Cryptocurrency markets steadied on Thursday, Sept. 18, after absorbing two significant macro developments: the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate increase and the U.S. Senate's failed procedural vote on the CLARITY Act. Bitcoin held in a range around $76,000-$77,000, while several altcoins recorded stronger gains, with NEAR Protocol (NEAR), Uniswap (UNI) and Zcash (ZEC) among the assets showing elevated momentum.

The Federal Reserve raised its target rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00% on Sept. 16. A day earlier, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the CLARITY Act — the market-structure bill that would establish a federal framework for digital-asset trading — voting 49-50, which means the legislation does not advance to floor debate for now. Rate decisions that reset borrowing costs across the economy and the unresolved regulatory outlook in Washington are both part of the backdrop traders weigh alongside chart setups. Those events remain potential sources of volatility for digital assets. Even so, the technical setups in NEAR, UNI and ZEC now point to several key levels that traders are watching.

NEAR Protocol Price Prediction: Cup-and-Handle Points Higher

NEAR, a layer-1 smart-contract platform, has staged a strong comeback despite ongoing jitters across the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Its surge coincided with the recovery of most AI companies, including Nvidia and AMD, while other AI-linked tokens such as Venice and ICP were also in the green.

NEAR's price soared as demand for the token jumped. Its 24-hour trading volume rose 148% to $1.22 billion, and its market capitalization is approaching the crucial $4 billion resistance level.

The daily chart shows the token has climbed sharply over the past few months, moving from a low of $0.8490 in February to the current price near $3. That represents a 255% gain from its year-to-date low, making NEAR one of the market's best-performing tokens this year.

Technicals suggest the token has more upside. It has moved above both the 50-day and 100-day moving averages. A closer look shows NEAR is slowly forming a cup-and-handle pattern — a rounding base that analysts track for its measured-move projection — with the upper side of the cup at $308 and the lower side at $1.5400. The cup has a depth of $1.54, and adding that distance to the upper side produces a measured target of $4.62. The $3.08 rim is the level pattern-watchers are monitoring as the setup develops.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI), a momentum gauge, and the MACD indicator, which tracks trend shifts, have continued to rise, a sign that momentum is gaining. Taken together, these technicals point to further gains for the coin as the AI boom gathers steam.

Uniswap Price Prediction: Golden Cross Targets $10

UNI, the governance token of the Uniswap decentralized exchange, has also rebounded over the past few months and is now trading at its highest level since November 2025. The rebound accelerated as data showed that volume on the Uniswap platform was rising — a measure of activity on the protocol behind the token.

The protocol has handled over $48 billion in volume this month so far, meaning it is on track to surpass the $54 billion it processed last month. Whether the platform clears that figure is one of the data points to watch as the month closes.

The UNI token jumped as its trading volume continued to accelerate, with 24-hour volume up 90% to $1.2 billion. The token has climbed from a low of $2.32 in June to the current $7.6625 and has already broken above the key resistance level at $7.4615.

Most notably, UNI has formed a golden cross pattern, which occurs when the 50-day and 200-day moving averages cross each other — a chart signal technical analysts traditionally read as the potential start of a longer-term trend. As a result, the token is likely to keep rising, with bulls targeting the next key resistance level at $10 — roughly 30% above the current price.

Zcash Price Forecast: Record High With $1,500 in View

ZEC, the token of a privacy-focused network whose shielded pool obscures transaction details using zero-knowledge proofs, has been in a strong bull run this year and is now trading at a record high. The surge has been driven by rising demand for its shielded tokens and by gains in the recently launched ZEC ETF, as data points to growing investor interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. The ETF gives the token a venue alongside on-chain markets for investors who trade through traditional brokerage accounts.

The token has now broken above the crucial resistance level at $1,288, its highest point on Sept. 9. ZEC trades above all of its moving averages, a sign that bulls are in control for now. The most likely scenario is that the token continues rising, potentially toward the next psychological level of $1,500.

On the flip side, a drop below the crucial support level at $1,288 would invalidate the bullish outlook — making that former high the pivot level to watch in upcoming sessions.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Technical patterns, moving averages and price targets are conditional and do not guarantee future cryptocurrency performance.

This article was first published by The Market Periodical.