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In a wide-ranging CoinDesk interview released yesterday, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson sharpened a years-long critique of Ethereum’s long-term viability, arguing that the network’s reliance on rollups and external scaling layers has created economic incentives that will ultimately hollow out the base chain. While acknowledging Ethereum’s technical progress, he contended that “as a general-purpose, smart-contract ledger,” the project has nurtured an ecosystem that “will slowly but surely eat [it] alive.” Why Ethereum Is Doomed To Fail: Cardano Founder Hoskinson framed the core problem as one of misaligned incentives between Ethereum’s L1 and its expanding constellation of L2s. “To make Ethereum better, they’ve had to embrace layer twos,” he said. “The layer twos are not strong allies… they’re partners of necessity.” In his view, rollup teams “don’t particularly care if they’re attached to Solana or they become a layer one,” so if better economics or user growth lie elsewhere, “they could simply migrate or go multi-chain.” New applications and liquidity, he added, are already “outside of the Ethereum ecosystem,” eroding the network’s historical network effects. “So if they’re gobbling up the transaction volume and gobbling up the users and they’re gobbling up the token appreciation, if there’s a more attractive target, they could simply migrate or go multi-chain,” Hoskinson said, adding that this trend is already observable with LayerZero and Espresso. That erosion, Hoskinson argued, is set to accelerate as two external forces gather momentum. First, he described Bitcoin DeFi as a “sleeping giant” that could attract “hundreds of billions” in total value once primitives such as stablecoins, DEXs and lending are built with credible security assumptions. “When Bitcoin wakes up… its TVL will be… larger than the market cap of Ethereum,” he said, noting that sovereigns and major asset managers would likely prefer to build around Bitcoin exposure. Second, he expects large technology platforms and traditional financial institutions to enter with their own infrastructure, adjacent to public chains but not economically dependent on Ethereum’s base layer—“Microsoft… Google… Amazon… have no incentive to go boost Ethereum or deploy on Ethereum,” he said. The technological arc, in Hoskinson’s telling, also tilts away from shared-state blockchains. As zero-knowledge proofs and “proof-carrying code” mature, more computation can be executed off-chain—in secure enclaves, on devices, or within MPC systems—leaving the chain to verify succinct proofs. “Why… spend billions of dollars a year maintaining this very weak computer that’s shared and replicated,” he asked, “when you can turn it into a distributed problem that runs everywhere?” Like Microsoft missing mobile and pivoting from Windows dominance to Azure, he suggested, Ethereum may ultimately need to “pivot to a new McGuffin” to retain relevance even if it remains present in the stack. Notably, Hoskinson’s assessment was not unqualified dismissal. He credited Ethereum for “keeping up with the times,” investing in rollups and zero-knowledge technology, and building a “Goliath” ecosystem that survived early funding scares and the DAO crisis. “They’ve done some really incredible things,” he said, and he allowed that “it’s entirely possible that Ethereum could pivot… and get very good at that” new role. The nub of his skepticism is not competence but structure: in his view, the more rollups succeed, the less compelling the L1 becomes as the economic hub. The remarks reprise and elaborate on a stance Hoskinson aired earlier this year, when he said during an AMA: “I don’t think Ethereum will survive more than 10 to 15 years,” predicting that L2s would “suckle out all of the alpha.” Hoskinson’s analysis also folds into his own current bets for Cardano. He cast Bitcoin-centric DeFi as a three-rule design target—security derived from Bitcoin, fees paid in Bitcoin, and yields returned in Bitcoin—and argued that companion chains and trust-minimized bridges will be necessary to make it work. He presented Cardano’s extended-UTXO design and its privacy sidechain Midnight as infrastructure positioned to serve that market while offering selective-disclosure compliance for institutions. At press time, ADA traded at $0.89.

The GBP/USD pair once again traded quite calmly on Wednesday, which is not surprising given that only one report—the US Producer Price Index—was published during the day. Although this report triggered a strong market reaction a month ago, we warned in advance that the reaction would depend entirely on actual versus forecast data. Still, while in recent weeks both major currency pairs have not delighted traders with trending moves, that doesn't mean there's a lack of news. Most headlines, of course, are tied to Donald Trump. For example, Trump is still trying to "put out" the Ukraine–Russia conflict, but knows no method other than tariffs and sanctions to achieve his goals. Remember, Trump is highly motivated to end the war between Kyiv and Moscow, as he wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025. Just think about it: the president of the United States makes global geopolitical decisions to obtain a personal award. Such is the reality of 2025. Maybe we should just give Trump the title of "Lord of the World" or "Tsar of All the Earth?" For the sake of "peace in Ukraine"—that is, the Nobel Prize—Trump will stop at nothing. He's willing to negotiate with Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky and also introduce tariffs against India to prevent it from buying Russian oil and gas. Simultaneously, he incites the EU to stop importing from Russia and pressures for sanctions against India and China. At the same time, Trump avoids directly confronting Russia, realizing that worsening relations with Moscow would further strengthen its ties with China and India. And together, these three countries occupy the lion's share of Eurasia. Even for America, facing such an alliance would be tough, so Trump is doing everything possible to prevent this. With Trump, the United States is once again ready to become "friends" with Russia, to do business together, to develop side by side. And everyone understands Trump's real aim isn't friendship with Russia; instead, it's to prevent Russia from allying with India and China. The situation is both absurd and paradoxical, but that's reality. Let's also not forget Lisa Cook. Trump fired Cook from her post on the Fed's Monetary Policy Committee a few weeks ago. Cook appealed to the US Supreme Court in Washington, which ordered that she be reinstated. In other words, the Court made it clear to Trump that he has not yet earned the award of being "The Arbiter of Fates" and needs to at least sometimes adhere to US law. Also, recall that two courts in the US have already ruled that practically all of Trump's tariffs are illegal. Now it comes down to the Supreme Court, where Trump presumably has a season pass by now. If the Supreme Court also rules that the president's tariffs exceed his powers, they will be officially canceled. But how to unwind the web of tariffs and trade deals signed under those tariffs is anyone's guess. One thing is certain—there won't be a dull moment over the next three years. The average volatility for GBP/USD over the last five trading days is 74 pips, classified as "average" for this pair. On Thursday, September 11, we expect movement within the 1.3476–1.3624 range. The linear regression channel's upper band is pointing upward, indicating a clear uptrend. The CCI indicator has dropped into the oversold area again, warning of a likely resumption of the uptrend. Nearest Support Levels:S1 – 1.3489 S2 – 1.3428 S3 – 1.3367 Nearest Resistance Levels:R1 – 1.3550 R2 – 1.3611 R3 – 1.3672 Trading Recommendations:The GBP/USD pair is once again trying to resume its uptrend. In the medium term, Trump's policies will likely continue to pressure the dollar, so we do not expect dollar strength. Thus, long positions targeting 1.3611 and 1.3672 remain much more relevant when the price is above the moving average. If the price falls below the moving average, small shorts can be considered on purely technical grounds. Occasionally, the US currency shows corrections, but trend-strengthening for the dollar will require real signs that the global trade war is over, or other major positive factors. Chart Elements Explained:Linear regression channels help determine the current trend. If both channels point in the same direction, the trend is strong.The moving average line (settings 20,0, smoothed) indicates the short-term trend and trade direction.Murray levels serve as target levels for moves and corrections.Volatility levels (red lines) are the likely price channel for the next day, based on current volatility readings.The CCI indicator: dips below -250 (oversold) or rises above +250 (overbought) mean a trend reversal may be near.The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

The EUR/USD currency pair traded very quietly on Wednesday, as it has for most of the past few months. The chart below highlights that euro volatility has rarely exceeded 70-75 pips per day. That's not low, but not particularly high either. In addition, in the last month, we've seen movements that are very similar to a sideways flat. Despite a mild upward bias and the dollar's inability to even stage a meaningful correction, the price mainly remained between 1.1597 and 1.1719. Last Friday, prices broke out of this stubborn range, but by the start of the week, they had already returned to it. And, inexplicably, they returned to this range even though Tuesday saw the release of the annual NonFarm Payrolls report, which is obviously more important than the monthly figure. For four months in a row, the monthly data have disappointed, and now the annual number has as well. However, instead of the expected dollar fall, we saw growth. Such illogical behavior suggests something is not quite right in the market at the moment. Today, another important US inflation report will be released. In our view, it will have little effect, as the Fed urgently needs to rescue the labor market. Traders—and probably the Fed itself—had hopes for the labor and unemployment reports at the beginning of September, but as we've seen, they did not pan out. Thus, the rate will be cut at the September 17 meeting regardless. Could it be cut by 0.5% at once? Today's inflation report is precisely what's needed to answer that. If, without warning, the Consumer Price Index abruptly slows for August, this will be a strong argument in favor of an immediate half-point cut. But that's only at first glance. Even then, US inflation would remain above the Fed's target, and further deceleration would be questionable given Donald Trump's ever-escalating trade war. If US inflation accelerates, or accelerates beyond forecasts, it still won't change anything. Even if inflation is sky-high, the Fed can't abandon the labor market. Most likely, we'll see the two rate cuts by year-end that have been discussed since the start of the year. It's safe to assume that markets have long since priced in these two cuts. In reality, the entire monetary easing cycle may have already been priced in, as the dollar followed a 17-year trend during 2022–2024 while US inflation was declining. This "mess" only ended with the arrival of Trump. Now, Trump himself has no interest in restoring the dollar's stability and appeal to investors. The average volatility for EUR/USD over the last five trading days as of September 11 is 68 pips, which is considered "average." We expect the pair to trade between 1.1650 and 1.1786 on Thursday. The linear regression channel's upper band is pointed upward, which still indicates an uptrend. The CCI indicator has dropped into the oversold area three times, signaling a resumption of the upward trend. There was also a bullish divergence, indicating possible growth. Nearest Support Levels:S1 – 1.1719 S2 – 1.1658 S3 – 1.1597 Nearest Resistance Levels:R1 – 1.1780 R2 – 1.1841 Trading Recommendations:The EUR/USD pair may resume its upward trend. The US dollar continues to be heavily influenced by Trump's policies, and he shows no signs of stopping. The dollar has rallied as much as possible, but now it seems a new wave of extended decline may be starting. If the price is below the moving average, consider small shorts targeting 1.1597. As long as the price stays above the moving average, long positions remain relevant with targets at 1.1780 and 1.1841 in continuation of the trend. Chart Elements Explained:Linear regression channels help determine the current trend. If both channels point in the same direction, the trend is strong.The moving average line (settings 20,0, smoothed) indicates the short-term trend and trade direction.Murray levels serve as target levels for moves and corrections.Volatility levels (red lines) are the likely price channel for the next day, based on current volatility readings.The CCI indicator: dips below -250 (oversold) or rises above +250 (overbought) mean a trend reversal may be near.The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

GBP/USD 5-Minute Analysis The GBP/USD pair also traded in a very strange and frustrating way for traders on both Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, there was a decline when everyone expected growth. On Wednesday, the British pound edged higher, but volatility was again near zero. The market justifiably ignored the Producer Price Index, since the Consumer Price Index will be released today, and it no longer matters much. If inflation rises rapidly, the Fed will still cut the key rate at least twice this year. What happens next year is anyone's guess. If inflation grows slowly or not at all, the odds of monetary easing at every meeting through the year-end will grow even stronger, which are already high. Thus, the inflation report can provoke a slight dollar rally if the actual figure comes in below the forecast. The British pound still faces no significant problems and is barely correcting. The lack of upward movement on Tuesday and Wednesday may look strange, but the price cannot move in just one direction forever, even with such seemingly strong macro and fundamental support. In the 5-minute timeframe, GBP's moves were no better than the euro's. The price ignored levels all day, remaining within the 1.3525–1.3548 area. Volatility was 50 pips. No clear signals were formed—even during the European session. COT Report COT reports for the British pound show that in recent years, commercial traders' sentiment has constantly shifted. The red and blue lines—representing commercial and non-commercial net positions—constantly cross and, in most cases, are close to zero. Right now, they are at about the same level, which indicates roughly equal positions for buying and selling. The dollar continues to decline due to Trump's policies, making demand from market makers for the pound sterling less significant at this time. The trade war will continue in some form for a long while. The Fed will cut rates anyway in the coming year. Dollar demand, one way or another, will fall. According to the latest pound sterling report, the "Non-commercial" group opened 600 BUY contracts and 1,800 SELL contracts. Thus, the net non-commercial position decreased by 1,800 contracts during the week. GBP surged in 2025, but it's crucial to note that the primary factor was Trump's policy. As soon as that factor is neutralized, the dollar may rise again, but when is anyone's guess. No matter how fast or slow net positioning in the pound grows or falls, it's the dollar that keeps dropping—and usually at a faster rate. GBP/USD 1-Hour Analysis In the hourly timeframe, GBP/USD is ready to form a new upward trend. The fundamental and macro background hasn't changed in recent weeks, so there's still no reason to expect a medium-term dollar rally. There's no trendline right now, though an upward tendency is clear. The market isn't rushing to buy GBP/USD, but realistically, it doesn't have much of a choice. For September 11, we highlight these important levels: 1.3125, 1.3212, 1.3369–1.3377, 1.3420, 1.3525–1.3548, 1.3615, 1.3681, 1.3763, 1.3833, 1.3886. Senkou Span B (1.3441) and Kijun-sen (1.3502) lines can also provide signals. Set your Stop Loss to breakeven if the price moves 20 pips in your favor. The Ichimoku indicator lines may shift during the day, so consider that when determining signals. No significant UK news is planned for Thursday, but the US will release an important (in headline terms) inflation report. This report can provoke a market reaction if the result is highly unexpected, but it won't affect the Fed policy decision at the September meeting. Trading RecommendationsWe believe that a new round of growth may begin on Thursday, but much depends on the character of the US inflation report in the afternoon. A dollar rally (pair decline) cannot be completely ruled out. Clear, precise signals are necessary for market entry after the choppy, flat market seen on Wednesday. Illustration Explanations:Support and resistance price levels – thick red lines where movement may end. They are not trading signal sources.Kijun-sen and Senkou Span B lines—These are strong Ichimoku indicator lines transferred to the hourly timeframe from the 4-hour one.Extremum levels – thin red lines where the price has previously rebounded. These act as trading signal sources.Yellow lines – trend lines, trend channels, and other technical patterns.Indicator 1 on the COT charts – the size of the net position for each category of traders.The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

EUR/USD 5-Minute Analysis The EUR/USD pair posted completely illogical moves on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, following the release of the annual NonFarm Payrolls report (which, unsurprisingly, disappointed), the US dollar rose. Then on Wednesday, when the dollar had every chance to fall again, there was no decline in the US currency—even though the Producer Price Index showed a drop of 0.1%. Historically, the PPI figure is usually around 0.2–0.3%. The slowdown could indicate simply a correction after the previous month's surge (when prices rose by 0.9%), as well as the minimal impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on inflation. However, low inflation still (potentially) implies an even more dovish attitude from the Fed at next week's meeting. Tomorrow brings the ECB meeting, but traders shouldn't expect much. The ECB has effectively ended its rate-cutting cycle, having achieved its target inflation level. Given that global trade wars may slightly accelerate inflation in the near term, even within the EU, the central bank is unlikely to cut rates or signal a decrease soon. Again, this works in the euro's favor. Thus, we continue to expect only further growth from the single currency. On the 5M timeframe, there was a total flat market and low volatility yesterday. There was no sense in trading, even though traders might have tried to trade the initial signals near the critical line. But by the US session, it became clear that there would be no real moves or solid signals. COT Report The latest COT report is dated September 2. The chart above clearly shows that the net position of non-commercial traders was bullish for a long time, and bears only tenuously took control at the end of 2024, but quickly lost it. Since Trump became the US president, the dollar has been the only currency to fall. We can't say with 100% certainty that the US dollar's decline will continue, but current world events point precisely in that direction. We still see no fundamental factors for strengthening the euro, but there remain plenty of reasons for the dollar to decline. The global downtrend remains intact, but does it matter where the price has moved over the last 17 years? Once Trump ends his trade wars, the dollar may go up again, but recent events show that the trade war will continue in one form or another. A potential loss of Fed independence is yet another strong pressure factor on the US currency. The positioning of the indicator's red and blue lines still shows a bullish tendency. During the last reporting week, long positions from the "Non-commercial" group decreased by 2,700, while shorts increased by 700. The net position for the week thus decreased by 3,400, which is an insignificant change. EUR/USD 1-Hour Analysis On the hourly chart, EUR/USD took the first step toward forming a new upward trend, but the market has been in a sideways flat for several weeks since. Formally, we now see a new upward trend developing, as shown by the trendline. However, the pair still spends most of its time in the 1.1615–1.1750 range. There are still plenty of negative factors for the dollar, and even this week, it could have fallen practically every day. For September 11, we highlight the following levels for trading: 1.1092, 1.1147, 1.1185, 1.1234, 1.1274, 1.1362, 1.1426, 1.1534, 1.1604–1.1615, 1.1666, 1.1750–1.1760, 1.1846–1.1857, as well as the Senkou Span B (1.1660) and Kijun-sen (1.1706) Ichimoku lines. The Ichimoku indicator lines can move intraday, which should be considered when identifying signals. Don't forget to move the Stop Loss to breakeven if the price moves 15 pips in the right direction to avoid potential losses in case of a false signal. On Thursday, the ECB decision will be announced in the EU, and the US will publish inflation data. Neither is expected to produce any shockwaves. Current inflation is already unlikely to influence the Fed's September 17 rate decision. Trading RecommendationsOn Thursday, the price may finally resume its upward movement, in line with the current trend, fundamentals, and macroeconomic background. Decline is possible only if the ECB maintains a dovish tone or if US inflation is low. Illustration Explanations:Support and resistance price levels – thick red lines where movement may end. They are not trading signal sources.Kijun-sen and Senkou Span B lines—These are strong Ichimoku indicator lines transferred to the hourly timeframe from the 4-hour one.Extremum levels – thin red lines where the price has previously rebounded. These act as trading signal sources.Yellow lines – trend lines, trend channels, and other technical patterns.Indicator 1 on the COT charts – the size of the net position for each category of traders.The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

BitMine Immersion has reportedly accumulated a staggering 319,000 ETH in just a single week. The massive purchase, worth over a billion dollars, underscores growing conviction in Ethereum’s long-term value among institutions and big players, tightening market liquidity. Could This Trigger An Ethereum Supply Crunch? In a move that highlights the growing institutional confidence in Ethereum, Paul Barron has mentioned on X that BitMine Immersion has just absorbed 319,000 ETH in a single week, which is equivalent to 0.26% of Ethereum’s total supply removed from circulation. Barron extrapolates this acquisition velocity, calculating that at the same rate, BitMine could demand an additional 4.1 million ETH in the 13 weeks remaining in 2025. This demand would be hitting a market where the current liquid supply on exchanges is only around 11 million ETH. He concludes that if just three to four more institutions adopt the Bitmine playbook, the combined demand would cause the market to face a supply crisis that is more severe than in 2021. However, a removal of 319,000 ETH and a staking lockup from the liquid market suggests that deflationary pressure is accelerating. According to Barron, smart money is positioning now. He predicts that while retail investors will only begin to chase ETH at levels above $8,000, Ethereum could reach $15,000 by December, which is “mathematical inevitability” if this institutional FOMO continues to spread. ETH Supply Locked In Staking Reaches Record Levels While a prominent figure is accumulating ETH every week, Ethereum is on the verge of a supply shock, despite appearing bearish on-chain two weeks ago. However, at the end of August, Bull Theory revealed that the on-chain data showed a spike in the validator exit queue to nearly 1 million ETH, the highest in months. The development may signal fear and potential selling pressure, but the narrative has now flipped. Presently, the validator entry queue has climbed back to 787,085 ETH in a 14-day wait to stake, indicating a strong return of confidence and growing demand to stake. Meanwhile, the validator exit queue has dropped sharply to 616,898 ETH in a 10-day wait, a clear sign that its previous peak is fading fast to nearly 1 million ETH. This shift shows that fewer validators are leaving the network, and the pressure from unstaking is diminishing fast. Ethereum has over 1.05 million active validators, with 35.6 million ETH staked, which is equivalent to 29.4% of the total supply, and a steady APR of 2.89%. According to Bull Theory, this is exactly how a supply squeeze unfolds: it starts slowly at first, then all at once, as liquidity tightens and more ETH is locked away.

Federal prosecutors in Albany are going after more than $12 million in USDT, they say, that was tied to a crypto investment scam. They’ve filed a civil forfeiture complaint in an attempt to take the funds back. It’s another signal that officials are treating crypto scams just like any other financial crime. How the Scam Played Out The scheme began with random text messages promising profitable investment opportunities. Those messages led victims to a fake trading platform called ShakepayEX. The site was made to look like a real Canadian crypto exchange, but it wasn’t. People who deposited funds were then hit with fake fees and obstacles when they tried to withdraw. Many were told to deposit even more before they could get their money back. Altogether, more than $10 million was drained from unsuspecting users. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in September2025 A Case for Civil Forfeiture To recover the stolen crypto, the government is using civil forfeiture. This approach allows them to seize assets suspected of being tied to crime, even without a criminal conviction. It’s become a go-to method in crypto fraud cases. The idea is simple: freeze the assets before they disappear and try to return them to the rightful owners. PriceBTC24h7d30d1yAll time Part of a Larger Pattern This isn’t the first time the Justice Department has taken this route. Earlier in the year, it filed a similar action involving $225 million in USDT linked to pig butchering scams. That was the largest USDT seizure on record. In that case, law enforcement worked with Tether and blockchain analysts to trace and freeze the funds. The same kind of teamwork is playing out again here. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Making Civil Forfeiture Work for Victims Civil forfeiture used to be seen mainly as a way to block criminals from using stolen money. Now it’s also becoming a way to give victims a path toward recovery. By identifying and freezing suspicious wallets fast, officials can prevent stolen funds from being moved through mixers or cashed out. If the courts approve the forfeiture, those funds can eventually be returned to those who lost them. What Comes Next The next step is for the courts to decide if the seized funds are clearly tied to illegal activity. If they are, the government can take legal possession of the assets. That would open the door for victim compensation. The case also feeds into broader efforts to make crypto markets safer. Prosecutors are hoping that strong enforcement, combined with faster collaboration between platforms, will keep future scams from growing this large. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Federal prosecutors are trying to recover over $12 million in USDT tied to a fake crypto platform called ShakepayEX. Victims were lured through random messages and tricked into sending funds to a scam site that mimicked a real exchange. The government is using civil forfeiture to freeze and reclaim the assets, even without a criminal conviction. This case follows a larger $225 million USDT forfeiture earlier this year, showing a growing pattern in how crypto scams are handled. Officials hope civil forfeiture will become a reliable way to help victims recover stolen funds from crypto-related fraud. The post US Seeks to Recover $12M USDT Tied to Crypto Investment Scam appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins says raising money on the blockchain should not feel like walking through a legal fog. Speaking at a global policy event hosted by the OECD, he emphasized that entrepreneurs must understand the rules before they enter the game. Uncertainty about what constitutes a security is holding things back. Most Tokens Should Not Be Treated Like Stocks Atkins took a direct stance and said most tokens should not be treated the same way as traditional securities. It is a big statement, especially from someone in his position. If that view holds, it could give crypto projects more breathing room to grow without worrying they might be hit with a lawsuit later. The SEC’s New Plan: Project Crypto To move things forward, Atkins outlined something called Project Crypto. This plan aims to update securities rules so they actually work in an on-chain environment. Instead of splitting up rules for trading, lending, and staking, the goal is to bring them all under one simple license. The whole idea is to make compliance easier without losing sight of consumer protection. DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 A Different Tone From the Previous SEC Atkins also took a moment to call out the way things were done before. He said past enforcement was too aggressive and sent developers and investors running to other countries. Instead of leading with threats, his approach is more focused on setting expectations early and letting projects stay in the US without constantly looking over their shoulder. PriceBTC24h7d30d1yAll time The Rise of All-in-One Crypto Platforms Another idea he shared was the emergence of what he called “super apps.” These would let users trade, lend, stake, and maybe even access other financial tools all from one place. Right now, different parts of crypto are regulated in different ways. Atkins thinks there should be a path for these all-in-one platforms to operate under one rulebook instead of navigating several. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Working Together With Other Regulators To make all of this happen, the SEC will be teaming up with other regulators, especially the CFTC. A joint roundtable is in the works, focusing on areas like DeFi, tokenized assets, and new blockchain-based products. The aim is to build a shared understanding across agencies so that everyone is on the same page. Atkins made it clear that this is not just about the SEC acting alone. Looking Ahead Atkins laid out a pretty ambitious vision. He wants the United States to lead the next wave of digital finance, but that will depend on whether regulators can deliver real clarity fast enough. The road ahead involves legal work, collaboration, and a willingness to rethink how financial oversight works in the age of blockchain. If this plan stays on track, it could change how crypto gets built and backed in the US. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways SEC Chair Paul Atkins called for clearer blockchain fundraising rules, saying uncertainty is stopping crypto projects from growing in the US. Atkins said most tokens should not be treated like stocks, signaling support for a more crypto-specific approach to regulation. He introduced Project Crypto, a plan to simplify how trading, lending, and staking are regulated through a unified license model. Atkins criticized past enforcement as too aggressive and wants US crypto projects to succeed without fearing surprise legal action. The SEC plans to work with other regulators, including the CFTC, to build shared rules for DeFi, tokenized assets, and all-in-one crypto apps. The post Paul Atkins Says Regulatory Uncertainty Is Holding Crypto Back appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Bitcoin’s latest bounce off a support level at $110,000 has coincided with a technical observation shared by crypto analyst CrypFlow, who highlighted a shakeout pattern that’s currently playing out, which has always preceded the strongest legs of Bitcoin’s bull runs. According to the analyst, the ongoing shakeout pattern setup may be laying the foundation for another rally that could take Bitcoin above its all-time high and beyond $130,000. The Anatomy Of Bitcoin’s Shakeout Pattern Bitcoin’s price action in the past 24 hours has been highlighted by intense volatility, opening the day just above $113,000 before dipping to $110,800 and quickly rebounding to now trading back above $112,000 at the time of writing. However, expanding the short-term price action into a longer one shows that Bitcoin is trying to break above a consolidation zone with a green weekly candle following a green close last week. Notably, technical analysis of the weekly candlestick timeframe chart from crypto analyst CrypFlow shows that this price action is part of a shakeout pattern that’s characteristic of Bitcoin. According to the analyst, Bitcoin never trends higher in a straight line. Instead, each expansion phase in its market cycle is preceded by two steps of a consolidation and a shakeout. Shakeouts were nothing more than quick downside wicks earlier in this cycle. More recently, however, the corrections have become deeper and longer with full-bodied weekly candlesticks that drove out many investors before the next expansion phase began. The chart below, which was shared by the analyst, shows this repeating pattern of shakeouts in purple circles and expansions in green boxes since the cycle bottom in 2022, with the latest dip in the last week of August slotting neatly into the same framework of a purple shakeout. Why Bitcoin Is Headed Above $130,000 As shown in the chart above, the most recent break below the consolidation box is somewhat shorter than the previous two. Now, Bitcoin is climbing back into its range, and if it follows its previous movements since 2022, it could now be at the cusp of a new uptrend. At the time of writing, the stochastic RSI on the weekly chart has dipped to oversold levels and is on the verge of a bullish cross. If confirmed, this indicator could provide the momentum for Bitcoin’s next continuation of the step-like progression. In terms of a price prediction, the expansion phase highlighted in the analysis projects that Bitcoin may not only retest its current all-time high but also push into new price levels above $130,000. With Bitcoin currently trading around $112,200, reaching $130,000 would translate to a gain of roughly 15.8%. A surge to $130,000 would most likely lift Bitcoin’s support base closer to its current all-time high around $124,000 before the next consolidation and shakeout.

Ripple has once again caught headlines after quietly transferring 15 million XRP tokens just hours after securing a legal win against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The transaction, recorded on Ledger #98,741,614, carried a negligible fee of 0.000015 XRP, showcasing the network’s efficiency. While Ripple has not provided an official statement, analysts suggest the move could be tied to liquidity preparation for exchanges, settlement mechanisms, or the expansion of Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) corridors. The timing, so close to its courtroom victory, has fueled speculation that Ripple is positioning itself for a new phase of institutional adoption. Whales Watch Closely as XRP Price Slips Despite the optimism around Ripple’s legal clarity, XRP has not been immune to market pressure. Currently, XRP trades at $2.96, down 1.67% in the past 24 hours, with daily trading volume falling over 26% to $4.94 billion. Analysts warn that this decline in both price and volume could signal waning short-term momentum. Chart data highlights a critical battleground for XRP between $0.65–$0.68 resistance levels and support zones at $0.60 and $0.55. A decisive breakout above $0.70 could push XRP toward $0.80, while failure to hold support risks deeper corrections. Notably, whale activity and institutional interest continue to build, with XRP futures open interest surging to $7.94 billion, underscoring expectations of heightened volatility. ETFs, RLUSD, and the Bigger Picture Crypto analyst Zach Rector recently highlighted that Ripple’s restructuring of institutional XRP sales during its SEC case could shape the framework for potential XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With ETF issuers unable to source XRP directly from Ripple, centralized exchanges and OTC desks may become the main supply channels, creating added pressure on secondary market liquidity. Meanwhile, the adoption of Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan, facilitated through a partnership with SBI Group, has strengthened XRP’s fundamentals. RLUSD requires XRP for transaction fees, further boosting on-chain demand. Whale accumulation and growing institutional exposure through platforms like the CME also support a more bullish long-term outlook. As the dust settles on Ripple’s regulatory battle, the company’s swift 15M XRP transfer signals it is wasting no time preparing for its next chapter. Whether tied to ETF readiness, liquidity expansion, or cross-border growth, one thing is clear: the market is watching closely. Cover image from ChatGPT, XRPUSD chart from Tradingview

In addition to financial losses, the U.S. has already suffered reputational damage either way. What happens with trade agreements worth hundreds of billions of dollars that have been signed? After all, these also involve specific tariffs. What about retaliatory tariffs? Donald Trump "stirred the pot," but how to "clean up the mess" remains entirely unclear. In the 1974 Act (IEEPA), there really are no references to the president having the authority to enact trade measures unilaterally. However, it is essential to recognize that America, like many countries worldwide, faces issues that cannot always be resolved legally or fairly. For example, some economists have noted that six out of nine Supreme Court justices were appointed at different times by Republican presidents. This means we can expect some loyalty to the sitting U.S. president from them. Trump has demonstrated how he can operate through his dealings with the Federal Reserve. If an official refuses to follow Trump's "strong advice", they are quickly branded as schemers or frauds. Therefore, I would not be surprised if, should the Supreme Court side against the administration, Trump attempts to fire several sitting justices. Naturally, he has no such authority—just as he has no authority to dismiss Fed Governors. So, we can expect various investigations against "disobedient" and "unpatriotic" justices, during which many "skeletons in the closet" may be found. Given all this, I believe Trump will not abandon his policy. He will fight in court to the very end. If he loses, he will seek alternative methods to pressure countries worldwide. It's also likely that trade deals already signed with the EU, UK, Japan, South Korea, and others could be canceled or renegotiated, as they would become illegal. The dollar could be in for a new whirlwind of events. If the tariffs are lifted, demand for the U.S. dollar could rise. But any new move by Trump aimed at destabilizing the global order and changing trade architecture would immediately trigger a new wave of dollar depreciation. Wave structure analysis for EUR/USD:Based on my analysis of EUR/USD, I conclude that the instrument continues to build an upward trend segment. The wave pattern remains entirely dependent on the news background related to Trump's decisions and U.S. foreign policy. The targets for this trend segment could extend up to the 1.25 area. Therefore, I continue to consider purchases with targets near 1.1875 (the 161.8% Fibonacci level) and above. I believe wave 4 formation is complete, making now still a good time to buy. Wave structure analysis for GBP/USD: The wave picture for GBP/USD remains unchanged. We are still dealing with an upward impulsive segment of the trend. With Trump, markets may be in for many more shocks and reversals that could seriously affect the wave structure, but for now, the working scenario remains intact. The current targets for the uptrend segment are now around 1.4017. At this time, I believe the downward wave 4 is complete. Wave 2 of 5 may also be finished or nearing completion. Therefore, I recommend buying with a target of 1.4017. Key principles of my analysis:Wave structures should be simple and clear. Complex structures are hard to trade and often undergo changes.If you're unsure about what's happening in the market, it's better to stay out.Absolute certainty about the market direction is never possible. Always remember about 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 American tariff drama continues and is only gaining momentum. To recap: several months ago, twelve Democratic governors filed a lawsuit in the International Trade Court against Donald Trump, arguing that the U.S. president does not have the right to impose trade tariffs against entire industries or specific countries. The Trade Court upheld the Democrats' claim, declared Trump's actions illegal, but left the tariffs in place, shifting responsibility for lifting them to the Court of Appeals — where Trump immediately filed an appeal. Some time later, the Appeals Court delivered a similar verdict: Trump's tariffs (with some exceptions) are illegal, and the 1974 Emergency Act has no provisions allowing the president to start a trade war without Congressional approval. However, even while acknowledging their illegality, the Appeals Court did not cancel the tariffs, postponing the decision until October 14th to allow Donald Trump to file one more appeal, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, the fate of Trump's tariffs will be decided in Washington, in the last possible instance. If Trump loses at the Supreme Court, what would happen if all U.S. courts were to declare the tariffs illegal? Many might assume that the tariffs will become void. But what about all the money the government has already collected from Americans when purchasing foreign goods? Can you imagine the potential number of lawsuits against the U.S. president if the Supreme Court rules any trade tariffs illegal? In this case, almost any American or U.S. company connected to imports could demand compensation and a refund of "excess" payments. In other words, all collected tariffs would have to be returned to their rightful owners. Additionally, companies could seek compensation for losses stemming from decreased demand for their products due to higher prices caused by the tariffs. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant has confirmed that if the Court rules tariffs illegal, the U.S. budget would have to return the collected funds. "We would have to refund approximately 50% of the tax revenues, which would be catastrophic for the treasury," said Besant. Frankly, I'm not exactly sure what he means by "tax revenues," but the word "catastrophe" is no exaggeration in this context. Wave structure analysis for EUR/USD:Based on my analysis of EUR/USD, I conclude that the instrument continues to build an upward trend segment. The wave pattern remains entirely dependent on the news background related to Trump's decisions and U.S. foreign policy. The targets for this trend segment could extend up to the 1.25 area. Therefore, I continue to consider purchases with targets near 1.1875 (the 161.8% Fibonacci level) and above. I believe wave 4 formation is complete, making now still a good time to buy. Wave structure analysis for GBP/USD: The wave picture for GBP/USD remains unchanged. We are still dealing with an upward impulsive segment of the trend. With Donald Trump, markets may be in for many more shocks and reversals that could seriously affect the wave structure, but for now, the working scenario remains intact. The current targets for the uptrend segment are now around 1.4017. At this time, I believe the downward wave 4 is complete. Wave 2 of 5 may also be finished or nearing completion. Therefore, I recommend buying with a target of 1.4017. Key principles of my analysis:Wave structures should be simple and clear. Complex structures are hard to trade and often undergo changes.If you're unsure about what's happening in the market, it's better to stay out.Absolute certainty about the market direction is never possible. Always remember about 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

On September 11th – that is, on Thursday – the next meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) will take place, and the central bank is widely expected to leave all monetary policy settings unchanged. This is the base case and the most anticipated scenario, so its realization won't trigger volatility in the EUR/USD pair. Still, this doesn't mean the September meeting is just a formality. The real intrigue concerns the ECB's future actions: Will the central bank consider its easing cycle complete, or are further rate cuts still on the table? Let's first analyze the general macroeconomic picture in the Eurozone. In short, we are seeing weak but still positive economic growth against the backdrop of accelerating inflation. The headline Consumer Price Index in the Eurozone accelerated to 2.1% y/y in August, exceeding the ECB's 2% target. The core index remained at previous months' levels, at 2.3% (while most analysts had forecast a slowdown to 2.2%). Germany, the locomotive of the Eurozone, also saw inflation accelerate—the national CPI rose to 2.2% y/y (the highest since July this year), and the harmonized EU index reached 2.1% y/y. These results provide reasons for the ECB to remain cautious—not only at the September meeting, but at least through October as well. GDP growth reports for Germany and the Eurozone have been disappointing, but they have generally supported the euro. The German economy contracted 0.1% q/q in Q2 (as forecast), while y/y German GDP rose by 0.4% (vs. a forecast of +0.2%). The Eurozone's GDP grew 0.1% q/q (forecast: 0.0%) and 1.4% y/y (forecast: 1.2%). The growth was modest but still stronger than the most pessimistic projections. The unemployment rate in the Eurozone remains stable, falling to 6.2% in July from 6.3% in June. It's also worth noting that last month the Eurozone saw a rebound in business activity: for example, the Composite PMI rose to 51, a 15-month high. Manufacturing moved into expansion territory for the first time since mid-2022, while services continued to expand, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Germany's results were solid, too. Its composite PMI reached 50.9 (a five-month high), manufacturing was 52.6 (a 41-month high), and services remained in expansion (50.1). Even France nearly stabilized (Composite PMI: 49.8, manufacturing: 49.9). German IFO indices also turned "green." The business climate index rose to 89.0 (forecast: 88.7), the highest since May 2024 (and rising for eight consecutive months). Economic expectations rose to 91.6—a record since April 2023. Only the current conditions index disappointed slightly, increasing to 86.4 (forecast: 86.7), after 86.5 in July. Taken together, this fundamental backdrop allows the ECB to pause at upcoming meetings—not just in September. The central bank will likely make it clear that the current rate-cutting cycle is over, but if necessary, it stands ready to resume cutting rates. Incidentally, Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Nomura, and Societe Generale have all recently updated forecasts expressing confidence that the ECB will not cut rates further in 2025. Moreover, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank analysts believe the ECB's next move could actually be a rate hike, likely in the fourth quarter of next year. Recent statements from ECB officials have also been moderately hawkish and cautious. For example, French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau said inflation is "well under control" and economic growth is "in line with forecasts." Meanwhile, ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel was even more explicit, saying a pause should be maintained at upcoming meetings, with the Eurozone showing resilience and inflation potentially running higher than expected. She argued that ECB policy is already moderately stimulative and does not see a reason for continued rate cuts. Therefore, the takeaway from the September ECB meeting could support the euro—but only if the central bank makes it clear that the current easing cycle has ended. If the ECB takes a more cautious tone (hinting at the potential for further cuts), the EUR/USD pair will come under pressure and could return to the 1.16 area. There is even a theoretical "ultra-hawkish" scenario in which the ECB hints at a rate hike. However, in my view, the ECB will try to maintain a balanced tone without any binding commitments, even in theory. In that case, the euro will likely remain afloat, but the direction of EUR/USD will depend on US CPI dynamics. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

There's no defense against a crowbar—except another crowbar. The return of financial markets to a world ruled by raw power has pushed EUR/USD below 1.17. Geopolitical risks continue to plague the Eurozone economy. They create uncertainty, and rising oil prices are particularly unwelcome for a region that imports most of its "black gold." Add to this the threat of snap elections in France, and the drop in the main currency pair ahead of US inflation data seemed logical. However, the US PPI data dampened the mood for the US dollar. If Moscow is not prepared to sit down at the negotiation table with Kyiv, Washington is ready for economic war. For this, it needs the support of Brussels, but the EU has been unable to get Hungary and Slovakia to act in unison. If they succeed, then secondary sanctions on China and India, for their support of the armed conflict in Ukraine, will become a reality. Speculative positioning dynamics in the US dollar Essentially, this means oil prices are likely to rise, since Russia is one of the world's largest suppliers. A supply restriction is a direct path to a Brent rally. For the Eurozone, which is heavily dependent on imported oil, this is bad news. Unsurprisingly, speculators began to unwind short positions on the US dollar, leading to the decline in EUR/USD. On top of that, Israel delivered a surprise strike on Qatar targeting Hamas leaders. This was a bolt from the blue for the Middle East and pushed oil prices even higher. Add to this the interception of Russian drones by Poland and Poland's subsequent request to NATO for a coordinated response, and it becomes clear that Europe remains a dangerous and troubled region. If money is fleeing the US due to Donald Trump's antics, in the EU, geopolitics continues to set the tone. Against this backdrop, investors seemed to have forgotten that they were selling the US dollar because of a weakening labor market and the rising likelihood of the Fed resuming its monetary easing cycle in September. The futures market is currently pricing in 65 basis points of monetary expansion by the end of the year. Dynamics of expected Fed rate cuts If investors have forgotten anything, the inflation data reminded them about the US dollar's vulnerability. Producer prices slipped into negative territory in August, which was music to the ears of EUR/USD bulls. Slowing PPI and CPI figures give the Fed more leeway for aggressive monetary expansion. However, nobody knows what the final consumer price figures will look like yet. Thus, geopolitics is currently battling central banks, and so far, politics is winning out at least for now. Technically, on the daily chart for EUR/USD, much depends on how the current bar closes. A close below the upper boundary of the fair value range at 1.1615-1.1715 will strengthen the risk of returning to consolidation. A rise above 1.1715 would be a signal to buy euros against the US dollar—especially if a pin bar forms. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Toncoin and Quant are two altcoins that have witnessed a surge in whale transactions recently, something that could foreshadow volatility for their prices. Toncoin & Quant Have Seen A Spike In Whale Transaction Count In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has talked about the latest trend in the Whale Transaction Count for two altcoins: Toncoin (TON) and Quant (QNT). This indicator measures the total amount of transfers occurring on a given network that are carrying a value of more than $100,000. Generally, only the big-money investors or “whales” are capable of making transfers this large, so the metric’s value is considered to correspond to the activity from this cohort. These holders generally carry some degree of influence in the market, so whenever they are on the move, the market itself could experience fluctuations. This can make their activity worth keeping an eye on. Below is the chart shared by Santiment that shows how the Whale Transaction Count has changed for Toncoin and Quant over the last few months. As is visible in the graph, the Whale Transaction Count has seen a large spike for both Toncoin and Quant recently, suggesting the whales have been active on the networks. Interestingly, despite being the much bigger network in terms of market cap, TON’s spike has only amounted to a value of 3, while QNT has observed the metric touch the 24 mark. That said, the small value that Toncoin has witnessed is still high when compared to the past. In fact, only one spike in the last three months has been compared to this one. In contrast, Quant has seen a few spikes of a similar scale. Thus, it would appear that whales just tend to be less active on TON in general. As for what the spikes could imply for the altcoins, price volatility may be coming, if the past is to go by. “Historically, large spikes in $100K+ sized moves foreshadow price direction changes,” explains the analytics firm. These changes, however, can occur in either direction. Whale Transaction Count only counts up the number of moves that the large entities are making and doesn’t contain any information about the breakdown between buy and sell moves. As such, it’s always hard to tell whether a spike in whale activity is bullish or bearish for the asset’s value. The whales being active on the Toncoin and Quant networks could only suggest that some sort of sharp price action may be on the horizon. TON Price At the time of writing, Toncoin is floating around $3.1, down around 1.6% over the last seven days.

Beaver Creek, Colorado – The single biggest driver of returns now isn’t what’s in the rock, it’s what’s on the books, a panel heard on Tuesday at the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Permitting timelines, disclosure discipline and where the world’s metals are refined are set to be the gatekeepers to industry success. Moderator Anthony Vaccaro, president of The Northern Miner Group, framed the discussion against a backdrop of record bullion, fragile geopolitics and a scramble for “strategic” metals. The panel featuring hedge fund manager Warren Irwin, Bear Creek Mining (TSXV: BCM) chair Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, and CEO Jonathan Goodman of financier Dundee – told a packed room the industry should streamline rules, rebuild trust and put capital where the crowd isn’t. “It shouldn’t take seven years to permit a mine. That’s ridiculous,” Goodman said. “We can finance our own companies, but [governments] need to get out of our way and make this industry easy to work in.” Goodman’s starting point was speed and predictability. Standards need not fall, he said, but decisions must come faster. He urged coordinated review tables that bring Canadian federal, provincial and First Nations authorities together on a single project file so issues are identified early and resolved in sequence rather than in series. Jurisdictional certainty, coherent timelines and a credible route to processing now command a premium that rivals grade, panelists said. Two projects with similar geology will diverge quickly in value if one can show a realistic path through community agreements, environmental approvals and smelting, and the other cannot. Processing chokepoint Even if the West builds new copper mines, concentrates still need to be smelted and refined. For decades that capability migrated to China, leaving supply chains exposed to trade friction. Goodman argued the market can fix the imbalance – treatment and refining charges will rise to justify new Western smelters – if governments focus on timely permitting for both mines and downstream plants and resist price-setting schemes. Irwin, a contrarian investor who’s made lucrative bets on juniors, cautioned that many critical metals sit in thin, non-London Metals Exchange markets with few buyers. They are easily swamped by by-product streams from large mines focused on other commodities. Price floors and similar interventions, he warned, invite disappointment when unexpected supply arrives or a sponsor later walks away. The Trump administration invested into rare earth miner MP Materials (NYSE: MP) in July and imposed a 10-year price floor of $110 per kilogram for neodymium-praseodymium oxide. “If governments want a strategic metal, the surest public role is to reduce permitting friction, support infrastructure and enable bankable offtakes – not to backstop prices,” he said. “It shouldn’t take seven years to permit a mine. That’s ridiculous,” Dundee CEO Jonathan Goodman says. Credit: Henry Lazenby Technical credibility The panel was constructive on gold’s long-cycle set-up. McLeod-Seltzer, the independent chair of the Kinross Gold (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) board, drew parallels to the 1970s – geopolitical tension, heavy debts and a rotation into hard assets. She expects volatility in bullion but sees a longer shift towards gold equities. In her view, many producers’ shares still do not reflect the free cash flow potential implied by current prices, particularly for disciplined operators with low sustaining costs. So why haven’t equities kept up? Goodman put much of the blame on credibility. Technical studies prepared under Canada’s NI 43-101 standard are often read as valuation documents; they are not. They are stage-gate studies showing whether a project can advance, he said. When those studies lean on best-case inputs, and operating results later fall short, generalists conclude they are safer owning the metal than the miners. Goodman’s prescription: a pragmatic approach. “Use conservative assumptions, publish reconciliation data, hit guidance quarter after quarter and explain – plainly – what has changed when plans do,” he said. McLeod-Seltzer offered a pre-43-101 example to underline the point. At the Arequipa discovery in Peru in the 1990s, a veteran director insisted on independent verification of samples. When those assays confirmed the original work, confidence followed – enough for Barrick Mining (TSX: ABX; NYSE: B) to launch a hostile $1-billion bid based only on nine drill holes. “The lesson – verify, don’t hype – translates directly into today’s disclosure framework and remains the fastest route to a higher multiple,” she argued. From paper to producers Developers are a special case. Many single-asset stories have not re-rated with bullion’s rise because investors want delivery, not just ounces on paper. Projects most likely to move are in tier-one jurisdictions, with credible community agreements, realistic capital expenditure guidance, clear processing paths and management teams that discuss constraints as candidly as upside. The metal has done its job; for equities to follow, companies must do theirs. The contrarian case While policy and trust dominated, the panel also weighed where outperformance may come next. Irwin’s answer was metallurgical coal, not a fashionable battery-metal theme. Years of under-investment and slow approvals have constrained new supply even as India targets a larger steel footprint from a low base, he said. That combination can support durable returns for high-quality hard coking coal with rail and port access. Coal divestments, such as Glencore (LSE: GLEN) picking up Teck’s coal business, also drew debate. Irwin called it a strategic error for some majors to exit met coal just as steel demand looks durable.Buyers of those assets, he said, are positioned to harvest strong cash flows for longer than consensus assumes. McLeod-Seltzer also warned that head-office location matters because it anchors the engineers, geoscientists, bankers and accountants who turn studies into mines. As Goodman put it: “make it easy to work here and let the market do its job.” McLeod-Seltzer and Irwin agreed: “do that, and the capital will follow.”

Log in to today's North American session Market wrap for September 10 Tensions around the world keep increasing, with Russia sending 19 drones overnight to attack Poland from Belarus. A consequent diplomatic shower followed with the usual condemnations. However, what attracted attention was the "Here we go" post from US President Trump, awakening Markets, particularly in the precedingly dormant US Oil. A popular American conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, was also tragically shot at a rally in another round of political madness. Between a revolution in Nepal and France going through gigantic protests against French President Macron, economic uncertainty and a flood of negative headlines are awakening civil unrest around the globe. For good news however, US Producer Price inflation is far from as bad as expected as they regressed on a month-over-month basis (-0.1% vs 0.3% exp). This would help the FED in affirming that the effects from tariffs would have more of a short-term effect on inflation rather than a prolonged one. Most participants are still awaiting for tomorrow's CPI release as more stats will be taken into consideration for the extent of next week's FOMC rate cut. Read More:Bringing back the cuts to US and Canada, US CPI preview — North American mid-week Market updateChaos in Eastern Europe – Oil (WTI) prices lagging the move?Cross-Assets Daily Performance Cross-Asset Daily Performance, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView Cryptos were the most appreciative of the good PPI report, however a story might be in the back of the huge pre-data rise (look at ETH and BTC around 7:30 A.M.) though I haven't been able to track its source. Oil did also see a large 1% rebound after the Trump tweet mentioned in the introduction. For the rest, equities seem to have lost some steam after a great beginning to the session (notably with Oracle shooting higher by 42% due to its expected huge cloud-generated profits). This particularly concerned European equities which got hurt from the not-too-great European sentiment and headlines. A picture of today's performance for major currencies Currency Performance, September 10 – Source: OANDA Labs Antipodeans (AUD and NZD) were the best performers of today's FX session, profiting from their regional position (they are pretty far from most of the madness happening in the Occident) and also receiving a boost of expected activity from the huge miss on the Chinese CPI data. More expected stimulus for China tends to positively impact the Kiwi and the Aussie as China is both NZ's and Australia's largest economic partner. The CHF, CAD and Euro however did not have as much fun, all finishing down against their peers in today's currency action. A look at Economic data releasing in tonight and tomorrow's sessions For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. As the trading day concludes, attention shifts to the Pacific, specifically to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), where Deputy Governor Hawkesby is set to speak at 19:15 ET. His comments will be closely scrutinized for any indications regarding future monetary policy, especially considering the recent depreciation of the New Zealand dollar and the anticipated rate cut at the upcoming RBNZ meeting (October 8). However the real deal starts tomorrow, with the ECB Rate Decision at 8:15 (expected to hold rates at 2%) but most importantly, the US CPI (8:30 A.M. ET) which is feared to reflect past month's Produce Prices rise. Both the Headline and Core data are expected to rise by 0.3%. Euro traders will also have to focus on the following ECB Press conference for future indications, coming up at 8:45. The European Central Bank is not expected to cut anymore this year. Given the prevailing focus on U.S. inflation trends due to tariffs, tomorrow's session could mark significant asset repricing. 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.

Gold prices are holding in and around the $3650/oz handle. The precious metal is benefitting from the perfect combination of political uncertainty, geopolitical risk and of course Fed rate cut bets. Russia Conflict Sees Nato Trigger Article 4... What Next? On Wednesday, Poland, with help from its NATO allies, shot down what they believed to be Russian drones that had entered Polish airspace. This is the first time a NATO country has fired shots during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, told parliament that this was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two." However, he also added that he doesn't believe they are on the verge of war. Tusk called the incident a "large-scale provocation" and said he had activated Article Four of NATO's treaty, under which alliance members can demand consultations with their allies. Moscow has denied responsibility for the attack. The Russian Defence Ministry said its drones carried out strikes on military targets in Western Ukraine So far nothing much has changed except an increase in haven demand and a rise in Oil prices. If NATO does decide to respond in some way that could be seen as aggression by Russia, Gold could be set for further gains. This is definitely worth monitoring. For a full breakdown of events, read Chaos in Eastern Europe – Oil (WTI) prices lagging the move? Other Factors Supporting Gold Prices The Israel attack on Qatar yesterday has also added to the risk premium while political turmoil in France has done the same. Hence why I am saying we are currently seeing the perfect cocktail for Gold prices to remain elevated. Add to that the expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts which received a boost as US PPI data came in well below expectations. For more on the PPI data today, read Breaking News: US core PPI rises by 2.8% Y/Y in August vs 3.5% expected Markets will be focused on the US CPI inflation numbers out tomorrow while the discussions between NATO members may also factor into where gold prices head to next. For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. (click to enlarge) Technical Analysis - Gold (XAU/USD) From a technical standpoint, Gold continues to hover near its all time highs. Momentum indicators are all in sync with the current bullish narrative with a selloff proving elusive thus far. The one positive for potential short sellers comes from the fact that the PPI data and downward revisions to the job numbers did not push Gold beyond the $3700/oz handle. This suggests that we could get a pullback toward the $3600/oz before Gold is able to gain acceptance above the $3700/oz handle. Downside support may be found at the recent swing low at the $3620 handle before $3600 comes into focus. A move to fresh all time highs will have to gain acceptance beyond the $3700 handle if the bullish rally continues. This may require further geopolitical risk or a really big downside miss by the US CPI data. Gold (XAU/USD) 30M Chart, September 10, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) Client Sentiment Data - XAU/USD Looking at OANDA client sentiment data and market participants are Short on Gold with 59% of traders net-short. I prefer to take a contrarian view toward crowd sentiment and thus the fact that the majority of traders are net-short suggests that Gold prices could continue to rise in the near-term. Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Avalanche (AVAX) has been riding a wave of optimism as bulls push for a breakout above the crucial $27–$28 resistance zone. Currently, AVAX trades just above $26.5, marking its fourth consecutive day of gains. The move comes as Ava Labs strengthens its ecosystem with two high-profile partnerships: an MoU with Korean firm WeBlock to expand real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and a collaboration with Toyota Blockchain Lab on mobility infrastructure. Strategic Partnerships Drive Real-World Adoption for Avalanche The WeBlock deal is set to introduce regulation-compliant tokenized products and a new stablecoin pilot in South Korea. Meanwhile, the Toyota partnership aims to build the Mobility Open Network (MON), a blockchain-based system designed for smart transport, shared mobility, and even robotaxi fleets. Together, these initiatives reinforce Avalanche’s leadership in combining blockchain with practical real-world applications. Derivatives and Technical Indicators Support Bullish Outlook Market data shows AVAX open interest has surged to a record $1.07 billion, signaling strong capital inflows from derivatives traders. This suggests rising confidence that Avalanche is poised for a breakout. On the technical front, AVAX is trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, confirming a Golden Cross and strengthening bullish sentiment. The RSI currently sits at 61, leaving room for further upside before hitting overbought levels. Similarly, the MACD histogram has turned positive, with its line crossing above the signal line earlier this week, both classic signs of accelerating momentum. AVAX Price Prediction: Bulls Eye $30 and Beyond If AVAX secures a decisive close above $26.9, analysts project a move toward the $29.78 pivot level, just shy of the $30 psychological milestone. A successful breakout could unlock further gains into the $32–$35 range within the next two to three weeks, aligning with broader bullish sentiment in altcoins like Solana (SOL) and Tron (TRX). On the flip side, failure to hold current levels may trigger a retest of support near $25.15, with deeper downside risks emerging if $24.00 breaks. However, with institutional partnerships expanding and technical indicators flashing bullish, Avalanche remains one of the strongest breakout assets this September. Cover image from ChatGPT, AVAXUSD chart from Tradingview

XRP has entered a shocking new phase of development, with reports confirming its ledger’s use in debt tokenization. This development comes when the United States (US) faces a multitrillion-dollar debt problem, drawing attention to the XRP Ledger’s (XRPL) potential role in modernizing how debt is managed and settled on a larger scale. As adoption for XRPL accelerates, its integration into debt-related infrastructure highlights how blockchain technology is beginning to intersect with the world’s largest financial challenges. XRP Ledger: A Potential National Debt Solution Crypto analyst SMQKE has alerted the crypto community to a shocking World Economic Forum (WEF) report, highlighting the XRP Ledger’s active use in tokenizing debt instruments. The report shared in an X social media post on Monday disclosed that Aurum Equity Partners has launched the world’s first combined private equity and tokenized debt fund, valued at $1 billion, using XRPL as its foundation. This fund was designed to fuel global data center investment, enhancing liquidity and investor access through secondary markets. Moreover, the launch of the tokenized debt fund is being hailed as a turning point because it combines Zoniqx’s tokenization technology with the speed, security, and efficiency of the XRP Ledger. Crypto analyst ‘X Finance Bull’ also described this recent development as a reconstruction of market architecture, where private equity, debt, and blockchain technology converge into a single system. He argued that XRPL’s ability to link equity and debt tokenization marks the beginning of a new financial standard—one that lowers barriers and offers exposure to markets previously reserved for institutions. More interestingly, as concerns grow over the US national debt, now exceeding $36 trillion, the potential for the XRP Ledger to be used as a solution remains uncertain. In theory, by enabling the tokenization of debt on a secure and transparent network, XRPL introduces the possibility of transforming trillion-dollar debt obligations into a more liquid, tradeable, and efficiently settled asset. XRP’s Expanding Role And Bullish Market Outlook In light of XRPL’s latest debt tokenization breakthrough, X Finance Bull released an optimistic forecast for XRP’s price performance. He argued that with the ledger now carrying a $1 billion tokenized equity and debt fund, entire sectors within this market are beginning to migrate onto XRP rails. As a result, this positions XRPL as the backbone of a new financial system. The crypto analyst has also indicated that XRP’s price potential is far greater than current expectations. While some anticipate a move toward $10, X Finance Bull projects that XRP could rise into the four-figure range as tokenized debt and equity markets expand into trillions of dollars. Whether or not the forecasted target proves accurate, the recent Aurum debt fund launch underscores that XRPL is already operating at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology.

Log in to our mid-week North American Markets overview, where we examine the current themes in North America and provide an overview of indices and currency performances. This week, some data dampened the economic outlook for both the US and Canada. The past four months didn't show much in that aspect, and participants started to believe that tariffs wouldn't influence activity that much. However, it seems that the markets were too optimistic for North America. August gave a first warning sign, with the US Non-Farm Payrolls showing the first crack in the labor market, which was confirmed by last Friday's report. Canada is also struggling with a regressing GDP in the second quarter, undoubtedly due to downbeat employment figures (-60K in August) and pressure from tariffs on key exports such as metals (aluminum, steel) and lumber. The degrading economic outlook and slowdown in hiring are essentially bringing back hopes for cuts with a 90% priced-in Bank of Canada reduction (from 2.75% to 2.50%) at the upcoming meeting on the same day as the FOMC, September 17th. For the Federal Reserve, a much-anticipated cut should also finally take place (Rates are currently at 4.50%), and the question from which we will get an answer tomorrow is: Will Consumer Prices take a significant bump, barring the way for a 50 bps cut? Any release below the expected 0.30% raise should flush the US Dollar, and markets would heavily lean towards a 50 bps (currently at 10% pricing). On the other hand, a beat should leave the 25 bps in check but reduce odds for cuts at subsequent meetings (2 meetings after this one: October and December). Read More:USDJPY outlook: Japanese yen holds strong on PM Ishiba’s resignationChaos in Eastern Europe – Oil (WTI) prices lagging the move? Let's dive right into a few charts to get an overview on North American Markets, from US and Canadian equity Markets performance, USD and CAD performance to USDCAD and DXY charts. North-American Indices Performance North American Top Indices performance since last Monday – September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView Same as in previous weeks, the TSX just seems to absolutely disregard the downbeat economic data. Never forget that equities are forward looking and cut expectations in an economy that is still far from in shambles and expected to grow in the decades to come attract buying. US Markets are still holding resiliently against the streak of downbeat employment data also lifted by hopes for increased rate cuts. All indices have marked new record highs in today's session actually but have since seen some profit-taking flows ahead of tomorrow's inflation report. Dollar Index 8H Chart Dollar Index 8H Chart, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView The US Dollar is holding its range as neither the NFP or this morning's PPI have changed the outlook for future rate cuts. This puts that much emphasis on tomorrow's CPI report which should be one of the most important one in years. Get ready! With the range still holding, I invite you to check out our most recent Dollar Index analysis to spot your levels of interest for the USD. US Dollar Mid-Week Performance vs Majors USD vs other Majors, September 10, 2025 - Source: TradingView. The action in the US Dollar has stayed stubbornly rangebound. The latest downward revisions to the US Labor data since March 2025 (you can check out the report right here) had initially hurt the USD, but as can be seen in the latest rebound, buyers have held its bid at new range extremes. War headlines around the world still maintain somewhat of a US Dollar demand which slightly reduced after this morning's welcomed PPI report (are tariff-related price hikes really just a one-off??) Expect high swings for the USD tomorrow as markets will look to confirm the outcome of next week's FOMC. Canadian Dollar Mid-Week Performance vs Majors CAD vs other Majors, September 10, 2025 - Source: TradingView. The Loonie couldn't hold its past week's strength with the aggressively low employment figures released last Friday. This week has been atrocious for the Maple Dollar. Check out the technicals for the Canadian Dollar against its major counterparts as the CAD gets at the brink of new extreme lows. With more cuts expected ahead, it will be very interesting to see what the Bank of Canada will have to say at next week's meeting. The BoC would also love a higher rate cut from the USD to help with the CAD's current downfall. Intraday Technical Levels for the USD/CAD USDCAD 4H Chart, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView USDCAD has freshly marked some highs at similar levels as the August 26th top, but seems to be consolidating at the current daily peak. It will be very interesting to spot the reactions for the US Dollar and if an eventually stronger USD would also assist the CAD on its perpetual descent. Levels to place on your USDCAD charts: Resistance Levels: 1.3925 August 22 highs (most recent peak)1.3850 to 1.3860 Main resistance (1.38670 daily highs)May Highs 1.40185Support Levels: immediate Pivot 1.38 Handle +/- 150 pipsKey longer-term pivot Zone 1.3750Main Support Zone 1.3675 to 1.3686 Another invitation (in case you missed the first one) to check out our latest USDCAD analysis! US and Canada Economic Calendar for the Rest of the Week US and Canadian Data for the rest of the week, MarketPulse Economic Calendar With Markets not budging much from the consequent NFP and PPI reports, everything will depend on tomorrow's US CPI release (8:30 A.M. ET). With 0.3% expected for both the Headline and Core, reactions will have to be monitored closely as Markets will jump around in all directions. To guide you with tomorrow's volatility, track the Dollar Index, the FEDWatch Tool (for Interest rate expectations) and the 2-year yield. For the rest, look at the usual equity sentiment. Except for tomorrow's US CPI, some other less-relevant data may still move markets with the Weekly jobless claims tomorrow, Canadian capacity utilization on Friday (8:30) and the following University-of-Michigan Consumer Sentiment at 10:00 A.M. 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.

A Bitcoin farm in Missouri is cooking up a rare stew: ranching, Bitcoin, and a freedom-driven community. At the center of it is Ryan Cooper — a rancher, libertarian political candidate, and community builder who has become one of the key figures driving the orange signal forward in St. Francois County. I had the chance to sit down with Ryan for a full-length conversation, which turned into an hour-long YouTube interview. In it, he opens up about his path to Bitcoin, his faith, his family, and the vision he has for the ranch. It’s well worth a listen for anyone curious how grassroots sovereignty really works in practice. link to youtube From Politics to Pastures Ryan didn’t come into politics the usual way. That wasn’t about chasing power — it was about shining light where there was none. As Ryan says, politics can be an amplifier, but the real revolution comes from the soil up. Even a “losing” campaign boosts the signal. Meanwhile, his family continues to live and work on the ranch, supporting local farmers and homesteaders, connecting with butcher shops and distributors, and weaving together a circular economy. Beef here isn’t just food; it’s sovereignty. Lunch, Late Nights, and Honest Stories I first met Ryan at the Bitcoin Hub and later hung out with him at the BTCHEL conference. We ended up sharing lunch, and as these things go, the evening turned into late-night conversations over drinks. Ryan was easy to make friends with — charismatic, with a story that’s both deeply authentic and refreshingly candid. He shares personal stories of triumph and failure alike, which is rare in a space often dominated by bravado. It left me hoping I’ll get to visit the Missouri ranch one day and see this community experiment firsthand. Homestead Breakfasts & Orange Pills This isn’t theory. The ranch regularly hosts homestead breakfasts for Bitcoiners and newcomers to the ecosystem. Eggs, bacon, black coffee — and a side of orange pill. These gatherings are a real on-ramp, not another sterile conference-room pitch session. And Bitcoin Conference – September 20th On September 20th, the ranch will host the first “And Bitcoin Conference.” Forget corporate sponsorships and sterile convention centers. This is Bitcoin grounded in dirt, sweat, and food straight from the land. If you can make it, show up. If not, you can still catch the full interview I did with Ryan — an hour-long dive into his journey with Bitcoin, politics, faith, and the community they’re building in St. Francois. Join Texas Slim & other bitcoiners in Downtown Farmington at 11 N. Jefferson Street, 63640. “This event will be during the Blues Brews Festival, but we have reserved our own patio to hang with other bitcoiners”. Signal from the Soil Ryan Cooper and his ranch aren’t just running cattle or nodes. They’re showing how Bitcoin ties into the essentials: soil, food, family, and freedom. As Ryan put it to me one night: “God did not give me a flight response.” We laughed about how there’s a fine line between stupid and courage — but that’s exactly where real change happens. Ryan is on X and Nostr X: @RyanCooper116 Nostr: npub1j7ggarzcs6juvzfa567lkmdtxq3rgx4fww8uqpvm80d6lt3r5sqs82yt3v And Bitcoin Conference on X: @AndBitcoinCon Written by VESA Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer All links to physical, NFTs, and more below http://linktr.ee/ArtByVesa

The PPI report time for August 2025 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Cassandra’s curse. Analysts expect CPI and PPI to be hot, and institutions could unload their bags onto retail in the aftermath. It will be a brief but brutal drop that will shake off a lot of weak hands. Here’s what to know: DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 PPI Report Time: Will Inflation Be a Dealbreaker for Fed Cuts? The most impactful releases this week will be the Producer Price Index (PPI) on Wednesday and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Thursday. Both reports will test whether Trump’s tariffs are pressuring the Fed to cut rates. Year-over-year CPI is expected at +2.9%, up from +2.7% in July. Core CPI is projected at +3.1%, matching February levels and still well above the Fed’s 2% target. On the wholesale side, PPI is forecast at +3.3% headline and +2.8% core, also trending higher. (Source: BLS) According to Dow Jones, economists see 0.3% monthly increases across the board. That would put headline inflation at its highest point since January. On the surface, a 3-handle on both CPI and PPI should spook markets. Not to mention the recent weak jobs data gives the Fed cover to act on its other mandate: boosting employment. Important to note that rate cuts remain on the table despite inflation because policymakers see more risk in labor market deterioration than in a short-term inflation uptick. (Source: Federal Reserve) Bond yields pulled back after last week’s JOLTS data showed job openings at 7.18M, the lowest since 2021. Meanwhile, some other important macro to keep track of: Gold surged past $3,670/oz, setting new ATHs Silver slipped below $41/oz WTI crude hovered above $63/barrel amid talk of new Russian sanctions. DISCOVER: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025 Bottom Line: What CPI and PPI Mean for Bitcoin and Markets The rising supply of government debt, combined with sticky inflation, has strained bond demand worldwide. As Vanguard’s Roger Hallam noted: “It’s almost a perfect storm of concerns over fiscal policies becoming inflationary, potentially more global issuance, and not enough demand.” Even if inflation comes in hotter than expected, it may not derail Fed cuts this month. Yet all this negative economic data should be worrisome for the average middle-class American. EXPLORE: US Jobs Data, BTC USD and Bond Market Rally Put Fed Rate Cuts in Focus Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways The PPI report time for August 2025 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Year-over-year CPI is expected at +2.9%, up from +2.7% in July. Core CPI is projected at +3.1%, matching February levels. The post PPI Report Time and CPI Data Could Decide September Fed Rate Cut appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Ethereum has recently come under selling pressure, pausing the relentless bullish momentum that earlier this year pushed ETH to fresh all-time highs. After an aggressive impulse that began in April, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization is now showing signs of fatigue, with analysts debating whether this is simply a healthy correction or the early stages of a deeper pullback. For some, the cooldown is a natural breather after months of parabolic growth, giving the market a chance to reset before its next leg higher. However, the risks of an extended correction are mounting, especially as investors reassess valuations across the broader crypto landscape. Despite the current uncertainty, key data from Artemis suggests Ethereum’s network activity is far from cooling down. Onchain metrics show rising demand for block space, higher transaction volumes, and consistent activity in decentralized finance (DeFi) and layer-2 ecosystems. This divergence between price action and underlying usage points to strong fundamentals, even as short-term traders lock in profits. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Ethereum stabilizes above key support levels or slides into a deeper correction, with network strength potentially serving as the anchor that keeps long-term bulls confident. Ethereum Fees Highlight Strength Amid Uncertainty Ethereum continues to demonstrate its dominance in the crypto ecosystem, even as price action faces pressure from broader market conditions. According to data from Artemis, shared by analyst Ted Pillows, Ethereum generated $1.4 million in network fees yesterday—the highest among all blockchains. This figure underscores Ethereum’s entrenched position as the most actively used smart contract platform, reinforcing its fundamental strength. Elevated fee generation is often tied to growing demand for block space, DeFi applications, and layer-2 activity, all of which point toward sustained utility regardless of short-term market swings. This consistent fee leadership provides a strong case for Ethereum’s long-term bullish continuation. Even during periods of consolidation, the ability to generate higher revenue than competitors highlights its network’s resilience and entrenched role in crypto’s infrastructure. Investors often view these metrics as signals of enduring value, suggesting Ethereum remains well-positioned for the next wave of capital inflows once market conditions stabilize. Still, the macroeconomic backdrop influences Ethereum’s immediate trajectory. Hawkish labor data in the United States has injected fresh uncertainty into markets, even as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve will eventually be forced to cut rates due to persistent weakness in the labor market. This policy tug-of-war creates volatility across risk assets, including crypto. For Ethereum, it means fundamentals remain strong, but price action is at the mercy of external economic signals. Ultimately, Ethereum stands at a critical intersection: its network activity and fee dominance support a bullish outlook, yet macro pressures continue to dictate short-term direction. Whether ETH resumes its uptrend or extends its correction may depend as much on Federal Reserve policy as on its own fundamental momentum. Price Analysis: Key Resistance Ahead Ethereum is currently trading at $4,330, consolidating after a sharp rally that carried the price above the $4,800 level earlier this month. The weekly chart shows ETH holding its ground following a strong breakout, with bulls successfully reclaiming key moving averages. The 50-week SMA at $2,931 and the 100-week SMA at $2,874 now sit well below current price levels, reinforcing Ethereum’s bullish structure. Even the 200-week SMA at $2,443 has turned into a distant support, underscoring the strength of the recent move. While momentum remains on Ethereum’s side, the chart also signals some caution. The rejection near $4,800 shows sellers are active at higher levels, creating short-term resistance. As long as ETH sustains above $4,000, however, the uptrend remains intact, with consolidation potentially serving as a base for the next attempt higher. A decisive break above $4,800 would open the door to retest the $5,000 psychological barrier and possibly set new all-time highs. On the downside, losing $4,000 could trigger deeper retracements, with $3,600 emerging as the first key support. Overall, Ethereum is in a strong technical position, but its next major move will depend on whether bulls can muster enough momentum to overcome resistance and extend the rally. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

What’s the Difference Between Pre-Tax and Post-Tax Retirement Withdrawals? Executive Summary: The main divide in pre-tax vs post-tax retirement withdrawals comes down to when you pay taxes. Pre-tax accounts delay taxes until you withdraw money in retirement, often forcing taxable distributions at age 73. Post-tax accounts, like Roth IRAs, tax your contributions upfront, but qualified withdrawals can be tax-free for life. Choosing between them—or better yet, balancing both—shapes how much income you keep after taxes, how you manage Medicare and Social Security, and how much you leave to heirs. Why This Question Matters Retirement savings are not just about how much you put in. They are about how much you can spend after taxes. Two people with the same $1 million portfolio can end up with very different spendable income depending on whether the money sits in pre-tax or post-tax accounts. That is why understanding pre-tax vs post-tax retirement withdrawals is essential. For example, a $50,000 withdrawal from a traditional IRA might net only $38,000 after federal and state taxes, depending on your bracket. A $50,000 withdrawal from a Roth IRA, if qualified, is $50,000 in your pocket. This simple difference can change how long your nest egg lasts and how much flexibility you have in retirement. What Counts as Pre-Tax Savings? Pre-tax accounts let you deduct contributions today, lowering taxable income while working. The trade-off is that every dollar you pull out later is taxed as income. Common examples include: Traditional 401(k) and 403(b) plans Most 457(b) government plans Traditional IRAs with deductible contributions All growth inside these accounts is tax-deferred. That means you owe nothing on interest, dividends, or capital gains until withdrawal. The IRS eventually forces withdrawals through required minimum distributions (RMDs) beginning at age 73. This ensures Uncle Sam collects taxes on decades of untaxed growth. What Counts as Post-Tax (Roth) Savings? Post-tax accounts flip the script. You pay tax before the money goes in, so contributions provide no deduction. In exchange, you get tax-free withdrawals later if certain rules are met. The most common vehicles are: Roth IRAs Designated Roth accounts in employer plans (Roth 401(k), Roth 403(b)) As long as the account has been open at least five years and you are 59½ or older, withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free. Roth IRAs also have no RMDs during your lifetime, giving more control over timing. Starting in 2024, Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) accounts are no longer subject to lifetime RMDs. Some retirees still choose to roll them into Roth IRAs for easier account management or broader investment options, but it’s no longer required to avoid RMDs. Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax: The One-Line Summary Pre-tax: Save now, pay tax later when you withdraw. Post-tax: Pay tax now, enjoy tax-free qualified withdrawals later. That timing choice affects everything from your annual tax bill to how much you leave to heirs. How Taxes Affect Your Cash Flow Cash flow is where retirees feel the difference most clearly. A $40,000 withdrawal from a traditional IRA increases taxable income by $40,000. That can push you into a higher bracket, raise Medicare premiums, and make more of your Social Security taxable. The same withdrawal from a Roth IRA does not increase taxable income at all, leaving benefits untouched. Think of pre-tax accounts as loans from the IRS. You get the use of tax-free money while saving, but you must pay it back at withdrawal. Post-tax accounts remove the IRS as a partner up front, giving you certainty later. Neither is universally better. The right mix depends on your income level, expected tax rates, and spending needs. When Pre-Tax Withdrawals Make Sense Pre-tax withdrawals are useful in several situations: Early retirement years: Before Social Security and RMDs start, you may have very little taxable income. Drawing from pre-tax accounts during these “gap years” lets you fill low tax brackets. Bracket management: If you can withdraw up to the top of the 12% or 22% federal bracket, it may be cheaper than deferring withdrawals until later, when RMDs force larger amounts into higher brackets. Penalty exceptions: The IRS allows exceptions for certain expenses like medical costs or higher education. These can make early pre-tax withdrawals less costly if truly needed. Consider a retiree, Mark, age 60. He delays Social Security until 67. By withdrawing $30,000 per year from his IRA between 60 and 67, he stays in a modest bracket and reduces future RMDs. This disciplined use of pre-tax withdrawals creates smoother taxes across his lifetime. When Post-Tax (Roth) Withdrawals Shine Roth withdrawals excel when you want predictability or flexibility: Hedging against higher taxes: If you expect tax rates to rise, Roth money provides protection. Withdrawals are tax-free, no matter what Congress does later. Managing benefits: Roth income does not inflate adjusted gross income. That helps avoid Medicare surcharges and keeps more of Social Security benefits tax-free. Legacy planning: Roth accounts can pass tax-free income to heirs. While heirs must still withdraw funds within ten years under current rules, those withdrawals are not taxed if the account is qualified. Example: Susan, age 72, has both Roth and traditional accounts. Her RMD already puts her in the 22% bracket. When she needs an extra $20,000 for home repairs, she taps her Roth IRA. This avoids raising her income and triggering higher Medicare premiums. RMDs: The Inevitable Reality of Pre-Tax Accounts Required minimum distributions are the IRS’s way of collecting tax on deferred savings. The first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year after you turn 73. Delaying the first one can mean taking two RMDs in one calendar year, potentially pushing you into a higher bracket. Failing to take an RMD can result in IRS penalties. Roth IRAs avoid this problem entirely during the original owner’s lifetime. This makes them valuable for retirees who want maximum flexibility and for those planning to leave accounts to heirs. Penalties and Rules You Must Watch While both account types have advantages, mistakes can be costly: Early withdrawals: Taking pre-tax money before 59½ usually triggers a 10% penalty, plus income tax. Roth five-year rule: Roth IRAs must be open for five years before earnings can be withdrawn tax-free. Each conversion has its own five-year clock. Missed RMDs: Skipping an RMD from a pre-tax account can trigger penalties, though recent IRS rules allow some relief for errors. How to Combine Pre-Tax and Post-Tax Withdrawals Most retirees will not rely solely on one type. A smart strategy blends both: Estimate your income each year before withdrawals. Use pre-tax withdrawals to “fill up” low tax brackets. Switch to Roth withdrawals for any extra spending that would push you into a higher bracket. Coordinate with RMDs to avoid sudden jumps in taxable income. This method, sometimes called a “tax bracket fill strategy,” spreads taxes evenly across retirement. It helps keep you in control, instead of letting the IRS dictate your income through forced RMDs. Case Study: Blending Accounts Consider Alan and Maria, both age 68, with $600,000 in IRAs and $300,000 in Roth IRAs. Their annual spending goal is $70,000. Social Security covers $40,000. To fund the rest, they take $20,000 from IRAs and $10,000 from Roth. This keeps them in the 12% bracket and avoids Medicare surcharges. If they had used only IRA withdrawals, they would have moved into the 22% bracket and paid more tax overall. Balancing both accounts saves thousands over time. Common Questions About Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Withdrawals Which is better, pre-tax or Roth? Neither is always better. The best choice depends on your current and future tax rates. Many retirees benefit from having both. Should I convert pre-tax accounts to Roth? Roth conversions move money from pre-tax to Roth by paying tax now. Conversions make sense if you expect higher future tax rates, or if you want to leave Roth assets to heirs. They do not make sense if paying tax today would push you into a much higher bracket. Can I withdraw contributions from a Roth anytime? Yes. You can always withdraw Roth IRA contributions (not earnings) tax- and penalty-free. This makes Roth accounts flexible even before retirement age. What happens if I miss an RMD? The IRS can impose penalties. However, you can often fix the mistake by taking the missed withdrawal and filing for relief. It is best to avoid the problem by automating withdrawals. Comparison Table Feature Pre-Tax Post-Tax (Roth) When taxed Later, at withdrawal Now, at contribution Qualified withdrawal tax Taxed as income Tax-free RMDs Yes, from age 73 No, for Roth IRAs Impact on AGI Raises income and may affect benefits No impact on AGI if qualified Best use Fill low tax brackets Cover extra costs without raising taxes Action Checklist List all your retirement accounts and label them as pre-tax or Roth. Project this year’s taxable income before taking withdrawals. Use pre-tax withdrawals to fill lower tax brackets. Use Roth withdrawals for large or unexpected costs. Track the five-year rule for Roth accounts and watch for RMD timing at age 73. Key Takeaways Pre-tax vs post-tax retirement withdrawals differ in when you pay taxes—later or now. Pre-tax accounts defer taxes but create taxable income and RMDs in retirement. Roth accounts cost more upfront but provide flexibility and tax-free qualified withdrawals later. Blending both types often delivers the most control and lowest lifetime tax bill. Annual planning helps avoid penalties, smooth brackets, and preserve benefits. The post What’s the difference between pre-tax and post-tax retirement withdrawals? first appeared on American Bullion.