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- Crypto Markets Stumble, Abstract Chain Scrutinized & Aster Challenges Hyperliquid
Crypto Markets Stumble, Abstract Chain Scrutinized & Aster Challenges Hyperliquid
CwC Weekly
September 26, 2025
Market pullbacks test conviction
Tokenized collectibles reshape ownership
Beezie teams with OpenSea
Aster grabs attention while Hyperliquid leads
Abstract Chain credibility questioned
Rekt Drinks expands into functional beverages
Watch & Listen Now: This week brought heavy market swings as crypto prices tumbled and traders faced another round of liquidations. Steve was joined by special guest cohosts Grateful Ape, Big Nill, and Von Frontin while Cap was on vacation. Abstract Chain came under the microscope, with growing questions around its marketing and ability to hold community attention. Meanwhile, the battle in perps trading intensified, as Aster’s push for mindshare put it up against Hyperliquid’s clear lead in volume. Beezie’s new OpenSea partnership and Rekt Drinks’ expansion into functional beverages added a consumer angle, showing how brands continue to build even during volatile times.
☕️ Brewing This Week
📰 Monday
Crypto Market Pullbacks, InfoFi Leaderboards & Farming for the Next Airdrops
Special Guest Cohost:
Grateful Ape - Host of Grateful Show: https://x.com/GratefulApe_eth
Steve hosts alongside Grateful Ape with Cap on vacation, starting with a sharp pullback across crypto markets before diving into community-driven events in Otherside and the competition heating up on InfoFi leaderboards. The conversation breaks down token farming plays across Hyperliquid, Katana, Turtle, and Meteora, highlighting how savvy traders are positioning for future airdrops. Later, Steve spotlights the Rekt Drinks Moon Crush launch and emphasizes why traditional Web2 fundamentals such as customer support and consistent communication still make the difference for Web3 brands aiming to win long-term trust.
💡 Tuesday
Crypto ETF Tailwinds + Why Tokenized Collectibles Are Winning
Special Guest Cohost:
Big Nill - Ecosystem Growth at Polygon: https://x.com/BigNillCollect
Steve and Big Nill break down the forces shaping crypto adoption, from ETFs and eventual retirement allocations to the speculation cycle powered by points, XP, and airdrops. They emphasize that while these mechanics pull people into the space, they will not sustain users without strong products. A major part of the conversation highlights the transformation of collectibles, with Courtyard’s rapid growth and card show anecdotes showing how tokenized assets and digital-first ownership are becoming the new norm. Generational shifts are already clear, with younger collectors valuing digital twins more than physical copies. The episode closes by underscoring crypto’s biggest hurdle, onboarding, and why mass adoption depends on apps that deliver seamless experiences without users needing to understand the underlying chains.
🔗 Wednesday
Source: Beezie on X
Beezie Partners with OpenSea + Aster Perps Volume Surge
Special Guest Cohost:
Von Frontin - Founder of Vonga: https://x.com/VonFrontin
Beezie’s new partnership with OpenSea brought plenty of excitement as the show unpacked how voucher NFTs can be burned for claw machine pulls to win Pokémon slabs, Labubus, sealed grails, and more. Rekt Drinks was highlighted as another fast-moving case of onchain growth, while Aster’s surge in perps volume showed how quickly attention is shifting in DeFi. Conversation also touched on Moonbirds activity at Korea Blockchain Week, Hyperliquid’s rise as a go-to exchange, and the lingering uncertainty around Abstract’s strategy and how it affects sentiment toward Pudgy $PENGU.
🤖 Thursday
Luca Netz Faces Abstract Chain Doubts + How RAID Plans to Push $APE Everywhere
Special Guests:
SimpleFarmer - Head of DeFi at ApeCoin: https://x.com/OxSimpleFarmer
PPman: https://x.com/_PPMan_
Steve runs the show solo with a sharp focus on community credibility and project execution. He highlights Luca Netz and Pudgy Penguins, praising their track record but questioning the timing of Warner Brothers partnership rumors, while also critiquing Abstract’s marketing tactics and ability to sustain broader attention. The conversation expands into lessons from Blur’s token incentives and skepticism toward bold Korea Blockchain Week claims. In the second half, Steve welcomes PPman and SimpleFarmer to discuss Project RAID, an ApeChain initiative aimed at expanding ApeCoin’s utility across chains and applications. They outline how RAID leverages yield, liquidity, and integration to position $APE as a true onchain asset.
🥳 Friday
Aster vs Hyperliquid Momentum + Rekt Drinks Expands Into Functional Beverages
The perps market took the spotlight as Aster captured mindshare with aggressive marketing while Hyperliquid continued to dominate on volume, prompting a debate on hype versus performance. Abstract Chain drew criticism for its community cadence and approach, while InfoFi leaderboards showcased how points farming has evolved into a cultural sport across ecosystems. The hosts noted Moonbirds’ leaderboard rollout and quick token speculation tied to Singapore, then praised ApeChain’s careful promotion strategy. The show wrapped with Rekt Drinks’ milestone of over 1 million sparkling water units sold in its first year and their expansion into functional beverages, including ideas for a gym-focused “Rekt RX.”
🎓 Quick Take For Newcomers
Crypto Moves Fast: This week was a reminder of how quickly the market can swing. In just a few hours, prices across crypto dropped hard as traders rushed to cover positions. At the same time, attention turned to the bigger picture as new products, partnerships, and brands continued moving forward even when the charts went red.
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Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend everybody!
DISCLAIMER: This newsletter contains information presented solely for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Any investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Please be aware that I may own several digital assets discussed in this publication.