CROSS defies crypto slump with 58% surge

  • CROSS, a layer 1 blockchain designed for web3 game development, has seen its price surge more than 58% in 24 hours.
  • Gains for CROSS come as top coins retreat.
  • While price may dip amid profit taking, bulls may bneefit from overall crypto bounce.

Cross (CROSS) has surged over 58% in the past 24 hours, making it a standout performer among the top 500 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

This sharp increase comes at a time when major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are experiencing a pullback, with many paring recent gains.

The CROSS token, tied to an innovative layer blockchain project targeting web3 games, has gained amid a number of positive catalysts.

Why is CROSS price up today?

CROSS is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible Layer 1 blockchain tailored for web3 game development.

It offers developers plug-and-play software development kits (SDKs), a gaming token protocol, and seamless interoperability with other blockchains.

These features enable game developers to integrate blockchain technology effortlessly, supporting asset ownership and trading for players.

The CROSS token powers various functions on the L1 – gas, governance, and staking. It benefits from its fixed supply and increased onboarding of games, with its goal being to scale web3 gaming by bridging traditional web2 games with decentralized ownership.

CROSS token’s impressive gains of 58% in the past 24 hours bucks the pullback seen with BTC and ETH.

While the mega caps are seeing a retreat, CROSS has spiked more than 180% in the last week, with this uptick coming amid a wave of listings on major cryptocurrency exchanges.

This has happened since early July, when CROSS began trading on prominent platforms, including Binance Futures, Bitget, Bybit, KuCoin, and Gate.io. Exchanges have listed spot pairs and futures for the token, significantly boosting its visibility and accessibility.

Like in other scenarios, these milestones have attracted upside pressure and driven trading volume higher.

For instance, CROSS has surged more than 350% since July 6, 2025 when it rose from lows of $0.04657. The altcoin touched its all-time high of $0.2874 on July 11.

While price is down 25% since the peak, bulls are showing fresh upward momentum.

Crypto pullback? What does this mean for CROSS?

As noted, the broader cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing a pullback with major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum facing downward pressure after recent rallies.

However, despite this pullback, CROSS has demonstrated notable upside strength.

The token’s price trajectory suggests continued investor confidence, particularly as the web3 gaming sector picks new traction.

In this case, the price of CROSS could benefit from new inflows, particularly as top coins bounce amid macroeconomic and regulatory developments.

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Standard Chartered launches spot crypto trading for institutional clients

  • The initiative is part of a broader push by the bank to integrate digital assets into its core financial infrastructure.
  • According to the bank, the spot trading capability is fully embedded within its existing trading infrastructure.
  • In September 2024, the bank introduced a regulated crypto custody service in the United Arab Emirates.

Standard Chartered has launched a new spot cryptocurrency trading service for institutional and corporate clients, expanding its digital assets footprint as traditional financial institutions deepen their engagement with crypto markets.

The UK-based multinational bank on Tuesday announced that the new service supports spot trading in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) through its London-based branch.

The initiative is part of a broader push by the bank to integrate digital assets into its core financial infrastructure.

Institutional-grade access via FX platforms

According to the bank, the spot trading capability is fully embedded within its existing trading infrastructure, allowing institutional investors to trade crypto assets through foreign exchange (FX) interfaces they already use.

Clients can settle trades with a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered’s proprietary custody solution.

The integration is aimed at reducing onboarding friction for traditional finance participants by mirroring the experience of established FX markets.

“Digital assets are a foundational element of the evolution in financial services, ” said Bill Winters, Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive, in the statement.

“They’re integral to enabling new pathways for innovation, greater inclusion and growth across the industry.”

“As client demand accelerates further, we want to offer clients a route to transact, trade, and manage digital asset risk safely and efficiently within regulatory requirements,” the CEO further added.

Crypto custody and broader digital asset strategy

The launch builds on Standard Chartered’s prior moves in digital assets.

In September 2024, the bank introduced a regulated crypto custody service in the United Arab Emirates, supporting both Bitcoin and Ether custody.

The service is designed to cater to institutions and complies with regional regulatory frameworks.

The bank also has exposure to the sector through strategic investments in Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, both of which offer crypto infrastructure services targeted at institutional clients.

Additionally, Standard Chartered backs Libeara, a platform for tokenisation of real-world financial assets.

Through its corporate and investment banking division, Standard Chartered now offers an integrated suite of digital asset services, covering trading, custody, and tokenisation, aligning with broader industry trends where banks seek to offer end-to-end crypto infrastructure to clients.

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BTC price pulls back after near-$123K high; XRP approaches all-time high resistance at $3.00

  • Bitcoin cooled off after nearly topping $123K, with analysts saying the rally is in its early phases, not the end.
  • Arca’s CIO noted that current altcoin open interest is “nowhere near” the frothy levels of previous market tops.
  • XRP is trading near $2.91, approaching its all-time high resistance level of around $3.00.

Bitcoin pulled back from its session highs during US trading hours on Monday, after nearly touching the $123,000 mark earlier in the day.

Despite this slight cooling, analysts suggest that calls for a market top are premature, as the broader crypto rally appears to be in its early stages, with significant legislative developments underway in Washington DC that could provide further tailwinds.

A rally in its infancy? Gauging the market’s momentum

After a powerful surge of over 10% in less than a week, which saw some altcoins advance even more significantly, it’s natural for prices to enter a consolidation phase as traders digest the recent move and realize some profits.

Bitcoin slipped below the $120,000 level late in the US day but managed to hold onto a modest 0.6% gain over the past 24 hours.

However, other major cryptocurrencies saw more significant pullbacks, with Ethereum’s Ether (ETH) sliding back below $3,000, and Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano’s ADA, and Stellar’s XLM declining by around 2%-3% on the day.

Among the major tokens, XRP, SUI, and Uniswap’s UNI outperformed, posting gains of 2.5%, 10%, and 6%, respectively.

Crypto-linked stocks also retraced some of their strong morning gains, though Strategy (MSTR) and Galaxy (GLXY) still closed higher by 3%-4%, while Coinbase (COIN) gained 1.5%.

Despite the consolidation, Jeff Dorman, CIO of digital asset investment firm Arca, argues that this leg of the crypto rally is more likely in its early phases than nearing its end.

In a Monday investor note, he referenced an observation from crypto analyst Will Clemente about previous major market tops, such as the March 2024 spot Bitcoin ETF-related peak and the frenzy surrounding the Trump election/inauguration in late 2024/early 2025.

During those peaks, the open interest in altcoin derivatives notably flipped that of Bitcoin, a sign of widespread speculative froth.

“The current rally is nowhere near that,” Dorman said, suggesting the market has not yet reached a state of excessive exuberance.

He also added that while trading volumes on both centralized and decentralized exchanges rose by 23% week-over-week, they still aren’t close to the levels seen during other broad-market rallies in the past.

The bigger picture: sovereign debt and institutional adoption

Looking beyond the short-term charts, some see Bitcoin’s ascent as being propelled by more fundamental, long-term factors.

Eric Demuth, CEO of the Europe-based crypto exchange Bitpanda, told TheStreet that excessive sovereign debt and investors seeking refuge from monetary inflation are key drivers.

While he stated that BTC rising to €200,000 ($233,000) is “certainly a possibility,” he emphasized that the underlying adoption of the asset carries more importance than specific price targets.

“What happens when Bitcoin becomes permanently embedded in the portfolios of major investors, in the reserves of sovereign states, and in the infrastructure of global banks?,” he posed.

Because that’s exactly what’s happening right now.

Demuth expects that in the coming years, Bitcoin’s market capitalization will gradually converge towards that of gold, which currently sits at over $22 trillion, nine times larger than BTC’s.

XRP Nears All-Time High, Breakout Looms

While Bitcoin consolidates, XRP is making headlines of its own.

The token has moved back up to a level of resistance significantly close to the $3.00 mark, a price point not seen since its all-time high.

Currently trading at $2.91, up 2.15% over the last 24 hours, XRP is fueling speculation that a major breakout could be imminent.

“XRP is screaming all-time highs,” crypto analyst Ali Martinez stated in a recent update on the social media platform X.

He pointed to a very significant technical setup, noting that XRP is now testing the top of a price channel that has been established for years, right around the $3.00 price point.

A decisive move anywhere above this psychological and technical level would likely lead to a huge rally toward the $4.80 price point, Martinez suggested.

This optimism is supported by a significant rise in open interest for XRP, which now stands at $3.409 billion, indicating increased trader participation and conviction.

Following a significant build-up of leveraged positions—a common precursor to substantial price swings—the overall sentiment for XRP is bullish.

In further support of the uptrend, the price of XRP is consistently trending above its 10-period adaptive moving average, a sign of strong underlying momentum and healthy consolidation.

The next few trading sessions will be crucial, as investors will be watching to see if XRP can successfully convert this previous resistance into a new, longer-term support level, potentially launching it into price discovery mode.

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Algorand’s ALGO price just spiked 11% to 4-month high: here’s why

  • Algorand (ALGO) price has surged to highs of $0.30.
  • US Federal Reserve’s Fedwire has adopted ISO 20022, with Algorand (ALGO) among compliant blockchains.
  • Bitcoin’s rally triggered ALGO’s gains.

Algorand (ALGO) price has surged to a four-month high, hitting levels above $0.30 amid a confluence of positive catalysts, including broader market dynamics.

Likely also key is the US Federal Reserve’s adoption of the ISO 20022 messaging standard for Fedwire, a move that spotlights Algorand (ALGO) as one of the ISO 20022-compliant blockchain networks.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s rally to above $123,000 triggered notable gains for altcoins, with ALGO among the top performers.

“Bitcoin has smashed through $122k, fuelled by a sharp breakout and renewed institutional demand. Sentiment has flipped fast, with the Fear & Greed Index jumping from 40 to 70 in just three weeks. Spot BTC ETFs saw over $2 billion in inflows last week. Derivatives are surging too, with funding rates nearing 30 percent and open interest crossing $43 billion,” QCP analysts noted.

Big move as Fedwire adopts ISO 20022

On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Federal Reserve implemented the ISO 20022 messaging standard for its Fedwire Funds Service, a significant upgrade for global financial transactions.

This standard enhances data structure, security, and interoperability, aligning with modern payment systems.

Blockchain networks such as Ripple’s XRP, Stellar, Cardano, Hedera, and Algorand are already compliant with ISO 20022.

These projects could benefit from increased adoption in the banking and financial services market.

Given its traction, Algorand is among those well-positioned to get a lot of attention.

The blockchain’s energy-efficient design and institutional-grade performance will attract interest from banks, including those eyeing central bank digital currency discussions.

ISO 20022-compliance also means seamless cross-border payments.

ALGO price today

Algorand’s ALGO token has recorded impressive gains, climbing more than 11% in the past 24 hours to reach $0.30.

This is ALGO’s highest level since early March and notable from lows of $0.25.

Over the past week, ALGO has surged over 64% and extended its uptick over the past 24 hours.

Its market capitalization exceeds $2.48 billion, the rally is underpinned by a 30% increase in on-chain transactions and a 20% rise in open interest.

Also notable is staking activity and whale accumulation, with news that Algorand is going multichain with Wormhole integration.

Algorand Price
ALGO price chart by TradingView

From a technical perspective, ALGO’s breakout above the $0.24 resistance level confirms a bullish outlook.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator gives bulls the upper hand, with the histogram remaining positive.

However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers at 83 to indicate overbought conditions and a potential short-term dip or consolidation.

Algorand’s price spike reflects potential strong adoption trends, with Bitcoin’s run to record highs likely to enhance bulls’ chances of breaking higher.

The $0.47–$0.570 could be a key supply wall.

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NEAR Protocol (NEAR) price forecast: target at $3 amid strong bullish recovery

  • NEAR Protocol targets $3 amid strong bullish momentum and trendline support.
  • Key resistance lies at $2.75–$2.80, and a breakout could fuel further gains.
  • For now, staying above $1.99 is crucial for NEAR to avoid downside toward $1.44.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is gaining renewed attention in the crypto market as bullish momentum builds following a prolonged slump.

The cryptocurrency has already seen a strong bounce in July, supported by solid fundamentals, technical strength, and growing market interest.

After months of declining prices and cautious sentiment, NEAR is now showing promising technical signals that could set the stage for a meaningful recovery in the coming weeks.

Recent price action suggests that NEAR may be poised to reclaim higher levels, with analysts eyeing the $3 mark as a key upside target.

Price action turns bullish as NEAR breaks key levels

Over the past 24 hours, NEAR has climbed steadily, registering a 4% gain, reclaiming levels above $2.60.

This rally comes amid a broader bullish wave across altcoins, led by Bitcoin’s surge to an all-time high above $123,000.

Importantly, NEAR has managed to break above its previous resistance around $2.62, a zone that has now flipped into support.

This level had capped several upside attempts in recent weeks, so reclaiming it reinforces the current bullish narrative.

The short-term trend remains positive, with the price forming higher lows and holding above an ascending trendline on the hourly chart.

The trendline has remained intact despite minor pullbacks, indicating strong buyer interest on dips.

Supply zone near $2.80 could act as a test

As price pushes toward the $2.75–$2.80 range, traders are now watching how NEAR behaves near this important supply zone. This area marks the first significant resistance where sellers may step in to stall the rally.

A clean breakout above $2.80 would likely trigger fresh momentum and pave the way for a move toward $3.21, with some analysts even projecting a further push to $3.86.

However, if the zone rejects price, a retest of the $2.55 support level could follow.

So far, the volume profile suggests strength behind the current move, with a sharp increase in buying activity on the breakout above $2.62.

As long as NEAR remains above $2.55, the bullish outlook is expected to remain valid.

Long-term downtrend may be reversing

While the short-term outlook appears promising, NEAR is still down more than 87% from its all-time high of $20.44, reached in January 2022.

Nonetheless, signs of a long-term recovery are starting to emerge.

According to analysts like those from CoinLore, maintaining a price floor above $1.99 is crucial for NEAR to continue climbing.

If this level holds, the next key resistance levels to watch will be $2.74, $3.21, and $3.86, respectively.

On the downside, any failure to hold the $1.99 level could expose NEAR to further losses, with $1.44 acting as the next major support.

However, current momentum and trend structure suggest that such a decline is unlikely unless broader market sentiment turns negative.

Near Protocol fundamentals support the technical rebound

Beyond the charts, NEAR’s technical fundamentals are also contributing to the renewed optimism.

Built as a scalable Layer 1 network, NEAR leverages advanced technologies such as Nightshade sharding and the Doomslug consensus mechanism to offer speed and efficiency for decentralised applications.

Recent network upgrades and a growing developer community are helping to strengthen the foundation of the NEAR ecosystem.

These improvements are beginning to attract new projects, signalling that confidence in the protocol is gradually returning.

Market forecasts also reflect a moderate long-term recovery, with average price targets for 2026 at around $3.44.

This suggests that while expectations are realistic, they also imply meaningful upside from current levels.

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