Mantle targets new ATH after hitting $1.77 amid ZK rollup upgrade

  • Mantle surged by 15% to reach a record high of $1.77.
  • The total value locked exceeded $2 billion, making Mantle the largest ZK rollup by TVL.
  • Mantle’s transaction volumes also soared, with hundreds of thousands of daily transactions.

Mantle Network’s native token, MNT, surged to a record all-time high of $1.77 on September 17, 2025, driven by the successful completion of its mainnet upgrade to a zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup architecture in a landmark development for Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem.

This price gain comes as other cryptocurrencies like PancakeSwap and Filecoin also edge higher.

Mantle completes ZK rollup upgrade

Mantle’s transition from an optimistic rollup to a full ZK rollup represents a pivotal evolution in its infrastructure with the upgrade, enabling the network to generate validity proofs for state transitions without disclosing underlying data, thereby bolstering security and reducing reliance on fraud-proof challenges.

This shift addresses longstanding limitations of optimistic models, where transactions assume validity until contested, potentially delaying finality.

“With today’s mainnet upgrade, the journey is complete: Mantle is now the world’s largest ZK rollup by TVL, with over $2 billion secured by Succinct’s technology,” said Edward Li, growth and business development lead at Succinct.

Mantle’s total value locked (TVL) stood at approximately $218 million prior to the upgrade as  post-implementation having ballooned to over $2 billion, cementing its status as the world’s largest ZK rollup by this metric.

By incorporating EigenLayer’s , Mantle ensures robust decentralization without overburdening the base chain, a hybrid approach that has drawn praise from developers seeking EVM-compatible environments.

Mantle price outlook and token performance

The announcement catalyzed an immediate price rally for Mantle, with MNT climbing over 15% to breach its previous peak of $1.68 set last month.

According to trading data from major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, MNT’s market capitalization surpassed $5.4 billion, ranking it among the top 30 cryptocurrencies.

Analysts have also related the price surge to a number of factors, like renewed institutional interest in ZK technologies amid Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade.

Mantle’s ecosystem incentives, including yield-bearing stablecoins like mETH and upcoming products such as crypto index funds, also boosted price.

Mantle price chart by TradingView

Looking at Mantle’s price chart, the cryptocurrency trades around $1.64, slightly lower than the $1.77 all-time high.

Selling pressure contributed to the decline in MNT price.

However, bulls are targeting a new ATH amid a bull flag pattern as Mantle’s ZK framework unlocks cross-rollup interoperability.

With over 5.86 million active accounts already, predictions suggest total value locked could double by year-end, driven by partnerships with EigenLayer and Succinct.

Nonetheless broader market challenges might persist, including competition from established ZK players like Polygon zkEVM and potential regulatory scrutiny on restaking mechanisms.

In this case, the price levels to watch could include $1.40 and $1.09.

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Crypto firms in Britain may face new FCA proposals on conduct rules

  • UK’s FCA proposes easing 4 core rules for crypto firms while stressing strong operational safeguards.
  • Regulator cites $1.5B Bybit hack to justify tougher cyber resilience rules despite lighter principles.
  • Crypto ownership in Britain hits 12%; FCA seeks feedback by Nov 12 on new regulatory framework.

Britain’s financial regulator has unveiled proposals that could reshape how cryptocurrency companies operate in the country.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Wednesday that crypto firms might be exempted from four key principles that usually apply to financial services companies.

These rules normally ensure that businesses act with integrity, with skill and diligence, and in the best interests of customers.

The FCA’s consultation comes at a time when Britain is positioning itself as a major player in the global digital assets sector, after signalling in April that it would work with the United States on a coordinated approach.

FCA suggests easing four core principles for crypto sector

The FCA said it is considering removing four specific obligations for crypto trading platforms.

These cover requirements that firms must run their business with integrity, act with care and skill, take account of customer interests, and ensure any advice or discretionary decisions made for clients are suitable.

The regulator noted that while crypto assets remain volatile and risky, the new framework is designed to help firms meet consistent standards without stifling competition.

The regulator stressed that these adjustments are aimed at supporting the growth of the UK’s crypto industry, while still maintaining trust and market stability.

At the same time, it highlighted that crypto assets remain high-risk and consumers must continue to be protected from poor business practices.

Stronger operational risk rules after $1.5 billion hack

While easing some principles, the FCA is also proposing stricter measures on operational risk.

This move follows a $1.5 billion hack on Dubai-based exchange Bybit in February, which the regulator pointed to as an example of why “strong operational resilience controls” are needed.

The FCA wants firms to ensure they have systems in place that can withstand cyberattacks and operational failures, which are becoming more frequent as digital asset markets expand.

The consultation paper also asks whether customer access to the Financial Ombudsman Service should extend to crypto asset firms, giving clients a route to compensation when disputes arise.

In addition, it seeks feedback on whether the consumer duty—requiring firms to put customer interests first—should apply in this market.

Growing ownership of cryptocurrencies in Britain

Crypto ownership has increased sharply in Britain in recent years.

Government data shows that about 12% of adults have owned or currently own cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, compared with only 4% in 2021.

This rapid growth underscores the need for a regulatory framework that both protects customers and allows the industry to expand in a competitive environment.

The FCA is asking for feedback on its proposals by 12 November.

Any finalised rules are likely to set the tone for how Britain balances consumer protection with the ambition to build a sustainable and competitive digital asset sector.

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