Market Signal Briefing

Nvidia will play a key role in the data centers that are powering OpenAI's models.

Nvidia (NVDA 0.27%) hit an all-time high on Sept. 22 in response to a $100 billion strategic partnership with OpenAI. Nvidia is helping OpenAI achieve its goal of building at least 10 gigawatts (GW) of data centers purpose-built for artificial intelligence (AI) by investing in data centers progressively as each GW is deployed.

The news is significant, considering OpenAI needs funding to fulfill its promise, and because it is currently structured as a nonprofit (although it plans to become a Public Benefit Corporation).

Nvidia is the most valuable company in the world and the largest of the "Ten Titans" -- which is the "Magnificent Seven" plus Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO), Oracle, and Netflix. The Ten Titans are highly influential -- making up nearly 40% of the S&P 500.

Here's why Nvidia continues to be a powerhouse in the age of AI, where it stands amid competition from Broadcom, and whether it's worth buying now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia's deal with OpenAI
As I've mentioned in the past, Nvidia is a steelmaker at the dawn of the age of skyscrapers. Nvidia makes the most advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) -- as well as associated networking components and software. These systems play an integral role in the parallel processing of AI workloads that require massive amounts of computing power. As OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman said in the Sept. 22 press release:

Everything starts with compute. Compute infrastructure will be the basis for the economy of the future, and we will utilize what we're building with Nvidia to both create new AI breakthroughs and empower people and businesses with them at scale.

Nvidia's investment in OpenAI builds on its $5 billion purchase of Intel stock, announced on Sept. 18. Intel will design and manufacture customer data center and central processing units (CPUs) with Nvidia's NVLink technology, which increases communication speed between GPUs and CPUs.

Nvidia continues to push the bounds of AI computing power, and its results have been astounding, as its data center segment now makes up 88% of total revenue. Nvidia is growing earnings at a rapid pace with no signs of slowing down. But it isn't the only company that's driving the future of data center compute.

Broadcom's custom AI chips are the real deal
Broadcom's custom AI chips (XPUs) are application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Unlike GPUs, which are all-purpose workhorses in the data center, Broadcom works with hyperscalers to build custom AI chips to suit their AI workflows.

The strategy is paying off, as Broadcom stock has outperformed Nvidia year-to-date -- hitting an all-time high and knocking on the door of a $2 trillion market cap.

Like Nvidia, which depends on a handful of customers, Broadcom's AI revenue is largely tied to the ramp-up in hyperscaler capital expenditures. Broadcom's AI revenue is expected to reach nearly $20 billion by the end of this fiscal year, compared to $3.8 billion two years ago. So although Broadcom is still magnitudes smaller than Nvidia in terms of AI revenue, it is challenging Nvidia's dominance.

Broadcom's AI chips, paired with its Jericho routers, Tomahawk switches, and other associated infrastructure, enable the connection of over 1 million XPU clusters across multiple data centers. At scale, Broadcom's custom chip economics improve dramatically because they are more energy efficient than general-purpose GPUs.

Nvidia and Broadcom can win together
Broadcom will likely play an increasingly important role in the data center, but it won't replace Nvidia. Rather, both companies will likely work together, with Broadcom specializing in task-specific functions and Nvidia leading in versatile compute for AI training, inference, and high-performance computing.

The latest flurry of announcements showcases how both companies are positioned to thrive. In its latest earnings report from early September, Broadcom announced a $10 billion custom AI chip customer -- which is likely OpenAI. But OpenAI is also closely collaborating with Nvidia, serving as the key driver of its path to 10 GW in datacenter capacity.

A hyperscaler like OpenAI may partner with Broadcom on custom AI chips for specific tasks, but these chips take a while to develop and are best for inference (handling the needs of existing AI models with fixed patterns). Whereas Nvidia's GPUs -- paired with its CUDA software system -- are a solution that works right now and is more flexible for variable and complex scenarios, like training models with new parameters.

OpenAI is also likely reducing its dependence on one chip supplier, similar to how it has expanded its cloud partnership beyond Microsoft to include Oracle in a blockbuster $300 billion deal. Spreading business across multiple vendors reduces OpenAI's supply chain risk.

Nvidia remains a top growth stock to buy now
Nvidia remains the gold standard in the data center. It can thrive alongside Broadcom, so investors shouldn't view the two companies purely as competitors, but rather, as examples of the evolving anatomy of the modern AI data center.

At 39.7 times forward earnings, Nvidia is far from cheap, but it also isn't as expensive as it used to be. Especially given that it is still growing earnings at a rapid rate.

In fact, on a forward-earnings basis, Nvidia is cheaper than other Ten Titans stocks like Tesla, Broadcom, Netflix, and Oracle. And it's a much better buy for growth investors than a stock like Apple, which trades at 34.5 times forward earnings but is growing earnings far more slowly than Nvidia.

All told, Nvidia remains a foundational AI growth stock to buy now. Although investors may want to consider incorporating both Nvidia and Broadcom into their long-term AI portfolios.

Daniel Foelber has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft, and short November 2025 $21 puts on Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Alphabet could become the largest company in the world in the next five years.

Alphabet (GOOG 0.21%) (GOOGL 0.28%) has become one of the world's most important artificial intelligence (AI) companies. What investors initially saw as a big potential risk has instead turned into a big tailwind.

And while Nvidia and Palantir Technologies get plenty of the hype these days, Alphabet has the opportunity to be worth more than both of them combined before the decade is out.

Nvidia currently sits at a $4.3 trillion market cap, while Palantir is around $425 billion. Alphabet is valued at roughly $3 trillion, but it has a real chance to grow significantly from here, while the other two face some risks.

Alphabet's opportunities
Alphabet's opportunities start with search and AI, which in some cases are melding into one. The company already owns the front door to the internet for billions of people, and most users don't even think about it because Google is just the default engine on most devices.

Its ownership of the Chrome web browser and Android operating system, together with its revenue-sharing agreement with Apple, gives it a huge distribution advantage.

AI, meanwhile, is not replacing search; it's enhancing it and complementing it. Alphabet says its AI Overviews are now being used by more than 2 billion people a month, and its new AI Mode, which is now just being rolled out globally, allows users to toggle between traditional results and chatbot-style answers without switching apps.

It has also added multimodal AI features like Lens and Circle to search. These are just leading to more queries, often with a commercial intent from shoppers, which feeds into its massive ad network.

This kind of seamless integration means the company doesn't need to rewire consumer habits the way competitors do; it only needs to make the products that people already use more useful. The fact that its Gemini app passed ChatGPT as the most downloaded app in the Apple App Store shows that the company is gaining real traction in AI on the consumer side.

Image source: Getty Images

Then there is Alphabet's biggest growth driver, its cloud computing business. The company is seeing both strong revenue growth and huge operating leverage as it scales up. This was seen last quarter when Google Cloud revenue jumped 32% and operating profit more than doubled.

What sets Alphabet apart in cloud computing is that it owns the full stack, from its world-class Gemini AI model to custom AI chips, to top-notch analytics and software, to one of the largest private fiber networks in the world. That vertical integration means better performance at lower costs. The company's pending acquisition of Wiz will also give it a huge opportunity to cross-sell leading cloud cybersecurity to its customers.

Investors should also remember Waymo, which could become one of its biggest growth drivers in the next five years. Robotaxis have been hyped for years, and with Waymo, Alphabet is currently building out a large fleet across the U.S.

It has a first-mover advantage with commercial services running in several major U.S. cities, while being tested in others. If autonomous driving takes off in the next five years, Waymo could become another huge business.

Meanwhile, Alphabet's stock is one of the cheapest among megacaps, at a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of less than 23 times 2026 analyst estimates. Between its growth opportunities and the potential for multiple expansion, the shares could have a lot of upside in the next five years.

Palantir and Nvidia face risks
Now contrast that with Palantir. It has been executing well, with its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) in high demand from U.S. commercial customers, while it is continuing to win big government contracts.

However, the stock's valuation is at nosebleed levels. With a forward price-to-sales multiple (P/S) of more than 100, the stock would still be expensive even if it that figure were cut in half. This is a valuation that leaves no margin for error; one slipup on growth, and the stock will get punished.

And then there is Nvidia. Undoubtedly, it has been the biggest winner in the AI boom, but investors should not forget it is still a hardware company. Hardware sales are not recurring revenue, since every chip sold has to be replaced by the next cycle of spending, and once customers find a cheaper or more efficient solution, the shift can happen fast.

We've seen this happen before. The company's graphics processing units (GPUs) were once the primary chips used in Bitcoin mining until ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) that did the job faster and cheaper came along. Practically overnight, mining Bitcoin with GPUs became irrelevant.

While ASICs aren't likely to completely replace GPUs for AI workloads, they are a rising threat, especially as the market moves more toward inference, which is a continuous cost -- and hyperscalers (companies that own large data centers) are highly motivated to lower computing costs. With inference not nearly as technically demanding as training, Nvidia's CUDA software moat is not as wide in this area, and more and more large companies have started developing their own custom AI chips.

Nvidia knows this, which is why its recently-announced $100 billion OpenAI partnership looks more defensive than offensive. OpenAI is one of Nvidia's biggest customers, but it has also been developing its own chips. With this investment, Nvidia is effectively paying to keep OpenAI tied to its GPUs, which is a risky kind of circular financing that echoes what Cisco did during the internet bubble.

Nvidia's dominance in AI infrastructure today is unquestioned, but the upside in the stock could be limited if customers keep moving toward in-house AI chips.

Put it all together, and Alphabet looks like the company best positioned to become the largest in the world by 2030, with a good chance of being bigger than both Nvidia and Palantir combined.

Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, Bitcoin, Cisco Systems, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the US saw a sharp reversal last week, shedding more than $1.7 billion after weeks of steady inflows.The downturn, driven by inflation concerns, slowing growth, and monetary policy uncertainty, pushed institutions to cut exposure to high-risk assets.At the same time, capital is rotating into new ETFs tied to Solana and XRP, signaling a shift toward selective diversification.Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States reversed course sharply last week, shedding more than $1.7 billion.

This shift came amid Bitcoin and Ethereum price volatility during the past week as both assets shed more than 8% during the reporting period.

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Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Bleed Cash Amid Market Volatility
According to data from SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $903 million in net withdrawals. The outflows ended a month-long streak of inflows that had reflected growing institutional confidence.

That sentiment shifted as macroeconomic uncertainty deepened, prompting many institutional investors to trim exposure and adopt a defensive stance.

Ethereum products mirrored the downturn but endured even heavier losses.

Ethereum ETFs Net Daily Inflow This Week. Source: SoSoValue
Data from SoSoValue shows that the nine US-listed spot Ethereum ETFs saw redemptions, amounting to $796 million in outflows. This is their largest weekly withdrawal since launching earlier this year.

The synchronized retreat across both assets reflects a broader cooling in crypto ETF demand.

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Institutional allocators once viewed these vehicles as a convenient entry point into digital assets. They are now reassessing their strategies in light of growing macro headwinds.

Over the past week, persistent inflation concerns, slowing global growth, and heightened uncertainty around US monetary policy have reduced appetite for volatile assets. In this environment, digital assets—long categorized as high risk—were among the first to be pared from portfolios.

Meanwhile, institutional strategies have also grown more defensive, especially as investors are increasingly being exposed to losses.

CryptoQuant data shows that Bitcoin treasury firms raising capital through PIPE deals are under pressure, as share prices trend toward discounted issuance levels.

At the same time, investor attention is rotating toward newly launched ETFs tied to alternative tokens like Solana and XRP.

These vehicles have drawn capital away from Bitcoin and Ethereum funds, introducing fresh competition and encouraging experimentation with underrepresented assets.

The redirection of inflows suggests that while risk sentiment has cooled, appetite for diversification within crypto remains active — just more selective and opportunistic than before.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Project Acropolis could support ADA closer to $1 if it delivers smoother upgrades and stability, though downside risk remains near $0.70.Hydra adoption may lift ADA toward the $1.50 zone if flagship dApps integrate it successfully; limited uptake would keep prices below $1.Ouroboros Leios has potential to re-rate ADA above $2 if testnet results prove strong, creating conditions for a $3 target by 2027.Cardano’s upcoming upgrades could define whether its native token ADA breaks a multi-year ceiling. With Project Acropolis, Hydra adoption, and Ouroboros Leios ahead, the question is whether these technical milestones can reset Cardano’s market narrative and push ADA toward $3 by 2027.

This predictive analysis was conducted through AI using sequence prompting, learning, and advanced reasoning. It should not be taken as financial advice. Readers should perform their own research and consider professional guidance before making investment decisions.

Most importantly, this predictive analysis doesn’t consider additional developments such as institutional adoption, ETF approvals, or regulatory decisions. It’s solely pivoted on Cardano network upgrades and their impact on ADA.

Cardano Network Upgrade Timeline and Expected Impact 
UpgradeTimingTechnical focusWhy it matters for priceExpected ADA price range*Project AcropolisQ4 2025 – Q1 2026Modular node re-architectureImproves stability and shipping cadence; lowers execution risk$0.70 – $0.95Hydra adoption2026 (ongoing)L2 “heads” for low-latency settlementDelivers faster, cheaper UX if apps integrate$0.90 – $1.40Ouroboros LeiosMid–late 2026 (testnet first)Parallelism at base layerRe-rates capacity and long-term utility if metrics hold$1.30 – $2.20Post-Leios path to Mega2027+Advanced scaling roadmapCompounds if delivery stays consistent$2.00 – $3.50
*Ranges reflect tech-to-adoption pathways, not market timing calls.

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How Cardano Upgrades Translate To ADA Price
Markets reward credible execution and user impact. Three channels matter:

Throughput and UX → activity and TVL narrative: Faster, cheaper, smoother apps attract users and volume.

Developer velocity → shorter time-to-feature: Modular code and stable tooling speed delivery. That reduces the “execution discount.”

Transparency and governance discipline: Clear milestones and reporting lower perceived risk.

Price moves when those channels show verifiable proof, not promises.

Project Acropolis: Credibility and Velocity Uplift
Why this can move ADA price toward $0.90–$0.95

Acropolis modularizes the node and reduces operational friction. That makes maintenance easier and future features faster to ship. Stake pool operators should see lower resource strain and fewer regressions. Release cadence should improve.

Markets price this as a lower execution risk premium. If monthly releases arrive cleanly, confidence rises. That supports a re-rating into the $0.90 area.

Downside remains $0.70 risk
If Acropolis slips or spawns hotfix churn, the execution discount returns. SPO frustration or reliability incidents would cap sentiment. Price gravitates toward $0.70 until stability improves.

Proof to watch

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Smooth minor releases for several months.

Positive SPO feedback on performance and uptime.

More merged PRs and contributor breadth.

Hydra: Adoption-Driven Valuation, Not Version Bumps
Why this can move ADA toward $1.20–$1.40

Hydra only matters when top dApps integrate it and publish before/after metrics. Users must experience material latency and cost gains. That lifts activity and strengthens Cardano’s competitive UX story.

Named integrations create a visible moat. One flagship success can push ADA through $1.20. Several production heads with public metrics can sustain $1.30–$1.40.

But it can stall under $1. If Hydra stays niche or tooling remains complex, users see no change. Markets fade the hype and keep ADA range-bound.

Proof to watch

Production Hydra heads with regular settlement.

Public case studies from major dApps.

Wallet and SDK support that hides Hydra complexity.

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Ouroboros Leios: The Base-Layer Scaling Catalyst
Why this can move ADA toward $1.30–$2.20

Leios separates proposal and validation to introduce parallelism. Strong, reproducible testnet metrics signal a credible path to higher base-layer capacity. That expands the feasible app set and reduces future congestion risk.

Markets reward capacity plus decentralization. A stable Leios testnet reframes Cardano’s throughput story. ADA can re-rate toward $2 if the evidence holds.

Conversely, it could cap near $1.20. If metrics wobble or rollout drags, the scaling story weakens. Without clear gains, capital rotates to faster-shipping ecosystems.

Proof to watch

Clear testnet milestones with published performance.

Compatibility notes that ease dApp migration.

Operator feedback on security and stability.

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Why this can stretch ADA to $2.00–$3.50 by 2027

The path above $3 requires compounding:

Acropolis sustains faster shipping and fewer incidents.

Hydra powers several marquee apps with public wins.

Leios transitions from testnet to staged mainnet usage without regressions.

Tooling makes advanced features invisible to users.

That combination reduces risk, boosts activity, and attracts builders. Markets then price a durable execution premium. The result supports a $2–$3.50 band.

However, security incidents, missed milestones, or weak app traction will compress multiples. Narrative slips, and ADA trades with beta rather than a premium.

Critical Outlook
Each upgrade builds on the last. Acropolis enables faster shipping, Hydra requires adoption, and Leios brings the base-layer scaling narrative. Mega remains an aspirational horizon.

For ADA to cross $3, Cardano must convert research depth into visible user impact. Investors should watch for proof in live dApps, validator feedback, and transparent reporting. 

Overall, execution, not promises, will determine if Cardano reclaims a premium in the Layer-1 market.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Cardano (ADA) is steadily positioning itself as a key player in the evolving crypto market, with its 2025 roadmap signaling strong growth potential. The cryptocurrency's potential surge to $1.90 is being fueled by a combination of cross-chain partnerships, DeFi innovation, whale accumulation, and strategic market moves.

Aster token slides 20% from September peak as traders question platform speed, polish, and long-term competitiveness against rivals.Investor exits and mixed signals from CZ add fuel to doubts, sparking skepticism despite early adoption and Binance-linked support.Fundamentals remain strong with $70 million in fees and $701 million TVL, but user trust and competition with Hyperliquid weigh on sentiment.Aster, a decentralized perpetuals exchange launched in early September, has experienced a 10% drop in the last 24 hours alone.

Despite strong early traction and backing from Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), cracks in sentiment are beginning to show.

Analyst Explains Why Aster Price is DroppingSponsored

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As of this writing, Aster’s powering token, ASTER, was trading for $1.87, down 8% in the last 24 hours. The token is down over 20% from its local top of $2.43, established on September 24.

Aster (ASTER) Price Performance. Source: TradingView
Against this backdrop, analysts have dissected what could be driving the price drop of the decentralized exchange (DEX) token.

Price Pressure and User Doubts
The sell-off comes amid growing skepticism around Aster’s platform performance. Investor Mike Ess revealed on X (Twitter) that he sold 60% of his Aster holdings, rotating into Bitcoin (BTC) and Plasma (XPL).

While he remains profitable, he said his decision was driven by gut instinct after Changpeng Zhao’s recent comments and dissatisfaction with Aster’s product.

“If you’ve used HYPE, then switched to Aster, you know exactly what I mean. It feels slower, less polished, and copy-paste… The more capital I have on it, the riskier it feels,” wrote Ess.

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Other traders have echoed similar concerns. Clemente, another renowned voice on X, disclosed that he exited his Aster position entirely in favor of Hyperliquid’s HYPE token.

“Hyperliquid is clearly the leader in every metric other than crime and CEX distribution,”        the analyst argued.

Mixed Signals From CZ
CZ’s involvement has been a double-edged sword. On September 28, the crypto executive framed Aster as a complementary project to the broader BNB Chain ecosystem despite rivaling the Binance exchange.

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His venture firm, YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs), holds a minority stake in Aster, which also boasts a team of former Binance employees.

However, traders like Ess interpreted CZ’s tone on a recent Spaces call as distancing, raising doubts about his level of engagement. For some, this perception was enough to spark de-risking.

“If CZ stops talking about it, HYPE wins hands down,” Ess warned.

Still, bullish voices remain. A user known as Cooker expressed conviction that Aster will make a long-term mark on the perp DEX market.

Still holding onto $ASTER, truly banking on CZ and their team to make their long term mark on the perp dex market

Holding $XPL long term will prob be one of the best holds since $HYPE going into 2026

Ofc still holding $HYPE, soon to be a year long hold from my original buy

— Cooker.hl | Kms.eth | Cooker (@CookerFlips) September 28, 2025

Meanwhile, others, like Crash, argued that Aster could outperform Solana and Ethereum in percentage terms over the next cycle.

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Strong Fundamentals, Lingering Uncertainty
By several measures, Aster’s fundamentals remain solid. Since launch, the platform has generated $70 million in fees, while total value locked (TVL) has ascended to $701 million on BNB Chain. For a project only weeks old, these numbers reflect significant adoption.

Aster on BNB Chain. Source: DefiLlama
Yet the quick drawdown highlights the challenge of balancing early growth with user trust and product reliability.

Analysts warn that competition with Hyperliquid is intensifying, and without continued product improvement, momentum could fade.

Therefore, the Aster price’s trajectory remains contested, with supporters seeing it as a bold new player with CZ’s stamp of approval amid a fast-paced scaling ecosystem. On the other hand, skeptics say Aster may be unfinished and overhyped.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

The cryptocurrency market has witnessed another wave of intense volatility, with total liquidations exceeding $1 billion in the past 24 hours. Ethereum (ETH) has emerged as the primary contributor, underlining the altcoin's sensitivity to leveraged positions and the broader market trend.

Bitcoin is struggling to break out of a narrowing range, with on-chain and market data showing momentum slipping into neutral-to-bearish territory. 

Data from CryptoQuant, highlighted by Axel Adler in his weekly commentary, points to fading demand and weak follow-through from buyers after a failed attempt to hold above $115,000.

The cryptocurrency’s indecision comes as September draws to a close, a month historically associated with negative returns.

Bitcoin price and volume across exchanges. Source: CryptoQuant
Analysts watch support and resistance levels
Bitcoin traded between a local maximum of $115,400 and a minimum of $108,600 in the past week, before settling into a tight $108,800–109,800 band. Attempts to regain higher ground met with consistent selling at descending highs.

CryptoQuant’s data suggests the immediate resistance level sits around $111,000–112,000. 

A decisive return above this band could restore bullish momentum and allow a retest of $114,000–115,400. By contrast, a break below $108,600 could accelerate losses towards $106,000–105,000, a stronger support zone.

“The structure of descending highs remains unbroken,” Adler noted, pointing out that the base above $108,600 is crucial to maintaining neutrality. If that base gives way without quick recovery, the correction could deepen.

Bitcoin momentum is down. Source: CryptoQuant
Momentum readings turn negative
CryptoQuant’s 30-day momentum index ended the week around –2%, down from +1% at the start of the period, marking a swing of three percentage points. 

Momentum ranged from –6% to +1% across the week, with only two of seven sessions registering above zero, which itself was too few to confirm any sustained trend strength.

The loss of the $114,000–115,000 support coincided with this downturn, reinforcing the signal that cooling and unloading dominate market behaviour. 

“For bullish reversal need return above $112K with holding > 0 several days,” Adler wrote. Without that, neutral-bearish scenarios, including another test of $108,600 or lower, remain the base case.

What to watch for the coming week, quarter
Bitcoin’s recent price trajectory reveals a market that’s not decisively bullish, but not collapsing either. Its momentum remains neutral to slightly bearish, and the next direction it may take lies on buyers and sellers.

If the base holds and demand metrics recover, BTC may stage a renewed advance. But failure to do so might drag it into more extended consolidation or a deeper pullback.

In his forecast for the coming week, Adler suggested, not financial advice by the way, that the market status remains neutral and participants should hold.

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The cryptocurrency market has witnessed renewed volatility over the past 24 hours, and stablecoins are not immune to shifts in investor sentiment. Among them, USDE—a synthetic dollar token designed for decentralized finance—recorded a notable 4% surge, trading at $1.0001 on September 26, 2025.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has reignited the debate in the crypto community with bold claims on X, formerly Twitter, declaring Bitcoin and Cardano to be true examples of decentralized, sound money, embodying financial sovereignty and resistance to centralized control.

His argument may be based on the fact that Bitcoin pioneered peer-to-peer money, and Cardano (ADA) has evolved the model with built-in governance, scalability, and sustainability.

As a result, they represent secure, transparent, and censorship-resistant money beyond the reach of governments and financial intermediaries.

Notably, sound money refers to currency that preserves its value over time and resists inflation.

Once tied to gold and other scarce assets, the concept has been embraced by cryptocurrency advocates, who argue that decentralized digital currencies provide a modern alternative to fiat money, often weakened by excessive printing and monetary policy interventions.

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Meanwhile, Hoskinson recently stirred speculation after declaring on X that ‘Cardano is going to break the internet.’ Though brief and cryptic, his remark intensified talks about whether Cardano’s next phase of development could truly match such bold confidence.

Cardano Nears Key Support After Failed Breakout
Cardano is under fresh selling pressure after failing to hold its recent breakout, according to analyst Lingrid. The token has retreated toward a key support zone, underscoring ongoing uncertainty across the broader crypto market.

Market analyst Lingrid notes that ADA’s chart is riddled with fake breakouts and trendline retests, reflecting indecisive sentiment and choppy price action.

Source: Lingrid
Therefore, the repeated failure to secure direction signals traders’ struggle with mixed market cues, often leading to sharp reversals and fleeting rallies.

ADA is trading around $0.77, with the $0.75 support emerging as a critical battleground. A breakdown below this level could trigger deeper losses and further undermine short-term market confidence.

Lingrid suggests that strong buying interest near $0.75 could trigger a significant rebound, potentially driving ADA back toward the $0.88–$0.92 zone, where renewed bullish momentum may accelerate gains.

Meanwhile, the Cardano Foundation recently launched the next phase of its roadmap, allocating significant ADA reserves to boost stablecoin liquidity and accelerate a wave of new ecosystem projects.

Hyperdrive, a DeFi yield protocol operating on the Hyperliquid ecosystem, has committed to restoring market operations and reimbursing affected users after a breach that forced it to pause all markets and suspend withdrawals. 

In its latest update, the team says it has identified and fixed the root cause and expects full functionality to resume within 24 hours.

Hyperdrive promises compensation
Hyperdrive’s latest communication asserts that the flaw has been fixed and that markets should resume within a day, if not sooner. The team says it has already identified the affected accounts and will implement a compensatory plan. However, details on compensation terms have not yet been disclosed.

Users are cautioned against interacting with the protocol or sending funds until full functionality is confirmed. Hyperdrive reiterated the need to trust only its official channels and warned against scams, particularly unsolicited direct messages requesting keys.

A transparent and timely post-mortem, full reimbursements, and clear communication could help undo reputational damage. But any failure to deliver promised repayments, or further security lapses, could erode user confidence irreversibly.

If the compensation plan succeeds and markets resume, Hyperdrive may salvage much of its standing. But if not, the incident could mark a turning point for governance scrutiny in the Hyperliquid ecosystem, which just launched its own USDH stablecoin on September 24, as Cryptopolitan reported.

Despite Hyperdrive’s reassurances, community sentiment around it and other Hyperliquid-based protocols is not at optimal levels right now. Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMex, who has been bullish on Hyperliquid, recently dumped all his HYPE tokens. 

The Hyperdrive exploit adds to the ecosystem’s headache, as it came barely 48 hours after a separate project, HyperVault, saw a $3.6 million outflow in what is now suspected to be a rug pull. 

HyperVault’s X account has been deleted, and its website is reportedly inaccessible. Earlier this year, Hyperliquid was also hit by the JELLYJELLY manipulation in March, which led to the token’s delisting.

Services to resume after brief pause post-exploit
On September 27, Hyperdrive posted on X that it had become aware of issues impacting its protocol, specifically in the Primary USDT0 Market and Treasury USDT Market. To contain potential damage, the protocol halted all interest mechanisms, paused markets, and suspended withdrawals.

In a follow-up post released hours later, Hyperdrive declared that the root cause had been identified and rectified, and that a compensation plan for affected accounts would be deployed soon. The team said markets should return to normal operations within 24 hours.

According to third-party reporting, the exploit affected two user accounts in the Treasury market and is estimated to have drained around US$773,000. Blockchain analytics indicate that the stolen funds were divided and bridged to BNB and Ethereum via the debridge protocol, with 288.37 BNB and 123.6 ETH going to the respective chains.

Exploit took advantage of technical fault
The vulnerability that was reportedly exploited in this incident appears to come from a flaw in its router contract. This allowed the attacker to invoke arbitrary calls on contracts in the whitelist and bypass the platform’s security to move user funds from the thBILL Treasury Market. 

Analysts claim the attack looks like the work of a professional; however, the narrow scope, limited to two markets, allowed Hyperdrive to contain damage before it became a protocol-wide compromise. 

For the Hyperliquid ecosystem, this isn’t good news, as it is coming amid increasing concern about the network’s security posture. Analysts say the cluster of incidents is testing users’ confidence in the Hyperliquid stack.

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Posted: September 28, 2025

Key Takeaways
What is USDH, and how does it impact Hyperliquid?
USDH is Hyperliquid’s new stablecoin, backed by cash and Treasuries, launched to boost its trading ecosystem.

Is Hyperliquid losing ground to its rival Aster?
Yes, Aster has overtaken Hyperliquid in weekly volume, and with a $12B HYPE token unlock coming, pressure on HYPE may continue to build.

Hyperliquid [HYPE] just rolled out its very own stablecoin — USDH!

While that’s happening, its rival Aster [ASTER] has dethroned it in weekly trading volume.

Add to that a massive $12 billion HYPE token unlock on the horizon, and you’ve got the perfect setup for some serious market shifts.

USDH goes live with HYPE at its core
Native Markets officially rolled out USDH on the 27th of September, making it available across both spot and derivatives markets.

Traders can pair the stablecoin against Hyperliquid’s governance token, HYPE, as well as USDC.

Source: X

The team locked 200,000 HYPE for three years to cement the launch. Ahead of the listing, $15 million worth of USDH was pre-minted to seed liquidity, backed by cash and U.S. Treasuries.

What’s more, reserve returns will help fund regular HYPE buybacks, a move that could strengthen the token’s economic base over time.

Is HYPE losing to Aster?
Rival exchange Aster, backed by YZi Labs (the family office of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao) recently pulled ahead in weekly trading volume, doubling Hyperliquid’s numbers.

Even so, Hyperliquid still holds the edge on a 30-day basis, with over $303 billion in activity.

That lead, however, may not last long.

Source: DeFiLlama

Starting in November, nearly 238 million HYPE tokens, worth about $12 billion, will be gradually unlocked over two years. With HYPE already down more than 20% in the past week, the market is bracing for turbulence.

Technical picture looks shaky
HYPE’s daily chart showed clear signs of weakness at press time.

Source: TradingView

The token traded around $44.5 after sliding more than 20% over the past week. The RSI showed bearish momentum, but not yet oversold conditions.

Meanwhile, the MACD stayed below zero with a widening bearish crossover; sellers still had the upper hand. Even though HYPE tried to bounce off recent lows, the lack of strong buying pressure kept recovery limited.

During a recent conversation with podcaster Kyle Chasse, Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz admitted that he did not think that XRP would survive the SEC lawsuit. 

"XRP has one of the strongest communities there is," Novogratz said. 

The Galaxy CEO has praised Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse for successfully navigating lawsuits and keeping the community intact.  

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Cult-like crypto communities Novogratz has recalled that he used to dismiss XRP due to its cultish following. However, he then came to realize that this is half of what crypto essentially is. 

"After 2008, people did not trust governments…We have so little trust that we are finding trust in these online crypto communities," Novogratz noted. 

He has added that all cryptocurrencies that have become successful are supported by cult-like communities. 

This sets crypto apart from the equities market, given that individual stocks rarely have such passionate followers behind them (except for rather rare examples like Tesla).

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Novogratz recalls that he has one employee who essentially sees Bitcoin as his entire life purpose. 

"Who am I to judge"? In fact, Novogratz thinks that XRP is the best token one could have bought after November 2024 based on its impressive performance. "Who would have ever guessed that?" Novogratz added. 

He has also observed that the token is never too expensive for the XRP community, which is rather unusual for the stock market. 

Even though Novogratz used to be skeptical about XRP due to its perceived lack of decentralization, he has since adopted a different view.

"Who am I to judge where people want to store their money?" Novogratz commented. 

China Asset Management Company (ChinaAMC), one of China’s largest fund managers, has launched a $500 million tokenized fund.The fund, which targets stable returns and low fees, is currently limited to two holders as ChinaAMC tests blockchain functionality.The move reflects growing engagement with real-world asset tokenization, even as regulators push for stricter verification.China Asset Management Company (ChinaAMC), one of China’s largest fund managers with more than $400 billion in assets under management, has launched a tokenized money market fund on Ethereum.

According to data provider RWA.xyz, the new product, ChinaAMC USD Digital Money Market Fund Class I USD (CUMIU), invests in short-term deposits and high-quality money market instruments. Its objective is to deliver stable returns denominated in Hong Kong dollars.

ChinaAMC’s Fund Signals Cautious Embrace of Tokenization in China
ChinaAMC developed CUMIU through the Libeara tokenization platform. Each token has a net asset value of $100 and a management fee of just 0.05%, positioning it as a low-cost option for institutions seeking blockchain-based fixed-income exposure.

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Notably, the fund has already deployed approximately $502 million, making it the 11th-largest tokenized product by total value.

ChinaAMC Tokenized Fund. Source: RWA.xyz
However, it still trails industry leaders such as BlackRock’s BUIDL, Ondo’s OUSG, and Franklin Templeton’s BENJI.

Despite its scale, distribution remains narrow. Only two entities currently hold CUMIU tokens, reflecting a limited rollout strategy.

Meanwhile, the selective distribution strategy appears intentional. ChinaAMC can test blockchain functionality and compliance by limiting early participation before broadening access and addressing regulatory caution.

The launch comes as Chinese regulators tread carefully on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that the country’s securities regulator recently instructed local brokerages to halt RWA initiatives in Hong Kong. That guidance reflects concerns about the speed of digital asset adoption and an emphasis on tightening risk controls.

Tokenization allows financial instruments such as bonds, equities, and funds to be issued as blockchain-based tokens. In recent months, Chinese institutions have used Hong Kong as a testing ground for these products.

Yet regulators now want stricter verification of asset backing claims before they permit tokenized funds to scale further.

Even with tighter oversight, ChinaAMC’s launch underscores the broader momentum of tokenization. More than $30 billion worth of RWAs are now on-chain, which grew 7% in the past month.

At the same time, the number of RWA holders rose 9% to over 406,000, showing accelerating investor adoption and suggesting that blockchain-based finance continues to gain ground globally.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

The crypto market faced in recent months, as both Bitcoin and Ethereum broke below important support levels. Bitcoin broke below $110,000, while Ethereum also slipped under $4,000. This downturn triggered billions in liquidations and pushed the Fear and Greed Index into fear territory.

However, data from on-chain analytics platform Sentora (formerly IntoTheBlock) reveals that accumulation is quietly underway. Despite the price declines, exchange outflows for both assets have remained strongly negative.

Key Weekly Metrics
An extended decline carried over from the previous week saw the Bitcoin price falling below $110,000 with increasing selling pressure and liquidations of leveraged positions. However, despite this sharp move to the downside, on-chain data illustrates an interesting different trend occurring beneath the surface of the volatility. According to figures provided by the on-chain analytics platform Sentora, more than $5.75 billion worth of BTC flowed out of centralized exchanges over the course of the week.

This outflow, although small compared to periods of strong bullish action, shows a lingering investor conviction, especially among some investors that might be taking advantage and buying the dip. 

Ethereum’s price movement over the same period was even more pronounced than that of Bitcoin. The price crash saw the leading altcoin break down beneath the psychologically significant $4,000 support level and proceed to briefly test lower zones around $3,850. Still, despite the depth of this decline, the exchange flow data makes it clear that the bearish price action did not manage to deter accumulation activity across the network.

BTCUSD now trading at $109,585. Chart: TradingView
Over $3.08 billion worth of ETH exited exchanges during the week, which serves as evidence of a continued willingness among investors to steadily accumulate Ethereum, even in the face of short-term losses and market pressure.

Despite negative price performance, exchange outflows remained strong for both ETH and BTC, indicating accumulation across the market pic.twitter.com/eAqZTk6Vof

— Sentora (previously IntoTheBlock) (@SentoraHQ) September 26, 2025

Outflows Drive Exchange Balances To Multi-Year Lows
Interestingly, Ethereum last week’s outflows ties into a notable trend that has been developing in recent months. Data shows that Ethereum’s total supply on exchanges has dropped to just 14.8 million ETH, its lowest level since 2016. Much of this supply has been redirected into staking, long-term cold storage, and DeFi protocols, which have all led to a drastic decline in the ETH on trading platforms.

ETH balance on exchanges. Source: Glassnode

Data from a CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor CryptoOnchain adds further weight to this trend of heavy outflows. Between August and September 2025, Ethereum’s 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) netflow dropped below -40,000 ETH per day, the lowest level seen since February 2023. This persistent negative netflow shows that investors have been steadily shifting their ETH away from exchanges and placing it into staking, cold storage, or other long-term holding options. “Lower exchange balances equals reduced short-term supply,” the analyst said.

Ethereum Exchange Netflow

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $109,585, while Ethereum traded at $4,011.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

20h05 ▪
6
min read ▪ by
James G.

Bitcoin is heading into October with traders eyeing its seasonal track record for momentum. Market participants coined the phrase “Uptober” to describe the month’s history of outsized gains, and attention now turns to whether 2025 will continue that trend. After a modest September, investors are weighing past performance against current conditions to judge whether the final quarter could spark another rally.

In brief

Since 2013, Bitcoin has closed October positive in 10 of 12 years, fueling the “Uptober” momentum narrative.
Standout years like 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2023 saw surges of 28–60%, shaping October’s bullish reputation.
September 2025 closed with a modest +1.09% gain, setting a neutral launchpad for possible October upside.
While history leans bullish, macro shocks and volatility could still disrupt Bitcoin’s seasonal strength.

The Historical Strength Behind “Uptober”
The “Uptober” narrative rests on more than just memes and speculation. Data from Coinglass shows that since 2013, Bitcoin has closed October in positive territory 10 out of 12 years. 

Some years stand out with remarkable gains: 

2013: Bitcoin exploded 60.79% higher, cementing October as a launchpad for early bull market momentum.
2017: A 47.81% surge in October carried Bitcoin into the final leg of its historic rally to nearly $20,000.
2021: Gains of 39.93% reinforced bullish sentiment, propelling Bitcoin toward fresh all-time highs in November.
2023: October delivered a 28.52% climb, proving that “Uptober” could still deliver strong double-digit returns even in a cautious market.

Even moderate rallies—such as the 14.71% rise in 2016, the 10.17% surge in 2019, and the 10.76% gain in 2024—still generated strong year-end momentum.

The exceptions—2014 (-12.95%) and 2018 (-3.83%)—serve as reminders that seasonality is not a guarantee. Still, history supports the perception that October often tilts bullish for Bitcoin. This statistical edge creates a feedback loop: as traders anticipate gains, positioning and liquidity amplify momentum.

By contrast, September has typically been one of Bitcoin’s weaker months. In 2025, the asset has managed a small +1.09% gain for September, a neutral finish that leaves the market reset rather than overheated or oversold. For many traders, this balance makes the current setup a workable launchpad for an “Uptober” push.

Why October Often Matters for Bitcoin
Although no single reason explains why October favors Bitcoin, several recurring factors align around this time of year. Historically, Q4 marks an uptick in trading activity, with investors returning from summer slowdowns and reallocating capital into risk assets. Market sentiment also tends to improve as the year’s final quarter becomes a window for portfolio adjustments.

In addition, narratives play a critical role. When enough traders expect October to be strong, liquidity and buying pressure often meet that expectation. “Uptober” is both a meme and a market force, with optimism generating energy that in turn reinforces optimism.

Still, analysts caution against treating October as a shortcut to profits. Even in positive years, performance has varied widely. A modest +5% gain in 2022 contrasted sharply with the +30% surges in 2015 and 2021. This wide range reinforces the need for risk management. 

Entering October with expectations of steady gains each session can set traders up for disappointment. Treating “Uptober” as a setup rather than a certainty keeps the focus on technical confirmations and market structure.

Market Context Heading Into Q4 2025
At present, Bitcoin trades near $109,539, around 11.5% below the year’s highs. This places the asset in a middle ground—not in crisis territory, but not at peak euphoria either. How Bitcoin navigates early October will depend on whether buyers can sustain breakouts, defend support zones, and expand participation through higher open interest and stronger funding flows.

For bulls, history offers encouragement into the current optimism over the coming month. Previous strong Octobers have often served as springboards for multi-week rallies that extended into November and December. A successful defense of current levels, combined with growing demand, could lay the foundation for a renewed climb.

Bears, however, emphasize that historical trends are descriptive rather than predictive. A single macroeconomic shock—arising from interest rate changes, global market fluctuations, or liquidity constraints—has the potential to disrupt seasonal patterns. Hence, they contend that, while “Uptober” reflects market sentiment, it cannot supersede fundamental or macroeconomic forces.

Another lesson from past data is the variability in outcomes. Even within positive Octobers, intramonth swings can be sharp, testing traders’ patience and positioning. That makes tactical flexibility key: monitoring breakout confirmations, watching for higher lows on pullbacks, and adjusting leverage in line with volatility.

Outlook: Anticipation Meets Reality
Data offers insights into the optimism around “Uptober,” one such being that the market has recorded ten green Octobers since 2013. Multiple double-digit gains and a track record of kick-starting Q4 also add to this optimism. With the market cooling from summer highs, the setup favors cautious optimism over blind faith.

Still, the market will ultimately decide whether 2025 becomes another “Uptober” or one of the rare exceptions. Traders will be watching early price action closely for signs of sustained momentum. Breakouts that hold, rising participation, and constructive pullbacks will matter more than seasonal slogans.

For now, the bias leans toward cautious optimism. History suggests that October often rewards patience, but risk control remains vital. If Bitcoin can build on September’s small gain and turn it into higher highs in October, “Uptober” could once again live up to its name.

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James G.

James Godstime is a crypto journalist and market analyst with over three years of experience in crypto, Web3, and finance. He simplifies complex and technical ideas to engage readers. Outside of work, he enjoys football and tennis, which he follows passionately.

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.

The change would allow high-performance validators to fit more transactions into a single block, earning more revenue and scaling the network's capacity.

Key Takeaways
Which crypto tokens were the highest gainers this week?
MYX Finance [MYX], Zcash [ZEC], and Aster [ASTER] led the week in gains.

Which crypto tokens lost the most this week?
Pump.fun [PUMP], Story [IP], and Pi [PI] saw significant declines.

This week in the crypto market was a bloodbath. 

Over $1 billion in single-day liquidations rattled the market, with altcoins leading the drop and Bitcoin [BTC] following close behind. This, in turn, wiped out all of September’s gains. 

In the aftermath, mid-cap coins stepped up, leading the week’s gains.

MYX Finance [MYX] — DeFi project recovered about 50% of its weekly losses
MYX Finance [MYX] led this week’s gains with a 30% pop off $9.8. Last week, it dipped 11.2% after hitting a local top at $18, but the rebound shows there’s still solid bid-side support.

On the daily chart, things look a bit shaky. Since mid-September’s $19 high, MYX has made two lower highs and two higher lows, putting $15 support at risk of turning into resistance.

That said, the RSI isn’t even close to overbought, which could be a bullish sign, showing the market isn’t overextended and could attract bulls to test higher levels. But if they don’t, a deeper pullback is possible.

Source: TradingView (MYX/USDT)

MYX has struggled to flip key levels into support. $10 first, then $8. If this pattern keeps playing out, it could eat further into September’s gains, signaling bulls aren’t showing up as expected.

Zcash [ZEC] — Privacy token broke a key resistance level
Zcash [ZEC] posted a 13% rally this week, coming in as the second-top performer after MYX. While it’s a smaller token, its measured, steady grind created a bullish divergence, signaling strength despite a slower pace.

On the weekly chart, ZEC has posted four straight green weeklies, making September its best month since November with a 44% ROI. The altcoin is on track to close the month above a key resistance zone.

After breaking the $54 ceiling for the first time in four months with a 12% move, the RSI remains well-controlled, avoiding overbought conditions. This positions ZEC to target the $60 resistance next.

Aster [ASTER] —  Emerging crypto project broke out into a new ATH
Aster [ASTER] was this week’s third-top gainer, but volatility is off the charts. The week kicked off at $1.3, spiked to a $2.4 all-time high, then gave back 26% to $1.7, showing classic chop.

On the daily, the swings are even sharper. ASTER jumped 18% early in the week, but after two weeks of solid gains, it’s already given back 60% of its weekly move, signaling a typical hype cycle unwind.

By week’s end, ASTER struggled to flip $1.80–$2.15 into support, keeping the ask side in control. The next level to watch is $1.6, which could decide if bulls step in or the pullback extends.

Other notable winners
Outside the majors, altcoin rockets stole the spotlight this week.

APEX [APEX] led the charge with a 704% surge, followed by I Love Puppies [PUPPIES], which jumped 411%, and PunkStrategy [PNKSTR], rallying 211% to round out the leaderboard.

Weekly losers
Pump.fun [PUMP] —  Meme token reinforced bearish market structure
Pump.fun [PUMP] led the losers this week, dropping 20% from $0.006, marking its second straight week of lower lows and reinforcing a bearish structure with bulls mostly sidelined.

On the daily timeframe, it kicked off with a 12% drop to $0.005, then posted a tiny 2.3% bounce (the first bullish attempt in days) but momentum fizzled. The next two sessions brought a 13% dip.

The result? The downtrend has pushed PUMP back toward its mid-September range, with bulls trying to step in, but weak volume shows there’s no strong accumulation yet.

Source: TradingView (PUMP/USDT)

However, by week’s end, PUMP settled into a consolidation zone around $0.005, hinting at sell-side exhaustion. If bulls step up here, a rebound is possible; if not, post-launch gains could be wiped out.

Story [IP] —  NFT project plunged this week with its biggest red candle
Story [IP] was the second-biggest loser this week, dropping 15%+ and printing its largest red candle yet, with the RSI down 25 points, signaling heavy sell-side pressure.

Unlike PUMP, this pullback comes after a strong H2 rally that peaked at $15 in mid-September. With three straight months of green ROI, the dip looks more like a healthy reset than a trend flip.

In fact, by week’s end, IP is consolidating around $8, hinting at a possible bear trap. If bulls step in, we could see a squeeze back toward $14, making it a solid entry for the next leg up.

Pi [PI] —  Network’s native token broke below key support level
Pi [PI] struggled this week, emerging as the third-biggest loser with a 15%+ drop, underscoring that the bears remain firmly in control.

After six weeks of sideways chop around $0.30, the selling finally intensified, pushing PI to an all-time low of $0.26, confirming the downtrend is still intact, with sellers dictating price action.

The RSI is deep in oversold territory, which could trigger a short-term bounce, but weak bid support and thin volume make it a risky trade. Unless buyers step in aggressively, PI looks set to extend its weekly losses.

Other notable losers
In the broader market, downside volatility hit hard.

Syndicate [SYND] led the losers with a 58% drop, followed by Fasttoken [FTN], down 54%, and OpenLedger [OPEN], which slipped 50% as momentum sharply cooled.

Conclusion
This week was a rollercoaster. Big pumps, sharp dips, and nonstop action. As always, stay sharp, do your own research, and trade smart.

XRP Poised for Explosive Wave 3 Rally as ETF Hopes and RWA Growth AlignAccording to CryptoClue, the technical setup for XRP is aligning in a way that could signal a powerful rebound. 

Elliot Wave analysis, combined with a confirmed double-bottom and bullish flag formation, indicates that XRP may be preparing for one of its strongest upward moves yet.

Source: CryptoClueCurrently, XRP is completing Wave 2 of the Elliot Wave cycle, which typically serves as a corrective phase before the longest and most bullish Wave 3. 

This stage has historically been associated with explosive growth, often fueled by increasing market participation and positive macro catalysts. If the analysis holds true, XRP could be entering a decisive breakout phase in the weeks ahead.

Notably, technical indicators strengthen this bullish outlook as the double-bottom signals exhausted selling and renewed accumulation, while the bullish flag points to momentum coiling beneath resistance. Together, they suggest XRP is not consolidating but gearing up for a decisive upward breakout.

Beyond technical patterns, fundamentals are aligning in XRP’s favor. A major catalyst is the rising likelihood of a spot XRP ETF approval, an event that could mirror Bitcoin’s ETF-driven surge by unlocking institutional capital, boosting liquidity, and expanding mainstream investor access.

Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger is emerging as a frontrunner in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, bridging blockchain with traditional finance. 

From real estate to commodities, assets can now be issued and traded seamlessly on XRPL, where speed and efficiency give it a competitive edge. This positions XRP not just as a speculative token, but as a core driver of financial innovation.

Together, XRP’s technical strength and fundamental momentum signal a powerful setup. Wave 3 in Elliott Wave theory, the ‘money wave’ where the biggest gains unfold, appears ready to ignite. With bullish patterns confirmed and catalysts like potential ETF approval and XRPL’s RWA expansion accelerating, XRP could be approaching its most decisive rally in years.

Whale Drops $48.9M on XRP — Market Gears Up for Bullish BreakoutAccording to market analyst Xaif Crypto, a crypto whale has just executed a massive purchase of 17,555,420 XRP, a transaction valued at approximately $48.9 million. The bold move has sent ripples across the XRP community, fueling speculation of an imminent bullish trend.

Whale activity often signals market sentiment, especially in blue-chip assets like XRP. A $48.9M buy reflects strong confidence, hinting that institutional players and high-net-worth investors anticipate significant upside.

All eyes are now on whether this whale buy signals more than short-term hype. If it marks the start of sustained institutional accumulation, XRP’s outlook could prove far more bullish than many skeptics expect.

ConclusionThe $48.9 million whale purchase reflects rising confidence in XRP’s long-term potential. Beyond fueling a possible short-term rally, it may signal the early stages of institutional accumulation, underscoring XRP’s growing relevance in the shifting crypto landscape.

Meanwhile, XRP sits at the crossroads of bullish technicals and transformative fundamentals. Elliot Wave analysis points to an explosive Wave 3, reinforced by a double-bottom and bullish flag signaling breakout momentum. 

Coupled with rising odds of a spot XRP ETF and XRPL’s expanding role in real-world asset tokenization, the stage is set for accelerated adoption and a major price surge.

With Dogecoin making a comeback late last year and early into 2025, some may be pondering: Where did the asset come from? What’s it for? And what’s Tesla CEO Elon Musk got to do with it? 

The original meme coin’s boom largely has the world’s richest man to thank. Musk’s obsession with shitposting helped boost the coin to a top 10 cryptocurrency.

It’s been a wacky ride over the past few years, culminating in Musk's appointment to lead a government agency called DOGE—yes, really. But we'll explain it all.

2018: What the DOGE?Dogecoin is the biggest and oldest meme coin and the second-biggest proof-of-work cryptocurrency. It was created in 2013 as a joke by developers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer. 

The idea was to poke fun at the huge number of altcoins and crypto projects entering the market following Bitcoin’s rapid ascent, and the coin enjoyed relative obscurity and a low price during its early years. 

But then along came Musk. The eccentric billionaire asked Palmer in a 2018 tweet to help with the Twitter bot problem. Scammers had created a number of fake high-profile accounts, including Musk’s, in order to push crypto cons. The scams typically posted fake Ethereum giveaways. 

It was the first real interest Musk had shown in Dogecoin.

2019: The pump beginsMusk started to pump Dogecoin the next year. “Dogecoin might be my fav cryptocurrency,” he wrote in April 2019, in response to a screenshot of a poll from the official Dogecoin account asking who should be the cryptocurrency’s CEO. “It’s pretty cool.”

The post would be the first of many to cause the asset’s value to rocket upwards. Soon after Musk’s first tweet about Dogecoin, the market cap of the coin hit $400 million and crypto exchange Huobi listed it.

Musk being Musk, however, didn’t stop there: He branded himself Dogecoin’s CEO—briefly—on Twitter before continuing to fire out tweets asking if the coin is “really a valid form of currency” or posting memes associated with the original dog-coin.

2020/2021: Bull run arrivesMusk continued to pump Dogecoin’s price here and there with his tweets, but things really got started during the 2021 bull run. Major exchanges like Coinbase Pro listed Dogecoin and the asset developed a bigger cult following, not to mention growing mainstream awareness.

DOGE gained a market cap bigger than many companies in the S&P 500. And developers exclusively told Decrypt that they had secretly been working with Musk since 2019 to make the coin a valid payment method and a greener, cheaper alternative to Bitcoin.

But things got stranger when Musk called himself the “Dogefather” ahead of a "Saturday Night Live" skit about the cryptocurrency—again sending the asset’s price roaring upwards. DOGE would jump to its all-time high price of about $0.73 at this time.

Musk’s "SNL" appearance ended up being underwhelming for Doge fans, with the SpaceX boss and his mother’s allusions to the coin ultimately pushing its price down. Still, it continued to bring the strange world of meme coins to the mainstream.

Later that year, Musk announced that his rocket company, SpaceX, would launch a satellite to the moon—completely funded by the cryptocurrency.

2022: Tesla/Twitter maniaThe Doge mania continued into 2022 when Musk’s car company started accepting Dogecoin for merchandise. 

Dogecoin continued to experience price bumps when Musk bought Twitter and rebranded it to X, hinting that it would also become a payments platform that might, eventually, integrate the O.G. meme coin. 

Things came back to bite Musk later that year, though, when an American man hit the billionaire and Tesla and SpaceX with a $258 billion lawsuit for allegedly pumping Dogecoin—an asset with “no value at all,” according to the original filing.

But Musk and his lawyers scored a win in 2024 when a judge sided with them and dismissed the lawsuit, calling the tech entrepreneur’s tweets about Dogecoin “aspirational and puffery,” and noting that “no reasonable investor could rely upon them.”

2024-2025: Trump, Musk, and DOGEDogecoin had a relatively quiet 2023, but the meme coin has soared over the last year following Musk’s support of Republican Donald Trump’s campaign for the White House.

That’s mostly because Trump said that Musk would lead a government efficiency commission ahead of being voted back into the seat of power; Musk claimed that it would be called the Department of Government Efficiency—an acronym that matches Dogecoin’s ticker. 

Whenever Musk mentioned his future political role with the so-called DOGE ahead of the election, the price of Dogecoin jumped.

But before Trump’s election win, Musk revealed what he has probably thought all along: that he isn’t seriously interested or involved in Bitcoin, Dogecoin, or any cryptocurrency. He just likes the meme coin.

“I’m actually not actively involved in crypto,” he said at a rally. “I make Dogecoin jokes and stuff because I just kind of like Dogecoin—because it’s got the best sense of humor and it has dogs and memes, and I love all those things.”

Still, the price of Dogecoin boomed higher, hitting a three-year high price of $0.48—though it's fallen substantially since, as of this writing. Musk has recently praised Dogecoin's rate of inflation and tweeted out a familiar meme image of a dust cloud with the Doge face engulfing a city.

And President-elect Trump made it official that Musk would lead the administration's new department, though planned co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy bailed in January due to other political ambitions.

Trump even sold t-shirts showing himself and Musk alongside Doge-esque artwork. And the official DOGE website briefly featured the familiar DOGE meme imagery, boosting Dogecoin's price in the process.

With Trump back in office, Musk's DOGE started aggressively interrogating U.S. government spending, grabbing headlines as it accesses potentially sensitive citizen data while upending professional norms in the process.

But Musk departed the government role in May, and a public rift has formed between the two men. Musk made some shocking claims about Trump, and the president has in return said that DOGE should scrutinize Musk's companies—and that he'd look into having Musk deported.

The public battle hasn't done any favors for Dogecoin's price, though it has briefly boosted meme coins inspired by the conflict.

Now Elon Musk is back to focusing on his companies, with recent moves reigniting speculation over whether X might integrate Dogecoin or other cryptocurrencies for payments.

And Musk has picked up another connection to Dogecoin of late, albeit unofficially.

Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro—who helped defend him in the $258 billion class action DOGE suit dismissed last year—is now chairman of CleanCore Solutions, a publicly traded firm billed as an "official" Dogecoin treasury company. That's due to backing from House of Doge, the commercialization arm of the Dogecoin Foundation, which supports development around the coin.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on November 13, 2024. It was last updated with new details on September 28, 2025.

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XRP Stabilizes Above Key Support as Market Awaits Breakout or BreakdownAccording to crypto enthusiast Degen, XRP is currently trading near $2.83, holding steady above a critical support range of $2.60–$2.74. 

Source: DegenWhile the immediate outlook remains neutral and range-bound, market participants are closely watching whether XRP can maintain its footing or build momentum toward the next bullish leg.

The $2.60 level, marked by the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), stands out as the most important line of defense. Historically, the 200-day EMA has acted as a long-term trend indicator, separating bullish from bearish phases. 

As long as XRP remains above this level, the broader uptrend stays intact. A decisive break below, however, could invite selling pressure and open the door for a deeper pullback toward $2.40.

On the flip side, resistance between $2.95 and $3.08 has become the key battleground for buyers and sellers. This zone has repeatedly capped upside attempts, making it the primary hurdle for a confirmed breakout. 

A clean push above $3.08 would not only break the current consolidation range but could also reignite bullish sentiment, potentially paving the way for a move toward higher targets.

At present, XRP’s neutral stance reflects a market in waiting mode. Traders appear cautious, weighing the risks of a breakdown against the potential of a breakout. 

Short-term holders may look to trade in the range between $2.60 and $3.00, while long-term investors are likely more focused on whether the 200-day EMA holds strong support.

Therefore, XRP’s stability above $2.60–$2.74 is keeping bullish hopes alive, but the path forward hinges on its ability to defend the 200-day EMA and eventually clear resistance near $3. 

Ripple’s RLUSD Powers Africa’s $329B Remittance Market With Faster, Cheaper TransfersAccording to top market analyst X Finance Bull, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in Africa’s $329 billion remittance market. 

Source: X Finance BullDesigned to facilitate fast, low-cost transactions, RLUSD is positioning itself as a modern alternative to traditional cross-border systems like SWIFT, which have long been criticized for their slow settlement times and high fees.

Africa, one of the largest remittance corridors globally, relies heavily on inflows from migrant workers sending money back home. However, these payments often face bottlenecks, with fees sometimes exceeding 8% of the total amount sent. 

For families depending on remittances for essentials like education, healthcare, and food, the cost burden is significant. RLUSD directly addresses this pain point by enabling near-instant transfers at a fraction of the cost, offering much-needed relief to millions of households.

Beyond individual remittances, RLUSD is also driving efficiency in cross-border trade across the continent. Africa’s fragmented banking infrastructure and reliance on U.S. dollar settlements have historically slowed commerce between nations. 

By offering a stable, blockchain-based settlement layer, RLUSD reduces friction and speeds up transactions between businesses, merchants, and financial institutions. This efficiency boost could be a catalyst for increased intra-African trade, aligning with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

One of the most disruptive aspects of RLUSD is its potential to replace SWIFT rails for African corridors. 

SWIFT has served as the backbone of international finance for decades, but its outdated messaging system is often slow, opaque, and expensive. RLUSD leverages Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure to deliver real-time settlement with transparency and security, a leap forward compared to the multi-day processes SWIFT relies on.

According to X Finance Bull, RLUSD’s adoption also reflects a broader trend of emerging markets leapfrogging outdated financial systems in favor of blockchain-based solutions. 

Much like how mobile money revolutionized payments in Africa, RLUSD could redefine remittances and cross-border commerce by providing speed, cost-efficiency, and reliability.

ConclusionAs the remittance market continues to grow, RLUSD’s role may expand well beyond personal payments. From facilitating trade settlements to enabling new financial products, its integration into Africa’s financial ecosystem highlights the region’s openness to innovation.

Meanwhile, XRP’s current consolidation paints a picture of balance between cautious buyers and watchful sellers. The 200-day EMA at $2.60 remains the pivotal level to defend, while resistance near $3.00 stands as the gateway to renewed bullish momentum.

While big tech companies have been the primary beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, a new wave of momentum is emerging.

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has ignited tremendous investor interest about which technologies could drive the next wave of growth for decades to come. Thus far, the most visible beneficiaries have been GPU designers like Nvidia, software platforms such as Palantir Technologies, and cloud infrastructure hyperscalers like Oracle.

However, as valuations in these well-established incumbents surge, many investors are beginning to search beyond the usual suspects. Increasingly, attention is shifting toward emerging applications -- in particular, quantum computing. Quantum computing is a frontier technology promising to solve problems beyond the reach of today's most advanced supercomputers.

This sweeping potential has fueled a speculative frenzy around which companies might emerge as the leaders of quantum AI. For now, one of the most closely watched names is D-Wave Quantum (QBTS 1.39%), whose stock has skyrocketed 216% so far this year -- far outpacing the broader S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, as well as many big tech companies.

QBTS data by YCharts

With D-Wave rapidly becoming a lightning rod for investor debate and the broader narrative around quantum mechanics, the key question is straightforward: Does D-Wave's meteoric rise represent the dawn of a transformational opportunity, or is it just another bubble waiting to burst?

D-Wave's growth is real, but there's a catch
While quantum computing has captured intrigue, the reality is that its practical utility for AI remains limited today. Put simply, despite enthusiasm that quantum AI could one day revolutionize industries such as energy, financial services, and logistics, the technology is still largely in a research and development stage rather than delivering on its bold commercial ambitions.

QBTS Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts

These dynamics are on full display in the financial profile above. Over the past year, D-Wave Quantum generated just $22 million in revenue -- with the vast majority of those sales concentrated in a single quarter. Such inconsistency highlights that market demand for quantum AI services remains thin and sporadic.

At the same time, losses continue to mount -- accelerating at a pace that far outweighs the company's modest top-line growth.

This matters because when management touts headline-grabbing growth rates -- such as annual revenue expansion in the triple-digit range -- the figures are inflated by a minuscule baseline. In other words, the law of small numbers is obscuring the reality of D-Wave's fragile fundamentals.

Image source: Getty Images.

Smart investors understand D-Wave's valuation is unsustainable
In the chart below, I've outlined Wall Street's consensus revenue estimates for D-Wave over the next few years. Even if the company meets its 2027 projection of $71 million in sales, D-Wave would still be trading at an implied forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 130, based on its current market capitalization of $9.2 billion.

QBTS Revenue Estimates for Current Fiscal Year data by YCharts

A multiple of this magnitude is unsustainably high, particularly for a company with persistent cash burn and no tangible path to profitable unit economics. So, what's really happening here?

Much like many penny stocks that get caught in speculative cycles, D-Wave has become swept up in a momentum-driven rally fueled by hype over fundamentals. Even the slightest whiff of positive news tied to the broader quantum computing narrative -- such as government funding initiatives -- sparks frenzied buying from retail traders chasing hope rather than sustainable, compounding earnings power.

How can you invest in quantum AI?
While D-Wave will likely continue to attract its share of fanfare, investors seeking durable exposure to the quantum computing opportunity should look elsewhere.

The reality is that hyperscalers like Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon are all actively developing proprietary quantum processors -- positioning themselves to benefit from the upside of commercialization once the technology matures. Meanwhile, Nvidia has extended its CUDA software architecture to run in hybrid classical-quantum environments, further reinforcing its technological moat.

For investors preferring a more passive, diversified approach, exposure to quantum AI is also possible through established blue chips like Honeywell, JPMorgan Chase, or Amgen -- each of which own equity stakes in Quantinuum, a $10 billion quantum computing start-up.

The bottom line is clear: Quantum mechanics remains largely experimental, and investors need not chase hype-driven small caps to participate. There are far more credible avenues to gain exposure to this emerging frontier of AI as opposed to carrying the outsize risk of getting caught holding the bag in unproven, speculative contenders.

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Amgen, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Video game maker Electronic Arts – known for The Sims, Maddel NFL, Plants vs. Zombies and more – could be going private soon with a valuation of roughly $50 billion.

The possible deal, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, would mark the largest ever leveraged buyout in history. A group of investors including private equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners could unveil a deal for the publisher as soon as this week, sources told Reuters on Friday.

Shares of Electronic Arts, better known as EA, closed around 15% higher on Friday. The deal to take EA private would also mark further consolidation within the industry, after titans such as Activision Blizzard and Zynga were swooped up by even larger firms, further reducing the number of publicly listed video game companies.

EA is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif. The currently public company was founded in 1982, according to its website. 

GAMESTOP CEO TURNS NINTENDO SWITCH 2 PACKAGING DISASTER INTO ASTOUNDING CHARITY WIN

Visitors play EA Sports FC25 at the Gamescom computer gaming fair on the opening day in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.  (Alex Kraus/Bloomberg / Getty Images)

"We create stories and deliver amazing experiences that resonate with audiences around the world and make an impact in the communities where we live, work and play," EA's website says. 

"Our values and vision as a global company continue to drive us to create a welcoming workplace, foster inclusive communities, invest in the next generation of innovators and artists, and progress our environmental initiatives," it continues. 

FOX Business reached out to EA for comment on the potential buyout, but they did not immediately respond.

MOVIE THEATERS, MOVIE STAR DISCOURAGE CHAOS DURING 'MINECRAFT' SCREENINGS

EA Sports FC 25 displayed on a TV screen and a DualSense controller are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on September 30, 2024. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto / Getty Images)

The company's most recent earnings results said its fiscal year had started out "strong."

"We delivered a strong start to FY26, outperforming expectations ahead of what will be the most exciting launch slate in EA’s history," Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts, said in a statement. "From deepening player engagement in EA SPORTS to gearing up for Battlefield 6 and skate., we’re scaling our global communities and continuing to shape the future of interactive entertainment."

Electronic Arts headquarters in Redwood City, California, US, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

Net revenue for the company's fiscal year 2026 first quarter, which ended on June 30, showed its net revenue was $1.671 billion. 

EA's next earnings conference call is set for October 28. 

Reuters contributed to this report. 

Aftermath Silver Ltd (TSX-V:AAG, OTCQX:AAGFF) CEO Ralph Rushton spoke with Proactive about the company’s plans to initiate a new diamond drilling program at its Challacollo silver-gold project in Chile.  

This represents the first phase of technical work on the asset since its acquisition from Mandalay Resources in 2020. 

Rushton explained that the program will include 7 to 10 diamond drill holes, totaling approximately 2,000 metres.  

This initial drilling will help assess extensions of historical mine veins and test previously unexamined structures within the project area.  

He noted, “We now have the bandwidth to take on Challacollo as well,” thanks to the recent expansion of the company's technical team. 

Challacollo is a former producing asset with a historical resource base.  

Aftermath Silver is seeking to expand this base through its own exploration efforts, although Rushton acknowledged that the current strength in the silver market has increased interest in the sector and that a potential joint venture in the future is possible.  

However, he emphasized that the company is currently focused on executing the work itself. 

With permits already in hand, drilling is expected to begin in the next one to two months, with initial results anticipated by the end of the year. 

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.

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