What could affect the price of XTZ?
Tezos balances strong technical momentum with some risks in its ecosystem.
- Etherlink DeFi Growth – The Layer 2 total value locked (TVL) jumped 6,200% quarter-over-quarter, boosting demand for XTZ (Messari).
- Rebranding Discussion – Changing the ticker from XTZ to TEZ could increase visibility but faces adoption challenges.
- Price Breakout – XTZ broke through $1.40 resistance; the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 68 suggests it might be overbought (CCN).
Deep Dive
1. Etherlink’s DeFi Surge (Positive Outlook)
Overview:
Etherlink, Tezos’ Layer 2 solution compatible with Ethereum’s technology, saw its total value locked (TVL) rise to $47.7 million as of August 2025. This growth followed the integration of Curve Finance and faster withdrawal options. Additionally, the Apple Farm program distributed $3 million to encourage liquidity.
What this means:
More activity on Layer 2 means increased use of XTZ for transaction fees and staking. Cross-chain bridges like $LBTC also bring in capital from Ethereum users. However, since some growth depends on incentives, there’s a risk of volatility when rewards decrease.
2. Ticker Symbol Change (Mixed Impact)
Overview:
There’s ongoing debate about changing the ticker symbol from XTZ to TEZ to better match the community’s language. However, exchanges and wallets would need several months to update, which could cause confusion.
What this means:
If done well, the rebrand could improve search engine visibility and reduce confusion among investors, similar to Polygon’s rebranding from MATIC. But if adoption is uneven, it might hurt short-term price momentum.
3. Technical Momentum vs. Market Risks (Neutral)
Overview:
XTZ surpassed its 200-day exponential moving average (EMA) of $0.749 in July 2025, rallying 76% in just 2.5 days. Yet, open interest in derivatives dropped 2.66% last week, indicating some caution from traders using leverage.
What this means:
The price zone between $1.40 and $1.54 is key. Holding above this range could push XTZ toward $4, while failing to do so might lead to a pullback to support at $0.93.
Conclusion
Tezos’ future price depends on whether Etherlink can turn its current hype into lasting DeFi activity and if the community agrees on the branding changes. Traders should watch if Etherlink’s TVL stays above $40 million after incentives end and if XTZ can hold $1.10 as a new support level. The big question: Can Tezos use its Ethereum compatibility to outperform other Layer 2 solutions?
What are people saying about XTZ?
The conversation around Tezos (XTZ) is a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. Here’s what’s trending right now:
- Etherlink Layer 2 buzz – Institutional DeFi investments are growing, with Midas’ $11 million total value locked (TVL) leading the way.
- Technical breakout – After seven months of decline, Tezos has broken out, with key moving averages turning positive.
- Altcoin season momentum – Traders are targeting $1.40 if the $1.10 support level holds, especially as Bitcoin’s market dominance dips.
Deep Dive
1. @tezos: Etherlink’s DeFi Growth Signals Strength Bullish
“Etherlink’s TVL reached $45 million after Midas launched tokenized yield products – combining scalability with real-world asset strategies.”
– @tezos (1.2M followers · 12K impressions · 2025-07-19 23:31 UTC)
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What this means: This is positive news for Tezos. The growth in Etherlink’s TVL shows increasing institutional interest, with an 8% weekly rise. If this momentum continues, it could confirm Tezos’ price holding steady between $0.93 and $1.04.
2. @BRONDOR: “Altseason Momentum” Bullish
“Up 42% in 24 hours, clear path to $1.40 if $1.10 support holds. Tezos broke resistance easily.”
– @BRONDOR (8.3K followers · 47K impressions · 2025-07-20 09:34 UTC)
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What this means: Traders are optimistic due to strong technical signals like a high Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 91 and favorable moving averages. However, the high RSI also suggests the price could be volatile in the short term.
3. AMBCrypto: Whale Activity Brings Mixed Signals Mixed
“Derivatives trading volume jumped 2,832% to $3.05 billion, while spot market inflows hit an 8-month high – raising the risk of profit-taking.”
– AMBCrypto (Published 2025-07-21)
What this means: Large investors (whales) have been driving the recent price surge, but the $4.5 million inflow into exchanges could mean some are preparing to sell, which might cause price dips.
Conclusion
The overall outlook for Tezos is bullish, supported by Etherlink’s DeFi progress and strong technical trends. However, the high RSI and potential profit-taking suggest caution. Keep an eye on Etherlink’s TVL—if it approaches $100 million by the third quarter, it could solidify Tezos’ appeal to institutional investors. The big question remains: will the altcoin rally continue, or will Bitcoin regain dominance?
What is the latest news about XTZ?
Tezos is gaining momentum in decentralized finance (DeFi) and improving its staking features while facing important price resistance levels. Here’s the latest update:
- Bitvavo Lowers XTZ Staking Rewards (September 1, 2025) – The flexible staking annual percentage yield (APY) dropped to 1.4%, making passive income from staking less attractive.
- Etherlink Connects Bitcoin to Tezos DeFi (August 19, 2025) – Integration of $LBTC and launch of Curve Finance bring more liquidity across blockchains.
- Liquid Staking Launches on Etherlink (August 13, 2025) – The new stXTZ token lets users earn rewards while keeping their XTZ available for other DeFi uses.
In-Depth Look
1. Bitvavo Lowers XTZ Staking Rewards (September 1, 2025)
What happened:
Bitvavo, a leading European crypto exchange, cut the flexible staking APY for Tezos (XTZ) from 3.3% down to 1.4%. This rate is now lower than competitors like Avalanche (AVAX) at 1.2% and Ethereum (ETH) at 0.7%. Fixed staking options for XTZ remain unavailable, suggesting less interest from institutions in locking up their coins.
Why it matters:
Lower rewards might push individual stakers to look for better options on other platforms or decentralized finance protocols. This could lead to more selling if users move their funds elsewhere. However, Tezos’ own native staking, which offers about 5% APY, is not affected by this change. (Bitvavo)
2. Etherlink Connects Bitcoin to Tezos DeFi (August 19, 2025)
What happened:
Etherlink, a layer-2 solution compatible with Ethereum’s technology but built on Tezos, teamed up with Lombard to bring $LBTC — a token representing staked Bitcoin — into the Tezos ecosystem. This adds over $2 billion worth of $LBTC for DeFi activities on Tezos, supported by Curve Finance’s efficient stablecoin trading.
Why it matters:
This move allows Bitcoin holders to participate in DeFi yield farming on Tezos, attracting new capital and increasing activity. After this integration, Etherlink’s total value locked (TVL) reached $47.7 million. However, the long-term success depends on ongoing incentives to keep users engaged. (U.Today)
3. Liquid Staking Launches on Etherlink (August 13, 2025)
What happened:
Stacy.fi introduced stXTZ, a liquid staking token that lets users stake their XTZ and still use it in DeFi applications. Users receive 90% of the staking rewards, while 10% supports protocols managed by Youves DAO.
Why it matters:
This solves a common problem where staked coins are locked and can’t be used elsewhere. Liquid staking makes Tezos more competitive with networks like Ethereum, where this feature is popular. Early results show $11 million locked in related vaults, indicating strong interest. (CoinMarketCap)
Conclusion
Tezos is actively growing its DeFi capabilities through Etherlink, but reduced staking rewards on exchanges and dependence on incentives could create challenges. With XTZ up 42% over the past 90 days but still 91% below its all-time high, the success of Bitcoin integration and liquid staking could be key to a sustained price recovery. Keep an eye on the $0.75 support level for signs of future direction.
What is expected in the development of XTZ?
Tezos is making progress with several key developments:
- Etherlink Layer 2 Expansion (Q4 2025) – Improving decentralized finance (DeFi) by making Tezos compatible with Ethereum apps and enabling fast, low-cost transactions.
- Tokenized Uranium Launch (2026) – Bringing real-world assets like uranium onto the Tezos blockchain for institutional investors.
- Tezos X Governance Upgrades (Q1 2026) – Enhancing on-chain voting and making the network more scalable and developer-friendly.
- Gaming Integration via Etherlink (2025–2026) – Partnering with major game studios to build blockchain-based games and support developers.
Deep Dive
1. Etherlink Layer 2 Expansion (Q4 2025)
Overview:
Etherlink is a Layer 2 solution on Tezos that works with Ethereum-compatible apps, aiming to make DeFi faster and cheaper. It offers transactions that happen in less than a second and cost less than a penny. Recent improvements include quick withdrawals (moving funds from Layer 2 back to the main Tezos blockchain in about a minute) and partnerships with platforms like Oku (which aggregates Uniswap v3 liquidity) and Midas (focused on tokenized assets). These efforts have helped Etherlink reach $47.7 million in total value locked (TVL). The next steps include building bridges to other blockchains for easier asset transfers and launching a $3 million fund to encourage developers to build on Etherlink (Etherlink team).
What this means:
This is positive for Tezos (XTZ) because lower fees and Ethereum compatibility can attract more developers and users. However, Etherlink faces competition from other Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum, which are already popular.
2. Tokenized Uranium Launch (2026)
Overview:
Arthur Breitman, one of Tezos’ co-founders, is leading uranium.io, a project to create digital tokens backed by physical uranium. This aims to give institutional investors a new way to invest in commodities through blockchain, using Tezos’ governance system that complies with regulations. Early partnerships with Hex Trust (custody services) and Lombard (liquidity providers) are helping connect traditional finance with decentralized finance (Cryptoslate).
What this means:
This could be a game-changer if regulatory approvals come through and institutions adopt it. It positions Tezos as a leader in tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs). However, delays or regulatory hurdles could slow progress.
3. Tezos X Governance Upgrades (Q1 2026)
Overview:
Tezos X is a plan to make the network more scalable and flexible. Upcoming upgrades will allow developers to write smart contracts in popular programming languages like JavaScript and Python. The Rio upgrade in May 2025 shortened staking cycles to one day, making it easier for users to participate. Future updates aim to decentralize who validates transactions and improve how Layer 2 solutions work together (TezDev 2025 keynote).
What this means:
These changes are good for the long-term health of Tezos because they make it easier for developers to build diverse applications. However, delays in rolling out these upgrades could slow down adoption.
4. Gaming Integration via Etherlink (2025–2026)
Overview:
Tezos is working with top-tier game studios to build blockchain-based games on Etherlink. They’re offering grants and marketing help to attract developers. At the TezDev 2025 conference, a surprise demo of a high-quality shooter game showed how microtransactions and NFTs can work in games. Partnerships with Quantix Capital, which has a $1 million fund for gaming projects, aim to bring traditional game developers into the blockchain space (The Defiant).
What this means:
This is a promising but uncertain area. Successful games could bring many new users to Tezos, but the blockchain gaming market is crowded, so standout titles are needed to make an impact.
Conclusion
Tezos is focusing on expanding Etherlink’s capabilities, bringing real-world assets like uranium onto the blockchain, and entering the gaming market to boost growth. While these technical upgrades and new projects could attract institutional and retail users, success depends on smooth execution and timing. The question remains: can Tezos use its flexible governance to stay ahead in the evolving blockchain landscape?
What updates are there in the XTZ code base?
Tezos is making steady progress with important upgrades and new features in its ecosystem.
- Rio Protocol Upgrade (May 1, 2025) – Introduced 1-day staking cycles and improved Layer 2 scalability.
- Faster Withdrawals on Etherlink (June 27, 2025) – Cut withdrawal times from Layer 2 to Layer 1 from 15 days down to about 1 minute.
- Liquid Staking with stXTZ (August 13, 2025) – Allows users to stake Tezos (XTZ) while still participating in decentralized finance (DeFi) and earning rewards.
Deep Dive
1. Rio Protocol Upgrade (May 1, 2025)
What happened: Activated at block 8,767,488, the Rio upgrade made staking more flexible by shortening staking cycles to just one day instead of several days. It also improved rewards for those helping with data availability, which supports faster Layer 2 solutions. Additionally, bakers (those who validate transactions) now face stricter penalties if they go offline, helping keep the network reliable.
Why it matters: Faster staking cycles mean users get their rewards quicker, making staking more attractive. The focus on data availability helps Tezos scale better by supporting Layer 2 technologies. Overall, this upgrade strengthens Tezos’ position as a modular and scalable blockchain. (Source)
2. Faster Withdrawals on Etherlink (June 27, 2025)
What happened: Etherlink, a bridge connecting Tezos Layer 2 to Layer 1, removed the usual 15-day waiting period for withdrawals. It uses decentralized liquidity pools and smart contracts to instantly transfer Tezos tokens back to the main network.
Why it matters: While this doesn’t directly affect the value of XTZ tokens, it improves user experience by making transfers much faster and more convenient. It also makes Etherlink more competitive compared to similar solutions on Ethereum. (Source)
3. Liquid Staking with stXTZ (August 13, 2025)
What happened: Stacy.fi introduced stXTZ on Etherlink, a token that represents staked Tezos but can be used in DeFi applications on Ethereum. This means users can earn staking rewards while still having liquidity to participate in lending, borrowing, and other DeFi activities.
Why it matters: This opens up new opportunities for Tezos holders by combining staking rewards with DeFi participation. It could also attract Ethereum DeFi users to the Tezos ecosystem, increasing its reach and utility. (Source)
Conclusion
Tezos is focusing on improving scalability (with the Rio upgrade), user experience (faster Etherlink withdrawals), and DeFi integration (stXTZ liquid staking). These developments support Tezos’ goal of offering a flexible platform for developers while maintaining strong, reliable infrastructure. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Tezos continues to bring together Layer 1 and Layer 2 features in 2026.
Why did the price of XTZ go up?
Tezos (XTZ) increased by 3.88% to $0.80 in the last 24 hours, outperforming the overall crypto market, which dropped 0.31%. This builds on a strong weekly gain of 13.24%. The main reasons behind this rise are:
- Growth in Etherlink DeFi – Total Value Locked (TVL) reached $47.7 million, helped by new liquid staking options and integration with Curve Finance.
- Technical breakout – The price broke through a key resistance level at $0.78, supported by positive technical indicators.
- Altcoin rotation – The CoinMarketCap (CMC) Altcoin Season Index jumped 69% over 30 days, favoring coins like XTZ.
Deep Dive
1. Etherlink DeFi Growth (Positive Impact)
Overview:
Etherlink, Tezos’ Layer 2 solution compatible with Ethereum’s technology, hit a new high with $47.7 million locked in its system. This growth follows the launch of stXTZ liquid staking (CoinMarketCap) and its integration with Curve Finance, a popular DeFi platform. Users can now stake their XTZ tokens and earn rewards through Etherlink’s $3 million incentive program.
What this means:
- Staking locks up XTZ tokens, reducing the number available for sale, which helps support the price (Bitvavo offers about 1.4% annual yield as of September 1).
- Etherlink’s compatibility with Ethereum attracts developers, with over 50 projects currently building on it.
What to watch:
Keep an eye on TVL growth—if it surpasses $50 million, it could indicate strong and lasting interest from larger investors.
2. Technical Breakout Confirmed (Positive Impact)
Overview:
XTZ’s price broke above the $0.78 resistance level, which was the 30-day simple moving average (SMA), showing signs of strength:
- The MACD histogram turned positive (+0.0062) for the first time since August 20, signaling upward momentum.
- The 7-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 68.22, indicating bullishness without being overbought.
- The price is trading above both the 7-day ($0.734) and 30-day ($0.773) SMAs.
What this means:
This breakout challenges the downward trend seen in August. Based on Fibonacci retracement levels, the price could move up to around $0.85.
3. Altcoin Season Tailwinds (Mixed Impact)
Overview:
The CMC Altcoin Season Index increased to 71 out of 100, a 69% rise over the past month. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s dominance in the market dropped to 56.84%. XTZ’s 25% gain over 60 days fits with investors shifting funds into mid-sized altcoins.
What this means:
- In the short term, XTZ benefits from a positive market mood toward altcoins.
- However, if Bitcoin regains dominance, altcoin prices, including XTZ, could fall quickly.
Conclusion
XTZ’s recent price increase is driven by specific improvements in its network, like Etherlink’s growing adoption, combined with favorable market trends. Technical indicators suggest the price could reach $0.85, but investors should watch for potential profit-taking around $0.82 to $0.85. The key factor to monitor is Etherlink’s TVL growth—any slowdown might indicate weakening momentum.