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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Polymarket secures regulatory clearance to relaunch in the US

  • Polymarket wins CFTC no-action letter, clearing path to relaunch in US markets.
  • DOJ and CFTC probes closed, removing key hurdles for Polymarket’s US return.
  • Polymarket to rival Kalshi as a regulated US prediction market exchange.

Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction market platform, has gained the necessary regulatory approvals to begin operations in the United States.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a no-action letter, clearing the way for the exchange to move forward after years of regulatory hurdles and investigations.

CFTC grants key approval

The CFTC’s no-action letter, announced Wednesday, allows Polymarket to avoid swaps data reporting and record-keeping obligations.

Such exemptions are standard practice for prediction markets, where contracts are based on event outcomes ranging from economic indicators and election results to sporting events.

Without the letter, compliance costs tied to transaction reporting could have been significant, potentially undermining Polymarket’s ability to operate profitably in the US.

“The green light to go live in the USA,” Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan wrote on X following the announcement.

The exchange has been steadily moving toward reentry into the US market, having acquired QCX earlier this year.

QCX had previously secured CFTC approval for its exchange application in July, setting the stage for Polymarket to expand under a regulated framework.

Background of investigations

Polymarket’s US ambitions had been delayed following regulatory scrutiny dating back to 2022.

That year, the platform faced a consent decree with the CFTC, which limited its ability to serve American users.

Questions later arose over whether Polymarket continued to allow US-based traders onto its platform despite these restrictions, prompting investigations from both the CFTC and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Both agencies have since closed their probes, removing a significant overhang on Polymarket’s operations.

The latest regulatory clearance, coupled with the earlier acquisition of QCX, marks a turning point for the company as it repositions itself in the US market.

Competitive landscape

By reestablishing its presence in the US, Polymarket joins a growing list of CFTC-regulated exchanges vying for market share in the prediction market space.

Its competitors include Kalshi, which already operates legally in the US, and broader crypto platforms such as Crypto.com, which have signaled interest in event-based contracts.

The prediction market model has drawn attention in recent years as investors, traders, and the general public look for innovative ways to speculate on real-world outcomes.

With regulatory clarity now in place, Polymarket is positioned to attract both institutional and retail interest, provided it can scale its offerings while staying compliant with US oversight.

For Polymarket, the latest approval represents more than just a regulatory milestone.

It signals a chance to compete head-to-head with incumbents and reestablish itself as a leading name in the event contracts industry, now under the full supervision of US regulators.

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Notcoin price jumps over 5% signalling a rebound, but profit-taking risks persist

  • Notcoin has broken a key resistance, sparking a 5% price rally.
  • Strong community growth and TON ecosystem support boosted optimism.
  • Profit-taking and high-beta volatility may limit near-term gains.

Notcoin (NOT) surged over 5% in the last 24 hours, breaking a month-long downtrend and attracting renewed attention from traders and the crypto community.

The token’s rebound comes amid broader altcoin optimism and strong technical signals, but experts warn that short-term profit-taking could temper gains in the coming days.

Why is the Notcoin price rising today?

The current NOT price rally appears to be driven by a combination of technical triggers, community enthusiasm, and favourable altcoin sentiment.

Notcoin recently bounced after hitting a key support at $0.00165, breaking from a month-long bearish trend.

Eyes are now on the critical resistance zone between $0.0019 and $0.002, a level that has capped the token since mid-August 2025.

Notcoin price analysis

Momentum has also been fueled by the community and the broader TON ecosystem.

Notcoin’s on-chain network boasts over 2.8 million holders, with more than $1 billion in decentralised exchange volume and $220 million already distributed to participants.

Social media activity indicates growing excitement around a potential Coinbase listing and increasing adoption within TON’s expanding Web3 infrastructure, particularly its integration with Telegram’s 900 million users.

These factors have reinforced speculative interest, as evidenced by a 24-hour trading volume representing nearly 14% of Notcoin’s market capitalisation.

Broader crypto market conditions have also supported Notcoin’s rebound.

The CoinMarketCap Altcoin Season Index has surged 32.5% over the past month, indicating capital rotation into high-beta tokens.

This altcoin tailwind has amplified Notcoin’s sensitivity to bullish market swings, making its recent price action more pronounced compared to larger, more stable cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC).

Growing ecosystem and adoption boost optimism

Notcoin’s recent developments outside the charts have further strengthened investor sentiment.

The launch of the NotCard, a digital Visa Signature card, allows users to top up with any cryptocurrency while reinvesting 0.7% of each transaction back into $NOT, supporting buybacks and community rewards.

The card’s rollout, initially digital-only with future plans for physical Apple and Google versions, signals a push toward real-world utility and broader adoption.

Early adopters also receive bonuses, reinforcing community engagement and participation.

Social media buzz has mirrored these developments. Platforms like CoinRabbit now list $NOT as a collateral option, allowing users to unlock funds without selling their tokens.

Such initiatives underscore Notcoin’s increasing integration into the DeFi ecosystem and its potential to attract new participants seeking innovative crypto solutions.

Profit-taking risk could cap gains

Despite the positive momentum, market watchers caution that short-term profit-taking could temper the upside.

Notcoin’s sharp rebound has already triggered liquidations of $1.17 million in short positions near $0.00206, highlighting the high stakes for traders positioning for further rallies.

A failure to maintain weekly closes above $0.0021 may invite sellers looking to capture short-term gains, potentially slowing or reversing the current upward trajectory.

RISK, a crypto analyst, notes that while Notcoin (NOT) is building strong momentum after bouncing from its crucial support at $0.00165, key resistance levels sit at $0.00239, $0.00356, and $0.00564, projecting a potential 226% upside if the breakout is sustained.

However, the token remains vulnerable to broader market fluctuations, particularly as competition from newer tap-to-earn games and other high-profile altcoins could dilute investor enthusiasm.

The current setup reflects strong accumulation and bullish potential, but short-term traders should remain cautious about rapid profit-taking, especially given the token’s high beta relative to Bitcoin.

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Why Solana ecosystem entity card trading platform Collector Crypt token price is soaring

  • Collector Crypt (CARDS) token has surged over 600% and its market cap has surpassed $45M in a little over two days.
  • The Collector Crypt platform offers tokenised card trading with instant buybacks.
  • The platform has processed $145M+ in transactions, earning a gross revenue $9.65 million so far.

The Solana-based card trading platform Collector Crypt has captured the attention of both collectors and investors as its native token, CARDS, experiences an extraordinary surge in value.

Since launching on August 30, CARDS has moved from a modest trading price to a high of approximately $0.1906, reflecting gains of over 600%.

This price action is supported by a market capitalisation exceeding $45 million, alongside 24-hour trading volumes surpassing $20 million.

What is Collector Crypt?

Collector Crypt is a Solana-based platform designed for trading physical and digital collectible cards through an innovative on-chain marketplace.

The platform tokenises vaulted cards, making them tradeable in a secure and transparent environment.

Collectors can participate in pack openings, known as the Gacha machine, which offers rare Pokémon cards and other collectibles, while enjoying instant buyback options.

Since the start of the year, the platform has processed over $74 million in transaction volume across approximately 3,800 wallets, highlighting its growing adoption within the collectible community.

The platform leverages blockchain technology to address traditional issues in the collectibles market, such as high transaction fees, slow settlements, and counterfeit risks.

While conventional sales on platforms like eBay or auction houses often incur 10–15% fees, Collector Crypt charges just 4% for verified, vaulted assets, enabling instant and transparent settlements on the Solana blockchain.

This approach positions the platform as a pioneering force in what is now being termed Collectible Capital Markets, an emerging segment where real-world assets meet blockchain innovation.

Collector Crypt’s ecosystem has also seen strong engagement from the broader blockchain community.

Major players such as Raydium and Metaplex have highlighted the platform’s capacity to unlock liquidity and create accessible markets for collectors and traders.

Protocol data shows a cumulative transaction volume of over $145 million, with gross revenue exceeding $9.65 million, indicating both high activity levels and the potential for sustainable growth.

Why is the Collector Crypt (CARDS) price rising?

The CARDS token has experienced rapid appreciation due to a combination of strong platform activity, investor interest, and strategic ecosystem partnerships.

Within the first two days of trading, $CARDS saw approximately $3.5 million in DEX volume from around 1,000 traders, supported by $1.6 million in initial liquidity, according to Pine Analytics.

Although early holdings are concentrated, with the team controlling nearly 80% of the token supply, the active engagement of hundreds of wallets has contributed to consistent trading momentum.

Recent promotional campaigns, including the launch of the Legendary Gacha feature, have further fueled demand for the token.

This feature has been widely recognised for its attractive odds and engagement potential, drawing attention from both collectors and speculators.

Investor confidence is also bolstered by the platform’s transparency and analytics infrastructure.

Tools like the Dune dashboard, maintained by Pine Analytics, provide detailed insights into wallet activity, transaction volumes, and liquidity levels, offering users clear visibility into the platform’s operations.

At the same time, analysts caution that while CARDS presents a high-growth opportunity, the token remains volatile and is subject to risks due to contract privileges that allow for fee adjustments, token minting, and other potential changes.

Overall, the combination of innovative blockchain mechanics, real-world collectible integration, and increasing investor interest explains the remarkable rise in CARDS token value.

Collector Crypt is not only reshaping the way collectors engage with assets but is also demonstrating how the Solana ecosystem can host highly liquid and transparent markets, bridging the gap between digital and physical collectibles.

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