ZincCrypto

2022 was pain.
FTX collapsed.
Solana was trading at $8.
CT said, “It’s over.”
But something told me: when everyone’s laughing at a chain… maybe the biggest play is still loading.
So I stayed. And I waited.
Early 2023: I had $2,000 left to “experiment.”
ETH was boring. BTC was slow.
But Solana?
It was fast, cheap, and wild.
Perfect soil for memecoins.
Then it began…
$BONK dropped.
The vibes were immaculate.
Airdrops flew, devs were shipping, and CT was talking.
I aped early. I didn’t 100x, but I learned:
Memes on Solana have speed and virality like nowhere else.
Late 2023 - Early 2024:
It wasn’t just BONK anymore.
Solana meme season hit like a hurricane.
Coins like:
• $WIF
• $BODEN
• $MYRO, $HOBBES, $POP—every day a new legend was born.
And the gains?
I didn’t ape blindly.
I learned to read social momentum, check holders, volume, telegram vibes, and most of all…
Followed the Solana sniper wallets that never missed.
I played small caps.
Held strong memes.
Cut fast on rugs.
And kept compounding.
March 2024:
$WIF did a 100x.
$BODEN shocked the world.
$HOBBES became a cult.
By April, I crossed $1M.
I didn’t buy L1s.
I didn’t stake or yield farm.
I just studied memes like they were blue chips.
And Solana?
It gave me the fastest, funniest, freakiest shot at freedom.
Lessons:
• Don’t fade what CT laughs at
• Memes = culture = liquidity
• Solana isn’t just fast. It’s a movement
• The next WIF will never look obvious
• Survive. Rotate. Stay online.
I’m not saying this path is easy.
But it’s real.
And in the Solana trenches, I saw degens become legends in 6 months or less.
Your shot might be just one meme away.

Tokenization poised to revolutionize access to private markets, likened to ETF boom of the 1990s

Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) could redefine modern investing just as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) did three decades ago, according to CoinFund president Christopher Perkins.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Perkins said blockchain-based tokens can democratize access to traditionally exclusive asset classes by offering 24/7 global trading and reducing information asymmetry. “I believe tokens are the new ETFs,” he stated, drawing a direct parallel to how ETFs opened public markets to retail investors in 1993.

Citing BlackRock data, Perkins noted that about 81% of U.S. companies with over $100 million in revenue remain private, locking ordinary investors out of the most innovative parts of the economy. “Essentially, that leaves normal people very little access to the most exciting companies,” he said.

The appeal of RWAs goes beyond access. Tokenization enables fractional ownership, improves capital velocity, creates novel collateral for DeFi applications, and could modernize the capital formation process. Still, Perkins acknowledged the asset class is in its infancy and navigating a complex regulatory landscape.

The push for tokenized equities is already underway. Robinhood recently launched tokenized stock trading in Europe, including “private equity” tokens for firms like OpenAI and SpaceX. While the tokens don’t confer ownership or voting rights, they offer price exposure — a step toward making private markets more accessible.

OpenAI swiftly distanced itself from the tokens, emphasizing they were unauthorized, but the momentum behind RWA tokenization continues. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said several private companies are eager to list on tokenized platforms.

As traditional public markets shrink and access to private capital becomes increasingly restricted, tokenized RWAs may offer a critical alternative — one that Perkins argues could reshape how retail investors engage with global finance.
#etf #RWA

At least 36 additional public companies are expected to add Bitcoin to their balance sheets by the end of 2025, according to a new report from Blockware Intelligence, the research arm of Bitcoin mining firm Blockware Solutions. The projection marks a 25% increase from the current count of 141 Bitcoin-holding public companies.

“This is just the beginning,” Blockware stated in its Q3 2025 market update. “Bitcoin treasury companies are the bridge connecting equity and debt markets to Bitcoin.”

The number of public companies adopting Bitcoin has already surged 120% this year, fueled by increasing acceptance of Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Market leader MicroStrategy holds 597,325 BTC—more than 12 times the holdings of the next largest holder, Marathon Digital (MARA), which owns 50,000 BTC.

However, Blockware noted a trend: the bulk of new entrants are either newly formed or struggling firms seeking alternative strategies. “Companies with low-growth or dying business models are quicker to recognize the appeal of BTC as a high-performing treasury reserve,” the firm explained, citing potential 40–60% compound annual growth rates without the overhead of traditional operations.

Despite growing interest, some analysts remain cautious. Glassnode’s James Check warned that the “easy upside” for corporate Bitcoin strategies may have already passed. Similarly, VC firm Breed suggested only a handful of Bitcoin treasury companies will survive future market downturns.

Bitwise Asset Management recently reported a record 159,107 BTC added to corporate treasuries in Q2 alone, underscoring the increasing institutional exposure to digital assets.

As Bitcoin trades above $118,000 and corporate adoption accelerates, Blockware says the market is sending a clear message: “Securitized Bitcoin exposure is here to stay.”
#BTC

The Ethereum Foundation has offloaded 10,000 $ETH in an over-the-counter (OTC) deal with SharpLink Gaming, just as Ether briefly reclaimed the $3,000 level on Friday — marking a strategic move for both parties amid rising market momentum.

According to the Foundation’s post on X, the ETH was sold at an average price of $2,572.37, netting over $25 million. The deal closed Thursday, while market data from Nansen shows ETH trading at least 6.7% higher during that time, ranging from $2,759 to $2,981.

The buyer, SharpLink Gaming, has recently doubled down on Ethereum adoption. In late May, the sports betting platform announced an Ethereum-based corporate treasury strategy and appointed ConsenSys co-founder Joseph Lubin as chairman. The firm also disclosed a $425 million private equity agreement backed by Ethereum infrastructure leaders.

Lubin emphasized the strategic importance of ETH treasuries, citing a need to balance Ether’s circulating supply with increased on-chain utility. “As we build more applications, enabling the supply-demand dynamics of Ether to right-size is critical,” he said.

The announcement coincided with a broader crypto market rally. Bitcoin soared to new highs above $112,000, while Ether briefly crossed the $3,000 mark — buoyed by the second-largest daily inflows into crypto ETFs since launch. Ether spot ETFs alone attracted $383.1 million in net inflows on Thursday.

The price spike also follows Ethereum Foundation developer Sophia Gold’s outline of a major upgrade to the network: a transition to zero-knowledge proof-based execution, expected within the next year.

With ETH reclaiming bullish momentum and institutional interest deepening, SharpLink’s discounted buy may prove timely as Ethereum’s narrative continues to evolve.
#ETHBreaks3k

$SUI (SUI) has confirmed a breakout from a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, signaling the potential for an extended rally toward $3.89, according to recent technical analysis.

After bouncing from its 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $2.92, SUI surged past the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) of $3.08 on Thursday, gaining 11.3% to trade above $3.40. The rally comes amid renewed optimism in the crypto market, led by Bitcoin’s push to a new all-time high.

Chart indicators now favor the bulls, with the 20-day EMA turning upward and the relative strength index (RSI) entering positive territory. Analysts say if the price remains above the 50-day SMA, the SUI/USDT pair could target $3.55 in the short term and potentially reach the pattern’s projected breakout level at $3.89.

“The neckline at $3.08 is now a key support,” analysts noted. “If the price pulls back and holds this level, the bullish structure remains intact.”

However, a drop below the moving averages could invalidate the bullish outlook, potentially sending the pair down to $2.80 or even $2.60.

With technical momentum on its side and bullish sentiment spreading across select altcoins, SUI is one to watch closely as it approaches key resistance levels.
#sui

Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s family office, YZi Labs, is backing a new BNB-focused treasury company that plans to go public on a major U.S. exchange, marking a major push to bring institutional capital into the BNB ecosystem.

Announced Wednesday, the initiative is being led by 10X Capital, with Galaxy Digital co-founder David Namdar tapped as CEO of the new BNB Treasury Company. The firm will accumulate and hold large amounts of BNB — the native token of Binance and BNB Chain — giving traditional investors a regulated vehicle for BNB exposure.

“$BNB Chain is one of the most widely adopted blockchain ecosystems,” said Ella Zhang, head of YZi Labs. “Expanding institutional access can deliver meaningful benefits to the broader public.”

The company joins a growing trend of public entities stockpiling digital assets. While Bitcoin remains the favorite among corporates, BNB is gaining momentum. Nasdaq-listed Nano Labs recently disclosed plans to purchase up to $1 billion in BNB, and other firms — including Singapore’s Trident Digital and China’s Webus — are turning to altcoins like XRP.

According to Forbes, CZ and Binance collectively control nearly 96% of BNB’s circulating supply, with CZ alone holding roughly 94 million tokens — now valued around $63 billion. While CZ is barred from managing Binance under a U.S. legal settlement, he remains its largest shareholder.

10X Capital’s CEO Hans Thomas said the move aims to bridge the gap for U.S. investors seeking exposure to one of the most active blockchain networks globally.

The BNB Treasury Company expects to finalize its financing round in the coming weeks, with more BNB treasury vehicles reportedly in the pipeline. CZ noted via X, “There are over 30+ teams that want to do a BNB treasury public company.”
#bnb

A record $31 billion influx of USDT and USDC into Binance is reviving hopes for a long-anticipated altseason, as traders begin to position for a potential breakout across the broader crypto market.

According to on-chain analyst Timo Oinonen, this spike in stablecoin reserves represents “a brewing liquidity explosion,” signaling that investors are sitting on the sidelines with dry powder, waiting for the right moment to rotate into altcoins.

The shift comes amid a steady decline in Bitcoin dominance over the past 90 days, suggesting capital could soon flow into other digital assets. At the same time, the TOTAL2 chart — which tracks the market cap of all cryptocurrencies excluding Bitcoin — is forming a bullish cup-and-handle pattern. If confirmed, it could push the altcoin market to $1.55 trillion in the coming months.

“Stablecoins flooding into Binance while BTC is being withdrawn is a key tell,” said Oinonen in a CryptoQuant post. “It hints at latent buying power ready to deploy.”

João Wedson, CEO of Alpharactal, echoed the sentiment, pointing to signals on the Altcoin Season Index that suggest it may be an opportune time to accumulate altcoins while Bitcoin remains in consolidation.

While altseason hasn’t fully materialized yet, the combination of surging stablecoin reserves, weakening Bitcoin dominance, and coiling market structure suggests the second half of 2025 could be pivotal for altcoins — if the right catalyst arrives.
#Stablecoins

Former Binance CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao is casting doubt on a recent announcement by The Open Network ($TON ) that claims investors can obtain a UAE Golden Visa by staking $100,000 worth of Toncoin ($TON ) for three years and paying a $35,000 processing fee.

“Is this real?” CZ wrote on X, responding to TON’s Saturday announcement, which claimed that 10-year UAE residency could be secured within seven weeks under the program. The crypto founder pointed out the absence of any reference to the initiative on official UAE government websites and questioned which authority had approved the offer. “I got conflicting info so far,” he added.

The visa announcement has been widely circulated, particularly after Telegram CEO Pavel Durov reposted it via crypto influencer Ash Crypto. However, Durov’s signal boost wasn’t enough to ease CZ’s skepticism. “I like to trust but verify,” CZ said, despite being a recipient of a UAE Golden Visa himself.

While the news sent TON’s price up more than 11% in a matter of hours, Cointelegraph has not found any confirmation on websites of UAE government entities such as the Ras Al Khaimah DAO, the Securities and Commodities Authority, or the Abu Dhabi Global Market. The program, according to TON, is being handled by a third-party partner, which further obscures the initiative’s official backing.

“Our visa issuing partner in the UAE will review your details and guide you through the final steps,” TON stated in the original post.

The UAE has positioned itself as a global crypto and blockchain hub, recently unveiling initiatives in tokenized real estate and launching a Machine Economy Free Zone to explore AI and DePIN innovation. But for now, TON’s visa-for-staking program remains under scrutiny — even as investors rush in.
#CZ

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis is spearheading a renewed push for crypto tax reform, introducing a draft bill this week that proposes exemptions for small digital asset transactions and deferrals on mining and staking income — a move that’s invigorating the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.

The proposed legislation seeks to ease the tax burden on crypto users by exempting gains under $300 per transaction (up to $5,000 annually), while deferring taxes on staking and mining rewards until the assets are sold. Lummis framed the bill as a step toward “common-sense rules” that reflect the digital economy’s realities and protect Americans from “inadvertent tax violations.”

The timing of the bill — coming just weeks after the bipartisan passage of the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins — suggests growing momentum for pro-crypto regulation in Washington.

DeFi leaders see the bill as a catalyst for increased institutional interest. $AAVE Labs founder Stani Kulechov, speaking at EthCC 2025, said the combination of regulatory clarity and dissatisfaction with traditional finance is accelerating interest in decentralized systems.

“The frustration with banking is pushing more capital into fintech and DeFi,” Kulechov said, calling real-world asset (RWA) tokenization a “multi-trillion-dollar opportunity.”

Adding to the momentum, Chainlink this week launched a new compliance standard, Chainlink ACE, designed to enable institutional capital to move onchain. Co-founder Sergey Nazarov called it the “final building block” needed to unlock $100 trillion in tokenized assets.

Lummis’s standalone bill follows her unsuccessful attempt to include similar crypto-friendly provisions in the federal budget reconciliation bill earlier this month. With support for blockchain innovation growing among policymakers and financial firms, the senator hopes her proposal can advance independently.

As regulatory guardrails begin to take shape, analysts suggest that traditional financial players will increasingly look to DeFi platforms for yield, efficiency, and global accessibility — a trend that could accelerate in the second half of 2025.

#defi

Dogecoin ($DOGE ) could be poised for a bullish breakout, with chart analysts pointing to a textbook double-bottom formation and strengthening technical signals that suggest a potential price recovery toward $0.25.

The memecoin is currently trading near $0.17 after consolidating between $0.13 and $0.25 since February. On the daily chart, DOGE has established a firm support base at $0.15, forming a double-bottom — a classic reversal pattern often preceding a price rally.

Crypto analyst Trader Tardigrade recently noted a breakout above the descending channel’s 50-day trendline, followed by a successful retest — a move interpreted as the early stages of a bullish reversal. New higher lows and highs on lower time frames reinforce the potential uptrend.

Onchain data also supports this view. Glassnode's UTXO realized price distribution shows a significant concentration of holders at the $0.177 level, holding nearly 9% of total supply. A daily close above this threshold could open the door to test the next resistance at $0.206 and potentially the long-term target at $0.25.

Despite some short-term pressure — including recent signs of distress selling — $DOGE remains one of the most actively traded cryptos. Memecoins, broadly, continue to lead market narratives, returning over 56% in the past 90 days, according to DYOR data.

While the move to $0.25 may not be immediate, a combination of bullish technical signals and broader memecoin momentum could set the stage for DOGE to reclaim higher levels later in 2025, particularly if Bitcoin drives another altcoin surge.

#Dogecoin‬⁩

I remember the day $MOODENG launched like it was yesterday.
Back then, it was just a fun-looking token with a quirky hippo mascot. But something felt different — $MOODENG wasn't just another memecoin. It became a syndrome. People across the world were tagging MOODENG memes and photos on social media. The hippo wasn’t just a meme anymore — it became a movement.
I jumped in when MOODENG's market cap was sitting at 10M. The vibes were strong. The community? Even stronger. I held on tight, and before I knew it, it had rocketed all the way to 500M. The returns were mind-blowing. That ride taught me one thing: memecoins are no longer a joke — they’re an opportunity.
Sure, some people still scoff at memecoins, calling them scams or bubbles. But times have changed. VCs are now circling the space. Even the SEC isn’t treating them as securities anymore. The game has evolved, and so should we.
After exiting MOODENG, I stayed away from the memecoin scene for a bit — waiting, watching, searching. And now, I believe I’ve found the next MOODENG-level opportunity: $DALPY.
So, what’s $DALPY?
It’s a new memecoin with a unique animal character — one that hasn’t been overused or memed to death. In a sea of dogs, frogs, and cats, DALPY stands out. And unlike MOODENG, which launched through pump.fun, $DALPY is taking a more community-friendly route: a presale. That means everyone gets a fair shot.
What really caught my attention, though, is how organically it’s gaining traction. No big influencer push, no shady buy-ins — just pure, viral growth. I’ve seen the same patterns I saw in MOODENG’s early days. The memes are spreading. The excitement is building. And the team? Real Builders. They're letting the community do the talking — and it’s working.
This time, I’m not just buying in. I’m doubling down. I’m putting a chunk of my MOODENG gains into $DALPY’s presale. Why? Because I know what it looks like when a memecoin is about to take off. And all the signs are here.
If you missed the MOODENG train, $DALPY might be your second chance. It’s still early, the energy is raw, and the upside potential? Massive.
Don’t sleep on this one.

#DALPY #MOODENG

OpenAI has distanced itself from tokens distributed by Robinhood that claim to offer exposure to the AI company’s private equity, asserting that the offerings are not connected to or endorsed by the company.

In a statement posted Wednesday, OpenAI clarified that “any transfer of OpenAI equity requires our approval — we did not approve any transfer.” The company urged caution, saying it has no involvement in Robinhood’s initiative.

The move follows Robinhood’s launch of tokenized stock trading for European Union users, including a promotional airdrop of $5 worth of OpenAI and SpaceX tokens to eligible clients. Robinhood emphasized the tokens merely offer indirect exposure via a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and do not represent actual equity ownership.

The controversy prompted a sharp rebuke from OpenAI co-founder Elon Musk, who posted on X, “Your ‘equity’ is fake,” continuing his criticism of OpenAI’s corporate transformation since his departure in 2018. Musk has repeatedly accused the company of straying from its original nonprofit charter.

Robinhood launched its layer-2 blockchain and tokenized asset trading platform earlier this week at an event in Cannes, France, where CEO Vlad Tenev described the effort as part of a broader mission to democratize access to financial markets.

“Crypto is much more than a speculative asset; it has the potential to become the backbone of the global financial system,” Tenev said.

While no U.S. rollout date has been announced, Robinhood's European strategy mirrors a growing push among exchanges to integrate tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) such as stocks, bonds, and private equity — asset classes traditionally inaccessible to retail investors.

The company’s European expansion coincides with a wave of regulatory changes and growing interest in financial inclusion through blockchain technology, though the OpenAI token incident highlights the legal and reputational risks associated with tokenized equity offerings.

#OpenAI

Strategy, the tech firm led by Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor, is on track to post over $13 billion in unrealized gains from its Bitcoin holdings in Q2 2025, according to a Bloomberg analysis. Yet, the company’s core software business continues to underperform, with projected quarterly revenue at just $112.8 million.

As of March 31, Strategy held 528,185 Bitcoin, valued at over $43.5 billion. By Monday, the total had swelled to $56.3 billion, reflecting a $12.8 billion gain driven by Bitcoin’s recent price surge. Weekly BTC purchases added another estimated $640 million in unrealized profits, with an average buy-in price of $97,900, according to SEC filings.

Despite a 6% drop in stock price on Tuesday, Strategy shares remain up 170% over the past year on the Nasdaq. The firm continues to lean heavily into its crypto strategy, executing regular Bitcoin purchases backed by debt and equity offerings.

Chairman Michael Saylor remains bullish. In a Tuesday post on X, he reported a 7.8% Bitcoin yield for the quarter—a metric Strategy uses to reflect Bitcoin growth per diluted share.

Still, analysts are split. Some see the aggressive buying as “highly accretive,” while others warn of potential shareholder dilution. Meanwhile, Strategy’s $112.8 million in software revenue highlights its growing dependence on Bitcoin performance as its core business lags behind.

The company is expected to officially report Q2 earnings in the coming weeks.

$BTC #StrategyBTCPurchase

Robinhood has launched a tokenization-focused layer-2 blockchain built on Arbitrum, marking a major step in its real-world asset (RWA) strategy. The platform now allows European Union investors to trade tokenized versions of over 200 U.S. stocks and ETFs around the clock, five days a week—commission-free.

The move is part of Robinhood’s broader crypto and derivatives expansion in Europe. The firm also introduced perpetual futures with up to 3x leverage, routed through Bitstamp, the crypto exchange it recently acquired for $200 million.

This launch places Robinhood among a growing list of firms pushing stock tokenization in the EU, following Gemini’s recent offering of tokenized Strategy (MSTR) shares.

The announcement comes on the heels of Robinhood’s rollout of micro futures for Bitcoin, XRP, and Solana, and follows its $179 million acquisition of Canadian crypto operator WonderFi in May.

Robinhood is also lobbying U.S. regulators to develop a national framework for tokenized assets. The company has proposed a Real World Asset Exchange, aimed at bridging offchain trading with onchain settlement.

While the RWA market has surged past $24 billion, most of that growth has come from private credit and tokenized Treasurys. Tokenized stocks currently account for less than $400 million—a figure Robinhood aims to significantly increase.

#Robinhood:

REX Shares is reportedly just days away from launching the first-ever Solana staking exchange-traded fund (ETF), after successfully addressing regulatory concerns raised by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and Nate Geraci said REX Shares filed an updated, fully completed prospectus with the SEC, signaling the fund is ready for approval and launch. “Add it all up, and it appears as though all systems go for imminent launch,” Balchunas wrote on X.

The fund, structured under the Investment Company Act of 1940 using a rare c-corp model, avoids the standard 19b-4 approval process. Geraci said this “creative” approach appears to have satisfied the SEC, despite previous concerns that it conflicted with ETF rule 6c-11.

“The SEC looks comfortable pushing forward,” Geraci added, calling the structure “very rare in the ETF world.”

REX Shares has confirmed that its upcoming REX-Osprey SOL and Staking ETF will track Solana ($SOL ) while offering staking yields — a long-awaited feature in the crypto ETF space. The firm called it the “first-ever staked crypto ETF” in the U.S., marking a major shift in ETF innovation.

Staking has been a sticking point for institutional investors seeking yield-generating exposure to crypto. In March, BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robbie Mitchnick, called the firm’s Ethereum ETF a “tremendous success,” but acknowledged it was “less perfect” without staking.

With the final regulatory boxes checked, analysts expect REX Shares’ Solana ETF to begin trading any day now, potentially ushering in what Balchunas dubbed “Crypto ETF summer.”

#etf

The price of $XRP surged over 3% Friday after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced the company is formally withdrawing its cross-appeal in its legal case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signaling a possible end to the four-year dispute.

Garlinghouse made the announcement via social media, stating:

“Ripple is dropping our cross-appeal, and the SEC is expected to drop their appeal, as they’ve previously said. We’re closing this chapter once and for all.”

Shortly after the statement, XRP climbed 3.36% to $2.18, according to data from CoinMarketCap, marking a rare spike for the token, which had declined over 4% in the past 30 days.
Ripple signals a return to business
Garlinghouse emphasized the company’s shift toward growth and innovation, writing:

“We’re focusing on what’s most important – building the Internet of Value. Lock in.”

The move comes just a day after U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres denied a joint request from Ripple and the SEC to reduce Ripple’s $125 million civil penalty. Judge Torres reaffirmed her previous stance that Ripple had violated securities laws in its primary sales of XRP to institutional investors.

Despite the court’s refusal to reverse the penalty, Ripple’s legal team framed the decision as a strategic pivot.

“The Court gave us two options,” said Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s chief legal officer. “We’ve chosen to dismiss the appeal and move forward.”

XRP’s legal status remains intact
Alderoty reassured XRP holders that the token’s legal classification is unchanged, stating,

“XRP’s legal status as not a security remains unchanged. In the meantime, it’s business as usual.”

If the SEC also withdraws its appeal, the legal saga — which began in December 2020 when the SEC alleged Ripple raised $1.3 billion through unregistered XRP sales — may finally come to a close.
In previous rulings, the court significantly reduced the SEC’s proposed penalty from $2 billion to $125 million, a result Garlinghouse has described as a “victory” for Ripple and the broader crypto industry.

#xrp

Ethereum’s price action is flashing bullish signals that could set the stage for a broader altcoin rally, according to multiple crypto analysts. Technical patterns and market indicators suggest Ether ($ETH ) may reach as high as $10,000 this cycle — potentially kicking off the long-awaited “altseason.”

In a June 26 analysis, crypto strategist Mikybull highlighted a Wyckoff reaccumulation schematic completed by ETH, predicting a sharp breakout to the $3,200 level and beyond. “Big rally incoming,” he posted on X.

Another analyst, XForceGlobal, shared an Elliott Wave projection pointing to a rally toward $9,400–$10,000, calling the recent move to $2,800 “objectively bullish.” The forecast is backed by rising institutional interest and anticipation around Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Altcoin Season Index Signals Opportunity

The Altcoin Season Index, which tracks whether altcoins are outperforming Bitcoin, remains in the low “Bitcoin season” zone — historically a precursor to sharp reversals favoring altcoins. Alphractal CEO Joao Wedson noted that past cycles show altcoins often rally dramatically once the index climbs above 20%.

“This could be a great chance to accumulate altcoins while they’re still lagging,” Wedson said.

Bitcoin Dominance Nearing Tipping Point

Bitcoin currently holds 65.77% of the total crypto market cap. Analysts say once BTC dominance nears or breaches 70% — a level last seen in January 2021 — and then begins to retreat, it often triggers a rotation into altcoins.

“Bitcoin dominance about to fall over the coming weeks,” said pseudonymous trader The Chart Degen. “Pick the right altcoins and make a disgusting amount of money over the coming months.”

As Ethereum edges closer to technical breakout levels and altcoins show signs of awakening, the market appears poised for a new phase. Whether Ether reaches $10,000 or not, traders are bracing for what could be one of the most active altcoin seasons since the last bull cycle.

#altsesaon

A U.S. federal judge has rejected a joint request by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs to reduce a $125 million civil penalty and vacate a prior ruling that $XRP sales to institutional investors constituted securities transactions.

In a Thursday filing, Judge Analisa Torres of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York declined to issue an indicative ruling that would have allowed the changes amid an ongoing appeals process. She said the prior decision remained consistent with federal securities laws and warned against bypassing the formal appellate process.

“None of this has changed — and the parties hardly pretend that it has,” Torres wrote. “They now claim that it is in the public interest to cut the civil penalty by sixty percent… The Court disagrees.”

The ruling upholds the court’s earlier finding that Ripple had violated Section 5 of the Securities Act in its primary XRP sales, ordering an injunction and monetary penalty. While the SEC had agreed to accept a reduced $50 million penalty as part of the case’s resolution, the judge emphasized that any modification must come through the appropriate legal channels.

The SEC and Ripple had jointly petitioned the court to release the $125 million held in escrow, with $75 million slated to be returned to Ripple if the reduced penalty had been approved.

The case has been closely watched by the crypto industry, seen as a bellwether for how U.S. regulators classify digital assets. Despite the ruling, both parties have agreed to end the litigation, and Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse previously declared the SEC’s dropped appeal as a “resounding victory.”

The SEC initially sued Ripple in December 2020. Judge Torres' refusal to modify the ruling underscores the judiciary's cautious stance in reassessing penalties outside the formal appeals process.

#XRPSettlement

Asset management firm Invesco and crypto investment firm Galaxy Digital have filed a proposal to launch a spot Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF), marking the ninth such application to be submitted to U.S. regulators.

According to a Form S-1 registration filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday, the proposed Invesco Galaxy Solana ETF would directly hold Solana ($SOL ), the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. If approved, the ETF would trade under the ticker QSOL on the Cboe BZX Exchange.

Invesco and Galaxy join a rapidly expanding field of issuers vying to bring Solana-based ETFs to market. Other firms with pending applications include VanEck, Bitwise, and Grayscale, reflecting growing interest in altcoin products following the successful debut of spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024 and the more modest rollout of Ethereum ETFs later in the year.

The wave of filings comes amid a more favorable regulatory climate under the Trump administration, which has pledged to ease restrictions on the crypto sector. That shift has helped propel Bitcoin to new all-time highs and sparked a surge in institutional investment.

Before the SEC can formally consider approval, Invesco and Galaxy must file a Form 19b-4 to initiate the rule change process. If approved, QSOL would offer traditional investors a regulated gateway to gain exposure to Solana without directly holding the token.

#SOLETF

In a major push toward mainstream crypto adoption, Chainlink has partnered with Mastercard to enable more than three billion cardholders to purchase cryptocurrencies directly onchain. The collaboration aims to simplify digital asset access for non-crypto-native users, offering a seamless fiat-to-crypto experience.

The integration is supported by a cohort of Web3 firms including Shift4 Payments, Swapper Finance, XSwap, and ZeroHash. ZeroHash will provide the critical onchain infrastructure and liquidity to facilitate fiat conversions into crypto, while Swapper Finance’s non-custodial, account-abstracted wallet will offer users a simplified and secure interface.

“This solution was built for everyone — not just crypto-natives or enthusiasts,” a Chainlink Labs spokesperson told Cointelegraph, highlighting the focus on accessibility and regulatory compliance.

The move is part of Mastercard’s broader digital asset strategy, which has gained momentum throughout 2024 and 2025. In April, the company teamed up with Kraken to launch crypto debit cards in Europe and the UK and joined forces with MetaMask to release a self-custody card. Mastercard also claims to have tokenized 30% of its 2024 transactions.

Rival Visa has similarly ramped up its crypto initiatives, partnering with Coinbase and investing in stablecoin infrastructure. The competition between payment giants is helping bridge the gap between traditional finance and Web3.

“There’s no doubt about it — people want to be able to easily connect to the digital assets ecosystem,” said Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard’s EVP for blockchain and digital assets.

By streamlining fiat-to-crypto transactions for billions, the Chainlink-Mastercard partnership could mark a pivotal moment for retail crypto adoption.

$LINK #Mastercard