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Jarett Dunn, a former developer at the Solana-based memecoin platform Pump.fun, has pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and transfer of criminal property. He admitted to stealing nearly $2 million in SOL from the project shortly after joining the team. Dunn is currently being held in a London prison after breaching bail conditions. Bail Violations Landed Him Back in Custody Although Dunn initially pleaded guilty in 2023, he later tried to withdraw that plea in court. That effort didn’t work. His legal team stepped away, and the case stalled for months. Things got worse when Dunn moved to Liverpool while still under bail restrictions. Authorities tracked him down and arrested him again, transferring him to HMP Pentonville, where he remains as he awaits sentencing. Sentencing Around the Corner, Penalties Could Be Severe Dunn is expected to be sentenced within two weeks. The charges he faces are serious enough to land him behind bars for seven years or more if classified as a top-tier offense. The broader impact on Pump.fun has been significant. The team estimates it lost as much as $12.8 million in damages, not just from the stolen funds but also from trading downtime, reputation damage, and reduced platform activity. DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Mental Health Adds Complexity to the Case Court documents show Dunn has a long history of mental health challenges, including diagnoses of schizoaffective bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and ADHD. He also struggled with substance use and had been off medication at the time of the theft. When police first arrested him, he was reportedly unfit for questioning. He later spent two weeks under hospital care, which may be considered during sentencing. SolanaPriceMarket CapSOL$100.02B24h7d30d1yAll time Inside Job Exposed Launchpad Risks Dunn had been at Pump.fun for just six weeks before he used his developer access to quietly extract SOL from bonding curve contracts. After moving the funds, he scattered them across multiple wallets, which made recovery nearly impossible. His actions suggested he may have viewed it as some vigilante stunt, but that didn’t shield him from criminal charges. The breach highlighted the risks crypto startups face when internal controls are loose or rushed. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Despite the Scandal, Pump.fun Hasn’t Slowed Down Surprisingly, the platform has only grown since the incident. Pump.fun bounced back with a $600 million token launch, rolled out its own PUMP token, and has crossed $770 million in all-time revenue. It now holds a leading spot in Solana’s growing memecoin ecosystem. While the scandal could have derailed the project, it seems to have accelerated its rise in some ways. Dunn’s case is a reminder of how fast things can spiral in crypto. One person with access and a troubled past managed to shake up a multi-million dollar platform. Now, the court will decide whether mental health, remorse, and cooperation will weigh heavily enough to impact his sentence, or whether the industry uses this as a cautionary tale about what can go wrong when trust is misplaced. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Former Pump.fun developer Jarett Dunn has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $2 million in SOL and is now awaiting sentencing in London. Dunn’s bail violations and failed attempt to withdraw his plea landed him in HMP Pentonville, where he remains in custody. The charges could bring a sentence of over seven years, with Pump.fun estimating total damage from the incident at $12.8 million. Mental health issues and past substance use may influence sentencing, as Dunn was reportedly unfit for police questioning at the time. Despite the scandal, Pump.fun has grown rapidly, crossing $770 million in revenue and launching its own PUMP token. The post Former Pump.fun Developer Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Solana Heist appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Wall Street’s interest in Bitcoin is becoming harder to ignore. Major financial institutions are doing more than just testing the waters; they’re wading in with conviction now. Recent filings reveal that firms like Wells Fargo, Cantor Fitzgerald, and Jane Street are significantly increasing their exposure to Bitcoin through both ETFs and equity positions. Wells Fargo Builds a Strong Position Across Multiple Fronts Wells Fargo has quietly turned itself into one of the largest traditional holders of Bitcoin exposure. The bank increased its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust from just over 26 million dollars at the end of the first quarter to more than 160 million by the end of Q2. That move alone would be noteworthy, but the bank also added another 143 million dollars’ worth of MicroStrategy stock, the company now rebranded as Strategy, which has long been viewed as a corporate stand-in for Bitcoin itself. This two-pronged approach shows Wells Fargo is hedging its bets and taking Bitcoin’s institutional role seriously. Cantor Fitzgerald and Jane Street Step Up in a Big Way Wells Fargo isn’t the only one getting aggressive. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted its total Bitcoin ETF exposure to over 250 million dollars, with the bulk going into Fidelity’s spot ETF product. Although it trimmed its holdings in BlackRock’s fund slightly, the overall move shows growing confidence. Jane Street, meanwhile, made an even bigger splash. The firm now holds roughly 1.46 billion dollars in IBIT shares, a position that surpasses its Tesla holdings. That is a major statement from a trading powerhouse that typically keeps things close to the vest. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in August2025 Bitcoin ETF Demand Breaks Records These moves are playing out during a broader surge in demand for Bitcoin ETFs. On one single day, more than 1.2 billion dollars flowed into spot Bitcoin ETFs, with IBIT alone pulling in nearly 450 million. Since mid-April, total inflows into these products have crossed 15 billion, and BlackRock’s fund has grown into a juggernaut with nearly 80 billion dollars in assets under management. That level of inflow is unusual even for traditional markets and puts Bitcoin in rare company. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.33T24h7d30d1yAll time BlackRock Keeps Expanding Its Crypto Footprint BlackRock’s involvement continues to be one of the biggest indicators that Bitcoin has entered the institutional mainstream. The firm now holds more than 100 billion dollars in crypto-related assets, most of which are allocated to Bitcoin. That figure puts it well ahead of the rest of the pack and confirms that this is no longer a side bet for the world’s largest asset manager. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Harvard and Other Institutions Add More Weight It’s not just hedge funds and big banks that are increasing exposure. Harvard’s endowment now has over 117 million dollars invested in IBIT, giving it a larger stake in Bitcoin than in gold. That kind of allocation from a prestigious academic institution adds even more legitimacy to what’s unfolding. Bitcoin Is Becoming a Core Asset These numbers tell a clear story. Bitcoin is no longer a niche asset for tech-savvy investors or crypto startups. It’s being treated as a core allocation in diversified portfolios, right alongside stocks, bonds, and gold. Whether it’s through direct ETF exposure or indirect plays like corporate equities, the smart money is moving in, and they’re moving in fast. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Wall Street firms are scaling up Bitcoin exposure through ETFs and equities, signaling strong institutional confidence. Wells Fargo increased its Bitcoin-related holdings by over $275 million in Q2, combining ETF shares with MicroStrategy stock. Jane Street now holds $1.46 billion in IBIT shares, a bigger position than its stake in Tesla. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has seen inflows surge past $15 billion, with nearly $80 billion in AUM. Institutions like Harvard are treating Bitcoin as a core asset, placing it on par with gold in diversified portfolios. The post Wall Street Giants Double Down on Bitcoin via ETFs and Equities appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) a Chicago-based company developing thorium-based nuclear fuel, announced a milestone for its patented Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL) fuel, which it said has now reached a burnup level of over 45 gigawatt-days per metric ton in the advanced test reactor at the US Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This level, CCTE said, outpaces the capabilities of conventional nuclear fuels used in pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and CANDU reactors – Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactor design used to generate electric power. In February, the privately- held company raised a $15.5M Series Seed round of financing to advance the ANEEL fuel – a patented blend of thorium and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) designed to be seamlessly deployed into existing reactors. The fuel, the company said, uniquely combines thorium with HALEU to offer a safer, more efficient, and proliferation-resistant alternative for existing and future PHWR and other CANDU reactor fleets worldwide. Thorium, weakly radioactive, silvery-white metal, has been hailed as a safer and cheaper alternative to uranium in nuclear reactors. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), thorium is three times more abundant in nature than uranium, but historically has found little use in power generation due to the significant economic and technical hurdles. Compared to uranium, thorium can generate a significantly higher amount of energy via nuclear fission, reports have shown. Over a year of testing In May 2024, twelve ANEEL fuel rodlets were loaded into the ATR for irradiation to achieve three burnup level targets. The first successful irradiation of four rodlets surpassed 20 GWd/MTU last year, the company said, adding that the second set of four rodlets have exceeded 45 GWd/MTU—six to seven times the average discharge burnup for PHWR/CANDU reactors that are designed to use natural uranium fuel. The newly irradiated rodlets are currently cooling in the ATR water pool and will soon be transferred to INL’s materials and fuels complex for detailed post-irradiation examination. The final four rodlets will remain in the ATR for continued irradiation, with expected burnup levels exceeding 60 GWd/MTU, CCTE said. “This second burnup milestone is a transformative moment for CCTE and for the future of nuclear energy,” CCTE Thorium Energy CEO Mehul Shah said in a news release. “ANEEL fuel is not just demonstrating superior technical performance—it’s proving that thorium-based solutions can meaningfully address global challenges of energy security, nuclear waste, and proliferation,” Shah said. “Our partnership with INL is helping unlock a new era for advanced nuclear fuels.” The company said these results reflect ANEEL fuel’s potential to redefine performance and sustainability standards in the nuclear industry. “ANEEL’s performance in the ATR is a strong indicator of the promise thorium-based fuels hold in supporting future energy goals and diversifying the nuclear fuel landscape,” Dr. Michael Worrall, Technical Lead for the CCTE ATR Irradiation at INL, added.

Bitcoin (BTC) staged a mild rebound from yesterday’s inflation-driven drop to $117,180, climbing back toward $119,000 at the time of writing. A declining leverage ratio suggests the top cryptocurrency’s bullish momentum could persist, keeping it in the running for a new all-time high (ATH) in the near term. Bitcoin Leverage Ratio Falls, Bulls Rejoice According to a CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor Arab Chain, Bitcoin’s leverage ratio across all cryptocurrency exchanges has sharply declined from its late-July and early-August peak of 0.27. Notably, the ratio dropped to 0.25 in early August before a modest rebound. In contrast, the period from May to late July saw both the price and leverage ratio climb in tandem, signaling an influx of traders opening larger positions. In contrast, this time leverage has fallen without a comparable drop in price – a sign that risk has eased since the recent uptrend. Arab Chain notes that this may be the result of high-risk positions being liquidated or traders exiting the market amid volatility. With BTC holding around $119,000, the lower leverage ratio is a bullish sign, suggesting that the latest price gains are fueled more by genuine liquidity than speculative excess. A continued decline in leverage could further reduce the likelihood of a sharp correction. Conversely, a sudden spike in leverage alongside a price rally would raise the risk of a pullback. The analyst added: If leverage remains at moderate or low levels while the price remains stable, this could provide a stable base for a new uptrend. An estimated leverage ratio (ELR) holding between 0.24–0.25, accompanied by a gradual price break above 120K, could indicate a spot-supported upside and a possible extension toward the July highs, with moderate funding and slowly rising open interest. However, a quick jump in the leverage ratio above 0.27 before or during a test of $120,000–$124,000 could signal high liquidation risk and the potential for a sharp downward “shakeout.” On-Chain Data Points To Potential Selling Pressure While lower leverage is encouraging for Bitcoin bulls, on-chain data – particularly rising exchange reserves and whale transfers – hints at possible selling pressure ahead. For instance, Binance’s BTC reserves have recently surged to 579,000, raising concerns of profit-taking after Bitcoin’s recent rally to a fresh ATH. Likewise, more BTC miners are moving their holdings to Binance, potentially preparing to sell. Adding to the caution, some analysts warn of a possible pullback to $110,000 to fill outstanding fair value gaps. At press time, BTC trades at $118,672, down 0.1% in the past 24 hours.

Log in to today's North American session Market wrap for August 15 Today, US data showed some resilience yet again with the Retail sales coming as expected at 0.5%, with Markets selling the USD in the period that followed. The current session has been a weird one, with almost everything linked to the US going down: Bonds, Cryptos, Equities, even US Oil have went down (except for Yields, logically) – This gives Stagflation impressions. This comes as Markets were preparing for the currently ongoing Trump-Putin Meeting that doesn't seem to be going terribly – Trump mentioned he would step out of the meeting if he deemed it was not going well, thing he hasn't done just yet. Putin got his pill of free press with chaotic questions leading to chaotic answers – it would be a lie to say that this is surprising. Stay connected for the headlines on the Trump-Putin Meeting, most easily accessible sources would be on X (not always accurate however–watch out for fake news) For the rest, the University of Michigan inflation expectations have risen quite strongly amid the imposition of tariffs that are starting to have their impact. It will be key to look at how FED speakers react to that, and the answer might not be the one that supports Trump's plead for lower rates. There will be a few important ones speaking next week, and with the Jackson Hole Symposium, there's a lot of cvoncurrent headwinds for volatility. (I invite you all to get prepared for the upcoming week with out Markets Weekly Outlook!) Read More: Markets Weekly Outlook – Jackson Hole, NZ Rate Decisions and UK/EU Inflation dataCross-Asset Daily Performance Cross-Asset Daily Performance, August 15, 2025 – Source: TradingView With almost every commonly traded assets down in the past 24 hours, it would be nice to see where the money is acutally going. Only Coffee, a less commonly traded commodity has been having quite a decent run. A big move could be in preparation. Also watch for the ongoing flows of Equities, Bonds and USD selling at the same time – This is a stagflation trade, and everyone hopes it doesn't become a trend. A picture of today's performance for major currencies Currency Performance, August 15 – Source: OANDA Labs It was not the most market-moving day in Forex, however the Euro and the Yen are two strong performers. It seems that markets are pricing in an easier path ahead for the war in Ukraine, but much has still to be done. The USD and CAD are the two losers of the session, yet again. A look at Economic data releasing in tonight and tomorrow's sessions For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. Monday will be empty of much economic data, be there might still be some geopolitcial news to chew on – Particularly with the Trump-Putin Meeting. Remember that volatility is a self-defeating prophecy! (It is when you expect it the least that it makes the most damage!) Safe Trades and an enjoyable weekend! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

A leading market analyst is warning XRP holders that dreams of a $1,000 price tag are far from reality. The expert, Tony The Bull, says the numbers simply do not add up, and reaching that level would require an economy-shaking leap in value. According to him, the market cap at such a price would not only surpass major companies and industries but would also outsize entire nations’ economies. He calls this level “fantasy pricing” and stresses that it is not something the market will see in 2030. Why A $1,000 XRP Price Defies Economic Reality Tony The Bull explains that a $1,000 price for XRP would create a market cap so large it would completely change the global financial landscape. At that level, XRP would be worth four times the total market cap of gold. For context, gold is considered one of the most valuable and stable assets in the world, yet the cryptocurrency would have to multiply that value fourfold. A $1,000 XRP would make its market cap fifteen times larger than Apple, the most valuable publicly traded company on the planet. This kind of valuation, according to Tony, is beyond what the current or foreseeable market could support. On a global scale, it would equal half of the total world GDP. In other words, half of all economic activity on Earth would have to be matched by a single cryptocurrency, something that has never happened in history. The market expert also points out that this hypothetical market cap would also be half the value of the entire global stock market. That means XRP alone would have to rival half the value of every listed company combined. Tony stresses that these comparisons show the $1,000 target is not just ambitious, it’s far beyond realistic market conditions. Expert Labels XRP $1,000 Target As “Fantasy Pricing” Because of these staggering numbers, Tony does not hesitate to call the $1,000 prediction “fantasy pricing.” Looking at hard facts, the global economy, asset values, and cryptocurrency market structure simply do not align with such a price level for XRP. He adds that it’s not a possibility in 2030, no matter how optimistic some investors may be. Even with strong market performance, growth, and adoption, the gap between reality and a $1,000 price is too wide to close in the near term. For holders who still cling to the hope of hitting that number, Tony delivers a blunt reality check. They might need to hold their investment for an entire generation, decades of waiting, and even then, there’s no guarantee such a level would ever be reached. Tony aims to ground the conversation in facts rather than hype. While optimism is common in the crypto world, he believes investors also need to be realistic about what’s possible and what isn’t. For XRP, the $1,000 dream is one that may remain just that, a dream.

Ore from American Rare Earths’ (ASX: ARR; US-OTC: ARRNF) Halleck Creek project in southeast Wyoming has for the first time been made into light and heavy rare earth oxide concentrates for a Department of Defense-linked agency. A research group assayed the concentrates to about 96.4% light rare earth oxides and 97.1% heavy rare earth oxides from 840 kg of ore composited from about 36 drill holes across the project, the company said Friday. These oxides are used in the production of permanent magnets. “These results provide a very meaningful third-party validation that light and heavy rare earths oxides can be produced from the Halleck Creek allanite hosted ore body,” interim CEO Joe Evers said in the press release. Third-party check The result marks third-party validation that the project’s allanite ore can upgrade to saleable rare earths precursors and highlights the value of Halleck Creek for the potential development of domestic sources of rare earths, used in various technologies for the green energy transition. Halleck Creek is also one of the largest rare earths projects in the U.S. by tonnage. The oxide work was conducted by researchers from the University of Kentucky, who worked with the Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Penn State University, part of the larger Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on the “SynBREE” program. It’s focused on synthetic biology for biomining rare earth elements. The company’s shares trading in Sydney on Friday closed 4% or A1.5¢ higher at A37¢ per share. It has a market capitalization of A$208 million. Rare earth magnets are vital for electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and advanced technologies—and demand is rising fast. Currently, EVs and wind account for just 17% of global magnet use. But by 2030, that share could jump to 42% to stay on track for Net Zero by 2050. Demand for magnetic rare earth elements (REEs) is expected to grow threefold by 2035, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. This increase could worsen global supply challenges. Sizeable contribution American Rare Earths positions the Halleck Creek project’s first-stage mine, Cowboy State Mine (CSM), as feed for U.S. magnet makers as domestic capacity expands, though it’s still at the pre-feasibility stage. More than 15,000 tonnes of U.S. magnet manufacturing capacity has been announced by various entities, the company said. That implies annual needs of about 4,800 tonnes neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and about 600 tonnes heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium. Against that, the CSM base case shows life-of-mine average annual output of about 1,833 tonnes NdPr, 98 tonnes dysprosium and 24 tonnes terbium. Upcoming catalysts include completing processing optimization, publishing the prefeasibility study and submitting a permit-to-mine application, although no timelines for these have been shared publicly. The Australian company emphasized that the SynBREE study is independent and separate from its pre-feasibility flow sheet. The powders are precursors, not final separated oxides. Overall rare earth recovery from the leachate was ~82%. MP Materials’ (NYSE: MP) Mountain Pass project in California is the sole producing rare earths mine in the U.S. In January, it started commercial production of NpPr metal at its new Independence plant in Texas, as well as trial production of neodymium-iron-boron magnets. It represents the first fully integrated rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in the country. De-risking The lab result buttresses Halleck Creek’s de-risking story while American Rare Earths advances its own, conventional flow sheet. Earlier this year, the company announced a 10:1 upgrade in total rare earths oxide. They achieved this using gravity spirals and induced roll magnetic separation. Additionally, leach tests showed promise, leading them to consider atmospheric tank leaching. The company has also started ordering long-lead equipment for a demonstration plant and is planning test mining at CSM to supply bulk feed. Project fast-track Halleck Creek’s first step is mining the CSM on Wyoming state land. American Rare Earths notes that the state’s permit-to-mine process usually takes two to three years. This is much faster than federal timelines. The broader project carries a JORC resource of 1.48 billion measured and indicated tonnes grading 3,334 ppm TREO and 1.14 billion inferred tonnes at 3,239 ppm TREO, according to an update in January. The 2025 updated CSM scoping study outlined initial capex of $456 million (C$630 million), a post-tax net present value at 10% discount of $558 million and a 24% internal rate of return. These assumptions anchor a non-binding U.S. EXIM Bank letter of interest for up to $456 million in debt and a separate $7.1-million Wyoming state grant.

The global financial system is on the verge of a seismic shift. A prominent figure in the financial institution believes that tokenized assets could grow into a $100 trillion market in the coming years. As tokenization expands, Ethereum is positioned to become the foundation of a new, faster, and more accessible global financial system. Ethereum As The Settlement Layer For Global Finance In an X post, CryptoGucci shared a clip of SharpLink Gaming (SBET) Co-CEO Joseph Chalom outlining his bullish outlook for Ethereum, while forecasting a financial tectonic shift. According to Chalom’s statement, the tokenized assets will surge to a staggering $100 trillion in market cap, and Ethereum will be the financial backbone keeping it all moving. Chalom also mentioned that the new asset class won’t be limited to niche crypto tokens. It will encompass everything from stablecoins to traditional funds, and real-world assets (RWAs), which will grow into $100 trillion market cap. The defining features of this revolution will be programmable, decentralized, and 24/7 global accessibility, all of which demand a neutral, trusted, and always available ecosystem. For Chalom, the answer is obvious, and that layer is Ethereum. The network’s unmatched developer ecosystem, battle-tested security, and thriving DeFi infrastructure make it the natural backbone for a programmable, multi-trillion-dollar global economy. Such a development will rejuvenate and drive the growth of ETH. According to the CEO, SharpLink’s mission is aligned with that vision. The company aims to drive adoption, build market awareness, and aggressively accumulate ETH for its shareholders, while positioning itself as one of the dominant ETH treasuries in existence. Overall, Chalom’s comments about Ethereum’s prospects underscore how the network is becoming the bedrock of a $100 trillion global transformation, and a future where every asset, every payment rail, every settlement flows through the ETH network. This isn’t just a shift in technology; it is the rewiring of the global financial system. Futures Market Shows ETH’s Increasing Market Maturity As Ethereum continues to expand its role in DeFi, staking, and tokenized assets, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Ethereum futures have smashed records, signaling institutional confidence. An analyst known as CryptoBusy has revealed on X that July was a historic month for ETH futures on CME, with trading volume hitting an all-time high of $118 billion, which is the largest ever recorded. While the CME futures exploded to new heights, ETH’s open interest also witnessed a notable increase. This highlights a shift in market behavior as institutions are chasing short-term gains and also positioning themselves for bigger, longer-term moves ahead, signaling growing confidence in ETH as a strategic asset.

Despite still trading within the single-digit territory, the XRP price is reportedly getting ready for one of the most dramatic rallies in crypto history. Market expert ‘Crypto Sensei’ predicts that the cryptocurrency could soar by more than 44,000%, potentially breaking past the $1,000 mark. The analyst noted that strong capital inflows have ignited a powerful market capitalization multiplier effect, setting the stage for this projected surge. XRP Price Set For Monumental Surge To $1,437 XRP could be on the brink of a historic price breakout, according to a new market analysis by Crypto Sensei. In a recent video on X social media, the expert broke down how the cryptocurrency’s market dynamics and liquidity structure could pave the way for unprecedented gains, with potential prices soaring into the four-digit territory. The video analysis is centered on a striking market capitalization multiplier effect for XRP. Crypto Sensei noted that over the last two days, the cryptocurrency has experienced a 1,250x market cap multiplier based on substantial capital inflows. Using conservative projections, the analyst calculated that an inflow of $3 billion could catapult XRP’s market capitalization to approximately $3.77 trillion, translating to a token price of around $540. On the higher end, an $8 billion inflow could push the market cap to about $10 trillion, with each XRP valued roughly at $1,437. Notably, Crypto Sensei explained that this projected surge in price stems from the fact that a significant portion of XRP’s circulating supply remains illiquid. Such conditions allow relatively moderate capital inflows to generate outsized impacts on the market cap and price. While the multiplier effect could finish over time as more liquidity enters the market, the analyst believes that the current state still leaves room for dramatic price movements. However, Crypto Sensei also cautioned that this volatility works both ways, either by driving prices up when inflows surge or triggering steep declines during outflows. If the expert’s projections are realized, the XRP price, which is presently trading at $3.12, could see gains of over 44,000%, marking its largest upward move since its dramatic surge to its $3.84 ATH in 2018. XRP Still In A Macro Bullish Cycle Crypto market analyst Egrag Crypto has reaffirmed a bullish long-term outlook for XRP, stating that the cryptocurrency remains firmly within a macro bullish cycle as long as its monthly close stays above $2. The latest analysis, supported by a detailed chart projection, identifies the current market structure as a textbook bull flag pattern. According to the chart, XRP has maintained its trajectory within a long-term ascending channel. Previous bullish cycles had concluded with sharp rallies following a period of consolidation in a similar flag structure. Notably, Egrag Crypto’s measured targets from this technical setup suggest significant potential gains ahead, with possible price targets stretching well beyond the $19 range and extending toward higher macro levels of $37 and $50. The $2 level is identified as a key macro support zone, serving as the threshold between continued bullish momentum and a possible trend invalidation.

After an already volatile trading week, next week will see a crossroad of data and geopolitical catalysts that may move currency, equity and crypto Markets. Before looking at those, let's have a look at what happened this week. Week in review: US mixed inflation data sending warning signs, RBA rate cut and Trump-Putin meeting The US path to a much anticipated rate cut was well-drawn, particularly after Tuesday's CPI report coming along the FED's inflation target (2.5% y/y on the headline, 2.7% on the Core.) However, Thursday's PPI data changed the narrative quite a lot. Coming in at 0.9% vs 0.2% expected (and bringing the y/y Core to 3.7%!), Markets caught a bad surprise: Tariff-led inflation is making its way to the US Data. With a mix of downward revised NFP data and a not-so-clear US inflation outlook, the September rate cut isn't going to be such a given. There will still be one more NFP report and CPI report before the 17th of September Meeting happens. In the meantime, risk-assets and sentiment have taken a hit from the tariff fears: Cryptos have taken a tough hit and US Indices are a bit more indecisive, yet still holding close to their recent highs. Weekly Performance from different Asset classes Weekly Asset Performance, look at how the US data changed the flows twice with commodities being the weekly losers – Source: TradingView The Trump–Putin meeting should also be making headlines very soon, with the two presidents starting discussions in the afternoon. The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expects a long meeting, saying that "In general, we can imagine that it will take at least 6-7 hours". Access our WTI Oil analysis as some heightened volatility can be expected there in the afternoon, with volatility in the commodity possibly also spilling on Monday. Elsewhere, Markets saw the Royal Bank of Australia cutting rates to 3.60% on mixed signals for the future RBA outlook. You can access our latest AUDUSD analysis right here. Read More: Dow Jones (DJIA) Retreats from Fresh All-Time Highs. A Pause Before the Next Leg Higher? Read More: Imminent profit-taking in Cryptocurrencies – What's the storyThe Week Ahead – Jackson Hole Symposium and a lot more One of the key events concerning all types of Markets is the yearly Jackson Hole Symposium. A roadmap for the event just got published. For those who don't know, the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium is an annual gathering hosted by the Kansas City Fed, bringing together central bankers, policymakers, academics, and market participants to discuss key economic issues. While the topics vary each year, it’s closely watched for views from Central Banks on the future outlook with the Tariff concerns and global growth. One of the most memorable market-shaking moments from the yearly conference came in 2010, when then-Fed Chair Ben Bernanke used his Jackson Hole speech to signal a second round of quantitative easing (QE2). The hint sent risk assets surging and Treasury yields lower, cementing Jackson Hole’s reputation as a stage for major policy signals. Asia Pacific Markets - Royal Bank of New Zealand rate decision Asian-Pacific Markets will not get too much in terms of key data, with the main event happening in New Zealand. The RBNZ is widely expected to cut their rates to 3% from 3.25% – Keep an eye on our upcoming RBNZ meeting preview coming up on Monday.| The rate decision is happening on Tuesday at 22:00 ET. For the rest, mid-tier data releases include Japan and New Zealand's trade balance, the Japanese national CPI data and Australian PMIs. Markets are also awaiting for the PBoC Rate decision, just before the RBNZ meeting. The Chinese economy has been stagnant for a while now except for the stimulus offered by the Central Bank. Economists are waiting to see if there is more stimulus to come to boost notably APAC currencies (like AUD and NZD) and commodities' growth outlook. US, Europe and UK Markets - PMI data, Canadian inflation and Eurozone & UK PPI releases The week really starts on Tuesday with the Canadian inflation forecasted at 2% – We will see if the Loonie gets enough of a push to strengthen after a rough past week. The CAD has been getting dragged around by US Dollar flows, with the USDCAD stuck in a consolidation. Markets will also see if the UK inflation gets a boost which may confirm further the doubts of prolonged rate cuts from the Bank of England – The BoE conference on Thursday 7th of August had almost failed to deliver a cut. In Europe, both the UK and Germany will release their PPI data on Wednesday where we will see how producer prices moved on the other side of the Atlantic. They might be movers for European currencies after this week's market shaking US PPI. The US doesn't have many economic releases per-se, but will still see a few events including the FOMC Minutes on Wednesday (14:00) and many key speeches from a divided Federal Reserve, including Jerome Powell in Jackson Hole scheduled at 10:00 A.M. on Friday. Of course, don't forget to check all the different PMI releases expected from the Eurozone, the UK and finally the US (Thursday 9:45 for US global services PMI). For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. (High-tier data only) Safe Trades and enjoy your weekend! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally hit a pause this week as shifting U.S. policy signals triggered a sharp pullback. After surging to an all-time high of $124,457 on August 13, BTC plunged as low as $117,477 on Friday morning before stabilizing around $119,000. The 5% drop followed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments ruling out additional government Bitcoin purchases for strategic reserves, sparking $1 billion in leveraged liquidations. Despite the correction, on-chain data suggests the market may be setting up for another leg higher. Exchange netflows have dipped to levels historically seen before major bull runs in 2017 and 2021, signaling reduced selling pressure from long-term holders. Short-Term Bitcoin (BTC) Holders Show Strength Amid Volatility One of the most striking trends has been the resilience of short-term holders (STHs), defined as addresses holding Bitcoin (BTC) for 155 days or less. Instead of selling into the rally, STHs have shifted toward accumulation, as reflected in the rebound of the STH Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) above the neutral line. This indicates that coins moved by STHs are being sold at a profit, yet without triggering large-scale profit-taking. Market analysts view this conviction as a stabilizing force that could help absorb selling pressure and support higher prices in the coming weeks. Derivatives Market Points to Aggressive Buying The derivatives market has also flashed bullish signals. Over the past 24 hours, BTC recorded $24.28 million in short liquidations versus $17.16 million in long liquidations, alongside a 65% surge in trading volume to $149.47 billion. Options volume soared 128% to $9.43 billion, while the taker buy/sell ratio hit a monthly high of 1.16, a sign that buyers are aggressively absorbing supply. Positive funding rates further indicate traders’ willingness to pay premiums to hold long positions, suggesting confidence without excessive leverage risk. The NVT Golden Cross, a valuation-to-transaction metric, has dropped sharply, a pattern that has historically preceded strong rallies. With resistance at $122,190 and support near $115,892, market watchers say a breakout above the former could trigger a retest of $124,457. Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from

Ethereum has run straight into its four-year ceiling, with price action pressing the $4,700 band that Kevin (@Kev_Capital_TA) repeatedly calls “the level that decides everything.” His latest broadcast frames ETH’s setup as binary: either a decisive break through this resistance — confirmed by a clean weekly close and a break of the down-trending weekly RSI line — or another rejection that extends a months-long pattern of weakening rallies. Ethereum Teeters at $4,700 — Breakout Oor Bloodbath? “The catch-up is over,” Kevin said, noting ETH has “finally caught up to basically where Bitcoin is at… it’s at its major resistance.” In his read, the $4,700 area is not a single tick but a supply zone defined by the prior cycle’s peak and reinforced by a “weekly downtrend on the RSI” that has capped every advance since early 2024. “Break resistance and the real bull will begin,” he added. Until that happens, he characterizes this band as the “line in the sand.” Momentum into the test was real. Kevin described money flow improving and “nice patterns forming on some altcoins” — including “textbook inverse head and shoulders” — before the follow-through failed and ETH stalled right at resistance. He pointed to the Asia session’s lack of continuation and, more forcefully, to a macro surprise that hit as the market was leaning long. That shock was the US Producer Price Index. “The PPI came in significantly hotter than expected,” Kevin said, emphasizing both the magnitude and where the pressure showed up: month-over-month +0.9% versus +0.2% expected, year-over-year 3.3% versus 2.5%, with core PPI +0.9% m/m versus +0.2% and 3.7% y/y versus 3.0%. In his view, this reflects tariff-driven costs being “brunted by the producer,” which is why the spike surfaced in PPI rather than CPI. The open question — and the risk to ETH at resistance — is whether those costs “trickle into the CPI” and, by extension, PCE. He underscored how quickly rate-cut probabilities whipsawed on the FedWatch tool intraday: September still heavily favored, October largely intact, and December “pricing out a third rate cut” before flipping back toward it as the day progressed. “This has been volatile this morning… let it settle out,” he cautioned, adding that next week’s Jackson Hole remarks from Chair Powell are the next major macro catalyst. Technically, Kevin’s checklist for Ethereum does not change with one data print. He stresses two confirmations: take out the horizontal supply around $4,700 with authority and “break the weekly downtrend on the RSI” to nullify the bearish divergence that has persisted since Q1 2024. “Resistance is resistance until it’s not,” he said. Fail there, and ETH risks another corrective leg as late longs are forced out at the worst possible spot. Succeed, and “the entire conversation changes,” opening a path to what he calls a “real bull” in ETH and, by knock-on effect, in the broader alt market. He ties ETH’s fate to broader market structure without diluting the focus. Total2 — his ETH-plus-alts proxy — “came up to 1.69 trillion” against a well-telegraphed breakout trigger at “1.72 trillion,” while tapping its own weekly RSI downtrend. The inability to push that last few dozen billions alongside the PPI shock explains the abrupt reversal across ETH and alts. Kevin also flagged stablecoin dynamics and seasonal liquidity as background variables, noting USDT dominance remains elevated and that September “usually” isn’t a great month as traditional funds return from summer, manage taxes, and prepare for Q4 risk. Operationally, he argues that the right trade location was behind us, not at resistance. “There’s no reason to be buying up in these crazy levels,” he said, advising patience for anyone positioned from lower. His framework is simple and strict: watch the weekly ETH chart, the $4,700 band, and the RSI trendline. If macro “stays steady,” he expects the break; if it deteriorates, he’ll reassess. Either way, the pivot won’t come from lower-timeframe noise but from ETH finally resolving its four-year wall. “Focus on these charts and nothing else,” Kevin concluded. For Ethereum, that means one test, one level, and one signal: clear $4,700 and retire the divergence — or wait. At press time, ETH traded at $4,619.

The memecoin market has stumbled during the latest altcoin correction, with many tokens losing both market share and prominence in the broader crypto narrative. Once the center of retail-driven hype, memecoins are now struggling to keep pace as capital flows shift toward more established altcoins and fundamentally strong projects. The momentum that propelled these speculative assets during the late stages of last year’s minor rally has largely dissipated, leaving most trading well below their recent highs. While a handful of select memecoins continue to deliver notable gains, they remain the exception rather than the rule. The current altcoin rally has favored sectors with deeper liquidity and stronger institutional interest, pushing memecoins further into the background. This shift suggests that traders are becoming more selective, avoiding high-volatility tokens without strong catalysts. Top analyst Darkfost notes that memecoins are clearly lagging compared to the broader altcoin market, both in performance and in investor attention. Without a resurgence of hype-driven buying, these tokens may continue to underperform in the near term. For now, the memecoin market faces an uphill battle to reclaim its former momentum, as attention and capital concentrate on assets showing stronger technical and fundamental strength. Memecoins Struggle as Liquidity Flows Toward Ethereum According to Darkfost, the memecoin market is facing a challenging phase as Ethereum continues to absorb a significant share of overall altcoin liquidity. This shift has steadily reduced memecoins’ dominance relative to other altcoins, signaling a clear change in market preference. Darkfost notes that while a handful of memecoins are still delivering gains, their performance is largely anecdotal and not indicative of a broader trend. The analyst emphasizes that this is “clearly not memecoin season” and warns traders against overexposing themselves to the sector in the current market environment. Without the hype cycles and speculative inflows that typically fuel sharp rallies in this asset class, price action has remained subdued for most tokens. In contrast, capital has increasingly flowed toward Ethereum and other fundamentally strong projects that are showing momentum. Darkfost advises that caution should be the guiding principle for investors considering memecoin positions at this time. With Ethereum approaching new highs and pulling liquidity from the broader altcoin market, the conditions for a strong memecoin recovery remain limited. Looking ahead, the coming weeks will be decisive. If Ethereum breaks into uncharted territory and altcoins rally toward their range highs, some spillover effect could reignite interest in memecoins. However, without a significant shift in sentiment and liquidity distribution, the sector may continue to lag, leaving traders better positioned by focusing on assets with stronger technical and fundamental setups. Memecoin Market Cap Analysis The total memecoin market cap currently stands at approximately $70.74 billion, showing a modest +2.64% gain in the last session. Despite the recent uptick, the chart reflects a period of heightened volatility following a sharp rally in July that peaked near the $80 billion mark. Since then, the market has struggled to sustain momentum, with repeated rejections at higher levels and a gradual shift toward consolidation. The 50-day simple moving average (SMA), currently near $66.57 billion, is acting as a dynamic support level, with recent pullbacks finding buying interest around this zone. This suggests that while bullish sentiment has weakened, buyers are still stepping in to defend key support areas. Trading volume has also increased in recent sessions, indicating that market participants are actively positioning despite the broader slowdown. However, the inability to break convincingly above $75 billion signals that sellers are still in control of the upper range. For a stronger recovery, memecoin market cap would need to reclaim and hold above the $75–$76 billion area. Conversely, a breakdown below the 50-day SMA could open the door to a deeper correction, potentially testing the $64–$65 billion range. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Allegiant Gold (TSXV: AUAU) has once again increased the size of its recently arranged private placement to fund the company’s exploration plans in Nevada. In a press release Friday, the gold junior said it will now issue up to 21 million units at C$0.50 each. Each unit comprises one common share and one-half of a warrant that is exercisable at C$0.70 per share for 18 months. This represents Allegiant’s second upsizing since its initial financing announcement of C$7 million on July 29. Shortly after, it increased the financing size to C$8.5 million, and has now raised it by 50% to C$10.5 million. Shares of Allegiant Gold soared on the news, trading at a new 52-week high of C$0.85 with a market capitalization of C$58.1 million ($42 million). The stock had traded as low as $0.20 this year. As disclosed previously, the company plans to use the proceeds to fund exploration at its flagship Eastside gold-silver project, located 35 km from the town of Tonopah. “This financing will allow us to accelerate the development of Eastside through expanded geophysics, detailed mapping, and up to 18,000 metres of additional RC (reverse circulation) and diamond core drilling,” Allegiant’s CEO stated in a July 29 press release. The Eastside project, covering 80 km2 of mineral claims, is still in the resource expansion stage. Exploration to date has delineated a total inferred resource of 1.1 million oz. in gold and 8.8 million oz. of silver.

New drilling at Marimaca Copper’s (TSX: MARI; ASX: MC2) Pampa Medina property in northern Chile has expanded the size of the ore body, the company said. The stock surged to its highest level in more than 13 years. Hole SMRD-16 cut 70 metres grading 1% copper from 434 metres downhole, including 10 metres of 4.2% copper from 438 metres depth, Marimaca said Friday in a statement. It also extended the high-grade sediment-hosted manto-system by 300 metres to the west from previous drilling. Another hole, SMRD-15, intersected 42 metres of 0.51% copper from 158 metres. “Today’s results further demonstrate the longer-term potential of Pampa Medina as the company continues to expand the size of the defined area where they see high-grade mineralization,” National Bank Financial mining analyst Andrew Dusome said Friday in a note. He gives an “outperform” rating to Marimaca shares. Marimaca stock surged about 13% to C$11.23 in early afternoon trading Friday ton the Toronto Stock Exchange, its highest level since April 2012. Marimaca Copper now has a market capitalization of about C$1.2 billion. It’s the second time in about six weeks that Marimaca has spurred investor enthusiasm by disclosing high-grade copper hits at Pampa Medina. The project is about 25 km west of the company’s main Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD) and 1,250 km north of the Chilean capital Santiago. The results are part of a 10,000-metre drilling program that the Vancouver-based miner is carrying out with three rigs. As mineralization remains open, extensional drilling will now focus on the north and west, the company said. Crews are targeting mineralized intersections with true widths exceeding 20 metres at an average copper grade of 1% or more, CEO Hayden Locke said. “We see enormous potential for a large scale, highly economic, underground copper mining opportunity,” Locke said in Friday’s statement. A definitive feasibility study for MOD, expected for the fourth quarter, should pave the way for the construction of a 50,000-tonne-per-year copper cathode mine “in the near term”, Locke says. Other drilling highlights released Friday included hole SMRD-13, which cut 6 metres of 12% copper from 594 metres downhole, including 26 metres of 4.1% copper from 580 metres depth. SMRD-13 sits 300 metres west of SMRD-15. Pampa Medina is located at low altitude in a flat pampa valley within the Atacama Desert. It’s also close to existing powerlines, water pipelines and major ports. Other nearby projects include Capstone Copper’s (TSX: CS; ASX: CSC) Mantos Blancos project, which is 40 km away; Antofagasta’s (LSE: ANTO) Antucoya project, 54 km away; and BHP’s (ASX, NYSE, LSE: BHP) Spence project, 77 km away.

Is USELESS crypto going to be the next $1 billion market cap meme coin on Solana? Many crypto traders think so and for good reasons. The recent rally for USELESS follows a series of major exchange listings. Coinbase, Binance US, and Kraken all boosted the token this week, giving it the kind of exposure most meme coins can only dream of. Coinbase confirmed the listing in an official post on X, and trading kicked off in line with their roadmap. The results? USELESS is showing incredible relative strength. Let’s explore why this meme coin has the potential to hit a $1 billion market cap. EXPLORE: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025 On-Chain Volume and Holder Growth: The Numbers Don’t Lie Currently, USELESS is outperforming crypto giants like BTC, ETH, SOL, and HYPE. Among meme coins, it’s holding its ground against established players like DOGE, TRUMP, SPX, and FARTCOIN. For a coin that markets itself as “useless,” it’s proving surprisingly effective at grabbing attention, and charts. The numbers are hard to ignore. Over the past three days, USELESS surged 76%, currently trading around $0.298. The coin has amassed 30,000+ holders and daily on-chain volume exceeding $100 million. It’s the third most traded memecoin on-chain, trailing only TRUMP and FARTCOIN. With three Tier 1 listings already live, the floodgates may open wide in the coming months. (Source) History shows that USELESS thrives even in tough markets. Its first parabolic rally saw a market cap jump from $4.2 million to $420 million—an impressive feat for a coin that openly brags about doing nothing. Coinbase’s announcement marks what could be the fastest memecoin listing in the platform’s history (with only TRUMP taking the faster lane). Just a day later, Coinbase teased that “altcoin season is coming”. Well, we hope they are right. In a market full of ambitious, utility-driven coins, USELESS stands out by leaning fully into absurdity—and it’s working. Between massive exchange listings, strong on-chain volume, and a dedicated holder base, USELESS could very well be on track to hit the elusive $1 billion market cap. DISCOVER: Best Wallet Now Supports Solana, Full BTC Swaps Available Too, Plus Gamification Features USELESS Crypto Price Analysis: Resistance and Support Levels To Watch (USELESSUSDT) Looking at the 4-hour chart, USELESS has recently bounced strongly from the $0.240 support level and is currently testing resistance around $0.282–$0.296. If the upward momentum continues, the next key resistance sits near $0.336, which could be a short-term target. On the downside, $0.240 remains the primary support, followed by $0.200, which has previously acted as a consolidation zone. The RSI is around 61, suggesting bullish strength without being overbought, while the MACD is showing a bullish crossover, reinforcing the current upward trend. Overall, USELESS appears positioned for continued gains as long as it maintains above the $0.240 support level. If nothing else, USELESS proves one thing: sometimes being completely useless is exactly what the market wants. The path to a $1 billion market cap looks very plausible right now. EXPLORE: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in 2025 Key Takeaways USELESS crypto outperforms major other projects and established memecoins, driven by Coinbase, Binance US, and Kraken listings. Strong metrics: 30,000+ holders, $100M+ daily volume, and recent 76% surge indicate high market interest. USELESS Price Analysis: Technicals show bullish momentum above $0.240 support, with potential short-term target near $0.336. The post Is USELESS Crypto Ready To Be The Next $1 Billion Solana Meme Coin? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have crashed significantly in the last 24 hours. This follows developments on the macro end, which have sparked a bearish sentiment among investors, leading to a wave of sell-offs. Why Bitcoin and Ethereum Prices Are Crashing CoinMarketCap data shows that the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are crashing, down over 3% and 2%, respectively, in the last 24 hours. This crash is partly thanks to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s statement about the proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. In a Fox Business Interview, he said that the country won’t be buying Bitcoin. However, Bessent added that they have no plans to sell the Bitcoin they currently hold, which he claimed is worth between $15 and $20 billion. Instead of buying, the U.S. government plans to use only confiscated assets and opt against selling them. Investors viewed Bessent’s statement as bearish, considering that Donald Trump’s executive order establishing the strategic reserve said the U.S. would consider ways to buy more Bitcoin. Furthermore, Bessent’s statement had also suggested that the U.S. Congress wasn’t going to follow through with Senator Cynthia’s BITCOIN Act. This bill proposes that the country will buy 1 million BTC over five years. The market has been pricing in the possibility of this happening, given its bullish implications for the Bitcoin price and the Ethereum price by extension. However, a positive for the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices is the fact that Bessent’s statement about the current value of the U.S. BTC holdings shows that they haven’t sold their coins. There were earlier reports that the U.S. had sold a significant portion of its Bitcoin holdings after the U.S. Marshals said they held only 28,988.356 BTC in response to an FOIA request. Arkham data shows that the U.S. holds 198,022 BTC, worth around $23 billion. U.S. PPI Data Contributes To Crash The U.S. PPI data that was released yesterday also contributed to the Bitcoin and Ethereum price crash. Data from the Labor Department showed that PPI inflation rose to 3.3% year-on-year (YoY) in July, which was way above expectations of 2.5%. Meanwhile, the monthly PPI came in at 0.9%, also way above the expected 0.2%. Bitcoin and Ethereum had witnessed a sharp drop following the release of the data. The PPI data is bearish for crypto prices because it could make the Fed reconsider cutting rates at the September FOMC meeting. Before the PPI release, CME Fedwatch data had shown that there was a 99% chance that the Fed would make a 25 basis point cut in September. However, these odds have dropped to around 93%. Although this suggests that the Fed will still cut rates, rising inflation in the U.S. isn’t good for Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, since it could restrain how much investors can invest in these risk assets.

This week has been essential for the future course of action for both the Aussie and the US Dollar. After Tuesday's Royal Bank of Australia meeting, where the unanimous decision to cut rates by 25 bps to 3.60%, the Aussie had strengthened a tid-bit. Australian data following the meeting included Employment which largely came as expected and with the 4.2% unemployment rate, staying relatively flat, the RBA will be patient with its upcoming rate cuts – The next meeting will be on the On the other side of the Pacific, the US saw a reassuring CPI data on Tuesday right before these hopes got taken by yesterday's PPI report showing the first effect of tariff-led inflation. The USD hence appreciated but is giving this progress back today – With the uncertain economic and changing macro landscape, AUDUSD traders seem indecise. Let's look at the technicals in the pair to see why. Read More: Technical outlook for US Oil WTI before the Trump–Putin meetingAUDUSD Technical OutlookAUDUSD Daily Chart AUDUSD Daily Chart, August 15, 2025 – Source: TradingView The rebound in the pair since the 1st of August has been decent but wasn't as strong as in the EUR or GBP, as participants were looking to see what the RBA had in mind. RBA's Governor Bullock did mention back to back cuts are still a possibility, but the cut still was not too dovish – It seems that there is still some headwinds for rate-cut prospects in Australia. But how about the US? The path to the first yearly rate cut had been drawn in detail before the PPI report brought some new ink. The rising US Producer Price Index sent the pair down 0.78% yesterday and dip buyers are now appreciating the ongoing selloff in the US Dollar. The 50-Day MA is very flat indicating a lack of trends, but acts as immediate resistance (0.6520) – Keep an eye on this one for immediate bull/bear strength analysis. AUDUSD 4H Chart AUDUSD 4H Chart, August 15, 2025 – Source: TradingView Looking at the 4H timeframe shows more details of the ongoing, weirdly shaped but rangebound price action between 0.6420 lows and 0.66 highs. A few attempts to break out have been met with sudden mean-reversion, slowing the build of much volatility in the pair. The ongoing tighter range that has formed after yesterday's selloff marks the action between the 0.65 support and the 0.6550 pivot zone. Look for a clean break above or below these levels, with any failure to do so giving further strength to the 500 to 700 pip consolidation. Levels to watch for AUDUSD: Resistance Levels 0.6550 Pivot ZoneWednesday Highs 0.65690.6580 to 0.66 Resistance0.6625 2025 highsSupport Levels 0.6420 August Lows and Main Support0.6450 Psychological level0.6480 to 0.65 SupportAUDUSD 1H Chart There is an ongoing tight bull channel forming on the 1H Candles, with the ongoing USD weakness supporting the pair – Look at the hourly trendline. Watch for the aforementioned tight range in today's session for any breakout. Safe Trades! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

While most cryptocurrencies saw steep declines amid a $1.05 billion liquidation wave, Cardano (ADA) stood out as the only top-50 asset in the green. Despite an 11% dip after topping $1.00 for the first time since March, ADA quickly recovered, hovering between $0.89 and $0.91 and signaling strong buyer support on dips. The resilience came even as Bitcoin retreated from its $124,128 all-time high to the $118K–$119K zone and broader macroeconomic pressures weighed on risk assets. Analysts believe ADA’s ability to maintain momentum despite market turbulence strengthens its bullish case. Cardano (ADA)’s Technical Breakout Points to 70% Upside Market analyst Ali Martinez notes that ADA has finally broken out of a descending channel that’s been in place since its December 2024 peak at $1.32. This move mirrors price action from the 2020–2021 cycle, when ADA consolidated in a similar pattern before rallying to an all-time high of $3.09. With the breakout confirmed above $0.84, Martinez projects a potential 70% run toward $1.50. Other analysts, like Crypto Yhodda, point to the repeating pattern from the last cycle, suggesting ADA could next target $1.80 before attempting a breakout toward new multi-dollar highs. Key support now lies between $0.80 and $1.00, with a sustained close above $1.02 likely confirming the next leg upward. Should bullish momentum hold, upside targets include $1.20, $1.50, and potentially $3.10 in a multi-month rally. On-Chain and Institutional Signals Boost Confidence ADA’s fundamentals are also backing the bullish case. On-chain activity has surged to 2.6 million daily transactions, with low fees of $0.12 enabling mass adoption, especially in emerging markets. The ADAV2 upgrade, featuring zero-knowledge smart contracts, decentralized governance, and Hydra scaling up to 1 million TPS, is attracting enterprise interest. Institutional adoption is accelerating as well. Grayscale has increased ADA’s allocation in its Smart Contract Platform Ex-Ethereum Fund to 20%, and the SEC is reviewing a dedicated ADA ETF. A favorable decision could unlock billions in inflows, mirroring Ethereum’s post-ETF rally. Bottom Line With technical breakout patterns aligning with on-chain strength and growing institutional interest, Cardano’s 2025 rally may be far from over. If current support zones hold, ADA could be poised for a 70% surge, challenging key resistance levels and potentially redefining its place among top altcoins. Cover image from ChatGPT, ADAUSD chart from Tradingview

Sigma Lithium (TSXV, NASDAQ: SGML) surged to a one-month high on Friday as investors welcomed its second-quarter production increase and cost reduction despite missing analyst expectations for earnings. During the three months ended June 30, 2025, the company’s production of lithium oxide concentrate totalled 68,368 tonnes, representing a 38% year-on-year increase. Importantly, the output exceeded its quarterly target of 67,500 tonnes. The Brazil-focused lithium miner also kept costs down, with all-in sustaining cash costs (AISC) coming in at $594/t, below its target of $660/t and 24% lower than the $779/t from a year ago. Despite the higher production, total sales volume dropped 23% over Q2 2024 to 40,350 tonnes, which Sigma’s management attributes to its strategy to withhold products during intense volatility in the global lithium market. As a result, revenue fell significantly compared to the 2024 quarter, at $21.1 million versus $56.3 million. Net loss also widened to $18.8 million from $10.8 million. Its net loss per share of $0.17 was a substantial miss from a consensus of $0.04 from analysts. Still, Sigma’s share responded positively, rising by nearly 10% in Toronto at C$9.17, its highest since July 25. The company has a market capitalization of C$902.7 million ($653.8 million). Sigma CEO Ana Cabral said the company’s Q2 performance highlights the strength of its “low-cost, large-scale operations and disciplined commercial strategy.” “We maintained production cadence at 68,000 tonnes and are comfortably on track to deliver on our annual production target of 270,000 tonnes while preserving pricing power in a volatile market,” she added. In the second quarter, Sigma also made progress with the expansion of its Grota do Cirilo operations in Minas Gerais by advancing the construction of a second plant, which would double its production capacity to 520,000 tonnes per year.

Just 13 days remain before the TOKEN6900 ($T6900) presale closes, and for anyone who has witnessed SPX6900’s meteoric 59,000,000% run from its launch to its current price of $1.56, the clock is ticking. Branded as $SPX’s unhinged sequel, complete with one extra token in supply for “objective superiority,” $T6900 sticks to pure meme chaos without pretending to offer utility. With the presale priced at $0.006975 and $2M+ already raised, demand is building fast, with the next stage of price hike fast approaching. The question now is simple: can TOKEN6900 ($T6900) match, or even surpass, its infamous cousin’s chart? SPX6900’s Legacy – Why it Matters for $T6900 SPX6900 launched as a tongue-in-cheek parody of the S&P 500, offering zero utility and unapologetically running on pure meme-fueled liquidity. What started at rock-bottom prices at launch ended up exploding to an all-time high of $2.28 on July 28, 2025. This locked in a 130,000% gain from its somewhat dismal performance in February 2024. Tokens like $SPX, $DOGE, and $PEPE have shown that with the right cultural spark, a coin’s narrative alone can drive massive price action. For TOKEN6900, that’s the benchmark, and the legends it’s trying to outdo. TOKEN6900’s Twist – One Extra Token & the “69” Factor TOKEN6900’s claim to being “objectively superior” comes from a single, absurd detail – its total supply is exactly one token greater than SPX6900’s. In true meme coin fashion, the quirks don’t stop there: just 6.9K tokens (0.0007%) are allocated to developers (locked for five years), while a strangely precise 24.9999% goes to “dolphins.” The number 69 runs deep in its DNA, echoing Elon Musk’s long-running fixation on pricing a Tesla Model S at $69,420, to joking that his birthday falls exactly 69 days after April 20, in response to an X post noting that Tesla closed 2023 with a 4.20% market share. $T6900 taps into that numerology for viral, culture-driven marketing. It’s satire, yes. But in the land of the best meme coins, a joke that spreads is often the most valuable utility of all. Sub-Cent Entry and Countdown to TOKEN6900 Presale Close At $0.006975, TOKEN6900 ($T6900) sits in the same sub-cent territory where SPX6900 began its parabolic run. The presale aims for a $5M hard cap, with stage-based price hikes adding urgency. Buyers can also stake their tokens for a 33% APY while waiting for the token to launch and hit exchanges. There are just 13 days left on the timer. The sale could close earlier if the $5M hard cap is reached, however, especially considering recent whale buys. That includes a single $16.3K purchase in July. Visit the official Token6900 ($T6900) presale website today. Final Thoughts Before the Presale Clock Runs Out SPX6900’s rise showed how quickly a well-timed meme coin narrative can snowball into massive returns. And TOKEN6900 ($T6900) is positioning itself as the next chapter in that story. The combination of sub-cent pricing, a clear cultural hook, and a fixed presale window appears to be appealing to those chasing the next crypto to explode. However, this is not financial advice. Meme coins are volatile by nature, so please always do your own research before buying anything.

The global iron ore market is in the midst of a major pricing shift, moving away from the long-standing 62% Fe benchmark toward a new 61% Fe specification. The change, driven by a gradual decline in ore grades and higher impurity levels, is reshaping both the physical and financial sides of the industry and raising big questions about how iron ore is valued. Why the change matters For decades, the 62% Fe grade served as the anchor for global pricing, with Pilbara Blend Fines (PBF) acting as the bellwether. But as mined grades have steadily dropped, the 62% benchmark no longer matches what is actually traded. The move to a 61% Fe baseline, effective from 2026, reflects this reality. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has proposed iron ore futures — which see volumes more than three times larger than the physical market — to still be tied to the old specification, but with a one-off price adjustment in September to bridge the gap. This would preserve liquidity in the contract, but traders say it complicates valuations and adds basis risk. Physical market moving faster The physical market, particularly in China (which buys over two-thirds of seaborne iron ore), has already shifted. Since May, PBF shipments for July arrival have been trading closer to 61% Fe, leaving the 62% Fe benchmark increasingly disconnected from reality. A dual-index solution Price reporting agencies have begun adapting. Argus, for example, has launched a dedicated 61% Fe index alongside its 62% Fe benchmark. This allows for direct valuation of the new grade while maintaining clarity around quality differentials. Industry voices argue that a dual-index approach — using both 61% and 62% Fe benchmarks — is essential during the transition. It would allow exchanges to launch new financial products, such as a 61% Fe futures contract, that align with the physical market and restore confidence in price discovery. While the grade shift has created short-term uncertainty, it also offers a rare chance to address long-standing flaws in the pricing system. Moving to a specification that reflects what is actually traded could reduce basis risk, improve transparency, and align financial settlement with physical reality.

Most Read: Ripple (XRP/USD) Falls 6% on Manipulation Fears, Liquidations Surge. Will the $3.00 Support Hold? The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record high on Friday, becoming the last of the three major U.S. indexes to hit a new peak. This rally was driven by hopes for easier monetary policy, reduced trade tensions, and strong corporate earnings. The Dow climbed past its previous high of 45311 from July 28, boosted by a surge in UnitedHealth Group shares after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway announced a new investment in the company. The Dow's rise this year has been driven by strong performances from Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and Caterpillar. Nvidia, a leader in AI and chip design, also played a big role. It became the first public company to hit a $4 trillion market value, with its stock up over 30% this year. Source: LSEG The Dow has risen over 20% since its low in April, following President Trump's announcement of major "reciprocal tariffs" to reshape global trade in favor of the U.S. With new trade deals made with the UK, Japan, and the EU, investors are confident that a global recession is unlikely. US Retail Sales Rise, Industrial Output Falls Sales growth is steady but still facing challenges. In July, overall retail sales increased by 0.5%, slightly below the expected 0.6%, with a small upward revision of 0.1%. Sales excluding autos rose by 0.3%, matching expectations, and were revised up by 0.4%. Meanwhile, control retail sales, which exclude more volatile categories, grew by 0.5%, just above the 0.4% forecast, with a similar upward revision of 0.4%. This report helps ease concerns about consumer spending after the tariff impact, thanks to small gains in sales and upward revisions to previous months' numbers. However, spending growth still seems weak, and with a slowing job market and more tariff effects expected, a big rebound in growth is unlikely. In what should be a concern for market participants when it comes to the DOW in particular, Manufacturing is showing signs of stagnation again, as weak surveys suggest. In July, industrial production dipped by 0.1%, slightly below expectations, while manufacturing output stayed flat. Although manufacturing saw some growth earlier this year, it has now leveled off, with production likely to remain sluggish in the coming months. Key indicators, like the ISM new orders index and regional Fed surveys, show ongoing weakness in future production and investment plans. Despite trade deals and tax incentives, there’s no evidence that tariffs are driving significant investment in U.S. manufacturing. High labor costs compared to overseas markets make it unlikely that tariffs alone will bring back many manufacturing jobs without causing steep price increases for consumers. Global Equity Fund Flows Hit Six-Week Highs Global equity funds saw their biggest weekly inflows in six weeks by August 13, thanks to lower-than-expected U.S. inflation and a tariff truce between the U.S. and China, which boosted investor confidence. Technology stocks, like Apple, attracted strong interest after the company announced new U.S. investments to avoid tariffs on iPhones. Investors poured a net $19.32 billion into global equity funds, bouncing back from the $7.63 billion net outflow the previous week, according to LSEG Lipper data. U.S. equity funds led with $8.77 billion in inflows, recovering part of the $13.89 billion outflow from the prior week. European and Asian funds also gained $7.08 billion and $2.07 billion, respectively. Source: LSEG Given that the Trump-Putin meeting begins in a short while, positive developments there could help remove any concerns around geopolitical risk moving forward. This in theory should be positive for risk assets and could see next week bring more flows toward global and US equity markets. Is the DOW setting up for a run toward the 50000 psychological mark? Technical Analysis - Dow Jones Index From a technical standpoint, the Dow Jones index has printed a fresh all-time high, but is experiencing a pullback at the time of writing. The index is down around 0.59% on the day. The golden cross pattern which took place on Tuesday and helped propel the index to fresh all-time highs may potentially be in for a retest in the week ahead. As discussed above, the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting could be the catalyst for risk assets and more particularly global equities to continue their impressive rise. Trade deal concerns may remain, but a potential Russia-Ukraine deal could remove some of the geopolitical risk premium which has lingered in the minds of market participants despite the impressive equities rally in 2025. On the upside there is no historical price action to analyze. This means focus will be on whole numbers and psychological levels such as the 46000 and 46500 handles. A deeper pullback may look toward the 50-day MA which rests at 44382 before the 100 and 200-day MAs come into focus around the 43000 handle. Dow Jones Daily Chart, August 15, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) Client Sentiment Data - DOW JONES Index Looking at OANDA client sentiment data and market participants are short on the DOW with 75% of traders net-short. I prefer to take a contrarian view toward crowd sentiment and thus the fact that so many traders are short means the Dow Jones Index could rise in the near-term. Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Montage Gold (TSX: MAU) says a worker died Thursday following an accident at the company’s Koné project in Côte d’Ivoire. Construction activities at the site resumed Friday after a one-day pause, a company spokesman said via e-mail. The incident took place during earthwork activities at Koné, Vancouver-based Montage said late Thursday in a statement. “The health, safety and welfare of our colleagues is our top priority and we are deeply saddened by this news,” Montage said in the statement. “We extend our sincere sympathies and support to his family, colleagues and friends.” A “comprehensive” internal investigation into the accident – which occurred more than 1 km away from the employee’s assigned work location – is under way, the company said. Montage has notified local authorities and says it will work closely with them. Koné, which has an estimated mine life of 16 years, is expected to start producing gold in 2027. Annual gold output is expected to average 300,000 oz. in the first eight years. “We don’t anticipate any material impact to development while the investigation is ongoing,” National Bank Financial mining analyst Mohamed Sidibé said Friday in a note. Montage shares gained 0.2% to C$5.14 apiece Friday morning in Toronto, giving the company a market capitalization of C$1.85 billion. The stock has traded in a 12-month range of C$1.71 to C$5.30. Koné is located about 350 km northwest of Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire’s political capital, and about 600 km northwest of Abidjan, the country’s commercial capital. It’s accessible year-round via an asphalt road.

Since our most recent analysis, the energy commodity has kept struggling, but it seems that some change is happening. Yesterday’s rebound looks to have carved out an intermediate bottom after Wednesday's dragonfly doji (which you may discover on the charts). Oil’s slide in recent weeks has been less about fresh supply or demand shocks and more about the market’s inability to find better hopes for global growth amid growing supply. All eyes are on today’s high-stakes meeting between Trump and Putin in Anchorage at 11:30 ET. The Russian president praised the “sincere efforts” of his US counterpart ahead of the talks. The geopolitical backdrop has now taken center stage, as recent oil data offered no real surprises to shift the narrative. Is a bottom now in place? If the meeting delivers better-than-expected results, that could become reality, potentially sparking a buy-the-news rally and breathing some newfound volatility in the commodity. Read More: Imminent profit-taking in Cryptocurrencies – What's the story WTI Oil Technical Levels ahead of the Trump–Putin MeetingUS Oil Daily Chart US Oil Daily Chart, August 15, 2025 – Source: TradingView The past week had preceded a breakdown from the July range ($65 to $70.5) after about eight different crosses within the consolidation. A failed breakout higher got met with a tight bear channel (where bear candles overlap each other) as global growth outlooks got revised lower from the NFP Payrolls and supply keeps getting increased with conflicting producing nations. The drop, marking lows at 62.19 on Wednesday in the shape of the Dragonfly daily Doji has been followed by a decent bull candle yesterday now invalidating the tight bear channel formation. The current Daily candle looks to engulf the one from yesterday, nonetheless, the session is young and the biggest catalyst has yet to show its results. US Oil 4H Chart US Oil 4H Chart, August 15, 2025 – Source: TradingView Sellers have taken control of the price action since August 1st as degrading data keeps hurting the commodity, already in the midst of supply-headwinds. Watch how the ongoing bearish descending channel allowed to break the different July range levels , with prices now arriving right into the $63 to $64 May range highs Zone. This morning saw some form of selling, which looks like position clearing ahead of the event – Markets tested the $63 psychological level and are consolidating since. Levels to watch for US Oil: Resistance Levels $65 to $66 Previous range support, now PivotImminent Pivot Zone $67.30 to $68 – Confluence with 50 and 200 Day MAs69.5–$70.5 Resistance Zone, range extremesSupport Levels $63.00 to $64 May Range highs supportWednesday lows $62.19$60.5 Low of May Range$55 to $57 2025 lows Main supportUS Oil 1H Chart US Oil 1H Chart, August 15, 2025 – Source: TradingView Looking even closer to the 1H timeframe we spot how the price action is consolidating within the $63 to $64 Support. An ongoing short timeframe range is forming with $63 to $63.20 lows (currently trading) and with the highs located between $64 to $64.20, at a confluence with the highs of the descending channel. Keep watching the headlines as the event approaches fast. Safe Trades! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.