On public blockchains, trading intentions can become visible before an order executes. This creates challenges for traders who want to protect their strategies from being copied or anticipated.
@Nillion is addressing this problem through Covenants, its core product for encrypted instructions. A Covenant remains unreadable while waiting for its conditions to be met. In DUSK, the first release, these conditions can be based on a price or a clock.
Consider a stop-loss that keeps its price condition private while waiting to execute, or a sealed auction bid that remains hidden until the auction closes. These are examples of how Covenants could help protect sensitive trading intentions without requiring a third party to hold the instructions.
An important milestone is that DUSK is now live on Ethereum mainnet. This is a mainnet launch, not a testnet release. Developers can create Covenants, run a node, and build with the SDK.
DUSK is only the first era of Nillion's seven-era roadmap. Future phases are planned to expand Covenants across multiple EVM chains, support more flexible conditions, strengthen privacy, and improve scalability, with milestones extending into 2027 and early 2028.
As blockchain and DeFi continue to develop, privacy around trading intentions could become an important part of market infrastructure. The next stages of Nillion's roadmap will be worth watching as developers explore new applications.
Can encrypted instructions change how onchain markets operate? #nil $NIL
🎓 I Understand Crypto Narratives. Now I'm Learning What Moves the Bond Market.
Today, I completed Binance Academy's Understanding Bonds course, and one lesson gave me a different perspective on financial markets.
Imagine two investors.
One buys a bond paying 5% interest. Another waits until new bonds offer 7%.
Suddenly, the first investor faces a problem: why would someone pay the original price for a bond offering less interest?
That's the power of interest rates. 📉 When market rates rise, existing bond prices generally fall. When rates decline, existing bonds with higher coupon payments can become more attractive.
But my biggest lesson goes beyond that relationship.
Bonds are more than instruments for earning interest. They're part of the bigger financial picture.
Interest rates influence borrowing costs, business valuations, and investor decisions. Changes in rate expectations can also affect sentiment across stocks, gold, and crypto, although each market has its own drivers.
This course helped me understand three concepts I won't ignore: 🔹 Coupon vs. yield: The interest rate printed on a bond isn't the same as its yield at the market price. 🔹 Risk matters: Credit quality, inflation, and interest rates can all affect returns. 🔹 Diversification requires understanding: Different assets behave differently as economic conditions change. What do you think matters more when analyzing markets: interest rates, liquidity, or investor sentiment?
My certificate marks the completion of a course, but the real achievement is learning to connect financial concepts instead of looking at each market in isolation. 📚 One course completed. A broader market perspective unlocked.
What do you think matters more when analyzing markets: interest rates, liquidity, or investor sentiment? #BinanceAcademyCourse
Binance Academy
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🎓 One sentence explains half of financial news: when rates rise, bond prices fall. Our new course 👉Understanding Bonds teaches you the other half.
Learn, share the certificate, and win Binance swag. Campaign period: Oct 15, 2026, 12:00 PM (UTC) – Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 PM (UTC) 🔸 Complete Understanding Bonds course & earn your certificate 🔸 Follow @Binance Academy on Square 🔸 Share your certificate with #BinanceAcademyCourse 🔸 Fill in the shipping info 🔸 Wait for results!
10 winners will be selected on Oct 26, 2026 — chosen based on creativity and relevance in sharing their certificate and learning journey. Make your post stand out. 🏆
Note: Campaign unavailable in certain regions due to compliance requirements. This campaign is not open to residents or citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area (all 30 member states), Hong Kong, Singapore, or any other jurisdiction on Binance's List of Prohibited Countries.
September CPI Confirmed Energy-Driven Heat Positioning Oil & Treasuries #CPIWatch
The September 2026 CPI, released October 14, printed hotter: headline +0.6% MoM / 3.7% YoY (up from 3.4%), core +0.3% MoM / 2.6% YoY. Gasoline surged 9.1% on the month, accounting for over half the headline gain, with energy overall +5.2% MoM and +20%+ YoY. This matched the pre-release setup of elevated Middle East risks feeding U.S. energy costs.
Brent has held in the $104–$106 range amid ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, tanker incidents near Hormuz, and depleted inventories from the broader conflict. The hot print pushed near-term Fed hike odds higher (October meeting now closer to a coin-flip vs. low-20s beforehand) and kept 10-year yields near multi-decade highs around 5.2%.
For traders: hotter energy and sticky core support continued upside risk in oil ($BZ USDT) while favoring higher yields and short-duration or inverse Treasury exposure ($TBT ) over leveraged long Treasuries ($TMF USDT). Any further oil strength would reinforce the inflation channel and yield pressure.
On Binance Earn, RWUSD offers principal-protected daily APR tied to Treasury RWA-style strategies useful as a yield overlay while actively managing directional views on oil and rates. Data remains the guide; monitor official BLS releases and market pricing for the next moves.
Oil’s Next Move vs. Treasury Yields: The September CPI Showdown #CPIWatch The September US CPI report delivered a clear inflation warning.
📊 THE DATA • Headline CPI: 3.7% YoY, up from 3.4% in August. • Monthly CPI: +0.6%, compared with +0.4% in August. • Core CPI: 2.6% YoY, up from 2.4%. • Gasoline prices: +9.1% month over month. • Overall energy prices: +5.2% month over month.
🛢️ MY OIL OUTLOOK
Middle East tensions and supply uncertainty continue to create upside risks for oil. Higher fuel prices also help explain September's inflation acceleration.
However, I would not chase an oil rally blindly. If geopolitical risks intensify or supply disruptions worsen, crude could remain supported. If tensions ease and supply conditions improve, prices could retreat sharply.
📉 MY TREASURY OUTLOOK
Hotter inflation can push Treasury yields higher as traders reassess the Federal Reserve's next move. Higher yields generally put pressure on existing bond prices.
My approach would be cautious with long-duration Treasury exposure until yields show signs of stabilizing. I would also avoid assuming another Fed rate hike is guaranteed; future decisions depend on incoming inflation, employment and other economic data.
🎯 TRADE WATCHLIST • $BZ USDT — Monitor crude oil momentum and geopolitical developments. • $TMF USDT — Watch for a potential rebound if Treasury yields fall. • $TBT — Monitor for strength if Treasury yields continue rising. • $RWUSD — Check its product structure and trading risks before taking a position.
My strategy: Prioritize confirmation over prediction. I would watch oil's reaction to supply news and Treasury yields' reaction to inflation before entering a trade.
What's your view? Will oil continue climbing, and will Treasury yields move higher from here?
September CPI Shock: Will Oil Stay High While Treasuries Face More Pressure?
The latest US inflation report has given markets another reason to watch oil prices and Treasury yields closely.
📊 THE DATA US CPI rose to 3.7% year over year in September, compared with 3.4% in August, exceeding the 3.6% forecast. Core CPI also increased to 2.6% from 2.4%, according to the latest report. Rising energy costs have become a major concern amid escalating Middle East tensions.
🛢️ MY TAKE ON OIL I remain cautious about chasing oil after a sharp rally. Continued supply disruptions could keep prices elevated, but any improvement in the geopolitical situation could trigger a quick reversal. I would watch the latest supply developments and price action before considering a position in $BZ USDT.
📉 MY TAKE ON TREASURIES Higher inflation can strengthen expectations for tighter monetary policy, putting upward pressure on Treasury yields and downward pressure on Treasury prices. I would avoid assuming an immediate recovery in bonds. $TMF and $TBT deserve close attention, but confirmation from yields and further economic data matters more than headlines alone.
🎯 MY STRATEGY I would prioritize risk management over aggressive positioning, wait for clearer confirmation, and avoid entering trades solely because the CPI surprised to the upside.
The key question now is whether energy-driven inflation persists or begins to ease.
What's your view? Will oil continue climbing, and will Treasury yields move higher from here?
📊 Oil Shock Meets Inflation: Are US Treasuries Heading Lower?
September CPI has delivered a warning that bond traders cannot ignore.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that headline CPI rose 0.6% in September, taking annual inflation to 3.7%. Gasoline prices jumped 9.1% during the month, accounting for more than half of the monthly increase in overall consumer prices. Energy costs are back in the inflation conversation, and the market now has another reason to watch the Federal Reserve closely.
My take: The bigger question is whether higher oil prices create a temporary inflation spike or begin feeding into transportation, production and other consumer costs. If energy prices continue climbing, inflation could prove harder to bring down. But one CPI report alone does not guarantee another Fed rate hike.
For Treasuries, I’m watching the relationship between inflation expectations and yields. A more hawkish Fed outlook could push yields higher, putting pressure on existing Treasury prices. However, if markets start focusing more on economic slowdown risks, bonds could find support instead.
My trading approach: I would avoid chasing oil after a sharp rally and wait for confirmation that prices can hold their gains. On the Treasury side, I would watch yield movements and the next inflation signals before taking a directional position.
🔎 Watchlist: 🛢️ Oil-related market moves 📉 $TMF USDT leveraged long exposure to Treasury bonds 📈 $TBT leveraged inverse Treasury exposure 💵 $RWUSD and $BZUSDT verify the exact instrument and its underlying exposure before trading.
These instruments have different structures and risks, so I would not treat them as interchangeable. Leveraged products can magnify losses, especially during volatile macroeconomic events.
The September CPI numbers are out. Now the question is whether oil keeps inflation elevated long enough to change the Fed's next move. What's your view: will Treasury yields climb further, or will bond buyers step in? #CPIWatch
September CPI: Can Rising Oil Prices Trigger Another Treasury Sell-Off?
The next US inflation report arrives at a sensitive moment for financial markets. Oil prices have surged amid disruptions in the Middle East, raising concerns about energy costs and their potential impact on inflation. The big question is whether September CPI will surprise to the upside and change expectations for Federal Reserve policy. If that happens, oil and Treasury markets could experience significant volatility. 1. Oil Prices Are Back in Focus According to the US Energy Information Administration's October 2026 outlook, Brent crude averaged $114 per barrel in September, up $23 from August. The increase was associated with disruptions affecting Middle Eastern oil infrastructure and transportation. The EIA forecasts Brent will average $105 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026, assuming conditions evolve as projected. This is a forecast, not a guaranteed outcome. Higher crude prices can increase fuel and transportation costs, but the impact on consumer inflation depends on how long prices remain elevated and how businesses pass those costs to consumers. My view: Oil remains an important inflation risk, but elevated crude prices alone do not prove that September CPI will exceed expectations. For traders following BZUSDT, the priority should be watching whether oil sustains its strength rather than chasing a sudden price spike. 2. What Matters in September CPI? The latest published August CPI report showed that US consumer prices increased 0.4% month over month, while headline inflation reached 3.4% year over year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3% monthly and 2.4% annually. These figures describe August, not September. The September CPI report is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics release calendar. I will focus on three factors: • Headline CPI: Has higher energy pricing pushed overall inflation higher? • Core CPI: Are underlying price pressures accelerating beyond energy? • Monthly inflation: Is price growth broadening across multiple categories? A hotter-than-expected report could increase concerns about persistent inflation. A softer report could ease some of that pressure. Neither outcome should be assumed before the official release. 3. Could Treasury Yields Rise Further? The Federal Reserve raised its target federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points on September 16, 2026, bringing the target range to 3.75%–4.00%. This decision makes incoming inflation data especially important for assessing the future policy outlook. If CPI surprises to the upside, markets could price in a more restrictive interest-rate path. Treasury yields could rise, putting downward pressure on existing bond prices. If inflation comes in softer than expected, yields could decline as investors reassess the outlook. However, one CPI report does not guarantee another rate hike. The Fed's decisions also depend on broader economic conditions, employment and the persistence of inflation. 4. My Trading Plan Oil — BZUSDT: I would monitor whether crude sustains its strength after the CPI release and whether supply disruptions continue. A reversal in oil could weaken the current inflation narrative. Treasuries — TMFUSDT and TBT: These products have different exposures to Treasury-market movements. TMF is a leveraged long Treasury ETF, while TBT is a leveraged inverse Treasury ETF. Both carry additional risks, and their returns can differ from simple expectations about bond prices. My preference is to wait for confirmation rather than gamble on the announcement. Before considering any trade, I would check current prices, liquidity, volatility and the specific product's risks. Final Take September CPI could become an important test for oil-sensitive inflation and Treasury markets. Official EIA data confirms that Brent crude prices increased substantially in September, while the Federal Reserve's latest rate decision highlights the importance of monitoring inflation. But market expectations are not confirmed results. My approach is cautious: watch headline and core inflation, assess the reaction in Treasury yields, and consider a trade only when price action supports the view. What do you expect? Will September CPI surprise to the upside, will oil continue climbing, and are Treasury yields heading higher? Share your analysis below. #CPIWatch $BZUN.US $TMF $TBT.ETF $RWUSD
Bitcoin is showing signs of recovery after bouncing from the $80,344 area. Bulls are now attempting to build momentum for another upward move. The key is whether BTC can break above resistance and sustain the breakout.
📊 WHY I'M WATCHING LONG: BTC has recovered from its recent low and is consolidating near $83,000. A confirmed breakout above resistance could create room for further upside. However, buyers still need to prove their strength.
⚠️ TRADE CONFIRMATION: Wait for a breakout and successful retest before entering. If BTC loses support before confirmation, avoid forcing the trade.
Risk management comes first. Targets are potential price levels, not guaranteed results. Always verify live prices before entering.
💬 Can $BTC reach $85,000 next? Share your analysis below! $BTC
3 ALTCOINS I'M WATCHING FOR THE NEXT BREAKOUT: CHIP, MANTA & VELO!
The market is showing strong moves across several altcoins, but the real opportunity isn't simply buying whatever is already pumping. It's identifying which coins can sustain momentum and break their next resistance levels.
Here are three charts on my watchlist. 👇
🔥 1. CHIPUSDT BREAKOUT WATCH
Screenshot price: $0.06564 24H change: +25.67%
CHIP is showing strong short-term momentum, with a sharp upward move accompanied by increased volume.
📍 Resistance: $0.06587–$0.06600 🎯 Bullish trigger: A confirmed breakout followed by a successful retest.
If buyers reclaim this resistance and defend it, another upward move could develop. However, rejection could trigger profit-taking.
⚡ 2. MANTAUSDT RECOVERY SETUP
Screenshot price: $0.07567 24H change: +14.98%
MANTA has rebounded from the $0.07230 area and is attempting to recover its earlier momentum.
📍 Resistance: $0.07610 🎯 Next level: $0.07853
A sustained breakout above $0.07610 could strengthen the bullish structure. Failure to reclaim resistance could send the price back toward support.
🚀 3. VELOUSDT RESISTANCE TEST
Screenshot price: $0.04276 24H change: +15.88%
VELO has recovered from the $0.04173 area and is trading near the upper end of its recent range.
$JCT USDT: HEAVY SELL-OFF! WILL BUYERS DEFEND SUPPORT?
$JCT has dropped sharply by more than 36% in 24 hours, falling from a high of $0.003137 to a low of $0.001536. The price is now trading around $0.001888 after a brief recovery.
📊 TRADE SETUP
🔴 Direction: SHORT 📍 Entry Zone: $0.001920–$0.001960 🛑 Stop-Loss: $0.002050
🎯 TAKE-PROFIT TARGETS
TP1: $0.001820 TP2: $0.001700 TP3: $0.001580
📉 ANALYSIS
The 15-minute chart shows a sharp breakdown followed by a weak recovery. Selling volume expanded significantly during the initial decline, while the recent candles show fading momentum.
My preferred approach is to wait for a bounce toward the entry zone and look for bearish rejection before considering a SHORT. Entering after the price has already fallen sharply can be risky, so confirmation is essential.
⚠️ RISK MANAGEMENT
If price reclaims resistance with strong buying volume, the bearish setup may fail. Avoid chasing the move, use a strict stop-loss, and keep position size under control.
These levels are based on the supplied chart snapshot and are not verified live market data. Wait for confirmation before entering.
💬 Will $JCT continue lower or stage a stronger recovery?
$LUMIA USDT: +45% RALLY! CAN BUYERS BREAK $0.1840 RESISTANCE?
$LUMIA has surged from $0.08240 to a high of $0.18400. After this powerful rally, the price is consolidating around $0.16855. The next move depends on whether buyers can defend support and regain momentum.
📊 TRADE SETUP
🟢 Direction: LONG 📍 Entry Zone: $0.1600–$0.1640 🛑 Stop-Loss: $0.1540
The chart shows a strong breakout accompanied by increased trading volume. However, after a rally of this magnitude, chasing the price can be risky.
My strategy is to wait for a pullback into the entry zone and confirmation from a bullish 15-minute candle with renewed buying volume. Resistance remains near $0.1840, while a loss of support could trigger further downside.
⚠️ Wait for confirmation before entering. These levels are based on the screenshot, not verified live market data. If the setup fails to confirm, avoid the trade.
$STRK USDT : +54% RALLY! CAN BUYERS RECLAIM THE $0.115 RESISTANCE?
$STRK has recorded a powerful rally, climbing from the $0.06896 area to a high of $0.12390. However, the latest 15-minute chart shows a pullback from the peak followed by consolidation near $0.10915.
The next move depends on whether buyers can defend support and rebuild bullish momentum.
📊 TECHNICAL TRADE SETUP
Pair: STRKUSDT Perpetual Direction: LONG — CONDITIONAL Timeframe: 15M
🟢 Entry Zone: 0.1055–0.1070 🛑 Stop-Loss: 0.1020
🎯 TAKE-PROFIT TARGETS
TP1: 0.1120 TP2: 0.1150 TP3: 0.1200 TP4: 0.1230
📈 WHY I'M WATCHING THIS SETUP
The chart shows a strong upward impulse, followed by profit-taking and consolidation. The $0.1025–$0.1030 area is a potential short-term support zone, while $0.1145–$0.1150 represents an important resistance area visible on the chart.
My preferred approach is to wait for a pullback into the entry zone and look for a bullish 15-minute candle close, a higher low, and renewed buying volume before considering a LONG.
A recovery above $0.1150 could strengthen the continuation scenario. However, failure to hold support could trigger another downward move.
⚠️ RISK MANAGEMENT
• Do not chase the rally after a 54% surge. • Avoid entering without confirmation. • If price breaks down through support, reassess the setup. • Keep position size appropriate for your risk tolerance. • Never widen your stop-loss to avoid taking a loss.
These are provisional technical levels based on the chart snapshot, not a verified live signal. Confirm current price action before entering.
💬 $STRK has already made a massive move. Do you expect another leg up, or is a deeper correction coming?
The chart shows a strong upward impulse followed by consolidation near the recent high of 0.07229. This suggests buyers have been aggressive, but the next move depends on whether demand can sustain the breakout.
My approach is to wait for a pullback into the proposed entry zone and look for a bullish 15-minute candle close, improving volume, and a higher low before considering a LONG.
⚠️ INVALIDATION & RISK MANAGEMENT
If price breaks below the proposed stop-loss, the setup is invalidated. Do not average down or widen the stop to rescue a losing trade.
These levels are provisional and based on the chart snapshot, not a verified live signal. Recheck the current price and market structure before entering. If price never returns to the entry zone, don't chase it.
Risk only a small, predefined portion of your account. Leverage increases liquidation risk.
💬 Would you wait for the pullback or trade a confirmed breakout? Share your reasoning below.$CFX
The chart shows a strong upward impulse followed by consolidation near the recent high of 0.07229. This suggests buyers have been aggressive, but the next move depends on whether demand can sustain the breakout.
My approach is to wait for a pullback into the proposed entry zone and look for a bullish 15-minute candle close, improving volume, and a higher low before considering a LONG.
⚠️ INVALIDATION & RISK MANAGEMENT
If price breaks below the proposed stop-loss, the setup is invalidated. Do not average down or widen the stop to rescue a losing trade.
These levels are provisional and based on the chart snapshot, not a verified live signal. Recheck the current price and market structure before entering. If price never returns to the entry zone, don't chase it.
Risk only a small, predefined portion of your account. Leverage increases liquidation risk.
💬 Would you wait for the pullback or trade a confirmed breakout? Share your reasoning below. $CFX #XRPLedgerPatchesXRPCreationBug
My vision for Binance Intelligence is financial intelligence that helps people who don’t already understand the markets.
The challenge in finance has rarely been a lack of information it’s knowing what matters, recognizing risk, and turning complex data into choices people can evaluate for themselves.
Users should be able to ask in plain language why an asset is moving, compare opportunities, and understand the risks before making a decision. It shouldn’t be just another tool that gives answers; it should make the reasoning behind those answers clear.
What matters most is user control. AI should clarify choices, not pressure people into them. Clear risk explanations, transparent sources, and permission-based actions should be at the core.
Binance’s agent infrastructure can make this practical by connecting intelligence with real tools while keeping authorization in the user’s hands.
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Completing Binance Academy’s Understanding Stocks course has been an important step in my financial learning journey. 🎓
Coming from a crypto background, I wanted to better understand how the stock market works and one key lesson stood out: investing is about more than simply watching prices move.
A share represents ownership in a company, while supply and demand can influence its market price. I also learned the difference between primary markets, where companies raise capital, and secondary markets, where investors trade existing shares.
One idea that really changed my perspective was realizing that a stock is not just a ticker or a chart it represents a real business. Understanding what a company does, how it grows, and what risks it faces matters alongside price movements.
Another valuable reminder was diversification. Spreading investments across different areas may reduce the impact of poor performance in one area, but it cannot remove all risk.
Most importantly, there are no guaranteed profits in investing. Learning the fundamentals does not guarantee success, but it can help build a stronger foundation for making informed decisions.
This certificate is more than a completion badge for me it represents a commitment to keep learning, question assumptions, and grow one concept at a time.
My next goal is to keep building my knowledge of financial markets and better understand how different assets, risks, and market factors connect.
Micron's 86% Question: Peak Profit or New Baseline?
Micron Technology $MU is approaching its FY2026 Q4 earnings report, and one number has caught my attention: 86% gross margin. For me, the bigger question isn't simply whether Micron can meet its forecast. It's whether the company can maintain such high profitability as the memory market evolves. What the official numbers tell us Micron reported $41.456 billion in revenue and an 84.9% non-GAAP gross margin in fiscal Q3 2026. For Q4, management guided for revenue of $50 billion, plus or minus $1 billion, and gross margin of approximately 86%. That is an ambitious target, but it is important to separate guidance from actual results. The company has not confirmed its Q4 performance until it releases the report. Why the bullish case still matters AI infrastructure requires advanced memory, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM). If demand remains strong and supply stays tight, Micron could continue to benefit from favorable pricing and a product mix that supports profitability. That is the part of the story I will be watching closely. Can demand translate into sustainable earnings growth rather than just another strong quarter? What could go wrong? I don't think the risks should be ignored. Memory is a cyclical industry, and supply conditions can change as manufacturers expand production. There is also the question of expectations. Even if Micron reports strong numbers, the stock could react negatively if investors were expecting even more. Slower memory price increases or weaker forward guidance could also challenge the bullish case. A good earnings report and a good stock entry are not necessarily the same thing. What I will watch before considering $MU I don't currently hold a position in Micron, so my approach is to wait for the actual results rather than make a rushed decision before earnings. I want to see whether the company delivers its margin outlook, what management says about HBM demand and pricing, and whether its next-quarter guidance supports the current growth story. For me, confirmation matters more than excitement. I would rather reassess the opportunity after seeing the numbers than assume that strong AI demand guarantees further upside. Final thoughts Micron's Q4 report could provide important clues about the health of the memory supercycle. The approximately 86% gross-margin outlook gives investors a clear benchmark, but sustaining that profitability may be just as important as achieving it once. What do you think: can Micron maintain margins around 86%, or could slower price increases signal that the memory cycle is approaching a turning point? #EarningsSeason $MU
I Told My Family to Hold $ZEC Now I’m Watching $QNT And $DASH
When ZEC was around $1,000, I told my family: hold. At $1,100 — hold. At $1,200 — hold. At $1,400 — hold. At $1,450 — still hold.
Now ZEC is trading around $1,650, with my chart showing a recent 4H high near $1,698.
The important part is that I didn't know the exact top or bottom. I simply stayed with the thesis while the Zcash ecosystem continued developing.
Now my attention is shifting to another infrastructure story: QNT.
On September 24, The Clearing House officially selected Quant for its On-Chain Money Initiative. Quant will provide the interoperability, orchestration, and transaction-management layer for a network designed to clear and settle tokenized deposits while connecting with existing RTP and CHIPS payment systems. The network is expected to become available to participating institutions in the first half of 2027.
The important distinction: this does not mean 25 banks are buying QNT tokens. The official announcement says Quant’s technology was selected.
For me, ZEC taught one lesson:
Don’t confuse volatility with the end of a thesis.
Now I’m watching QNT closely but after its huge recent move, I would rather wait for a proper setup than chase a vertical candle.
Eli Ben-Sasson Supports Shielded Bitcoin Vision as ZEC Targets $5,000
Bitcoin privacy is back in focus after researchers published a proposal designed to bring Zcash-style shielded transfers to Bitcoin without changing Bitcoin’s consensus rules. The proposal, called Shielded Bitcoin, was published on September 24 by researchers Clara Shikhelman, Mikhail Komarov and Aleksei Moskvin of [alloc] init. It describes a metaprotocol that would use encrypted notes, public nullifiers and zero-knowledge proofs to hide the sender, recipient and amount of shielded transfers. Bitcoin would mainly act as a layer for publishing and ordering the encrypted data, while separate indexers would verify the Shielded Bitcoin rules. Eli Ben-Sasson Welcomes the Direction Zcash co-founder and StarkWare co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson responded positively to the broader idea. Ben-Sasson said the original Zerocash vision was to bring privacy and scalability to Bitcoin through zero-knowledge technology. However, there is an important qualification: he also stated that he had not yet read the new Shielded Bitcoin paper. That means his comments should not be interpreted as a technical endorsement of every part of the proposal. Instead, his support is for the broader goal of bringing ZK-based privacy to Bitcoin's base layer. How Shielded Bitcoin Would Work The proposal takes several concepts associated with Zcash and adapts them to Bitcoin. Users would hold value in encrypted “notes.” When a transfer occurs, the transaction would include encrypted information together with a zero-knowledge proof demonstrating that the transaction follows the protocol's rules. A nullifier would reveal that a note has been spent without revealing which private note was used. This allows the system to prevent double spending while keeping transaction details private. Bitcoin itself would not validate these Shielded Bitcoin rules. Instead, independent indexers would read the published data, verify the proofs and reconstruct the shielded state. There is also an important limitation at this stage: the current paper focuses on transfers within the shielded system. The researchers say the mechanism for moving Bitcoin into and out of the system will be detailed separately. The proposal is therefore research and protocol design, not a live Bitcoin privacy feature. ZEC Has Already Passed Ben-Sasson's Earlier Target The development comes as Zcash continues to trade at elevated levels. Ben-Sasson previously said he expected ZEC to trade above $1,200 by September 25, 2026. On September 25, ZEC was trading around $1,549 in Investing.com's historical data, meaning that earlier price target has been exceeded. Ben-Sasson has also continued to stand behind his $5,000 year-end ZEC target, according to today's reporting. Reaching $5,000 from roughly $1,550 would require an additional gain of more than 220%, so the target remains a personal price prediction rather than an established outcome. Why the Story Matters The significance of Shielded Bitcoin goes beyond ZEC's price. Bitcoin's public transaction history can expose payment amounts, transaction links and counterparties. Shielded Bitcoin is attempting to address that limitation while leaving Bitcoin's existing consensus rules unchanged. For Zcash, the development also highlights how ideas originally developed around privacy-focused cryptocurrency could influence the wider Bitcoin ecosystem. But the proposal still needs to be evaluated technically, and important components such as the BTC entry and exit mechanism remain under development. For now, Shielded Bitcoin should be viewed as an ambitious research proposal rather than an upgrade already operating on Bitcoin. The key takeaway: Ben-Sasson has welcomed the direction of Shielded Bitcoin, but he has not claimed to have technically reviewed the paper. Meanwhile, ZEC has already moved beyond his earlier $1,200 September target, while his $5,000 year-end prediction remains a personal forecast not a guarantee.#BitcoinSpotETFsNetInflow$191M $ZEC