Two camps who find themselves scrapping it out at opposite ends of the NPL Victoria standings, Heidelberg will welcome Dandenong thunder to the Olympic Park on Friday morning.
Starting with the hosts, while Heidelberg might have got May underway with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat away at Hume City, that result was nothing more than a minor blip for John Anastasidis’ side. Last seen putting in a gritty performance as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Green Gully, the Warriors have registered seven points from their previous three NPL Victoria appearances and they are once again scrapping it out at the top of the table. Opening Friday’s showdown sat in bronze medal position and just three points adrift of skyrocketing to top spot, the Yellows will certainly feel that they have been handed a golden opportunity this weekend. Likewise, last seen at the Olympic Park claiming a dominant 4-0 victory against South Melbourne, Heidelberg will be dreaming of a repeat performance on Friday morning. It should also be highlighted, the title contenders have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last eight consecutive outings – a run that stems back to March 22nd.
As for the visitors, while Dandenong might have signed off April with consecutive NPL Victoria victories, it appears that was just a minor boost for the Thunder. Crashing back down to earth, Adam Piddick’s side are firmly scrapping it out at the foot of the table and have come crashing back down to earth since their eye-catching third-place finish last season. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Melbourne City’s U21s, Friday’s guests have now registered just a single point from any of their last four straight appearances. Facing what will certainly be another stern examination here, Dandenong have also shown some major cause for concern in the final third. Getting May underway with a 1-0 defeat at home against the Preston Lines, Piddick’s struggling squad have drawn a blank in three of their last four outings. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, it is no surprise we are backing a home win here.
Bet: Heidelberg United 6/11 to beat Dandenong Thunder in Friday’s NPL Victoria matchup @1xBet
The last time the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, it coincided with the launch of Major League Soccer two years later. Rapid growth ensued for the sport.
More than three decades later, the chance to represent the nation on home soil presents itself again as the US, Mexico and Canada prepare to co-host the 2026 edition of the world’s most iconic sporting spectacle.
“It’s going to be, I think, how a lot of these players will be remembered for the rest of their lives, almost. It’s a big moment, so it’s about taking advantage of it.”
Following upcoming friendlies against fellow World Cup participants Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6), the USMNT will begin their tournament campaign in Los Angeles against Paraguay on June 12, putting no limits on what they can achieve.
In Group D action, they’ll also face Australia in Seattle on June 19 before returning to Los Angeles for a June 25 test vs. Türkiye. The top two teams per group advance to the Round of 32, as do the top eight third-place finishers.
“I think it could do everything. It could change players’ lives. It could change the trajectory of their life. One big goal has the ability to do that, honestly,” said Robinson.
“That’s kind of why I play, or a lot of other guys play. [We] are motivated to really inspire the next generation to push forward and recognize that they can also play at the highest stage.”
Not so long ago, Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter was part of that next generation looking up to the American players on the pitch while his father, former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, was at the helm for Qatar 2022.
“It’s like the American dream,” explained Berhalter. “Four years ago, I was in the stands watching the games in Qatar, and people would have thought you were crazy if you said that this kid could be on the team four years later.
“So it’s just believing … We want little kids with soccer balls running around and believing that they can be US men’s national team players.”
Once the World Cup starts, it will be about turning the promise and potential of the USMNT’s so-called “golden generation” into end product. For the 26 players tasked with accomplishing that goal, the expectations that come with such an ambitious objective are clear.
“There’s immediately pressure. When you think of the 2026 World Cup, you think of pressure, right?” said Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Cristian Roldan, who is headed to his second World Cup this summer.
“But pressure comes with privilege … I think everybody holds that responsibility to their heart. I can’t wait to see us get started and hold ourselves accountable for this World Cup.”
Fortunately, it’s a moment the entire squad has been preparing for essentially their whole lives.
“Obviously, it’s the World Cup. It’s the biggest stage, but I think we’ve got players that embrace the biggest stage,” noted Robinson.
“They want to be a part of big moments, big games. So I think that’s something in our advantage.”
Whether it’s producing a record 16 saves as Tim Howard famously did against Belgium in 2014, or netting a stoppage-time winner to top the group a la Landon Donovan in 2010, the World Cup is about delivering in big occasions.
“Now we have the honor of being able to create those moments like Clint Dempsey, like Landon Donovan. We want to see those moments done by guys like Weston [McKennie] and Christian [Pulisic],” said Roldan.
“I’m excited for that opportunity, and I’m excited for the landscape of soccer after this World Cup. But we gotta live in the moment and make sure that we represent the United States in a great way.”
NEW YORK – For the 26 players who made the cut, the call of a lifetime arrived at precisely 1 pm ET on Friday afternoon.
Well, technically speaking, it was a WhatsApp group message, sent by Sam Zapatka, the team manager of the US men’s national team, who created the new group, then delivered to its members a video in which head coach Mauricio Pochettino informed them they had been selected for the Yanks’ 2026 FIFA World Cup roster.
Inevitably, it hit different players in different ways. It was less of a shock for some of the program’s stars, and more like a thunderbolt for those on the bubble, an explosive update to share with loved ones as quickly as possible.
“My brother, my sister, my brother-in-law, my girlfriend – everyone, man; their families. Just a great moment,” Club América standout and FC Dallas product Alejandro Zendejas revealed after the USMNT’s official unveiling event at Pier 17 on the lower Manhattan waterfront on Tuesday.
“When I saw my parents, we all started crying.”
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) May 26, 2026
Answering the call
The fulfillment of a childhood dream is not the kind of news one really gets accustomed to.
“I was actually leaving the training ground, walking to my car with a box full of bobbleheads to take home to my kids, and my WhatsApp started to go a little bit crazy with the video that got put in,” explained Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream, a late-breaking inclusion in 2022’s squad who’s now defied the odds to make it again at age 38.
“It made me stop in my tracks, to be completely honest.”
Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter’s mind traced back to the last World Cup, which he attended as a fan supporting his father Gregg, then in charge of the USMNT and now leading Chicago Fire FC. A fairly obscure utility player at the time, Sebastian had just finished his first season with Vancouver, his third club in as many years, his own international ambitions deeply submerged, but alive.
“It’s just – it’s like the American dream, you know?” Berhalter told reporters on Tuesday. “I was in the stands watching the games in Qatar. People would have thought you were crazy if you said that this kid could be on the team four years later.
“I brought home a mini World Cup trophy, and I told myself that I’m going to be there in 2026. That was a goal I had, and people would have thought I was crazy. That’s how I’ve been my whole life. I always believed. And if you don’t believe, no one else is going to believe.”
It’s the second World Cup call for Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson, though this one carried more emotional weight after the litany of injury woes that have sidetracked him in recent years.
“It feels like all the effort, the kind of sacrificing, going through the pain of what I’ve been through, it makes it all worth it,” said the Fulham FC left back. “There were plenty of times where I didn’t feel like I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Amid such raw emotions for those who did make the squad, those present at Pier 17 were hesitant to delve into the experiences of those who didn’t.
Pochettino declined to discuss the specific circumstances of prominent snubs like Real Salt Lake star Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris, asking fans and media to trust that he and his staff have worked relentlessly to reach this point since he took the job in September 2024.
“We cannot talk about the players that are not in the roster, because it’s very disrespectful to the players that made the roster,” said the Argentine. “If you listen to what I say from the beginning, we were working really hard during one year and a half or more, trying to arrive in this moment in the best condition, with all the information to try to make the best decision. It’s impossible to be fair with everyone, but I think to make the decision, to be competitive in the end and try to win.
“We really believe that squad, these 26 players, are the right players. If they are the right players, are the best players.”
As Pochettino pointed out, the former Argentina international knows these feelings as intimately as anyone can. In his own playing days, he narrowly missed out on his country’s World Cup rosters in 1994 and 1998 before “finally,” in his words, earning the call from Marcelo Bielsa in 2002.
That, rather than coldness or disinterest, informed his choice to notify those who missed out via email and not a phone or video call.
“I understand the players that didn’t make the roster; they don’t want to hear me say, ‘Oh, I apologize, oh…’” he said. “I care. Do you know why I care? Because during two weeks, I didn’t sleep. And today, still I cannot enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me, because I am thinking of players that are out.
“That is about to care – it’s not to call. Because if I call, it’s about myself. I say, ‘Oh, I call, I am very human about calling and then giving an explanation.’ Come on. That is bulls–t. Sorry.”
After Tuesday’s pageantry, which included a breathless live television broadcast on FOX, a rooftop crowd of hundreds of supporters and a surprise performance from rapper Gunna, the Yanks flew immediately to Atlanta to begin their final preparations at the brand-new National Training Center.
Warm-up friendlies vs. Senegal on May 31 (at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium) and Germany on June 6 (at Chicago’s Soldier Field) are the last chance to build rhythm and iron out the kinks before their tournament kicks off vs. Paraguay in Southern California on June 12. The players know just how high the stakes are.
“It’s just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said FC Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson, who missed out on Qatar ‘22 due to a ruptured Achilles tendon in MLS play a few months prior.
“It’s going to be, I think, how a lot of these players will be remembered for the rest of their lives, almost. So it’s a big moment. It’s about taking advantage of it.”
June 11: South Africa vs. Mexico, 3 pm ET | Mexico City, Mexico
June 18: South Africa vs. Czechia, 12 pm ET | Atlanta, Georgia
June 24: South Africa vs. South Korea, 9 pm ET | Monterrey, Mexico
The 2026 World Cup has expanded from the usual 32 nations to 48 total. The top two teams advance from each group, and the top eight third-place finishers also make the knockout phase (Round of 32).
The tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, spans from June 11 to July 19.
Among the brightest young talents in MLS, Mbokazi joined Chicago from South African powerhouse Orlando Pirates on a U22 Initiative deal ahead of the 2026 season.
The 20-year-old center back has become a key starter for the Fire and cemented himself as a key piece for the Bafana Bafana.
Internationally, Mbokazi opened his goalscoring account with a long-range golazo in the March window. Beforehand, he was a starter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
A Best XI-caliber defender during Philadelphia’s 2025 Supporters’ Shield-winning season, Makhanya helped anchor a backline that conceded a league-low 35 goals last year.
Now in his fourth season with the club, Makhanya is eying his first international senior cap with South Africa at this summer’s World Cup.
The Union originally acquired him in July 2023 from South African top-flight side Stellenbosch FC.
The Basketball Tournament is returning to FOX Sports, announcing a two-year extension to air the new-look tournament, which will include a $2 million championship prize.
An annual tournament featuring college basketball alumni competing for a cash prize, is entering its 13th year of competition. FOX Sports will air 20 games across FOX, FS1, and FS2, including the championship game on Aug. 2.
“We are excited to return to Fox Sports for two more years,” TBT CEO Jon Mugar said. “Last year’s championship game was our most watched and highest attended ever. With double the prize, and only sixteen teams, our 2026 event will be our most competitive ever.”
The 2026 iteration of the TBT will feature a 16-team bracket, including eight alumni teams and eight non-alumni teams competing on separate sides of the bracket. The first round will be a best-of-three before returning to single-elimination games. The $2 million winner-take-all prize money is the largest purse since 2019.
Here is the alumni bracket:
La Familia (Kentucky alumni) vs. The Ville (Louisville alumni): July 18-22
JHX Hoops (Kansas alumni) vs. Purple Reign (Kansas State alumni): July 21-24
Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse alumni) vs. Hall In (Seton Hall alumni): July 21-24
AfterShocks (Wichita State alumni) vs. The Enchantment (New Mexico alumni): July 20-24
Notable players set to participate in this year’s tournament include Michael Beasley (Kansas State), Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky), Frank Mason III (Kansas), Russ Smith (Louisville), Donovan Dent (New Mexico, UCLA), Isaiah Whitehead (Seton Hall), and Buddy Boeheim (Syracuse).
TBT’s eight non-alumni teams will compete in the Vegas Bracket at the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas from July 22-30. The Vegas Bracket will be headlined by a team entry from two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis.
The winner of the Vegas Bracket will play the winner of the Alumni Bracket on Aug. 2 at the Alumni Bracket championship’s home gym.
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Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer has had the National Player of the Year on his roster for two straight seasons. In 2026, it was Cameron Boozer. In 2025, it was Cooper Flagg.
Both Boozer and Flagg came into college basketball as elite high school prospects, but for different reasons. Flagg reclassified into the 2024 recruiting class and was regarded as one of the top can’t-miss prospects of the last few decades.
May 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Cameron Boozer participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
As for Boozer, he was one of the most decorated high school recruits of all-time. He and his twin brother, Cayden, won four straight state championships at Columbus (FL) and the Chipotle Boys National Championship as seniors. Cameron was a two-time Gatorade National Boys Player of the Year and a two-time Mr. Basketball USA.
After Flagg put together a historic rookie year for Duke, it was a tall task for Boozer to best the 2025 No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick. Let’s break down which of the two rookies had a better season with the Blue Devils.
Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) rebounds against the UConn Huskies during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Cameron Boozer Was the Better College Player
Flagg was fantastic for the Blue Devils, leading a team with five 2025 NBA Draft picks, including three in the top-10, in every major statistical category. The 6’9″ forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals a game on 48.1% shooting from the field and 38.5% shooting from three on 3.6 attempts.
The Maine native set the ACC rookie single-game scoring record with 42 points against Notre Dame (which was beaten by Mikel Brown Jr. this past season) en route to winning the ACC Player of the Year award and the National Player of the Year award.
Still, Boozer had a better year.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) walks off the court after losing to the Houston Cougars in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Boozer is a completely different player from Flagg as a below-the-rim forward with somewhat lackluster athletic ability. However, the big man’s consistency and dominance were unprecedented.
Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals a night on 55.6% shooting from the field and 39.1% shooting from the perimeter on 3.6 attempts. The 2026 ACC and National Player of the Year tallied 22 double-doubles on the year and didn’t score in single-digits in one contest all season long.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The Miami native was literally as consistent as a player can get, and was the sure-fire best player in college basketball from day one. That isn’t meant to take anything away from Flagg, but with Boozer, there was never even a debate.
According to KenPom’s National Player of the Year algorithm, Flagg led the metric with a rating of 2.734. The player in the No. 2 spot in 2025 was Auburn forward Johni Broome with a rating of 2.317, making the gap from the No. 1 to No. 2 spot 0.417.
Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) shoots the ball over Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
It Wasn’t Even Close With Boozer
Boozer ended the 2026 campaign with a KenPom NPOY rating of 2.951, the highest rating ever since the metric began in 2011. The player in the No. 2 spot this year was Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson with a rating of 1.758. This makes the gap between No. 1 and No. 2 a whopping 1.193.
For reference into how massive that gap is, the No. 10 player in this metric in 2026 was Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner, with a rating of 1.502. The number between No. 2 and No. 10 was 0.256.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer is awarded the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Award by Barry Bedlan of the Associated Press. The award is given by the AP and the US Basketball Writers Association during the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Both Boozer and Flagg led the nation in their respective seasons in Offensive Bayesian Performance Rating and Total Bayesian Performance rating at EvanMiya.com, two metrics that measure a player’s offensive and total impact for his team when he is on the floor.
Boozer’s OBPR (9.60) and BPR (14.46) outdid those ratings of Flagg at 7.41 and 13.07, respectively.
With those numbers, Boozer was also undoubtedly the best player in the sport, facing arguably the most talented freshman class of all-time. This is one of the deepest NBA Draft classes ever, featuring future stars such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, and Labaron Philon, among others.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) and Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) battle for the ball in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Again, this is in no way meant to discredit what Flagg did in a Duke uniform, but Boozer’s consistency and dominance were unmatched.
It’s irrelevant most of the time to form an argument based on hypotheticals, but I think it’s fair to say that Boozer meant more to the 2025-26 Duke team than Flagg did to the 2024-25 squad.
Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) and UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) go for a loose ball in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Duke’s entire 2024-25 starting lineup was selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, making it one of the most talented Duke teams in recent memory. If the 2025-26 squad didn’t have Boozer, its floor would have been significantly lower.
Now, Flagg is undoubtedly the better pro prospect, as he just showed as the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year. He will have a long and productive career in the NBA, as will Boozer. But in terms of sheer production with the Blue Devils, Boozer wins that argument.
Banking giant with an AUM of $7.4 trillion, Morgan Stanley has quietly disclosed its XRP holding-linked exchange-traded funds, marking. While the holdings are relatively small, the disclosure is drawing attention because it comes as institutional interest in XRP products continues to grow and U.S.-listed XRP ETFs attract fresh investor inflows.
Morgan Stanley Reports First XRP-Linked ETF Holdings
According to its latest Q1 2026 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Morgan Stanley revealed holdings in two XRP-focused ETFs.
The investment bank reported owning 1,700 shares of the Volatility Shares XRP ETF and 100 shares of the Grayscale XRP ETF (GXRP).
Comparing it with Morgan Stanley’s overall portfolio and its larger positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum investment products, the XRP allocation remains small. However, the filing shows that XRP is increasingly becoming part of institutional crypto portfolios. The development is particularly important given Morgan Stanley’s position as one of the world’s largest financial institutions
XRP ETFs Attract $31.8 Million in Weekly Inflows
The disclosure comes during a period of growing institutional demand for XRP investment products.
Last week alone, XRP ETFs recorded approximately $31.8 million in inflows. On May 28, XRP ETFs attracted another $1.77 million in net inflows, while Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs experienced outflows during the same period.
Bitwise’s XRP ETF alone accounted for the entire $1.77 million daily inflow, showing continued investor interest despite overall uncertainty. Till now, the XRP ETF has recorded a total inflow of $1.41 billion.
Why Hasn’t Morgan Stanley Filed for an XRP ETF?
Despite adding exposure to XRP-linked ETFs, Morgan Stanley has yet to file for a spot XRP ETF of its own. The move stands out because the bank has previously recognized Ripple’s payment network as a strong alternative to the traditional SWIFT system for cross-border transactions.
While that view has fueled speculation that institutional interest in XRP could continue growing, Morgan Stanley is currently taking a more cautious approach. Rather than holding XRP directly on its balance sheet, the bank offers clients exposure through regulated investment products that track XRP’s price without requiring investors to manage wallets or private keys.
For now, Morgan Stanley appears focused on crypto products tied to more established institutional markets, including Bitcoin and Solana, while waiting for greater regulatory clarity around XRP before expanding further
What Could Happen Next for XRP?
As of now, XRP is trading near $1.30, up roughly 1% over the past 24 hours, although trading volume declined 13%.
The growing number of institutions reporting XRP ETF exposure suggests Wall Street’s interest in Ripple-linked products is gradually increasing.
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After emerging as one of May’s strongest large-cap gainers, TRX price dropped nearly 10% in just three sessions, shaking market sentiment. The selloff followed fresh uncertainty tied to Justin Sun-linked headlines and arrived just as traders began aggressively positioning for a breakout above $0.38. Yet beneath the sudden selloff lies a bigger question: Is this simply a healthy reset before another leg higher, or the first warning sign that TRX price rally is losing steam?
The key reason behind the recent TRX correction appears to be a combination of profit-taking and negative sentiment tied to Justin Sun-related developments. Market attention shifted after reports surfaced that the British government sanctioned crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun’s exchange HTX over allegations of supporting Russian-linked activity, triggering fresh uncertainty across TRON-linked narratives.
The British government sanctioned crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun’s global crypto exchange HTX on suspicion of supporting the Russian government. The billionaire until recently was a key backer of the Trump family’s cryptocurrency businesses. https://t.co/ErIYgq1RTO
Although the development does not directly impact the TRON blockchain, investors often react quickly when ecosystem-related headlines emerge. As Bitcoin cooled after recent highs, traders rotated out of high-beta altcoins, with TRX among the tokens experiencing accelerated profit booking. The result has been a sharp but technically important retracement after weeks of near-vertical gains.
TRX Price Analysis: Why the $0.34 Zone Matters
TRON’s recent decline looks more like a trend retest than a confirmed breakdown, at least for now. Before the correction, TRX had been trading inside a strong ascending structure since early February, supported by a well-defined rising trendline and bullish higher lows. The token also completed a major double-bottom formation near the $0.27 region earlier this year, which helped fuel its powerful recovery rally.
After getting rejected near the $0.37–$0.38 supply zone, TRX entered a correction phase and is now revisiting a major support area around $0.34–$0.35. This region matters for two reasons. First, it aligns with the previous breakout structure that sparked the latest leg higher. Second, it coincides with the ascending trendline that has supported price action for months. If bulls successfully defend this level, TRX could stabilize and attempt another push toward $0.36 and eventually retest the $0.38 resistance zone.
However, failure to hold this support may expose TRON to a deeper downside toward the $0.31–$0.32 area, where the 200-day moving average sits as a stronger safety net.
Derivatives Data Signals Cooling Speculation
Futures market activity also shows signs that speculative momentum has cooled following the selloff. According to derivatives data, TRX futures volume and open interest have both declined sharply over the past 24 hours, signaling reduced trader participation after the recent correction.
A drop in open interest typically suggests leveraged traders are unwinding positions rather than aggressively betting on immediate upside. Interestingly, options volume has surged significantly despite the broader decline. This could indicate that traders are beginning to hedge volatility or position for a larger move ahead as uncertainty rises.
What’s Next for TRX?
TRON remains one of the stronger-performing large-cap altcoins over the past several months, but the latest correction has placed TRX at a technically critical moment. A successful defense of the $0.34 support zone could reset momentum and open the door for another attempt toward recent highs. However, if bearish pressure continues and sentiment around Justin Sun-related headlines worsens, the correction may deepen before buyers regain control.
After weeks of relentless upside, TRON’s next move may now depend on whether bulls can turn this sharp pullback into a textbook rebound, or watch momentum slip away just as June begins.
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Injective price has emerged as one of the top performers, outperforming the top tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and major altcoins. The price surged by over 11.80%, reaching nearly $6, with trading volume increasing by over 25%. The price surge followed Binance US’s announcement of staking support for Injective, providing investors with additional yield opportunities and strengthening its accessibility to US investors.
This is believed to have fueled the bullish momentum that may push the INJ price by more than 30%, breaking the higher targets.
Injective Holders Are Back in Profit
On-chain data from Glassnode suggests market sentiment has improved significantly over the past several weeks. The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR), which measures whether investors are selling at a profit or loss, has climbed above the neutral level of 1.
An SOPR reading above 1 indicates that holders are increasingly realizing profits. While profit-taking is often viewed as a bearish signal, the current setup tells a different story. The INJ price has continued to advance despite the increase in realized profits, suggesting that fresh demand is successfully absorbing the selling pressure.
This transition from loss to profit realization often occurs during the early and middle stages of a recovery trend, indicating that investor confidence is gradually returning to the market.
Rising Open Interest Signals Strong Trader Conviction
The daily chart shows INJ completing a large, rounded-bottom recovery pattern after spending several months in a prolonged downtrend. More importantly, Open Interest has surged to its highest level in months while the price continues to climb. Rising Open Interest alongside rising prices is generally considered a sign of trend confirmation, as it indicates that new capital is entering the market rather than existing participants simply rotating positions.
Meanwhile, funding rates remain relatively subdued, suggesting that traders have not yet become excessively bullish. This reduces the risk of an immediate long squeeze and indicates that the current rally is not being driven solely by speculative leverage. The combination of rising Open Interest, improving on-chain metrics, and strengthening price action suggests the bulls continue to maintain an advantage despite the presence of significant resistance overhead.
The Injective (INJ) price is showing significant bullish momentum, but the $6.20-$6.30 range remains the most critical hurdle in the near term. A decisive breakout above this level could trigger a rapid move toward $7.38 and $8.22, while sustained bullish momentum may eventually pave the way for a retest of the $9.19 resistance.
If buyers successfully reclaim that level, the psychological $10 milestone could become a realistic target in the coming weeks. Until then, traders should watch for confirmation above resistance, as a rejection could delay the path toward double-digit prices.
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Texas is now taking complete control of its Bitcoin strategy. After the state is preparing to move its $10 million Strategic Bitcoin Reserve from BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF into directly held Bitcoin, signaling a shift from traditional ETF exposure to full on-chain ownership.
The move comes as Texas builds the infrastructure needed to manage and secure its own Bitcoin holdings.
State officials are now seeking a crypto custody and liquidity provider to acquire, store, manage, and report on the reserve’s digital assets, marking one of the most significant state-level Bitcoin initiatives in the United States.
Texas Moving Away From BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF?
According to a state request for proposals (RFP), Texas initially used IBIT as an interim solution to gain Bitcoin exposure while the reserve was being established.
Now, the state wants to convert those holdings into directly owned Bitcoin held through a third-party custody arrangement.
The selected provider will be responsible for securely storing Bitcoin in the name of the State of Texas, managing liquidity for purchases and sales, and overseeing the transition from IBIT into spot Bitcoin. The conversion process must be completed within 60 days after the contract is awarded.
The change gives Texas direct ownership of Bitcoin rather than exposure through ETF shares, allowing the state greater control over how its digital assets are managed.
Who Will Oversee The Texas Bitcoin Reserve?
The move comes shortly after Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced members of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Advisory Committee.
Created under Senate Bill 21, the five-member committee will advise the state on custody policies, risk management, digital asset valuation, and reserve operations.
The committee includes investment executive Laurie Dotter, Cormint Data Systems CEO Jamie McAvity, Southern Methodist University law professor Carla Reyes, and CleanSpark President and CFO Gary Vecchiarelli.
Hancock said the reserve must be managed with transparency, security, and strong financial controls to protect Texas taxpayers.
Texas Builds Institutional-Grade Bitcoin Reserve
The state’s requirements go beyond basic custody services. Texas wants institutional-grade security controls, detailed reporting systems, and a public website that displays reserve holdings and their market value.
The proposal also leaves room for the reserve to hold other qualifying cryptocurrencies in the future, although Bitcoin remains the primary focus today.
Supporters of the reserve argue that Bitcoin can serve as a long-term hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
If Texas completes the transition, it could become one of the first U.S. states to move from ETF-based Bitcoin exposure to direct ownership and custody of BTC, potentially setting a model for other state governments considering similar digital asset reserves.
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