Bitcoin price forecast: BTC eyes $120k despite slight resistance

Key takeaways

  • BTC is down by less than 1% in the last 24 hours and trading around $117k.
  • The coin could target the $120k psychological level next, following a recent bullish momentum

Fed rate cut pushes BTC above $117k as bullish trend resumes

The cryptocurrency market performed excellently this week, with Bitcoin bouncing back from its Monday low of $114k to trade above $117k. The positive performance was due to macroeconomic factors, especially the Fed rate cut on Wednesday.

The rate cut allowed Bitcoin to hit the $117k level, with bulls now targeting another high around $120k in the near term. Analysts believe that the rate cut will push liquidity into the crypto market.

In an email with Coinjournal, Sergei Gorev, Head of Risk at YouHodler, stated that the Fed’s rate cut is quite an important factor for the market. 

“This is a positive development for the financial and crypto markets. Cheaper money pushes the quotes higher and higher. As long as liquidity prevails in the markets, the cryptocurrency market will feel quite confident. We will soon see new historical quotes for BTC, which will also support other coins. In addition, the approval of all new altcoin ETFs will also boost inflows into some cryptocurrencies soon.”

Bitcoin bulls target $120,000

The BTC/USD 4-hour chart is bullish and efficient after Bitcoin’s price surged past its 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on September 10. It found support around the $116k level earlier this week before rallying past the $117k on Wednesday. 

BTC has been consolidating around $117k over the past 24 hours, but could be set to rally higher in the near term. The RSI of 57 shows that the bulls are still in control, with the Moving Average Convergence (MACD) indicator on the same chart displaying a bullish crossover since September 6th. 

BTC/USD 4H Chart

If the bullish trend continues, BTC could extend its current rally towards the psychological level of $120,000. An extended bullish run would allow it to hit the $125k mark and set a new all-time high in the process. 

However, if the market corrects and closes below the $116k support level, BTC could face selling pressure and extend its decline towards the next major support and TLQ zone at $113,924.

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Markets brace for September’s endgame as Bitcoin leads post-Fed crypto Rally

  • Bitcoin reclaims $117K as the Fed’s long-awaited rate cut revives trader optimism and risk appetite.
  • Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin post strong price action, fueling hopes of further breakouts.
  • September’s $4.5B token unlocks cast volatility across altcoins, shifting capital flows in the sector.

The crypto market put on an energetic display this Friday, shaking off recent bouts of uncertainty with a strong overnight rally powered by fresh optimism.

Major tokens, led by Bitcoin surged after the US Federal Reserve delivered a long-awaited rate cut, sparking renewed risk appetite among traders.

The mood was lively as Bitcoin reclaimed key levels and Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin each posted dynamic price swings.

This rebound arrives amid swirling sentiment, as traders balance bullish momentum against lingering macroeconomic headwinds.

Blue-chip movers: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, DOGE

At the top of the board, Bitcoin (BTC) hovered above $117,000 in Friday trading, enjoying a lift after the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut put risk assets back in focus.

Bitcoin’s performance set the tone, showing about a 1% daily gain and signaling renewed comfort for bulls who had watched levels slip to near $115,000 earlier in the week.

Ethereum followed suit, trading at roughly $4,600 and holding above psychological support as technical analysts flagged signs of short-term resistance, but mostly positive undercurrents.

Solana (SOL) charged ahead to around $247, buoyed by talk of a potential breakout if its historic $250 resistance falls as traders are watching that level closely for momentum.

Meanwhile, XRP remained pressed just above $3.10; analysts noted a robust daily RSI and possible breakout if it clears this threshold, eyeing targets above $3.20 if upside volume persists.

Dogecoin (DOGE) slipped slightly, last seen around $0.28 after an initial morning pop; the meme coin is consolidating with active speculation about another upswing if key technical support holds.

Altogether, the major cryptos painted an optimistic but cautious technical picture as the day unfolded.

Markets brace for September’s endgame

Beyond the price action, several big stories have traders sitting up straight.

The Fed’s long-discussed interest rate cut was far and away the top catalyst, delivering a tailwind to the entire risk-asset space and providing a confidence boost at a time when global markets are searching for stability.

Industry insiders also watched closely as September’s scheduled token unlocks, totalling over $4.5B began to cast their shadow mid-month, stoking some sector-specific volatility and shifting flows among altcoins.

Regulatory winds were swirling as the SEC and CFTC neared new clarity on digital assets, sparking hope among institutions for more definitive rules of the road, adding another undercurrent of optimism for long-term industry maturation.

This blend of macro and sector developments means the stage is set for potentially explosive moves as Q4 approaches.

The upshot for traders and industry-watchers is clear: September’s endgame is shaping up as a moment of high drama.

With macro drivers, critical token dynamics, and regulatory headlines all hitting at once, the coming days could offer firm direction, whether that brings further upside or a new round of volatility remains the question hanging in the air.

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NEAR protocol price surges as AI Tokens jump on Nvidia’s $5 Billion intel bet

  • NEAR jumps 11% to $2.98 as Nvidia’s $5B Intel stake sparks AI crypto rally.
  • AI tokens surge with NEAR, TAO, Render and The Graph gaining on chip deal optimism.
  • NEAR eyes $3.6–$4 breakout as AI adoption and bullish charts fuel momentum.

NEAR Protocol price jumped more than 11% in 24 hours to hit $2.98 amid a broader rally in AI-linked cryptocurrencies.

The AI token’s uptick aligned with momentum that stemmed from Nvidia’s strategic $5 billion investment in Intel, with Bittensor, Render and The Graph among the top crypto AI gainers.

Tokens like Aster jumped 500% on Thursday.

NEAR price retests $2.98 as Nvidia news boosts AI tokens

NEAR Protocol’s token experienced a sharp uptick, retesting the $2.98 resistance level with an 11% pump.

This came after the cryptocurrency traded to lows of $2.70 earlier in the week, and the surge aligns with the overall crypto bounce and Nvidia’s announcement of a $5 billion equity stake in Intel.

This deal, which includes collaborative development of AI-optimized PC and data center chips.

It’s a move that points to Nvidia’s push to fortify US semiconductor capabilities amid global supply chain tensions.

The investment arrives at a pivotal moment for Intel, following a $9 billion US government stake via the CHIPS Act and a $2 billion infusion from SoftBank, bolstering Intel’s balance sheet and foundry ambitions without immediate reliance on Nvidia’s manufacturing needs.

AI tokens surge

For the AI crypto ecosystem, this move amplifies optimism as the partnership signals the AI chipmaker’s potential to “innovate for customers” as it grows its business.

NEAR, designed as an AI-native blockchain with sharding technology enabling up to 100,000 transactions per second, stands to benefit if momentum catalyzes price gains.

The protocol’s Nightshade consensus and tools like Near Tasks for AI agents resonate with Nvidia’s ecosystem, and key integrations may see the altcoin explode further.

Today’s Nvidia-fueled pump has similarly lifted the AI token sector: TAO climbed 7.7%,RENDER 8%, and The Graph (GRT) 5.9%, per CoinMarketCap data.

Broader market tailwinds, including Bitcoin’s recovery to above $117,600, have added an uplift to the upswing.

NEAR’s market cap moved back above $3.7 billion to rank 34th among top cryptocurrencies.

What’s next for NEAR price?

NEAR’s trajectory hinges on sustained AI momentum and technical breakouts targeting $3.6.

Both the RSI and MACD on the daily chart support upside continuation.

A look at the chart also shows a potential triangle pattern breakout.

NEAR price chart by TradingView

While downturn risks include macroeconomic headwinds, such as potential US regulatory scrutiny on AI chips or broader crypto volatility, NEAR has the potential to see levels above $4 in coming weeks.

The project’s protocol upgrades and global AI adoption trends could allow bulls to target highs of $8.

On the flip side, primary support could be around $2.62.

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Aster token pumps more than 500% post-TGE launch

  • ASTER token soars 550% to $0.52 post-TGE.
  • Total value locked catapulted to $1 billion, doubling pre-launch figures.
  • Aster’s debut bolsters BNB Chain’s ecosystem, boosting the BNB price.

The Aster ($ASTER) token’s debut saw it hit $0.58, rocketing by more than 500% within hours.

Aster then slightly pared the gains as traders looked for profits post-TGE and airdrop distribution for the YZi Labs-backed protocol.

Altcoins such as Lagrange, EigenLayer and BNB have outshone the broader market.

Launching at an initial price of approximately $0.08, the token swiftly ascended to a peak of $0.52.

It is a move that encompassed a staggering 550% gain in its first trading session and saw ASTER’s market capitalization rally past the $800 million threshold.

On debut, Aster rose to rank among the top 150 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

As the token’s price pumped, daily volume rose to over $420 million in the initial 24 hours, up 1800%.

While the 500% climb validates Aster’s utility in perpetual trading, bulls have to be aware of a potential sharp pullback if price overextends into the overbought territory.

Aster TVL jumps to $1 billion

Aster’s total value locked has exceeded expectations, surging to over $1 billion within days of the TGE in a milestone that represents a more than twofold increase from pre-launch figures of around $400 million, attracting over 330,000 new wallets and solidifying Aster’s position as the second-largest perpetual DEX globally.

The influx highlights the platform’s multi-chain prowess, spanning BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum, where users leverage unique collateral options like liquid-staking as BNB and yield-bearing USDF stablecoins.

Privacy-focused innovations, such as zk-proofs have drawn sophisticated traders seeking capital efficiency without custodial risks whereas Aster’s integration with PancakeSwap has boosted ecosystem liquidity, contributing to a 15% uptick in BNB’s price over the past week.

Market observers note that this $1 billion TVL not only enhances on-chain stability but also positions Aster to capture a slice of the $16 billion Hyperliquid pie, potentially driving annual revenues toward $500 million through fee structures that reward $ASTER holders.

A significant first step for $ASTER on BNB Chain

For $ASTER, this TGE marks a transformative debut on BNB Chain, laying the groundwork for broader DeFi adoption.

As a high-performance Layer-1 with privacy at its core, Aster Chain empowers seamless perpetuals and spot trading, democratizing access for both novice and pro users via intuitive Simple and Pro modes.

The platform’s non-custodial ethos, coupled with governance via $ASTER enables fee discounts and protocol upgrades.

Implementation of this feature aligns with the community-first principles that propelled BNB Chain’s growth to over $16 billion in TVL.

This milestone extends beyond numbers as it validates BNB Chain’s edge in low-fee, high-throughput environments, especially as altcoin rotations favor derivatives amid Bitcoin’s stabilization above $117k.

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Low trust in banks drives Americans toward crypto and DeFi adoption

  • Nearly 18% of Americans have used or owned cryptocurrency.
  • 84% would use DeFi for online shopping, 78% for bills, 77% for saving.
  • 54% want full control over personal and financial data.

A new study by the Defi Education Fund, carried out with Ipsos, reveals a strong appetite for alternative financial systems in the United States.

The survey shows that frustration with traditional banks is widespread, and many Americans want greater control over their money. At the same time, interest in decentralised finance is steadily rising.

Nearly one in five Americans has owned or used cryptocurrency, while a larger group is keen to explore DeFi as a way to manage transactions without relying on intermediaries.

The findings highlight the scale of financial dissatisfaction and the shift towards digital finance.

Growing demand for DeFi access

The study indicates that 42% of Americans would try DeFi if regulations made access easier.

Of those, 84% would use DeFi for online shopping, 78% for paying bills, and 77% for saving money.

Despite this, only 12% of respondents described themselves as very or extremely interested in learning about DeFi, showing a gap between potential use and deeper understanding.

Four in ten participants believe DeFi could help reduce transaction and service fees, which are often considered too high in the current banking system.

Around 22% of Americans are also curious about blockchain, crypto, and other non-traditional finance models.

The research underlines how people across different age groups and backgrounds are showing an interest, pointing to broad-based demand.

Weakening trust in traditional banks

Confidence in the banking sector remains low. Only 40% of respondents said they trust large national banks, and 43% trust regional or community banks.

Less than half of Americans feel the financial system meets their needs, while only 25% believe it benefits ordinary people.

The survey further shows that 56% of Americans want full control of their money, and 51% want the ability to send money digitally without third-party involvement.

Foreign-born Americans showed an especially strong desire for these features.

Security concerns are also pronounced, with only 29% of respondents believing the financial system is secure.

Many participants also said they see current fees as barriers to inclusion, underscoring the demand for alternatives.

Lawmakers weigh crypto regulation

The findings come at a time when lawmakers and industry leaders are actively shaping crypto policy in the US.

Efforts to regulate digital assets could have a direct impact on adoption rates, especially as 42% of Americans link their interest in DeFi to easier access through legislation.

The study highlights that 54% of Americans want complete control of their personal and financial data, reflecting broader concerns about privacy in digital transactions.

This intersection of public demand, regulatory debate, and emerging technology could play a critical role in determining how DeFi develops in the United States in the coming years.

The data suggests that the conversation around finance is no longer limited to banks and regulators, but increasingly includes everyday Americans who want a different kind of system.

Growing participation in crypto markets and the ongoing debate on financial rules will continue to shape how quickly DeFi moves into the mainstream.

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