Something to look forward to: AMD is preparing to expand its mid-range CPU lineup with the Ryzen 5 9600X3D, a chip that would bring 3D V-Cache tech to a broader audience of gamers and PC builders. The existence of this new chip wasn’t revealed through a formal announcement, but rather via a support list for AMD’s recently launched Radeon AI R9700 graphics card, where the processor appeared alongside other unreleased models.

This leak has fueled speculation that AMD is looking to strengthen its position in the competitive mid-range segment, where it faces stiff competition from Intel’s Core i5-14600K and Core Ultra 5 245K. Just earlier this week, we reported that Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265KF had hit a record-low price of $229, or about 40% off its launch price less than a year ago.

The Ryzen 5 9600X3D is expected to feature 6 cores and 12 threads, built on AMD’s Zen 5 microarchitecture and “Granite Ridge” silicon. The standout feature is the inclusion of second-gen 3D V-Cache in a mainstream CPU, stacking an additional 64 MB of cache on top of the standard 32 MB on-die cache, resulting in a total of 96 MB of L3 cache.

Clock speeds for the new processor are anticipated to closely match those of the standard Ryzen 5 9600X, with boost frequencies likely reaching up to 5.4 GHz. The chip is expected to maintain a 65-watt TDP, striking a balance between performance and energy efficiency that should appeal to users seeking a capable yet cost-effective upgrade. The 9600X3D will also support DDR5-5600 memory and fit into AMD’s AM5 socket, ensuring compatibility with the latest motherboards and platforms.

With its six-core configuration, the Ryzen 5 9600X3D is positioned as a more affordable alternative to higher-end X3D models, such as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which offer more cores but come at a significantly higher price.

This strategy mirrors AMD’s previous approach with the limited-release Ryzen 5 7600X3D. However, the growing trend of modern games recommending or requiring 8-core CPUs raises questions about the long-term viability of 6-core chips for future gaming titles.

Still, AMD’s V-Cache technology provides a unique advantage in cache-sensitive scenarios, potentially offsetting the lower core count in many current games.

Industry observers expect the Ryzen 5 9600X3D to debut first in pre-built systems from major integrators, with retail availability for DIY builders anticipated later in the year, possibly during the holiday season.

Pricing details remain unconfirmed, but the chip is widely expected to undercut the cost of higher-tier X3D models, making it an attractive entry point for those seeking next-generation gaming performance on a budget.

While I enjoy using the likes of the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it’s the mid-range Pixel A devices where Google really shines. The brand is making a habit of delivering good all-rounders year after year, and that continues to be the case with this year’s Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 9a is notable as it comes with a brand-new design aesthetic; Google’s mid-range phones had the same design as its mainline devices, but this time around, the brand went with a different aesthetic to distinguish the device. Google says that it wanted to give the Pixel A series its own distinct character, and that’s evident in the design.

As a result, the camera bar gave way to a pill-sized housing that doesn’t attract anywhere as much attention. What I like the most about the new design is that the camera module sits flush with the chassis; this makes a big difference in usability, and after testing dozens of phones with massive camera islands that jut out considerably, it’s a refreshing change of pace to use the Pixel 9a.

The phone looks cleaner thanks to the minimalist design at the back, and while it has flat sides, the edges are beveled, so there are no issues with usability. The Pixel 9a is a smidgen taller and thicker than the Pixel 9 Pro, but it is still great to use one-handed, and Google did a great job with the in-hand feel.

Just like the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a gets IP68 dust and water resistance as standard, making it immune to immersion in water. Google continues its usage of optical fingerprint modules, and it does a good job; it was fast to authenticate, and the location is ideal.

If anything, I prefer using the phone to mainline Pixel 9 devices, and Google got the basics absolutely right: the weight distribution is ideal, the rounded corners make it comfortable to hold, and the back has a matte texture that doesn’t attract smudges. The mid-frame is made out of recycled aluminum, and overall, I really like what Google did with the design — even though I didn’t get the Iris variant.

There’s a lot to like with the panel as well; the 6.3-inch OLED has 120Hz refresh, and it gets noticeably brighter than its predecessors. Google is doing a great job in this regard in general, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivering the brightest panel of any phone I tested. Colors are great too, and I didn’t see any inconsistencies in the two weeks I used the Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 9a gets the same Tensor G4 platform as the rest of the Pixel 9 series, and it retains seven shader cores. Overheating has been a big problem with the Pixel 8a last year, and the Pixel 9a does a better job in this regard thanks to a new cooling system. It isn’t quite as effective as what you get on the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, but the phone doesn’t throttle anywhere as early, or heat up as much — or as quickly.

Obviously, cameras continue to be the defining feature on all Pixels, and the Pixel 9a has two great sensors at the back. Google continues to rely on software tuning to deliver the best images and videos, but the sensor hardware itself isn’t the best you get in this category; it will be interesting to see if Google manages to switch to bigger camera modules to take full advantage of its tuning algorithms.

That said, the Pixel 9a is one of the best mid-range cameras available today; the Vivo V50 and V40 Pro take better portraits and have increased versatility, but the Pixel 9a is still the most consistent shooter. While there’s no tele lens on the device, it uses in-sensor zoom to deliver decent shots at 2x.

Where the Pixel 9a truly stands out is battery life; it delivers the best battery longevity of any Pixel I used in the last nine years. The 5100mAh battery is bigger than what you get on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the device easily managed to last a day and a half even with heavy use. I would have liked to see better charging tech, but Google continues to limit it to 23W — at least it uses the standard USB PD 3.0 protocol, so you can use any charger.

In a similar vein, the Pixel 9a has the best software of any mid-range phone. While it doesn’t have all the AI-based utilities you get on the Pixel 9 Pro, Google brought its most-used utilities over to the device, and it gives the phone a distinct advantage. The UI itself is enjoyable; there’s no bloatware, there’s good fluidity, and I like the Material You aesthetic.

The Pixel 9a will get seven years of Android OS updates — more than any other phone in this category. While Samsung comes close with the Galaxy A56, that device has severe shortcomings in other areas, and I just wouldn’t recommend buying it over the Pixel 9a.

With the Pixel 9a, Google basically took all the best features from mainline Pixels and condensed it into an affordable package. The Pixel 9a feels great to hold and use, the OLED panel is brighter than previous years, you get better thermal management, great cameras, and the best software in this category. Combine all of that with class-leading battery life, and the Pixel 9a is an undeniable hit.

The sell-side risk ratio (SSR) is an important predictor of holder behavior. The Sell-side Risk Ratio (SSR) measures the potential “risk” of sell-side pressure entering the market. At heart, it signals how likely (or forceful) a wave of distribution could be relative to both price and the current liquidity climate.

If the SSR trends are high, it often suggests a significant supply overhang waiting in the wings: large holders might be looking to realize profits or short-term holders might be itching to sell into strength. Conversely, investors are less willing to part with their coins when the SSR is low or hovering in an equilibrium band or have no compelling reason to liquidate in size at current price levels.

Fundamentally, SSR matters because it can foreshadow significant inflection points in the market. It usually indicates accelerated profit-taking (or fear-based selling) if it spikes. When the ratio remains flat or retreats, it suggests the market has reached some level of balance between buyers and sellers, thereby signaling less near-term volatility, at least until a new catalyst emerges.

Bitcoin is famously sensitive to shifts in global liquidity. When liquidity is abundant, risk assets like Bitcoin tend to thrive; when liquidity tightens, risk assets often wilt as capital has fewer avenues (and less inclination) to chase higher-beta opportunities.

Because the SSR partly reflects the psychology of existing holders, whether they are willing to sell in bulk or continue to hold, tracking it alongside market volume can offer a unique measure of incoming or outgoing liquidity. A low or stable SSR in a declining liquidity environment often indicates that most “weak” hands have already sold, leaving a base of relatively strong hands who are more comfortable holding through volatility.

The SSR appears notably flat within a mid-range in the second half of March. This flatness suggests a kind of ceasefire between buyers and sellers. Put differently, neither side is especially motivated to take aggressive action.

This indicates a lack of heavy profit-taking. If long-term holders or short-term speculators believed Bitcoin was overvalued, we would see a noticeable uptick in SSR as more coins came onto the market. Instead, the stable ratio hints that participants are not rushing to cash out.

The data also indicates an absence of sell-offs. Typically, leading into a bear market, we see some capitulation where the realized cap starts to drop significantly, and the SSR might spike (reflecting panic or forced selling). Instead, the market has been drifting, with only marginal selling events. That keeps SSR comfortably in a range rather than skyrocketing.

Data from CryptoQuant also shows that spot trading volumes have pulled back from peaks seen late last year and earlier in the first quarter. Spot volumes dropped from around the $15 billion per day region (in some instances) to roughly $5 billion per day more recently. Meanwhile, the price has been meandering around mid-range levels, implying there is not enough fresh demand to push us significantly higher, but also not enough supply flood to tank prices outright.

The data suggests that as volume declined, price entered a sideways or consolidative phase, reinforcing the idea that large new capital inflows have momentarily slowed. With lower spot volumes, the price also struggles to break out strongly in either direction.

On-chain data shows long-term holders (LTH) have not significantly reduced their positions. Indeed, a large chunk of BTC’s realized cap is controlled by addresses that display historically low spending behavior. This indicates a sense of “conviction” that helps keep SSR from spiking since these holders are less likely to sell at current price levels.

The flat reading of the SSR ratio indicates a market at an uneasy standstill: not enough fresh capital to fuel a rally, yet no mass exodus to trigger a punishing drawdown. Despite shrinking spot volumes and ETF outflows, we are not seeing the same frantic selling or steep price declines typical of a full-blown bear.

Instead, Bitcoin’s long-term holder base continues to prop up the market, indicating that if global liquidity improves, the stage could be set for renewed upside. Meanwhile, a low-liquidity environment and a holder-dominated supply keep Bitcoin floating in a mid-range zone, waiting for the next wave of conviction, whether its bullish or bearish.

The post Bitcoin floats in a midrange limbo as sell-side risk ratio remains subdued amid downtrend in spot volume trends appeared first on CryptoSlate.