Pi consolidates below $0.10 as Protocol 27 mainnet upgrade approaches

Key takeaways

  • The Pi Core Team introduced Protocol 27 on the Pi Testnet, enabling preparations for advanced smart contract authentication.
  • A mainnet upgrade to Protocol 27 is scheduled for September 15.
  • PI faces resistance at $0.1022, with a breakout potentially opening a move toward $0.1204.

Pi Network is trading lower on Monday following a gain of more than 6% last week, with its price hovering around $0.0880.

The cryptocurrency remains above the $0.0800 level but continues to face resistance below $0.1000.

Despite the recent advance, momentum indicators suggest that PI has not yet developed sufficient buying pressure to sustain a breakout.

The mixed technical outlook comes as developers prepare a network upgrade that could introduce additional authentication capabilities for applications and transactions.

Pi Core team introduces protocol 27 on testnet

The Pi Core Team announced Saturday that it had released Protocol 27 on the Pi Testnet. Pi Network is built on the Stellar Consensus Protocol, and the update incorporates the latest Stellar network protocol into its testing environment.

According to the Pi Core Team’s announcement, Protocol 27 will support new smart contract authentication capabilities.

The upgrade is intended to provide more advanced methods for applications and users to authenticate transactions.

Introducing the protocol on the testnet allows developers to evaluate its functionality before deployment on Pi Network’s mainnet.

The Pi Core Team is targeting September 15 for the mainnet rollout of Protocol 27. Once activated, the upgrade could expand the authentication options available to applications operating on the network.

The update represents a potential technical catalyst for PI, although its immediate effect on the token’s price remains uncertain.

Market participants are likely to monitor progress toward the September deadline alongside broader cryptocurrency market conditions.

PI remains trapped below the $0.1022 resistance

Pi Network is consolidating between technical levels associated with its previous decline from $0.1341 to $0.0703.

Immediate support sits near $0.0853, while the main upside barrier is located at $0.1022.

The $0.1000 psychological level also remains an important threshold for buyers. A confirmed breakout above $0.1022 would signal improving momentum and could open the path toward the next major resistance level at $0.1204.

However, PI remains below these levels, suggesting that buyers have yet to establish control.

The daily Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator remains slightly positive and above its signal line.

This suggests that some underlying buying demand is still present, although the signal is not strong enough to confirm a sustained rally.

Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index stands near 48, indicating broadly neutral market conditions.

An RSI reading near 50 typically suggests that neither buyers nor sellers have a clear advantage.

Together, these indicators support the possibility that PI will continue consolidating until a stronger catalyst pushes the price beyond its current range.

PI/USD 4H Chart

The first significant support level for PI is $0.0853. A break below this area could expose the rising trendline near $0.0785.

If selling pressure intensifies, the token could revisit its previous swing low at $0.0703.

For now, PI’s near-term direction depends on whether buyers can defend the $0.0853 support area and build sufficient momentum to challenge resistance near $0.1000 and $0.1022.

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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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