Yuga Labs Unveils ApeChain, Solana Eyes $180 Target, Tether's USDT Hits $120B Market Cap: Oct 21

October 21st brings major updates in the crypto market. Yuga Labs launched ApeChain, boosting the Bored Ape ecosystem with new cross-chain tools. Meanwhile, Solana targets $180 as memecoin demand drives network activity. Bitcoin has surged past $69,000, sparking fresh optimism. Tether’s USDT also hit a record $120 billion market cap, hinting at growing investor interest. Let’s dive into these highlights and see what’s fueling the market momentum.

The crypto market remains in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index increasing from 73 to 72. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown some positive momentum, trading above $69,000 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed. 

1. Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $69,034, +0.96%; ETH: $2,747, +3.74%

2. 24-hour Long/Short: 51.5%/48.5%

3. Yesterday’s Fear and Greed Index: 72 (73 24 hours ago), level: Greed

Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me

Top 24-Hour Performers 

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1. BlackRock ETF Head: 80% of Bitcoin trading product buyers are direct investors

2. USDT Market Cap exceeded $120 billion, a record high

3. Vitalik Buterin discussed risks and key goals facing Ethereum, believes one of the biggest risks to Ethereum L1 is the centralization of proof of stake due to economic pressure

4. Stripe has acquired stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1 billion

Read More: 94% of Asian Private Wealth Considers Crypto Investing, Vitalik Buterin's Vision for “The Surge”, FBI Arrests SEC’s X Hacker: Oct 18

Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape Yacht Club, has officially launched ApeChain, an Ethereum-based Layer 2 blockchain. They’ve also introduced the ApeChain bridge and Swap portal, enabling smooth cross-chain transactions. This move is part of Yuga’s push to future-proof its ecosystem. Partnering with Wire Network, a Layer 1 blockchain built for the AI agent economy, Yuga aims to use AI agents to boost engagement between creators and their fans.

Wire Network’s CEO, Ken DiCross, emphasized the potential for advanced AI interactions through this partnership, combining scalable blockchain with Yuga's cultural impact:

Ken DiCross, CEO of Wire Network, stated:

“…By combining our scalable, next-generation blockchain infrastructure with Yuga’s creativity and cultural influence, we are opening up new possibilities for AI agent interactions.”

~Ken DiCross

APE/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin 

Yuga also launched Top Trader, the first native product on ApeChain. This on-chain trading simulation allows users to trade with leverage up to 1,000 times without financial risk. Features include the Ape Portal for cross-chain payments and Yuga ID for simple account management. Transaction gas sponsorship and the Restart Protocol for managing tournament rewards also enhance the user experience.

ApeChain was built using the Arbitrum Orbit toolkit, focusing on improving security and scalability. ApeCoin DAO had initially considered building an independent blockchain but ultimately opted for a Layer 2 solution connected to Ethereum after extensive community discussion. This decision helps align ApeCoin with a more robust and scalable blockchain infrastructure.

SOL/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin 

Solana (SOL) has seen impressive gains recently, trading around $154.59 after hitting a high of $156.43. The crypto market is on a positive trend, with Bitcoin above $68,000 and other altcoins like Ethereum and XRP also rising. Global market cap has climbed to $2.35 trillion, up 0.8%.

A surge in memecoin demand has boosted Solana’s network activity and total value locked (TVL). This could push SOL to the $180 mark if momentum continues, supported by strong trading volumes and network growth.

Read more: Top Solana Memecoins to Watch in 2024

From October 11 to October 18, SOL rose by 12.1%, partly driven by rising memecoin interest. The hype, such as a viral push for Goatseus Maximus (GOAT), helped Solana’s TVL hit a two-year high of 41 million SOL. Solana also led decentralized exchange volumes, growing by 43% to reach $11.16 billion, outpacing Ethereum’s layer-2 solutions.

On the 4-hour chart, Solana rebounded from the 50% Fibonacci retracement level around $147.51, setting up further gains. It surpassed the 23.6% Fibonacci level at $153.88, which now serves as a key support. If SOL breaks above $158.33, it could target the next resistance at $165, paving the way for a broader rally toward $180.

Technical indicators back this bullish outlook. The 50-period EMA at $151.33 provides solid support, while the RSI stands at 55, showing steady buying interest. If Solana maintains current support and breaks past resistance, it could continue its upward movement toward new highs.

Source: TradingView

BTC/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin

On Sunday, Bitcoin surged past $69,000, hitting a high of $69,363. It marked a 9.3% gain for the week, bringing its year-to-date growth to 63% and a 132% increase over the past year. The crypto market saw $71.3 billion in trading volume, with Bitcoin contributing $15.25 billion.

This time, Bitcoin climbed steadily back to $69,000, resulting in only $117.7 million in liquidations across derivatives markets. The last time Bitcoin reached these levels was in late July 2024, but it then tumbled to $49,577 in early August. This time, the climb was more gradual, leading to just $117.7 million in liquidations across the crypto derivatives market. Interestingly, BTC had fewer liquidations compared to ApeCoin (APE) and Ethereum (ETH), which saw bigger wipeouts over the past day.

Bitcoin’s rise shows renewed confidence after months of uncertainty. The lower liquidation figure suggests traders are handling leverage more cautiously. Ethereum and other altcoins faced more turbulence, showing a varied market reaction. As always, volatility remains a factor, and the key question is whether Bitcoin can maintain its momentum or if we will see a correction like in August.

Read More: Trump’s Crypto Platform Raising Only $12 Million (WLFI), Stripe in Talks to Acquire Bridge: Oct 17

Tether’s USDT stablecoin reached a record $120 billion market cap, signaling a potential shift in the crypto market on October 20th. This growing supply could provide the liquidity needed to fuel rallies for Bitcoin and Ethereum, potentially ending their seven-month downtrend. With October historically being a positive month for crypto, the increase in USDT could support the “Uptober” narrative, suggesting incoming buying pressure. Recent USDT flows to major exchanges like KuCoin hint at renewed investor interest, possibly driving the next bullish phase for Bitcoin and Ether.

Tether Tokens in circulation. Source: Tether.to

This milestone signals potential investor interest in upcoming crypto investments, as stablecoins are often used to enter the market. Historically, a growing USDT supply has been linked to Bitcoin rallies. In August, Tether minted $1.3 billion in USDT, which helped Bitcoin recover over 21% from a recent low. Data from Arkham Intelligence shows recent significant USDT flows into major exchanges like KuCoin, suggesting increased buying pressure that could fuel a Bitcoin rally this October.

Conversely, a lack of stablecoin inflows can signal a market correction. On August 12, Bitcoin dropped below the $60,000 level, staging a nearly 4% correction as institutional buying of USDT temporarily paused. This highlights the important role stablecoin inflows play in maintaining bullish momentum in the crypto market. When stablecoin liquidity stops flowing in, buying pressure weakens, which can lead to price drops. Monitoring USDT movements can provide insights into upcoming shifts in market sentiment, especially during volatile periods.

Tether treasury outflows. Source: Arkham Intelligence

Read more: USDT vs. USDC: Differences and Similarities to Know in 2024

From ApeChain's launch to Bitcoin breaking $69,000, the crypto space is buzzing with action. Solana’s price rally and Tether’s record market cap signal renewed confidence and investor enthusiasm. As October progresses, "Uptober" is living up to its name. Investors are eager to see if these gains will continue or face resistance. Stay tuned to KuCoin for more as the crypto market unfolds.