Takeaways:
When Binance co-founder CZ revealed he personally bought $2.5M of the Aster ($ASTER) token, the price immediately soared over 30%.
This sudden pump triggered a fierce, high-stakes battle, as major crypto whales quickly opened multi-million dollar short positions, essentially betting against CZ’s optimism and the longevity of the rally.
The market’s excitement draws attention to the best altcoins like $PEPENODE, $HYPER, and $PUMPD.
The native token of the decentralized exchange (DEX) protocol Aster ($ASTER) just went ballistic. Why? Because crypto legend and Binance co-founder, Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, dropped a bombshell on X on Sunday, revealing he had personally bought over $2.5M worth of the token.
The market’s reaction was immediate and dramatic. CZ shared a screenshot of his wallet showing more than 2M tokens and emphasized his long-term approach. The simple post was enough to send the price surging more than 30%, rocketing from about $0.91 to a peak of $1.257.
The hype train was real. Following CZ’s post, Aster’s 24-hour trading volume exploded from $224M to over $2B, pushing its market cap past $2.5B. For many, this was a clear sign, especially as CZ himself later joked that he was hoping to buy more at lower prices, confirming he doesn’t buy tokens often outside of his initial $BNB stake eight years ago.
But not everyone is convinced the rally will last. The price spike triggered a high-stakes battle between CZ’s optimism and big-money pessimism. Right after the announcement, two major crypto whales started aggressively shorting Aster, essentially betting against the market surge.
Blockchain analysts confirmed that one whale took out a massive short position of over 42.97M tokens, valued at $52.8M. Another whale joined in with a $19.1M short. They’re betting that Aster will crash before hitting their liquidation price of around $2.00 to $2.11.
It’s worth noting that CZ has a prior relationship with the project; his family office, YZi Labs, backed Aster’s predecessor. Now with his personal funds in the game and whales actively fighting the price, this has turned into one of the most closely watched crypto battles of the season.
And as the battle heats up, you should keep an eye on some of the best altcoins to buy, including PEPENODE ($PEPENODE), Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), and Pumpd ($PUMPD), which could benefit from the market attention.
1. PEPENODE ($PEPENODE): Where Meme Meets Mining
Tired of meme coins with no utility? Meet PEPENODE ($PEPENODE), the project bridging the fun, viral energy of meme culture with genuine, DeFi-grade earning potential.
$PEPENODE introduces the world’s first gamified mine-to-earn platform. Forget expensive, power-guzzling hardware and technical know-how; essentially, PEPENODE will turn virtual crypto mining into an interactive video game.
How does it work? Use your $PEPENODE tokens to buy and upgrade virtual mining nodes within a simulated server room. The better your rig, the more meme-coin rewards you can accrue. And the great news is that these are real on-chain prizes, sometimes paid out in other trending tokens like $PEPE and $FARTCOIN.
This innovative system ties your engagement directly to the token’s value, making $PEPENODE the indispensable currency of the ecosystem. Plus, with a generous staking APY – currently sitting at 633% – you get more rewards for holding, and the token ensures its longevity.
This isn’t just speculation; it’s a fully interactive platform that makes earning fun and accessible. It’s already raised over $2M, so it’s time to stop chasing the pumps and start mining your memes. Want in? Take a look at our guide to buying $PEPENODE to find out everything you need to know.
? Buy your $PEPENODE today for $0.0011317.
2. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER): Bitcoin’s Speed Upgrade is Here
Imagine the unshakeable security and trust of Bitcoin, but with the lightning-fast transaction speeds of Solana. That’s the powerful combo Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) plans to bring to the market.
For too long, Bitcoin has been the slow-moving ‘digital gold’ vault, held back by high fees and clunky transaction times. $HYPER is here to change that narrative entirely by acting as a Layer-2 network that integrates the high-throughput Solana Virtual Machine (SVM).
What does that mean for you? It means you will be able to transact Bitcoin-backed assets almost instantly and at minimal cost. It finally unlocks DeFi, staking, and complex dApps within the Bitcoin ecosystem, all while Bitcoin itself acts as the ultimate settlement layer.
The best part? The presale has already raised over $25.6M, showing massive whale and retail belief in the project’s vision.
As an early investor, you’re not just buying a token; you’re buying into a fast, scalable, and functional future for Bitcoin. If you want a front-row seat to $BTC’s evolution, the $HYPER presale is your ticket.
? Buy your $HYPER now for $0.013215 and don’t miss the 46% staking rewards.
3. Pumpd ($PUMPD): The Meme Coin That Pumps Itself
Get ready for Pumpd ($PUMPD), the project that has mathematically engineered its way to consistent growth.
We all know the rule: when $BTC pumps, the crypto market wins. $PUMPD takes this idea and bakes it right into its core. Every time $BTC sees a significant price increase, the $PUMPD smart contract automatically burns a portion of the total supply.
This isn’t magic; it’s algorithmic engineering that creates instant scarcity. Every time the market leader thrives, $PUMPD gets structurally stronger and more valuable. It’s like getting a guaranteed head start every time $BTC does on a run.
Getting in early is key with this project. You benefit from guaranteed daily price increases during the presale phase, making your initial investment appreciate every 24 hours.
You can stake your tokens not just for high APY rewards, but also gain access to exclusive benefits like Secret Pump Days with surprise bonus rewards. Plus, as a $PUMPD holder, you get access to AI-powered tools that give you a trading edge.
Recap: Binance co-founder CZ bought over $2.5M worth of $ASTER, triggering a price surge and massive spike in trading volume. This was met quickly by large crypto whales who opened tens of millions of dollars in short positions, setting up a high-stakes market confrontation. And thanks to the increased market attention, $PEPENODE, $HYPER, and $PUMPD could be the next best altcoins to buy right now.
