Polygon price bounces amid major payments upgrade

  • Polygon price eyes gains as the community cheers the Rio upgrade going live on the mainnet.
  • Rio introduces stateless validation, reducing node storage needs and enabling broader participation.
  • The upgrade also mitigates the risk of chain reorganizations with near-instant finality.

Polygon price rose as the Rio hardfork, a major upgrade aimed at redefining global payments on decentralized networks, went live on the mainnet.

 The Polygon Labs team announced the milestone on October 8, 2025, noting in a blog post that the upgrade is the network’s biggest ever.

Speed, near-instant finality, and lightweight nodes are key features that will go live amid the Rio upgrade, which could see Polygon play a major role in web3 payments and real-world asset markets. 

According to the team, Rio empowers developers, enterprises, and users to build and deploy payment solutions with confidence.

Polygon co-founder and CEO of Polygon Foundation Sandeep Nailwal commented via X:

Rio upgrade: what else to know

At the centre of the Rio upgrade lies a suite of meticulously engineered improvements encapsulated in three Polygon Improvement Proposals.

PIP-64 introduces the Validator-Elected Block Producer (VEBloP) model. 

This is a novel architecture where validators collaboratively select a limited pool of block producers to handle extended production cycles.

The aim is to eliminate the inefficiencies of simultaneous block creation by multiple validators, which is key to network throughput.

Complementing VEBloP, PIP-65 refines the economic incentives by redistributing transaction fees and maximum extractable value.

This ensures that even participants operating modest hardware can reap proportional rewards, fostering a more inclusive validator ecosystem. 

On the other hand,PIP-72 pioneers witness-based stateless validation, a groundbreaking feature that allows nodes to verify blocks using compact cryptographic proofs rather than maintaining exhaustive state data. 

These enhancements deliver near-instant finality, where blocks are treated as immutable upon validation.

It’s an update that mitigates the risks of transaction reversals or reorganisations that can significantly impact a network. 

With changes to underlying block production and validation, it’s now easier and lower-cost than ever to participate in the network.

Rio enables 5k TPS on the network and makes nodes lightweight, slashing the cost of compute.

By removing the risk of reorgs, Rio provides a step function improvement in the reliability of finality. 

What does this mean for POL?

POL, formerly MATIC, is Polygon’s native token.

Its value has recently fluctuated largely lower since hitting highs of $0.71 in December 2024.

However, bulls have ticked up by about 5% in the past week and POL traded 3% up in the past 24 hours with its price near $0.24.

In terms of what the Rio upgrade means for the ecosystem, the potential impact extends beyond technical prowess.

Polygon now encompasses a network that is for both builders and end-users.

Developers now face significantly reduced barriers to entry, with lightweight nodes requiring minimal compute and storage resources.

That means better integration experiences for agentic payment systems among others.

Beyond NFTs, there’s a rapidly expanding market across real-world assets and cross-border payments.

Rio not only elevates Polygon but also accelerates the mainstream adoption of web3 payments.

Polygon token’s price could ride tailwinds around these developments as bulls target gains.

The post Polygon price bounces amid major payments upgrade appeared first on CoinJournal.

BlackRock and Brevan Howard tokenized funds launch on Sei: check SEI price outlook

  • BlackRock and Brevan Howard launch tokenized funds on Sei via Kaios, enhancing institutional trust and driving network usage.
  • SEI trades at $0.28 with a 9.3% weekly gain; analysts project $0.40-$0.50.
  • Sei’s sub-second finality, EVM compatibility, and Kaios’s compliance infrastructure 

Global investment giants BlackRock and Brevan Howard have announced the launch of their tokenized funds on the Sei network, leveraging Kaios’s advanced infrastructure. 

Announced on October 8, 2025, the move highlights an accelerating institutional adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.

BlackRock milestone on Sei network

The debut introduces BlackRock’s BUIDL and Brevan Howard’s BH Digital Liquidity Fund to the Sei ecosystem, facilitated by Kaios’s institutional-grade platform. 

Conventional funds under this initiative are transformed into on-chain digital assets, enabling 24/7 compliance with DeFi protocols. 

Sei’s architecture ensures robust handling of high-volume transactions while maintaining enterprise-level security.

Mr. Olivier Dang, COO of KAIO, commenting on the announcement 

“This launch marks another major milestone in institutional blockchain adoption. By using the Sei Network, we’re bringing composable access to leading fund strategies entirely onchain. It’s the foundation for real-time, programmable, financial infrastructure built for the next era of capital markets.”

Justin Barlow, Executive Director at the Sei Development Foundation, in his statement, also stated,

 “The integration of KAIO’s onchain infrastructure with the Sei Network is another important step toward the goal for Sei to become the institutional settlement layer for all digital assets. Sei’s high-performance rails enable a seamless experience for trading money market funds onchain–one that is superior to the experience of trading those funds in the real world.”

This collaboration addresses longstanding pain points in asset management, such as settlement delays and high costs. 

By embedding KYC/AML protocols and secure custody solutions, Kaios ensures regulatory alignment, paving the way for broader institutional inflows into tokenized RWAs.

Implications for SEI token and market outlook

The debut of these high-profile funds is poised to catalyze demand for the SEI token.

As institutional activity surges, network usage is expected to rise, enhancing SEI’s deflationary mechanics and staking yields.  

SEI is trading at near $0.28, with a 4% weekly loss amid broader crypto market profit taking.

Short-term forecasts anticipate modest recovery, targeting $0.40-$0.50, bolstered by Sei’s growing network, partnerships.

Medium-term outlooks predict SEI reaching $1, with the all-time high of $1.14 allowing for further upside.

The price trajectory hinges on sustained partnerships and regulatory tailwinds like potential SEC approvals for staking yields. 

An $18 million token unlock is a challenge that could introduce supply pressure. Sei’s staking ratio and recent 50% weekly surges suggest resilience. 

This launch cements Sei’s role in institutional blockchain innovation, with SEI’s price outlook tilting positive amid heightened utility and capital inflows.

The post BlackRock and Brevan Howard tokenized funds launch on Sei: check SEI price outlook appeared first on CoinJournal.

PEPE price falls 6% to key support level amid memecoin weakness

  • PEPE price dropped 6% to lows of $0.0000088, testing critical support at $0.0000090.
  • The broader memecoin market fell 5%, with DOGE, SHIB, and others hit by macroeconomic pressures and reduced liquidity.
  • PEPE’s recovery depends on holding support and renewed social momentum, amid ongoing sector volatility and regulatory risks.

PEPE, the Ethereum-based memecoin, experienced a 6% decline in 24 hours as bears emerged.

The losses, coming amid overall market sell-off, saw Pepe test a critical support threshold.

Memecoin weakness means other tokens in the sector also witnessed dips.

PEPE declines to test key technical zone

As highlighted, the price of PEPE dipped 6% over the past 24 hours to reach almost $0.0000088.

This meant bulls brushed against a key support level below which more pain could follow.

Interestingly, the downward action came with a dip in intraday trading volume to $658 million.

The 12% decrease from the previous day aligned with bulls’ resilience as buyers sought accumulation.

The token nonetheless is near the oversold territory, with the Relative Strength Index at 36.

Such an outlook is always a signal for a potential bounce if buying interest resurfaces.

Pepe chart by TradingView

Support at $0.0000090 remains and aligns with prior consolidation zones.

The area now serves as a psychological bulwark.

On the upside, a bounce from the lows occasioned by profit-taking will awaken social media buzz.

Meantime, investors will keenly monitor whale activity, as large holders offloading or buying points to a potential uptick or downturn.

Broader memecoin sector grapples with persistent weakness

PEPE sentiment is a result of a wider weakness affecting the memecoin sector, which has shed nearly 5% in aggregate value this week.

The total meme coin market capitalization is now below $82 billion.

Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) also experienced a decline, albeit a minor one in the context of the past 24 hours.

Bonk (BONK) and Popcat also pared some gains amid widespread profit-taking.

This collective retreat stems from a confluence of macroeconomic headwinds, including the US Federal Reserve’s signals on interest rates.

Government shutdown is also a factor. Bitcoin, which shot to an all-time high above $126,000 this week, dropped to $122,000 before seeing a slight uptick ahead of the FOMC minutes on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The memecoin sector’s inherent volatility could increase if markets see a fresh downturn.

Notably, trading volumes for top memecoins have contracted by an average of 3.4% on the day.

But despite the diminished liquidity, analysts are upbeat amid calls for an altcoin season.

The memecoin arena remains robust, with viral whims likely to swiftly turn underperforming tokens into overall outperformers.

The post PEPE price falls 6% to key support level amid memecoin weakness appeared first on CoinJournal.

NYSE-listed CleanCore Solutions adds 710M Dogecoin to its treasury

  • CleanCore currently holds 710M DOGE worth about $174M after recent purchases.
  • The company targets 1B DOGE using a disciplined treasury strategy.
  • Partnership with Bitstamp by Robinhood ensures transparency and security.

CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (NYSE American: ZONE) has revealed that it has added over 710 million Dogecoin to its official corporate treasury.

The company’s growing digital asset reserve marks a significant step toward its ambitious target of holding 1 billion Dogecoin.

With this latest accumulation, CleanCore’s holdings are valued at approximately $173.9 million, based on Dogecoin’s current price of around $0.2455.

According to the company’s statement, the accumulation has been supported through a partnership with Bitstamp by Robinhood, which provides a regulated and transparent trading platform for the firm’s Dogecoin transactions.

A disciplined approach to its Dogecoin vision

CleanCore launched its official Dogecoin Treasury in early September, after raising about $175 million through a private placement.

The company has described its acquisition plan as disciplined and phased, focusing not only on growing its holdings but also on improving its market capitalisation relative to its net asset value (mNAV).

CEO Clayton Adams emphasised that CleanCore’s strategy aligns closely with the long-term vision of the Dogecoin Foundation and its corporate arm, House of Doge.

He said the firm’s approach “goes beyond a simple NAV play,” focusing instead on expanding Dogecoin’s utility and supporting broader adoption as a global digital asset.

And to execute its treasury strategy effectively, CleanCore has entered into a strategic alliance with Bitstamp USA, designating Bitstamp by Robinhood as its primary trading venue.

The partnership is designed to enhance transparency, safeguard token holdings, and ensure secure treasury operations.

CleanCore’s leadership believes these partnerships are key to building a sustainable and compliant framework for corporate digital asset management.

The company has also highlighted that friends, family, and House of Doge insiders hold a significant portion of its registered shares, which remain restricted or locked up.

In addition, CleanCore is working closely with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to register the private placement shares while keeping a close eye on short interest in its stock.

Focusing on long-term value and responsible scaling

Despite recent market volatility, CleanCore has reaffirmed its commitment to scaling its treasury responsibly.

The company’s strategy focuses on transparency, resilience, and sustainable growth, aiming to strengthen shareholder value while maintaining financial flexibility.

CleanCore’s current holdings include more than $20 million in unrealised gains, and management says it retains enough liquidity to continue acquiring Dogecoin.

Industry analysts, however, remain divided on the importance of mNAV as a measure of a company’s health in the digital asset space.

Greg Cipolaro, global head of research at NYDIG, recently argued that mNAV overlooks firms with broader business operations beyond simply holding crypto assets.

Meanwhile, Standard Chartered has warned that smaller crypto treasury firms may face risks of overexposure, predicting possible consolidation in the sector if mNAV levels stay low.

Market reaction and outlook

Following the announcement, CleanCore’s stock closed Tuesday down 8.44% at $2.06, with a slight recovery in after-hours trading to $2.09.

While some investors appear cautious about the company’s exposure to digital assets, others view the Dogecoin treasury as a forward-looking step that could enhance long-term value if Dogecoin adoption continues to rise.

For Dogecoin (DOGE), the news has had little to no impact on its bearish market sentiment.

At press time, DOGE traded at $0.2461 on CoinMarketCap, down 5.32% over the last 24 hours and almost erasing all of last month’s gains.

The post NYSE-listed CleanCore Solutions adds 710M Dogecoin to its treasury appeared first on CoinJournal.

Altcoins today: BNB tops $1,300 all-time high, CAKE extends rally, SOL eyes $250

  • Binance Coin has crossed $1,300 for the first time.
  • CAKE maintains its bullish strength after an over 70% weekly surge.
  • Solana eyes short-term surges to the key $250.

Cryptocurrencies displayed stability on Tuesday, with most tokens on the edge of potential breakouts.

Bitcoin trades above $124,500 as the crypto market cap increased by 0.6% the past 24 hours to $4.28 trillion.

Amidst the optimism, this article explores altcoins stealing the show with impressive price actions.

Binance Coin continues to lead the altseason with fresh all-time highs above $1,300 today, while CAKE soared 8% over the past day, extending weekly gains by roughly 70%.

Meanwhile, SOL targets near-term rallies to $250.

Let’s discover more!

Binance Coin sets new ATH above $1,300

Binance’s token hit fresh all-time highs today as it touched $1,325, marking one of the robust performances among top altcoins this month.

The milestone follows weeks of steady momentum fueled by revived investor confidence in the exchange and massive trading volumes.

BNB has surpassed XRP and USDT to rank as the third-largest digital token by value, with $179.93 billion market cap.

Confidence in Binance’s long-term goals has propelled the native token.

Founder Changpeng Zhao has always emphasized focus on building and holding, and the price milestone likely validates that policy.

Binance’s consistent ecosystem growth, massive community engagement, and strategic token burns have helped BNB outperform markets.

Traders are now targeting $1,500 as exchange volumes and on-chain activity indicate momentum for more price gains.

CAKE continues upward streak

PancakeSwap’s CAKE has displayed remarkable performance since turning bullish last week.

It hit the $4.20 target today after gaining more than 15% on its 24-hour timeframe.

The alt is changing hands at $4.21, with a 50% increase in daily trading volume confirming improving trader activity.

The current momentum comes after the DEX revealed CAKE-PAD on October 6, a feature designed for asset burns and utility.

The official announcement indicated:

CAKE.PAD is built with simplicity, inclusivity, and CAKE utility in mind. It’s designed to bring in more users and drive more CAKE usage and burning.

Meanwhile, the price performance has attracted attention as it reflects a resurgence in the broader DeFi space.

Moreover, some interpret it as traders rotating capital from large-cap tokens to undervalued decentralized finance projects.

DeFi assets are regaining traction after months of sideways movement, as investors seek lucrative yield opportunities ahead of possible Q4 rallies.

The momentum comes after PancakeSwap launched innovative user-friendly features and new liquidity incentives to enhance yield farming experiences.

CAKE buyers are targeting $6 to clear the path towards $10 before heading to $19 amid broad-based bull runs.

SOL eyes short-term surge

Solana has been among the hottest ecosystems of this cycle.

Memecoin activity, speed, low fees, and scalability have helped the blockchain maintain its status as a top project.

SOL has soared from around $150 in early August to cross $250 on September 18.

However, broader market weakness and profit-taking triggered reversals to late September lows of $190.

Solana recovered to press time’s $230.

It gained 10% the previous week and a little seems on its way to $250 again.

Meanwhile, institutional interest sets the stage for immense growth as experts forecast massive gains in the fourth quarter.

With analysts perceiving dips as opportunities to add more, the market remains poised for more uptrends.

The post Altcoins today: BNB tops $1,300 all-time high, CAKE extends rally, SOL eyes $250 appeared first on CoinJournal.