Altcoins drove the gains this week while Bitcoin steadied. Ethereum remains the standout as options data adds an institutional layer to the story.
Weekly Snapshot
Crypto markets finished the week on a strong note, with altcoins leading the charge. Dogecoin (+16%), Avalanche (+17%), NEAR (+12%), and Solana (+10%) all outperformed. The majors also gained: Bitcoin (+3.3%) and Ethereum (+3.1%).
In the past 24 hours, momentum cooled. Bitcoin slipped −0.1%, Ethereum added +0.6%, while Solana (−0.5%) and Dogecoin (−0.4%) paused after big weekly runs. Bitcoin Cash (+1.6%) and TRON (+0.6%) managed to hold firmer.
On the hourly view, buying interest returned: Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, and LINK all ticked higher. That’s a signal some traders are leaning back in after the 24-hour slowdown.
Momentum Alignment Score (MAS)
The Momentum Alignment Score tracks whether a coin is up or down across three timeframes — 7-day, 24-hour, and 1-hour. A higher score means consistency, a lower score shows fading strength.
-
Ethereum (MAS +3): Up across all timeframes, the cleanest leader among majors.
-
Bitcoin (MAS +1): Stronger weekly, flat short-term.
-
Solana & Dogecoin (MAS +1): Strong week, a pause in the last day, then fresh hourly gains.
-
XRP (MAS −1): Weekly up, but slipping short-term.
Ethereum stands out as the most balanced mover right now.
Institutional Lens — Options Positioning
BTC proxy — MAXI ETF
-
Current price: $28.69 (+3.2% at last close).
-
Open interest for Sept 19 expiry: 55% puts vs 45% calls.
-
Key levels: Heavy put interest near $27; call interest near $34–35.
-
Takeaway: Institutions expect Bitcoin to stay range-bound between $27 and $35 into expiry, hedging downside risk while capping near-term upside.
ETH proxy — Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust
-
Current price: $40.71 (after hours $40.99).
-
Open interest: 55% calls vs 45% puts.
-
Key levels: Strong call positioning near $30, put protection around $42 and $50.
-
Takeaway: A slightly bullish setup, with traders building exposure but keeping protection in place. This matches Ethereum’s clean MAS profile.
Connecting the Dots
-
Altcoins dominated the weekly leaderboard, but today looked more like consolidation than reversal.
-
Ethereum remains the standout, supported by both momentum alignment and option positioning.
-
Bitcoin’s cautious stance via MAXI options suggests a tighter trading band in the near term, while Ethereum’s option flow points to gradual accumulation.
Today’s pulse: crypto is catching its breath after a strong run, but with Ethereum leading and Solana/Dogecoin regaining hourly strength, the door stays open for further upside.
What to Watch Next
-
Can Ethereum extend its three-timeframe strength into the weekend?
-
Does Bitcoin respect the $27–35 MAXI range ahead of September expiry?
-
Do altcoins like Solana and Dogecoin keep their hourly momentum, or fade back into consolidation?
For deeper daily insights across crypto, stocks, and futures, visit investingLive.com. You can also explore our dedicated Cryptocurrency section for real-time crypto news, analysis and some trade ideas.
Disclaimer: This Market Pulse is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Trade and invest at your own risk.