Ethereum (ETH) sees major uptick as Pectra upgrade goes live

  • The Ethereum stake limit has been raised to 2,048 ETH per validator as the Pectra upgrade goes live.
  • ETH price has jumped 7.3% to $1,966.
  • Historical May strength and undervaluation signal potential rebound.

Ethereum (ETH) has rallied sharply in the hours following the launch of its Pectra upgrade, marking the cryptocurrency’s strongest single-day gain in months.

Ethereum validator transformation with Pectra upgrade

The Pectra upgrade, activated on May 7, introduces a maximum stake limit increase to 2,048 ETH per validator, streamlining operations by reducing the need for multiple node setups.

By allowing validators to stake larger sums in a single account, Ethereum hopes to attract institutional participants and simplify the reward compounding process for networks of all sizes.

This major staking enhancement comes alongside eleven targeted Ethereum Improvement Proposals designed to reinforce network stability, scalability, and developer flexibility within decentralized applications.

Tim Beiko, overseeing core protocol meetings, described Pectra as the second-largest upgrade after the Merge, highlighting its potential to redefine staking economics and validator efficiency across the ecosystem.

Account abstraction, a standout feature of Pectra, enables users to pay transaction fees with tokens beyond ETH, promising greater user convenience but also introducing new security considerations.

Threat researcher Vladimir S. has cautioned users to verify message sources diligently and utilise wallets with advanced protections when interacting with account abstraction to prevent malicious contract exploits.

Ethereum’s development team emphasised a 24-hour monitoring period post-activation to identify and address any issues swiftly, reflecting a proactive stance on network safety and reliability.

Following the Dencun upgrade, which reduced Layer-2 costs, Pectra further cements Ethereum’s commitment to continuous improvement by tackling both infrastructural and user-facing challenges.

As validators begin to configure automatic reward compounding under the new limit, smaller stakeholders may benefit from seamless yield optimisation previously available only to larger operations.

The refined staking architecture under Pectra could lead to a more decentralised distribution of validating power, potentially mitigating concentration risks that have concerned community members.

Ethereum (ETH) price outlook

Data from Coinglass indicates that Ethereum has delivered an average return of nearly 28% in May since 2016, bolstering optimism that this month could reverse a five-month underperformance streak.

CryptoQuant’s valuation metrics highlight that ETH currently appears extremely undervalued compared to BTC, suggesting that market forces could soon realign the pair if demand picks up.

In the hours following the Pectra rollout, Ethereum has surged by 7.3%, reaching $1,966.11 and pushing its market cap above $237 billion amid elevated trading volumes exceeding $58 billion.

With Bitcoin dominance hovering near 63.9%, altcoin investors view the upgrade as a rare catalyst that could shift momentum back toward Ethereum and other Layer-1 networks.

Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC, has described Pectra as an opportunity to “flip the script in favour of altcoins,” underlining the market’s appetite for substantial protocol improvements.

Despite near-term upside, some analysts warn that supply pressure and flat on-chain activity could temper any rally if sustained demand fails to materialise over the coming weeks.

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DeFi Development Corp shares have surged 1,700% in just a few weeks: here’s why

  • Share count will increase from 2 million to 14 million.
  • Firm rebranded from Janover Inc., now trades as DFDV.
  • Acquired validator business with 500,000 SOL stake.

DeFi Development Corp., formerly known as Janover Inc., is executing a 7-for-1 stock split on May 20, expanding its outstanding shares from 2 million to over 14 million.

The move follows a dramatic pivot into the Solana blockchain, which has triggered a staggering 1,700% rally in its share price over just one month.

The company, now trading under the ticker DFDV on Nasdaq, has rebranded and restructured its business model around crypto infrastructure.

It says the split will improve liquidity and make its shares more accessible to investors as it scales its decentralised operations across the blockchain sector and validator economy.

Solana pivot drives market surge

The Florida-based real estate software firm entered the digital asset space in April with a treasury strategy focused on long-term Solana accumulation.

Shortly after, it rebranded to DeFi Development Corp. to signal a permanent shift toward blockchain assets and operations.

The firm’s Nasdaq-listed shares, which had traded modestly under Janover, exploded in value following this announcement.

Although DFDV fell 3% on Wednesday to close at $79.31, the pullback came after a surge that saw its share price soar more than 1,700% in a matter of weeks.

The company stated on X that the split is designed to enhance liquidity and broaden accessibility for investors interested in decentralised infrastructure projects.

Its recent performance has drawn considerable attention from both institutional and retail market participants.

Validator buyout and SOL reserves

DeFi Dev Corp. has strengthened its Solana focus through two major steps: acquiring a validator business with 500,000 SOL in delegated stake, and purchasing over 400,000 SOL tokens, valued at around $58 million.

The $3.5 million validator deal, paid largely in restricted stock, was announced one day before the company disclosed the additional SOL purchase.

The validator acquisition gives DeFi Dev Corp. access to native cash flow within the Solana protocol, while the token accumulation solidifies its balance sheet as heavily weighted toward crypto assets.

Combined, the company now holds more than 900,000 SOL, worth close to $130 million at current market rates.

Executives noted that the validator infrastructure deepens the company’s alignment with decentralised protocols and adds recurring revenue through staking rewards. It also serves as a strategic hedge against future volatility in traditional capital markets.

Stock split to boost accessibility

Shareholders of record as of May 19 will receive six additional shares for each one they hold.

While the split increases the number of shares in circulation to over 14 million, the company confirmed its authorised share capital remains unchanged.

Although the stock split does not affect the company’s market cap, it is often used to increase trading volume and attract retail interest.

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Pudgy Penguins NFT boom sends PENGU token price through the roof

  • Pudgy Penguins NFT floor price is up 32.9% in one month to 12.10 ETH.
  • PENGU token price has surged 282% from the April low to $0.014.
  • Daily PENGU trading volume is currently above $317M, as the market cap exceeds $883M.

The Pudgy Penguins NFT phenomenon has ignited a spectacular ascent in the PENGU token, capturing the attention of meme coin enthusiasts and NFT collectors alike.

Pudgy Penguins NFT floor price surge fuels investor confidence

Over the past month, the floor price for Pudgy Penguins NFTs has soared by nearly one-third, reflecting a renewed fervour among buyers seeking to participate in this digital art collection.

Data from CoinGecko shows that each Pudgy Penguins NFT hit a median value of 12.10 ETH, marking a 3.5% uptick in just 24 hours as Ethereum (ETH) holders flock to this iconic series.

The momentum builds upon a 20.4% increase in floor valuations over the last two weeks, underscoring the rapid pace at which demand has outstripped supply in a market driven by nostalgia and community culture.

CryptoSlam’s activity dashboard corroborates this trend by reporting nine sales totalling over $180,000 in the last day, signalling that transactional volume is not only active but climbing steadily in line with rising valuations.

With 5,004 unique owners holding their avatars for an average duration exceeding one hundred days, the diversity and resilience of the Pudgy Penguins community provide a sturdy foundation for continued market expansion.

A series of social media campaigns and community-driven initiatives by the Pudgy Penguins team appears to have catalysed renewed interest, weaving a narrative that blends collectibility with a lighthearted aesthetic.

Strategic collaborations with popular influencers and NFT marketplaces have amplified visibility, driving new entrants to the ecosystem and creating a virtuous cycle of demand that feeds further appreciation in floor prices.

PENGU token skyrockets on renewed market optimism

Parallel to the Pengu Penguins NFT renaissance, the PENGU token has shattered previous resistance levels, rallying by more than twenty-five percent in the span of a single trading session.

After languishing at an all-time low of $0.0037 in early April, PENGU has rebounded with breathtaking speed, climbing to $0.01441, according to CoinMarketCap data, and reclaiming price territory not seen since February of this year.

This represents a staggering 282% recovery from its nadir, a testament to the token’s deep liquidity and the fervent speculative interest of traders seeking outsized returns in the altcoin arena.

In just seven days, PENGU has outperformed its Solana-based meme coin peers with gains approaching 29%, illustrating its elevated status within the broader meme token hierarchy.

The token’s daily trading volume has likewise surged by 70% to exceed $317 million, highlighting the relentless appetite among investors to buy into the narrative of the Pudgy Penguins’ resurgence.

With a market capitalization now surpassing $883 million, PENGU secures its place among the top ten meme tokens, a milestone that underscores the potency of aligning token economics with vibrant NFT ecosystems.

Analysts point to the coinciding announcement of upcoming NFT drops and token utility enhancements as a key driver behind the PENGU token’s explosive surge, hinting at a broader roadmap that may sustain long-term growth.

Investor sentiment surveys reveal that a growing segment of market participants now view PENGU not merely as a speculative asset but as a vehicle for engaging with the creative and social dimensions of the Pudgy Penguins universe.

As the meme coin landscape continuously evolves, PENGU’s integration with NFT royalties and staking mechanisms distinguishes it from peers, offering tangible incentives for holders beyond mere price appreciation.

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Pepe, dogwifhat see price gains amid altcoin spike

  • PEPE jumped to above $0.0000092, up nearly 13% as volume spiked 46%.
  • Meanwhile, dogwifhat hit highs of $0.64, also up 13% as altcoins mirrored Bitcoin gains.
  • Analysts say President Donald Trump’s announcement of a trade deal with the UK could spark further gains.

Pepe (PEPE) and dogwifhat (WIF) are among the top gainers in the crypto market today as Bitcoin rides bullish sentiment to near $100k.

The meme coins, ranked 28th and 98th by market cap on CoinMarketCap, posted double-digit gains as Bitcoin rose 3%, hitting a two-month high alongside a broader rally in risk assets.

PEPE traded at around $0.000009217, up by 12.59% at the time of writing. Whale activity suggests investor confidence.

Meanwhile, dogwifhat hovered near $0.64, up 13% in the past 24 hours.

The gains happened alongside a spike in trading volume, Pepe recording a 46% surge in daily volume to $766 million, while dogwifhat saw an increase of 44% to about $242 million.

dogwifhat, Pepe surge as crypto reacts to trade deal news

Bitcoin surged as investors reacted to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a massive trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom.

As risk-on sentiment kicked in, equities signaled a rally with futures up. Cryptocurrencies, including the memecoins PEPE and WIF, rose alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

EOS and Pudgy Penguins led the top performers.

With the trade deal likely to be among many others lined up, analysts say an easing of tariff tensions could spark fresh market optimism.

“President Trump teased a major trade deal this morning, with speculation pointing to the UK. Despite a few details, the headline alone sparked a sharp risk-on reaction across global markets,” QCP Capital analysts noted.

“Crypto jumped on the news. $BTC rose 2.74% to reclaim $99K, while $ETH surged 6.89%, breaking out of a three-week range. Options flow showed strong demand for May and June calls, signalling renewed bullish sentiment,” they added.

PEPE and WIF price outlook

While analysts urge a cautious approach as the US markets open, they see a BTC close above $100k as potentially adding to the upside.

This scenario could see meme coins soar amid capital rotation into anticipated gainers.

The surge in volume and open interest (+13% to $454 million for PEPE, and +16% to $244 million for dogwifhat) suggests strong interest in the tokens.

If this sentiment holds as BTC rallies, buying pressure could see PEPE and WIF rise to key levels.

WIF price could return to above $1 if bulls edge higher.

Meanwhile, Pepe may see a zero taken off the price range, with recent hurdles at $0.000015 and $0.000020 key.

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Altcoins signal bullish breakout as Bitcoin nears $100K milestone

  • ETH targets $3,200 after breaking trendlines.
  • SOL eyes $230 range with bullish setup.
  • DOGE rises past $0.18 as retail interest grows.

A major shift is unfolding in the cryptocurrency market as Bitcoin edges closer to the $100,000 psychological mark, prompting renewed attention towards altcoins.

With Bitcoin dominance starting to decline, market participants are observing a wave of bullish technical signals across major altcoins.

Coins like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and NEAR Protocol (NEAR) are leading what analysts believe may be the early stages of an extended altcoin breakout cycle.

The shift comes after months of sideways movement in both Bitcoin and alternative digital assets.

Traders are interpreting recent consolidations in key altcoins as signs of accumulation.

With bullish chart patterns now forming across higher timeframes, the setup for a widespread breakout appears to be strengthening.

Bitcoin rally triggers altcoin interest

Bitcoin’s steady climb has captured global headlines, but under the surface, a quieter transition is taking place.

Market watchers are noting a drop in Bitcoin dominance — the measure of Bitcoin’s share in the total crypto market capitalisation — indicating that capital is rotating into the altcoin sector.

This development aligns with patterns seen in previous cycles, where Bitcoin rallies first and is followed by outsized gains in smaller-cap cryptocurrencies.

As a result, several major tokens are now attempting to break above long-term resistance levels that have been intact since the last bull run.

ETH, SOL, DOGE show price strength

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, has broken above key trendlines and is now targeting the $3,200 zone.

The move is supported by technical indicators pointing to increasing momentum and volume accumulation.

Solana (SOL), which has recovered strongly since the end of 2024, is now targeting the $220–$230 range.

After bouncing from major support zones, SOL has formed an inverse head and shoulders pattern on the daily chart, suggesting a sustained upward push.

Meanwhile, Dogecoin (DOGE), one of the most-watched memecoins, has climbed above $0.18, a key resistance level from its early 2024 highs.

DOGE’s rise is backed by rising social media interest and increased retail trading volume, both considered indicators of speculative momentum.

NEAR, KAS, ADA in breakout zones

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) and Kaspa (KAS) are also flashing bullish setups.

NEAR has broken out of a months-long consolidation and is showing signs of institutional interest.

Technical analysis reveals a breakout from a symmetrical triangle, which often precedes a strong continuation move.

Kaspa (KAS), known for its blockDAG technology and high transaction throughput, is forming a classic bull flag.

If confirmed, the pattern could point to a rapid price acceleration from current levels.

Cardano (ADA) and Sonic (S) are similarly exhibiting accumulation patterns.

ADA is currently testing upper trendlines, while Sonic recently completed a successful retest and breakout.

These moves suggest that altcoins are now attempting to recover a significant portion of their bear market losses, with analysts pointing to the potential for 100–250% rallies, should sentiment hold and Bitcoin remain above critical levels.

Technicals support a bullish cycle

The latest altcoin rally is not merely speculative. It is backed by technical confirmation on higher timeframes, including weekly charts.

Patterns such as the cup and handle and inverse head and shoulders have formed across several major tokens, a common feature during the early stages of bullish cycles.

The broader implication is that altcoins could retrace around 60% of their previous losses if market momentum continues to improve.

With Bitcoin approaching the $100K mark, this shift in liquidity towards altcoins could mark the beginning of a fresh wave of capital inflows into the broader crypto market.

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