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August 31, 2025

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The S&P 500 ($SPX) just logged its fifth straight trading box breakout, which means that, of the five trading ranges the index has experienced since the April lows, all have been resolved to the upside.

How much longer can this last? That’s been the biggest question since the massive April 9 rally. Instead of assuming the market is due to roll over, it’s been more productive to track price action and watch for potential changes along the way. So far, drawdowns have been minimal, and breakouts keep occurring. Nothing in the price action hints at a lasting change — yet.

While some are calling this rally “historic,” we have a recent precedent. Recall that from late 2023 through early 2024, the index had a strong start and gave way to a consistent, steady trend.

From late October 2023 through March 2024, the S&P 500 logged seven consecutive trading box breakouts. That streak finally paused with a pullback from late March to early April, which, as we now know, was only a temporary hiccup. Once the bid returned, the S&P 500 went right back to carving new boxes and climbing higher.

New 52-Week Highs Finally Picking Up

If there’s been one gripe about this rally, it’s that the number of new highs within the index has lagged. As we’ve discussed before, among all the internal breadth indicators available, new highs almost always lag — that’s normal. What we really want to see is whether the number of new highs begins to exceed prior peaks as the market continues to rise, which it has, as shown by the blue line in the chart below.

As of Wednesday’s close, 100 S&P 500 stocks were either at new 52-week highs or within 3% of them. That’s a strong base. We expect this number to continue rising as the market climbs, especially if positive earnings reactions persist across sectors.

Even when we get that first day with 100+ S&P 500 stocks making new 52-week highs, though, it might not be the best time to initiate new longs.

The above chart shows that much needs to align for that many stocks to peak in unison, which has historically led to at least a short-term consolidation, if not deeper pullbacks — as highlighted in yellow. Every time is different, of course, but this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Trend Check: GoNoGo Still “Go”

The GoNoGo Trend remains in bullish mode, with the recent countertrend signals having yet to trigger a greater pullback.

Active Bullish Patterns

We still have two live bullish upside targets of 6,555 and 6,745, which could be with us for a while going forward. For the S&P 500 to get there, it will need to form new, smaller versions of the trading boxes.

Failed Bearish Patterns

In the chart below, you can view a rising wedge pattern on the recent price action, the third since April. The prior two wedges broke down briefly and did not lead to a major downturn. The largest pullbacks in each case occurred after the S&P 500 dipped below the lower trendline of the pattern.

The deepest drawdown so far is 3.5%, which is not exactly a game-changer. Without downside follow-through, a classic bearish pattern simply can’t be formed, let alone be broken down from.

We’ll continue to monitor these formations as they develop because, at some point, that will change.

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (August 29) as of 9:00 p.m. (UTC).

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$108,292, a 3.2 percent decrease in 24 hours. It opened at its highest valuation of the day, US$110,473. Its lowest valuation today was US$108,107.

Bitcoin price performance, August 29, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin’s slip below the US$110,000 threshold stoked fears of a broader crypto market correction on Friday as liquidations doubled, the US Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed persistent price pressures, and Bitcoin flashed a potential risk pattern. Analysts warned the token could be edging toward bear market territory.

According to analyst Rekt Capital, BTC needs to regain US$114,000 as support to prevent an extended correction period.

Adding to volatility, a long-dormant Bitcoin whale that resurfaced this month — after buying US$2.5 billion in Ethereum — shifted another US$1.1 billion on Friday.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$4,345.17, down by 2.3 percent over the past 24 hours. Its highest valuation today was US$4,389.08, and its lowest was US$4,279.96.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$203.21, down by 3.5 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$201.61, and its highest valuation was US$211.02.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.82, down by 4.4 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.80, and its highest was US$2.87.
  • SUI (Sui) was trading for US$3.26, down by 4.8 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.22, and its highest level of the day was US$3.35.
  • Cardano (ADA) was priced at US$0.8204, down by 3.1 percent. Its lowest valuation for Friday was US$0.8131, and its highest valuation was US$0.8314.

Today’s crypto news to know

Stablecoins cross US$283 billion threshold record

The stablecoin market reached a new milestone on Friday as total supply climbing to $282.8 billion, according to data from DefiLlama. That marks a 128 percent increase since January, driven by stronger demand for dollar-pegged tokens and fresh regulatory clarity in the US. The surge also follows passage of the GENIUS Act, which sets out federal guidelines for stablecoin issuers and has been billed as a growth catalyst within the sector.

Analysts say stablecoins now serve as a “distribution channel” for US dollars, powering cross-border payments and on-chain settlement systems.

Trump-linked miner American Bitcoin targets September Nasdaq listing

American Bitcoin, a mining company backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., is preparing to list on Nasdaq in September following its merger with Gryphon Digital Mining, Reuters reported.

The firm is majority owned by Hut 8 Mining (TSX:HUT,NASAQ:HUT), which controls 80 percent of the business, while the Trump brothers are expected to collectively hold about 19 percent. The company has already raised $220 million to expand its operations and accumulate Bitcoin, adding 215 BTC to its balance sheet as of June.

With Bitcoin trading near US$112,000 this week, that stash is valued at roughly US$24 million.

CEO Asher Genoot said American Bitcoin aims to become one of the largest US mining firms, with backing from high-profile investors including Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.

Hut 8’s own share price has rallied 29 percent this year. If listed today, American Bitcoin would rank among the top 30 public companies holding Bitcoin in the US.

Eric Trump hails US-China leadership in Bitcoin

Speaking at the BTC Asia conference in Hong Kong, Eric Trump praised China’s influence on the digital asset industry and said the US and Beijing were “leading the way” in shaping Bitcoin’s future.

He credited the Middle East as another fast-moving hub for crypto adoption, while stressing Bitcoin’s ability to unite people across borders and cultures.

The younger Trump also added that his father’s administration had accelerated digital asset policy faster in seven months than the prior decade managed. He described America as “winning the digital revolution” with support from Wall Street institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and retirement investors.

Asked whether Bitcoin would be on the agenda in an upcoming US-China trade meeting, he suggested broader topics would dominate but said he “would certainly love to talk about bitcoin.”

21Shares files for SEI-tracking ETF

Crypto asset manager 21Shares has submitted an S-1 registration statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that would track the price of SEI.

The proposed ETF would utilize CF Benchmarks, a crypto price index provider, to track SEI’s price using data from multiple crypto exchanges. Coinbase Custody Trust Company is slated to act as the SEI custodian.

SEI is the native token of the SEI network, a layer-1 blockchain launched in 2023. The network specializes in trading infrastructure for decentralized exchanges and marketplaces, using the SEI token for network gas fees and governance participation. 21Shares is also exploring the possibility of staking SEI to generate additional returns, though the firm noted in its filing that it is still investigating potential ‘undue legal, regulatory or tax risk’ associated with this practice.

In an X post, 21Shares said the ETF filing is a “key milestone in our vision to expand exchange-traded access to the SEI Network.” US digital asset investment firm Canary Capital also applied for an SEI ETF in April.

Bloomberg’s James Seyffart has listed all 92 crypto ETPs filings and applications awaiting SEC decisions.

US Department of Commerce to publish economic data onchain

The US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced on Wednesday (August 27) that it will begin publishing official economic data on at least nine public blockchains.

Its stated goal is to make vital information immutable and tamper-proof.

In a significant move for the industry that further underscores the potential of decentralized technology to improve governmental operations, the department is collaborating with blockchain data providers Chainlink and Pyth Network to serve as a bridge across various networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Avalanche.

Chainlink will supply data feeds from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, while Pyth will publish GDP data. The DOC will also publish the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index and Real Final Sales to Private Domestic Purchasers.

Reports also indicate that exchanges like Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN), Gemini and Kraken helped facilitate the process by assisting with the transactions required to publish the data on-chain.

Aave protocol’s total value locked surges past US$40 billion

While the DOC’s announcement is a major positive for the entire crypto space, the Aave protocol has seen a remarkable surge in its total value locked, exceeding US$40 billion. This comes after the lending platform launched the Horizon RWA Market on Tuesday (August 26), the first real-world application of its ongoing V4 upgrade strategy.

Crypto intelligence platform Nansen also noted the surge in transaction volume on Avalanche this week, with over 11.9 million transactions recorded across over 181,300 active addresses, an increase of 66 percent.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks saw continued pressure this week as concerns about overvaluation weighed on the sector ahead of NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) results release for its second fiscal quarter.

The company beat Wall Street projections on revenue, earnings and profits, but shares still fell in extended trading on Tuesday (August 26) after it reported no H20 sales to China, where competition from domestic firms is heating up.

John Murillo, chief business officer at B2BROKER, suggested the pullback could present a short-term buying opportunity for high-quality names with strong fundamentals, but cautioned that it could be the start of a broader correction.

Reports that DeepSeek will train its newest AI models on Huawei chips and Cambricon Technologies’ (SHA:688256) 4,300 percent revenue surge underscore the shifting AI landscape. Still, optimism wasn’t absent: NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang pointed to accelerating global demand and unveiled a US$60 billion buyback program to reassure investors.

“All in all, the sector’s long-term trajectory remains bullish, with AI adoption accelerating across industries,” said Murillo.

Nasdaq Composite, NVIDIA and Dell Technologies performance, August 26 to 29, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

However, it wasn’t enough to reassure the public, and NVIDIA’s share price fell over 4 percent between Wednesday (August 27) and Friday (August 29). As investors analyzed new inflation data that indicates tariffs are impacting prices, other AI-related stocks saw losses too, pulling the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) from its recent record highs.

With that, here’s a look at some of the other drivers that shaped the tech sector this week.

1. Intel warns of adverse reactions to government equity stake

In a US Securities and Exchange Commission Form 8-K filing dated August 22, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) warns that the federal government’s 10 percent stake in its business could cause “adverse reactions,” including litigation from investors, employees, customers, suppliers, partners and foreign governments.

The company also discloses a clause in the agreement that would raise the government’s stake to 15 percent if the company fails to meet set manufacturing thresholds.

Moreover, the filing states that, if this agreement prompts other government bodies to seek similar stakes, the varied agendas could diminish the voting power of other shareholders.

The comments come after the White House announced last week that it would take a 10 percent stake in the company in a deal worth around US$8.9 billion. On Monday, (August 25), President Donald Trump suggested he might pursue similar agreements with other American companies, posting on Truth Social:

“I will also help those companies that make such lucrative deals with the United States. I love seeing their stock price go up, making the USA RICHER, AND RICHER.”

Meanwhile, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett told CNBC that the deal is part of a broader strategy to create a sovereign wealth fund that may include additional companies.

Later, during an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Tuesday, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said Pentagon officials are considering acquiring equity stakes in leading defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT).

2. Apple sets date to reveal fall product lineup

On Tuesday, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) invited media members and analysts to its next launch event, which is scheduled for September 9 at 10:00 a.m. PST.

The event, which will be live streamed from the iPhone maker’s campus, is expected to be the venue for the introduction of the new iPhone 17 lineup and updated Apple Watch models.

The new iPhone series is rumored to include four models:

  • iPhone 17
  • iPhone 17 Pro
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max
  • A new iPhone 17 Air that will reportedly replace the iPhone 16 Plus. This new model is rumored to be exceptionally thin, potentially as slim as 5.5 millimeters, a major new design direction for Apple.

The new iPhones are also expected to feature a new ‘Liquid Glass’-based interface as part of iOS 26.

According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, who has a reputation for being one of the most accurate and prolific sources of leaks about Apple’s future products, the company is planning three years of major iPhone redesigns, starting with the September release. Apple’s first foldable iPhone, code-named V68, is slated to arrive in 2026, according to Gurman. Apple’s 2027 ‘iPhone 20’ will feature curved glass edges to complement the upcoming Liquid Glass-based interface for iOS and other operating systems.

3. IBM, AMD to partner on quantum supercomputer

IBM (NYSE:IBM) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) (NASDAQ:AMD) said on Tuesday that they plan to collaborate to develop quantum-centric supercomputing.

The two companies, which have each fundamentally advanced the frontiers of quantum hardware and software, AI accelerators, CPUs and GPUs, said they will work together to “develop scalable, open-source platforms that could redefine the future of computing” by combining their strengths in quantum and high-performance computing.

“Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way,” said Arvind Krishna, chairman and CEO of IBM, adding that the firms’ collaborative efforts will “build a powerful hybrid model that pushes past the limits of traditional computing.”

“We see tremendous opportunities to accelerate discovery and innovation,” said Dr. Lisa Su, chair and CEO of AMD.

In an interview with Axios, Jay Gambetta, IBM’s quantum vice president, said he aims to get fault-tolerant quantum computers, a set of techniques and architectural designs that ensure a computation can proceed accurately even in the presence of errors, “by the end of this decade.”

4. Cost of Meta data center to exceed original estimate

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that Meta Platforms’ (NASDAQ:META) Louisiana data center will cost the company around US$50 billion to build.

That’s over 70 percent of the company’s projected CAPEX spending in its latest quarterly report.

“When they said US$50 billion for a plant, I said, ‘What the hell kind of plant is that?’” said Trump, revealing a photo of the proposed data center, Hyperion, superimposed over the island of Manhattan.

“When you look at this, you understand why it’s US$50 billion,” he added.

When the data center was announced, officials in Louisiana estimated the project would cost around US$10 billion. Meta has not confirmed this new estimate and declined to comment on Trump’s remarks.

5. Fusion developer raises US$863 million for energy development

On Thursday (August 28), Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a leading nuclear fusion developer in the US, announced it has secured US$863 million in an oversubscribed Series B2 funding round.

Investors including Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) and NVIDIA contributed to this capital raise, which will facilitate the completion of Commonwealth’s Spac fusion demonstration machine, as well as the commencement of construction on a new ARC power plant in Virginia.

“Investors recognize that CFS is making fusion power a reality. They see that we are executing and delivering on our objectives,” said the company’s CEO and co-founder, Bob Mumgaard. “This funding recognizes CFS’ leadership role in developing a new technology that promises to be a reliable source of clean, almost limitless energy — and will enable investors to have the opportunity to capitalize on the birth of a new global industry.”

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com