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XRP Paints Critical Divergence, Dogecoin (DOGE): Last Chance, Explosive Solana (SOL) Rally Now?

by admin August 21, 2025

Dogecoin rises above
Solana’s ascent

With its price resting on a support trendline, and momentum waning, XRP is approaching a critical phase as technical indicators generate conflicting signals. With an ascending diagonal pattern, and the 50-day EMA defining a key support zone, the asset is currently trading at about $2.87.

The Relative Strength Index provides a different narrative. A bearish divergence has been formed by the RSI’s downward trend over the past month, even though XRP’s price has maintained higher lows. If support fails, this kind of setup frequently portends possible breakdowns and indicates waning buying momentum.

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingView

The RSI, which is close to 41, suggests that XRP is getting close to oversold territory, but if there is not any new volume, the divergence may continue into more significant corrections.

In addition to the cautious outlook, trading volume has been declining steadily since the peak in July, which was around $3.70. This decline in participation shows that bulls are becoming less confident, which makes XRP susceptible to more aggressive movements should selling pressure pick up speed.

Historically, either breakdowns or sharp rebounds have been preceded by declining volume during consolidation phases; however, given the divergence, the bias is more toward downside risk.

XRP must protect the $2.80-$2.78 range in the near future. A strong decline toward $2.45, the level that the 200-day EMA supports, might be triggered by a clear break below.

Dogecoin rises above

The asset is currently trading at $0.212, just above a support zone intersection that includes the 200-day EMA, and an upward trendline that dates back to July. Although price action indicates waning momentum, and the potential for the final support level to give way soon, this alignment has so far served as a safety net for DOGE.

Every time the ascending trendline has been tested in the last two weeks, lower highs have been produced, indicating a waning of buying pressure. The volume has been decreasing at the same time, indicating that market players are not as dedicated to holding DOGE at these levels.

Solana’s ascent

Its price is situated directly on an ascending trendline that has been driving its bullish momentum since July. As long as this technical structure holds, there is hope for one more leg upward. Nevertheless, there are some issues with the setup, because volume and momentum indicators present a more cautious picture.

The way that the moving averages interact with Solana’s current chart is one of its main advantages. The major EMAs have converged after months of divergence, offering a robust cluster of dynamic support below the price. This alignment frequently indicates that the trend is structurally stable, providing buyers with a buffer against any short-term weakness.

Nintendo Switch 2 | Critical Consensus

by admin June 25, 2025

On June 5, 2025, over eight years after Nintendo debuted its innovative hybrid handheld/home console, the publisher launched its successor – the Nintendo Switch 2.

Four days after release, the console had already broken internal records, reaching global sales of 3.5 million units. It surpassed expectations in the US, with over 1.1 million units sold, and became Japan’s biggest console launch to date after shifting almost one million units in the country.

It’s a far stronger start than for the original Switch, which sold 2.7 million within its first month. Nintendo has predicted hardware sales of 15 million and software sales of 45 million by March 2026.

Clearly, the Switch 2 has been met with an eager audience of gamers. But because critics had to wait until launch day to get their hands on one, opinions have been slow to come in as to whether it’s worth the $450 price tag.

Safe bet

Game Informer’s Kyle Hilliard, who gave the console a B rating, said it was a no-brainer for Nintendo to iterate on the Switch’s success.

“Nintendo has sold more than 152 million Switch consoles, which goes a long way toward explaining why, for the first time in its history, Nintendo released a follow-up and added a sequential number to its name instead of coming up with something new,” wrote Hilliard. “In many ways, the Switch feels like a safe sequel to a previous success.”

“The new hardware is all very familiar,” Hilliard noted, “and as a result, it does lack much of the excitement that usually accompanies a new Nintendo console.”

Tabitha Baker offered similar sentiments in her 4.5/5 review for GamesRadar. “The Switch 2 takes its lead from its predecessor, offering (broadly) the same functionality and form factor. At its core, this is an easily recognisable experience, the same docking system, same control scheme. But it’s so much more than that on top.”

Better Joy-Cons

Image credit: Nintendo

Despite looking similar, the new Switch 2 Joy-Cons snap onto the console magnetically rather than sliding into place. They attach to protruding pins that Baker feared could cause problems.

“Having these sticking out the side of the device felt like a recipe for disaster, even if they are sheltered by the edges of the tablet itself,” she wrote. “There’s a little flex to these pins – but that could be a good thing. If those pins were rigid, I’d be worried about snapping them straight off, but the extra flexibility does give me a little more peace of mind. Time will tell whether that flexibility becomes a problem in itself, though.”

Still, Hilliard thinks the new Joy-Con controllers are a marked improvement: “The control sticks feel smoother, the buttons are a little bigger, and the magnetic system […] is an upgrade compared to the button and rails system of the original Switch.”

Mouse controls

The new Joy-Cons also have mouse capability. “[It’s] either going to be the best thing this console has going for it or will be forgotten about in a matter of weeks,” said The Gamer’s Jade King. “There’s potential here, but at launch it seems like a gimmick.”

“There’s potential here, but at launch [mouse control] seems like a gimmick”

Jade King, The Gamer

NME’s Ali Shutler, who gave the Switch 2 a four out of five rating, noted that there’s not much need for mouse control outside of Switch 2 Welcome Tour and believed it’s “the only part of the Switch 2 experience that feels awkward.”

Baker thought that the success of the mouse functionality will be measured by which games support it. “If it’s relegated to toggle-able mini-games and the odd shovelware escapade, it’s an expensive mistake.”

Still, she was impressed with the performance. “Tracking is nippy, acceleration feels well-balanced, and response is consistent. The slimmer form factor of a Joy-Con under your hand doesn’t feel nearly as comfortable as a full mouse during longer play sessions, and the skinnier R button has a particularly short stop that’s a little vulnerable to accidental presses. But the actual sensor part? Good to go.”

Game Chat and UI

Another new feature for the Switch 2 is its chat function, enabling users to play with friends without having to use a third-party app via an in-built microphone and additional video capabilities.

Shutler called this function “perhaps the biggest innovation” for the console, as it “makes playing online a lot more communal”. He did note, however, that to use this function you’ll eventually need a Nintendo Switch Online membership once the free first year offer runs out on March 31, 2026.

But Hilliard found the Switch 2’s UI to be underwhelming, calling it “sterile” compared to what was offered on Wii, 3DS, and the Wii U. “Scrolling through games on the Switch 2 is quiet and boring,” he expressed. “I was hoping using the Switch 2’s menu would feel new and novel.”

King had similar feelings, and remarked that it’s “the same template you’ve been using for the past eight years.”

“There’s no getting around the fact that this underwhelms, and despite feeling like I can slide into this ecosystem without fear of being lost and overwhelmed, I still crave something new,” she wrote. “A daring and fresh way for my games to be presented instead of taking the safest route.”

Battery life

The Switch 2’s battery was another area that came in for criticism.

“At the system’s most demanding, I managed two hours and 40 minutes of battery life,” Baker noted. “That was a test from 100%, playing Breath of the Wild: Switch 2 Edition at full display brightness. That’s a downgrade from the far more power-efficient Switch OLED and a fairly short battery life even compared to the original device.”

“While it’s certainly lasting a lot longer than more power-hungry devices like the Asus ROG Ally, Nintendo has produced more battery-efficient handhelds in the past.”

Hilliard was of the same opinion. “Nintendo reports that the Switch 2’s battery is about 1.2 times better than the original, but I admit skepticism. Across my hours of playtime since the Switch 2 launch, the battery seems to drain faster in handheld and tabletop play. Thankfully, the two USB-C port options make charging easier while playing, but this may be the primary – potentially only – disappointment between the Switch and Switch 2.”

However, The Guardian’s Keith Stuart, who gave the Switch 2 a four out of five rating, was more neutral.

“Nintendo is promising between two and 6.5 hours [for battery life],” Stuart wrote. “I did a mixed test in which I played Mario Kart World, downloaded and played Hitman, and used GameShare and GameChat, and got about 3.5 hours, which is not bad.”

Display

One aspect reviewers were pleasantly surprised with on the Switch 2 was its larger display, despite the console dropping back to an LCD screen rather than an OLED.

Hilliard expected to be disappointed with Nintendo’s decision “having spent so much time with the OLED model”, but was impressed with how similar they appear to be.

“The Switch 2 does not have an OLED screen, but you could have fooled me,” he expressed. “The screen is vibrant and colourful, and the HDR options do make a positive difference with certain games. The refresh rate is strong, and the games that take advantage of it benefit tremendously.”

King said she “hardly [noticed a] difference” between the two due to the Switch 2’s 7.9 inch screen, increased colour range, HDR options, and the 1920×1080 resolution.

GamesRadar’s Baker did a side-by-side comparison between the Switch OLED and Switch 2 playing Pokémon Violet. She found that while the “jump from OLED screen to LCD is noticeable, it’s still a good-looking panel.”

“The OLED presented brighter yellows and greens much better, and a more vivid picture overall and a punchier feel. By comparison, the Switch 2 darkens those tones slightly. Its blacks aren’t as deep as those of the OLED, but it’s vibrant where it counts.”

“[While the] jump from OLED screen to LCD is noticeable, it’s still a good-looking panel”

Tabitha Baker, GamesRadar

Games on the Switch 2 run between 720p and 1080p in handheld, and up to 4K in docked mode. But The Gamer’s King said that she hasn’t seen much evidence of the latter.

“Claims that the majority of titles [support] a full 4K resolution are exaggerated,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see many peaking at 1440p or making decent use of dynamic resolution while docked.”

Stuart emphasised that for ports like Cyberpunk 2077, players will not get the same experience as on a higher spec gaming setup. “[The game] caps out at 1080p with the framerate at 30fps in performance mode. Don’t expect cutting edge PS5 Pro or PC visuals – we’re looking at something between PS4 and PS5.”

As for HDR capabilities, Baker described it as “a slightly more complicated beast”.

“The system does seem to be a little off in its implementation in certain games. I’ve noticed that Cyberpunk 2077 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild appear washed out with the HDR setting enabled,” she wrote. “Switching the feature off reveals a far more punchy picture, with rich colours and greater impact overall.”

“With HDR switched off and that screen running at full brightness, this is a real delight. Smoother motion, a bigger panel, and 1080p resolution make for real tangible upgrades over the previous generation and I’d certainly take them over a higher-contrast OLED experience.”

Launch games

Moving on to software, the Switch 2’s launch line-up didn’t impress critics. Mario Kart World is the only headline first-party title, followed by Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

But as NME’s Shutler pointed out, there are ports, upgrades, and enhanced editions of popular titles to play on top of that.

“The Switch 2 is powerful enough to make old favourites feel new,” he wrote. “From rediscovering the magic of GameCube software via the expanded online library to travelling through the open-world Pokémon Scarlet without all the technical drawbacks, there’s something for everyone.”

Then there’s the ports of AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, which Baker noted provided an “indication of where Nintendo wants its system to be positioned.”

“If Nintendo can keep up with upcoming blockbuster releases, the Switch 2 could well be in with a shot at becoming a primary driver for a lot more players,” she said.

King highlighted upcoming games like Donkey Kong Bananza, Splatoon Raiders, The Duskbloods, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, alongside ports of Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

“By the end of the year, the Switch 2 library is going to be a potential force to be reckoned with, but right now, it is very wanting,” she concluded.

Comparisons with rivals

In terms of graphics capabilities, Baker pointed out that consoles like the PS5 still “hold the upper hand” against the Switch 2.

“Side by side with PS5’s 4K performance, it’s obvious this isn’t a miracle worker. Everything lacks that final touch of sharpness in docked mode compared to the PS5.”

“But this is still all very impressive. We’re talking about the difference between a slimline handheld that has far more functionality than the PS5 and measures in at a fraction of the size to boot.”

King is optimistic about blockbuster third-party titles on the Switch 2. “They are still going to lag slightly behind other versions on PS5 and Xbox, but now differences are much less substantial,” she wrote. “In a couple of years, you should be able to pick up major games on Switch 2 and no longer feel like you’re having to compromise so drastically.”

Image credit: CD Projekt Red/Nintendo

When comparing to other handhelds like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and even the OLED Switch, GamesRadar’s Baker said the Switch 2 “isn’t without competition”.

“The cheaper OLED version runs with better battery life and the Asus ROG and Steam Deck OLED offer better grip, a wider choice of games, more storage, and a larger set of controls.”

However, Baker does recognise that the Switch is “threatening these handheld PCs for the first time”, writing that it’s “smoother in some scenarios, comes with its own set of exclusive titles, and is far more portable than chunkier models.”

Conclusions

Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Switch 2 is a worthy successor to the original Switch, and the upgrade is more than worth it.

The Gamer’s King described the Switch 2 as a “fundamental improvement” on the Switch, and “easily the most capable console Nintendo has ever made with the hardware to prove it.”

She added: “The Switch 2 is a refinement of everything that came before. It feels like Nintendo looked at the original console and more general complaints and sought to create a successor that felt more sturdy, appeared more premium, and beneath the aesthetics, was more capable and powerful.”

“You have increased potential for third-party blockbusters, a smoother user interface, and an easy transition to a new generation that almost makes up for its banal and predictable delivery.”

“I like it when Nintendo tries something new in an attempt to give me something I didn’t know I wanted. It didn’t do that with the Switch 2″

Kyle Hilliard, Game Informer

Game Informer’s Hilliard felt the same, stating that the Switch 2 felt “arguably too safe”.

“I like it when Nintendo tries something new in an attempt to give me something I didn’t know I wanted. It didn’t do that with the Switch 2. It improved on basically every element of the Switch (except its battery life), made it backwards compatible, and made it look feel better. My primary complaint is that I have not been surprised.”

He concluded: “Rather, I have been nodding appreciatively, grateful that I have a version of one of my favourite consoles of all time that looks sharper, plays some of my favourite games at a higher quality. It’s what I wanted as opposed to what I didn’t know I wanted, and I am happy with that.”

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Ethereum Builds Critical Pattern On Daily Chart, Volatility Ahead

by admin June 25, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The Ethereum 1-day chart is shaping an intriguing technical formation that could define its next move. This setup reflects growing uncertainty in the market but also sets the stage for high-impact volatility.

Ethereum Approaches Decision Point: Breakout Or Breakdown?

Ethereum is currently forming a megaphone pattern, a broadening formation characterized by widening price swings and increasing volatility. This structure typically reflects market indecision, as both bulls and bears battle for control, leading to expanding highs and lows.

Sharoon Gill noted on X that the widening price action is a key signal that volatility is building, and a significant move could be on the horizon. Sharoon Gill points to two crucial levels to watch closely: a breakout above $2,400 would confirm bullish momentum and pave the way for further gains, while a drop below $2,240 may indicate a bearish breakdown and trigger a downward move.

Source: Sharoon Gill on X

Evrenos Albarson shared a sharp take on Ethereum’s positioning, pointing out that the 4-hour chart looks decent, and for ETH to maintain any bullish momentum, it must reclaim the $2,550 level, a threshold that would signal strength and consolidation to the upside.

However, if ETH fails to push above $2,550, the market could face a sudden drop to $1,800 as Evrenos Albarson targets a support zone from the consolidation phases.

According to Bit Amberly, Ethereum is showing early signs of a rebound as it bounces off the lower boundary of a broadening wedge. This pattern, often associated with potential reversals, suggests that ETH may be gearing up for a bullish push and provide key support holds.

If ETH holds above the $2,400 area, it will open the door for a climb toward $2,500, with further upside targets at $2,680 and $2,850 levels, which align with previous reaction zones and technical extensions.

Ethereum Clears Channel, But Can It Sustain Above Resistance?

Ethereum has broken out of a descending channel on the 2-hour chart, a move that signals a shift in short-term bullish momentum. This breakout marks the end of the recent downtrend.

Currently, Crypto Avi mentioned that ETH is trying to break through the major resistance zone at $2,446 on the chart. If ETH manages to break above the resistance zone, the next upside target will be $2,700, a level that aligns with short-term technical projections.

Whales_Crypto_Trading reported that Ethereum has successfully breached the ascending channel formation on the 8-hour chart, showing an acceleration in bullish momentum, pushing ETH beyond a technical boundary that had contained price action.

If the momentum continues to build, Whales_Crypto_Trading suggests that ETH could surge toward the next target at $3,050, a level that represents an important resistance zone.

ETH trading at $2,442 on the daily chart | source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image from iStock images, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

An image of the Critical Role crew posing with senior designers Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins, former employees of Wizards of the Coast.

Product Reviews

D&D’s Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins un-retire, change teams to Critical Role’s Darrington Press after a combined 46 years at Wizards of the Coast, leaving jaws dropped

by admin June 17, 2025

Dear reader, it might not surprise you to hear this, given my professional, actual job is to write for a site about PC Gaming—but I’m not really into sports. This isn’t universal among our staff, mind. I was duly ribbed for the way I described the following feeling in our morning meet.

However, the recent move of Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Critical Role’s Darrington Press, after a combined 46 years at D&D, is the closest I will ever get to witnessing the transfer of a high-profile athlete between sports teams. Now, when someone talks to me about how John Sports was bought by a rival team, I can say “I know exactly how you feel about John Sports”.

Some context, first: Darrington Press is the publishing arm of Critical Role, a long-standing D&D actual play stream that’s accrued enough fans to nigh-instantly fund an Amazon Prime animated series. Critical Role has grown into its own media empire and TTRPG company, releasing sourcebooks for homebrew systems Candela Obscura and Daggerheart.

Perkins and Crawford, meanwhile, are some major industry talents. Formerly the senior story designer and principle rules designer of Dungeons & Dragons, Perkins left WoTC in April of this year after 28 years at the company, with Crawford departing soon after.

Both were large losses for Wizards of the Coast, which had just finished releasing its 2024 ruleset overhaul. And now they’re working for Critical Role, a company that got its start livestreaming D&D, to design systems that are direct competitors. In a post to the Darrington Press website, Critical Role writes:

“Exciting news—our Darrington Press team has grown, adding Chris Perkins as our Creative Director and Jeremy Crawford as Game Director! We’re thrilled to welcome both Chris and Jeremy’s expertise in game design and storytelling, honed through decades of experience working together on tabletop games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars Roleplaying, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and Blue Rose. We’re enormous fans of their work and are honored to welcome them into our team.”

The words “enormous fans of their work” feels like an understatement, when your company got its start playing one of their games—I don’t think Critical Role owes Wizards of the Coast fealty or anything, there’s just a certain kind of poetry in action here. The student has snapped up two of the masters.

Perkins says: “Storytelling has always been at the heart of everything I do, and joining Darrington Press feels a bit like coming home … I’ve loved being a part of the extended Critical Role family as a regular guest over the years and I’m beyond excited to help create new worlds full of adventure.”

Crawford, meanwhile, seems buzzing with excitement. “This team is passionate, wildly creative, and committed to building welcoming, connected, amazing story-driven experiences—I can’t wait to expand on what Critical Role has already created to develop some really fun and unique games.”

Wizards of the Coast has been fumbling the bag these past 10 years when it comes to D&D—mostly. I might have my issues and grumbles and gripes with D&D’s 2024 rules remaster, but it’s a fine ruleset, and I’m certain plenty of people will enjoy it. When it comes to secondary projects like capitalising on Baldur’s Gate 3’s success, developing its own VTT, and so on? It’s stumble after stumble.

(Image credit: Darrington Press / Art by Nikki Dawes.)

I have to wonder out loud—and this is pure conjecture and speculation—whether Perkins and Crawford moving over to Darrington Press has something to do with wanting to escape a stifling, Hasbro-driven environment. Critical Role isn’t a small pennies company, mind, but it certainly doesn’t have a CEO who keeps talking about how cool AI is.

If there is any lingering disquietude, Perkins, Crawford, and Critical Role are all likely to keep it quiet—and with good reason. It’s bad professional manners to speak poorly of a former employer, for one thing, but Critical Role also isn’t entirely disconnected from the D&D brand just yet.

It’s just as likely that Perkins and Crawford want to do something new. You make the same game for a couple of decades, and you’ll want to go do something else. Especially given D&D 2024 is a rules revamp, not an overhaul—staying would mean committing to another decade or so of tinkering with the same skeleton. Whatever their reasons, I’m genuinely excited to see what Perkins and Crawford bring to the table.

Still, this has to sting a little for ol’ Wizards of the Coast. D&D 2024 went fine, but as a wider company, it can’t seem to stop losing talented business partners and employees. First Larian sets sail for greener pastures, and now this. This might be another sign that the TTRPG industry’s overdue another OGL-style shakeup.

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June 17, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Critical Role’s Darrington Press Hires Two Legendary Dungeons & Dragons Game Designers

by admin June 16, 2025

Today, Darrington Press, Critical Role’s tabletop role-playing game publisher, announced it has hired Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins, two of the lead designers for Dungeons and Dragons who recently departed the company. Perkins and Crawford will now serve as Darrington Press’ Creative Director and Game Director, respectively, according to an announcement on the company’s website.

This is a massive shakeup for the TTRPG world. Critical Role, known for its livestreamed games of Dungeons & Dragons played by high-profile voice actors, launched Darrington Press in 2020. While the company’s first projects were Critical Role adjacent, this year it released Daggerheart, a standalone role-playing game designed to compete with Dungeons & Dragons and other similar games. The cast is currently in the midst of a mini-arc using the game system, and fans have speculated the company might intend to move away from D&D entirely one day.

Daggerheart, the tabletop role-playing game from Critical Role, is a system that uses dice and cards to tell stories in a fantasy setting.

By bringing on Crawford and Perkins, Darrington Press’s pedigree increases significantly. The two have worked at Wizards of the Coast for many years (Crawford for 18, Perkins for 28), and are considered two of the primary architects behind Dungeons and Dragons’ extremely popular fifth edition and its 2024 overhaul of that ruleset. The designers were public spokespeople for the brand as well, appearing in videos to explain new books or playtests and even clarifying rules on social media. Shortly after the new books were released, however, Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford each announced they had decided to leave the company.

Their jump to Darrington is an unexpected move, to say the least, but it seems Wizards of the Coast was aware of the transition, making a point to congratulate the move on Bluesky. The pair also did an interview with The Los Angeles Times explaining their decision process and generally praising the Critical Role team.

The two will be “developing novel game concepts as well as expanding the games [Darrington has] released so far,” according to the announcement. This likely involves additions to Daggerheart, which launched a few weeks ago. For more Daggerheart and its inspirations, you can read our interview with its lead game designer, Spenser Starke.

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June 16, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

Bitcoin Risks Testing This Critical Support As Bullish Strength Wanes

by admin June 15, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The price of Bitcoin has shown signs of indecision and exhaustion over the past few days, with mostly sideways movement and a couple of unsustained breaks above $105,000. This lack of momentum comes as the crypto market continues to grapple with the impact of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

While the current choppiness of the Bitcoin price action suggests that the cryptocurrency’s bullish momentum is, at the time, insufficient for a break, recent on-chain data not only corroborates this inference but also offers insights into the potential next stop for the flagship cryptocurrency.

Advanced Sentiment Index Slips Beneath 50%

In a June 14 post on the X platform, on-chain analyst Axel Adler Jr. reported that Bitcoin’s bullish sentiment amongst investors may be starting to lose intensity. This on-chain observation is based on the Bitcoin Advanced Sentiment Index metric, which measures the balance between bullish and bearish positioning in the market to gauge overall trader sentiment.

As its name suggests, this on-chain indicator offers insight into the general sentiment in a particular cryptocurrency market. For instance, a reading above 60-70% typically signals strong bullish sentiment in the market and is usually seen before or during price rallies.

Meanwhile, when the metric’s value is around 50%, it usually indicates neutral market sentiment, meaning there is a level of indecision or balance between bears and bulls. This is usually recorded in a consolidation phase, which precedes definitive directional movement in the market.

On the other end of the spectrum, when the Bitcoin Advanced Sentiment Index reads below 40-50%, it implies growing fear or caution in the market, which could precede further loss in BTC’s value. However, it could also potentially indicate a bottom if the sentiment were to be overly pessimistic.

Source: @AxelAdlerJr on X

In the post on X, Adler Jr. reported a drop in the Sentiment Index below the neutral 50% threshold to about 46%, which falls within the bearish territory. According to the analyst, Bitcoin’s Sentiment Index peaked above 80% early in the month of June but slowly started to decline after hitting the high.

As BTC recently rallied to $105,000 from $103,000, other important metrics such as the open interest also indicated very little investor support, further demonstrating weak bullish presence.

What’s Next For Bitcoin Price?

Adler Jr. opined that the indecisiveness currently being observed in the market might continue until something important — like the Sentiment Index — changes. For the uptrend to resume, the analyst explained that the Index has to rebound above 60-65%, which would only occur if there are simultaneous increases in net taker volume and open interest.

If this does not happen, the Bitcoin price risks testing the next support level, around $102,000 — $103,000. For this reason, caution when dealing in the market is essential, as the next support’s strength is still highly probabilistic.

As of this writing, Bitcoin is valued at $105,419, reflecting no significant price movement in the past 24 hours.

The price of Bitcoin on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

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June 15, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Mario Kart World | Critical Consensus

by admin June 13, 2025

As Nintendo’s sole major launch title, Mario Kart World is carrying a lot of weight on its shoulders.

There’s arguably no more proven quantity to do so. Mario Kart 8, across its two iterations on Wii U and Switch, has sold more than 76 million copies.

With more than 11 years having passed since its original release, the longest wait ever for a new Mario Kart game, Nintendo is capitalising on pent-up demand from hardcore players.

But despite its proven success, is a multiplayer-oriented racing game the right launch title when there are no other first-party releases, besides the slight Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour?

Critics generally agree that Mario Kart World ticks this box, with the game currently sitting at an 87 average on Metacritic after the first wave of reviews, which have been drip-fed onto the internet after Nintendo made the decision not to offer media early access to the Switch 2 or its launch line-up.

Whether Mario Kart World lives up to Nintendo’s marketing, which focused on its vast world and talked up the potential of its Free Roam mode during the Switch 2’s Direct reveal, is another question.

“The first brand-new Mario Kart in over a decade is a breath of fresh air, but oddly enough, the biggest reasons it works so well aren’t actually its shiny new features,” says IGN’s Logan Plant in an 8/10 review. “When I’m racing through one of World’s excellent traditional courses, dodging shells while trying to hang onto the lead, it feels like a worthy successor to the immaculate Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

“Driving with 24 players on those wide routes from one course to another, it doesn’t feel so much like a race as a chaotic road trip. ”

Keza MacDonald, The Guardian

“But when I’m somewhat mindlessly roaming around its pleasant but fairly one-note map or puttering down the lengthy straightaways that often separate its Grand Prix tracks, World doesn’t make a convincing case that going open-world was the boost Mario Kart needed.”

Reviewers draw attention to the evergreen quality of Mario Kart as a series, which was exemplified by the continuous strong sales of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe across the Switch’s lifespan. Generally it’s agreed that this new entry has the stuff to stay in rotation for the entire generation.

Image credit: Nintendo

“Mario Kart World, the banner game for the launch of the Switch 2, carries with it the expectation that of course this will be one of the games most associated with the system for its entire lifespan,” says GameSpot’s Steve Watts in a 9/10 review.

“The challenge was crafting a new game that felt sufficiently suited to carry those expectations. Due to its blend of skillful mechanical tweaks, lovely aesthetics, and a general design philosophy built around delightful surprises, this one will go the distance.”

Despite being highly accessible to different audiences, Mario Kart World retains a skill ceiling that gives it potentially limitless longevity, especially if you’re playing it with other people.

“God only knows how many hours I have spent racing Mario and his pals around their cartoon wonderland circuits since 1992,” says The Guardian’s Keza MacDonald in her five-star review. “This series has accompanied me through my entire life, the reliable mainstay that everyone wants to play with me, no matter how familiar they are with video games in general.”

The basics of the series remain the same with this game: item pick-ups, a colourful roster of Nintendo characters, and power sliding are all part of the mix, but there are notable additions to the movement set, like rail grinding and how jumping works. Mario Kart World also doubles the number of competitors in each race from 12 to 24, with an accompanying widening in track size.

“World takes big swings to reinvent the established Mario Kart formula, including doubling the amount of simultaneous racers from 12 to a chaotic 24 and expanding the trick system with flashy stuff like wall riding and rail grinding,” says Plant.

“I legitimately think it might take months for people to squeeze the full potential out of these new techniques, and it could be a bigger game changer for high-rank online matches than anyone realises yet.”

“The larger roster and wider courses mean that I have a whole new slate of tracks to explore, some familiar, some very new,” says Nintendo Life’s Alana Hagues in her 9/10 review.

“The big addition here is the increase to 24 racers, which ups the stakes tenfold. I was worried about how big and empty the roads might feel, but the larger number of competitors completely justifies it when I’m being juggled between a Bob-omb, a bus, and a Coin Shell in quick succession while coins and items are being scattered about everywhere. Races can be utter chaos in the best possible way, particularly online.”

MacDonald also points out that races have a chaotic energy to them as a result of the number of vehicles on the track.

“Don’t go into Mario Kart World’s Free Roam mode expecting something like Forza Horizon, or really any modern open-world game”

Tom Orry, Eurogamer

“Driving with 24 players on those wide routes from one course to another, it doesn’t feel so much like a race as a chaotic road trip. This is very much the vibe in Knockout Tour, a Fortnite-style elimination race where you can go from first place to 14th in two seconds and trailing players are thrown out of the race every few minutes.”

Knockout Tour – where players are gradually eliminated in a long race spanning the open world map – is a hit with reviewers, and considered a successful addition to the Mario Kart formula.

PCMag’s Jordan Minor compares the mode to The Cannonball Run in that outlet’s 4.5/5 review. “In this mode, you race across the map, like a point-to-point cross-country rally race, with the bottom players being eliminated at various checkpoints until only the winner remains. It’s addictive and exhilarating, similar to a gripping battle royale match. The checkpoints provide a satisfying series of small triumphs, making being in the middle of the pack meaningful, even if you don’t win.”

Plant concurs that Knockout Tour is a highlight of the package. “The results are thrilling, and Knockout Tour feels like the main piece of evidence to justify the case for the open-world format, as it just wouldn’t have the same level of intensity on a standard Mario Kart track. It’s a thrill to drive through a variety of locations, from arid deserts to snowy switchbacks, as you desperately try to survive the current lap.”

“One place the magic never wears off, however, is in Knockout Tour,” Hagues writes. “While ‘World’ is in the game title, Knockout Tour is the knock-out feature of Mario Kart World. It’s a seamless race from one edge of the map to another, and this is where those more linear course designs actually work.”

IGN’s review points out that there’s a luck-based element to the mode, due to its reliance on players getting items that make a dramatic difference to their prospects. Keeping that in mind, however, will ensure players have a good time.

Image credit: Nintendo

“Sometimes Knockout Tour feels more like a game of chance and timing than one of skill, but it’s still a great time if you go in with that expectation, and it can be fun to strategise around the right time to make your move.”

All of Mario Kart World’s tracks exist within the game’s one gigantic map, which players can explore in the separate Free Roam mode. In otherwise very positive reviews, this is where the game draws the most criticism.

“Nintendo seems to have envisioned this mostly as a way to meet up with friends and cruise around, but the open-world aspect feels sparse,” writes Watts, who calls the activities in the open world “nice little diversions” while pointing out the rewards for completing them are “ultimately feel pretty insubstantial.”

IGN’s Plant says that “there’s a disappointing lack of surprise that permeates the entirety of Free Roam”.

“Don’t go into Mario Kart World’s Free Roam mode expecting something like Forza Horizon, or really any modern open-world game,” says Eurogamer’s Tom Orry in a 4/5 review.

“You have a map that shows the different areas and how many P-Switch missions you’ve completed, the number of Peach Coins collected, and the total number of Question Mark Panels you’ve found, the latter being sorted by track if you delve in slightly further. That’s it.”

Still, not everyone agrees that playing Mario Kart World as an open world experience shows the game at its weakest. “Until now, no follow-ups have fully recaptured Burnout’s magic,” Minor writes.

“Forza Horizon is too boring, sedate, and realistic. Lego 2K Drive doesn’t fully deliver on the promise of its Lego landscape. Does anyone even remember The Crew? But Mario Kart World, with its Nintendo levels of AAA polish on the company’s most powerful platform yet, is the wild and whimsical open-world racing game I’ve dreamed of.”

“If you need a pick-me-up, this game is sure to bring a smile, and it feels like a perfect start to Switch 2’s life.”

Alana Hagues, Nintendo Life

MacDonald points out that Free Roam is best seen as a social experience first and foremost. “This world isn’t as populous or as beautiful as something like Forza Horizon’s, but it’s still a trip to explore it with friends and find scenic little spots to gather together. The visual language is that of a group holiday: Polaroid snaps, stickers from local shops, regional foods.”

Amid that huge increase in scope for a Mario Kart game, performance on the Switch 2 is seen as a huge plus by reviewers, suggesting Nintendo has made the most out of the visual upgrades afforded by the vastly improved hardware.

“The draw distance and lighting, in particular, are a huge step up, and I love flying around the courses and seeing a different track that’s three or four roads away from a huge distance,” says Hagues.

“It also runs like a dream docked and handheld at 60fps – as it should on a new console, with only a little pop in here and there as I progressed through courses. Split-screen with two players is also seamless, but when you add a third or fourth, that frame rate drops to 30. I’m not surprised at the latter, and (again, as you’d expect) I didn’t see any hitches with that drop in frame rate, either.”

“It helps that, thanks to the added power of Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World is a visual feast,” Minor writes. “Running at up to 1440p/60fps, fast races and scenic vistas look stunning in motion.”

Reviewers agree that it’s got the potential stickiness of its predecessor, making it a worthy launch game for the Switch 2.

“It will be shocking if this game doesn’t enjoy the same long-term success of its predecessor, because it’s among the best in the series and a worthy marquee title for the launch of a new Nintendo console,” Watts concludes.

“If you need a pick-me-up, this game is sure to bring a smile, and it feels like a perfect start to Switch 2’s life,” Hagues says.

There’s a significant enough change in formula from its predecessor to set it apart, according to reviewers.

“The Switch 2 itself does feel like a swish upgrade rather than an all-new console,” MacDonald says. “So it’s a relief that its headline game shows that Nintendo still has a talent for reinvention.”

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June 13, 2025 0 comments

Cookie price pulls back into major support zone but bullish structure remains intact

Crypto Trends

UMA price pumps 26.54%, critical support zone must hold or risk full retrace

by admin June 9, 2025

UMA surged 26.54% from a high-confluence support area, catching traders’ attention with a sharp bullish move. However, after rejecting from local resistance at $1.80, the focus now shifts to whether bulls can defend support for continuation—or risk a full retrace within a broader range.

After a strong and impulsive rally, UMA (UMA) has caught the attention of traders with a 26.54% move from support. This rally originated from a technically significant zone and marked a bullish shift in short-term momentum.

However, price has now encountered resistance at $1.80, and a rejection has already formed, leaving a wick that may signal early exhaustion. The question now becomes: can UMA sustain this bullish structure—or is this just a temporary bounce in a broader range-bound market?

Key technical points

Rejection at $1.80: Price met resistance and sold off, forming a rejection wick.
Key Support Zone at $1.60–$1.40: This zone includes a flipped order block and the local value area high.
Bullish Continuation Depends on Holding Support: If the zone holds, a move toward $2.55 becomes more probable.

UMAUSDT (1D) Chart, Source: TradingView

The recent rally originated from a well-defined demand zone, supported by strong confluence—previous structure support, high-volume interest, and a flipped order block. This move marked a short-term bullish shift, but the price stalled at $1.80, a historically significant resistance level.

A rejection wick formed at this level, suggesting profit-taking and early signs of bearish absorption. Since then, UMA has pulled back into the $1.60–$1.40 region, which now becomes a critical zone for the next directional move.

This region is not just a psychological support but also houses an order block that has flipped from supply to demand. In addition, the value area high is also situated here, giving extra weight to this zone. If price remains above this area and begins forming higher lows, bulls could look to target $2.55 as the next significant resistance.

However, failure to hold this support would invalidate the bullish thesis. A breakdown below $1.40 would likely lead to a full rotation back to the origin of the pump, indicating that UMA is still trading within a broader range defined by daily and monthly levels. In this case, the recent rally would be classified more as a deviation within a sideways structure rather than a breakout.

What to expect in the coming price action

All eyes are now on the $1.60–$1.40 support. If UMA can hold this zone, we could see continuation toward $2.55. If it breaks, expect a pullback to retest the lows of the range and re-enter accumulation.

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June 9, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

XRP Lawsuit Faces Critical June 16 Deadline, Lawyer Warns

by admin June 5, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

With just days remaining before a pivotal status update is due in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the XRP lawsuit between Ripple Labs and the US Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC) case has once again entered a high-stakes phase. As of June 5, neither Ripple nor the Securities and Exchange Commission has refiled their joint request to amend the final judgment—an omission that could force the appeals court to resume briefing on unresolved issues.

The procedural logjam began on May 15, when Judge Analisa Torres of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a motion for an indicative ruling. “If jurisdiction were restored to this Court,” Torres wrote, “the Court would deny the parties’ motion as procedurally improper.” Both Ripple and the SEC had sought the court’s signal that it would be willing to vacate the longstanding injunction if remanded.

XRP community lawyer Fred Rispoli immediately weighed in, noting that the denial was less about substance and more about flawed procedure. “The meaning here is that the parties didn’t request relief under the right rule of civil procedure,” he explained at the time. “So they will refile it under the correct rule but, me reading between the lines, is that Ripple and the SEC need to get on all fours and beg for relief.”

Ticking Clock In XRP Lawsuit

Now, nearly three weeks later, no refile has appeared on the docket, prompting renewed speculation and concern. “Twenty days later, no refile yet by SEC and Ripple in district court and the June 16 deadline for the status update in the 2nd Circuit looms large,” Rispoli wrote on June 4.

“Expect the refile before Judge Torres to happen by then. If there is nothing pending before Torres when the parties file the status report, the 2nd Circuit only has Torres’ denial of the first request and will restart the briefing. If a motion is pending before Torres at the time of the 6/16 status report, the 2nd Circuit will likely push it out another 60 days,” he added.

While the parties remain officially silent, legal observers are increasingly focused on the political and institutional implications of this delay. “What is the next step?” Rispoli asked rhetorically. “The message by Torres was clear that both parties need to beg for forgiveness. Ripple will say whatever to get it done—but how much public groveling is the SEC willing to do? And how much groveling will be authorized? We have 12 days to find out.”

That sentiment was echoed by community members, including @xrp_hodl_r (Random Shark), who stressed the difficulty of the task at hand. “I don’t think that many of the respondents to this post realize what a high bar it is to convince a judge to amend a final judgement,” he wrote. “I suspect that both the SEC and Ripple will utilize all of the allotted time to prepare their detailed briefs.”

Rispoli agreed with the procedural point. “It is a very high bar,” he wrote, “but that is because usually only one side wants to amend the judgment. The parties thought, and I did too, that because both sides wanted the same thing that she would go along.”

The broader context makes the current impasse even more critical. With the SEC under new leadership and proposed crypto legislation advancing in Congress, both parties may have incentive to wrap the litigation quietly. But Judge Torres appears unwilling to rubber-stamp a compromise that lacks rigorous justification.

James Farrell, General Counsel at JST Digital, added further nuance to the legal dilemma. “They don’t need her permission to settle the $ or drop the appeals,” he clarified. “It’s only to vacate the obey-the-law injunction. Hand waving ‘new admin, new policy, fairness, SEC ok with it’—not gonna cut it with ‘why is it tough to do what the injunction requires, which is just don’t go crime-ing.’”

As of now, the June 16 deadline stands as a moment of truth. If no refile reaches Judge Torres by then, the case could revert to a new appellate battle—undoing months of attempted resolution and extending the legal shadow that has loomed over XRP for years.

At press time, XRP traded at $2.19.

XRP stalls below the daily EMA cluster, 1-day chart | Source: XRPUSDT on TradingView.com

Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Altcoin Season: Bitcoin Dominance Reaches Critical Level Above 64%

by admin June 1, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Despite the ongoing correction from its recent all-time high, Bitcoin’s dominance over the rest of the market has continued to hold steady in recent days. Notably, Bitcoin’s dominance in the crypto market has increased steadily in recent days, recently surpassing a significant threshold of 64% and exerting pressure on altcoins across the board.

Although Bitcoin itself recently lost the $105,000 support level in the past 24 hours, the altcoin market witnessed dips throughout last week. However, this period of imbalance between Bitcoin and altcoins may not last much longer, especially as technical analysis suggests the dominance reaching 64% might be a turning point.

Bitcoin Dominance Taps Resistance: Exhaustion Ahead?

Crypto trader Astronomer shared an analysis on X, highlighting the 64% region as a crucial turning point for BTC.D. His chart, which outlines a possible path for Bitcoin dominance, shows that the metric has now entered a wide resistance block between 64.00% and 64.40%. This is important because this is a level that has rejected previous upside attempts throughout the past month.

Even with Bitcoin being the only cryptocurrency to print a new all-time high in recent times, the Bitcoin dominance has found it hard to break above 64% in May, which shows that the trend might be becoming exhausted. Notably, after bouncing just above 63.5% on May 28, Bitcoin’s dominance printed a lower high. The current price behavior mirrors those earlier moves, lacking the bullish strength needed to break higher.

Source: Astronomer on X

If the projected path in the chart below plays out, the dominance could range slightly before beginning a rollover that takes it into the lower 63% zone and beyond. The trajectory on the chart suggests the decline could steepen in early June and finally open up the door for altcoins to thrive.

Altcoin Momentum Soon With Fading Bitcoin Dominance?

The chart outlook indicates that the Bitcoin dominance rally is nearing exhaustion. Despite recent losses across many altcoins, the projection structure suggests an imminent shift and a potential decline in Bitcoin dominance to 63.45%.

From here, the next step will depend on how Bitcoin reacts at this level. As it begins to unwind, this decline in Bitcoin dominance will likely coincide with an increase in the price of major altcoins, particularly in large market-cap altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin. As such, this moment of topping out could finally be the early stages of a broader altcoin season.

At the time of writing, data from CoinMarketCap shows that Bitcoin’s dominance is currently at 63.5%, just above the crucial 63.45% point. A breakdown of Bitcoin’s dominance at this point could cascade into an altcoin season. Ethereum, on the other hand, has seen its dominance increase by 2.01% in the past 24 hours to 9.4% at the time of writing. However, the notion of a close altcoin season could crumble if Bitcoin dominance manages to make a monthly close above 64%.

Overall market cap excluding BTC at $1.14 trillion | Source: TOTAL2 on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

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June 1, 2025 0 comments