Altcoins showed renewed strength over the weekend, with Dogecoin taking the lead after news of a potential exchange-traded fund (ETF). Alongside it, XRP, TRON, and Solana also posted gains, signaling that investor sentiment may be shifting back toward riskier assets after weeks of consolidation.

Dogecoin Jumps on ETF Speculation

Dogecoin surged 5.1% in the past 24 hours, climbing to $0.22. The move came after ETF provider REX Shares revealed plans for a Dogecoin-focused fund. This proposal helped fuel optimism that more digital assets could soon receive ETF approval in the U.S., following the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum funds earlier this year.

Nate Geraci, President of NovaDius Wealth Management, commented on social media that the ETF market for digital assets could see “a wild two months ahead,” hinting at greater institutional and retail activity.

Dogecoin’s price response to the ETF news shows how closely markets are watching regulatory developments and financial products tied to crypto. The token, which has historically been highly sensitive to community-driven and speculative events, is once again at the center of market discussions.

TRON Rises on Justin Sun Headlines

TRON also participated in the weekend rally, posting a 2.4% increase. Much of the buzz stemmed from headlines tied to founder Justin Sun, who was briefly caught in controversy after the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial project blacklisted one of his wallets during a test transaction.

Despite the drama, the news generated increased attention for TRON, which continues to maintain a strong presence in decentralized finance and blockchain payments. According to analysts, the publicity gave the TRON community renewed energy, helping the token’s price push higher.

Stephen Gregory, founder of trading platform Vtrader, noted that events like these tend to ignite “passion in the degen base of crypto,” highlighting how publicity around Sun often surge renewed interest in TRON.

XRP and Solana Add Modest Gains

Meanwhile, XRP rose about 2% and Solana added to the overall positive sentiment in altcoin markets. Both tokens have been consolidating in recent weeks but remain favorites among retail traders seeking large-cap digital assets outside of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

For XRP, optimism continues to center on Ripple’s growing influence in institutional digital asset adoption. Solana, on the other hand, benefits from its ecosystem of decentralized applications, fast transaction speeds, and increasing adoption in blockchain gaming and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

These factors combined to help sustain buying activity during a weekend that could have otherwise been weighed down by macroeconomic uncertainty.

Market Context: Jobs Data and Rate Cuts

The rally comes shortly after the release of disappointing U.S. jobs data on Friday. Nonfarm payrolls rose by only 22,000 in August, well below estimates of 75,000. The weaker numbers fueled expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates at its upcoming September meeting.

September rate cut odds are now above 90%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. While lower rates are typically supportive of risk assets like crypto, analysts caution that economic weakness could also dampen broader market sentiment.

Gregory believes the situation may be setting up a stronger final quarter for crypto markets. “Alt-season is brewing,” he said, pointing to the combination of high retail engagement and supportive monetary policy expectations.

What Traders Should Watch Next

While the short-term rally has lifted altcoin prices, analysts warn that macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain. Core inflation remains above 3%, which complicates the Fed’s balancing act between maintaining price stability and supporting employment.

In addition, Bitcoin’s sideways trading near $111,000 shows that the market leader is still consolidating. Without stronger ETF inflows or increased liquidity, large-cap digital assets may remain range-bound in the near term.

Still, positive catalysts like stablecoin inflows, declining exchange reserves, and growing institutional interest in Ethereum suggest that the broader crypto market has plenty of dry powder for potential rallies.

Outlook for Q4

Looking ahead, traders will be watching closely how ETF developments unfold, especially if the proposed Dogecoin fund gains traction. Regulatory approvals or denials could act as major catalysts for altcoin markets.

For TRON and Solana, ecosystem growth and developer activity remain key drivers. XRP’s trajectory, meanwhile, continues to hinge on Ripple’s regulatory position and its expansion into global finance.

With September’s Federal Reserve meeting and rising retail participation, many analysts see the possibility of a bullish setup heading into Q4. While risks remain, the latest rebound in Dogecoin, XRP, TRON, and Solana suggests that investor appetite for altcoins is strengthening once again.