Kaspa Holds Support, Chainlink Waits on Whales & BlockDAG Gears Up for Awakening Testnet Launch

Market momentum in September has split sharply between consolidation and innovation, creating distinct paths for investors evaluating top crypto performers. Kaspa has slowed into a tight range as traders defend its $0.08 support, while Chainlink is navigating both regulatory breakthroughs and technical uncertainty around its $22 level. This contrasting backdrop highlights the value of infrastructure-focused plays that are showing measurable progress.

Against this mixed market backdrop, BlockDAG (BDAG) is advancing on a different trajectory. Its Awakening Testnet is activating core blockchain infrastructure, positioning the project to transition from presale to global launch. While the Kaspa (KAS) price prediction and Chainlink (LINK) price update focus on short-term volatility, BlockDAG is signaling long-term readiness. This divergence has drawn attention from investors seeking early positions in top crypto performers.

Kaspa Bears Pressure $0.08 as Market Awaits Breakout

Kaspa has entered a holding pattern just above $0.0814, as buyers defend the critical $0.08 support that has been tested several times this month. Price action remains sluggish after dropping from summer highs near $0.20, with volume thinning and momentum fading. This technical slowdown has reinforced the bearish tone that has followed Kaspa over recent weeks, tempering optimism about a swift rebound.

Open interest data shows around 1.21 billion shorts remain active versus weaker net longs, highlighting the caution shaping the current Kaspa (KAS) price prediction. Thin daily volume near 137 million KAS reinforces that few traders are chasing upside, leaving the market prone to sharp drops if support gives way. This imbalance explains why each rally attempt has stalled below the $0.12–$0.13 resistance band.

Still, a rebound scenario is possible if $0.08 holds and confidence rebuilds. A move back toward $0.095–$0.10 would lift sentiment and restore Kaspa’s standing among top crypto performers, while failure would risk a steep slide toward $0.065–$0.055. This pivotal point keeps traders closely focused on the next price swing and the broader Chainlink (LINK) price update signals for market direction.

Chainlink Whales Watch $16 as Regulatory Optimism Grows

Chainlink is attempting to stabilize near $22.05 after losing short-term momentum, with whale activity suggesting a potential drop toward $16 before a larger upside move. This aligns with the current symmetrical triangle pattern on LINK’s chart, where the $16 level forms the ascending support base. Investors view this zone as a strategic accumulation point, anchoring many long-term Chainlink (LINK) price update forecasts.

Beyond technicals, regulatory progress has captured market attention. CEO Sergey Nazarov recently met Paul Atkins of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Patrick Witt of the White House to discuss integrating tokenization into broker-dealer and transfer agent rules by mid-2026. This shift toward implementation, rather than permission, signals a regulatory climate increasingly favorable to blockchain infrastructure.

Price-wise, LINK remains the 13th largest crypto by market cap at $15.1 billion, supported by $1.23 billion daily volume. Resistance sits at $25–$27, with a breakout above $31 required to unlock further upside. Success could confirm Chainlink’s return to top crypto performers and validate the bullish scenarios embedded in current Kaspa (KAS) price prediction models tracking market-wide risk appetite.

BlockDAG Awakening Testnet Signals Infrastructure Readiness

BlockDAG is taking a different approach from volatile market cycles by launching its Awakening Testnet on September 25. This phase operates the entire core blockchain infrastructure, acting as a live prequel before the mainnet is pushed out. 

Key elements comprise a UTXO removal upgrade to streamline the ledger, explorer utilities for real-time monitoring, and account abstraction for future smart-contract flexibility. These upgrades, as such, are addressing critical factors of scalability and usability that have served as obstacles for many of its counterparts like Kaspa and Chainlink. 

The conjoining of live miners through the Stratum Protocol is just as important, proving that real-world hardware can sync with BlockDAG's chain to bridge the gap between concept and operational readiness, guaranteeing the network's capability to weather high-throughput conditions. The testnet will be under heavy QA and stress testing to ensure its resilience before scaling up.

BlockDAG has combined these technical milestones together with tokenomics that are basically tailored to regaining security. Refined vesting contracts are being deployed to ensure fair BDAG coin distribution. Work is also ongoing toward an EIP-4337 to allow for some smart account function in future releases. This provides for a systematic development towards growing a sustainable ecosystem.

The buyers have fundamentals to fall back on to support the progress. BlockDAG raised $406 million, sold over 26.2 billion coins, and gave 2900% ROI from Batch 1 to Batch 30. The presale is still on at $0.03 in Batch 30, giving early backers a chance to benefit from the mainnet rollout date. While the Kaspa (KAS) price prediction and Chainlink (LINK) price update revolve around short-term sentiment, BlockDAG is showing the infrastructure maturity that is expected of the biggest crypto movers.

Final Word

Stand and observe a confluence of very different spirits, and your feet will find themselves trapped in the treacherous waters of price chasing. Kaspa is trying to defend $0.08 to prevent even deeper dips, while Chainlink depends on whales (high net worth whale investors) stepping in around $16, barring any positive regulatory signals. In the short run, both hold onto some opportunities but are tightly bound to the sentiment cycles susceptible to a sudden change.

BlockDAG differentiates itself by gaining infrastructure strength before going public. The Awakening Testnet demonstrates a roadmap for scaling and long-term durability, having raised $406 million, sold 26.2 billion coins, and generated a whopping 2,900% ROI from Batch 1 to Batch 30. With a limit flat price of $0.0013 until October 1, the current price offers buyers a cosseted entry into a maturing network, already deemed able to beat Kaspa price prediction models and Chainlink price update targets to consolidate its status as one of the top crypto performers.

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu