Sonic (S) Surge

The article examines and refutes the "ghost chain" label sometimes applied to Cardano (ADA). While Cardano has significantly fewer dApps and lower transaction/user counts compared to leading Layer 1 chains like Ethereum and Solana, this is partly due to its unique Extended Unspent Transaction Output (EUTXO) model. This model batches transactions, improving security and determinism but potentially underrepresenting true on-chain activity. The piece acknowledges recent ecosystem challenges but highlights Cardano's strong development activity and its distinct focus on peer-reviewed research, security, and sustainability for institutional use. It concludes that while various chains occupy different niches, low activity metrics alone are insufficient to deem Cardano a "ghost chain."

Ripple's XRP price fell to $1.009 on June 26, 2026, nearing the key $1 psychological level for the first time since November 2024. Despite positive spot ETF inflows, weak broader market demand and low speculative interest paint a gloomy outlook. Technical analysis shows XRP in a persistent downtrend since July 2025, with the recent breach of the $1.05 support level. While Open Interest data indicates a calmer derivatives market, the price structure remains bearish. The bounce to $1.29 in mid-June was quickly sold, and the path of least resistance points south. A drop below $1 in July appears highly likely, with bearish momentum potentially driving prices toward the $0.975 and $0.85 targets.

Kaspa (KAS) completed its Toccata hard fork on June 30, introducing smart contracts and KRC-20 token support. In anticipation, KAS price rallied 20.38% to $0.032. However, a "sell-the-news" reaction caused a 7.8% drop within 10 hours. Long-term, the token remains in a bearish trend, having failed to break the $0.04 resistance and now nearing the $0.025 swing low. Technical indicators like the MACD and CMF support this negative outlook. Short-term gains were used as a selling opportunity, with liquidation levels swept above $0.03 before the reversal. Further price declines towards $0.0249 and potentially $0.020 are possible in the coming weeks.

Solana's on-chain activity has surged, with daily active wallets reaching a record 4.51 million, driven by growth in tokenized equities, xStocks, and DeFi. This rising network usage is now supporting SOL's price. SOL gained 7.48% recently, testing the key $78-$82 resistance zone after nine consecutive monthly declines. A sustained breakout above $82 could signal renewed bullish control and target $92, while holding above $72 support is crucial. The network's recovery hinges on whether this increased activity and capital inflow persist beyond short-term speculation.

Former President Donald Trump's family earned approximately $1.2 billion from cryptocurrency ventures in 2025, according to a financial disclosure report. This revenue stream, outlined in a 927-page filing, now surpasses income from most of his long-established real estate holdings. The crypto earnings originated from two main sources: over $500 million from the sale of products like "governance tokens" by World Liberty Financial, a DeFi project co-owned by the Trump family, and roughly $635 million in royalties from the Trump-themed meme coin $TRUMP, issued by CIC Digital LLC. While Trump's entities profited, retail investors faced significant losses. The $TRUMP token, which peaked above $74 shortly after its January 2025 launch, has plummeted to around $1.68. World Liberty Financial's token has also fallen roughly 80% since its debut. Reports indicate that the majority of meme coin buyers have lost money, with Trump-linked entities still holding about 80% of $TRUMP's supply under vesting plans. The disclosure highlights a stark contrast: Trump's crypto and real estate businesses flourished—with new international property deals bringing in tens of millions—even as his administration shifted to crypto-friendly policies, relaxing the stringent regulatory stance of the previous Biden administration. The White House maintains that Trump acts only in the public interest, with his businesses placed in a trust managed by his sons, denying any conflict of interest. However, the report notes the difficulty of assessing such conflicts, particularly regarding foreign business dealings with countries that later received favorable U.S. policy decisions.