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SwapSpace Weekly Recap: Powell’s Jackson Hole impact, Ethereum’s rally, and $700M token unlocks

Kate Powell

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Updated: ,3 min

The crypto market experienced notable shifts last week, with Powell’s Jackson Hole speech and macro data setting a cautious tone, while Ethereum rallied on strong institutional interest. As key token unlocks and economic reports loom, traders brace for volatility ahead. Read SwapSpace's weekly recap to learn more.

Last week's highlights

  • Powell’s Jackson Hole speech steers crypto sentiment

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s August 22 keynote at the Jackson Hole symposium was the defining event, with his stance on inflation and rate policy shaking markets. A balanced tone offered hope for eventual easing, supporting Bitcoin and Ethereum, though liquidity concerns kept volatility high.

  • Ethereum rallies nearly +20% on ETF demand

Ethereum outperformed, fueled by strong institutional and treasury buys. ETH ETF inflows outpaced Bitcoin on several days, signaling growing confidence in Ethereum’s fundamentals and possible early signs of an altcoin season.

Tip! Check out our Ethereum review to have a better grasp of the blockchain.

  • Over $700M in token unlocks weighed on specific coins

Heavy unlocks, especially for $APT, continued to suppress upside, creating supply pressure that limited gains despite bullish market trends. Upcoming unlocks for $ZRO and $KAITO are also set to keep volatility in focus.

Tip! Are you hearing about token unlocks for the first time? We've got you covered with this breakdown.

  • Ethereum NYC and related blockchain events spotlight innovation

The Ethereum NYC week (August 11–17) culminated in several focused discussions on Ethereum scalability, governance, research, and adoption. Events like Pragma New York and ETHGlobal New York showcased Layer 2 solutions and DeFi innovations, fostering collaboration among developers, investors, and industry leaders. Outcomes included heightened institutional engagement and expectations for upcoming protocol upgrades that could drive longer-term growth.

  • Stablecoin liquidity and ETF flows fuel market dynamics

Growth in stablecoin supply and significant Bitcoin/Ethereum ETF flows kept liquidity ample, supporting a base for risk assets even amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Tip! Stablecoins have always been an "anchor of confidence" within the crypto market. We reviewed several coins in our recent material: from stick-to-regulations USDC to decentralized DAI.

Last week’s stats

Top gainers

  • OKB (OKB) – 58.26%
  • Morpho (MORPHO) – 22.62%
  • Aave (AAVE) – 13.58%

Top losers

  • Sky (SKY) – 12.36%
  • SPX6900 (SPX) – 11.68%
  • Pump.fun (PUMP) – 11.39%

Key pairs

What to watch this week?

  • Key U.S. macro data releases

Core PCE inflation data on August 29 and Q2 GDP on August 28 will be closely monitored. Higher-than-expected readings could reignite concerns over tightening monetary policy, pressuring risk assets including crypto. Conversely, cooler figures may revive investor appetite for digital assets.

  • Upcoming conferences and token unlocks

The Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong will take place August 28–29, gathering industry leaders on global fintech innovation. Token unlocks scheduled for Jupiter (JUP), Kamino (KMNO), Venom (VENOM), and AltLayer (ALT) in the coming days could drive token-specific price moves and volatility.

  • Critical support levels for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Bitcoin hovering around $118,000 and Ethereum near $4,800 remain key technical levels. Holding these supports may signal the end of recent consolidation and the start of a new bullish leg, while breaches could lead to further corrections.

Last week’s macro signals and institutional inflows supported cautious optimism and strong market performance, with Ethereum showing particular strength. To navigate ongoing volatility, consider using SwapSpace Crypto Loans – a transparent, secure, and sustainable service designed to provide financial flexibility while preserving the value of your assets.

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