The crypto market is gaining speed as leading names and strong newcomers fuel momentum in the last quarter of 2025. Ethereum (ETH) has recovered to $4,700, with analysts pointing toward $10,000 as the next major mark, supported by ETF inflows and rising demand. Chainlink (LINK), currently trading near $25, has cleared its resistance range, with expert forecasts eyeing $150 in the near future.

Still, the buzz extends beyond these market giants. BlockDAG (BDAG) has captured attention with its Awakening Testnet, Buyer Battles presale model, and a $0.0016 limited-time entry price. These catalysts add both credibility and urgency, underlining how fresh technology and strong demand are reshaping the crypto space.

Ethereum Approaches $10K Milestone

Ethereum (ETH) has reclaimed the $4,700 level, bringing renewed optimism across the crypto market. Analysts and traders are now setting their sights on $10,000 as the next target, with institutional demand and ETF support playing a crucial role.

The SEC’s approval of spot Ethereum ETFs in 2024 has added over $11 billion in inflows, with nearly $3 billion arriving in just one week. This surge in demand has tightened supply, creating conditions that support Ethereum’s growth.

From a technical standpoint, Ethereum is now testing the $5,000 resistance. A strong breakout at this point could unlock new highs, pushing ETH into unexplored price ranges. On top of this, expected Fed rate cuts later this year may add fuel to its upward move.

Many traders view this cycle as distinct from earlier ones, with greater adoption from Wall Street driving momentum. If these factors continue, Ethereum could soon achieve five-digit pricing, cementing its role as the market’s leading digital coin after Bitcoin.

Chainlink Builds Toward $150

Chainlink (LINK) is showing resilience as it trades around $25, having broken through the tough $21 to $23 resistance zone. This structural shift has increased confidence among analysts who now project further growth.

With a market cap above $16 billion and daily trading volume exceeding $1.21 billion, LINK’s activity reflects strong engagement from both individual and institutional participants. Well-known analyst FitzoCrypto has mapped a long-term breakout pattern, suggesting LINK could climb to $150 in the coming months.

The projection is supported by consistently higher lows since 2022, a bullish MACD crossover, and growing trading volumes. Fibonacci retracement levels point toward short-term targets of $27.50 to $31.50, while mid-range checkpoints stand at $51 to $53 before the $150 goal.

Maintaining a steady price above $25 is key to preserving momentum. Suppose Chainlink can push past $30 with strength. In that case, analysts believe it could trigger a much larger rally, positioning LINK as one of the highest potential crypto opportunities to watch in the coming year.

BlockDAG’s Awakening Testnet and Buyer Battles Drive 2900% Growth

While Ethereum and Chainlink continue to show strength, BlockDAG (BDAG) is reshaping discussions with its major developments. The Awakening Testnet, scheduled for September 25, is more than just a technical update.

It will test the blockchain’s strength under live conditions, including core blockchain activation, UTXO removal for a leaner ledger, real-time explorer tools, and live miner integration through the Stratum Protocol. These features highlight maturity in infrastructure, showing that BDAG is already functioning beyond early-stage hype.

The project has also incorporated account abstraction and prepared the ground for EIP-4337, making it ready for smart accounts and advanced dApp ecosystems. These details show that BlockDAG (BDAG) is forward-looking and technically capable.

Furthermore, the Buyer Battles presale has become a driving force. Each day, 50 million BDAG coins are made available, and any unsold portion goes to the top buyer of the day. This gamified approach has created urgency and competition, driving contributions to almost $410 million. With over 26.4 billion coins sold and more than 312,000 coin holders already engaged, the numbers reflect strong momentum.

BlockDAG has also sold nearly 20,000 X-Series miners to more than 130 countries, alongside 3 million users on its X1 Miner app. The coin is currently priced at $0.0016 for a limited time.

By blending innovation, adoption, and urgency, BlockDAG has shown it is more than just another presale story. For those looking at the highest potential crypto in today’s market, BDAG is quickly proving itself as a project with unmatched credibility and growth prospects.

Closure Note

The 2025 crypto market surge shows how established projects and new challengers are reshaping opportunities. Ethereum’s path toward $10,000 underscores its role as a backbone of decentralised finance, while Chainlink’s bullish breakout points to increasing use of oracle technology and a potential move to $150.

Yet, BlockDAG has captured the spotlight as the highest potential crypto of the year. Its Awakening Testnet, Buyer Battles system, nearly $410 million raised, 26.4 billion coins sold, and growing global adoption set it apart from other presale projects.

As the Singapore Deployment event nears, BlockDAG continues to build momentum. For anyone tracking which coin leads the 2025 crypto growth story, BDAG remains the most exciting name to watch.

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended its review periods on multiple cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications in recent weeks, pushing back deadlines into October and November 2025.

This pattern of delays, while frustrating for the industry, is consistent with the SEC’s cautious approach to crypto products beyond spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Originally due for a decision on September 15, now extended to November 14, 2025. This reflects ongoing scrutiny of staking mechanics and custody issues for altcoin-based funds.

Ethereum Staking ETFs— BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton) decisions delayed to allow further review of staking proposals, with final calls expected in late October. XRP ETFs (Bitwise, CoinShares, Grayscale, 21Shares): Multiple filings pushed to October 19–23, amid concerns over market manipulation and regulatory classification of XRP.

These postponements have led to a “wait-and-see” stance among institutional investors, stalling Q3 2025 inflows into altcoin-related products and contributing to short-term market volatility. On a brighter note, the SEC did approve generic listing standards for commodity-based trusts including many spot crypto ETFs on September 17, which could streamline future approvals by eliminating case-by-case reviews and the standard 240-day delay.

This might accelerate launches for products like Solana or XRP ETFs by year-end, though analysts predict final decisions clustered in October. Despite the hurdles, cumulative inflows into approved Bitcoin ETFs have surpassed $54.8 billion in 2025, underscoring sustained demand.

The delays aren’t outright rejections—Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart calls them “routine”—but they highlight the SEC’s focus on investor protections like fraud risks and in-kind redemptions. In stark contrast to the SEC’s foot-dragging, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s move to publish official macroeconomic data on-chain via Chainlink and Pyth Network is a massive win for blockchain integration into traditional finance.

Announced on August 28, 2025, this initiative marks the first time a federal agency has disseminated economic stats directly onto public blockchains, starting with Q2 2025 GDP figures revised to +3.3% annualized growth. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index a key inflation gauge, and Real Final Sales to Private Domestic Purchasers measuring domestic demand.

Updated quarterly or monthly in sync with Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases. Initially rolled out on nine networks—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, TRON, Stellar, Avalanche, Arbitrum One, Polygon PoS, and Optimism—with expansions planned (e.g., Sonic added in September).

The Commerce Department generates a SHA256 hash of the official PDF release and embeds it along with topline figures into blockchain transactions or smart contracts. Chainlink Data Feeds and Pyth oracles then stream this verified data to DeFi apps in real-time.

This isn’t just symbolic—it’s programmable infrastructure. Developers can now build: Tokens or bonds that auto-adjust yields based on PCE data. Crowdsourced forecasts tied to GDP releases for real-time economic intelligence. Protocols that dynamically tweak lending rates or collateral requirements using macro trends.

Automated strategies for perpetual futures or tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) reacting to U.S. economic shifts. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hailed it as a “proof of concept” for broader government use, crediting President Trump’s pro-crypto push.

Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov noted ongoing talks with other federal agencies for applications like blockchain-backed elections and digital identity. The announcement spiked Chainlink’s LINK token +5% and Pyth’s PYTH +50% intraday, reflecting market excitement.

This federal endorsement validates decentralized oracles as “critical infrastructure” for stablecoins and tokenized economies, per a July 2025 White House report. It’s a tangible step toward the U.S. positioning itself as the “crypto capital,” counterbalancing SEC delays with real adoption. If you’re eyeing LINK or related plays, this could catalyze RWA growth—watch for more agencies jumping in by Q4.

What’s your take—bullish on altcoin ETFs despite the delays, or more excited about the macro data plays?

Native Markets—a startup co-founded by an early Hyperliquid contributor—won a competitive community-led bid to issue USDH, Hyperliquid’s native, compliant USD stablecoin.

This victory came after a heated bidding process involving major players like Paxos, Frax, Ethena, Agora, and BitGo, where Native Markets’ proposal emphasized reserve management across on- and off-chain assets, with yields directed toward HYPE token buybacks and USDH distribution growth.

USDH is set for a staged rollout on Hyperliquid’s Ethereum-compatible HyperEVM network, starting with small-scale testing for mints/redemptions (capped at $800 per transaction initially), followed by a USDH/USDC spot trading pair and uncapped operations.

In direct response, Circle—the issuer of USDC—accelerated its expansion into the Hyperliquid ecosystem. Just two days later, Circle launched native USDC on HyperEVM, marking a strategic move to counter potential market share loss to USDH.

This integration allows seamless USDC transfers across over a dozen networks via Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP v2), positioning USDC as collateral for perpetual contracts, a quote asset for spot pairs, and a tool for HyperEVM apps like treasury management and payments.

Circle also became a direct stakeholder by investing in HYPE tokens for the first time, while announcing incentive programs and collaborations with HyperEVM developers under Hyperliquid Improvement Proposal 3 (HIP-3).

USDH aims to become Hyperliquid’s dominant stablecoin, but Circle’s rapid native deployment ensures USDC remains a viable option, potentially preserving 12-15% of Circle’s revenue from the platform. Hyperliquid confirmed continued support for compliant stablecoins like USDC as quote assets.

HyperEVM, now the 8th largest DeFi chain with $2.66B TVL, benefits from increased liquidity and cross-chain interoperability. HYPE price surged to an all-time high of $59 post-announcement, boosting Hyperliquid’s $15B market cap.

This underscores intensifying stablecoin battles in DeFi, with Hyperliquid—handling $150B in monthly derivatives volume—emerging as a key battleground. Circle’s involvement validates HyperEVM as a standalone L1, per analysts like VanEck’s Matthew Sigel.

Native Markets’ USDH, aims to dominate HyperEVM’s ecosystem by leveraging on-chain governance and HYPE token buybacks. Circle’s rapid deployment of native USDC on HyperEVM is a direct countermeasure to protect its ~$5.3B in USDC liquidity on Hyperliquid.

Analysts estimate Circle could retain 12-15% of its platform revenue by ensuring USDC’s utility as collateral for perpetuals and a quote asset for spot trading. The coexistence of USDH and USDC as compliant stablecoins on HyperEVM sets up a high-stakes rivalry.

Hyperliquid’s confirmation of support for multiple stablecoins suggests a neutral stance, but USDH’s integration into governance (e.g., yield distribution) gives it a structural edge. Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP v2) enables seamless USDC transfers across 12+ networks, enhancing HyperEVM’s interoperability.

Combined with USDH’s rollout, this drives liquidity to HyperEVM, now the 8th largest DeFi chain with $2.66B in TVL. Circle’s investment in HYPE tokens and the USDH bid outcome fueled a price spike to $59, pushing Hyperliquid’s market cap to $15B.

This signals growing investor confidence in Hyperliquid’s governance and HyperEVM’s potential as a standalone L1 chain. Circle’s collaboration with HyperEVM developers under HIP-3 (e.g., treasury management, payment apps) fosters dApp innovation, potentially attracting more projects to the ecosystem.

By integrating USDC natively and investing in HYPE, Circle establishes itself as a key Hyperliquid stakeholder. Its planned USDC expansion to HyperCore further solidifies its long-term commitment, countering USDH’s rise while capitalizing on Hyperliquid’s $150B monthly derivatives volume.

The USDH bidding process, despite controversy over fairness, demonstrates Hyperliquid’s community-driven model. Native Markets’ win validates HyperEVM’s ability to onboard innovative startups, reinforcing its competitive edge in DeFi.

Hyperliquid’s prominence as a derivatives hub makes it a critical battleground for stablecoin issuers. Circle’s swift response mirrors broader industry trends, where stablecoins like USDT, USDC, and emerging players like USDH vie for dominance in high-volume DeFi ecosystems.

Circle’s expansion and USDH’s launch intensify competition, boost HyperEVM’s liquidity and innovation, and cement Hyperliquid’s role as a DeFi powerhouse, with ripple effects across the stablecoin and L1 ecosystems. This development highlights Hyperliquid’s maturing governance and Circle’s proactive DeFi strategy.