Flowra launches Open Orderflow Auction for Solana blockspace

  • Flowra launches an open auction for Solana blockspace and MEV.
  • Early tests showed a 20.6% increase in compute units per block.
  • Programmable policies give Solana validators more control over blocks.

Flowra has launched an Open Orderflow Auction (OOA), a new block-building framework for Solana designed to introduce greater competition into the network’s maximal extractable value (MEV) market and potentially increase validator revenue.

The Seoul-based blockchain infrastructure company said the system allows registered searchers to compete for transaction inclusion through a transparent auction instead of relying on closed orderflow channels.

Flowra said the approach could improve price discovery while allowing validators to capture more of the value generated by MEV.

Flowra opens Solana block building to competition

The Open Orderflow Auction is intended to create an open marketplace for Solana blockspace, allowing searchers to compete through bids for transaction inclusion.

Flowra’s approach is inspired by competitive block-building models that have emerged on Ethereum.

The company said open bidding on Ethereum has contributed to higher proposer revenue and believes Solana’s high throughput and low-latency architecture could support a similar model.

In early testing on a single validator, a Flowra-enabled setup increased compute units per block by 20.6%.

The validator moved from 84% of the network average to 101%, according to the company.

Flowra also reported higher block fees than comparable validator software, alongside 100% block production and 99.999% block engine uptime during the test.

The results are based on early testing rather than a broader network-wide deployment.

Programmable policies give validators more control

Alongside the auction system, Flowra is introducing Programmable Block Policy, which allows validators to establish their own transaction inclusion policies at the block-building layer.

The company said the feature is designed to provide validators with greater operational flexibility, including the ability to meet regulatory and institutional compliance requirements without modifying the underlying Solana protocol.

Flowra recently announced a collaboration with compliance infrastructure provider Honeypot to bring sanctions and risk screening to this layer.

According to Flowra CEO Harry Hwang, Solana’s technical performance has helped make it a leading blockchain network, but its MEV market remains concentrated.

“By opening block building to transparent competition, we’re creating a more efficient market for blockspace,” Hwang said. He added that the system would give validators greater control over block construction while providing verifiability and auditability.

The company’s architecture separates these block-building policies from changes to the underlying network protocol, according to the announcement.

Flowra targets institutional validators

Flowra is currently onboarding institutional-grade validators to its Open Orderflow Auction, with a broader rollout planned as participation in the Solana ecosystem expands.

The OOA is now available to validators and searchers participating in the Solana ecosystem, although the company did not provide details on the number of participants currently using the system.

Flowra describes itself as a blockchain infrastructure company focused on validator and orderflow solutions for Solana. Its products include validator infrastructure, delegation programs and MEV-related technologies.

The company said its broader objective is to improve transaction transparency, value distribution and incentive alignment among validators, users and builders.

The launch comes as Flowra seeks to apply a more market-based approach to Solana’s block-building process.

Its initial testing suggests potential improvements in block utilization and validator fees, while the Programmable Block Policy adds a mechanism for validators to customize transaction inclusion.

The broader impact of the system will depend on adoption among validators and searchers as Flowra expands its rollout across the Solana ecosystem.

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Pepe price rallies 25% as whale demand and futures interest surge

Key takeaways

  • Pepe has gained 25% this week, including a combined 22% advance over the previous two days.
  • Seven whale transactions worth more than $1 million each occurred Thursday, the highest number since March 16.
  • Exchange supply fell by 1.45 trillion PEPE, while top non-exchange wallets added 3.54 trillion tokens since August 12.

Pepe maintained its bullish momentum Friday after gaining a combined 22% over the previous two trading days.

The frog-themed meme coin is up approximately 25% this week as whale accumulation, declining exchange supply, and rising speculative activity strengthen its near-term outlook.

PEPE has also reclaimed several important technical levels, opening a potential path toward its 200-day exponential moving average at $0.00000363.

Whale transactions reach highest level since March

Large investors appear to be returning to Pepe as its price recovers from recent lows. Santiment recorded seven PEPE transactions worth more than $1 million each Thursday, the highest daily total since March 16.

The increase in high-value transfers indicates renewed activity among whales, although large transactions can represent either accumulation or distribution.

Changes in wallet balances, however, suggest that major holders are accumulating tokens while the amount of PEPE available on exchanges declines.

The supply of PEPE held on cryptocurrency exchanges has fallen to 81.30 trillion tokens from 82.75 trillion on August 12.

The 1.45 trillion-token decline reduces the amount of PEPE immediately available for trading and potential sale.

Meanwhile, leading non-exchange addresses increased their combined holdings to 84.04 trillion PEPE from 80.50 trillion over the same period.

That represents an increase of 3.54 trillion tokens, reinforcing signs of fresh demand from large-wallet investors.

Whale accumulation near a market swing low can indicate that influential holders expect a recovery. Continued buying and declining exchange balances could therefore support further gains, provided broader market sentiment remains favorable.

Demand is also increasing in the derivatives market. PEPE futures Open Interest climbed to a three-month high of $250 million, up from $209 million the previous day, according to CoinGlass.

The $41 million increase represents growth of approximately 19.6% and indicates that traders are opening new positions or adding exposure to existing contracts.

PEPE’s Open Interest-weighted funding rate stands at 0.0095%. The positive reading shows that long-position holders are paying short traders, reflecting a bullish bias.

However, rising Open Interest and positive funding can also increase liquidation risks if the price reverses sharply. Meme coins are especially vulnerable to volatility when speculative positioning becomes crowded.

Pepe price targets the 200-day EMA

PEPE’s near-term technical outlook has improved after its latest rally pushed the token above the 50-day EMA at $0.00000283 and the 100-day EMA at $0.00000300.

The meme coin has also surpassed its June 15 high of $0.00000314, clearing another important resistance level.

The next major barrier sits at the 200-day EMA near $0.00000363. Because PEPE remains below this long-term trend indicator, the broader technical structure has not yet turned decisively bullish.

A confirmed breakout and sustained close above $0.00000363 could strengthen the recovery and open the path toward the May 10 high at $0.00000459.

PEPE/USD 4H Chart

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence line has crossed above its signal line and moved further into positive territory.

A bullish histogram has also emerged above the zero line, indicating that buying momentum is strengthening.

If PEPE fails to overcome the 200-day EMA, traders may begin taking profits following the sharp weekly advance.

The 100-day EMA at $0.00000300 and the 50-day EMA at $0.00000283 could provide initial support during a pullback. A decisive decline beneath both indicators would weaken the bullish outlook and expose the July 8 low at $0.00000255.

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Bitcoin eyes $80k after weekly rally pushes BTC above key moving averages

Key takeaways

  • Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP have gained nearly 20%, over 25%, and almost 30%, respectively, this week.
  • Expanded U.S. Treasury debt buybacks have improved liquidity expectations and boosted demand for risk assets.
  • Bitcoin trades around $76,800 after breaking above its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day exponential moving averages.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP extended their rallies Friday as improving liquidity expectations continued to lift the broader cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin has gained nearly 20% this week, while Ethereum has risen more than 25% and XRP has advanced almost 30%.

The rally gained momentum after the U.S. Treasury announced plans to double the size of certain debt buyback operations. 

The decision eased liquidity concerns and strengthened demand for risk-sensitive assets.

With the three cryptocurrencies trading firmly higher, investors are now watching whether Bitcoin can reach $80,000, Ethereum can reclaim $2,500, and XRP can advance toward $1.50.

Treasury buyback expansion strengthens crypto rally

The U.S. Treasury’s decision to expand its debt buyback program has helped improve sentiment across financial markets.

Larger buybacks can support liquidity in the market for longer-dated Treasury securities, easing financial pressures and encouraging investors to increase their exposure to riskier assets.

Cryptocurrencies responded strongly to the announcement, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP recording double-digit weekly gains.

Short liquidations also accelerated the rally as bearish traders were forced to close their positions, adding further buying pressure.

Bitcoin was trading around $76,800 on Friday after decisively breaking above its major exponential moving averages.

The 200-day EMA stands at $71,545, while the 100-day and 50-day EMAs are located at $66,727 and $65,286, respectively.

BTC’s position above all three indicators supports a bullish near-term outlook and suggests the market’s broader technical structure has improved considerably.

The breakout was accompanied by strong trading volume, adding credibility to the latest upward move.

Sustained trading above the 200-day EMA would reinforce the case for further gains and could establish the level as new support.

BTC bulls target the $80,000 resistance

Bitcoin’s next major resistance lies near the psychological and horizontal barrier at $80,000.

A move from $74,700 to $80,000 would represent an additional gain of approximately 7.1%.

However, the $80,000 level could attract profit-taking and fresh selling pressure following Bitcoin’s rapid weekly advance.

A decisive break and daily close above the barrier would strengthen the bullish outlook and potentially open the way to higher levels.

Failure to clear $80,000 could lead to a period of consolidation as traders digest the recent gains.

Bitcoin’s momentum indicators remain bullish but increasingly stretched. The relative strength index is hovering near 83, placing BTC firmly in overbought territory. Such an elevated reading does not guarantee an immediate reversal, but it indicates that the rally may be vulnerable to a corrective pause.

The moving average convergence divergence remains strongly positive, showing that upward momentum is still intact.

Together, the indicators suggest bulls remain in control, although the risk of short-term profit-taking has increased.

If Bitcoin retreats, initial support sits at the 200-day EMA near $71,545. Holding above this indicator would preserve the immediate bullish structure and could provide a foundation for another attempt at $80,000.

BTC/USD 4H Chart

A deeper correction could bring the 100-day EMA at $66,727 and the nearby horizontal level at $66,500 into focus.

Below that region, the 50-day EMA at $65,286 offers another layer of support, followed by the structural floor at $62,300.

A sustained decline below $62,300 would weaken the broader bullish outlook, while continued trading above the 200-day EMA would keep the $80,000 target within reach.

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KuCoin lands ISO 42001 certification as crypto’s AI race raises trust concerns

  • KuCoin earns ISO 42001 certification for its AI management system globally.
  • ISO 42001 focuses on AI accountability, transparency and human oversight.
  • New certification strengthens KuCoin’s wider security and trust framework.

KuCoin has secured ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for its Artificial Intelligence Management System, adding a dedicated AI-governance standard as crypto exchanges increasingly use artificial intelligence across risk, compliance and customer operations.

The certification applies to the management framework supporting KuCoin’s global digital-asset exchange.

The company said AI is used across areas including anti-money laundering, fraud detection, market surveillance, customer service, product intelligence and operational automation.

ISO/IEC 42001 was published in December 2023 and is the world’s first international management-system standard for artificial intelligence.

It sets requirements for establishing, maintaining and continually improving an AI management system, with a focus on accountability, transparency, risk management and oversight.

AI governance becomes a bigger financial-sector issue

The certification comes as financial companies expand AI use beyond simple automation into functions that can influence compliance, risk management and customer outcomes.

S&P Global analysts Miriam Fernández and Nicolas Charnay have warned that more complex AI systems could amplify risks including privacy concerns, operational failures and financial instability.

In a report on AI adoption in banking, they said: “Without careful governance, banks could be exposed to material operational risks with financial, regulatory, reputational, and systemic implications.”

Those concerns also apply to digital-asset platforms, where automated systems can operate continuously across transaction monitoring and fraud prevention.

KuCoin chief executive BC Wong said governance is becoming inseparable from AI adoption.

“AI is becoming a foundational capability of digital financial infrastructure, but greater capability must be matched by greater responsibility,” said BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin.

We believe the future of the industry will not be defined simply by more advanced AI, but by more trusted AI. Achieving ISO/IEC 42001 demonstrates our commitment to embedding responsible AI governance into the way we build, deploy and operate AI across our platform. As we continue to innovate, we remain equally committed to ensuring that every AI capability is transparent, accountable and designed to strengthen user trust.

Certification adds to KuCoin’s trust framework

ISO/IEC 42001 adds an AI-governance layer to KuCoin’s existing security and operational framework.

The exchange already holds ISO/IEC 27001 certification for information security, SOC 2 Type II attestation and ISO 22301 certification for business continuity and operational resilience, according to the company.

Unlike a cybersecurity standard, ISO/IEC 42001 focuses on how organisations manage AI throughout its lifecycle.

ISO says the framework covers policies, risk assessment, monitoring and continual improvement rather than certifying individual AI applications.

The distinction matters as financial platforms deploy AI into sensitive operations. It can improve fraud detection, compliance monitoring and efficiency, but also raises the need for clear human accountability.

For KuCoin, the certification is less about a single AI tool than formalising how the technology is governed across the platform.

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Pi Network tops $0.09 as the broader crypto market rally

Key takeaways

  • Pi Network trades at $0.09 after recording three consecutive bullish daily closes earlier this week.
  • Expanded US Treasury bond buybacks have improved risk appetite and pushed Bitcoin toward $70,000, but PI continues to underperform.
  • The token must break above the psychological $0.1000 level and the 50% Fibonacci retracement at $0.1022 to extend its recovery.

Pi Network (PI) trades around $0.090 on Thursday, preserving its three-day recovery from earlier in the week but continuing to lag behind the broader cryptocurrency market.

Renewed risk appetite has pushed Bitcoin above $71,000 after the US Treasury expanded its longer-term securities buyback operations. 

However, PI has failed to attract enough buying pressure to produce a comparable rally.

The token must overcome the psychological $0.1000 threshold to strengthen its recovery and support a more sustained bullish move.

Treasury buybacks lift crypto sentiment

The US Treasury announced that it would at least double the maximum size of certain liquidity-support buyback operations from $2 billion to $4 billion per transaction.

The initiative is intended to support liquidity in the longer-dated Treasury market and address concerns surrounding rising borrowing costs.

Improving bond-market liquidity and easing long-term yields have strengthened investor confidence in higher-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin has benefited substantially from the shift in sentiment, advancing toward $70,000 alongside sharp gains across several major altcoins.

Pi Network, however, remains among the market’s notable underperformers. Derivatives data indicates a modest improvement in speculative interest around PI, but retail demand remains relatively weak.

CoinAnk data shows that PI futures Open Interest increased to $9.30 million from $8.82 million the previous day. Open Interest measures the total value of outstanding derivatives contracts and typically rises when traders establish new positions.

Despite the daily increase, the figure remains considerably below the July 15 peak of $12.14 million.

The subdued level suggests that traders remain hesitant to commit substantial capital to PI, even as improving market conditions encourage risk-taking elsewhere in the cryptocurrency sector.

Without a more substantial increase in participation, Pi Network may struggle to keep pace with the broader market recovery.

Technical outlook: Can PI rebound toward $0.10?

Pi Network trades near $0.090 on Thursday, maintaining a neutral short-term outlook.

The token recorded three consecutive bullish daily closes earlier this week, producing a cumulative gain of approximately 4%.

PI has also moved above the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.0839, measured from the downswing between $0.1341 and $0.0703.

Holding above this level preserves the possibility of an extended recovery. However, PI still faces significant resistance around the psychological $0.1000 mark.

The token’s immediate technical resistance sits at the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of $0.1022.

A decisive daily close above the $0.1000-to-$0.1022 zone could strengthen bullish momentum and attract additional retail participation.

Such a move would also suggest that PI is beginning to capitalize on the improving sentiment across the broader cryptocurrency market.

Failure to overcome this resistance zone could keep the token confined to its current range and increase the likelihood of renewed selling pressure.

PI’s daily momentum indicators reflect a cautious recovery rather than a decisive bullish reversal.

The Relative Strength Index is hovering near the neutral level of 50, indicating that neither buyers nor sellers have established clear control.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator remains slightly above its signal line, while its bullish histogram gradually expands. This configuration points to mild upside momentum, but the signal remains too weak to confirm a sustained rally.

A stronger RSI move above 50, accompanied by further MACD expansion and rising Open Interest, would improve PI’s near-term outlook.

PI/USD 4H Chart

The 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.0839 remains PI’s primary support level.

Buyers must defend this area to preserve the current recovery structure. A decisive break below $0.0839 could invalidate the latest rebound and expose the swing low at $0.0703.

Conversely, holding above $0.0839 while building momentum toward $0.1000 would keep the bullish recovery scenario intact.

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