Pump.fun retreats 3% as open interest and TVL reach record highs

Key takeaways

  • PUMP is down 3% on Wednesday after rallying nearly 13% the previous day.
  • Futures Open Interest climbed to a record $258.62 million, indicating increased speculative positioning.
  • The funding rate surged to 0.039%, reflecting a sharp shift toward leveraged long positions.

Pump.fun (PUMP) declines 3% on Wednesday as traders take profits following an almost 13% rally during the previous session.

Despite the pullback, derivatives data indicates that speculative demand continues to strengthen. PUMP futures Open Interest has risen to an all-time high of $258.62 million, while the funding rate has turned sharply positive.

Pump.fun’s network metrics also show improving adoption. Total Value Locked (TVL) has reached a record 3.34 million SOL, accompanied by rising revenue and active addresses.

PUMP retains a mildly bullish technical outlook above $0.00300 as its 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) approach a potential Golden Cross.

PUMP Open Interest hits record high

Retail speculation in PUMP is increasing following the token’s more than 40% advance since the beginning of August.

According to CoinGlass, futures Open Interest rose to a record $258.62 million on Wednesday, up from $216.74 million one day earlier. This represents an increase of approximately $41.88 million within 24 hours.

Open Interest measures the total notional value of active futures and perpetual contracts that have not been settled. An increase alongside a price recovery generally indicates that traders are opening new positions and committing additional capital to the market.

The rise supports a bullish interpretation, but it also means leverage is building rapidly. Elevated leverage can amplify price gains while increasing the risk of sharp liquidations if the market reverses.

PUMP’s funding rate climbed to 0.039% on Wednesday, reversing from negative 0.0036% the previous day.

Funding rates are periodic payments exchanged between traders holding long and short positions in perpetual futures. A positive reading means long traders are paying shorts, typically because demand for bullish exposure is stronger.

The rapid shift from negative to strongly positive funding confirms that traders have moved aggressively toward long positions.

However, elevated funding can create a crowded market. If PUMP falls unexpectedly, leveraged longs may be forced to close, potentially accelerating the decline through a cascade of liquidations.

The combination of record Open Interest and sharply positive funding therefore reflects strong bullish sentiment alongside increasing speculative risk.

Pump.fun’s Total Value Locked has increased to an all-time high of 3.34 million SOL, according to DeFiLlama.

TVL measures the value of assets deposited in a decentralized finance protocol. The steady rise in deposits indicates that users are committing more capital to the Pump.fun ecosystem.

The increase strengthens the case that recent activity is not limited to speculation in the PUMP token. It also reflects greater use of the underlying protocol.

Nevertheless, SOL-denominated TVL can fluctuate in US Dollar terms when Solana’s market price changes. Both the quantity of deposited SOL and its Dollar value should be considered when evaluating longer-term growth.

Pump.fun generated 23,706 SOL in revenue on Tuesday, lifting its weekly total to more than 47,500 SOL.

The protocol collected 151,929 SOL in revenue during the previous week, its strongest weekly performance in 18 months.

Active addresses also rose to 81,429 last week, up from 74,438 during the preceding week. That represents an increase of almost 9.4%.

Rising revenue and active addresses indicate increased participation across the platform. If sustained, this activity could support demand for PUMP and strengthen confidence in the protocol’s economic model.

The key question is whether current usage can remain elevated after the recent surge in speculative activity slows.

PUMP approaches a Golden Cross

PUMP trades above $0.00300 at the time of writing, maintaining a bullish short-term structure despite Wednesday’s decline.

The token remains above its 50-day EMA at $0.002214 and its 200-day EMA near $0.002227. These moving averages create a concentrated support zone around $0.00221-$0.00223.

The 50-day EMA is also close to crossing above the 200-day EMA. This formation, known as a Golden Cross, is commonly interpreted as a potential transition from a bearish trend into a longer-term bullish phase.

A Golden Cross is a lagging indicator and does not guarantee further gains. However, confirmation of the pattern could attract additional momentum traders if network and derivatives activity remain strong.

The Relative Strength Index stands near 68, indicating strong buying momentum. The reading remains below the conventional overbought threshold of 70, although it suggests the rally is becoming stretched.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator remains above its signal line, reinforcing the bullish momentum outlook.

Immediate resistance sits at $0.003399, corresponding with the December 3 high. A decisive daily close above this level could confirm a broader breakout and extend PUMP’s uptrend.

PUMP/USD 4H Chart

Failure to clear $0.003399 could lead to further profit-taking, particularly given the elevated funding rate and record leveraged positioning.

On the downside, the 200-day EMA at approximately $0.002227 provides initial support, closely reinforced by the 50-day EMA near $0.002214. A daily close below this cluster would weaken the bullish setup and reduce the likelihood of a successful Golden Cross.

PUMP’s near-term direction will likely depend on whether growing network activity can offset the risks created by crowded leveraged long positions.

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How to choose a crypto prop firm: three structural tests

  • The first question for any crypto prop firm is whether trades hit a real order book or a simulation.
  • A crypto-native perpetuals trader gets the most from a crypto-first structure with verifiable payouts.
  • HyroTrader is crypto only: USDT perpetual futures, no forex pairs, no indices, no metals.

Every crypto prop firm’s homepage makes the same pitch: six figures of buying power, a generous profit split, a challenge fee that looks small next to the capital on offer. Read five pricing pages in a row, and they blur into one.

The differences that decide whether a funded account survives live below the marketing.

They come down to three structural questions: where orders execute, how drawdown is measured, and what a payout actually is.

A trader who can answer all three about a firm knows more than most reviews will ever tell them.

Test one: where orders execute

The first question for any crypto prop firm is whether trades hit a real order book or a simulation.

Both architectures exist, and both can be honest; the failure mode is a simulation dressed up as the real thing.

HyroTrader put direct exchange execution at the center of its model in 2023, the first crypto prop firm to do it.

Traders connect to Bybit by API, and trade USDT perpetual futures on the trader’s own account against live order books, across more than 700 pairs.

The same firm shows what honest simulation looks like.

Its CLEO platform, built for traders in Bybit-restricted countries, prices from real-time Binance market data and order book depth while filling trades internally, and it simulates the unflattering parts: market impact, commissions, slippage landing in the position PnL at fill.

If a firm will not say plainly where fills happen, assume the answer costs you money.

Test two: how drawdown is measured

Two firms quoting the same daily limit can be selling different products, because what matters is the reference point.

HyroTrader’s standard daily drawdown is trailing: measured from the highest equity point reached during the day, unrealized profit included, so the risk line rises as the day goes well.

Its swing variant, sold as a paid upgrade, is static, measured from the day’s starting equity and reset once every 24 hours.

The daily limit itself is 4 percent on the one-step model and 5 percent on the two-step, calculated from initial capital.

A trailing limit punishes how you win. Ride a position up, give a third of the move back, and the giveback can trip the limit while the day is still green.

Crypto compounds the effect because volatility arrives in bursts; CoinJournal’s analysis of Bitcoin’s current tight range describes exactly the kind of compression that precedes them.

Test three: what a payout actually is

A payout policy is three numbers and a proof: how often, how fast, and whether anyone can verify it happened.

At HyroTrader, payouts are on demand, typically processed within 12 to 24 hours, in USDT or USDC, with no withdrawal commissions, and the first one can be requested as early as the day of the first trade.

Since April 2026, payouts through its vault system execute as Solana transactions with publicly verifiable IDs on Fireblocks infrastructure, so the proof does not depend on the firm’s word.

Cost belongs in the same test. HyroTrader’s challenge fees run one-time, from $59 for a 5,000 USDT account to $969 for 200,000 USDT, with no recurring charges, and the fee is refunded with the first profit split after passing.

A firm confident in its payout process has no reason to bury these numbers.

The honest trade-off

HyroTrader is crypto-only: USDT perpetual futures, no forex pairs, no indices, no metals.

A trader who wants gold or the S&P alongside BTC needs a multi-asset firm and accepts the different execution model that comes with it.

There are consistency rules too: during evaluation, no single day may contribute more than 40 percent of the result, though exceeding the cap only discounts the excess rather than failing the account.

The structure fits deliberate traders and frustrates all-in ones, which is the point.

Choosing by profile

A crypto-native perpetuals trader gets the most from a crypto-first structure with verifiable payouts, which is HyroTrader’s case.

A generalist who wants metals and indices in the same account belongs at a multi-asset firm: FTMO, which popularized the modern evaluation model, runs crypto as one market among forex, indices, and metals, and FundedNext brings similar breadth.

Whatever the profile, start from a crypto prop firm comparison that puts evaluation costs, drawdown types, and payout terms side by side, then read the full rulebooks of the two finalists. Pick the rulebook you can recite before you pay for it.

Figures come from the firms’ published terms as of August 2026; verify current numbers before purchasing an evaluation. Trading crypto derivatives carries substantial risk of loss.

The post How to choose a crypto prop firm: three structural tests appeared first on CoinJournal.

Zcash dips 1% as Ironwood adoption and futures demand strengthen

Key takeaways

  • Zcash dipped 1% on Tuesday following Monday’s rally. day, 
  • The Ironwood shielded pool now holds 3.07 million ZEC, representing 70% of total shielded volume.
  • ZEC is approaching the apex of a symmetrical triangle, with resistance near $528.

Zcash (ZEC) dipped 1% on Tuesday despite the massive rally on Monday. The surge earlier this week comes as rising Ironwood adoption and stronger derivatives activity supported demand.

The privacy coin trades above $500 and is approaching the apex of a symmetrical triangle pattern. A breakout above the upper trendline could strengthen the bullish outlook and bring the $600 region into focus.

Ironwood shielded volume crosses 3 million ZEC

Migration to Zcash’s Ironwood shielded pool continues to gain traction following the discovery of a counterfeiting vulnerability affecting the network’s older pool infrastructure.

Data from Zkp.baby shows that Ironwood’s shielded volume reached 3.07 million ZEC on Monday. The pool now accounts for approximately 70% of the total ZEC held in shielded pools.

Meanwhile, volume in the older Orchard pool has declined to 761,889 ZEC as users continue migrating their holdings.

The shift toward Ironwood indicates growing adoption of the updated shielded infrastructure. It also suggests that users are responding to the network’s security changes while maintaining demand for Zcash’s privacy features.

Zcash’s derivatives market is also showing renewed retail participation. CoinGlass data shows that ZEC futures Open Interest decreased 1% over the past 24 hours to $924.16 million. The decrease signals that traders are closing new positions or allocating more capital to existing contracts.

Zcash price outlook: ZEC approaches triangle breakout

Zcash trades above $500 on Tuesday, maintaining a mildly bullish technical outlook as it holds above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average at approximately $490.

The 200-day EMA near $420 also supports the broader bullish structure. Meanwhile, the price is contracting between two converging trendlines, forming a symmetrical triangle on the daily chart.

This pattern typically indicates declining volatility before a larger directional move. However, the triangle does not confirm whether the eventual breakout will be bullish or bearish.

Momentum indicators provide mixed but improving signals. The Relative Strength Index has risen above its neutral level to 55, suggesting renewed buying pressure.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator remains marginally below its signal line, pointing to some lingering downside pressure. A bullish crossover would provide additional confirmation that buyers are regaining control.

Zcash faces immediate resistance at the triangle’s upper trendline near $528. A sustained daily close above this level would confirm a bullish breakout and could propel ZEC toward the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at approximately $595. This level is calculated from the decline between $690 and $250.

ZEC/USD 4H Chart

Clearing $595 would bring the psychologically important $600 level into focus and strengthen the prospect of a broader trend continuation.

On the downside, the 50-day EMA near $490 provides initial support. A breakdown below this moving average could extend the correction toward the 50% Fibonacci retracement at $470.

If selling pressure intensifies, the 200-day EMA at approximately $420 represents the next major support level. Holding above these moving averages would preserve Zcash’s broader recovery structure.

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Chainlink pauses near $9.56 as ETF inflows support breakout hopes

Key takeaways

  • Chainlink trades around $9.42 after gaining more than 14% last week.
  • A long-to-short ratio of 0.76 and negative funding point to weakening derivatives sentiment.
  • Spot LINK ETFs attracted $2.07 million on Monday, their largest daily inflow since July 22.
  • Losing support at $9.39 could trigger a pullback toward $8.94 and the $8.60–$8.50 region.

Chainlink (LINK) is struggling to overcome resistance near $9.56 on Tuesday, pausing after rallying more than 14% during the previous week.

Weakening derivatives indicators suggest that bullish momentum may be losing strength. However, renewed institutional demand through spot LINK exchange-traded funds could support another attempt to move higher.

Derivatives traders adopt a bearish stance

CoinGlass data shows early signs of weakening sentiment in Chainlink’s derivatives market.

LINK’s long-to-short ratio stands at 0.90 on Tuesday, close to its lowest level in a month. A reading below one indicates that short positions outnumber long positions, suggesting more traders expect the price to decline.

Chainlink’s funding rate also turned negative, falling to minus 0.0050%. Negative funding means short-position holders are paying traders with long exposure, reflecting a bearish imbalance in the perpetual futures market.

Together, the indicators suggest that derivatives traders are becoming more cautious after LINK’s double-digit weekly rally.

However, heavily bearish positioning could also increase the possibility of a short squeeze if Chainlink breaks through its nearby resistance levels.

Institutional demand showed improvement at the beginning of the week. Data from SoSoValue shows that spot Chainlink ETFs recorded $2.07 million in net inflows on Monday. This represented the products’ largest single-day inflow since July 22.

The increase suggests that institutional investors are rebuilding exposure to LINK following its recent recovery.

Continued ETF inflows could help absorb profit-taking and provide the demand needed for Chainlink to overcome the 200-day Exponential Moving Average. However, a single day of positive flows is insufficient to establish a lasting trend.

A sustained series of inflows throughout the week would provide stronger confirmation of renewed institutional interest.

Chainlink price outlook: LINK tests the 200-day EMA

Chainlink trades around $9.42 on Tuesday and remains above its 50-day and 100-day EMAs, positioned at $8.50 and $8.60, respectively.

Holding above these moving averages supports a mildly bullish medium-term outlook. However, LINK remains below the 200-day EMA at $9.56, which is limiting the current recovery.

The token has reclaimed the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $9.39, establishing this level as immediate support.

Momentum indicators remain constructive but show that LINK may be approaching stretched conditions. The Relative Strength Index is near 67, just below the overbought threshold of 70, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator remains positive.

These readings suggest that buyers retain control but may encounter increasing resistance following last week’s sharp rally.

A decisive daily close above the 200-day EMA at $9.56 would strengthen Chainlink’s bullish outlook and bring the horizontal resistance at $9.92 into focus.

LINK/USD 4H Chart

Clearing both barriers could allow LINK to test the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $10.04. Beyond that, the cycle-high region around $10.87 represents the next major bullish objective.

On the downside, the 61.8% Fibonacci level at $9.39 provides the first line of support. A break below this area could trigger a pullback toward the 50% retracement at $8.94.

Stronger support is concentrated between the 100-day EMA at $8.60 and the 50-day EMA at $8.50. Holding this zone would preserve the medium-term recovery structure, while a decisive breakdown could return control to sellers.

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Pi Network defends $0.0839 support following latest Node upgrade

Key takeaways

  • Pi Network edges higher on Monday as buyers defend the $0.0839 support level following two consecutive daily declines.
  • The Pi Core Team released Node version 0.6.2 after successfully testing distributed computing capabilities across the network.
  • A break below $0.0786 could invalidate the recent channel breakout, while a recovery above $0.1000 could strengthen the bullish outlook.

Pi Network (PI) edges higher on Monday as buyers attempt to defend the key $0.0839 support level following two consecutive days of losses.

The mild recovery comes after the Pi Core Team released a new Node upgrade focused on advancing the network’s distributed computing capabilities. However, PI’s technical outlook remains mixed, with weak derivatives activity and indecisive momentum limiting confidence in a sustained rebound.

Weak market sentiment weighs on Pi Network

Pi Network remains a highly speculative cryptocurrency whose price is heavily influenced by broader market conditions, retail demand and the strength of its community.

CoinMarketCap’s Crypto Fear and Greed Index stands at 38 on Monday, reflecting cautious sentiment and reduced risk appetite among investors.

Renewed geopolitical tensions involving Israel, Lebanon, the United States and Iran have contributed to uncertainty across risk assets. This defensive environment could make it more difficult for speculative tokens such as PI to attract fresh capital.

The Pi Network community continues to anticipate further ecosystem development around its reported base of 18 million Know Your Customer-verified users.

The Pi Core Team released version 0.6.2 of its Node software on Saturday. The upgrade follows a successful test of distributed computing capabilities across Pi Nodes and could provide a foundation for additional network utilities.

Expanding the role of individual Nodes beyond transaction validation could strengthen the network’s functionality and provide new use cases for participants. However, the upgrade’s long-term impact will depend on whether developers introduce applications that generate sustainable user demand.

Social activity showed a modest increase following the announcement. Santiment data indicates that Pi Network’s Social Dominance rose to 0.01% on Sunday from 0.009% on Saturday. Social Volume also increased to 12 from 8 over the same period.

The figures suggest that the Node upgrade generated slightly more discussion, although overall social engagement remains limited.

Pi Network’s derivatives market continues to show reduced trader participation. According to CoinAnk, PI futures Open Interest declined to $8.81 million from $9.12 million on Friday.

Open Interest measures the notional value of outstanding derivatives contracts. A decline generally indicates that traders are closing leveraged positions or reducing their exposure.

The continued reduction in PI futures Open Interest suggests that speculative interest is weakening despite the latest technical upgrade and Monday’s mild price recovery.

Pi Network struggles to extend falling-channel breakout

Pi Network maintains a bearish short-term bias as its price consolidates below $0.0900.

PI previously broke above a falling-channel pattern on the daily chart, creating the possibility of a bullish reversal. However, the token has failed to produce meaningful upside follow-through, reflecting weak buying demand.

At the time of writing, buyers are defending the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.0839. The retracement is measured from the recent decline between $0.1341 and $0.0703.

A sustained break below $0.0839 could expose the former channel resistance trendline near $0.0786. A decisive daily close below this level would weaken the bullish breakout structure and raise the risk of deeper losses.

Pi Network’s daily momentum indicators provide little evidence of a strong recovery. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator remains only marginally above its signal line and is at risk of forming a bearish crossover. Such a move would indicate that downside momentum is beginning to strengthen.

The Relative Strength Index stands at 45, below its neutral midpoint of 50. This reading reflects modest bearish pressure but remains consistent with range-bound trading rather than an oversold market.

PI/USD 4H Chart

On the upside, the psychological threshold at $0.1000 represents the first major resistance level.

This area is reinforced by the 50% Fibonacci retracement at $0.1022, creating a meaningful supply zone where sellers could limit any recovery.

A decisive breakout above $0.1022 would strengthen PI’s recovery prospects and could open the way toward the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.1190.

Until PI generates stronger buying demand and derivatives participation begins to recover, its near-term outlook is likely to remain cautious.

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