The crypto market remained relatively quiet on August 12, 2026, as traders looked ahead to the latest US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Canton, NEAR Protocol, and Chainlink were among the notable crypto gainers, while Audiera, Monero, and Uniswap faced selling pressure.
Bitcoin traded at $63,690.22, down 0.42% over the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, the total crypto market capitalization remained close to $2.19 trillion, showing little overall movement.
The upcoming US CPI report could become the key catalyst for the market. Forecasts point to a reading of 0.1%, compared with -0.4% last month. A stronger or weaker-than-expected inflation reading could influence expectations around monetary policy and create additional volatility across crypto assets.
The Fear and Greed Index stood at 37, keeping market sentiment in the Fear territory. The Altcoin Season Index was at 45 out of 100, according to CoinMarketCap at the time of writing.
Quick Highlights
- Canton, NEAR Protocol, and Chainlink were among today’s leading crypto gainers.
- Audiera, Monero, and Uniswap were among the notable losers.
- BEAT recorded a decline of more than 20%.
- Crypto liquidations fell 12.3% to $165.68 million in 24 hours.
- The US CPI report remains a major event for traders today.
Top Crypto Gainers Today
Canton, NEAR Protocol, and Chainlink stood out among today’s top-performing altcoins.
| Coin | Price | 24H Change | Market Cap |
| Canton (CC) | $0.09946 | +4.6% | $3.91B |
| NEAR Protocol (NEAR) | $1.64 | +2.93% | $2.14B |
| Chainlink (LINK) | $8.72 | +4% | $6.52B |
Canton (CC)
Canton recorded one of the strongest gains among the highlighted cryptocurrencies, rising 4.6% to $0.09946. Its market capitalization reached approximately $3.91 billion, while trading volume increased 37.38% to $25.55 million.
One of the main developments behind the positive attention was Canton Network’s announcement that Franklin Templeton had become a Super Validator through CIP-0118. The asset manager oversees more than $1.5 trillion, making the development significant for Canton’s institutional adoption narrative.
Canton also announced the launch of cETH, a wrapped ETH token, through a partnership involving Cancore and OnRails Finance. The token has been audited by Consensys Diligence.
Another update involved an integration connecting Alpend with OneSwap for on-chain liquidations. Together, these developments highlight continued activity around Canton’s network and ecosystem.
Top Crypto Losers Today
On the downside, Audiera, Monero, and Uniswap were among the cryptocurrencies facing selling pressure. BEAT also recorded a decline of more than 20%.
The weakness among these assets highlights the uneven performance across the altcoin market. While selected projects gained from fresh developments and increased activity, others experienced declines as traders remained cautious ahead of the CPI release.
What Could Happen Next?
The US CPI report could determine the market’s short-term direction. If inflation data comes in above expectations, traders could become more cautious toward risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Conversely, softer inflation data could improve sentiment and support renewed buying.
Bitcoin’s modest decline and the relatively stable total market capitalization suggest that traders may be waiting for clearer macroeconomic signals before making larger moves.
Conclusion
Today’s crypto market is showing a mixed picture, with Canton, NEAR Protocol, and Chainlink posting gains while several other altcoins remain under pressure. Canton’s institutional and ecosystem developments have helped attract attention, while broader market sentiment remains cautious.
With the US CPI report approaching, volatility could increase across Bitcoin and altcoins. Traders will likely watch the inflation data closely for clues about the broader direction of the crypto market in the coming days.
