July Brings Key Crypto Upgrades: INJ, $JUP, QTUM & More Down Up to 18%, Eyes on Testnets & Launches

INJ, JUP, and QTUM fell by 18 percent and showed no signs of a weak project, but the overall market volatility.

ZetaChain and Soso Network are introducing testnets with the potential to address key interoperability and DeFi restrictions.

The mood is weak in the face of macroeconomic factors and liquidity strains despite the novel enhancements.

The crypto market entered July with higher volatility as several prominent tokens like Injective (INJ), Jupiter ($JUP), and Qtum (QTUM) posted massive declines. Based on leading market trackers, these assets made drops of up to 18% amidst profit-taking and caution on the side of investors regarding the upcoming technology upgrades

Despite these price drops, market observers remain interested in several key blockchain developments this month, including the anticipated testnets and mainnet launches of ZetaChain (ZETA) and Soso Network (SOSO). Each of these is viewed as an exceptional bits of tech that has the potential to revolutionize the entire crypto universe.

INJ (Injective): Facing Market Pressure Despite Strong Technical Foundation

Injective (INJ) experienced a decline of approximately 15–18% this week, reflecting broader market weakness rather than internal project flaws. As a blockchain optimized for decentralized finance (DeFi) and derivatives trading, Injective has maintained a strong technological position

However, the market correction saw traders lock in profits after its recent rally, aligning with typical cyclical patterns in altcoins. Analysts indicate that, despite the downturn, Injective’s upcoming ecosystem updates could offer long-term growth catalysts once broader sentiment stabilizes.

JUP (Jupiter): Volatility Hits Solana-Based DEX Aggregator

Jupiter ($JUP), a key decentralized exchange aggregator on the Solana network, also faced an 11–16% price decline amid shifting market dynamics. As Solana’s DeFi ecosystem matures, Jupiter remains critical to liquidity routing and token swaps

However, recent macroeconomic uncertainty and Solana’s network volatility have contributed to near-term selling pressure. Jupiter’s roadmap includes new liquidity integrations and trading innovations, but market participants appear to be waiting for proof of sustained network stability before re-entering positions.

QTUM: Legacy Smart Contract Platform Struggles for Momentum

QTUM, the original smart contract platform to blend Bitcoin's UTXO model with Ethereum's EVM compatibility, lost about 10–14% this week. Despite its efforts to re-imagine its root infrastructure, QTUM has struggled to steal share from newer, nimbler layer-1 chains. The next couple of months will be critical as the team enhances scaling upgrades and developer tooling in a bid to re-prioritize ecosystem development. In the meantime, QTUM finds itself in a tight position as competition in the smart contract space heats up.

ZETA (ZetaChain): Preparing for a Groundbreaking Testnet

ZetaChain’s anticipated testnet launch this month is positioned as one of the most exceptional interoperability milestones in 2025. The project is developing an innovative, unified layer for cross-chain communication without relying on wrapped assets or complex bridges. Analysts describe ZetaChain as a potentially revolutionary solution for multi-chain application developers. Market participants will be watching whether the testnet demonstrates superior security and usability—two key areas that have hampered past interoperability efforts.

SOSO (Soso Network): Launching a Premier DeFi-Centric Testnet

Soso Network, a rising blockchain platform focused on DeFi applications, is targeting an innovative testnet launch that could unlock new liquidity pathways across multiple chains. Industry insiders label the project as dynamic and potentially high-yield, given its focus on seamless cross-chain lending and swaps.

SOSO's success will depend on attracting elite developers and forging partnerships within the DeFi space. Its upcoming releases are expected to be a litmus test for whether new layer-1s can still capture market attention in an increasingly saturated field.