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May 6, 2025

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Solana price is defending a critical support level at $140 after the SOL-based meme coin launchpad PumpFun overtook Ethereum in yearly fees. This scenario has seen investors speculate about whether SOL can reach an all-time high of $300 soon, considering that a spike in meme token activity has previously fuelled its gains.

Solana Price Today as $140 Support Holds

SOL value today trades at $143 with a modest 1% decline in 24 hours as the broader crypto market bowed to bearish pressure after Bitcoin fell below $95,000. Despite the surge in volatility, this top altcoin has successfully defended the support level at $140, a sign that it may record a strong bounce to the upside if buyers step in.

SOL/USDT: 1-day Chart

Looking at the previous trends, this support level has often determined the next trajectory for the price of Solana. Whenever this level held, SOL posted a strong bounce while a break out below has triggered a massive downtrend, with the recent being a fall to around $105.

The trend this time around may be a strong upside after a surge in meme coin activity that may precede notable gains in the price.

SOL’s PumpFun Overtakes Ethereum in Fees

The PumpFun meme coin launchpad has overtaken Ethereum in fees, a factor that supports a bullish Solana price prediction. Data from Tokenterminal shows that the year-to-date fees on Ethereum stand at $248 million, which is notably lower compared to the $294 million in fees recorded on PumpFun.

PumpFun vs. Ethereum Yearly Fees

This data shows that meme coin activity on PumpFun is outpacing the decentralized application (dApp) activity on Ethereum, which is a bullish indicator for the Solana price. Surging meme coin activity also saw SOL overtake Ethereum in DEX activity last month, with $70 billion volumes compared to ETH’s $56 billion, according to data from DeFiLlama.

SOL Short-Term Forecast

Despite the surge in blockchain activity and the forecast that a Solana price rally to $300 is imminent, the short-term forecast remains bearish, with technical indicators showing that a reversal from bullish to bearish trends is about to occur.

The MACD indicator has created a sell signal after crossing below the signal line, a sign that downward pressure is about to commence. The RSI is also tipping south after forming a higher low. If this metric crumbles below 50, it will confirm that the momentum is now bearish and may push SOL to as low as $112.

SOL/USDT: 1-day Chart

However, if traders step in to buy Solana now because of the positive sentiment caused by the surging blockchain activity, then it is likely for the SOL price to defend support at $139 and aim for the resistance level at $180. Crossing this resistance level could spark massive gains for the altcoin and see it outperform Ethereum.

The post Solana Price Defends $140 as SOL’s PumpFun Flips Ethereum in Fees appeared first on CoinGape.

Bitcoin (BTC) clings to $94,350 ahead of tomorrow’s high-stakes FOMC meeting, with traders bracing for wild price swings as the Fed weighs stubborn inflation against White House pressure for rate cuts. The CME FedWatch Tool shows a 98.2% probability of rates remaining unchanged, while technical indicators suggest a potential $100K breakout thesis.

Fed Chai Powell’s Dilemma: Inflation Persistence vs. White House Pressure

Trump’s tariffs and his comments show that the White House has been increasingly vocal about the need for rate cuts, However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell remains unconvinced and has stuck to his “wait-and-see” stance.

“Powell won’t cut rates based on economic forecasts alone. The Fed needs to see actual deterioration in employment data before making its move,” notes a former high-ranking Fed official who worked alongside him.

Despite the tension between political desires and economic reality, the Fed Watch Tool currently shows overwhelming consensus (98.2% probability) that rates will remain unchanged at 425-450 basis points tomorrow. This shows that Powell is ready to wait it out. It also highlights the disconnect between market expectations and political pressures.

On the other hand, stubborn inflation data continues to complicate the Fed’s decision-making process, which will be a key topic to observe in the FOMC meeting on May 7.

Treasury Buybacks & Recession Signals: Mixed Messages for Bitcoin

In a significant yet underreported development, the Fed announced a $5 billion monthly Treasury buyback program that effectively maintains its position as a net buyer. This technical adjustment caps long-end yields even as short-term rates edge higher, creating a complex yield curve dynamic that Bitcoin traders are still coming to terms with.

The economic outlook remains precarious. Recession probability models now show a 57% chance of economic contraction in 2025 – better than last week’s 63% reading, but still alarmingly high. This uncertainty, coupled with potential tariff impacts from the Trump administration, creates a challenging backdrop for risk assets like Bitcoin.

Technical Picture: BTC’s Make-or-Break Level Identified

Bitcoin’s recent price action screams uncertainity. 

  • After getting firmly rejected from the $97.1k to $98.1k resistance zone over the weekend, BTC slid nearly 4.5% before finding support. 
  • The $93k to $102.5k is the range where 70% of Bitcoin’s trading volume occurred during its lengthy consolidation between November 2024 and February 2025. This high-volume zone typically provides strong support and resistance levels where buyers and sellers are in agreement, creating a sideways movement. 
  • The $93k level is a key demand zone that requires traders to pay close attention to. A show of strength from buyers here could catalyze an explosive 10% rally toward the range high of $102.5k. However, blindly buying at these key support levels is dangerous.

Ideally, investors should wait for clear confirmation of support formation – specifically, the formation of a series of higher lows and increasing buy volume near the $93k threshold or a huge spike in selling volume without a price follow-through.

BTC/USDT 4-hour Chart

If Bitcoin can’t hold $93,000, it will most likely slide lower to test the next value area between $81k to $88.4k. Here, Bitcoin consolidated throughout March 2025 and early April 2025. This zone could provide exceptional buying opportunities, hinting at a bullish Bitcoin price forecast for those patient enough to wait for them.

Critical Flashpoints Ahead of Tomorrow’s FOMC & Interest Rate Decision

As traders prepare for tomorrow’s announcement, several key variables will determine Bitcoin’s next major move:

  1. Powell’s Forward Guidance: While the rate decision itself is largely priced in, Powell’s post-meeting comments will be scrutinized for any shift in tone regarding inflation persistence or labor market concerns.
  2. Jobs Data Emphasis: Investors need to closely watch for how prominently Powell features employment statistics in his assessment. Increased focus here could signal the Fed’s willingness to consider easing if labor markets deteriorate further.
  3. Support/Resistance Validation: The $93,000 level represents the immediate battleground, with the $97,100-$98,100 zone providing the first major resistance if bulls regain control.

To conclude, the convergence of these technical and macroeconomic factors creates a perfect environment for heightened volatility that could potentially propel Bitcoin price higher or lead to steep corrections. Either way, traders need to be prepared for an opportunity.

The post BTC Price Preview: Bitcoin Eyes Fed’s Next Move Ahead of FOMC appeared first on CoinGape.

Footwear giant Skechers has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm 3G Capital for $63 per share, ending its nearly three-decade run as a public company, the retailer announced Monday.

The price 3G Capital agreed to pay represents a 30% premium to Skechers’ current valuation on the public markets, which is in line with similar takeover deals. Shares of Skechers soared more than 25% after the transaction was announced.

“With a proven track-record, Skechers is entering its next chapter in partnership with the global investment firm 3G Capital,” Skechers’ CEO, Robert Greenberg, said in a news release.

“Given their remarkable history of facilitating the success of some of the most iconic global consumer businesses, we believe this partnership will support our talented team as they execute their expertise to meet the needs of our consumers and customers while enabling the Company’s long-term growth,” he said.

The transaction comes at a difficult time for the retail industry and in particular, the footwear sector, which relies on discretionary spending and overseas supply chains that are now in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s trade war. 

Last week Skechers signed onto a letter penned by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America trade group asking for an exemption from Trump’s tariffs.

And, a little over a week ago, Skechers withdrew its full-year 2025 guidance “due to macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from global trade policies” as companies brace for a drop in consumer spending that will disproportionately impact the footwear and apparel sectors. 

Skechers declined to say how much of its supply chain is based in China, which is currently facing 145% tariffs, but cautioned that two-thirds of its business is outside of the U.S. and therefore won’t see as much of an impact. 

A source close to the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic details said the trade environment didn’t force Skechers into a deal and that 3G Capital had been interested in acquiring the company for years.

Tariffs do present some uncertainty in the short term, but 3G Capital believes the long-term outlook of Skechers’ business remains attractive and is well positioned for growth, the person said.

Skechers is the third-largest footwear company in the world behind Nike and Adidas.

Greenberg will stay on as Skechers’ CEO and continue enacting the company’s strategy after the acquisition is completed.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

U.S. pharmacy chain Rite Aid on Monday filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in as many years, according to a court filing.

Pharmacy chains, such as Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS, have been under pressure as falling drug margins and competition from Walmart and Amazon have led to a closure of hundreds of stores.

Walgreens, facing significant losses, recently agreed to a $10 billion buyout by private equity firm Sycamore Partners — a dramatic decline from its $100 billion valuation a decade ago, underscoring the severe challenges facing traditional pharmacy retailers.

Rite Aid used its previous bankruptcy in 2023 to cut $2 billion in debt, close hundreds of stores, sell its pharmacy benefit company, Elixir, and negotiate settlements with its lenders, drug distribution partner McKesson and other creditors.

The previous bankruptcy also resolved hundreds of lawsuits alleging that Rite Aid ignored red flags when filling suspicious prescriptions for addictive opioid pain drugs.

But despite those settlements, Rite Aid still had $2.5 billion in debt when it emerged from bankruptcy as a private company owned by its lenders in 2024.

According to Monday’s court filing, the company has estimated assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion.

The company was unable to secure additional capital from lenders, which it needed to continue operating the business, Bloomberg News reported earlier in the day, citing an internal letter from CEO Matthew Schroeder to the company’s employees.

The letter also states that the drug store chain intends to reduce its workforce at its corporate offices in Pennsylvania.

Rite Aid operated about 2,000 pharmacies in 2023 but now has only 1,250 stores across the U.S., with recent closures significantly reducing its presence in markets such as Ohio and Michigan.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS