Killer Whales: Markets - Volume 23 - Powered by $HELLO

Killer Whales: Markets - Volume 23

Pump.Fun Returns, BlackRock Buys ETH, and NFT Momentum Build

Episode 23 of Killer Whales: Markets saw Nathan, Bunny, Maurice, and Sander dissect a volatile week in crypto marked by institutional moves, meme coins, big NFT purchases, and evolving wallet infrastructure. From HyperLiquid's dominant July revenue share to BlackRock’s 23,000 Ethereum buy, along with the reemergence of Pudgy Penguins and CryptoPunks, the panel explored what these signals could mean heading into the next cycle.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IlHNPTV4lZesE7o1SDpd0

Pump.Fun vs Bonk: Meme War Heats Up

The episode opened with a dive into meme coin dynamics. Pump.Fun, which had previously fallen behind Bonk, reclaimed its dominant market share this past week. Bunny credited its resurgence to strong capital reserves and a revitalized strategy inspired by Bonk’s creator-oriented model. Sander and Maurice emphasized the importance of momentum and liquidity in this sector, noting that meme coins often move not just on fundamentals but community sentiment and speed of innovation.

HyperLiquid Dominates Blockchain Revenue

Another major headline was HyperLiquid’s 35% share of all blockchain revenue in July. It was discussed how this rise could mark a turning point for perpetual trading protocols, especially in a market increasingly focused on utility and fee generation.

NFTs Resurface

NFT chatter made a comeback this episode, with Bunny spotlighting a recent high-ticket CryptoPunk sale and renewed speculation around Pudgy Penguins. Maurice noted that despite ETH’s current price levels, these collections appear to be decoupling from broader market fear. Sander mentioned growing interest in location-based valuation in the metaverse, especially in relation to collections like OtherSide.

Wallet Innovation and Crypto UX

This discussion also touched on the evolving role of wallets. Maurice brought up Phantom’s acquisitions and product improvements, while Bunny called out the growing utility of the MetaMask card for real-world purchases. These moves point to a maturing infrastructure that could bring more retail users into the fold by reducing complexity.

Looking Ahead: Price Predictions and Ecosystem Updates

As always, the crew closed the session with predictions:

• Nathan sees ETH heading toward $4,000 on the back of institutional confidence.
• Bunny believes Pump.Fun’s comeback could reclaim it’s starting price.
• Sander is watching NFTs closely and expects CryptoPunks to lead the next surge.
• Maurice predicted Bitcoin will revisit $19,000 before rebounding.

Nathan also teased upcoming announcements from HELLO Labs, including the rollout of Killer Whales Season 2 and new product integrations.

Episode 23 reinforced a core theme across these markets: narrative speed is everything. Whether meme coins or NFTs, wallet tools or institutional buys, momentum can shift in an instant. Staying informed, nimble, and plugged into the right networks remains the key to catching the next move.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IlHNPTV4lZesE7o1SDpd0

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