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So, Tether wants to be worth half a trillion dollars. Yes, with a “T.” That’s either galaxy-brain ambition or the financial equivalent of tweeting “GM” and hoping the Fed doesn’t reply. Meanwhile, crypto’s been stuck in the world’s most boring bull pattern—sideways—but don’t sleep on it. History says this is when the real runs start. Think of it like a slingshot that’s just getting pulled back… quietly.
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Editors Corner
Why “Number Go Sideways” Is the Most Bullish Pattern in Crypto
Everyone loves to talk about “number go up.” That’s the dopamine hit. The green candles, the laser eyes, the victory laps on Twitter. But honestly? The most bullish thing that can happen in crypto isn’t number go up—it’s number go sideways.
Sounds boring, right? Price chops around in a tight range, you start questioning your life choices, maybe even consider touching grass. But here’s the thing: sideways action is where real markets heal.
Here’s why:
Consolidation builds strength. When a coin sits in a range for weeks or months, it’s basically the market agreeing on a fair value. Buyers and sellers duke it out, volume cools off, and weak hands drift away. It’s not sexy, but it sets the stage for the next move higher.
Volatility dies down. For institutions (aka the big money we claim we want in crypto), stability is the green light. Sideways action says: this isn’t just a casino anymore—it’s becoming an asset class you can park real money in.
It wrecks the impatient. Sideways markets flush out the degens who can’t sit still. That’s when you get the best setups: low hype, strong fundamentals, and charts that look boring… until they don’t.
Think about it: Bitcoin spent most of 2015 grinding sideways around $200. Everyone got bored, called it dead, moved on. Then came the 2017 bull run. Same story in 2019. And again after the March 2020 crash. Sideways wasn’t weakness—it was the coiling spring.
So next time your bags are stuck in a range and you’re wondering if you should “rotate into something moving,” remember: sideways is the market’s way of catching its breath before sprinting.
Sometimes, boring is bullish.
Crypto Trivia: NFT Mania Gets Wild
Today’s Report
Tether Eyes Private Raise Bigger Than Its Own Stablecoin
Our Report
Tether is reportedly gearing up for a monster private raise that could value it at $500 billion — yes, that’s half a trillion. The plan: sell 3% of the company via a $15–20 billion deal, though insiders caution the final numbers may shrink. Tether’s CEO confirms they’re shopping the deal among elite investors but refuses to share more. With USDT’s market cap already near $173 billion, this is Tether doubling down on its dominance. Meanwhile, it’s also hiring policy veterans and plotting a U.S. stablecoin.
Key Points
Tether aims to raise $15–20 billion in a private round, putting its implied valuation at ~$500 billion if it sells ~3%.
Those are ambitious upper bounds; insiders suggest the deal could scale down depending on how much is sold.
CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed the fundraising is under consideration and being pitched to “key investors,” but offered no further detail.
USDT (Tether’s stablecoin) has a market cap around $173 billion, making Tether’s raise more than twice the size of its current coin issuance.
Tether recently brought in a former White House crypto policy exec as a strategic adviser, signaling more political sophistication at home.
The firm is also working on a U.S.-based stablecoin, “USAT,” aimed at U.S. residents — a direct push into regulated territory.
For comparison, Circle (issuer of USDC) recently went public via IPO — a stark contrast in financing approach.
Relevance & Takeaways
If Tether manages to pull off even a fraction of this raise, it’s not just a size flex — it’s a signal that the stablecoin issuer wants to be the infrastructural powerhouse in crypto’s plumbing. A $500 billion valuation isn’t just ambition: it forces scrutiny, regulatory attention, and competitive pressure.
Compare this to Circle’s IPO route: one plays the open market, the other is going deep underground (well, private). That tells you Tether prefers control and stealth over public scrutiny — until it’s ready.
That said, there’s danger in raising too large at this stage: overvaluation risk, investor skepticism, and regulatory red flags. If regulators start demanding clearer reserves accounting, governance disclosures, or stress tests, Tether may get more than it bargained for.
In sum: if this round succeeds, it rewrites what “stablecoin infrastructure” means. But success isn’t guaranteed — and if the numbers shrink, it may tell us more about confidence (or lack thereof) than ambition.
Today’s Top News
HEADLINES
The latest crypto treasury play has sent shares of a tiny European soccer company up 460% in 2 days — Brera Holdings rebranded as “Solmate” and swapped its corporate treasury to Solana’s SOL token. The move attracted backing from ARK Invest and crypto-native VCs. Its stock soared 460%, sparking speculation about similar treasury shifts.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana Fall. Crypto Fears Persist After Sharp Selloff. — Major tokens dropped following a leveraged wipeout event, with SOL down 4.4% and ETH losing 3%. Market sentiment remains fragile. XRP, however, saw a small rally amid broader declines.
UAE named among a top 5 global crypto hub for investors — The UAE has emerged as a top destination for crypto companies due to its tax-free status and progressive regulations. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are drawing both startups and institutional players. Government support has helped foster rapid ecosystem growth
Crypto ETFs set to flood US market as regulator streamlines approvals — The SEC has introduced new standards that drastically reduce approval times for crypto ETFs, from nearly 9 months to just 75 days. Funds meeting set criteria no longer need individual review. This shift is expected to unleash a wave of new crypto ETF filings.
Crypto firm Tether eyes $500 billion valuation in major raise — Tether is planning a $15–$20 billion capital raise via private placements, pushing for a massive $500 billion valuation. The move suggests confidence in the company's balance sheet and future growth. It could reshape power dynamics among stablecoin issuers.
Market Trendline
PRICE ACTION
After a sharp deleveraging earlier this week, markets are trying to find footing. Bitcoin is consolidating in the $112K–$114K band, and Ethereum is holding around ~$4,100–$4,200. Liquidity sweeps have kicked out weak hands, but conviction is still fragile. Risk assets remain highly sensitive to macro cues—especially Fed commentary, CPI/PCE data, and the pace of rate cuts.
Notable Movers
Ethereum (ETH)
ETH has broken down from a symmetrical triangle, signaling risk of a ~15% downside move toward ~$3,560 if support fails. Bulls are clinging to the $4,000 zone, but momentum is waning. A sustained rebound above $4,300–$4,370 will be a bullish trigger.
Bitcoin (BTC)
BTC dipped below $112K in yesterday’s liquidation wave, but bounced off key zones. The range-bound action suggests bulls are buying dips, but breakout strength is lacking. A move above $114K would shift narrative toward continuation; breach below $111K warns of deeper correction.
XRP / Solana / Others
XRP has held up better than many—small gains despite broader weakness. Solana is under pressure, sliding more sharply than majors. In a weak environment, names with real use case narratives (e.g. smart contract chains, L2s) are taking it on the chin first.
Macro/On-Chain Lens
The SEC just cut ETF approval timelines from ~270 days to ~75, prompting a fresh wave of filings—expect institutional capital to chase that tailwind.
On-chain flows show traders exiting riskier alt baskets, while BTC/ETH see modest inflows—suggesting rotation, not wholesale capitulation.
The upcoming U.S. core PCE print and FOMC remarks will be critical inflection catalysts for crypto’s path forward.
Bottom Line
Crypto is in a tense interim. The violent shakeouts were purposeful — flushing leverage — but now the market needs a directional catalyst. If BTC clears $114K and ETH reclaims $4,350 convincingly, we could see relief rally. If not, a retest of $110K–$108K in Bitcoin and $3,600–$3,800 in ETH remains firmly on the table. The next 48 hours of macro data could make or break this setup.
Today’s Top Tweet
TWITTER NEVER SLEEPS
Prediction:
U.S. dollar stablecoins with yield will drain bank accounts in every country with an inferior currency - which is pretty much all countries.
These countries will react with crypto capital controls - they'll pass laws or regulate.
We're already seeing it.
In the UK
— #RYAN SΞAN ADAMS - rsa.eth 🦄 (#@RyanSAdams)
2:12 PM • Sep 17, 2025
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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.