x
Crypto market observers are closely watching the delayed US inflation report for September, which is expected to be released on Friday after a postponement caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Economists forecast the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to show an annual increase of 3.1%, which would mark the first time headline CPI has exceeded 3% this year. The data release is considered the first major piece of economic information since the shutdown began. Market analysts suggest that a CPI print at or above 3.1% could reduce the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut, while a reading at 3% or lower would be viewed positively for the markets, potentially boosting risk-on assets like cryptocurrencies and increasing the chances of multiple rate cuts.
Although the Federal Reserve has indicated its primary focus is shifting to the employment situation, the September CPI data remains highly relevant and could still influence the central bank's policy decisions. Despite the possibility of hotter-than-expected inflation figures, some experts believe this is unlikely to deter the Fed from cutting rates, given the central bank's greater concern with the weakening labor market. Prediction markets show a high probability of a rate cut next Wednesday, though the ongoing government shutdown introduces complexity to the economic outlook leading up to the subsequent December meeting. Meanwhile, the crypto market has shown modest positive movement, with total market capitalization slightly increasing, led by Bitcoin which briefly traded above $111,000. Source
The major US crypto exchange and service provider Coinbase has announced the acquisition of Echo, an on-chain capital formation platform, for approximately $375 million, which will be paid using a blend of cash and stock. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that on-chain capital formation is a crucial and distinctive element of the crypto ecosystem and expressed excitement about integrating Echo and its Sonar product to offer customers new opportunities for token access. Founded in 2021, Echo offers infrastructure that enables projects to raise capital directly on-chain, and its Sonar product facilitates both private and public fundraising rounds. Since its inception, Echo has supported over 300 fundraising deals, amounting to more than $200 million in total capital raised. Coinbase views the integration of Echo's infrastructure with its existing exchange, custody, and on-chain products as a way to support issuers across the entire token lifecycle, from initial fundraising through to trading.
This acquisition follows Coinbase's earlier purchase of Liquifi this year, a token management platform utilized by various projects like Uniswap Foundation, OP Labs, and Zora, to automate token ownership, vesting, and compliance. By integrating Liquifi's tools, Coinbase aims to streamline launches and regulatory management for teams. Coinbase indicates that the Echo deal further solidifies its capacity to assist builders at earlier stages of their development. The company plans to eventually incorporate Liquifi's functionality into Coinbase Prime, enhancing its on-chain infrastructure for token issuance and management and thereby strengthening its overall support for the crypto ecosystem. Source
Trezor has launched its new Trezor Safe 7 hardware wallet, asserting that the device is built to handle future threats to digital assets, even as current crypto crime rates are surging. The company's chief technology officer, Tomáš Susanka, highlighted the wallet's 'quantum-ready' architecture, which includes a bootloader based on a hybrid classical and post-quantum signature scheme and hardware capable of supporting future post-quantum cryptographic updates. This preparation is intended to allow Trezor devices to adapt to quantum-safe algorithms without compromising self-custody principles or forcing users to migrate their keys when quantum computing eventually develops enough processing power to break current cryptographic standards. Susanka also noted that security risks and high-profile platform failures have driven a shift towards self-custody among users, and the new device features Trezor’s open-source Secure Element, the TROPIC01 chip, aimed at increasing transparency in key protection.
While Trezor focuses on future quantum threats, the article points out that immediate risks remain significant, with Chainalysis reporting that $2.17 billion had been stolen from cryptocurrency services by the end of June 2025, potentially exceeding $4 billion by year's end if current trends persist. The largest single theft was the $1.5 billion ByBit hack linked to the DPRK, and personal wallet compromises now account for over 23% of stolen funds this year. The threats are not limited to digital attacks; the article mentions a rise in physical assaults, or "wrench attacks," such as kidnappings for ransom in France and a theft in Singapore involving a secretly photographed seed phrase. In response to these varied dangers, Susanka recommended a five-step process for users to keep their crypto safe, which includes using a hardware wallet, creating a secure backup, verifying transactions on the device, staying informed on best practices, and relying only on official support channels. Source
Hyperliquid, Aster, and Lighter have driven decentralized perpetual trading volume past a record $1 trillion in October, with a week left in the month. This milestone significantly surpasses the previous record of $762 billion set in August. Platforms like Hyperliquid, which leads with $317.6 billion in trading volume, along with Lighter, Aster, and edgeX, contributed to a single-day record of $78 billion on October 10. The current pace suggests decentralized perps volume is on track to reach approximately $1.3 trillion by the end of October, nearly doubling the August total. Perpetual swaps have gained popularity among speculative traders due to their features such as 24/7 availability, high leverage options, no expiration dates, and the ability to profit in both rising and falling markets with minimal holding requirements.
Despite the explosive growth in decentralized exchanges (DEXs), centralized exchanges (CEXs) still maintain a substantial lead in perps trading volume, with major players like Binance and Bybit recording billions in daily volume. However, the gap is starting to close as crypto innovators focus on developing more user-friendly interfaces for decentralized perp traders. While platforms such as Synthetix, dYdX, and GMX have been around for a long time, Infinex founder Kain Warwick credited Hyperliquid as the first to successfully scale the decentralized perps model. Further boosting its accessibility, the widely used crypto wallet MetaMask integrated Hyperliquid on October 8, allowing users to trade perpetual swaps directly within its application. Source
The proof-of-work layer-1 blockchain Tari has introduced a mining infrastructure through its Tari Universe app, aiming to dramatically lower the barrier to entry for cryptocurrency mining and make it accessible to mainstream users. This innovative software, which can be installed on almost any Mac or PC, allows users to start mining with their CPU and GPU in as little as 45 seconds after running the application. Tari contributor Naveen Jain explains that the app is designed to eliminate the need for technical expertise, complex configuration, or command-line nonsense, offering a "magically" simple and streamlined graphical user interface. This user experience abstracts away the technical complexities of blockchain and crypto mining, instead presenting a visual representation of the blockchain as a continually growing tower.
Beyond ease of use, Tari is built with essential, pragmatic confidentiality features by default, a stark contrast to public ledgers like Ethereum and Solana, which Jain describes as "panopticons" that expose a user's entire financial history. This commitment to privacy is seen as vital for the adoption of cryptocurrency by average users and businesses, who would otherwise be hesitant to expose all their financial transactions to the public and competitors. Tari is a proof-of-work blockchain designed to support a new financial system that empowers builders and creators, offering "programmable confidentiality" that allows a token issuer to gain visibility for compliance purposes, while maintaining peer-to-peer privacy. The platform ultimately aims to be the easiest chain for both mining and using decentralized applications. Source
Bitcoin derivatives markets are showing strong bullish sentiment as the options open interest (OI) has reached a new record high of $63 billion, according to CoinGlass, signalling high engagement and conviction about Bitcoin's near-term direction. The majority of this record OI is dominated by higher strike prices, with the largest crypto options exchange, Deribit, also hitting an all-time high of $50 billion in OI. The high concentration of OI at strike prices significantly above the current level indicates that traders are primarily positioning for or hedging against substantial upside movement, reinforcing expectations for continued price appreciation.
While there is some activity from bearish traders, with OI at the $100,000 strike price reaching about $2.17 billion, this is significantly outweighed by the bullish bets. Deribit data shows over $2 billion in OI for each of the $120,000, $130,000, and $140,000 strike prices, demonstrating the strong preference for upside potential. Furthermore, about $5.1 billion worth of Bitcoin options are set to expire on Friday on Deribit, with a put/call ratio of 1.03 indicating balanced positioning, and the max pain point is set at $114,000. Traders are noted to be hedging against downside risk, but not anticipating a major sell-off. Source
US President Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, the founder of Binance, marking the latest clemency from the administration for the digital asset industry. Zhao had previously pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money laundering laws as part of a 2023 plea bargain, which resulted in him stepping down as Binance CEO and serving a four-month prison sentence in 2024. The White House press secretary, Karoline Levitt, framed the pardon as overturning the Biden Administration's "war on cryptocurrency," arguing that Biden's pursuit of Zhao was punitive and outside sentencing guidelines despite no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims. Zhao's company, Binance, became the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange but faced legal issues for failing to comply with US regulations, which allegedly allowed illicit funds to flow through the platform.
The pardon comes as President Trump changes the regulatory environment towards the crypto sector, having campaigned on a promise to support the industry and receiving significant funding from tech leaders. Since the Republican took office, the Securities and Exchange Commission has dropped several high-profile lawsuits against major crypto firms that were filed under the previous administration. Trump has also pardoned other crypto figures, like BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes, and his family is reportedly involved in personal crypto ventures. The pardon has drawn criticism from political opponents, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, who called the action corrupt given Zhao's guilty plea to money laundering charges and his reported lobbying for the clemency after boosting one of Trump's crypto ventures. Source
.png)
The Markethive internal wallet is a comprehensive, secure financial management solution designed for entrepreneurs within the Markethive ecosystem, acting as a complete hub for tracking and recording all economic activities. This includes various transactions like micropayments, subscription fees, staking rewards, income from sales, and the distribution and redemption of Promo Codes. It also facilitates loan transactions and their related payments, such as those tied to E1 Upgrade investments and the Incentivized Loan Program (ILP). The platform offers a full financial infrastructure utilizing diverse digital assets like Markethive Credits, ILP founders tokens, and the native token, Hivecoin (HVC). Security is a core priority, implemented through advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular audits, creating a secure environment for users to manage their finances independently, offering a solution against external financial control.
The wallet functions as a financial accounting hub, similar to a bank but enhanced by blockchain and decentralization, providing a clear overview of financial activities. A central component is "The Vault," which integrates features like the ILP Report, account balances, and subscription management, and is where users acquire Markethive Credits—the internal currency pegged at a 1:1 ratio with the US dollar. The wallet also includes cryptocurrency sub-wallets for Hivecoin, Solana (SOL), and Bitcoin, offering both hot (online) and cold (offline) storage options for enhanced security. Additionally, the Markethive wallet acts as a gateway to a suite of products and services, including membership upgrades, the E1 Exchange, and marketing tools like the Banner Exchange and video ads. Source
Australians demonstrate the highest per-capita interest in cryptocurrency globally, according to web-traffic data compiled by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division. The data analyzed the percentage of web traffic from each country across the top 30 tokens on CoinGecko, excluding Bitcoin and stablecoins. Australians led the world with 74.63% of token-related web traffic per one billion people, closely followed by South Koreans at 73.48%, and users in the United Kingdom were third with 62.15%. Notably, the United States lagged with only 40.73%. The report also observed that crypto users in developed nations tend to focus on trading and speculation, while those in developing nations are more likely to engage in on-chain activities, often indicated by higher mobile wallet usage.
The Australian crypto market is forecast for significant growth, with the overall market expected to expand at an annual rate of 19.85%, potentially reaching total revenue of 1.2 billion Australian dollars, or 780 million United States dollars, by 2026, according to Statista. Furthermore, the number of crypto users in Australia is projected to reach 11.16 million by the same year, meaning almost 41% of Australians will participate in crypto. A separate survey revealed that 40% of Gen Z and Millennial Australians express regret over not having invested in cryptocurrencies a decade prior, with a spokesperson for Swyftx indicating that many younger investors seek high beta assets and generally possess a good understanding of the asset class. Source
Neobank Revolut, a popular European digital bank, has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, a move that allows it to provide and market crypto-asset services across all 30 markets in the European Economic Area under the MiCA legislation through "passporting." This license is a significant step for the company, which has offered crypto trading since 2017 and launched a standalone crypto exchange, Revolut X, in 2024. The CEO of Revolut Digital Assets Europe highlighted the license as a reflection of CySEC's confidence and a fundamental step toward the firm's ambitious plans for the crypto sector, which also includes launching one-to-one conversions between stablecoins and the US dollar without spreads.
The MiCA license fuels long-standing speculation that Revolut might launch its own stablecoin. A Netherlands-based lawyer specializing in EU crypto regulation stated that the introduction of a Revolut stablecoin by 2026 is plausible now that MiCA approval is secured, positioning Revolut to legally issue its own stablecoin under the EU framework. The lawyer noted that the MiCA license itself does not grant stablecoin issuance permission, but Revolut's existing Electronic Money License in Lithuania provides the necessary legal framework. To proceed, Revolut would need to draft a MiCA-compliant whitepaper and ensure full adherence to reserve, governance, and redemption protocols. This move by Revolut is seen as establishing a clear framework for other companies considering stablecoin launches in the EU. Source
Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) has levied a record C$176.9 million (or $126 million US) fine against the cryptocurrency platform Cryptomus, which is federally registered as Xeltox Enterprises Ltd. The penalty was imposed due to widespread anti-money laundering (AML) breaches, including the firm’s failure to report thousands of suspicious transactions related to severe illicit activities. Specifically, FINTRAC cited that the firm's lapses concealed transactions linked to child sexual abuse material, ransomware, fraud, and transfers connected to Iran. The Vancouver-based firm, which operated without any known Canadian staff, was found to have failed to file over a thousand suspicious transaction reports and more than 1,500 large-value crypto transaction reports in July 2024 alone, marking the largest enforcement action in FINTRAC’s history, significantly surpassing previous fines given to KuCoin and Binance's Canadian affiliate.
FINTRAC’s investigation identified a total of 2,593 distinct breaches in the firm's compliance. Beyond the initial reporting failures, the agency also highlighted violations of a Ministerial Directive that mandates enhanced scrutiny for transactions associated with Iran, noting that 7,557 such transfers between July and December 2024 were neither verified nor reported by Cryptomus. Investigators also uncovered operational irregularities, noting that the company's listed Vancouver address was merely a rented mailbox with no evidence of Canadian staff or physical presence, and communications during the compliance examination originated from Uzbekistan and Spain. FINTRAC concluded that the company's compliance controls, policies, and procedures were "incomplete and inadequate," highlighting the virtual currency sector's susceptibility to exploitation by illicit actors. Source
The US Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, has urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish new rules that would allow major electricity consumers, specifically AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations, to connect directly and quickly to the high-voltage transmission power grid. The letter, released on Thursday, requests that FERC provide expedited reviews and standardized procedures for these large users to tap into the high-capacity system. Wright noted that United States electricity demand is projected to grow at an "extraordinary pace" largely due to the rapid increase in large loads, most notably data centers, which are connecting quickly to the transmission system.
The proposed new rules suggest that the expedited review process for connection approval could be completed within just 60 days, provided the applicant agrees to certain conditions, such as covering the cost of any necessary network upgrades. S. Matthew Schultz, the CEO of Bitcoin mining company CleanSpark, commented on the proposal, stating that it would mandate FERC to expedite connections for "flexible loads like Bitcoin mining and data centers," signaling that the Department of Energy acknowledges the value these flexible demands bring to strengthening the power grid. Wright has requested that FERC respond to his letter no later than April 30, 2026. Source
Investment bank Benchmark significantly increased its price target for Canaan, a Nasdaq-listed manufacturer of Bitcoin mining machines, raising it from $2 to $4 per share. This optimistic outlook is driven by several factors, including Canaan's recent compliance with the Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement of $1 per share and growing demand for its Avalon mining rigs, which are praised for their efficiency and cost-competitiveness in a difficult market for miners. Analyst Mark Palmer views the recent dip in crypto-related stocks as an attractive entry point for investors to capitalize on Canaan's accelerating turnaround, noting that the stock is currently inexpensive.
The firm's strong financial position, highlighted by a record balance sheet holding over $186 million in combined Bitcoin and Ethereum, further supports Benchmark's higher valuation. The focus on improved efficiency is crucial for miners who face rising costs and reduced rewards following the last halving, which has led some to explore high-performance computing for AI. This trend is viewed positively by investors, and Canaan recently secured its largest order in three years for its latest-generation, efficiency-focused Avalon A15 Pro mining machines from an unnamed U.S. customer. Source
A Bitcoin wallet from the "Satoshi era" that had been dormant since June 2011 recently became active, moving a portion of its substantial holdings for the first time in 14 years. The wallet owner, whose identity is unknown, originally mined 4,000 Bitcoin between April and June 2009, just months after the Bitcoin network was first launched. The whale transferred 150 Bitcoin, which was valued at over $16 million at the time of the transaction. Based on current market prices, the remaining stash of 4,000 Bitcoin is valued at more than $442 million. Onchain data suggests that the whale may have held up to 7,850 Bitcoin across multiple addresses in the past.
Further analysis indicates that this specific whale has been steadily selling off its holdings over time in other addresses and is now down to a balance of 3,850 Bitcoin after the recent 150 coin transfer. This movement follows a similar event in July where another "Satoshi-era" whale, holding 80,201 tokens, began shifting its holdings to Galaxy Digital after 14 years of inactivity. The awakening of long-dormant whales is often viewed by traders as a potential signal of early holders selling off their assets. However, market analysts generally consider the selling by original Bitcoin holders to be a healthy sign of a maturing market, given that new institutional and retail buyers are entering the space. Source
OpenAI recently launched its ChatGPT Atlas browser, which features an integrated AI assistant, but security experts quickly warned that it is vulnerable to prompt injection attacks, a problem the company's own Chief Information Security Officer, Dane Stuckey, admitted remains "unsolved." This type of attack is particularly risky for crypto users because a hidden sentence on an otherwise innocent webpage could trick the assistant into treating the text as a command. For example, a request to summarize a coin review could inadvertently cause the assistant to paste private information like a user's saved logins or autofill data, including exchange account names or session details, directly into the response, thereby exposing sensitive credentials or private session details to a malicious actor.
Given the high-stakes nature of this vulnerability, and the fact that OpenAI is rolling out the browser to its large user base, experts recommend extreme caution. The safest advice is to avoid using any AI browser entirely until the security technology matures, especially for users who prioritize privacy. For those who choose to experiment, it is recommended to opt out of "Agent Mode" to prevent the AI from autonomously navigating and interacting with websites. Users should also strictly use "logged out mode" on sensitive sites, watch the model's actions closely, and only issue narrow, specific commands to limit the room for hidden prompts to hijack tasks. Source
Despite a major market liquidation event earlier this month that wiped out $19 billion in leveraged positions, Bitcoin's medium-sized holders, referred to as "dolphins" (entities holding between 100 BTC and 1,000 BTC), have continued accumulating the asset. This consistent accumulation by this key investor group is helping to preserve the long-term bullish market structure, according to a report from CryptoQuant. The firm notes that while the annual holdings growth for this cohort remains strong at 907,000 BTC, there is a signal for near-term caution as the 30-day balance has fallen below its 30-day moving average, suggesting that short-term demand might be waning. Analysts suggest that a potential catalyst, such as sustained inflows from exchange-traded funds, could be what is needed to reignite bullish momentum.
The broader cryptocurrency market is showing signs of renewed risk appetite, even as trading volumes for Bitcoin and Ethereum have eased. Altcoins, in particular, are seeing an uptick in activity, with their trading volume dominance rising to 46%. This increase in altcoin trading suggests that traders may be starting to speculate on the wider crypto market again following the significant price correction. Historical data also supports a potential positive outlook for Bitcoin, with past instances of high open interest preceding positive returns in the subsequent three months. Some experts believe the current market setup, following the liquidation cascade, presents a rare opportunity similar to previous strong growth periods. 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.
Featured Image - Source: Pixabay
