What could affect the price of XTZ?

Tezos is balancing new technology upgrades with market challenges, presenting both opportunities and risks.

1. Etherlink Growth – Layer 2 adoption and DeFi rewards may increase use but with some uncertainty (Mixed Impact)
2. Seoul Upgrade – Improved security and efficiency aimed at institutions (Positive Outlook)
3. RWA Tokenization – Progress with uranium.io faces potential regulatory hurdles (Mixed Impact)

In-Depth Look

1. Etherlink Ecosystem Expansion (Mixed Impact)

What’s happening: Tezos’ Layer 2 solution, Etherlink, which is compatible with Ethereum’s system, reached $60 million in total value locked (TVL) by September 2025. This growth was supported by a $3 million rewards program called Apple Farm. Etherlink also integrated with platforms like Curve Finance and Midas, which added $11 million in tokenized assets, expanding decentralized finance (DeFi) options.

Why it matters: While this growth shows that Etherlink is useful (Finbold), 58% of its activity is driven by rewards. The key question is whether users will continue to engage after these incentives end in November 2025, which will affect the demand for Tezos (XTZ) tokens.

2. Seoul Protocol Upgrade (Positive Outlook)

What’s happening: In September 2025, Tezos launched the Seoul upgrade, which added native multisignature features for institutional users and reduced the storage needs for network nodes by 63 times. More than 82% of validators adopted this upgrade within two weeks.

Why it matters: These improvements lower operating costs and increase security (Cryptobriefing), making Tezos more attractive to asset issuers. However, the price of XTZ remains volatile, with a 42% change over 30 days, indicating that investors are still waiting for clear signs of institutional investment.

3. Uranium Tokenization & Regulatory Risks (Mixed Impact)

What’s happening: Tezos’ uranium.io platform holds $28 million in tokenized uranium assets (xU3O8) as of October 2025. This is an innovative use of blockchain technology, but ongoing regulatory scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on similar tokenization projects creates uncertainty.

Why it matters: If successful, uranium.io could set Tezos apart in the real-world assets (RWA) space (Cryptoslate). However, regulatory crackdowns could slow progress. It’s important to watch quarterly audits of xU3O8 holdings and changes in U.S. regulations.

Conclusion

Tezos’ future price depends on whether Etherlink maintains user interest after rewards end and how uranium.io navigates regulatory challenges. The Seoul upgrade offers technical improvements, but XTZ remains sensitive to shifts in the broader crypto market, especially Bitcoin’s dominance at 58.7%.

Key question: Will Etherlink’s total value locked stay above $40 million after the Apple Farm rewards finish in November?

What are people saying about XTZ?

Talk around Tezos (XTZ) swings between exciting Layer 2 (L2) progress and concerns about the price being too high. Here’s the quick summary:

1. Etherlink’s DeFi growth sparks positive price moves
2. Big investors (whales) push rallies but some are cashing out
3. New liquid staking boosts ecosystem usefulness

Deep Dive

1. @johnmorganFL: XTZ breaks a 7-month downtrend—good sign

"XTZ Breaks Downtrend With 21% Weekly Rally" — XTZ price jumped above $0.75, with technical indicators showing strength, and Etherlink’s total value locked (TVL) in DeFi reaching $45.4 million, up 8% in a week.
– @johnmorganFL (89K followers · 12.7K impressions · July 19, 2025)
View original post
What this means: Positive for XTZ as both price trends and real-world use of Etherlink’s DeFi services are improving.

2. @BRONDOR: Price could hit $1.40 if $1.10 holds

"Tezos blew past resistance like soft paper… Altseason isn’t coming. It’s printing." — XTZ surged 42% in 24 hours with trading volume jumping to $411 million.
– @BRONDOR (CoinMarketCap post · July 20, 2025)
View original post
What this means: Strong upward momentum driven by investors moving into altcoins, but if the $1.10 price level doesn’t hold, the price could become more volatile.

3. @tezos: Tezos highlights network strength

"When your network can’t keep up, try Tezos" — a marketing message promoting Tezos as a scalable alternative to Ethereum and other Layer 1 blockchains facing challenges.
– @tezos (1.2M followers · 58K impressions · October 12, 2025)
View original post
What this means: Neutral—this is more about branding and awareness than immediate price impact.

4. AMBCrypto: Big investors buying but also taking profits

Reports a 112% price increase over the past month, driven by whales increasing their positions (open interest up 343%), but also notes $4.5 million moving out to exchanges, suggesting some selling.
– AMBCrypto (Published July 21, 2025)
What this means: Mixed signals—whales are supporting the price, but the high Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 93 warns that a price correction could happen soon.

Conclusion

Overall, the outlook for Tezos (XTZ) is bullish, thanks to growing use of Etherlink’s DeFi platform and strong technical signals. However, watch for potential pullbacks as some investors take profits and valuations get stretched. Key levels to watch are Etherlink’s TVL aiming for $100 million by Q3 and the $1.10 price support—if that breaks, it could either confirm a continued rally or trigger a sell-off.

What is the latest news about XTZ?

Tezos is balancing excitement around gaming with important upgrades for businesses, while digital art on its platform is gaining real-world attention. Here are the key updates:

1. Reaper Actual Alpha Launch (October 8, 2025) – A new crypto-based shooter game starts testing, allowing players to trade optional NFT assets.
2. Seoul Protocol Upgrade (September 4, 2025) – Major improvements in security and efficiency aimed at attracting institutional users.
3. Art on Tezos Berlin (September 18, 2025) – Over 200 artists will showcase blockchain-created art in a November exhibition.

Deep Dive

1. Reaper Actual Alpha Launch (October 8, 2025)

Overview: John Smedley, co-creator of EverQuest, has launched the alpha version of Reaper Actual, a team-based shooter game built on Tezos. Players can buy bases priced between $29.99 and $74.99 and trade in-game items as NFTs through a platform called Etherlink. The game focuses more on player skill than on crypto features, with Smedley estimating that only 8% to 30% of players will use NFTs at first.
What this means: This is neutral for Tezos (XTZ). The game might bring more mainstream gamers into the Tezos ecosystem, but there is still some doubt about how well Web3 (blockchain-based) features will be accepted. Early signs like NFT trading activity will help show its impact. (Decrypt)

2. Seoul Protocol Upgrade (September 4, 2025)

Overview: Tezos’ 19th system upgrade introduced native multisignature wallets, which allow multiple people to approve transactions—important for businesses. It also reduced the data needed to validate the blockchain by 63 times, from 900 MB per day to just 14 MB. Staking (locking up tokens to support the network) is now simpler with one-click unstaking, though the 4-day waiting period remains.
What this means: This is positive for Tezos (XTZ). The improved security and efficiency make the platform more attractive to companies interested in tokenizing assets. These changes support Tezos’ goal of practical, real-world use cases, like its project to tokenize uranium. (CryptoBriefing)

3. Art on Tezos Berlin (September 18, 2025)

Overview: From November 6 to 9, 2025, a Berlin exhibition will feature over 200 digital artists showcasing works minted (created) on Tezos. The event includes partnerships with major museums like MoMA and Musée d’Orsay. Tezos is highlighted for its energy-efficient blockchain and low costs compared to other platforms.
What this means: This is neutral to positive for Tezos (XTZ). Although NFT markets can be unpredictable, collaborations with respected cultural institutions boost Tezos’ reputation in the digital art world. This could help maintain long-term interest and activity in its ecosystem. (Crypto.News)

Conclusion

Tezos is combining gaming innovation, strong technical upgrades, and cultural partnerships to build a unique position beyond just trading speculation. While short-term price changes will still follow the overall market, projects like Reaper Actual and the Seoul Protocol upgrade show Tezos expanding its practical uses. The question remains: will Smedley’s approach of optional NFTs help blockchain gaming reach a wider audience?

What is expected in the development of XTZ?

Tezos is making important progress with these upcoming developments:

1. Liquid Staking with stXTZ (Q4 2025) – Launching stXTZ on Etherlink to let users earn staking rewards while using their tokens in decentralized finance (DeFi) apps.
2. Expanding Etherlink DeFi (2026) – Introducing institutional-grade tokenized assets and deeper integration with Curve Finance.
3. Tezos X Scalability Upgrades (2026) – Improving developer tools and enabling cross-chain features through Tezlink.
4. Growing the Gaming Ecosystem (2026) – Launching major games like Reaper Actual and building infrastructure for fast, small transactions.

Deep Dive

1. Liquid Staking with stXTZ (Q4 2025)

What’s happening:
Stacy.fi will launch stXTZ, a liquid staking version of Tezos’ XTZ token, on Etherlink (Tezos’ Layer 2 network). This means users can stake their XTZ to earn rewards and still use stXTZ tokens in DeFi platforms like IguanaDEX and Superlend. The system uses Chainlink oracles to provide real-time pricing and bridges assets between Tezos’ main network and Etherlink (CryptoPotato).

Why it matters:

• Positive: This makes staking more flexible and attracts more liquidity to Etherlink’s DeFi ecosystem.
• Consideration: Success depends on Etherlink competing well against other Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum.

2. Expanding Etherlink DeFi (2026)

What’s happening:
Midas is partnering with Etherlink to offer tokenized yield products, such as mMEV (for MEV strategies) and mRe7YIELD (for DeFi alpha). These products aim to connect institutional investors with on-chain yield opportunities. Etherlink’s total value locked (TVL) reached $47.7 million in August 2025, helped by Curve Finance integration and a $3 million incentive program (U.Today).

Why it matters:

• Positive: Positions Tezos as a strong platform for tokenizing real-world assets, thanks to low fees (around $0.001) and compatibility with Ethereum tools.
• Consideration: Regulatory challenges around tokenized commodities, like uranium through Uranium.io, could slow progress.

3. Tezos X Scalability Upgrades (2026)

What’s happening:
Tezos X is focused on making the blockchain more modular. Tezlink will allow developers to build smart contracts using Michelson or SmartPy on the main network while accessing Etherlink’s liquidity. The upgrades will also support popular programming languages like JavaScript and Python to attract more developers (TezDev 2025 Keynote).

Why it matters:

• Positive: Makes it easier for mainstream developers to create decentralized apps (dApps), potentially speeding up growth.
• Consideration: Competing with Ethereum’s well-established developer tools remains a challenge.

4. Growing the Gaming Ecosystem (2026)

What’s happening:
Etherlink is targeting the gaming market by offering fast transaction finality and NFT-friendly features. The open-world shooter Reaper Actual will launch with player-owned bases and modding tools. Quantix Capital is supporting indie game studios with a $1 million gaming fund (Tezos Gaming Announcement).

Why it matters:

• Positive: High-profile gaming projects could boost retail interest and increase the use of XTZ tokens.
• Consideration: Sustained user engagement is needed to avoid the platform becoming inactive or niche.

Conclusion

Tezos is focusing heavily on Etherlink’s DeFi capabilities, liquid staking, and gaming—key areas to watch for future adoption. Its modular design and on-chain governance provide flexibility, but success will depend on overcoming Ethereum’s strong network effects. Will Tezos’ emphasis on real-world assets and gaming help it stand out in the crowded Layer 2 space?

What updates are there in the XTZ code base?

Tezos is making important upgrades to its system that improve security, speed, and ease of use.

1. Built-in Multisignature Security & Efficiency Boost (September 4, 2025) – Stronger security for institutions and 63 times less data needed to verify transactions.
2. More Flexible Staking & Faster Layer 2 Scaling (May 9, 2025) – Easier rewards and quicker operations on Layer 2 solutions.

Deep Dive

1. Built-in Multisignature Security & Efficiency Boost (September 4, 2025)

Overview: The Seoul upgrade added a new feature called protocol-native multisignature (multisig), which lets multiple people approve transactions together in a simpler way. It also cut down the amount of data needed to check transactions by 63 times, making it easier for more people to run network nodes.

This upgrade uses a technology called BLS signatures to combine multiple approvals into one transaction. This removes the need for outside multisig tools. At the same time, the daily data needed to validate transactions dropped from about 900 MB to just 14 MB, lowering the hardware requirements for network participants.

What this means: This is great news for Tezos. Institutions can now safely manage assets together on the blockchain, and smaller users can more easily participate by running nodes. The efficiency improvements also help transactions finalize faster, which is important for decentralized finance (DeFi) and business applications.
(Source)

2. More Flexible Staking & Faster Layer 2 Scaling (May 9, 2025)

Overview: The Rio upgrade changed how staking works by shortening the staking cycle to just one day and improving rewards for supporting the Data Availability Layer (DAL), which helps Layer 2 solutions run more smoothly.

Shorter staking cycles mean users can access their staked funds faster. The DAL rewards encourage validators (called bakers in Tezos) to support rollups like Etherlink, Tezos’ Layer 2 solution compatible with Ethereum’s technology, which increases the network’s capacity.

What this means: This is a positive step for Tezos. Staking is now more user-friendly, and the focus on Layer 2 scaling supports the network’s growth. This is especially important as Etherlink’s total value locked (TVL) grew by 6,200% in the first quarter of 2025.
(Source)

Conclusion

Tezos is focusing on two main goals: making the network more secure and ready for institutions with Seoul’s multisig upgrade, and speeding up Layer 2 adoption with Rio’s staking improvements. With these efficiency gains and DeFi projects like Etherlink, Tezos is well-positioned to use its unique self-amending governance to stay ahead in the race to tokenize real-world assets.

Why did the price of XTZ go up?

Tezos (XTZ) increased by 8.64% in the last 24 hours, outperforming the overall crypto market’s 5.48% gain. This rise is driven by a combination of growing activity in its ecosystem, positive technical signals, and a shift in investor interest toward alternative cryptocurrencies.

1. GameFi Boost: The alpha release of the crypto shooter game Reaper Actual is encouraging more people to buy XTZ.
2. Etherlink Growth: Integration with KuCoin and reaching $60 million in total value locked (TVL) is helping decentralized finance (DeFi) activity on Tezos.
3. Technical Recovery: Oversold conditions triggered buying after a period of price decline.

Deep Dive

1. Reaper Actual Game Launch (Positive Impact)

Overview:
Reaper Actual, a shooter game created by John Smedley (co-creator of EverQuest), began alpha testing on October 8. To play, users must buy XTZ tokens (at least $29.99), which creates direct demand for the coin.

What this means:

• Increased demand: Players need XTZ to buy in-game items and NFTs (which are minted on the Etherlink network), boosting short-term use of the token.
• Improved sentiment: High-profile gaming projects tend to attract speculative interest, especially from users transitioning from traditional gaming (Web2) to blockchain-based gaming (Web3).

What to watch:
Keep an eye on how many players continue to engage with the game after the initial launch excitement.

2. Etherlink Ecosystem Expansion (Mixed Impact)

Overview:
Etherlink, Tezos’ Layer 2 chain compatible with Ethereum’s virtual machine (EVM), reached $60 million in TVL on September 11. This growth is supported by liquid staking (stXTZ) and DeFi protocols like Gearbox and Superlend. On the same day, KuCoin added support for direct XTZ deposits and withdrawals on Etherlink, making it easier to use.

What this means:

• Growing institutional interest: Real-world asset adoption is increasing, with products like tokenized uranium (xU3O8) managed by Hex Trust and Midas offering yield opportunities.
• Liquidity concerns: Although $60 million TVL is a positive sign, it’s still small compared to competitors like Arbitrum, which has $2.5 billion TVL, limiting Etherlink’s growth potential for now.

3. Technical Rebound (Neutral)

Overview:
XTZ’s recent price jump came after technical indicators showed it was oversold:

• RSI7 (Relative Strength Index over 7 days) was at 24.75, indicating the coin was deeply oversold.
• MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) showed bearish momentum, but signs of exhaustion suggested a possible price rebound.

What this means:
Traders likely saw XTZ as undervalued after it dropped nearly 29% over 60 days. However, the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $0.753 remains a key resistance level to watch.

Conclusion

Tezos’ recent price increase is driven by new gaming demand, progress in its Etherlink DeFi ecosystem, and a technical bounce after being oversold. While the short-term outlook is positive, long-term success depends on sustained player engagement with Reaper Actual and continued growth in Etherlink’s capital inflows.

Key point to watch: Can XTZ stay above the 30-day simple moving average (SMA) at $0.709 to confirm a trend reversal? Also, monitor on-chain activity for adoption of stXTZ and XTZ tokens used in gaming-related transactions.