Bitcoin tests $116K resistance ahead of Fed decision; new token launches stir market

  • Bitcoin stalls near $116K as Fed’s policy decision draws focus.
  • Major altcoins trade sideways amid low volumes and uncertainty.
  • Velora (VLR) and Project Merlin (MRLN) set to redefine DeFi ecosystems.

Bitcoin is once again testing the nerves of crypto market participants as its price hovers near $1,16,000, battling a stubborn resistance just as the global spotlight turns to the US Federal Reserve’s mid-September policy meeting.

In the early hours of September 16, Bitcoin traded at $1,15,200, trimming modest overnight gains amid lower trading volumes and a cautious risk mood.

The benchmark cryptocurrency’s market cap stands at a robust $2.29 trillion, with 24-hour volumes just over $52 billion, evidence that, while enthusiasm has tempered, the appetite for digital gold remains very much alive.

The shadow of the Fed’s upcoming decision has left broader markets listless, and crypto is no exception. Investors remain on high alert for clues around possible rate adjustments after a string of resilient US inflation data.

Any shift in policy or surprise rhetoric could produce short, sharp moves across all risk assets, with Bitcoin particularly sensitive given its recent struggle to clear the $1,16,000 threshold.

Bullish momentum still elusive

Ethereum, the second-largest digital asset by market cap, followed suit, changing hands at $4,522.

Ether has struggled to regain bullish momentum since its recent spike to $4,609 and is now trading in a narrow band with tepid demand from larger holders.

Despite a record high in stablecoin activity on its chain last week, ETH appears tethered to macro narratives, quietly mirroring Bitcoin’s cautious trajectory.

XRP, meanwhile, steadied at $2.99 after pulling back from recent local highs.

Recent treasury movements from notable digital asset management firms have steadied sentiment but haven’t sparked breakout momentum, as regulatory debates around the token continue to play out in key jurisdictions.

Solana is also in the spotlight, with its price down slightly to $233.67 following last week’s rally.

The token, known for its fast and low-cost transaction capabilities, has seen volatility creep back in, as short-term traders wade in to capture swings on the back of the broader market’s uncertainty.

Technical analysts note the next major support levels sit close to $220, underscoring the need for positive catalysts to maintain current valuations.

Dogecoin, always the wildcard, is trading at $0.2677 after a 24-hour spell that saw the meme coin flirt with both $0.26 support and $0.28 resistance.

While DOGE’s narrative is often ruled by social media and celebrity hype, the current environment has left even seasoned “shibes” trading cautiously, awaiting clearer signals from both the Fed and broader risk markets.

With key resistance levels drawing closer across major coins, market eyes will remain glued to the outcome of the Fed meeting.

Until then, expect crypto prices to oscillate around their current bands, with Bitcoin eyeing that crucial $1,16,000 break as the catalyst for renewed bullish conviction or yet another test of market resolve.

New launches fuel crypto buzz

Several major crypto launches and ecosystem upgrades are about to shake up the market, promising to unleash a new spark of trading action.

On Tuesday, all eyes are on Velora (VLR) and Project Merlin (MRLN) as they make their much-anticipated debuts.

Velora’s launch signals a push into the next generation of DeFi, with its $VLR token powering intent-based cross-chain trading and unlocking gasless staking and community rewards.

Meanwhile, Project Merlin steps onto the scene offering an all-in-one Web3 ecosystem that connects blockchain entrepreneurs, communities, and investors, complete with a robust launchpad, crowdfunding, and freelance ecosystem, all tied together by the $MRLN token and launching with airdrops across major exchanges.

These releases are more than just hype; they reflect how the industry is charging ahead with technical innovation and shifting toward tailored, ecosystem-first infrastructure.

But it’s not just token launches grabbing investor attention. On the regulatory front, Hong Kong just locked in fresh banking capital guidelines for digital assets, set to take effect in January 2026.

The big shift? Banks are facing a 1:1 capital provision for any exposure to “permissionless” blockchains.

The move is expected to bolster confidence for institutional players looking for a safer entry into crypto markets.

Added to that, Ripple is making headlines via a new partnership in Japan that brings its RLUSD stablecoin further into the nation’s payments rails, underscoring digital assets’ climb toward mainstream financial integration.

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LINEA price analysis as muddled airdrop causes plunge despite high-profile listings

  • Linea price has plunged over 90% after a chaotic airdrop rollout.
  • Community backlash grew after Binance users claimed tokens first.
  • Ecosystem shows Linea has hit a $2.5B TVL despite tokenomics and governance concerns.

Linea’s much-hyped token launch has turned chaotic, with the LINEA price collapsing more than 90% within hours of its debut despite high-profile listings on Binance, Bybit, and OKX.

The token, part of ConsenSys’ zkEVM Layer 2 network, surged briefly on September 9 from $0.030 to as high as $0.046 after its exchange listings.

However, heavy profit-taking and a chaotic token airdrop process triggered a wave of selling that erased most of the early gains.

Linea’s token airdrop

Linea’s token went live on September 9 through what the project described as one of Ethereum’s largest community airdrops in years.

Roughly 9.36 billion tokens were distributed across about 749,000 eligible wallets, part of a wider allocation that placed 22% of the total supply in circulation at launch.

In an unusual approach, the distribution excluded venture capital firms, team members, and advisors, positioning itself as a community-first experiment.

The launch, however, did not unfold smoothly. Network congestion created long waits and higher fees for users claiming tokens.

To complicate matters further, Linea’s mainnet sequencer briefly halted block production just before the token generation event, stoking frustration.

Although the issue was resolved within an hour, the delay has already fueled perceptions of a bungled rollout at a critical moment.

Binance listing-driven spike faded fast

The project enjoyed immediate exposure on Binance, Bybit, OKX, Bitget, and other top platforms, helping the LINEA token price rally from its launch price of $0.030 to an all-time high of $0.046.

However, the gains evaporated within hours, and by the evening of September 10, LINEA had collapsed to $0.023, wiping out nearly half its value.

Some data points show the drop was even more severe on certain exchanges.

On OKX, for example, the auction-based launch initially steadied price discovery around $0.03, only for a flood of sell orders to overwhelm liquidity and drive the token as low as $0.024, a massive fall from a reported peak near $0.32.

The controversy surrounding the Linea airdrop

Beyond profit-taking, the airdrop process itself drew sharp criticism.

Community members reported delays in claiming their allocations, while Binance users appeared to receive tokens instantly.

Blockchain analysts later confirmed that the contract funding the community airdrop was deployed roughly 50 minutes late, giving exchange-linked recipients an advantage.

In addition, critics labelled the event as favouring centralised players in what was meant to be a decentralised distribution.

The perception of unfairness coincided with immediate selling pressure from those who secured allocations early.

With more than 15 billion tokens unlocked on day one, Linea’s circulating supply represented over 21% of its total issuance, a ratio considered unusually high for a new token.

This only intensified fears of inflation and short-term dumping.

Linea’s tokenomics fuel debate

Linea has attempted to distinguish itself through what it calls deflationary tokenomics.

A dual-burn model sends 20% of net Layer 2 fees to be destroyed as ETH, while the remaining 80% is used to buy LINEA from the open market and burn it.

The system is designed to create consistent buy pressure, setting it apart from rivals such as Arbitrum and Optimism.

However, Linea lacks a decentralised governance structure.

While 85% of the total supply has been earmarked for ecosystem growth, decision-making remains concentrated, leaving unanswered questions about transparency and long-term control.

LINEA price outlook

Despite the price collapse, Linea’s ecosystem metrics remain robust.

Its total value locked has surged to $2.984 billion according to data from DeFiLlama, with Aave alone holding more than $776 million on the network.

Daily active addresses average nearly 50,000, while decentralised exchange volumes recently surpassed $215 million in a single day.

But whether those fundamentals can support a price rebound remains unclear.

Eyes are on the $0.024 support level, with speculations that the selloff may have flushed out short-term holders, paving the way for a more stable market, although the scheduled token distributions, including the upcoming Linea Ignition program, could trigger another wave of declines.

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Ether ETF mania implodes: $505M lost in just 4 days

  • Ethereum ETFs lost $505M in just four days amid profit-taking and economic uncertainty.
  • Bitcoin ETFs gained $284M, signaling a shift toward perceived safer crypto assets.
  • Analysts warn volatility may continue, but long-term fundamentals for Ethereum remain strong.

Ethereum ETFs took a sharp hit, losing $505 million in just four days. The pullback follows a strong Q3 rally, where inflows and prices were hitting new highs, but investors suddenly hit the brakes.

Rising economic uncertainty and profit-taking appear to be behind the sudden flight.

Bitcoin ETFs, by contrast, drew in $284 million over the same stretch, showing investors are still hungry for crypto exposure—but not all crypto is treated equally.

For Ethereum, it’s a mix of strong demand and high volatility that’s keeping traders on edge.

Rise and fall of Ethereum ETF inflows

Ethereum ETFs rode a blistering wave in Q3 2025, pulling in over $33 billion in net inflows.

The surge was fueled by a mix of factors: the deflationary supply model after the Merge, attractive staking yields averaging 4.5% a year, and growing adoption of Layer 2 solutions, including the Dencun upgrades.

Institutional demand helped push Ethereum’s price from roughly $2,500 in mid-July to a peak of $4,744 by late August—a near doubling in just six weeks.

ETF inflows were closely tied to the rally, showing a 62% correlation with price movements.

Ethereum’s rally ran into trouble in early September. On Tuesday, investors pulled $135.3 million out of Ethereum ETFs, moving into Bitcoin ETFs, which are seen as a safer bet amid rising economic uncertainty.

The shift dragged Ethereum’s price down more than 10% from mid-August, to $4,209, the lowest since the middle of the month.

The drop highlights short-term caution, even as Ethereum’s ecosystem keeps evolving and the long-term growth story remains on track.

What analysts say: Caution amid volatility

Market watchers see the recent ETF outflows as a typical cooldown after an exuberant rally, though they warn that volatility could linger.

Analysts stress that the outflows are driven more by profit-taking and risk management than a loss of confidence in Ethereum’s fundamentals.

Institutional interest remains solid, supported by staking rewards, Layer 2 adoption, and growing custody demand as Ethereum ETFs still hold roughly 5% of the total supply.

The back-and-forth between Ethereum and Bitcoin ETFs is showing just how jittery investors are.

Bitcoin raked in $283.7 million while Ethereum saw money leaving, a clear sign traders are leaning toward what they consider safer bets as inflation and policy worries mount.

Charts show short-term hesitation, but the real test will be whether Ethereum can break past $4,550 and keep climbing.

Right now, everyone’s watching the headlines-economic data, regulations, and ETF flows for clues on the next move.

If Ethereum finds its footing, the outflows could flip fast, reinforcing its position as a top crypto, though caution is still the name of the game in this volatile stretch.

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Crypto update: Why Bitcoin is stalling while Ethereum eyes a breakout

  • A major split is emerging between Bitcoin and Ethereum in the market.
  • Bitcoin is acting as a macro hedge, holding steady around $112,000.
  • Traders are actively positioning for upside in Ethereum, eyeing $5,000.

A profound and telling split has fractured the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin, the long-reigning king, has settled into a stoic holding pattern, a defensive fortress against the gathering storms of macroeconomic uncertainty.

But the real action, the aggressive positioning for explosive growth, is happening in a different court.

A great rotation is underway, and traders are increasingly placing their bets on a new champion to lead the charge into September: Ethereum.

The fortress: Bitcoin as a macro hedge

Bitcoin is currently stuck in consolidation, trading near $112,000. But its lack of upward momentum is, paradoxically, part of its emerging narrative.

It is increasingly being treated not as a speculative growth asset, but as a steady macro hedge, a digital counterpart to gold.

This view is being driven by the deep uncertainty emanating from Washington.

In a recent note, QCP Capital wrote that persistent doubts about the Federal Reserve’s independence are keeping risk premiums elevated, a dynamic that weakens the dollar and directly supports hedges like Bitcoin and gold.

The options market tells a similar story of defense.

Flowdesk reported muted implied volatility in Bitcoin, suggesting traders are positioning for stability, not a breakout.

The skew remains negative, meaning puts are expensive—a clear sign that the market is paying a premium for downside protection.

The spearhead: Ethereum as the engine of ascent

While Bitcoin holds the defensive line, Ethereum is being positioned as the market’s spearhead. This is where traders see the real potential for a September breakout.

The data is clear: ETH risk reversals have recovered sharply from their recent selloff, indicating a renewed and aggressive demand for upside exposure.

Prediction markets are validating this theme with real-money bets. Polymarket sentiment shows traders expect Bitcoin to remain capped near $120,000, while giving Ethereum a strong chance of breaking the coveted $5,000 mark.

This view is consistent with its powerful 20 percent rally over the past month and the surging institutional interest being funneled through ETF inflows.

The widening rebellion

This rotation is not just a two-horse race. The renewed appetite for risk is broadening, with capital flowing into a wider array of altcoins. Solana (SOL) options have seen a surge in activity, with flows heavily skewed to the upside.

At the same time, spot activity has rotated into so-called “ETH beta” names like AAVE and AERO, as well as “SOL betas” like RAY and DRIFT.

This is a crucial sign that market breadth is improving, as conviction spreads beyond the majors.

The market is sending a clear, if complex, signal. The macro chaos is reinforcing Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against inflation and institutional decay.

But the momentum, the capital flows, and the speculative energy are all gathering in the court of its challenger.

The stage is set for a fascinating and potentially volatile September, where the fortress and the spearhead will finally have their mettle tested.

Market updates:

BTC: Bitcoin remains in a consolidation phase around the $110,000–$112,000 range, marked by waning short‑term volatility.

ETH: ETH is trading near $4,400. Its rally is being fuelled by surging institutional interest, especially via ETF inflows, and anticipation surrounding the upcoming Fusaka network upgrade.

Gold: Gold is trading around record highs, propelled by expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve rate cut (markets now price in about a 92% chance), weakening confidence in Fed independence, and increased demand from conviction buyers like ETFs and central banks.

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Bitcoin, Ethereum hold steady as crypto braces for a historically brutal September

  • The crypto market is bracing for “Red September,” its historically worst month.
  • The Crypto Fear and Greed Index has plummeted into the “fear” zone.
  • Bitcoin is holding critical support around the 108,000 dollar level for now.

A fragile and deceptive calm has settled over the cryptocurrency market as September begins, a quiet start to what history warns is the cruelest and most unforgiving month of the year.

While prices are holding steady for now, a powerful undercurrent of fear is gripping traders, as seasonal weakness collides with a high-stakes macroeconomic picture, setting the stage for a potentially volatile and brutal few weeks.

The shift in sentiment has been swift and severe.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index, a key barometer of market psychology, has plummeted from a confident 75 out of 100 in mid-August to just 46 today, plunging the market from “neutral” territory deep into the “fear” zone.

It is the worst reading since the dark days of mid-June.

This growing anxiety is rooted in the hard data of market history. Since 2013, Bitcoin has dropped an average of 3.77 percent every September, a grim and consistent pattern that has earned the month its ominous nickname: “Red September.”

The Battle for $108,000

For now, a tense battle is being waged on the charts. Bitcoin is showing a flicker of resilience, holding above the psychologically critical $108,000 support level.

But a deeper look at the technical indicators reveals a market on a knife’s edge, caught in a state of profound indecision.

The Average Directional Index (ADX) is hovering at 20, a reading that suggests a choppy, directionless market.

At the same time, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 40 is flashing a clear warning: the “Red September” effect is taking hold, with selling pressure beginning to dominate.

The Squeeze Momentum Indicator confirms this, showing that while a big move may not be imminent, the underlying trend remains distinctly bearish.

The most telling sign may be in the exponential moving averages (EMAs). While the broader configuration remains bullish, with the 50-day EMA above the 200-day EMA, the gap between the two is ominously starting to close.

This signals a dangerous deceleration of the bullish trend and raises the specter of a “death cross,” a technical pattern that would confirm a deep and protracted bear market.

The shadow of the Fed looms large

This internal market struggle is playing out under the long shadow of the Federal Reserve.

The central bank’s upcoming policy meeting on September 16-17 may well be one of the most contentious in years, a pivotal showdown that could determine the fate of all risk assets.

With markets currently implying an 87 percent chance of a quarter-point rate cut, the crypto market is trapped between the rock of seasonal weakness and the hard place of potential monetary relief.

Prediction markets are reflecting this bearish tilt.

On Myriad, traders now give Bitcoin a 75 percent chance of dropping to 105,000 dollars in the near future, a stunning reversal from just two weeks ago when the same market was pricing in a 90 percent chance of a surge to 125,000 dollars.

The storm clouds are gathering, and the calm of this early September morning may not last for long.

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