World Liberty Financial (WLFI) lands on major exchanges on day 1, token unlocks dampen gains

  • World Liberty Financial (WLFI) price has dropped 20% after its debut despite strong trading volumes.
  • Trump family is pushing WLFI token as the backbone of their new DeFi ecosystem.
  • Unlock fears and governance doubts weigh on investor sentiment.

World Liberty Financial’s WLFI token made its highly anticipated debut on major exchanges on September 1, pulling the crypto market’s spotlight squarely onto the Trump family’s DeFi venture.

But while the launch generated enormous excitement, massive WLFI token unlocks and profit-taking quickly tempered early gains, leaving traders cautious about what lies ahead.

WLFI token trading kicked off with a bang

Binance, Upbit, Gate and other leading exchanges began listing WLFI token on the first day, opening at around $0.30 before slipping to $0.25 within hours.

Despite the slight decline post-launch, the token’s fully diluted valuation (FDV) still pushed close to $30 billion, with market capitalisation topping $8 billion on launch day.

The debut also sparked heavy derivatives activity, with open interest in WLFI futures climbing above $1 billion, and trading volume surging more than 200% to surpass $8 billion.

While such figures underscore the intense curiosity around the project, they also reveal how speculative trading has overtaken fundamentals in shaping WLFI’s early price swings.

Token unlock sparks jitters

Alongside its market debut, WLFI saw one of the largest token unlocks in recent memory.

Out of its 100 billion total supply, 24.67 billion tokens entered circulation on day one. Of these, 10 billion were earmarked for the ecosystem team, 7.7 billion for Alt5 Sigma’s treasury operations, 2.8 billion for liquidity and marketing, and 4 billion for early investors.

The heavy allocation raised fears of immediate sell-offs by insiders, including Trump family members.

But while traders worry that any early moves by large holders could trigger cascading liquidations in futures markets, only 20% of the total supply is tradable at launch, while the remaining 80% remains locked under undisclosed schedules.

Trump family ties shape narrative

Once dismissed as a derivative of Aave, World Liberty Financial (WLFI) has evolved into what its backers call a DeFi “super app.”

The Trump family’s involvement has been central to this evolution.

Donald Trump Jr. described the token as “not just a meme coin” but the governance backbone of a financial ecosystem aimed at reshaping how money moves.

Eric Trump went further, calling the launch “a pivotal moment for the future of finance,” while the family’s network of allies and investors has included major figures from the Asian crypto scene and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.

These political and capital alliances have elevated the WLFI token well beyond a typical DeFi protocol, ensuring it remains both a financial experiment and a political statement.

Stablecoin USD1 drives ecosystem

At the heart of World Liberty Financial’s expansion is its stablecoin, USD1.

Launched earlier this year, it has already been used in high-profile deals, including a $2 billion investment in Binance by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund.

With strong backing from major exchanges, USD1 has quickly achieved a $2 billion market cap, though critics note that much of its usage still relies on exchange-driven liquidity rather than real-world adoption.

The Trump family’s personal history of being “de-banked” after Donald Trump’s first presidential term has also shaped WLFI’s strategy.

By creating stablecoins, lending protocols and treasury assets outside of traditional finance, the family seeks not only new business opportunities but also a financial buffer against future political risks.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI) outlook remains cautious

WLFI’s first day on the market illustrated both the scale of its ambition and the volatility of its path.

Heavy derivatives trading and soaring valuations demonstrated strong speculative demand, but the massive WLFI token unlock dampened momentum and highlighted lingering concerns about concentrated ownership.

For now, key technical levels lie at $0.25 support and resistance at $0.30 and $0.35.

While most pointers warn that the path of least resistance remains downward if selling pressure accelerates, the political clout, global capital backing, and a growing stablecoin ecosystem could propel WFLI’s price higher.

The post World Liberty Financial (WLFI) lands on major exchanges on day 1, token unlocks dampen gains appeared first on CoinJournal.

PEPE price outlook: $4.8M dump tests support, resistance near $0.00001 in focus

  • Whale offloaded 500B PEPE ($4.8M), briefly pulling price under $0.0000094.
  • PEPE outperformed peers, while meme coin market sank 3%.
  • Whale holdings on Ethereum up 1.46% over the past month.

The meme coin market took a jolt on Monday when a big PEPE holder dumped about $4.8 million worth of tokens, sending the price down.

Even with that sell-off, PEPE is still holding up better than most of the meme coin pack, a sign that investors haven’t lost faith in it just yet.

Market data shows that one big PEPE wallet moved 500 billion tokens, worth about $4.8 million over to Binance, signaling a major sell or reshuffle.

The same whale has been in a slump for weeks, down around $450,000 on earlier PEPE trades, and big moves like this often shake up liquidity and prices.

Right after the transfer, PEPE slipped about 1% on the day, falling from highs near $0.00000992 to around $0.00000938 before clawing back some ground.

It’s still stuck below the $0.00001 resistance line, but even so, it held up better than the broader meme coin market, which sank nearly 3% in the same stretch.

Even with the recent selling pressure, other big wallets have been quietly adding to their stacks. On-chain data shows whale holdings of PEPE on Ethereum are up about 1.46% over the past month.

The token now carries a market cap of roughly $4.1 billion, with more than 420 trillion tokens in circulation, cementing its spot among the leading meme coins by value.

PEPE’s price outlook

In the short term, PEPE’s price path looks choppy, with traders watching support near $0.0000074 and resistance around $0.0000098 to $0.00001.

Sentiment remains cautious: there’s some fear in the market, but not enough to trigger a full-scale sell-off. Many expect the token to drift sideways before any clear move higher.

Longer term, some analysts see scope for slow but steady gains as meme coins carve out a firmer place in the crypto market.

Forecasts point to PEPE potentially edging up toward $0.0000117 by the end of 2025, helped by community projects and continued retail interest in meme assets.

Crypto analysts warn that PEPE remains a high-risk, high-volatility asset, with large holders continuing to exert outsized influence on its price.

The latest whale selloff is a reminder of how quickly sentiment can turn in memecoin markets, where speculative trading and social buzz often drive short-term moves.

Even so, PEPE’s ability to hold up better than its peers after the September 1 sale points to steady underlying demand.

In the weeks ahead, the token’s trajectory will likely hinge on a mix of whale activity and broader adoption within the meme coin ecosystem.

Traders are expected to track major transfers and volume changes closely as potential signals of where the market heads next.

The post PEPE price outlook: $4.8M dump tests support, resistance near $0.00001 in focus appeared first on CoinJournal.

XRP extends losses as risk-off sentiment pressures crypto market

  • XRP falls 1.94% to $2.75 as risk-off sentiment hits crypto markets.
  • Active addresses drop from 50K in July to 19K, showing weak demand.
  • $2.70 support is key; losing it could send XRP down toward $2.08.

XRP extended its recent downturn on Monday, with the token slipping 1.94% over the past 24 hours to trade at $2.75.

The decline builds on last week’s sharp sell-off and comes amid broader weakness across the cryptocurrency market.

Analysts suggest that falling onchain activity and reduced investor appetite are weighing on the altcoin, though a potential rebound remains possible if key support levels hold.

Investor sentiment and onchain activity weaken

The latest pullback in XRP comes against a backdrop of declining risk appetite in the digital asset market.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has fallen into the “fear” zone at 46, down from “neutral” last week and “greed” a month ago, according to data from Alternative.me.

This shift highlights growing investor caution after months of strong price action.

On-chain metrics reinforce the risk-off mood.

Active addresses on the XRP Ledger have dropped sharply, falling to around 19,250 on Monday compared with roughly 50,000 in mid-July.

Active addresses track the number of wallets sending or receiving XRP, and the steep decline indicates waning participation and lower transaction activity.

Futures market data paints a similar picture.

Open interest in XRP derivatives has contracted to $7.7 billion from $10.94 billion in recent weeks, underscoring a lack of conviction among traders.

Reduced open interest often signals weaker speculative demand, potentially amplifying downside risk in the short term.

Technical picture hinges on $2.70 support

From a technical perspective, the XRP price is testing critical support at $2.70.

The token has been consolidating within a descending triangle pattern since rallying to a multi-year peak of $3.66 in July.

This bearish formation is marked by a flat support line and descending resistance trendline.

If bulls can defend the $2.70 threshold, XRP could attempt a recovery toward the upper boundary of the triangle at $3.09.

That level coincides with both the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) and the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement line.

A successful breakout would strengthen bullish momentum and potentially propel the token toward the $3.70 region, near the apex of the current chart pattern.

However, a failure to hold above $2.70 could trigger fresh selling.

The next area of support lies between $2.60, aligned with the 100-day SMA, and $2.48, corresponding to the 200-day SMA.

A breakdown of this demand zone could expose XRP to losses toward $2.08, representing a 25% decline from current levels.

Market signals highlight uncertain outlook

Order flow dynamics suggest some resilience at the $2.70 level, with liquidation heatmaps showing buyers clustering around this price.

At the same time, significant sell orders are concentrated in the $2.87 to $3.74 range, highlighting the resistance that bulls would need to overcome for a sustained rally.

Technical indicators point to lingering downside risk.

According to Cointelegraph, XRP’s Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is flashing signals of a potential bearish crossover in September, which could push the token toward $2.17 if confirmed.

For now, XRP’s near-term trajectory appears tied to whether bulls can maintain support at $2.70. While broader market sentiment remains cautious, any rebound from this level could set the stage for renewed upside attempts.

Conversely, a breakdown would likely extend the current downtrend and deepen losses.

The post XRP extends losses as risk-off sentiment pressures crypto market appeared first on CoinJournal.

Ether eyes $4,700 as the $4,250 support holds; Check forecast

Key takeaways

  • ETH has bounced back from the $4,250 low and is now trading around $4,470 per coin.
  • The coin could rally towards the $4,700 mark soon as bulls intensify recovery efforts.

ETH bounces back above $4,400

The cryptocurrency market closed August bearish as Bitcoin and Ether tested new lows. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, tested the $107k low before bouncing back to now trade above $108k.

Ether also dropped to the $4,200 level, finding support around $4,250. It has now recovered nicely and is trading at $4,480 per coin. The bearish performance comes just a few days after Ether hit a new all-time high of $4,953. 

With the recent support holding, Ether could rally higher in the short to medium term as analysts predict the coin to hit $6k over the coming weeks or months. 

Ethereum targets $4,700 as $4,250 support holds

The ETH/USD 4-hour chart remains bullish and efficient, thanks to Ether recently hitting a new all-time high. ETH failed to maintain its upward momentum and dropped to the $4,200 region over the weekend. 

At press time, ETH has recovered slightly and is trading above $4,400 per coin. The RSI of 52 shows that Ether is still in the positive territory, with the MACD lines also suggesting a bullish sentiment. 

ETRH/USD 4H Chart

Closing above the next daily resistance at $4,488 could see Ether target the $4,700 level over the next few hours. An extended bullish run would allow Ether to move past its all-time high of $4,953 and set a new high above $5. 

However, if Ether faces a correction and declines below the daily support at $4,232, it could extend the decline to retest the next support and TLQ level at $4k. This level could prove critical as failure to defend it could see ETH test the August low of $3,300.

The post Ether eyes $4,700 as the $4,250 support holds; Check forecast appeared first on CoinJournal.

Crypto hacks in August hit $163 million as exchange risks grow

  • The largest theft was $91.4 million from anonymous Bitcoin addresses.
  • Other victims included Odin.fun ($7 million), BetterBank.io ($5 million), and CrediX Finance ($4.5 million).
  • Weak audits, human error, and fast platform launches are driving security risks.

The digital asset industry faced another blow in August as hackers stole $163 million across 16 separate incidents, according to blockchain security firm PeckShield.

This was a jump from July’s $142 million, showing how attacks are becoming more frequent and technically advanced.

The largest theft was $91.4 million from multiple anonymous Bitcoin addresses, underlining the vulnerability of individual investors as well as institutions.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, these incidents raise questions about the security of centralised platforms and the long-term impact on investor trust in the wider crypto market, which continues to expand globally.

$54 million BtcTurk hack highlights exchange weaknesses

One of the biggest cases in August was the breach of BtcTurk, Turkey’s leading crypto exchange, which lost $54 million.

This incident was particularly notable because the same platform had already been hit in June 2024 for another $54 million, bringing its total annual losses above $100 million.

BtcTurk confirmed that unauthorised access had been detected, affected wallets were frozen, and investigations with local authorities were underway.

The repeat nature of the attack highlights how centralised exchanges remain a high-value target, with security defences proving inadequate against persistent attackers.

Other platforms lost $17 million in separate cases

While BtcTurk dominated headlines, smaller but still damaging attacks hit other platforms. Odin.fun lost $7 million, BetterBank.io suffered $5 million in losses, and CrediX Finance was drained of $4.5 million.

These examples show how cybercriminals are not only targeting major exchanges but also smaller platforms, often exploiting weak security audits or untested systems.

The cumulative effect of these breaches demonstrates how no level of the crypto ecosystem is safe from exploitation, whether through technical loopholes or basic operational oversights.

Human error and lack of audits fuel rising attacks

PeckShield’s data shows that the crypto sector’s rapid growth is directly linked to the rising number of hacks. New platforms and protocols are often launched quickly without thorough security reviews, giving attackers multiple entry points.

Alongside structural weaknesses, human error continues to play a major role. Users failing to enable two-factor authentication, relying on weak passwords, or falling victim to phishing scams leave both exchanges and personal wallets open to compromise.

The combination of technical flaws and behavioural lapses is creating an environment where cybercrime thrives, forcing exchanges and investors to reconsider their defences.

Regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions have noted these trends, pointing to the need for stricter compliance checks.

Bitcoin dips as investor confidence weakens

The impact of these hacks has extended into the wider market. Bitcoin (BTC) slipped 0.29% in the past 24 hours to trade at $108,361.50, with a market capitalisation of $2.15 trillion.

Bitcoin price
Source: CoinMarketCap

Analysts warn that repeated breaches could slow mainstream adoption, as every incident erodes investor confidence and strengthens the case for stricter regulations to protect consumers and stabilise trading activity.

The post Crypto hacks in August hit $163 million as exchange risks grow appeared first on CoinJournal.