The US government has now shut down, creating uncertainty in traditional markets. A weaker dollar during the shutdown could favor risk assets like Bitcoin and top altcoins. Historical data shows that markets often recover within 12 months after shutdowns, giving context for strategic positioning.
October 2025 is also shaping up as a critical month for altcoins. Potential ETF approvals could drive bullish price action. Five altcoins stand out for their positioning and growth:
Cardano (ADA):
The SEC will decide on the Grayscale ADA ETF by October 26. Polymarket shows a 90% chance of approval this year. Approval could trigger institutional inflows and push ADA closer to its all-time high of $3.09. Currently, ADA trades at $0.79 with a market cap of $28.9 billion.
Ripple (XRP):
Ripple has six pending XRP spot ETF filings in October. Poly Market predicts a 99% chance that at least one will be approved. XRP trades at $2.85 with a market cap of $170 billion. An approval would likely push the price and attract institutional investors.
Solana (SOL):
Solana could gain from ETF approvals between October 10–16. Approval could bring billions in institutional capital. SOL trades at $209 with a $112 billion market cap. Analysts expect that in a bull run, SOL could reach $800–$1,000.
Chainlink (LINK):
LINK has two pending SEC filings. Partnerships with ICE and the US Department of Commerce enhance its institutional credibility by bringing high-quality data on-chain. LINK trades around $21.9 with a $14.2 billion market cap, down nearly 9% in the past month, which may present a buying opportunity.
Stellar (XLM):
XLM has two ETF filings, including the NASDAQ Crypto Index US ETF and a Grayscale filing. These filings improve access for institutional and retail investors, potentially increasing liquidity and demand. XLM trades at $0.3612 with a market cap of $11.6 billion and has gained 275% over the past year.
