Panama City, Panama—Recent data from HTX covering the week from September 1 to 7 reveals significant sector-specific trends in the cryptocurrency market. Although Bitcoin and Ethereum maintained a tight trading range amid cautious overall market sentiment, various sectors, particularly DeFi, AI, and Layer-1, recorded notable price surges.
### Layer-1 Ecosystem: Emerging Public Chains Show Promise
The HTX data highlights that Layer-1 public blockchains exhibited robust performance, drawing considerable attention from investors. Analysts attribute this phenomenon to increasing demand for foundational blockchain infrastructure and a renewed evaluation of growth potential fueled by new application launches and user engagement.
Among the standout performers is M (MEME, L1), which experienced a remarkable 178% surge over the week. This Layer-1 blockchain positions itself as the first developed for “Meme 2.0,” presenting a fresh perspective on meme-centric projects that have traditionally utilized major chains. Another Layer-1 asset, SOON, saw a 41% increase, indicating a rising investor interest in innovative Layer-1 narratives. Unlike traditional public chains, SOON focuses on offering more efficient and cost-effective infrastructure, set to facilitate the widespread adoption of Web3 applications.
### DeFi Sector: Renewed Enthusiasm and Capital Inflows
The DeFi space has shown signs of a rebound, backed by a surge of institutional capital. Investments flowed in through real-world asset-backed lending products and crypto allocations within 401(k) plans, injecting lasting momentum into the sector. Concurrently, renewed bullish sentiment among retail investors has reignited demand for on-chain yields. The solid performance of legacy DeFi projects suggests a resurgence of confidence, signaling the potential onset of a new competitive phase.
RED, a prominent DeFi oracle network, rose by 63%, thanks in part to its recent listing on Upbit, while its fundamental strength propels its growth. EigenLayer (EIGEN) also performed well, showing an 18% increase this week, spurred by momentum from ETH reserve staking and achieving a new Total Value Locked (TVL) milestone of over $22 billion in August.
### AI Sector: Promising Developments in Key Projects
The intersection of AI and blockchain technology has attracted investor interest, with a focus on projects boasting tangible use cases and robust ecosystem potential. Worldcoin (WLD) recorded a 28% increase over the week, benefiting from support in both the AI and identity authentication sectors. Hive AI’s BUZZ token also saw a 20% rise, driven by its ability to attract significant investment as a DeFi agent.
### BTC Layer 2: Emerging Practical Applications
The BTC Layer 2 ecosystem is starting to establish its practical value, reflecting both immediate market sentiment and a longer-term investment rationale based on its infrastructure and ecosystem potential. Merlin Chain’s native token, MERL, improved by 25% this week, enhancing Bitcoin’s transaction speed and scalability. This development aims to increase Bitcoin’s utility in various scenarios, including payments, staking, and smart contracts.
### Market Outlook: New Opportunities Amid Volatility
Historically, September has been perceived as a weak month for Bitcoin, often witnessing negative returns due to investor trepidation amid volatility. However, current market dynamics could signal a shift. Factors such as the integration of crypto assets into 401(k) pension plans and anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate cuts may bolster overall risk appetite. These developments could pave the way for new structural opportunities and upward trajectories for cryptocurrency assets amidst ongoing fluctuations.
To enhance user engagement, HTX has launched a Random Airdrop #2 event, running from September 10 to September 18 (UTC). Participants trading designated cryptocurrencies can receive random airdrop rewards totaling up to $1,888 worth of $HTX. Additionally, the top three traders, ranked by trading volume, will earn tickets to Blockchain Life 2025, highlighting HTX’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction.
### About HTX
Established in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has transformed from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive blockchain ecosystem encompassing digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, and incubation projects. As a leading gateway to Web3, HTX is committed to providing safe and reliable services while expanding globally and enhancing the virtual asset landscape. For more information, users can visit the HTX website or follow the platform on social media.
