Top gainers/losers of cryptocurrencies last week: M, ZEC, STORY, JUP

Altcoins led the growth wave last week, with M, MERL, and ZEC surging while IP, JUP, and GRT weakened, reflecting a volatile cryptocurrency market but still offering selective opportunities.

Despite interest rate cuts, Bitcoin remained relatively stable and Ethereum recovered more strongly, hinting at an altcoin season. Amidst investor patience being tested in the crypto market , some Token saw double-digit gains while many big names continued to decline.

Weekly Winners: The recovery momentum is spreading but needs confirmation above resistance.

MemeCore [M] — L1 following meme surges 42% but stumbles in the $1.90–$2.00 range.

M increased 42%, printing its first green weekly candle after 3 red weeks; the $1.90–$2.00 range is the crucial resistance for a breakout to $2.

To monitor Derivative price movements (OI/funding/liquidation) and gauge the "heat" around the $2 mark for M or $0.50 for MERL, traders can utilize BingX along with leveraged trading and Copy Trading tools to standardize risk management against the risk of a Short squeeze or bear trap.

The pullback brought M back to the trading range of late November, raising questions about the sustainability of the uptrend. However, the weekly RSI around 60 suggests it's not yet overbought. If the momentum holds, the scenario of a push to $2 USD remains open.

Selling pressure has returned with an intraday decline of 6.97% and supply hanging over the $1.90–$2.00 range. Holding this area could trigger a Short squeeze; conversely, rejection could easily pull the price back to lower support.

Merlin Chain [MERL] — Bitcoin L2 needs to break $0.50 to extend its rally.

MERL has surged 33% from $0.35, completing a consolidation-breakout pattern after eight weeks of sideways movement; a break above $0.50 is crucial for the trend to continue.

The current structure favors buyers: the HODLer base is expanding, and early FOMO signals are emerging. With this positive foundation, a bear trap around $0.50 is increasingly likely. If the week closes above $0.50, the short-term momentum could accelerate.

Zcash [ZEC] — The privacy Token is still hitting Dip.

ZEC surged 25%, breaking into a key crossover zone after leading the decline for three weeks; the move leans towards a Short squeeze and needs to consolidate sideways to maintain momentum.

Late Short positions that were trapped helped the price rebound strongly. Healthy scenario: further sideways consolidation before retargeting previous highs, then challenging $70. Prioritize observing price reaction at the new base and liquidation.

Other notable winners

Outside the major group, altcoin rockets are taking the wave: FOLKS is up 287%, NUMINE Token [NUMI] is up 187%, and Pippin [PIPPIN] is up 98%.

These are extended upward movements driven by high beta demand. However, high volatility often carries the risk of quick profit-taking; traders should prioritize position management and monitor strength after initial breakouts.

Weekly Losers: Downtrend continues to dominate many stocks.

Story [IP] — L1 wipes out last week's gains

IP fell 10%, marking seven consecutive red candles since breaking below $6; the possibility of a sweep of $1 remains.

Weak on-chain flows from many L1s make the decline in IP unlikely to be "gentle". The weekly RSI is around 38, not yet deeply oversold, implying there is still room for further decline. Bulls are temporarily finding it difficult to mount a sustained counterattack.

Jupiter [JUP] — Solana DEX loses key support levels

JUP fell 9.17% from its opening price of $0.22, approximately 50% lower than its previous high of $0.44; the risk of breaking below $0.20 remains high.

The bearish structure continues to dominate as bulls repeatedly fail to hold the $0.25 level as support. The 4% rebound at the end of November was not enough to reverse the trend, indicating that selling pressure remains dominant and there is a risk of breaking the Dip .

The Graph [GRT] — Data shows bears still in control

GRT fell 9%, but the chart looks somewhat more positive than JUP: buying pressure is still supporting the decline; volume needs to be monitored for confirmation.

Since Q3, GRT has made two attempts to accumulate around $0.08 and $0.07, but both were met with selling pressure. If the current support level holds and volume improves, a deeper accumulation phase may form before a reversal in status.

Other notable losers

In the broader market , sharp downward movements hit: Legacy Token [LGTC] -66%, OKZOO [AIOT] -64%, Pieverse [PIEVERSE] -52% as the momentum cooled down.

Deep drops often trigger a Dip-fishing reflex, but without confirmation of volume and structure, the risk of "catching a falling knife" remains high. Patiently waiting for new equilibrium zones to emerge is safer.

Surgery

The trading week was a rollercoaster: strong pumps, deep Dump , and constant Vai reversals. Disciplined risk management, waiting for confirmation above resistance, and high volume were key to reducing noise.

Final Thoughts

• MemeCore [M], Merlin Chain [MERL], and Zcash [ZEC] led the gains this week.
• Story [IP], Jupiter [JUP], and The Graph [GRT] are under significant selling pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the altcoin season begun yet?

ETH stronger recovery than BTC and the double-digit gains in many altcoins are early signs, but confirmation is needed through a breakout of resistance levels such as $0.50 for MERL or $2 for M, accompanied by improved market breadth and volume.

What are the key technical milestones to watch next week?

With M: $1.90–$2.00; MERL: $0.50; JUP: $0.20–$0.25; ZEC: $70; IP: $1. Observe the weekly candle closing and volume to assess the probability of a breakout or failure.

How can we manage risk during periods of high volatility?

Prioritize waiting for confirmation, use stop losses, Chia positions, and avoid FOMO after large candles. Monitor Derivative (OI/funding/liquidation) to identify Short squeezes/bear traps and limit trading when momentum is strong but the structure is unclear.