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Despite consolidating around the $0.24 area for months now, a new technical analysis suggests that the Dogecoin price could be gearing up for another explosive move this cycle. A crypto analyst has identified a recurring rounded bottom pattern in DOGE’s historic price chart, suggesting a familiar setup that often precedes massive rallies. The analyst argues that a combination of technical structure and macroeconomic conditions could once again send Dogecoin flying. Macro Correlations Suggest Dogecoin Price Rally Ahead In an extensive analysis shared on X social media, crypto market analyst Osemka highlighted a recurring pattern of rounded bottom formations in Dogecoin’s long-term price chart. His study compares the meme coin’s price behaviour against the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and other altcoins collectively labelled as “ALTS (OTHERS),” illustrating how macroeconomic cycles influence crypto risk assets. The chart showcases how altcoins and the IWM help depict how the Dogecoin price historically lags behind broader market movements during early “risk-on” phases before entering its explosive bullish phase. Osemka pointed out that once IWM breaks out, altcoins typically begin to rally, yet DOGE remains dormant for a short period. However, the real price acceleration tends to occur only after the altcoin index surpasses its previous all-time high. The cyclical lag effect of the rounded bottom series positions the Dogecoin price as a late mover that benefits from the spillover momentum from IWM and “OTHERS.” The patterns mark long consolidation phases of accumulation before the analyst’s projected parabolic ascent begins. More importantly, the current market appears to align with these same pre-rally conditions, signaling that the meme coin is getting ready to “fly” but only when the macro environment shifts to “risk-on mode.” Expert Eyes Upcoming Dogecoin Price Discovery In a separate analysis, ‘Zero,’ another crypto market expert on X reinforced Dogecoin’s bullish thesis by emphasizing that a price discovery is imminent. His long-term chart, dating back to 2014, outlines three major accumulation and expansion cycles, each undergoing its own level of sideways action before a dramatic surge. The chart highlights previous explosive phases of 218x and 548x during past bull markets, with a projected 50x move, suggesting that Dogecoin is once again nearing the end of a consolidation phase and preparing for a major breakout. The green shaded area on Zero’s chart represents historical accumulation zones—the quiet consolidation periods that often precede strong price rallies.

The US government shutdown, which began at midnight on October 6, shows no sign of ending soon — and many now expect it could at least become the second-longest in US history. Despite six Democratic attempts to pass a funding bill, the Senate has repeatedly rejected proposals to reopen the government. Length of the different US Government shutdowns – Source: Statista - Reposting of the graph published in our October 2 Market Wrap The current shutdown has been ongoing for nine days already – The length of it already surpasses 14 of the previous ones, with some lasting only one day, like during the 1980s. There are, however, faint hopes for a resolution, with growing pressure from agencies, unions, and private-sector partners potentially pushing lawmakers to reach a deal in the coming weeks. Because of the ongoing shutdown, even Marco Rubio, one of the US top diplomats, will not be able to attend the Paris meeting about the future for Gaza, as peace in the Middle East comes closer. For now, the impact on economic visibility is clear. With most “non-essential” government functions halted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — responsible for the Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) and Weekly Jobless Claims — is temporarily closed. This leaves traders and analysts without two of the most critical labor market indicators. So, where can investors look to fill the data gap and gauge the health of US employment while the shutdown persists? Let's discover this just below. Read More: US stocks sector divergence raises red flagsDow Jones Technical Outlook: Dow Tests Key Confluence Level. Is Another 500 + Point Slide Incoming?Nasdaq 100: Short to medium-term bullish trends intact amid AI bubble fearsPrivate data makes a comeback Private surveys provide valuable insight into the US labor market. While they typically move markets less than official BLS data, they’re now attracting increased attention amid the government shutdown. The most widely followed — and most market-moving — is the ADP Private Employment Report, which recently showed a decline of 32,000 jobs. It is getting more attention, particularly as it provides a seemingly more precise picture (when looking at the huge revisions from BLS data in 2025). ADP Private Employment in the past 12 months, starting to plateau – Source: ADPEmployment Other indicators help to fill the gap: the Challenger Job-Cut Report offers a monthly look at layoffs, while the Gallup Job Creation Index (released quarterly, so not very timely) gives a sentiment-based measure of hiring conditions. The ISM Manufacturing and Services PMIs also include employment sub-indexes, offering additional clues about job trends across sectors. Even private institutions have stepped up their data releases — for instance, a Bank of America survey showed slower job growth and rising claims despite steady wage gains, and Carlyle Group estimated that the US added just 17,000 jobs in September. While the ADP report remains the benchmark among these alternatives, this period could see new private datasets gain prominence — especially those that prove more consistent or predictive of official labor trends once BLS operations resume. Public data also isn't done yet Public data isn’t totally absent when assessing the US labor market — a few key Federal Reserve surveys continue operating even during the shutdown. These surveys offer timely snapshots of employment trends across various districts, providing indirect but valuable clues about hiring and job stability. The New York Fed’s Empire State Manufacturing Survey (the most market-moving) and the Philadelphia Fed’s Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey ask firms whether employment and work hours are rising or falling, giving an early read on hiring momentum in the Eastern US. The Richmond Fed runs manufacturing and service sector surveys, where companies report payroll changes and labor availability. Further west, the Kansas City Fed’s Tenth District surveys and the Dallas Fed’s Texas Manufacturing and Service Outlooks measure shifts in employment and wages through monthly questionnaires sent to local businesses. Though these regional reports vary in scope, their employment sub-indices tend to move consistently with national labor data, making them valid proxies until the Bureau of Labor Statistics resumes regular publication. Individual Fed regional presidents tend to mention these studies when they appear, which helps them assess their own decision-making during FOMC meetings. Too Long, Didn't read – What data releases should I focus on as a trader Private Surveys:ADP Private Employment (released monthly)Challenger Job LayoffsEmployment Sub-Indexes from the ISM PMI dataBank surveys like those offered from the Bank of AmericaPublic Surveys, mostly from the Federal ReserveNew York Fed’s Empire State Manufacturing SurveyRichmond Fed's Manufacturing SurveyMarkets don't seem to care too much about the shutdown, at least for now US Dollar Index (DXY) 4H Chart, October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView The US Dollar is up 2% since October 1st, not showing the slightest care. Even legendary traders and Hedge Fund managers like Citadel's Ken Griffin repeat that the shutdown will have no material impact for Markets. Still, Markets start to react when nobody seems to care anymore, so keep your eyes open. Safe Trades! Follow Elior on Twitter/X for Additional Market News, interactions and Insights @EliorManier 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.

The wave pattern on the 4-hour chart of EUR/USD has not changed for several months, but in recent weeks it has taken on a more complex form. It is still too early to conclude that the upward trend section has been canceled, but a new decline in the euro will require adjustments. The upward trend construction continues, while the news background mostly supports not the dollar. The trade war initiated by Donald Trump is ongoing. The confrontation with the Fed continues. The market's "dovish" expectations for the Fed rate are growing. The U.S. government shutdown is still in place. The market evaluates the first 7–8 months of Trump's presidency very poorly, even though economic growth in Q2 reached nearly 4%. At the moment, it can be assumed that the construction of impulse wave 5 is continuing, with targets stretching up to the 1.25 level. Inside this wave, the structure is rather complex and ambiguous, but its higher degree scale does not raise major questions. Currently, three upward waves are visible, which means the pair is forming wave 4 within wave 5, which is taking a three-wave form and may already be close to completion. On Thursday, EUR/USD declined another 70 basis points, though the pace of the euro's fall is slowing. Recall that this week, the European currency came under selling pressure due to France's political crisis, expressed by the resignation of the fifth prime minister in the past two years. In addition, German industrial production data disappointed sharply, falling back to 2005 levels. However, these factors are already priced in by the market. For euro demand to continue declining, new negative factors are required. Last night, the Fed released the minutes of its September 17 meeting, which largely reflected the alignment between market expectations and the FOMC policymakers. Fed officials are prepared to keep voting for rate cuts, as risks of labor market "cooling" remain, and the U.S. economy may slow in the coming quarters. At the same time, most officials keep in mind the consumer price index, which keeps rising month by month in response to Trump's ever-increasing tariffs. The Fed's current position is unenviable. The interest rate needs both to be lowered and raised at the same time. Therefore, the base case scenario for now remains two rounds of monetary easing at the end of 2025 and one round at the beginning of 2026. Trump wants more, Bessent wants more, and even Steven Miran believes the rate should be cut much more aggressively. However, most Fed officials are sticking to a balanced approach that does not imply aggressive easing. General ConclusionsBased on the EUR/USD analysis, I conclude that the instrument continues to form an upward trend section. The wave pattern still fully depends on the news background linked to Trump's decisions and the foreign and domestic policies of the new White House Administration. The targets of the current trend section may extend up to the 1.25 level. At present, a corrective wave 4 is being formed, which may be nearing completion. The upward wave structure remains valid. Accordingly, in the near term I am considering only buying opportunities. By the end of the year, I expect the euro to rise to 1.2245, which corresponds to 200.0% Fibonacci. On a smaller scale, the entire upward trend section is clearly visible. The wave pattern is not the most standard, as the corrective waves differ in size. For example, the higher-degree wave 2 is smaller than the internal wave 2 of wave 3. But such cases do happen. It's important to remember that it is best to single out clear structures on the charts, rather than trying to account for every wave. The current upward structure is nearly unquestionable. Key principles of my analysis: Wave structures should be simple and clear. Complex structures are difficult to trade and often change.If there is no confidence in the market situation, it is better to stay out.There is never and can never be 100% certainty about the direction of movement. Always use protective Stop Loss orders.Wave analysis can be combined with other types of analysis and trading strategies.The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

For GBP/USD, the wave pattern still indicates the construction of an upward wave structure, but in recent weeks it has taken on a complex and ambiguous form. The pound has dropped too sharply of late, so the trend section beginning on August 1 now looks unclear. The first thing that comes to mind is the complication of the supposed wave 4, which may take on a three-wave form, with each of its sub-waves also consisting of three waves. In this case, a decline of the instrument toward the 1.31 and 1.30 levels should be expected. However, if this assumption is correct, then the euro will also decline, and therefore its wave structure will also undergo certain changes. At present, I do not see other alternative scenarios with a clear structure. The news background has greatly interfered with the realization of the most straightforward scenario, yet at the same time it should continue to support sellers in order for the alternative scenario to play out. And this could be problematic. It should be remembered that at the moment, much in the currency market depends on Donald Trump's policies. The market fears Fed policy easing due to pressure from the U.S. president, and Trump has introduced a new round of tariffs, indicating the continuation of the trade war. Thus, the news background remains unfavorable for the dollar. GBP/USD continues to decline, breaking the current wave structure. If the news background had suddenly reversed 180 degrees in favor of the U.S. dollar, everything would be clear. Wave patterns are an important element of analysis, but you cannot argue with global events. However, in my view, the news background for the dollar remains very weak, just as it has throughout 2025. To recall: in just the first nine days of October, the U.S. currency has faced a government shutdown, weak ISM indices in both services and manufacturing, and a completely disastrous ADP report. This week, the FOMC minutes were released, confirming the market's expectations of the Fed's willingness to continue easing. Accordingly, demand for the dollar should be declining rather than rising. Yet something is clearly not going according to plan. In my view, the Fed minutes should not be taken too seriously nor used as a basis for conclusions. They reflect the sentiment of Fed officials three weeks ago. Time passes, and the situation changes. On September 17, there was not even a hint of a government shutdown in the U.S., so this is one of those cases where much has changed in a short period of time. At present, the Fed must act blindly, and I am not sure the American regulator will want to proceed in that fashion. Undoubtedly, the probability of two or three more rounds of monetary easing in the coming months remains high, since it is clear the labor market continues to "cool." The Fed can afford at least one preemptive rate cut, and by the December meeting the shutdown will be over, allowing unemployment, inflation, and labor market data to be analyzed. But all of this remains speculation. General conclusionsThe GBP/USD wave pattern has changed. We are still dealing with an upward, impulsive trend section, but its internal wave structure has become unreadable. If wave 4 takes on a complex three-wave form, the structure will normalize, but in this case, wave 4 will be much more complicated and extended than wave 2. In my view, the best reference point for now is 1.3341, which corresponds to the 127.2% Fibonacci level. Two failed attempts to break this level pointed to the market's readiness for new purchases. A third failed attempt may again lead to a rebound from the lows reached. The instrument's targets still lie no lower than the 1.38 area. The higher-degree wave pattern looks nearly perfect, even though wave 4 exceeded the high of wave 1. But let me remind you: perfect wave patterns exist only in textbooks. In practice, things are much more complicated. At present, I see no reason to consider alternative scenarios to the upward trend section. Key principles of my analysis: Wave structures should be simple and clear. Complex structures are hard to trade and often change.If there is no confidence in the market situation, it is better to stay out.There is never and can never be 100% certainty in price direction. Always use protective Stop Loss orders.Wave analysis can be combined with other types of analysis and trading strategies.The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

The Bitcoin price rise is not going to slowing down, according to market expert Anthony Pompliano. The well-known investor and founder of Professional Capital Management believes the top cryptocurrency still has a long way to go. In a recent video post on X, Pompliano revealed that Bitcoin’s value will continue to grow as long as governments and central banks continue to print more money. Anthony Pompliano Links Bitcoin Price Endless Rise To Global Money Printing During an interview with CNBC, Pompliano said Bitcoin’s rally is far from over. According to him, when more money enters the system, the value of paper currencies decreases, and people begin seeking more effective ways to protect their savings. Now the best approach for investors is to work hard, earn money, spend only what is necessary, and save the rest in Bitcoin. As observed by Pompliano, this is what could drive the growth in Bitcoin prices. According to the market expert, Bitcoin could quickly become the preferred choice for people looking to protect their savings from inflation, serving as a simple ‘savings technology’ that preserves the value of their hard work. Pompliano emphasized that this idea is not about making money quickly, but about understanding how money loses value when central banks print more currency. Each dollar becomes weaker, while Bitcoin, with its fixed supply, continues to gain strength as more people use it for saving and investing. Scarcity resulting from Bitcoin’s fixed supply, combined with growing demand, could drive the Bitcoin price higher. Pompliano believes the pattern will last for many years. Bitcoin Becomes The New Benchmark In Modern Finance Pompliano also described Bitcoin as the new “hurdle rate” in modern finance. In simple terms, he said investors now compare all other assets to Bitcoin to judge whether they’re truly profitable. If a traditional asset cannot outperform Bitcoin, it is not a substantial investment. He compared Bitcoin’s growth to the S&P 500, noting that while the S&P has doubled since 2020, it has dropped nearly 90% when measured against Bitcoin. Pompliano said that many traditional financial assets, including stocks and bonds, look profitable only when measured in fiat currencies. But when compared to Bitcoin, their returns fall short. Because of this, he said, investors are left with few options: they either buy Bitcoin or risk missing out on more substantial returns. Pompliano’s comments come after the Bitcoin price reached a new all-time high of $126,198, followed by a drop to $124,714. Even with the slight dip, the market expert believes the rally is not close to ending. As he put it, this is not just a rally — it’s the start of a long-term shift in how the world sees money and value.

Trade analysis and advice for trading the Japanese yen The price test of 152.75 in the first half of the day occurred when the MACD indicator had just begun moving upward from the zero mark, confirming a correct entry point for buying the dollar in continuation of the bullish market. As a result, the pair rose by 35 points. The Japanese yen may lose even more ground against the dollar after Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech — especially in light of the lack of any important U.S. fundamental statistics. In the absence of macroeconomic data, market participants' full attention will be on the speeches of U.S. central bank officials. Analysts agree that any hints about keeping rates unchanged to curb inflation could trigger further weakening of the yen. Given the persistent interest rate gap between the U.S. and Japan, dollar-denominated assets remain highly attractive to investors. The Bank of Japan, under the new prime minister who is clearly focused on stimulating the economy, is unlikely to raise rates by year-end, which adds further pressure on the yen. In this situation, any hawkish statement from Powell or other FOMC members could act as a catalyst for another wave of yen selling. The market will closely monitor the Fed's assessment of inflation and growth prospects to forecast the regulator's next moves. As for the intraday strategy, I will rely mainly on Scenarios #1 and #2. Buy Signal Scenario #1: I plan to buy USD/JPY today at the entry point near 152.87 (green line on the chart) with a target rise to 153.56 (thicker green line on the chart). Around 153.56, I will exit the buys and open sells in the opposite direction (expecting a 30–35 point reversal). Growth can be expected in continuation of the upward trend.Important! Before buying, make sure the MACD indicator is above the zero mark and has just begun rising from it. Scenario #2: I also plan to buy USD/JPY today if the price tests 152.44 twice in a row, while the MACD indicator is in oversold territory. This will limit the pair's downward potential and trigger an upward reversal. Growth toward 152.87 and 153.56 can then be expected. Sell Signal Scenario #1: I plan to sell USD/JPY today after the price breaks below 152.44 (red line on the chart), which should lead to a quick decline. The key target for sellers will be 151.82, where I will exit the sells and immediately open buys in the opposite direction (expecting a 20–25 point rebound). Selling pressure on the pair may return if Fed representatives adopt a dovish stance.Important! Before selling, make sure the MACD indicator is below the zero mark and has just begun declining from it. Scenario #2: I also plan to sell USD/JPY today if the price tests 152.87 twice in a row, while the MACD indicator is in overbought territory. This will limit the pair's upward potential and trigger a downward reversal. A decline toward 152.44 and 151.82 can then be expected. Chart Notes: Thin green line – entry price for buying the instrument;Thick green line – projected price for setting Take Profit or manually fixing profit, as further growth above this level is unlikely;Thin red line – entry price for selling the instrument;Thick red line – projected price for setting Take Profit or manually fixing profit, as further decline below this level is unlikely;MACD indicator – when entering the market, it is important to use overbought and oversold zones as guidance.Important: Beginner Forex traders should be very cautious when making market entry decisions. Before the release of major fundamental reports, it is best to stay out of the market to avoid sharp price swings. If you decide to trade during news releases, always place stop-loss orders to minimize losses. Without stop-losses, you can quickly lose your entire deposit, especially if you don't use money management and trade with large volumes. And remember: for successful trading, you need a clear trading plan, like the one I've outlined above. Spontaneous decisions based on the current market situation are an inherently losing strategy for intraday traders. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Trade analysis and advice for trading the British pound The price test of 1.3399 occurred at the moment when the MACD indicator had just begun moving downward from the zero mark, confirming the correct entry point for selling the pound and resulting in a decline toward the target level of 1.3362. The pound's latest drop confirms its position in a deep bearish market, marked by yet another update of the weekly low. Investors and traders are cautiously watching developments, trying to determine where the bottom lies and when at least some recovery might begin. Economic factors such as inflation, high interest rates, and slowing growth continue to pressure the British currency. In the second half of the day, the British pound may respond with another decline to speeches from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and FOMC members Michelle Bowman and Michael S. Barr. Statements from key Federal Reserve figures are becoming the decisive factor in shaping expectations for the future path of U.S. interest rates — especially under the current government shutdown conditions. If Powell and other FOMC members strike a hawkish tone, this will likely strengthen the U.S. dollar. Conversely, if Powell and his colleagues adopt a more dovish stance, hinting at possible rate cuts in October even in the absence of key data, the pound may gain short-term support. As for the intraday strategy, I will rely mainly on Scenarios #1 and #2. Buy Signal Scenario #1: I plan to buy the pound today around the entry point of 1.3410 (green line on the chart) with a target of rising to 1.3454 (thicker green line on the chart). Around 1.3454, I will exit the buys and open sells in the opposite direction (expecting a 30–35 point move in the reverse direction). A strong rise in the pound today can only be expected after a dovish speech from Powell.Important! Before buying, make sure the MACD indicator is above the zero mark and has just begun rising from it. Scenario #2: I also plan to buy the pound today if the price tests 1.3369 twice in a row, while the MACD indicator is in oversold territory. This will limit the pair's downward potential and trigger an upward reversal. Growth toward the opposite levels of 1.3410 and 1.3454 can then be expected. Sell Signal Scenario #1: I plan to sell the pound today after the price breaks below 1.3369 (red line on the chart), which should lead to a quick decline of the pair. The key target for sellers will be 1.3331, where I will exit the sales and immediately open buys in the opposite direction (expecting a 20–25 point rebound from this level). The pound may fall significantly in the second half of the day.Important! Before selling, make sure the MACD indicator is below the zero mark and has just begun declining from it. Scenario #2: I also plan to sell the pound today if the price tests 1.3410 twice in a row, while the MACD indicator is in overbought territory. This will limit the pair's upward potential and trigger a downward reversal. A decline toward 1.3369 and 1.3331 can then be expected. Chart Notes: Thin green line – entry price for buying the instrument;Thick green line – projected price for setting Take Profit or manually fixing profit, as further growth above this level is unlikely;Thin red line – entry price for selling the instrument;Thick red line – projected price for setting Take Profit or manually fixing profit, as further decline below this level is unlikely;MACD indicator – when entering the market, it is important to use overbought and oversold zones as guidance.Important: Beginner Forex traders should make market entry decisions very cautiously. Before the release of major fundamental reports, it is best to stay out of the market to avoid sharp price swings. If you decide to trade during news releases, always place stop-loss orders to minimize losses. Without stop-losses, you can quickly lose your entire deposit, especially if you don't use money management and trade with large volumes. And remember: for successful trading, you need a clear trading plan, like the one I've outlined above. Spontaneous decisions based on the current market situation are an inherently losing strategy for intraday traders. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Trade analysis and advice for trading the European currency The price test of 1.1633 occurred at the moment when the MACD indicator had just begun moving downward from the zero mark, which confirmed a correct entry point for selling the euro. As a result, the pair declined toward the 1.1604 level, allowing for about 30 points of profit. Despite favorable statistics showing an increase in Germany's trade balance surplus, pressure on the euro persists. The European currency continues to be influenced by a set of unfavorable factors. In particular, investors are concerned about a potential slowdown in eurozone economic growth, the uncertainty surrounding the European Central Bank's monetary policy outlook, and ongoing geopolitical instability in the region. Even though data on Germany's trade surplus expansion — typically considered a supportive factor for the national currency — was published, the euro showed no strengthening. This indicates that broad macroeconomic and political risks outweigh local positive signals. Investors are likely concerned about the overall stability of the eurozone economy and its implications for the euro's exchange rate. In this environment, the European Central Bank faces a dilemma. On one hand, it needs to keep inflation under control, the trajectory of which remains uncertain by year-end. On the other hand, the lack of rate-cut momentum could deepen the recession and increase pressure on the euro. In the second half of the day, attention will naturally shift to speeches by Federal Reserve representatives. Diverging views regarding the future path of interest rates are becoming increasingly noticeable. Scheduled speakers include Fed Chair Jerome Powell, along with FOMC members Michelle Bowman and Michael S. Barr. Market participants will carefully analyze every statement, looking for signals about the regulator's future policy. Internal disagreements within the Fed add to uncertainty, exerting a restraining influence on currency markets. As for the intraday strategy, I will rely mainly on Scenarios #1 and #2. Buy Signal Scenario #1: Buying the euro today is possible around 1.1642 (green line on the chart) with a target rise to 1.1679. At 1.1679, I plan to exit the market, also selling the euro in the opposite direction with the expectation of a 30–35 point move from the entry point. Euro growth today can only be expected after dovish remarks from Fed representatives.Important! Before buying, make sure the MACD indicator is above the zero mark and has just begun rising from it. Scenario #2: I also plan to buy the euro if the price tests 1.1615 twice in a row, while the MACD indicator is in oversold territory. This will limit the pair's downward potential and lead to a reversal upward. Growth to the opposite levels of 1.1642 and 1.1679 can then be expected. Sell Signal Scenario #1: I plan to sell the euro after the price reaches 1.1615 (red line on the chart). The target will be 1.1574, where I intend to exit the market and immediately buy in the opposite direction (expecting a 20–25 point rebound from this level). Selling pressure on the pair could return at any moment today.Important! Before selling, make sure the MACD indicator is below the zero mark and has just begun declining from it. Scenario #2: I also plan to sell the euro if the price tests 1.1642 twice in a row, while the MACD indicator is in overbought territory. This will limit the pair's upward potential and trigger a downward reversal. A decline toward 1.1615 and 1.1574 can be expected. Chart Notes: Thin green line – entry price for buying the instrument;Thick green line – projected price for setting Take Profit or manually fixing profit, as further growth above this level is unlikely;Thin red line – entry price for selling the instrument;Thick red line – projected price for setting Take Profit or manually fixing profit, as further decline below this level is unlikely;MACD indicator – when entering the market, it is important to use overbought and oversold zones as guidance.Important: Beginner Forex traders should be very cautious when making market entry decisions. Before the release of major fundamental reports, it is best to stay out of the market to avoid sharp price swings. If you decide to trade during news releases, always place stop-loss orders to minimize losses. Without stop-losses, you can quickly lose your entire deposit, especially if you don't use money management and trade with large volumes. And remember: for successful trading, you need a clear trading plan, like the one I've outlined above. Spontaneous decisions based on the current market situation are an inherently losing strategy for intraday traders. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Crypto chartist Dark Defender says XRP’s current monthly structure has flipped back to the same high-momentum regime that preceded its 2017–2018 vertical run, arguing that a fresh impulsive wave is underway after last year’s breakout. In a detailed thread accompanying a multi-year monthly chart, the analyst urged followers to segment XRP’s history into “Left – Middle – Right,” contrasting a 2017 impulsive setup, a 2021 corrective detour, and what he calls today’s renewed continuation phase. XRP Is Repeating 2017 On the left side of the chart, Dark Defender highlights the 2017 template: candles closing above prior highs, price holding above Ichimoku Cloud support, elevated Relative Strength Index, and monthly closes above a key exponential moving average. “XRP had an impulsive wave by the end of 2017. This caused the RSI spike with a huge momentum… Volume and the speed were high, so was Momentum,” he wrote, adding that the thrust concluded a “five-wave” advance before a multi-month triangle consolidation formed. The RSI, he noted, flattened but stayed above his smoothed baseline, which he interprets as a bullish continuation signal rather than exhaustion. The middle section—anchored around 2021—marks the counterpoint. Dark Defender characterizes this period as a corrective A-B structure, with an A-wave decline from the 2018 peak and a B-wave rally that topped at $1.96. Momentum signatures weakened, and the trend lost its structural supports. “First and foremost, the structure in 2021 was a CORRECTIVE STRUCTURE,” he wrote. “The price was below the Ichimoku Clouds, hence bearish… The Triangle did not have any candles above the orange resistance… The exponential moving average… was broken downside.” He also reminds readers that “the lawsuit was ongoing,” situating the pattern in a period of headline risk and depressed trend quality. The right-hand panel is where his thesis turns decisively bullish. Dark Defender says a “CRUCIAL BREAK” he flagged on November 10, 2024 preceded a lasting upside extension that, in his view, reestablished an impulsive regime. “We announced a CRUCIAL BREAK… that XRP was going to break the ATH. Yes, 1 day before the extensive break,” he wrote, linking back to his prior post. He argues that the subsequent advance delivered the necessary checklist for trend validation: monthly Heikin Ashi closes above previous highs, price reclaiming and holding above the Ichimoku Cloud, a series of closes above the red EMA baseline, and a resurgent RSI profile that he explicitly compares to the 2017 impulse. “The IMPULSIVE WAVE structure has not yet been finalised,” he added, cautioning that a February 2025 pullback was corrective within a larger advance rather than the end of the move. Technically, the thread’s comparative anatomy hinges on consistent signals across timeframes and tools. In 2017 and again now, candles closed above resistance within triangle setups instead of failing at the boundary; price lived above Cloud support rather than beneath it; and the moving-average “red line” acted as dynamic support rather than resistance. Meanwhile, the RSI sequence that degraded in 2021—“medium strength… followed by the low strength”—has flipped back to what he calls a “similar high momentum like in 2017, but not in 2021.” In his summary, the 2017 segment was “entirely an impulsive 5 Wave structure,” 2021 was “Corrective and therefore Weak,” and 2024–2025 reflects a “NEW IMPULSIVE STRUCTURE” with continuation potential. The analyst’s tone is unambiguously constructive. “Considering all the above facts, I remain bullish on XRP and the broader blockchain,” he wrote. “We are entering a new era… and I think the future of Ripple and XRP is bright, following the lodestar, Polaris.” He closes with a characteristic refrain to “think positively,” but the core of the argument rests on the checklist of trend-confirmation items now in place on the monthly chart. Whether XRP ultimately reproduces the magnitude of its 2017 move will depend on how long those signals persist—monthly closes, momentum sustainability above the Cloud, and respect for the EMA baseline—yet Dark Defender’s comparative framework is explicit: the market conditions that fostered XRP’s last explosive phase are, in his reading, back on the board. While the analyst refrained from naming an explicit price target in his latest post, he had outlined one earlier this month. In an October 2 post on X, Dark Defender wrote, “We were right on XRP. RSI weekly break, weekly trend break, targets are clear. Nothing can stop what’s coming,” sharing a projected $10.47 target as the culmination of XRP’s anticipated wave-5 structure. At press time, XRP traded at $2.80.

Today, Thursday, gold continues to consolidate, although it holds above the key level of $4000 thanks to mixed fundamental data. The agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on launching the first stage of a peace plan reduces geopolitical tensions and prompts investors to lock in profits on the safe-haven asset — the precious metal, which still appears overbought. At the same time, the U.S. dollar is strengthening its weekly gains, reaching new highs since early August, which further weakens the momentum of this precious metal. Nevertheless, dovish expectations from the Federal Reserve still provide some support to vulnerable gold, helping to limit its decline. In addition, risks from a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, which could weigh on economic data, add some positive momentum for the safe-haven currency XAU/USD. The minutes of the Fed's September meeting, published on Wednesday, revealed near-unanimous support among policymakers for rate cuts due to concerns about employment. However, opinions were divided on whether one or two rate cuts should be expected before year-end. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the probability of a Fed rate cut by 25 basis points in October and December is estimated at 93% and 79%, respectively. Furthermore, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown — now in its ninth consecutive day — is restraining dollar growth and providing an additional boost for the commodity asset. On Wednesday, the Senate once again failed to pass budget bills to unlock funding — the sixth consecutive unsuccessful round. No visible progress in negotiations has been seen, with Democrats and Republicans continuing to blame each other for the deadlock. Moreover, staff cuts among government employees pose a threat to the U.S. labor market. From a geopolitical standpoint: on Wednesday, a senior Russian politician stated that Moscow would intercept Tomahawk cruise missiles and strike their launch positions if Washington approved their delivery to Ukraine. This fuels geopolitical tensions and helps limit gold's correction. Since there are no major economic releases due to the U.S. government shutdown, traders will focus on Jerome Powell's comments to understand the trajectory of rate cuts. This will have a decisive impact on the dollar's path and provide new momentum for XAU/USD dynamics. From a technical perspective, gold is testing the psychological level of $4000, bouncing off it. Therefore, before planning a significant corrective decline, it is worth waiting for a sustained breakout and consolidation below this level. On the other hand, momentum above $4035 could push the price higher than Wednesday's all-time high around $4059–4060. Subsequent buying above the round level of $4100 can be considered a new trigger for XAU/USD bulls. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Silver reached the $50-an-ounce level for the first time in decades on Thursday as surging demand for safe-haven assets led to a squeeze on the already-tightened London bullion market. Spot silver traded as high as $51.23 per ounce, the highest since a notorious squeeze orchestrated by the billionaire Hunt brothers in 1980, as investors continued to pile into precious metals. Click on chart for live prices. This takes silver’s year-to-date gains to nearly 70%, even surpassing that of gold, which scaled record highs 40 times in 2025 and recently hit the $4,000-an-ounce milestone. The precious metals rally comes amid rising demand for haven assets sparked by US fiscal risks, an overheating stock market and threats to the Federal Reserve’s independence. These uncertainties have boosted the so-called “debasement trade” — characterized by a reallocation away from fiat currencies and into “harder” assets. “The conversation around debasement, irrespective of its realities, has ignited investors’ enthusiasm towards gold and silver to the point where regression analysis gives way to something more akin to how investors view AI or the technology sector,” said Kieron Hodgson, commodity analyst at Peel Hunt, in a note to Bloomberg. Market in deficit Behind silver’s fast rise is its dual role as both an investment asset and an industrial input. The white-colored metal is a key ingredient in solar panels and wind turbines, which collectively account for more than half of its demand. This year, demand for the metal is expected to exceed supply for the fifth consecutive year, according to Silver Institute forecasts. “I think the deficits are the slow burn,” said Philip Newman, director of consultancy Metals Focus. “Just the size of the deficits have been so remarkable, and it takes time for that to manifest itself in the price.” London constraints Meanwhile, the silver market in London has also tightened to an almost unprecedented degree, with sky-high borrowing costs for the metal. This year, fears that the US could label the metal as a critical mineral and levy tariffs spurred a dash to ship the metal into New York, drawing down inventories in London. Much of the stock of silver in London is held in vaults backing exchange-traded funds, and therefore not available to buy or borrow on the market. “I think when you look at above-ground stocks of silver in London you are looking at an increasingly small share, which is not allocated against ETFs,” Newman said. However, TD Securities recently said that this massive silver squeeze is approaching its “end game” as the London market begins to restore its liquidity. Silver volatility While silver often moves in tandem with gold, sharing its strong negative correlation with the US dollar and interest rates, it is much more volatile than its more expensive sister metal. The metal also has a stronger cult following among retail investors, who view silver as being suppressed by large banks and institutions. That impassioned following has helped drive sharp rallies in silver in 2011 and 2020, when it surged 140% in less than five months. Over the following year, Redditors jumped on board, while #silversqueeze rapidly gained momentum on social media. In 1980, it was the Hunt brothers, Texan oil billionaires and notorious speculators, whose fear of inflation and belief in the metal as a store of wealth prompted them to try to corner the global market. They stockpiled more than 200 million oz. of silver, driving the price above $50 before it crashed below $11. That makes silver one of only a small handful of markets whose record highs from the commodity spikes of the 1970s and 1980s have yet to be surpassed. In inflation-adjusted terms, silver’s new high is only worth approximately one quarter of its 1980 peak, according to Bloomberg. (With files from Bloomberg) Sponsored: Take advantage of silver’s timeless value — explore silver bullion options with Sprott Money.

First Majestic Silver (TSX, NYSE: AG) said total production rose 39% in the third quarter as the Canadian miner churned out the most silver in its history. Shares hit their highest intraday level in more than four years before retreating. Total production of 7.7 million attributable silver-equivalent oz. in the July-September period included a record 3.9 million oz. silver, 35,681 oz. gold, 13.9 million lb. zinc and 7.7 million lb. lead, Vancouver-based First Majestic said late Wednesday. This compares with 5.5 million silver-equivalent oz. in the same period a year ago. Driving the record quarterly silver output was attributable production of 1.4 million oz. at Los Gatos – one of the company’s four operating mines in Mexico. First Majestic acquired its 70% stake in the mine in January, and integration is almost complete, according to the company. Silver-equivalent production of 23.2 million oz. through nine months represents about 73% of the company’s full-year target. First Majestic is expected to produce between 30.6 million and 32.6 million oz. silver this year at an all-in sustaining cost of $20.02-$20.82 per ounce. ‘On track’ First Majestic “is on track to achieve 2025 guidance,” BMO Capital Markets mining analyst Kevin O’Halloran said Thursday in a note. He raised his target price on the stock to C$21. Shares of the company fell 0.6% to C$19.59 Thursday afternoon in Toronto, cutting the company’s market value to about C$9.8 billion ($7 billion). Earlier they hit C$20.55, their highest level since June 2021. The stock has more than doubled since the start of the year as silver rose. Silver has soared about 75% since the start of the year, topping gold’s 53% gain, amid mounting political and economic uncertainty – which lifts the metal’s appeal as a safe haven – and rising demand for use in green energy technology. Spot silver surged more than 4% Thursday to an all-time high of $51 an ounce. Other production highlights from First Majestic during the period included 1.47 million oz. silver and 13,945 oz. gold from San Dimas, 412,669 oz. silver and 20,979 oz. gold from Santa Elena and 575,193 oz. silver from La Encantada. First Majestic completed about 79,500 metres of drilling across its mines in the third quarter. It has 30 active drill rigs, including five at Los Gatos, 13 at San Dimas, eight at Santa Elena, two at La Encantada and another two at Jerritt Canyon, a Nevada gold mine that the company is looking at potentially restarting. Drilling at Jerritt Canyon began during the third quarter, with 12,522 metres completed on the property. The work, which focuses on greenfield exploration and resource addition, is ahead of plan, according to the company. First Majestic plans to release results from the 2025 drilling program by Dec. 31.

Crypto analyst PlanB has explained why the Bitcoin price may never drop below $100,000 again. This comes as market participants continue to speculate on whether the flagship crypto could fall below this psychological level if a full-blown bear market were to occur. Bitcoin Price Has Likely Turned $100,000 Into Support PlanB stated in an X post that he will not be surprised if the Bitcoin price does not drop below $100,000 again as the market witnesses the $100,000 resistance turn into $100,000 support. The analyst further noted that the September close was the fifth consecutive monthly close above that psychological price level. PlanB stated that the same thing happened when the Bitcoin price was trading at $10,000, $1,000, $100, and $10. The analyst’s remarks came as he noted that 63% of people think that Bitcoin will drop below $100,000. Notably, there were more calls for a drop below $100,000 towards the end of September when BTC dropped to as low as $108,000. Crypto influencer Ansem was among those who predicted that the flagship crypto would likely retest $90,000. However, the Bitcoin price has since staged a remarkable comeback from the $108,000 lows, rallying to a new all-time high (ATH) above $126,000 to start the month. As a result, BTC is already up 7% to start the month, with October notably the flagship crypto’s second-best performing month after November, based on historical data. It is worth noting that the Bitcoin price has traded above $100,000 since May 8 and has now been above this psychological level for over 150 days, its longest streak. Meanwhile, market participants are currently betting that it will likely stay this way. According to Polymarket data, there is only a 25% chance that BTC will drop below $100,000 by the end of this year. BTC Bull Market Still On Crypto analyst Titan of Crypto declared that the crypto market is still on and questioned why market participants were in a rush to call the top. The analyst noted that the Stoch Relative Strength Index (RSI) crossovers keep aligning with strength. He added that the chart will tell them when the bull run is over, but for now, that is not the case. In another analysis, Titan of Crypto revealed that the Bitcoin price continues to print higher highs and higher lows. Based on this, he raised the possibility that BTC could rally to as high as $160,000 by the end of the year. This aligns with predictions by JPMorgan and Standard Chartered, which predict that BTC can reach $165,000 and $200,000, respectively, by year-end. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $122,000, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

In the formative decades of the United States Mint, every coin struck carried more than face value — it carried a story. The 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar, particularly the “Arrows and Rays” variety, stands as one of the most fascinating artifacts of mid-19th century American coinage. It tells a story of economic adaptation, artistic refinement, and the evolving identity of a growing nation. A Glimpse Into the Mid-19th Century Mint By 1853, the U.S. Mint was confronting challenges brought about by shifting metal values and the growing demands of commerce. Silver coins, long a foundation of everyday trade, had begun to vanish from circulation as their melt value exceeded their face value. To preserve the use of silver in coinage, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1853, which slightly reduced the silver content in half dollars and other denominations. The Mint needed a clear way to signal this change to the public. The solution came in the form of small arrows beside the date on the obverse and rays radiating from the eagle on the reverse. These simple yet striking design modifications distinguished the new, lighter-weight issues from previous ones. The result was one of the most visually distinctive and historically important half dollars in U.S. coinage history. The Role of the New Orleans Mint The “O” mintmark tells us this coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint, one of the few branch facilities producing U.S. coinage in the antebellum South. Every die was hand-prepared, meaning no two coins were exactly identical. Subtle differences in strike, alignment, and finish give each piece its own personality — a reminder of the artistry and human effort behind every issue. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield symbolizing strength and readiness, and a staff topped with a Liberty cap representing freedom. On the reverse, an eagle spreads its wings, surrounded by sunburst-like rays and framed by arrows — a bold expression of movement and change. The “Arrows and Rays” Distinction The “Arrows and Rays” design was short-lived, produced only in 1853 before the Mint reverted to a simpler format. This makes the variety especially prized among collectors. The arrows and rays are not mere decoration — they represent a defining moment when the Mint openly marked a shift in the nation’s monetary standard. Each surviving example of the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” tells the story of a young economy balancing artistry, practicality, and progress. It reflects how the Mint adapted to economic pressures while preserving beauty and symbolism in coinage. Silver, History, and Survival Many 19th-century silver coins endured heavy use in circulation, and countless others were later melted for bullion. As a result, well-preserved examples of the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” are scarce today. Those that remain offer collectors a glimpse into America’s financial past — a tangible artifact from an era when silver coins passed through the hands of merchants, pioneers, and citizens shaping the nation’s future. Holding one is like holding a chapter of U.S. history — a coin that survived changing laws, economic shifts, and the test of time. It is a physical reminder of when silver truly served as money, trusted and valued in every corner of the young republic. A Collector’s Treasure Owning a 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” is more than a milestone in numismatics — it is an achievement. Collectors prize this coin for its one-year-only design, low mintage, and powerful symbolism. It represents the intersection of artistry and adaptation, where every design element served a purpose and every coin told a story of national growth. For many enthusiasts, the “Arrows and Rays” variety stands among the most iconic issues of the Seated Liberty series. It bridges two eras — the early Mint’s handcrafted tradition and the increasingly industrialized coinage of the later 19th century. Why Collectors Still Pursue the Arrows and Rays Series Collectors continue to pursue the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” Half Dollar for its rarity, beauty, and historical resonance. It represents an era of transformation within the U.S. Mint, when even small design changes carried deep economic and cultural meaning. Each coin is a testament to craftsmanship, resilience, and the evolving relationship between money and trust in a growing nation. Final Thoughts In an age when currency is digital and intangible, coins like the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” remind us of something enduring — the weight of real silver, the marks of human hands, and the stories engraved in metal that have outlasted generations. As part of the broader legacy of U.S. Mint silver coinage, this piece stands as a timeless symbol of innovation, adaptation, and the artistry that defines America’s numismatic heritage. The post 1853-O Seated Liberty Half: The Rare “Arrows and Rays” Coin Every Collector Covets appeared first on Blanchard and Company.

In the formative decades of the United States Mint, every coin struck carried more than face value — it carried a story. The 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar, particularly the “Arrows and Rays” variety, stands as one of the most fascinating artifacts of mid-19th century American coinage. It tells a story of economic adaptation, artistic refinement, and the evolving identity of a growing nation. A Glimpse Into the Mid-19th Century Mint By 1853, the U.S. Mint was confronting challenges brought about by shifting metal values and the growing demands of commerce. Silver coins, long a foundation of everyday trade, had begun to vanish from circulation as their melt value exceeded their face value. To preserve the use of silver in coinage, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1853, which slightly reduced the silver content in half dollars and other denominations. The Mint needed a clear way to signal this change to the public. The solution came in the form of small arrows beside the date on the obverse and rays radiating from the eagle on the reverse. These simple yet striking design modifications distinguished the new, lighter-weight issues from previous ones. The result was one of the most visually distinctive and historically important half dollars in U.S. coinage history. The Role of the New Orleans Mint The “O” mintmark tells us this coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint, one of the few branch facilities producing U.S. coinage in the antebellum South. Every die was hand-prepared, meaning no two coins were exactly identical. Subtle differences in strike, alignment, and finish give each piece its own personality — a reminder of the artistry and human effort behind every issue. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield symbolizing strength and readiness, and a staff topped with a Liberty cap representing freedom. On the reverse, an eagle spreads its wings, surrounded by sunburst-like rays and framed by arrows — a bold expression of movement and change. The “Arrows and Rays” Distinction The “Arrows and Rays” design was short-lived, produced only in 1853 before the Mint reverted to a simpler format. This makes the variety especially prized among collectors. The arrows and rays are not mere decoration — they represent a defining moment when the Mint openly marked a shift in the nation’s monetary standard. Each surviving example of the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” tells the story of a young economy balancing artistry, practicality, and progress. It reflects how the Mint adapted to economic pressures while preserving beauty and symbolism in coinage. Silver, History, and Survival Many 19th-century silver coins endured heavy use in circulation, and countless others were later melted for bullion. As a result, well-preserved examples of the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” are scarce today. Those that remain offer collectors a glimpse into America’s financial past — a tangible artifact from an era when silver coins passed through the hands of merchants, pioneers, and citizens shaping the nation’s future. Holding one is like holding a chapter of U.S. history — a coin that survived changing laws, economic shifts, and the test of time. It is a physical reminder of when silver truly served as money, trusted and valued in every corner of the young republic. A Collector’s Treasure Owning a 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” is more than a milestone in numismatics — it is an achievement. Collectors prize this coin for its one-year-only design, low mintage, and powerful symbolism. It represents the intersection of artistry and adaptation, where every design element served a purpose and every coin told a story of national growth. For many enthusiasts, the “Arrows and Rays” variety stands among the most iconic issues of the Seated Liberty series. It bridges two eras — the early Mint’s handcrafted tradition and the increasingly industrialized coinage of the later 19th century. Why Collectors Still Pursue the Arrows and Rays Series Collectors continue to pursue the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” Half Dollar for its rarity, beauty, and historical resonance. It represents an era of transformation within the U.S. Mint, when even small design changes carried deep economic and cultural meaning. Each coin is a testament to craftsmanship, resilience, and the evolving relationship between money and trust in a growing nation. Final Thoughts In an age when currency is digital and intangible, coins like the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” remind us of something enduring — the weight of real silver, the marks of human hands, and the stories engraved in metal that have outlasted generations. As part of the broader legacy of U.S. Mint silver coinage, this piece stands as a timeless symbol of innovation, adaptation, and the artistry that defines America’s numismatic heritage. The post 1853-O Seated Liberty Half: The Rare “Arrows and Rays” Coin Every Collector Covets appeared first on Blanchard and Company.

Is the Bank of Japan Truly Independent? In Japan in the mean time… One key theme in 2025 has been a weaker USDJPY, driven by diverging monetary policy paths. While the Bank of Japan (BoJ) has been preparing to raise interest rates, other major central banks, most notably the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) are shifting toward rate cuts. USDJPY Daily Chart However, recent political developments in Japan are reshaping market expectations. The soon-to-be Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a proponent of Abenomics, has signaled a potentially more cautious stance on monetary tightening. According to a Newsquawk.com report: Advisor to Japan’s new LDP leader Takaichi, Honda, says the BoJ should be cautious about raising interest rates; unclear when the next rate hike would be but Takaichi is likely to be cautious. This development has reignited a long-standing question: Is the Bank of Japan truly independent from the ruling government? The Bank of Japan’s Legal Independence From a legal standpoint, the BoJ is independent but with conditions. The Bank of Japan Act of 1998 was designed to ensure that the central bank could conduct monetary policy independently, with its primary mandate being price stability. However, the law also requires that the BoJ maintain close contact with the government, ensuring that its policies remain “in harmony with the government’s basic economic policy.” In other words, independence exists on paper, but coordination is built into the framework. In Practice: Policy Coordination Over Independence While the BoJ is legally independent, its actions are often coordinated with government policies. Leadership Appointments: The BoJ’s Governor and Deputy Governors are appointed by the Cabinet and approved by Japan’s Parliament. This gives the government dome indirect say in the shaping of monetary policy decisions. Ministry of Finance Coordination: Historically, the BoJ has worked closely with the Ministry of Finance, especially during periods of deflation and economic stagnation. Abenomics Example: Under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the BoJ played a central role in Abenomics, a three-pronged policy of monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms. The BoJ launched aggressive quantitative easing, printing money to buy government bonds and other assets to push down yields and stimulate inflation toward a 2% target. This was a clear example of policy coordination that blurred the lines between central bank independence and government influence. The “Takaichi Trade”: Markets Bet on a Return to Abenomics Under Japan’s New Prime Minister Today’s Reality: Independence Under Pressure Formally, the Bank of Japan remains independent. But in practice, political and economic pressures often shape its policy direction. While the BoJ conducts its operations independently it does not do so with complete autonomy, especially when the government’s economic strategies depend on continued monetary support. Now, with Sanae Takaichi taking office, that dynamic may once again come into play. A New Era, Different Challenges While Takaichi supports Abenomics-style growth policies, Japan’s economic environment has changed: Deflation is no longer the central threat. Economic growth, though modest, is mildly positive. Inflation has finally shown signs of life. This means the Abenomics blueprint of aggressive monetary easing may no longer fit current conditions. Still, political pressure could mount on the BoJ to delay rate hikes and maintain easy financial conditions. Adding to that, fiscal stimulus may soon return to center stage.According to Newsquawk, LDP leader Takaichi will immediately issue an order to compile a stimulus package once chosen in parliament to become the next Prime Minister. This suggests a renewed focus on government spending, a move that could complicate the BoJ’s efforts to manage bond yields if JGB rates rise as a result. To sum up, the question of BoJ independence has never been purely theoretical, it’s a matter of how Japan balances monetary and fiscal coordination. As the Takaichi administration begins, the Bank of Japan may once again find itself navigating a fine line between maintaining credibility as an independent central bank and supporting government-led economic policy. As Takaichi said, BoJ is responsible for monetary policy but any decision must align with the government goal.(newsquawk.com) Asahi Shimbun in English The post Is the Bank of Japan Truly Independent? The Takaichi Era May Put That to the Test appeared first on Forex Trading Forum.

The uranium market has momentum on its side as it looks to end 2025 on a strong note, with several catalysts lined up to fuel a sector seen as critical for the future of energy, says Sprott. In a report released on Thursday, the firm listed three key developments that could lift uranium even further, namely the US government’s critical minerals policy, accelerating demand for the nuclear fuel, and concerns surrounding supply. In the first case, Sprott analysts led by Jacob White pointed to the Trump administration’s intent to stockpile more uranium to alleviate the persistent supply gap for US utilities and the country’s heavy reliance on foreign supply, in particular that of Russia. The plan, if enacted, could result billions of dollars in funding towards building a secure uranium supply and the required nuclear technologies, reinforcing a bullish outlook for the sector, Sprott said. Secondly, Sprott said it is increasingly confident in uranium’s long-term fundamentals, especially after the World Nuclear Association’s (WNA) September symposium. It pointed to a WNA report that outlined lofty demand expectations, from the current 175 million lb. of U3O8 equivalent annually to 391 million lb. by 2040, representing a 124% growth. Importantly, the WNA forecast was more than double its previous, highlighting a surge in optimism over nuclear fuel use, especially with a “new class” of demand from hyperscalers such as Microsoft. Lastly, Sprott’s bullish sentiment is reinforced by a structurally tight supply amid expectations of declining output from the world’s top producers such as Kazatomprom and Cameco, as well as execution risks across the development pipeline. Also, it stated that the WNA report had missed some of the key production cuts, meaning the uranium market could be even tighter than headline figures suggest. Bullish outlook intact Sprott said the above factors will be critical in driving the momentum in uranium as the current cycle progresses. In September, market sentiment turned sharply positive as fresh capital flowed in and supply tightened, leading to an 8% rise in uranium prices during the month and a rebound to $82/lb., it wrote. The rebound followed months of dislocation, which saw uranium prices reach a maximum spread of $17/lb. This, as Sprott said, was not “sustainable” for a market that is in a structural deficit position. Doubling down on its bullish outlook, the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust (TSX: U.U for USD; U.UN for CAD) has continued to buy up uranium and now holds over 72 million lb. — maintaining its position as the world’s largest physical uranium holder. Year to date, the Trust has gained about 8.7%, with a market capitalization exceeding $6 billion. Meanwhile, uranium equities have delivered impressive performances, with the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF rising by over 50% this year. Over the past five years, uranium and related equities have significantly outperformed other asset classes, according to Sprott.

Equities have enjoyed a remarkable run, with major indices pushing to fresh highs — from last Friday’s Dow peak above the 47,000 milestone to yesterday’s record closes in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Since June–July 2025, following the end of the 12-day Israel–Iran conflict, markets have been ecstatic, printing new all-time highs almost every week. Yet, beneath the surface, some divergences are starting to show. The S&P 500 now stands 9.5% above its January 2025 high, the Nasdaq is up 12.5%, but the Dow Jones has gained only 3.6% — a notable gap that hints at sectoral imbalance. A weekly look at US Indices Weekly Chart Outlook for US Equities – October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView This underperformance of consumer defensives and cyclicals, coupled with persistent USD strength, weighs on broader sentiment. Tariffs are hurting US manufacturing companies and dragging profit-margin expectations lower. Things don't look as bad when a sector outperformance drags sentiment higher and pulls indices upward. On the other hand, a lack of Market Breadth ends up dragging the stability of the overall sentiment lower – This is what is dragging indices lower in today's session. Market breadth helps to gauge the overall health, direction, and participation within a stock market or index. It achieve this by comparing the number of stocks that are advancing against those that are declining. US Equity heatmap – October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView Read More: An unusual pattern emerges in NZD/USD after the 50 bps cutDow Jones Technical Outlook: Dow Tests Key Confluence Level. Is Another 500 + Point Slide Incoming?Europe on the brink of the heating season, yet gas remains cheapHow large are the sector divergences ? YTD performance per Sector (Left) ; Daily performance per Sector (Right) Top performing sectors this year: Basic Materials (dragged higher by commodities): +28.90%Communication Services: +24.18%Technology: +23.09% Worst performing sectors this year: Consumer Defensive: +1.52%Real Estate: +3.71%Consumer Cyclical: +4.41% At some point, Market participants may take caution from some key sectors to the economy underperforming, leading to an overall reduced activity and purchasing power. Now, a trader's role is to spot if this leads to a simple retracement that prompts dip buying, or if the current highs are established for a longer-run. For this, the best is to look at the current highs on all indices: If buyers can push for a weekly close above previous highs, it usually means that the trend is to continue. If they fail to do so, Markets will be looking to retest lower levels in value consolidation. Safe Trades! Follow Elior on Twitter/X for Additional Market News, interactions and Insights @EliorManier 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.

The latest FOMC news signals a clear dovish tilt among U.S. Federal Reserve officials, with the newly released minutes showing that additional rate cuts are likely before the end of the year. Most participants judged that it would be “appropriate to ease policy further over the remainder of 2025,” marking a notable shift from the cautious tone that dominated much of the year. While the central bank remains officially committed to its 2% inflation target, the tone of the September meeting minutes suggests the Fed is becoming more concerned about slowing employment than lingering inflation. The first rate cut in September—by 25 basis points—was driven by signs of a softening labor market, with job gains slowing and the unemployment rate ticking higher. EXPLORE: 15+ Upcoming Coinbase Listings to Watch in 2025 FOMC News: Two More Rate Cuts Expected in 2025 According to the Fed’s median estimate, two additional 25-basis-point (bps) cuts are expected before year-end, likely at the October and December FOMC meetings. Market expectations largely align with that view. CME FedWatch data currently shows a 92.5% probability of a 25-bps cut at the October 29 meeting. (Source: FedWatch) The softer tone had an immediate impact on risk assets. Bitcoin rose following the release of the minutes, briefly pushing above $124,000 before settling around $123,500. The broader crypto market capitalization remains above $4.19 trillion. Crypto traders often view lower interest rates as bullish, as easier monetary policy tends to increase liquidity and risk appetite across both traditional and digital asset markets. The expectation of further easing has therefore strengthened sentiment in crypto, especially after months of mixed signals from the Fed. DISCOVER: Gold Price Hits $4K ATH, Leaves Nasdaq In The Dust — Is the Bull Cycle Toast? The Employment vs. Inflation Debate The FOMC’s dual mandate, maximizing employment and maintaining stable prices, has again become a balancing act. The minutes showed members were divided over whether to prioritize addressing downside risks to employment or continue pressing on inflation. Most participants agreed that the policy stance should move toward a more neutral level given the recent labor data. They noted that inflation risks had “either diminished or not increased,” although several members remained cautious, arguing that loosening too quickly could reignite price pressures. (Source: US Department Of Labor) Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid reiterated that inflation remains “too high” and said he would prefer a more measured pace of easing. In contrast, newly appointed Governor Stephen Miran, the only official who dissented in favor of a larger 50-bps cut in September, said he is “sanguine about the inflation outlook” and supports a more aggressive approach to easing. This split underscores a key uncertainty: whether the current rate level is still restrictive. Some members argued that the real policy stance may no longer be significantly tight, while others believe the economy could still benefit from further easing to offset labor market weakness. EXPLORE: 16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2025 Implications for Bitcoin and Crypto For crypto markets, the Fed’s turn toward easier policy reinforces a familiar narrative: that Bitcoin and other decentralized assets thrive when real yields fall and liquidity expands. Former hedge fund manager James Lavish noted that while the Fed is “still concerned about rising inflation,” its willingness to cut rates anyway highlights why “sound money like BTC matters more than ever.” Traders reacted quickly to the FOMC news, with Bitcoin jumping above $124,000 before stabilizing near $123,500. In previous cycles, easing phases have often coincided with renewed upside in risk-on assets, including crypto. However, traders remain cautious after September’s post-FOMC volatility, when Powell’s comments briefly triggered a sell-off despite the rate cut. Market Cap 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time With the next Fed meeting approaching and economic data releases delayed by the ongoing government shutdown, Powell’s upcoming speech will serve as the only major policy signal this week. Both Wall Street and crypto markets are bracing for potential volatility. DISCOVER: 16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways FOMC news confirms the Fed’s softer stance, with two more rate cuts expected in 2025. Easier policy from the Fed lifted Bitcoin above $124,000, reinforcing optimism across the broader crypto market. The post FOMC News: Members to Ease Policy More This Year – What it Means For Crypto? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The Dow Jones Index is on the back foot today continuing its bearish trend this week which started with Monday's retreat from the recent highs. The lack of US data due to the US government shutdown has left markets with few catalysts to look forward to. A host of Federal Reserve policymakers including Fed Chair Powell have also done little to inspire any volatility this week. Looking at the current Fear and Greed index, and it is hovering in neutral territory as well. Source: FinancialJuice Given the current malaise we are seeing in US stocks this week and with the lack of US data releases the technicals and chart patterns that develop tend to be more reliable. Let us take a look at what the Dow Jones chart and technicals are telling us. Technical Outlook - Dow Jones, S&P 500 From a technical standpoint, the Dow Jones Index on the four-hour chart below has been printing lower highs and lower lows since Friday October 3. The period-14 RSI has also crossed below the 50 neutral level hinting at a shift in momentum from bulls to bears. As things stand, price is at a key confluence level around the 46660 mark which was the swing low on October 2 and holds the 100-day MA. A break of this level could lead the Dow Jones index to decline some 500 points to test the 200-day MA which rests at 46143 with a move beyond that opening up a retest of the psychological 45000. If the Dow finds support at this confluence level, immediate resistance rests at 46900 before the swing highs at 47050 and 47160 come into focus. Dow Jones Four-Hour Chart, July 16, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) If the Dow does drop, the move may not be a big one. History suggests the current bull market may still have room to run despite Wall Street's impressive performance over the last few years. Let us take a look. History Suggests Bull Market May Have More Upside Potential The current upward trend, or "bull market," in the U.S. stock market is nearly three years old, but historical patterns suggest it might only be halfway through its lifespan. This bull market officially began on October 12, 2022, when the S&P 500 index hit its lowest point after a period of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Since then, the index has been soaring, recently hitting a series of record highs, driven primarily by a massive surge in large technology stocks. The S&P 500 is up almost 90% since its 2022 low. However, this gain is still less than the historical average increase of over 170% for past bull markets, which have typically lasted about five years. Interestingly, the market's performance over the past year (its third year) has been very strong, with a gain of over 15%, marking the strongest third-year performance of any bull market since 1957. Source: LSEG Despite the overall strong performance, the market's gains have been very concentrated. While the standard S&P 500 is up nearly 90%, the equal-weight S&P 500 (which shows the performance of the average stock, not just the biggest ones) has only risen 49%. This difference shows that only the largest "megacap" stocks are truly driving the headline index higher. Some investors are now hopeful that when the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates, it will broaden the rally and allow smaller, average stocks to finally catch up. Now of course this is looking at the S&P 500 but one cannot ignore the knock on impact it has on Wall Street as a whole. The correlation between the S&P500, Nasdaq 100 and the DOw Jones index during the current bull run have been there for all to see. This leaves me thinking that even if there is a lag, the Dow will also benefit from further gains should this bull rally extend for another two years. 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.

The New Zealand Dollar has been under heavy pressure in recent weeks, weighed down by a string of disappointing economic data, including a sharp GDP contraction that surprised markets and pushed the RBNZ toward a more dovish stance. But markets often move in unexpected ways. Despite the policy decision being split between a 25 bps and 50 bps cut, and the RBNZ ultimately choosing the larger move, NZD/USD didn’t tumble as far as expected. In fact, buyers stepped in, bringing the pair back to nearly unchanged levels by the close of yesterday's session. NZD/USD Intraday 15m Chart – October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView So, what explains this counterintuitive reaction? Markets are forward-looking — a larger cut today reduces the need for aggressive easing later, prompting traders to reassess what might have been peak dovishness. In other words, Participants assess that the RBNZ will have less to do from here. A look at the following Rate pricing for the RBNZ Pre-RBNZ Rate Cut pricing – October 7, 2025 – Source: LSEG A 25 bps cut would have led to a longer rate cut path: A 2% Neutral Rate would have been reached in April 2026, taking the New Zealand economy longer to recover. The red circles follow a 25 bps, slower rate cut path. Post-50 bps cut RBNZ Pricing – October 9, 2025 – Source: LSEG Read More: Europe on the brink of the heating season, yet gas remains cheapNasdaq 100: Short to medium-term bullish trends intact amid AI bubble fearsMarkets Today: Softbank Surges 11%, HSBC Falls 6.6%, US Dollar Continues to Advance. DAX Eyes Further Gains The new pricing shows that the cut cycle is priced to end in February 2026 – Hence, faster recovery for the New Zealand economy. Sellers now aim to test yesterday's lows to see if the yearly bottom has been found after failing yesterday. We’ll now look at NZD/USD key levels to see where is the current bottom and if a new one could then emerge. NZD/USD 2H Chart and levels NZD/USD 2H Chart, October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView Amid a US Dollar rebound, sellers have found a place to sell the pair after re-testing the 4H 50-period Moving Average. Will the pair reach new lows, or has a bottom been found after the Jumbo rate cut? This marks key breakout points to follow for the pair: A break above the daily highs (0.58070) should confirm the intermediate bottom. A downside break would imply further weakness in the NZD is expected. Levels to keep on your NZD/USD charts: Support Levels: March highs Support and Channel lows 0.5730 to 0.5755Yesterday lows for Bulls to defend 0.57370.5650 March Lows Support0.56 Psychological LevelResistance Levels: Session highs and breakout level: 0.58070Current High timeframe Pivot 0.5850, topline and MA 2000.59 Main Resistance Zone (+/- 150 pips) Safe Trades! Follow Elior on Twitter/X for Additional Market News, interactions and Insights @EliorManier 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 Bitcoin and Ethereum are trying to cope with the mild pressure they faced earlier this week, institutional and corporate accumulation of Ethereum has reached a major milestone: companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now collectively hold more than 10% of the total supply. According to StrategicETHReserve, total institutional holdings have grown to 12.48 million ETH, accounting for 10.31% of Ethereum's circulating supply. Specifically, corporate entities accumulating Ethereum collectively hold around 5.66 million ETH, or 4.68% of total supply. Meanwhile, spot Ethereum ETFs now own roughly 6.81 million ETH, representing 5.63% of the total. This trend not only underscores Ethereum's long-term potential but also significantly impacts its market dynamics and stability. The increasing share of Ethereum in the portfolios of major financial players is a key indicator of the maturing cryptocurrency market. It shows that institutional investors view Ethereum not merely as a speculative asset, but as a promising technological platform with a broad range of applications — from decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to metaverse projects. The influence of institutional investors on Ethereum extends far beyond simple price appreciation. Their participation helps enhance liquidity, reduce volatility, and, importantly, attract greater regulatory attention to the cryptocurrency market. Standardization and clear regulation could foster further development and wider adoption of Ethereum as an integral component of the global financial system. A sharp increase in ETF inflows in recent months has coincided with ETH being added to the balance sheets of public companies such as BitMine and SharpLink — a trend often compared to Bitcoin accumulation by Strategy. According to SoSoValue, in October, US spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a net monthly inflow of $621.4 million, compared to $285.7 million in September and $3.9 billion in August. Trading recommendations Bitcoin Buyers are currently aiming to reclaim the $122,400 level, which opens a direct path toward $124,400, and from there to $126,450. The ultimate target lies around $129,100 — breaking above it would confirm the continuation of the bullish market. In case of a decline, buyers are expected around $120,600. A drop below this area could quickly push BTC down toward $119,000, with the final downside target near $117,100. Ethereum A confident consolidation above $4,403 opens the way directly to $4,502. The ultimate bullish target lies around $4,582 — breaking above it would signal a strengthening bull market and growing buyer interest. If Ethereum falls, buyers are expected near $4,318. A move back below this area could quickly drag ETH down to $4,244, with the final downside target around $4,155. What's on the chart The red lines represent support and resistance levels, where price is expected to either pause or react sharply. The green line shows the 50-day moving average. The blue line is the 100-day moving average. The lime line is the 200-day moving average. Price testing or crossing any of these moving averages often either halts movement or injects fresh momentum into the market. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Binance Japan has teamed up with PayPay to make it easier for people in the country to use crypto for everyday cashless payments. The partnership was announced on 9 October 2025 and aims to build new services that connect digital assets with PayPay’s payment network, offering users a smoother payment experience. “By integrating cashless payments and cryptocurrency, we will deliver a seamless financial experience to everyone in Japan.” For those who don’t know, PayPay is a joint venture between SoftBank Group and Yahoo Japan. It offers QR code and barcode-based payment services through a smartphone app, allowing users to link their bank accounts or credit cards and make cashless payments. (Binance Japan) According to former Binance CEO, Changpeng Zhao, as a part of this deal, PayPay and SoftBank have taken a 40% stake in Binance Japan. A Japanese startup has announced plans to launch the country’s first yen-backed stablecoin later this year, signalling a willingness from the authorities to embrace the crypto boom. EXPLORE: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 Key Takeaways Binance Japan now lets users buy crypto directly using PayPay Money PayPay and SoftBank acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan to deepen collaboration Japan leads Asia in crypto adoption, with a 120% jump in On-chain activities​ The post Binance Japan Banks On PayPay’s Network Effect For Smoother Crypto Payments appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Bill Zanker, a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump, is leading an effort to raise at least $200 million to prop up the Official Trump meme coin, reports have disclosed. The bid is being run through a vehicle called Fight Fight Fight LLC, and backers say the fundraising could climb as high as $1 billion, though the deal is not guaranteed to close. Rescue Plan Targets Market Pressure According to Bloomberg and people familiar with the effort, the token has lost most of its value since launch, sliding from $75 in January to around $8 today — a drop of more than 90%. Zanker’s pitch is to build a digital-asset treasury that would buy and support the token to steady trading and rebuild investor interest. Trump has shown visible support for the initiative; in May 2025 he met privately with leading holders after a social campaign that let top contributors win a place at a dinner. Organizers kept a live leaderboard tied to the token, but the event had little effect on price. Token Control And Supply Issues According to Messari data, only 20% of the total supply is currently unlocked, leaving a circulating market value at roughly $1.5 billion. The remaining 80% of tokens were locked at launch and are due to be released over time. That high concentration of locked supply, much of it held by entities tied to the US President, is a persistent worry for traders because future releases could swell supply and pressure prices. Rival Token Gains Strength While the Trump token flounders, World Liberty Financial’s WLFI has pulled in major backing. Reports show ALT5 Sigma holds about $1.3 billion of WLFI. CoinGlass data indicates roughly $82 million left the WLFI perpetual market during a recent squeeze, trimming total value locked to $630 million. Community sentiment tracking slid from 79% to around 75%, and more than 4% of investors shifted from bullish to bearish on certain platforms, according to market trackers. Whales And Exchanges Active Meanwhile, Arkham Intelligence flagged that large crypto players have been accumulating WLFI in recent days, with centralized platforms like Robinhood, Bitget, Bitpanda, and Indodax investing over $30 million collectively. At the same time, exchanges including Binance, MEXC, and Coinbase pared small slices of their WLFI holdings, each selling under 1% of their reserves. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

The US dollar refuses to yield the ground it gained earlier, ignoring the government shutdown and growing expectations of a Fed rate cut. Today, the USDX dollar index reached another 10-week high near 99.06, marking its fourth consecutive day of strengthening. Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market continues its correction. While Bitcoin's price today remains nearly unchanged from yesterday's close, Ethereum (ETH) has lost about 2.8%, trading around $4,378.00 against the dollar at the time of publication. The record high of $4,955.00 was set on August 24 of this year, just ten days after Bitcoin (BTC) reached its own all-time high near $124,000.00. Ethereum differs from Bitcoin in investor perception While Bitcoin is often viewed as a kind of digital gold — a defensive asset during times of economic uncertainty — Ethereum is typically seen as a technological platform powering a wide array of decentralized applications and smart contracts. Therefore, amid general macroeconomic instability driven by US inflation and debt concerns, Ethereum appears less attractive to many professional market players. Although technical progress tied to network upgrades is undoubtedly important, the overall investment climate plays a major role in shaping Ethereum's short-term price fluctuations. As a result, and as we can observe, while Bitcoin's recent correction seems to have nearly ended, Ethereum has yet to reach a new high. Crypto market experts are analyzing the reasons behind this and highlighting key factors that could fuel further growth in the leading altcoin's price. Key factor #1: staking in Exchange-Traded Funds One of the most significant catalysts for Ethereum's price growth is the potential introduction of staking mechanisms into a US exchange-traded fund (ETF) managed by investment giant Grayscale. This would allow shareholders to earn additional income while maintaining their positions. Previously, such a mechanism was unavailable, as US regulators viewed staking as a potential source of illicit income. Now, this shift opens up new earning opportunities for Ethereum investors. Such a measure could increase Ethereum's appeal to institutional investors, boosting overall demand and helping sustain high price levels. Key factor #2: the Fusaka upgrade The second key driver cited by crypto analysts is the upcoming Fusaka blockchain upgrade, scheduled for the end of this year. The update includes a range of improvements to the network's performance — notably higher throughput and lower transaction costs. This upgrade is expected to make Ethereum more user-friendly by reducing network congestion and improving speed and reliability. Alongside new mechanisms such as the increased share of coins locked in staking — effectively reducing circulating supply — the update could create a shortage of Ethereum on the market, further supporting the bullish trend. Competition and outlook Despite competition from projects like Solana (SOL), Ethereum continues to lead its segment. However, rival platforms are gradually capturing some investor attention and resources, slightly slowing Ethereum's growth pace compared to previous market cycles. Nonetheless, crypto analysts are confident that Ethereum's price could rise significantly in the near future. Among the potential targets for the ETH/USD pair are levels of $5,500 and even $8,600 in the medium term. Bottom line In summary, while infrastructure development and positive momentum around Ethereum set the stage for another rally, substantial progress is likely only if overall market conditions remain supportive and investor adoption continues to grow. Still, given the planned upgrades and the current market sentiment, experts believe Ethereum stands a strong chance of setting new historical highs soon. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com