Wouldn’t deleting OP_RETURN CAP unintentionally give users an incentive to choose the cheapest or most cost-deferred method?

Why is that happening? The limit does not make OP_RETURN more expensive, and if there is a limit it will make OP_RETURN cheaper, and the cost per byte of data is the same regardless of the limit. The increased limit is that OP_Return is more useful in situations where you want to add 80 bytes or more of data to the output. This is great for everyone as an output data substitute adds that data to the UTXO set.

Instead of treating all vectors equally, shouldn’t a policy try to manipulate the demand for any data for the “most harmful” output, like Op_return?

That’s what this policy actually does. It incentivizes people who store more than 80 bytes of data in the output. Otherwise, you’re using bare multisigs or multiple Taproot outputs to use good Op_return across your network.

Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

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Arslan Butt is an experienced webinar speaker, market analyst, and content writer specializing in crypto, forex, and commodities. He provides expert insights, trading strategies, and in-depth analysis…

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Last updated: 

September 6, 2025

Ethereum traded at $4,300 over the weekend, down 2%+. Despite the pullback, institutional inflows and whale accumulation are building underlying momentum for a potential reversal. Short-term volatility persists, but technicals and positioning indicate that ETH could soon challenge higher resistance levels.

Institutional Inflows Support ETH

ETH’s resilience is backed by around $450 million in ETF inflows, with BlackRock and other major players driving demand. These investments indicate that ETH is being viewed as a long-term asset, not just a short-term trade.

Institutional participation provides buying interest and stability to the price action, and ETH is now in mainstream portfolios.

ETF inflows also attract retail investors, who find validation in the large-scale adoption. This dual effect—whale confidence and institutional flows, creates a foundation for a more sustainable rally once resistance is cleared.

Key signals fueling optimism include:

• $450M ETF inflows supporting market stability
• BlackRock’s involvement is boosting institutional adoption
• Growing retail interest following institutional cues

Whale Accumulation Points to Recovery

Large holders, or “whales,” have been quietly accumulating ETH during price dips, suggesting they see value at current levels. Historically, whale accumulation has preceded meaningful price recoveries, as these investors often act ahead of retail participants.

Even with ETH slipping by more than 2% this week, accumulation patterns suggest confidence in medium- to long-term gains. For investors, this means that smart money expects ETH to break above its current barriers if the macroeconomic environment is supportive.

Ethereum (ETH/USD) Price Prediction: Technical Outlook

The Ethereum price prediction is slightly bearish, indicating a descending triangle formation, with the price repeatedly testing the $4,250 support level while struggling against the $4,490 resistance. This squeeze reflects contracting volatility, often a precursor to a breakout.

The 50-SMA at $4,370 is providing near-term resistance, while the 200-SMA at $3,872 anchors the broader uptrend. Candlestick formations, including Doji and spinning tops, underscore market hesitation, but the RSI at 44 indicates a subtle bullish divergence, suggesting accumulation.

A breakout above $4,490 could launch ETH toward $4,665 and $4,865, completing the triangle structure. Conversely, failure to hold $4,250 risks a retreat to $4,070 and $3,940, with the 200-SMA at $3,872 as final support.

Above $4,490, ETH could reach $4,665 and $4,865. Completing the triangle below $4,250 risks a drop to $4,070 and $3,940, with $3,872 serving as the 200-SMA, providing final support.

For traders, the strategy is simple: wait for confirmation.

A bullish engulfing candle with volume would validate the move and three black crows near support would trigger a sell. In the long term, sustained momentum above $4,490 could propel ETH to new cycle highs, just as Bitcoin did.

ETH’s next move may depend on this technical breakout. Institutional demand and whale activity are bullish, but confirmation is needed before the next leg up. If ETH clears its resistance, it could mark the start of a larger rally that solidifies its position as the leading smart contract platform in the digital economy.

Presale Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) Combines BTC Security With Solana Speed

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is positioning itself as the first Bitcoin-native Layer 2 powered by the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). Its goal is to expand the BTC ecosystem by enabling lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation.

By combining BTC’s unmatched security with Solana’s high-performance framework, the project opens the door to entirely new use cases, including seamless BTC bridging and scalable dApp development.

The team has put strong emphasis on trust and scalability, with the project audited by Consult to give investors confidence in its foundations.

Momentum is building quickly. The presale has already crossed $14.1 million, leaving only a limited allocation still available. At today’s stage, HYPER tokens are priced at just $0.012865—but that figure will increase as the presale progresses.

You can buy HYPER tokens on the official Bitcoin Hyper website using crypto or a bank card.

Click Here to Participate in the Presale

Demand for compliant stubcoins is increasing. To address this need, Global Crypto Exchange Mexc recently announced a zero-fee promotion for popular futures trading pairs.

The move is designed to lower barriers to entry into futures trading and enable traders to take advantage of the situation in the rebound market.

MEXC’s The Zero-Fee campaign is one of many ways that exchanges have recognized user demand and addressed with simple, innovative solutions.

USDC Pairs Lead to Growth in Q2 Trading Volume

According to the Coingecko Q2 2025 Crypto Industry Report, Q2 set a new record for Stablecoin’s market capitalization at $243.1 billion (now $28.8 billion), an increase in total crypto market capitalization by 24%.

More specifically, $USDC Stablecoin grew at a whopping $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2025, indicating an increase in market demand for compliant stable coins.

As the name suggests, a compliant stubcoin refers to a stubcoin that meets financial regulations. These regulations may be fully supported by cash or bonds in the form of being under regulatory oversight and may be audited regularly.

Compared to Bitcoin and Altcoins like Ethereum and Solana, Stablecoin prices tend to be less volatile. These are better suited to trading, paying and saving than guessing or investing.

$usdt and $usdc are two of the largest stable coins in terms of market capitalization. Between the two, the $USDT, where tethers were developed, is more widely used, with a higher market capitalization (over $16.8 billion), while $USDC is well known for its regulatory compliance and transparency.

Pairs for all kinds of traders

As the market moves from finding the best meme coins of the first quarter to investing in more mainstream crypto. mexc We have introduced zero trading fees for some trading pairs. Each is carefully selected not only to meet the demand for Stablecoin, but also to address a variety of risk options and investment strategies.

On the more mainstream aspect is $eth/$usdt. However, MEXC has added $SUI/$USDC and $TON/$USDC to accommodate traders looking for an up-and-coming pair.

Meanwhile, $hype/$usdc meets the need for more innovative projects, while $popcat/$usdc trading pairs are tailored to those willing to buy high-risk, high-reward cryptography.

It will appear mexc We chose zero-fee pairing wisely, taking into account the market share of each pair.

• $ ton/$ usdc: 42%
• $ eth/$ usdt: 33%
• $ hype/$ usdc: twenty one%
• $ ons/$ usususus: 5%
• $ popcat/$ usdc: 5%

In total, MEXC offers zero fees for 100 tokens on exchange.

Through Exchange’s futures trading market, you can bet on the future price of a cryptocurrency without actually owning its assets.

Futures trading also allows you to use leverage. Here you can borrow funds to control a larger position on the actual amount.

MEXC offers up to 500 times the leverage. This means that if you have $10 and choose 500x leverage, you can open a position size of 5k.

Fuel the next chapter of the crypto market

Since 2018, mexc We fulfilled our promise to be the “easiest way to cryptography.” With over 40 million users in over 170 countries, we are giving traders of all experience levels an easy, safe and efficient way to invest in digital assets.

Apart from its futures market, the exchange also offers spot trading and P2P trading. There is also a MEXC Mastercard. This replenishes the cryptography balance and can be used anywhere in the world.

With the latest Zero-Fee campaign on the Top Futures pair, MexC has once again won the mark and fueled the next chapter in the growing cryptocurrency market.

Author of Aaron Walker, Newsbtc – www.newsbtc.com/news/mexc-zero-fee-promotion-usdc-tablecoins/

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Ethereum has been one of the strongest performers in the crypto market over the past two months, surging steadily to reach new all-time highs just days ago. Its rally has reinforced Ethereum’s role as the leading altcoin, attracting both institutional attention and retail speculation. However, the landscape is shifting as selling pressure begins to creep in. Some analysts warn that ETH could be at risk of further downside in the coming days, with volatility testing investors’ confidence after such an aggressive run higher.

Yet, while concerns grow, on-chain data reveals that whales continue to accumulate at scale. According to Arkham, a massive whale holding $5.97 billion in Bitcoin has now purchased $434.7 million worth of ETH. Just yesterday, this whale moved $1.1 billion to a new wallet (169q) and has been actively purchasing ETH through Hyperunit. In total, he has accumulated more than $3 billion in ETH, staking the majority of it, a move that signals strong conviction despite near-term uncertainty.

This tug of war between selling pressure and whale accumulation sets the stage for a critical moment in Ethereum’s trajectory. The coming days will reveal whether whales are strong enough to keep ETH supported or if further retracements await.

Whale Stakes Billions In Ethereum As Capital Rotation Grows

According to Arkham, one of the largest whales in the market has now purchased over $3 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH), staking the majority of it. This activity has drawn the attention of both analysts and investors, as it highlights a growing capital rotation trend away from Bitcoin and into Ethereum. The whale in question, who initially held $5.97 billion in BTC, has been gradually converting his position, deploying funds at scale through Hyperunit. His BTC address (169qYZJYkyW7HhmWTj58mVXRZDhMFHPZPd) and ETH address (0x616767179c5305a89f13348134C681061Cf0bA9e) are now being closely tracked by the market as investors speculate on his next move.

After moving $1.1 billion in BTC to a fresh wallet, the whale has already purchased $434.7 million in ETH, adding to his massive accumulation and signaling continued confidence in Ethereum’s future. The majority of these holdings are being staked, which reduces liquid supply and underscores a long-term outlook rather than short-term speculation.

Now, the question remains: will he buy the next $650 million today? If so, the additional demand could provide strong support for Ethereum, even as short-term price action shows weakness. More importantly, this capital rotation trend is a clear sign that altcoins are preparing for their turn. As investors rotate from BTC to ETH and beyond, the groundwork for a broader altcoin cycle appears to be forming, setting the stage for heightened volatility and opportunity in the weeks ahead.

Testing Key Demand Level

Ethereum (ETH) is trading around $4,369, showing signs of consolidation after weeks of sharp rallies and subsequent retracements. The chart highlights how ETH has cooled from its recent all-time highs near $4,900, but remains firmly above critical moving averages that continue to guide its bullish structure.

The 50-day moving average, currently near $4,372, is acting as immediate support and has been tested multiple times in recent sessions. Holding above this level is key to maintaining short-term momentum. Meanwhile, the 100-day average is around $3,962, and the 200-day average is at $3,257, reinforcing the long-term bullish trend, suggesting that even deeper pullbacks would likely be met with strong buying interest.

However, Ethereum’s inability to push back above $4,600 highlights waning momentum in the near term. Profit-taking and broader market uncertainty have slowed the pace of gains, leaving ETH vulnerable to further consolidation. A decisive break below $4,350 could open the door to $4,000 as the next major demand zone.

Ethereum remains in a healthy uptrend, but the market is clearly waiting for fresh catalysts. Whether it’s whale accumulation or broader institutional flows, ETH will need renewed buying pressure to retest its highs above $4,800.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

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Ethereum has once again taken center stage in the crypto market after surging to a new all-time high above the $4,900 level on Sunday. The rally, which pushed ETH into uncharted territory, highlighted the strength of bulls after weeks of steady institutional accumulation and market momentum. However, the price did not hold these highs for long. Ethereum has since retraced, dropping back to the $4,600 region, where bulls are now attempting to establish support before the next move higher.

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This pullback has sparked debate among analysts. Some view the retracement as a sign of a potential local top, cautioning that ETH may require a period of consolidation before another breakout attempt. Others, however, remain firmly bullish, pointing to strong fundamentals and growing institutional interest as signals that Ethereum’s rally is far from over.

Adding weight to the bullish case, key on-chain data reveals that Binance whales continue to position themselves heavily in Ethereum. Large spot and futures orders attributed to these players have been flowing consistently, particularly after ETH confirmed its positive trend. This steady accumulation suggests confidence in Ethereum’s long-term trajectory, even as short-term volatility continues to shape the market’s direction.

Binance Whales Accumulate Ethereum

According to top analyst Darkfost, Ethereum’s Average Order Size on Binance chart provides clear insight into the behavior of different cohorts, distinguishing between retail investors and whales. Since July, a significant shift has taken place: whale activity on Binance has surged. This reflects a growing trend of large-scale accumulation, with whale-sized spot and futures orders continuing to flow into the market as ETH edges closer to the $5,000 mark.

What makes this trend particularly noteworthy is the timing of whale participation. Unlike retail investors, who often try to buy early and ride potential upside, whales tend to prefer entering once a bullish trend has been confirmed.

Darkfost highlights that this pattern is evident now, as whale orders began accelerating only after Ethereum reversed its earlier downtrend and regained strong bullish momentum. This validates the idea that large players seek reduced risk and clearer confirmation before allocating capital at scale.

With both retail and institutional participants aligning, the coming weeks could be decisive in determining whether ETH firmly breaks into new price discovery. If whales continue to buy at this pace, Ethereum’s rally could extend far beyond its 2021 highs.

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Testing Critical Support Level

Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading around $4,598 after a sharp retracement from its new all-time high near $4,900. On the 4-hour chart, the structure shows that ETH is still maintaining a bullish trend, although momentum has cooled after last week’s explosive rally.

The 50 SMA ($4,455) and 100 SMA ($4,435) are now converging just below current price levels, acting as immediate dynamic support. This cluster strengthens the bullish outlook as long as ETH can remain above it. A deeper drop toward the 200 SMA ($4,068) would signal a broader correction phase and potentially extend the consolidation before another push higher.

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The recent pullback shows that sellers are active near the $4,900–$5,000 region, which now forms a critical resistance. A breakout above this level would open the path to uncharted territory and likely accelerate momentum, with targets potentially stretching toward $5,200 and beyond.

On the downside, failure to hold the $4,450–$4,400 support area could shift sentiment bearish in the short term, with traders eyeing $4,200 as the next key demand zone.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin (BTC) is consolidating in a thin-liquidity “air gap” between $110,000 and $116,000 as the market waits for new demand to establish a firm base.

According to an Aug. 6 report by Glassnode, BTC’s price pulled back to $113,000 after setting a new all-time high above $123,000 in mid-July. This price movement left many recent buyers underwater and created a supply cluster with a cost basis above $116,000. 

The lower bound of that cluster repeatedly supported rebounds until July 31, when BTC broke lower into the air gap. Historically, such low-liquidity ranges can morph into accumulation zones as buyers step in at a perceived discount.

The report compared entity-adjusted URPD snapshots from July 31 and Aug. 4 to gauge dip-buying. 

Following a rebound from around $112,000, investors acquired roughly 120,000 BTC and lifted spot prices back above $114,000, evidencing opportunistic demand. 

Even so, the $110,000-$116,000 band remains light in aggregate supply. Time spent accumulating here could potentially build a platform for the next move higher.

New resistance, metrics not overheated

The rally has yet to reclaim the cost basis of holders with amounts of one week and one month old, now with a decisive resistance near $116,900. A sustained break above would signal demand regaining control, while a failure raises the risk of a deeper test of the previous all-time high range around $110,000.

According to the report, price sits in a “warm” but not overheated regime and remains above the short-term holder (STH) cost basis at $106,000. This price level is a threshold that has historically divided near-term bullish and bearish phases in Bitcoin bull markets.

STH supply in profit has slipped from 100% to 70% during the drawdown, consistent with the midline of prior bull cycles. The share of STH spent volume in profit has cooled to 45%, below neutral, implying a balanced market with neither side dominant.

ETF flows and leverage

On Aug. 5, spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US saw a 1,500 BTC outflow, the largest bout of ETF sell-side pressure since April 2025. Historically, these episodes have been brief, but monitoring persistence is key. 

In derivatives, perpetual funding rates have slipped back below 0.1%, a neutral zone that indicates cooling speculative appetite and tempered upside conviction in the near term.

Taken together, Bitcoin appears locked in the $110,000-$116,000 corridor, accumulating supply and waiting for demand sufficient to retake $116,900 and reassert the uptrend.

Mentioned in this article

With Bitcoin staying on the bullish side for the most part of the year, data from on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant shows a notable shift in the asset’s market dynamics as whale activities outrank retailers.

The data shows that up to 215,000 dormant BTC tokens worth over $24.7 billion have been awakened since the start of 2025 till date, as institutional traders appear to be taking over the Bitcoin ecosystem. The report comes amid the frequently re-occurring cases of Satoshi-era Bitcoin whales resurfacing with large quantities of BTC.

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Notably, the massive reawakening of the long-dormant BTC suggests that long-term holders or whales are repositioning, hence it appears that the impact of retailers on Bitcoin’s growing momentum has been outweighed by institutions.

While over 255,000 BTC were reactivated in 2024, this year has already seen over 215,000 BTC return to the market with about four months left for the year to come to a close. This indicates strategic redistribution of capital from institutional holders into the Bitcoin ecosystem. As such, the Bitcoin positive trajectory may have not just been fueled by market enthusiasm, but by surging whale activities.

BTC rockets over 500% in average reactivation volume and size

While Bitcoin’s performance over the last two years suggests a structural shift in its market patterns, the data further showed that the average monthly volume for the world’s leading cryptocurrency has surged from the 4,900 BTC recorded in 2023 to 30,674 BTC in 2025.

This marks a massive surge of over 526.53% in the average volume of dormant BTC (existing for at least 7 years) moved from month to month.

Moreover, Bitcoin’s transaction size has grown from 162 BTC in 2024 to over 1,000 BTC in 2025 YTD, marking a notable growth of over 519% in the metric. While this means that the average amount of dormant BTC reactivated monthly since the start of 2025 is 1,000 BTC, it appears that large entities are increasingly taking over the Bitcoin market amid rising institutional interest.

Apart from the massive reawakening of large Bitcoin addresses, the surging whale activity is also evident in the consistent streaks of notable inflows recorded by the spot Bitcoin ETFs daily.

Nonetheless, this impressive trend propels the Bitcoin ecosystem for a long-term supply shock, which is capable of pushing Bitcoin to unexpected highs as liquidity on exchanges tends to dry up while long-term holders continue to accumulate.

Bitcoin is trading just above the $112,000 level after breaking down from a consolidation range that held for over two weeks. The sharp decline sparked concerns among investors, particularly among Short-Term Holders (STH), who now face the difficult choice of realizing losses or holding underwater positions. However, top analyst Darkfost shared key insights suggesting that Bitcoin’s underlying demand remains robust, despite the price volatility.

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According to Darkfost, the Apparent Demand metric—comparing new BTC issuance to over one-year inactive supply—indicates that the market is still absorbing supply effectively. The ratio has stayed in positive territory, signaling that demand continues to outpace new issuance. Over the past 30 days, approximately 160,000 BTC have been accumulated, highlighting strong buying behavior even as prices corrected.

While sentiment among STH has weakened due to the recent drawdown, long-term accumulation trends suggest the broader market structure remains healthy. Investors with longer time horizons are continuing to add to their positions, reflecting confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects. As BTC stabilizes around $112K, market participants are closely watching for a potential reversal or a deeper correction, with demand-side indicators offering a more optimistic outlook for the weeks ahead.

Demand from Accumulator Addresses and OTC Desks Signals Strong Conviction

Darkfost also highlighted critical insights regarding Demand from Accumulator Addresses, a metric that tracks wallets that have only acquired Bitcoin without any history of selling. This indicator provides a clear view into both the demand dynamics and the holding conviction of long-term investors.

Over the past month, the average BTC accumulated by these addresses has grown by approximately 50,000 BTC, showcasing a consistent and determined buying trend, despite recent price corrections. Such behavior underscores the confidence of long-term holders who are taking advantage of market dips to strengthen their positions.

On a broader horizon, BTC held on OTC Desks reflects a more strategic and long-term demand pattern. Unlike exchange-based activity, OTC transactions are less visible in immediate price action but offer a window into the intentions of institutional players.

Since September 2021, the supply of BTC on OTC desks has dropped sharply, from around 550,000 BTC to just 145,000 BTC today. This significant decline indicates that large-scale buyers are consistently removing Bitcoin from OTC circulation, reducing the available supply for future institutional entrants.

Whether examining short-term accumulation or long-term OTC trends, the overall demand-side picture remains notably positive. Despite recent volatility and a wave of short-term profit-taking, there are no major signs of structural weakness from demand-side indicators.

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Bitcoin Faces Key Resistance After Rebounding from Local Lows

Bitcoin is currently trading at $114,476, showing signs of stabilization after a sharp drop to $111,971 earlier this week. The chart shows BTC still hovering below the crucial $115,724 resistance, which aligns with the lower boundary of the previous consolidation range. The 50-day SMA sits at $100,228, providing a solid technical base, while the 100-day SMA at $95,433 remains a key medium-term support zone. The 200-day SMA is rising steadily at $77,282, confirming the long-term bullish trend.

Despite the recent volatility, Bitcoin’s price structure still suggests a bullish outlook as long as BTC maintains higher lows above the $110K level. However, the $122,077 resistance remains a critical barrier. Breaking above this level would signal a strong bullish continuation towards new highs.

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Volume activity has been decreasing during this retracement, which is a positive sign, indicating that selling pressure is not overwhelming. If BTC can reclaim the $115,724 zone in the coming sessions, it would increase the probability of another breakout attempt towards $122K.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin’s trademark volatility may be entering a new phase thanks to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The agency’s decision to raise position limits on options for most bitcoin ETFs could help smooth price swings by encouraging strategies like covered call selling, which caps the upside in exchange for steady income, according to NYDIG Research.

That increase in position limits for options trading on IBIT came as the regulator approved in-kind redemptions for spot bitcoin ETFs.

By letting traders hold ten times more contracts than before, NYDIG wrote, the SEC has opened the door to more aggressive and sustained options activity. Covered call strategies, in particular, work best at scale.

They’re designed to earn yield from existing holdings by selling upside exposure, which can naturally suppress price movement if done across large portfolios.

Bitcoin’s volatility has already been on the decline, with Deribit’s BTC Volatility Index (DVOL) showing a steady decline from around 90 to 38 over the past four years.

Still, it stands out compared to bonds, stocks, and other traditional assets. That makes it a tempting target for investors trying to collect income from market swings, effectively harvesting volatility, but also risky for institutions that require stable exposures.

“As volatility declines, the asset becomes more investable for institutional portfolios seeking balanced risk exposure. This dynamic could reinforce spot demand,” NYDIG’s analysts wrote.

Ray Dalio, one of the earliest champions of such risk-parity strategies, recently suggested a 15% allocation to gold and crypto amid rising debt levels.

“The feedback loop of falling volatility leading to increased spot buying could become a powerful driver of sustained demand,” the firm concluded.

Read more: Wall Street Has Claimed Bitcoin—Now What?