Tag Archives: altcoins

Altcoins Outperform Bitcoin After Supreme Court Tariff Ruling: Altcoin Season Starting?

Altcoins Outperform Bitcoin After Supreme Court Tariff Ruling: Altcoin Season Starting?

BNB, DOGE, ADA, and SOL each gained 3 to 4% in the last 24 hours while Bitcoin sat still. The total crypto market climbed 1.39% to $2.33 trillion, and the move came from altcoins, not BTC.

What triggered the rotation? The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump’s global tariffs were illegal. Most traders expected a sell-off. Instead, capital moved out of Bitcoin and into altcoins.

Blockchain advisor Anndy Lian noted that “the outperformance we see today stems from internal momentum that traditional markets cannot replicate.”

Bitcoin dominance held at 58.27%. That means investors aren’t selling BTC. They’re moving money into tokens they think have more room to run in the short term.

Altcoin MACD Signal Fires for the First Time in 6 Years

Crypto analyst Dan Gambardello pointed to a chart signal that has a strong track record. The MACD on the Others/BTC chart just crossed above the signal line, with two green histogram bars now forming.

The same signal appeared before the 2017 and 2020 altcoin booms. Both times, it showed up right as PMI expansion began. That matters because quantitative tightening ended on December 1, 2025, and PMI expansion is close to starting again.

Gambardello called it “the trigger for the bull for altcoins” in every previous cycle.

Fear and Greed Index at 14, But Prices Are Rising

The Fear and Greed Index is sitting at 14, well inside extreme fear. Yet the market is moving up. That kind of disconnect has historically come right before short-term relief rallies.

Lian said that “this disconnect between sentiment and price action suggests that the market has already priced in significant pessimism, leaving room for upside surprises.”

Key Levels to Watch Next

The total market cap is now testing the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $2.35 trillion. A daily close above that level would signal a short-term trend reversal. A rejection could send prices back toward the $2.17 trillion monthly low.

Adding to the pressure, the Clarity Act faces a White House-set March 1 deadline. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has said there’s a 90% chance it passes by end of April. If it does, it could open the door for institutional money that’s been waiting on regulatory clarity before touching altcoins.

The setup is there. Now it comes down to follow-through.

 

Source: https://coinpedia.org/news/altcoins-outperform-bitcoin-after-supreme-court-tariff-ruling-altcoin-season-starting/amp/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Fed cuts rates but warns against complacency: Bitcoin and altcoins react sharply

Fed cuts rates but warns against complacency: Bitcoin and altcoins react sharply

The recent Federal Reserve policy decision has injected a fresh wave of caution into global financial markets, and the cryptocurrency sector has not been spared. On the surface, the Fed delivered exactly what many had anticipated: a 25 basis point rate cut, accompanied by the early termination of quantitative tightening. Beneath that veneer of predictability lies a more complex and nuanced message, one that has unsettled investors across asset classes.

Chair Jerome Powell’s explicit pushback against the market’s assumption of another rate cut in December has recalibrated expectations, triggering a repricing of risk and a retreat from speculative positioning. This recalibration is now rippling through equities, bonds, commodities, and digital assets alike, underscoring just how tightly crypto remains tethered to macroeconomic sentiment despite its purported independence.

Powell’s assertion that further easing is not a foregone conclusion marked a clear departure from the dovish momentum that had built over recent weeks. Until this week, markets had priced in near certainty of a December rate cut, with implied probabilities hovering close to 100 per cent. That confidence has now evaporated, with the odds collapsing to roughly 60 per cent. The shift has immediate consequences.

Treasury yields responded sharply, with the two-year US note jumping 11 basis points to 3.6 per cent, while the benchmark 10-year yield climbed 9 basis points to 4.07 per cent. Even the long-end 30-year yield rose, advancing 7 basis points to 4.61 per cent. Higher yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like Bitcoin and gold, both of which retreated in the wake of the announcement. Spot gold fell 0.6 per cent to close at US$3,929.36 per ounce, while the crypto market as a whole shed 1.22 per cent over the past 24 hours.

Equity markets also reflected this growing unease. Although the Nasdaq managed a modest 0.6 per cent gain, the broader S&P 500 ended flat, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2 per cent. More telling than the headline moves was the underlying volatility sparked by signs of internal division within the Federal Open Market Committee. When central bank consensus fractures, markets lose their anchor.

This uncertainty manifests not just in price swings but in a broader retreat from risk, which explains why crypto, despite its unique technological underpinnings, continues to trade in close correlation with tech-heavy equities like the Nasdaq 100. Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin’s price action showed a 0.61 correlation with QQQ, reinforcing the idea that macro drivers, not on-chain fundamentals, are currently setting the tone.

Within the crypto ecosystem, the reaction unfolded across three distinct but interconnected layers: macro policy impact, derivatives behaviour, and altcoin-specific dynamics. In the first layer, the Fed’s hawkish tilt acted as the primary catalyst. By tempering expectations for further easing, Powell effectively removed a key tailwind that had supported risk assets throughout the latter half of the year.

Traders who had positioned for a dovish December were forced to unwind those bets, leading to a broad-based pullback. Bitcoin’s seven-day Relative Strength Index now sits at 55.36, indicating neutral momentum, but market psychology tells a different story. The Fear & Greed Index has dipped to 34, signalling that fear, not greed, is dominating sentiment. This emotional backdrop often precedes either capitulation or consolidation, depending on what policymakers do next.

The second layer derivatives activity offers a more nuanced picture. Perpetual futures volume surged by 9.15 per cent to US$1.62 trillion, suggesting heightened trader engagement. This surge was not accompanied by bullish conviction. Instead, average funding rates collapsed by 81.63 per cent to just 0.000974 per cent, a clear sign that leveraged long positions are being scaled back. Funding rates, which reflect the cost of maintaining long or short positions in perpetual contracts, serve as a real-time gauge of market sentiment.

When they turn deeply negative or collapse toward zero, it typically indicates that traders are either hedging or actively shorting, rather than chasing upside momentum. Open interest inched up by 2.33 per cent, hinting at new positions being opened, but without liquidation data, it is difficult to assess whether this reflects fresh shorts or defensive longs. What is clear is that the derivatives market is not signalling a return to aggressive risk-taking. A rebound in funding rates would be needed to confirm any meaningful shift back toward bullish positioning.

The third and most volatile layer lies in the altcoin segment, where event-driven sell-offs have amplified broader macro weakness. Tokens like Flamingo (FLM) and Concordium (CCD) experienced sharp declines of 5.59 per cent and 19.04 per cent, respectively, driven by idiosyncratic factors rather than systemic ones. In Flamingo’s case, the impending delisting from Binance, effective November 12, has triggered a wave of preemptive selling.

For Concordium, the drop appears to be classic profit-taking after an extraordinary 428 per cent rally year-to-date. Similarly, Giggle Fund (GIGGLE) corrected by 19.59 per cent following a staggering 541 per cent monthly surge. These moves highlight a recurring theme in crypto markets: low-liquidity assets are especially vulnerable to sharp reversals when macro conditions turn unfavourable. Without deep order books or institutional backing, even minor shifts in sentiment can trigger outsized price swings.

Looking ahead, all eyes will turn to Friday’s US nonfarm payrolls report. This data point carries outsized importance because it will offer the first major labor market signal since the Fed’s latest decision. Strong employment numbers could reinforce Powell’s cautious stance and further diminish expectations of a December cut, deepening the risk-off mood. Conversely, a softer print might revive hopes for additional easing, potentially stabilising or even reversing recent losses.

For Bitcoin, the technical picture adds another layer of intrigue. With a market capitalisation of US$3.74 trillion, the leading cryptocurrency is currently testing the 78.6 per cent Fibonacci retracement level, a key support zone closely watched by both algorithmic and discretionary traders. Whether this level holds will likely depend less on on-chain metrics and more on the macro narrative that emerges from the jobs data and subsequent Fed commentary.

In sum, the current crypto dip is not an isolated event but a reflection of broader macro caution. The Fed’s decision to cut rates while pushing back against further easing has created a policy gray zone in which markets must navigate conflicting signals without clear guidance.

In such an environment, risk assets tend to consolidate or correct until a new consensus forms. Derivatives data suggests that traders are not yet capitulating but are certainly treading carefully. Altcoins, meanwhile, remain exposed to both macro headwinds and project-specific risks.

The path forward hinges on whether incoming economic data validates the Fed’s caution or forces a pivot back toward accommodation. Until then, expect volatility to persist, and sentiment to remain fragile.

 

Source: https://e27.co/fed-cuts-rates-but-warns-against-complacency-bitcoin-and-altcoins-react-sharply-20251030/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

The Dark Side of Altcoins: Collusion, Price Manipulation, and the CEX Problem

The Dark Side of Altcoins: Collusion, Price Manipulation, and the CEX Problem

The cryptocurrency market, once a beacon of hope for financial innovation and transparency, is now facing a crisis of confidence that threatens its very foundation. As we move through 2025, it has become obvious that the altcoin sector is plagued by a toxic mix of collusion, price manipulation, and a glaring lack of transparency—especially on centralized exchanges (CEXs). The result is a market that feels increasingly rigged, where genuine price discovery is rare and retail investors are left holding the bag. I watched this industry evolve from its idealistic beginnings to its current state, I believe the time for self-reflection and reform is now, before the damage becomes irreversible.

The Mechanics of Manipulation in 2025

The most insidious problem in today’s altcoin market is the collusion between project teams and market makers. In theory, market makers are supposed to provide liquidity and stability, but in practice, many have become partners in manipulation. The process is disturbingly simple: project teams allocate large amounts of tokens to market makers at deep discounts before a token generation event (TGE). These market makers then orchestrate artificial price pumps at launch, creating the illusion of demand. Retail investors, seeing the price action, rush in—only to see the token’s value collapse as insiders dump their holdings.

The numbers in 2025 are staggering. In my own observation, most of the newly launch altcoin have lost 95% of their market cap. This is not a fluke or a reflection of poor project quality; it is a direct result of coordinated manipulation. The median altcoin launched in 2024-2025 is down by at around 70% from its TGE price. This pattern is so consistent that it has become a running joke among traders: “Buy the rumor, sell the TGE, and pray you’re not the last one out.”

Centralized Exchanges: The Silent Enablers

Centralized exchanges, which still control roughly more than half of the global crypto market cap, are at the heart of this crisis. Despite their dominance, most CEXs have done little to address the manipulation happening on their platforms. The incentives are clear: listing fees and trading volumes are lucrative, and exchanges benefit from the volatility and hype that manipulated launches generate.

Transparency is sorely lacking. While some exchanges have made token efforts to publish proof-of-reserves or improve listing standards, these measures are often superficial. The reality is that order books can be spoofed, wash trading is rampant, and the true nature of liquidity is hidden behind closed doors

This lack of transparency is fundamentally at odds with the ethos that drew so many to crypto in the first place. Bitcoin’s original promise was a system where trust was replaced by cryptographic proof and open ledgers. In 2025, the altcoin market feels more like a casino run by insiders than a transparent, decentralized financial system.

This is also reflected in the poll that I have conducted, 82.4% of the respondents think that CEX should held to a higher standard and they should lead by example to help the crypto industry.

The Human Cost: Confidence in Freefall

The impact of this dysfunction is not just financial—it is deeply personal. I have spoken with countless retail investors who entered the market in good faith, only to be burned by the same cycle of hype, manipulation, and collapse. Many have lost significant savings, not because they made reckless bets, but because the system was stacked against them from the start.

This erosion of trust is now quantifiable. According to a poll on X conducted by me, 63% of respondents believe that most altcoin prices are manipulated, and 37% have reduced or stopped investing in new token launches altogether.

The Absurdity of TGE Pricing

Perhaps the most glaring symptom of the current malaise is the absurdity of TGE pricing. In a rational market, the price of a new token should reflect its utility, adoption prospects, and the fundamentals of the project. Instead, TGE prices are set at levels designed to maximize returns for insiders and early backers, with little regard for long-term sustainability.

The result is a predictable crash. New tokens losing more than half its value within the first two weeks of trading become a norm. This is not just a problem for speculators; it undermines the entire process of capital formation and innovation in the crypto space. When every new launch seems like a trap for retail investors, genuine projects struggle to attract long-term supporters.

The Failure of Self-Regulation

For years, the crypto industry has argued that self-regulation is preferable to government intervention. But the events of 2024 and 2025 have shown that self-regulation is, at best, a myth. The industry’s inability—or unwillingness—to police itself has created a Wild West environment where bad actors thrive and honest participants are left disillusioned.

Just this morning, I warned my community that “the industry is eating itself alive,” and that unless meaningful reforms are enacted, both retail and institutional investors will continue to flee. My warning is echoed by community members who acknowledge that the status quo is unsustainable.

The Case for Reform: Transparency and Decentralization

So, what can be done to restore trust and legitimacy to the altcoin market? In my view, the answer lies in a renewed commitment to transparency, decentralization, and investor protection.

First, centralized exchanges must be held to higher standards. This means real-time publication of order flows, full disclosure of market maker relationships, and transparent token allocation data. Exchanges should be required to implement robust surveillance systems to detect and prevent manipulation, and to cooperate with independent audits. Some progress is being made—several exchanges have begun publishing more detailed transparency reports —but these efforts are still the exception rather than the rule.

Second, the industry must accelerate the shift toward decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and on-chain trading. While DEXs currently account for about 25% of trading volume, they offer a level of transparency and auditability that CEXs simply cannot match.

Every trade is recorded on a public blockchain, making it much harder to conceal manipulation. Uniswap v4 and dYdX have shown that it is possible to build liquid, efficient markets without relying on centralized intermediaries.

Based on a poll that I have done, 74.3% of the respondents think the industry must shift to DEX. I believe more and more people understand the importance of decentralization.

Third, token launches need to be fundamentally reformed. This could include longer vesting periods for insiders, transparent allocation disclosures, and mechanisms to ensure fair price discovery—such as open auctions or liquidity bootstrapping pools. Some projects are experimenting with “fair launches,” where tokens are distributed via community-driven mechanisms rather than private sales. While not a cure-all, these approaches represent a step in the right direction.

My Perspective: Why I Still Believe in Crypto

Despite the current malaise, I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of crypto. The technology that underpins digital assets—blockchain, smart contracts, decentralized finance—still has the potential to revolutionize the global financial system. But for that potential to be realized, the industry must confront its demons.

As an observer and participant in the crypto space, I have seen both the best and worst of what this market has to offer. I have witnessed the excitement of genuine innovation, the thrill of new possibilities, and the power of community-driven projects. But I have also seen the damage wrought by greed, collusion, and a lack of accountability.

The choice facing the industry is stark. It can continue down the current path, sacrificing trust and legitimacy for short-term gains. Or it can embrace reform, transparency, and a renewed commitment to the values that made crypto compelling in the first place.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The crisis of trust in the altcoin market is not an abstract problem; it is a clear and present danger to the future of digital assets. Collusion between project teams and market makers, abetted by the opacity of centralized exchanges, has created a market where manipulation is the norm and genuine price discovery is the exception. The result is a loss of confidence, a flight of capital, and a growing sense of disillusionment among investors.

But it does not have to be this way. By demanding greater transparency, embracing decentralization, and supporting thoughtful regulation, the industry can chart a new course. The road ahead will not be easy, and there will be resistance from those who benefit from the status quo. But the alternative—a market defined by manipulation and mistrust—is unacceptable.

I urge industry leaders, regulators, and investors to seize this moment. The future of digital assets depends on our willingness to confront hard truths, to demand better, and to build a market worthy of the ideals that inspired its creation. Only then can we restore trust, unlock innovation, and realize the promise of a truly decentralized financial system.

 

Source: https://www.securities.io/the-dark-side-of-altcoins-collusion-price-manipulation-and-the-cex-problem/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j