Crypto has always been known for its cycles long bull runs followed by painful corrections. But lately, things feel different. With institutions entering, ETFs trading daily, and new tokens popping up across multiple exchanges, the market doesn’t seem to follow the same rhythm anymore.

Even smaller events show this shift. BingX, for example, is running a $60K carnival around Avantis ($AVNT). On the surface, it’s just another campaign but it also reflects how exchanges are constantly finding ways to keep momentum alive during uncertain times. Whether these setups have lasting influence or just fuel short-term moves is still an open question.

So what do you think? Are we still living inside the traditional four-year cycle, or are we entering an era of shorter, faster waves where projects and exchanges adapt on the fly?

True, ETH moves slower when BTC sets the pace. But I’m noticing side projects like Light building during this phase too. Not saying it will moon, but it’s interesting to keep smaller plays working in the background

Looking at today’s chart on Ethereum, the market feels divided. Some are eyeing $6K if ETF inflows continue to build, while others warn of a pullback toward $4.2K with leverage piling up. Institutions seem to be accumulating, but whale selling is keeping things a bit bearish feels like a real tug of war.

There are side plays popping up across chains like launchpads and AMMs on Solana but ETH still feels like the main scene of attraction rn.

Do you think Ethereum holds strong here, or are we setting up for another shakeout before the next run ? 

As the U.S released a sweeping 160 page crypto policy report laying out clearer regulatory direction for stablecoins, digital assets, and even tax frameworks. With the GENIUS Act now law, stablecoins must be fully backed and audited, which could create broader trust in crypto infrastructure moving forward. Although this doesn't directly address altcoins, it could set the tone for more institutional openness especially around AI integrated projects that align with long term innovation goals.

Could this regulatory clarity bring more stability to speculative sectors like AI tokens, or will short term events continue to dominate narrative momentum?

Would love to hear how others are positioning with these shifts in mind

This is going to sound very controversial, but I think the general trading populace is not ready to accept AI related projects as an option when it comes to investing long term. Now I obviously haven’t had a discussion with every trader, but you’d agree that more often that not traders are usually prioritizing profitability over utility, which is not necessarily a bad thing.For example the only reason I might be getting GAIA is me seeing it listed on cex like bingx and want to take advantage before Binance list it , and I intend to sell right after, I understand that it gives us tools to build, use, and earn from AI but like most people I’m not really a fan of committing to alts long term, and I think this is why memes have a lot of appeal. You can take out GAIA and use any other project and I’m pretty sure you’d get a similar reaction, think about FET, AGIX, OCEAN etc, all these projects  have really solid utilities but not as much hype as you’d get with memes

From ICO boom to NFTs to L2s and DeFi madness it’s been through every cycle. Now with ETH back pushing $3K+ again, it’s like the OG is waking up. If it does flip past $4K, I would not be surprised, it feels like ETH moves quietly and then suddenly.i was looking at the ETH chart earlier on BingX and it puts the last 6 months into perspective it’s giving that slow grind energy that usually leads to something. still trying to figure out where it fits in the long term.

Yeah, MPLX is the token for Metaplex the main NFT infrastructure on Solana. It hasn’t made huge noise lately, but with Solana gaining serious traction again, it's starting to resurface. Interestingly, it just got listed on BingX, which probably explains why more people are noticing it now. You’re right though Solana flipping BNB was well deserved.

Solana is like home of memecoins, infra, and now maybe NFTs again with the way many good projects and protoclols are using Solana as their blockchain,

If the hype keeps up after reaching $200 + aiming for another ATH, i think MPLX could become another giant in the ecosysrtem, came across it when Bingx announcement of listing it, and i did a smol dig into what the project has for us, Feels like the infra is solid, but token utility still unclear for most users. Maybe that’s why it’s been quiet despite the numbers.

i think most of this project and protocol lose their value once their goal and utility is not clear to it's users, in my opinion anyways, what do you think about it ?