On-chain activity cools: active addresses and transactions fall; ETFs show uneven flows; Tether unveils USAT stablecoin initiative stateside.
Bitcoin holds above $115,000 as traders weigh macro signals and mixed on-chain readings. Ethereum trades near $4,500. Altcoins post stronger gains: Dogecoin rises 23% and Mantle advances 40% over seven days. Yet reported spot and derivatives activity declines 8.3% week over week. The total crypto market value stands near $5.01 trillion.
Markets now price a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Some commentary assigns very high odds and even cites large basis-point figures, though the decision remains unconfirmed.
A cut could ease financial conditions and lift risk assets. However, a surprise hold would challenge that view and could tighten liquidity. The calendar shows the announcement on September 17, a date traders already monitor.
Supply data shows large Bitcoin holders increased balances by more than 237,000 BTC across six months, while wallets under one bitcoin reduced exposure. That split often aligns with later upside. At the same time, several on-chain gauges soften. Active addresses, transaction counts, and network growth trend lower. Price up with weaker use can cap momentum.
Flows add another layer. Spot Bitcoin ETFs attract strong daily subscriptions in some sessions, but the broader week shows uneven demand. Social metrics also shift. Discussion around altcoins expands while Bitcoin's share of conversation slips. This mix resembles periods when traders rotate to higher-beta tokens.
Stablecoins and ETFs remain active storylines. Tether announces a U.S. regulated dollar token, USAT. Separate reports discuss potential Solana ETF filings. Macro chatter dominates feeds as jobs and unemployment data shape rate expectations.
Micro signals cut both ways. Santiment's activity matrix flags Maker as "hot" on usage despite a 90-day price drop. Exchange outflows peak for Convex, Curve, and staked ether, a pattern that often precedes longer holds. In short, the market holds its breath before the Fed, while bigger wallets set the tone and retail trims risk. The next move likely follows policy.