internet of things.

Honeywell's results have been decent, but nothing to write home about. In fact, Honeywell's inability to capitalize on industry growth trends because of its stodgy corporate structure is the essence of why some investors pushed for its breakup. However, because it trades at under 20 times forward earnings and with a 2.2% dividend yield, Honeywell stands out as a great buy for investors who don't mind giving its breakup time to play out.

2. After several blunders, Nike is ready to move forward
Nike has been under pressure due to a series of self-inflicted and industrywide challenges.

The apparel industry is struggling due to pullbacks in consumer spending and shifting preferences. Deckers Outdoor-owned Hoka and On Holdings are newer brands that are having a ton of success with Nike's core market -- athleisure consumers and athletes.

To make matters worse, Nike overspent on marketing when it could have put more resources into new products. It also made a massive shift to direct-to-consumer with Nike Direct, which was met with pushback from some of its wholesale partners. The idea was sound in that Nike wanted to directly interact with its customer base to improve product interest and boost margins by cutting out the middleman. But Nike's weak results prove that there is still value in its legacy partnerships.

Nike has implemented leadership changes to turn the business around and return to growth. But many investors are still not hitting the buy button until the turnaround shows more meaningful signs of progress.

The sell-off has pushed Nike's yield to 2.3%, which is relatively high for a former growth stock. And Nike has 23 consecutive years of boosting its payout. The dividend provides an incentive to buy and hold Nike through this difficult period.

3. Salesforce faces an uncertain future in the AI age
Trading down 26.5% year-to-date, Salesforce is the second-worst-performing Dow component in 2025, behind only UnitedHealth Group. Salesforce's growth is slowing, and investors are concerned that Salesforce won't be able to monetize artificial intelligence (AI). There's also the risk that AI-based tools will rival Salesforce's software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering, undercutting it on pricing and taking market share.

It's an unprecedented time for the former Wall Street darling. And Salesforce is far from the only SaaS stock under pressure. Salesforce has responded by developing agentic AI tools under its Agentforce lineup, which help users build, edit, and interact with media.

Salesforce has its risks, but the stock is relatively cheap -- sporting a forward P/E ratio of just 21.7. That's a potentially great value for a former growth stock that used to command a premium valuation relative to the S&P 500.

Salesforce initiated its first-ever dividend in early 2024 as a way to directly return value to shareholders. Salesforce raised its dividend in March of this year, but it was just a 4% increase. With a yield of just 0.7%, investors shouldn't expect the dividend to be a core element of Salesforce's investment thesis anytime soon.

3 beaten-down Dow stocks to buy now
Honeywell, Nike, and Salesforce operate in completely different sectors. But all three stocks present opportunities for contrarian investors looking for value in a premium-priced market.

Honeywell is arguably the best buy of the three because the business is performing decently well and could do even better post-breakup. Nike is a good buy if you believe in the brand's durability even during this challenging period. And Salesforce is a bold bet for investors who believe its competitive moat won't be eroded by AI.

Daniel Foelber has positions in Nike. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Deckers Outdoor, Nike, and Salesforce. The Motley Fool recommends On Holding and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Nvidia is not the only stock to play the AI boom.

The market for semiconductors is red-hot as investment continues to pour into data centers for artificial intelligence (AI). IDTechEx expects the market for AI chips to exceed $400 billion by 2030.

While graphics processing unit (GPU) leader Nvidia is a popular pick, investors should also consider Broadcom (AVGO -0.48%).

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Broadcom stock is a long-term buy
One issue for Nvidia is that its chips carry a high cost of ownership. They are the most powerful chips in the world, but they are also power-hungry and expensive. There is growing demand for more affordable chips, which are not as powerful as Nvidia's but are well suited to specific tasks, and that's where Broadcom comes in.

Broadcom expects its AI revenue to reach $120 billion by 2030, up from $20 billion this year. For perspective, its total revenue is $60 billion on a trailing-12-month basis.

Beyond chips, Broadcom also offers advanced networking solutions that allow chips to handle massive data flow for AI training workloads. As CEO Hock Tan recently said at a Goldman Sachs conference, "The network becomes the computer," not just the chip.

Broadcom's offering of specialized AI chips, or XPUs, and networking solutions position the company to meet demand for more intensive compute power. Its total revenue grew 22% year over year last quarter, while AI revenue specifically grew 63%, making up roughly a third of the business.

Broadcom has a long history of delivering operating excellence. The stock is up 2,500% over the last 10 years. Its $120 billion AI revenue target reflects management's confidence in the demand trajectory for AI compute, and importantly, Broadcom's competitive differentiation in the market to capture that opportunity.

John Ballard has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Goldman Sachs Group and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The story is a fascinating one, but stories alone don't generate revenue. And they certainly don't produce a profit.

Replacing ordinary silicon with silicon carbide has never been a bad idea. The carbon-toughened version of the simple material can be used for higher voltage applications like solar inverters and electric vehicles, since it tolerates higher levels of heat. It's also just more power-efficient. That's why no one's criticized Wolfspeed (WOLF -34.87%) for doubling down on the science by virtue of getting out of the LED light bulb business -- when the company was still called Cree -- back in 2020.

As time has marched on though, Wolfspeed's silicon carbide business hasn't proven any more fruitful. The organization's still got no real revenue to speak of ($758 million for its recently ended fiscal year), and certainly no profits. In June of this year, it officially began long-anticipated Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection proceedings, in fact.

Image source: Getty Images.

The stock's multiyear sell-off, of course, reflects all of this.

The funny thing is, this could be one of those rare cases where it makes sense to step into a position in a bankrupt company even before the process is complete. The mere news of the reorganization may have already done all the damage to shareholder value that it's going to do, and every interested party is seemingly trying to find a way for Wolfspeed to continue making and marketing its potentially game-changing material.

The question remains, however ... what awaits on the other side of the reorganization effort?

Is Wolfspeed just ahead of its time?
A quick primer for the unfamiliar: Simple silicon still works well enough in all your electronic devices. The decades-old material is overdue for an upgrade, though. Higher-voltage machinery like electric vehicles, EV charging stations, data center power supplies, and renewable energy equipment are forcing it, in fact; every watt, volt, and amp counts these days. Silicon carbide's wider "bandgap" provides a crystalline molecular matrix that provides better heat durability and requires less power to push higher-voltage electrical current all the way through it.

The only problem? The technology is expensive. Like, wildly expensive ... roughly three times as much as ordinary silicon. That's why the industries that would obviously benefit from its use aren't biting just yet despite Wolfspeed's best efforts.

It's possible, however, that this company was just a little too ahead of its time, investing too much money to come up with a solution that the world wouldn't be ready to embrace for a few more years.

The irony? With the echoes of Wolfspeed's Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection petition still ringing, the planet may actually be on the verge of being ready for silicon carbide. From here, industry research outfit Global Market Insights believes the world's silicon carbide market is set to grow at an average annualized pace of more than 34% through 2034.

What if, however, Wolfspeed's bankruptcy is less about fighting for its life and more about entering this era of silicon carbide's growth with as little debt baggage as possible?

That may well be the case, which, if it is ... brilliant!

Buying Wolfspeed requires some strategic thinking
Don't misread the message. No company wants to declare bankruptcy for any reason. Its shareholders don't want it either, nor do its creditors.

Except, Wolfspeed's bankruptcy seems unusually amicable. Its lenders are reportedly supportive of the plan that will wipe out about 70% of the company's $6.5 billion in debt, with a big chunk of its debt holders receiving shares of the struggling company in exchange for the bonds they had been holding.

Then there's something relatively new CEO Robert Feurle said along with the company's official announcement of its Chapter 11 filing: "We are continuing to move forward with our accelerated restructuring process to strengthen our capital structure and fuel our next phase of growth."

And notably, while current shareholders will only receive an estimated 3% to 5% of the newly restructured company's new equity, the stock's 98% pullback from its 2022 peak arguably already reflects this loss. In other words, the scraps that newcomers are buying here and now could already be fully devalued, reflecting the impact of the reorganization now underway. Indeed, new buyers would be stepping into discounted shares of a company that's technically never been more promising than it is right now.

A life-changing prospect for Wolfspeed investors?
But back to the titular question ... could buying Wolfspeed today set you up for life?

The answer to the question requires an acceptance of two important realities.

First, this is anything but conventional stock-picking. You'd be buying into a company that's not only declared bankruptcy, but buying it even before those proceedings are finalized. Although the judge overseeing this case (Christopher Lopez, of Texas' southern district) accepted the intended restructuring that at least most of Wolfspeed's creditors reportedly support, unexpected twists and turns do happen.

Second, even if the company comes out of its bankruptcy in better shape than it entered it, the silicon carbide market hasn't exactly gelled yet.

There's the rub. As promising as Global Market Insights' 10-year outlook is, already losing hundreds of millions of dollars per year just on relatively steep operating costs, Wolfspeed needs the next two years to be tremendous ones. And a proverbial temperature check of the silicon carbide market doesn't suggest this is imminent. Further weighing on Wolfspeed's potential penetration of the nascent market is the emergence of silicon carbide rivals ranging from STMicroelectronics to Entegris to Coherent just to name a few.

Connect the dots. Any success Wolfspeed achieves is going to be hard-fought, to say the least.

So, take your shot if you must; it may well work out. Just don't lose perspective on the low-odds/high-risk trade you're making here. It could set you up for life, but it likely won't. There are more promising opportunities out there, even if their upside isn't as great as the narrow sliver of a chance that any post-bankruptcy Wolfspeed shares could soar.

James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Coherent and Wolfspeed. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Lucid's progress has been slow over the past several years. While production has gained some momentum recently, it's not enough to offset the company's losses.

Just a few short years ago many investors had high hopes for the electric vehicle startup Lucid (LCID 4.49%). In the following 12 months after it went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Lucid stock skyrocketed, fell, then rose rapidly again -- with 400% returns after its first year of being publicly traded.

Unfortunately, the honeymoon ended. Amid rising inflation, higher vehicle costs, production hiccups, mounting losses, and a challenging electric vehicle market, Lucid stock has lost its luster. Its share price is down 96% from its all-time high.

So, what happened? And, could Lucid stock return to its glory days and set investors up for life if they buy shares now? Here's why I'm doubtful that will happen.

Image source: Lucid.

The road to "production hell" is paved with good intentions
Just before Lucid went public, co-founder and then-CEO Peter Rawlinson took a swipe at Tesla, saying that no other automaker endured the kind of "production hell" that Elon Musk's company faced. Rawlinson said:

"It's only one car company I know of that experiences production hell. Toyota puts a new car into production many times every year, so does BMW, Mercedes, Audi, GM ... you never hear of production hell. It's part of the job. I've not experienced production hell."

That statement turned out to be woefully premature. Lucid originally targeted production of 20,000 vehicles in 2022 but managed only about 7,200. Three years later, management has set 2025 production guidance at 18,000 to 20,000 -- essentially the same figure it promised for 2022.

In other words, Lucid is only now approaching its original goal set three years ago, and even its low end (18,000) would fall short of that target. Production hell indeed.

To be fair, production output has grown from about 9,000 vehicles in 2024, and doubling production in a year would be progress. But the pace is slow compared to peers. Rivian, another EV startup, expects to deliver 40,000 to 46,000 vehicles this year -- more than double Lucid's guidance. And Rivian is still a small player compared to Tesla's hundreds of thousands of vehicles produced.

In short, Lucid's recent gains aren't as impressive as they first appear. The company may be building more cars, but it's still crawling compared to competitors.

Losses are significant as the EV industry faces roadblocks
Lucid's financials are even more troubling. The company reported a non-GAAP net loss of $0.24 per share in Q2 2025, following a $1.04 per-share loss in 2024. Losses are nothing new for young EV makers, but even with some leeway, Lucid's financial health doesn't look great.

The company is burning cash, carries about $2 billion in debt, and has relied heavily on its majority investor -- Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund -- to stay afloat. The PIF injected another $1.5 billion last year, and further investments may be necessary as Lucid attempts to fund new projects, including a lower-priced $50,000 model. Developing and scaling that vehicle will require substantial additional capital.

These losses come at a difficult time for the EV industry as a whole. New tariffs could increase Lucid's costs by 8% to 15%, while the expiration of tax credits that previously boosted Lucid's leasing program will make its cars even less competitive on price.

Consumer sentiment is also shifting in the wrong direction. A recent AAA survey found just 16% of Americans are "very likely" to buy an EV for their next car, down from 25% in 2022. Concerns about high purchase prices, costly battery repairs, and charging infrastructure are weighing on demand.

For Lucid, that combination is particularly dangerous. Weak consumer appetite doesn't doom the company on its own, but when layered onto heavy losses, rising costs, and reliance on outside funding, it makes an already uphill battle even steeper.

Lucid won't set you up for life
If it's not clear already, it's highly doubtful Lucid stock will be a big winner any time soon. Given its low vehicle production output, lack of profitability, ongoing need for cash, and high debt, there isn't much to be excited about with this stock right now, and it's doubtful its shares will even be able to outpace the market -- let alone set you up for life.

Chris Neiger has positions in Rivian Automotive. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

I've waited years for a timely opportunity such as this.

I believe that shares of restaurant chain Wingstop (WING -0.83%) will outperform shares of the world's largest pizza chain, Domino's Pizza (DPZ 3.14%), over the next five years. But give me time to back up this claim.

Domino's Pizza is still a great business and it's a stock with a lot to like. As of the second quarter of 2025, it had more than 21,000 locations worldwide, 99% of which are owned by franchisees. This means that the parent company generates revenue with royalties and franchise fees. It's a high-margin business model.

Surprisingly, Domino's generates 60% of its revenue from its supply chain -- it provides equipment and food to its franchisees who opt in. And there's good reason to opt in. The company shares half of its pre-tax supply chain profit with its franchisees, aligning the parent company with the operators.

There are multiple advantages to this business model. First, Domino's can grow to an extremely large size because operations are handled by independent business owners. Additionally, the company generates consistent revenue streams and some are high-margin. And finally, this asset-light setup allows management to reward shareholders with a growing dividend and with stock buybacks.

DPZ Shares Outstanding data by YCharts

There's a lot to like about Domino's but, as a business, Wingstop is equally attractive. And as an investment, this chicken-wing chain may have a key advantage over the pizza business.

How Wingstop makes money
Wingstop is nowhere near as big as Domino's. But with more than 2,800 locations worldwide as of Q2 2025, it's still one of the largest restaurant chains in the world. Like Domino's, most Wingstop locations (98%) are owned and operated by franchisees, giving the company the same high-margin, asset-light business model.

Image source: Getty Images.

Unlike Domino's, Wingstop doesn't operate a supply chain business. But there's still red-hot demand from operators wanting to open new franchised locations. This is due to Wingstop's attractive unit economics.

To expound on the economics, Wingstop locations based in the U.S. generate $2.1 million in revenue annually on average -- that's a lot. Moreover, nearly three-quarters of sales are digital, meaning they come in through the app or online. Usually this is because the customer is making an order for either delivery or take-out. Since customers usually don't interact with a cashier and often don't eat in the restaurant, Wingstop locations can operate with fewer employees than comparably sized restaurants, making locations quite profitable.

The more profitable it is to operate a Wingstop, the more franchisees want to open more locations. That's leading the company to open more than 400 locations this year. And its pipeline for future openings is at an all-time high.

With its franchisees happy and clamoring for more, Wingstop is raking in consistent high-margin revenue, which it's using to reward shareholders as well. The share count is starting to drop with buybacks, the quarterly dividend is going up, and management has been known to pay a special dividend from time to time.

Why Wingstop stock might be better than Domino's
I won't beat around the bush: I believe Wingstop stock will outperform Domino's because of its superior growth opportunity.

Wingstop is opening new locations at a record pace but don't expect it to slow. The company has just over 2,400 locations in the U.S. but management believes it can grow that number to a whopping 6,000. And it believes that it can grow its average annual sales volume per location to $3 million. Considering it's increased its same-store sales for 21 consecutive years, it's not naive to believe that sales per location can increase long-term to reach this goal.

Keep in mind that this target for Wingstop doesn't even include the international opportunity, where it only has 400 locations, as of Q2.

In short, Domino's is growing revenue at a single-digit growth rate. Wingstop is growing at a double-digit rate and can sustain that for quite some time if things go right.

Restaurant stocks are generally down in 2025. When entire sections of the stock market sell off, that often provides timely opportunities in the best players -- they unjustly sell off with their peers. For its part, Wingstop stock is down more than 40% from highs. And as the chart below shows, it now trades at close to its lowest price-to-earnings (P/E) valuation ever.

WING PE Ratio data by YCharts

I've patiently waited for the last few years for a timely opportunity to invest in Wingstop. I'm happy to have finally taken my first bite of this chicken wing stock. And with a plan to dollar-cost average my position (increasing my stake little by little with future buys), hopefully I'll soon be back at the table for a second helping of what I believe will be a market-beating investment.

Jon Quast has positions in Wingstop. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Domino's Pizza. The Motley Fool recommends Wingstop. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

SummaryCoreWeave stands out as a leading AI infrastructure pure play, leveraging Nvidia-backed GPU cloud capacity and multi-year take-or-pay contracts with top AI clients.CRWV's revenue tripled year-over-year to $1.21 billion in Q2 2025, with 62% EBITDA margins and a $30.1 billion backlog, driven by surging AI demand and pricing power.Major partnerships, including a $22.4 billion OpenAI deal and a $6.3 billion Nvidia agreement, reinforce CRWV's growth visibility and deepen its competitive moat.Despite a 200% post-IPO surge, CRWV remains attractive for long-term investors, with Wall Street targets up to $200, supported by rapid revenue growth and robust AI tailwinds. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images News

Elevator Thesis CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV) has clearly become one of the key building blocks in the bigger AI puzzle.

The AI giant effectively leverages its tailor-made GPU cloud infrastructure in catering to the surging computing demand. Perhaps its biggest flex is having

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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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.