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Bitcoin fell below 100000 as risk-off sentiment spread across financial markets following the U.S. government’s reopening and the uncertainty created by missing economic data. Concerns over disrupted statistical reporting, including the absence of key inflation and jobs figures, added to investor caution. This weaker macro backdrop coincided with a sharp increase in selling from long-term Bitcoin holders, who offloaded more than 815000 BTC over the past month, marking the highest level of distribution since early 2024.
At the same time, demand in the spot market deteriorated as ETFs recorded outflows, the Coinbase premium turned negative, and whale selling met limited buy-side support. With earlier sources of steady demand no longer absorbing market pressure, Bitcoin’s bullish momentum continued to weaken. Prediction markets also reflected a shift toward caution, and analysts warned that a break below 98000 could push the price further into the 90000 range as traders look for clearer macro signals before reentering the market. Source
Threshold has introduced significant upgrades to its tBTC bridge to make it easier for institutions and large Bitcoin holders to participate in decentralized finance. The new system allows institutions to mint tBTC directly to supported chains in a single Bitcoin transaction without secondary approvals or gas fees, while redemptions back to the Bitcoin network remain simple and direct. Threshold believes these improvements will encourage institutions to put their Bitcoin to work in lending, liquidity provision, and yield-generating opportunities rather than leaving it idle. Each tBTC is backed 1:1 by Bitcoin through a decentralized threshold-signing mechanism requiring 51 of 100 node operators, removing reliance on custodians.
With more than $500 billion in institutional and whale-held Bitcoin potentially able to move onchain, the upgrade could drive major liquidity into ecosystems such as Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, and Sui. Threshold has processed over $4.2 billion in cumulative volume since launch and competes with centralized bridging models like Wrapped Bitcoin and renBTC, which still dominate in trading volume. The platform argues that bringing more Bitcoin into DeFi will strengthen the sector by deepening liquidity across exchanges and lending protocols while supporting more sustainable yields. Source
Bitcoin slipped toward 98000 after repeated failures to reclaim the 100000 to 102000 support band, with long-term holders having sold more than 815000 BTC in the past month. Liquidity maps show a heavy cluster of downside liquidity between 98000 and 100000, and analysts note that this area aligns with a series of weakening higher lows. Futures data reveals that more than 1.3 billion in long liquidations sits at the 98000 level, increasing the probability of a sweep off these lows as traders remain positioned heavily to the long side despite mounting technical risks.
The fourth retest of the same support range since May 2025 suggests structural exhaustion, reducing buyer conviction and raising the likelihood of a deeper pullback. While some analysts argue that higher levels such as 108000 could still trigger an upside squeeze, current price action reflects softness on both daily and weekly charts. Futures positioning remains majority long, showing continued faith in the 100000 floor even as indicators point to a possible move lower before any meaningful recovery attempt. Source
A new report from Glassnode and Keyrock shows that Bitcoin and Ether are diverging sharply in their monetary behaviour, with Bitcoin evolving into a slow-moving savings asset while Ethereum functions as a high-velocity utility asset. Bitcoin’s supply is increasingly dormant, with 61% of coins untouched for a year and turnover near historical lows, reinforcing its position as a store of value similar to gold. Ether, by contrast, is circulating more rapidly as long-term holders spend coins at roughly three times the pace of Bitcoin holders, supported by the expansion of staking, collateral use, and institutional wrappers. About one quarter of all Ether is locked in staking or ETFs, contributing to its growing role as a productive onchain asset.
Both assets are leaving exchanges at accelerating rates, with Ethereum’s exchange balance dropping far faster than Bitcoin’s, as more coins migrate into long-term institutional custody. Analysts differ on how this divergence should be interpreted: some see Ethereum’s high utility as a strength, while others argue it exposes structural vulnerabilities as Bitcoin continues to dominate large-scale treasury flows. Research from 10x suggests that Ethereum-focused firms may be losing momentum, with treasury-driven accumulation cycles weakening, even though entities like Bitmine continue adding to their reserves. Source
Wrapped Bitcoin has expanded to the Hedera network, bringing tokenized Bitcoin and added liquidity to Hedera’s growing decentralized finance ecosystem. The integration, supported by BitGo, BiT Global, and LayerZero, enables BTC holders to use their assets across lending, trading, and other smart contract applications while keeping full Bitcoin backing in custody. Hedera’s design, which avoids frontrunning and MEV, aims to offer a more predictable environment for DeFi activity as its total value locked continues to rise alongside renewed interest in the network’s low-fee infrastructure.
The move also reflects a broader trend of Bitcoin migrating into DeFi through wrapped and synthetic forms, as industry participants argue that Bitcoin’s scale makes it ideal for powering its own financial ecosystem. Proponents say Bitcoin DeFi could evolve into a trustless system where BTC becomes productive rather than remaining idle. Exchanges and research firms such as Binance have highlighted this sector, suggesting that expanding Bitcoin’s utility through platforms like Hedera may support its adoption and strengthen sentiment over the longer term. Source
Canary Capital’s spot XRP ETF launched with 58 million in first-day trading volume, marking the strongest ETF debut of the year despite a broader downturn across crypto markets. The fund surpassed early projections within minutes of opening and slightly outperformed the recent Solana ETF debut. XRPC closed its first session down 7.8 percent at 24.55, while the overall crypto market saw declines in Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, highlighting the strength of demand for new XRP exposure even in a risk-off environment.
Analysts say the debut underscores both XRP’s loyal retail base and renewed institutional interest following regulatory clarity around the asset’s status. Early flows reflected a mix of organic demand, institutional participation through a regulated wrapper, and activity from liquidity providers managing arbitrage opportunities. The longer-term signal will depend on whether inflows continue beyond launch day, potentially indicating that institutions view XRPC as a lasting allocation rather than a short-lived trading opportunity. Source
Coinbase criticized a push from major US banking groups to ban merchant rewards, cashbacks and discounts for customers who pay with stablecoins, arguing that such a restriction has no legal basis under the GENIUS Act and would be an overreach by regulators. The exchange said the banking sector is wrongly claiming that these benefits amount to an indirect form of interest, even though the law only prohibits stablecoin issuers from offering yield. Coinbase’s policy chief called the request unamerican, saying banks should not be able to dictate how users spend their own money once it has been issued.
Banks fear stablecoin adoption could drain trillions in deposits and weaken their lending model, while Coinbase argues that stablecoins could dramatically reduce the 180 billion in card fees merchants paid in 2024. Preventing third parties from offering rewards would hinder stablecoin adoption and keep merchants reliant on the traditional payments system. Coinbase, which benefits from greater stablecoin use through increased trading activity, warned that exchange-linked credit card rewards could be at risk but expressed confidence that regulators will ultimately reject the banking lobby’s position. Source
Markethive presents a decentralized ecosystem that integrates cryptocurrency, marketing tools, and social networking to empower entrepreneurs and promote financial independence. Its system is built around a hierarchy of digital assets, each serving a distinct role. Markethive Credit functions as a stable unit of commerce used for purchases, staking, and earning interest within the platform, while Hivecoin operates as the primary transactional cryptocurrency that fuels engagement, rewards users, and unlocks premium services. Additional payment methods, including Bitcoin and traditional cards, further enhance accessibility and stability, ensuring users can participate regardless of geographic or financial limitations.
The ecosystem also includes various earning mechanisms such as faucets, micropayments, merit-based tipping, and educational incentives, allowing users to accumulate Hivecoin through participation, content creation, and social engagement. Markethive encourages long-term involvement through discounts on services purchased with Hivecoin and gamified rewards that strengthen community growth. By integrating diverse payment systems and offering multiple earning avenues, Markethive fosters a self-sustaining digital economy designed to help individuals build influence, grow their brands, and achieve financial empowerment within a supportive, interconnected environment. Source
Bitcoin miners and crypto-related stocks fell sharply as ongoing economic uncertainty pressured digital assets and broader risk markets. Leading mining firms such as Bitdeer, Bitfarms, and Cipher Mining saw steep monthly declines, with several dropping more than 10% in a single day. The slump coincided with Bitcoin sliding below 99,000 for the first time since early May, extending a downturn that has pushed it more than 20% off its recent peak. Other major cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum and Solana, also hit multi-month lows, while prominent crypto-exposed companies such as Galaxy Digital, Robinhood, and Coinbase recorded significant losses. Traditional equity indexes were similarly in decline, reflecting investors’ retreat from tech and speculative assets.
Market instability deepened after the government shutdown delayed the release of the October Consumer Price Index, leaving markets without key inflation data. Forecasts suggested inflation remained above the central bank’s target, adding to concerns that interest rate cuts may be delayed. Meanwhile, employment indicators showed weakening labor conditions, contributing further to risk aversion across markets. Despite the downturn, prediction markets indicated cautious optimism, with a majority expecting Bitcoin to rise to 115,000 rather than fall to 85,000. Source
Kraken’s co-CEO Arjun Sethi said the company has no urgency to pursue a public listing in the United States, despite a more favorable regulatory environment and a wave of crypto firms going public. He emphasized that Kraken is financially strong, well-capitalized, and capable of managing its own risk without needing to tap public markets. While reports since 2024 have suggested an IPO could come as early as 2026, Sethi stressed that Kraken is not influenced by market hype or the recent listings of competitors such as Grayscale, Gemini, Bullish, eToro, Figure, and BitGo.
Sethi added that the surge of IPOs provides helpful transparency to the market but does not create pressure for Kraken to follow suit. The exchange, founded in 2011 and valued at 15 billion after a major funding round, remains focused on long-term strategy rather than short-term market movements. He also dismissed concerns about Bitcoin’s recent price decline, noting that volatility is typical across all asset classes and that the underlying investment thesis for Bitcoin and Ethereum is more important than temporary price swings. Source
Jack Dorsey’s Cash App is introducing a stablecoin feature that will allow users to send digital dollars using multiple stablecoins and blockchain networks, initially leveraging Solana for USDC payments. The app aims to provide fast, inexpensive transactions while supporting a range of digital currencies, complementing Cash App’s existing fiat infrastructure. This move reflects a broader trend of mainstream adoption of stablecoins following regulatory developments like the GENIUS Act and aligns with initiatives from companies and institutions such as JP Morgan, Meta, Amazon, and the state of Wyoming.
In addition to stablecoins, Cash App is enhancing Bitcoin functionality by enabling payments through the Lightning Network, allowing users to pay in dollars while merchants receive Bitcoin. The platform also launched a map showing local businesses that accept Bitcoin, further supporting cryptocurrency use in everyday transactions. While Dorsey remains a vocal Bitcoin advocate, the introduction of stablecoins demonstrates a pragmatic approach to expanding Cash App’s payment capabilities, aiming for broader adoption of digital currencies while keeping the system flexible and chain-agnostic. Source
A malicious Chrome extension called “Safery: Ethereum Wallet” has been identified as a threat to users’ crypto assets, using a hidden backdoor to steal seed phrases. The extension, which appears as the fourth result in searches for “Ethereum Wallet,” claims to provide secure Ethereum wallet management but instead encodes users’ BIP-39 mnemonics into synthetic Sui addresses and broadcasts tiny transactions to a threat actor-controlled wallet. This process allows the attacker to reconstruct seed phrases and gain access to both newly created and imported wallets, putting all funds at risk immediately upon use.
Users are advised to exercise caution when installing wallet extensions, especially those with zero reviews, limited branding, grammatical errors, or unverified developer accounts. Safe practices include researching well-established wallets, protecting seed phrases, and monitoring blockchain transactions closely. This incident highlights the risks posed by fraudulent crypto tools on mainstream platforms like the Chrome Web Store and the importance of strong cybersecurity vigilance to avoid losing digital assets. Source
The acting chair of the FDIC, Travis Hill, indicated that the agency is considering guidance for tokenized deposit insurance and will release an application process for stablecoin issuance by the end of the year. Hill emphasized that deposits should retain their legal nature whether held in traditional finance or on blockchain networks. The move reflects growing regulatory attention to tokenization and the increasing integration of digital assets into traditional banking frameworks, as the FDIC explores standards for capital, reserves, and risk management for institutions issuing FDIC-regulated stablecoins.
Interest in tokenized real-world assets has surged, with the total value surpassing $24 billion in the first half of 2025, led by private credit and U.S. Treasurys. Major financial players, such as BlackRock, have launched tokenized funds, highlighting the mainstream adoption of blockchain-based financial products. Stablecoins, now valued at around $305 billion, are a focal point for regulators and banks globally, prompting the FDIC to develop clear guidance to ensure the safe issuance and management of these digital assets within regulated financial institutions. Source
Bitcoin miner Bitfarms announced it will gradually exit its Bitcoin mining operations over 2026 and 2027 to focus on providing infrastructure for AI computing. The decision follows the firm’s third-quarter report, which revealed a $46 million net loss, nearly double its Q3 2024 loss from Bitcoin operations. Bitfarms plans to convert its Washington site to support GPU-as-a-service using Nvidia GB300s with advanced liquid cooling, a move the company expects could generate higher operating income than its historical Bitcoin mining revenue despite representing less than 1% of its total portfolio.
Bitfarms operates 12 data centers across North America with 341 megawatts of energy capacity and is confident in leveraging its energy assets to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure. The company recently secured a $300 million debt facility to finance a site in Pennsylvania, enabling further expansion into high-performance computing and AI services. The pivot reflects a broader trend among crypto mining firms exploring AI opportunities, with Bitfarms being the first major player to formally announce a full strategic shift away from cryptocurrency mining. Source
Crypto payments platform MoonPay has launched a stablecoin suite in collaboration with M0, enabling companies to issue and manage fully backed stablecoins across multiple blockchains. This expansion transforms MoonPay from a fiat-to-crypto on-ramp into a full-stack stablecoin infrastructure provider, offering services for issuance, ramps, swaps, and payments. The initiative is led by Zach Kwartler, formerly of Paxos, with Derek Yu, also ex-Paxos, overseeing cash, liquidity, and stablecoin operations, signaling a strong leadership focus on enterprise-grade solutions.
MoonPay’s move places it in a competitive stablecoin infrastructure market that has grown following the passage of the US GENIUS Act, with numerous firms vying to provide issuance and management solutions for enterprises. Competitors include Paxos, Fireblocks, Frax Finance, and others, all offering platforms to support tokenization and stablecoin issuance. By integrating with M0, MoonPay aims to provide enterprises with a streamlined stack to launch, distribute, and manage stablecoins at scale, positioning itself as a key player in the expanding institutional crypto payments and digital dollar space. Source
Aave Labs has secured authorization under Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, allowing its fiat-to-crypto service, Push, to offer regulated stablecoin ramps across the European Economic Area. The approval, granted by the Central Bank of Ireland to Push Virtual Assets Ireland Limited, enables users to convert euros into crypto assets, including Aave’s native stablecoin, GHO, without paying conversion fees. Ireland has emerged as a key hub for compliant onchain finance, following similar authorizations for other firms like Kraken, and the move positions Aave to expand DeFi access across the region.
With zero-fee stablecoin ramps, Push aims to simplify fiat-to-crypto conversions and lower barriers to DeFi adoption, reducing dependence on centralized exchanges. By providing a compliant, audited pathway for euros to crypto, Aave enhances mainstream accessibility while supporting tens of billions in stablecoin liquidity. The protocol’s activity underscores the demand for such services, with over $542 million processed in 24 hours and more than $22.8 billion borrowed from Aave’s lending pools, highlighting the growing role of regulated DeFi infrastructure in Europe. Source
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for informational purposes only. They are not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
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