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As October, or "Uptober," draws to a close, Bitcoin is holding onto a meagre monthly gain, currently trading around $115,542, just above the critical $114,200 level where the month began. Historically, October has been a strong month for Bitcoin, but this year saw high volatility, including a 13% correction that wiped out early gains before bulls managed to recover. The market sentiment is supported by a bullish macro backdrop, with traditional markets hitting record highs as investors anticipate a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and easing US-China trade tensions. Furthermore, institutional conviction is signalled by spot Bitcoin ETFs recording three consecutive days of significant inflows, which typically provides a foundation for price stability and continued demand.
Technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is likely to hold its position and potentially extend its gains, with multiple short-term chart signals pointing towards continued bullish momentum. The Average Directional Index (ADX) confirms a strong upward trend, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates there is still room for price appreciation before reaching overbought conditions. Although the Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) show a bearish "death cross" configuration, the current price action is trading well above both averages, and the Squeeze Momentum Indicator is flashing a bullish impulse, suggesting an acceleration to the upside. Considering these technical factors and the current trading price being $622 above the monthly open, the evidence suggests that Bitcoin will close the month in the green, upholding the Uptober trend, though the upcoming Fed policy announcement remains a key risk event that could trigger short-term volatility. Source
Nasdaq-listed SharpLink Gaming is set to deploy $200 million worth of Ether from its corporate treasury onto Consensys’ Linea network, a zkEVM layer-2 infrastructure. This multi-year initiative, which represents about 5.6% of SharpLink's $3.57 billion Ether treasury (859,853 ETH), is one of the largest corporate DeFi deployments to date. The strategy, managed under institutional safeguards through Anchorage Digital Bank, aims to generate highly competitive, differentiated, risk-adjusted ETH-denominated returns. Yields will be generated through a combination of staking, restaking rewards earned by helping secure EigenCloud’s decentralized verification services, and incentives from both Linea and the decentralized liquid staking and restaking protocol ether.fi.
This move by SharpLink, the second-largest corporate holder of ETH, highlights a broader trend among major entities seeking to boost returns on their treasury holdings through decentralized finance. For example, ETHZilla, the fifth-largest Ethereum digital asset treasury, previously announced a $100 million ETH deployment to ether.fi for yield enhancement. The Ethereum Foundation has also adopted a policy of moving beyond passive holdings by staking and deploying 45,000 ETH into DeFi protocols. Furthermore, centralized exchanges are integrating these strategies, such as Coinbase's partnership with Morpho for USDC lending yields and Crypto.com's plan to integrate Morpho into its Cronos blockchain for stablecoin yields. Source
The Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to cut interest rates on Wednesday, with prediction markets and futures data suggesting a cut of 25-basis points is almost certain, but the more significant factor for crypto markets may be the future of quantitative tightening (QT). QT, where the Fed reduces money supply by allowing its bond holdings to shrink, is the opposite of quantitative easing (QE), which pumps cash into the system. Analysts suggest that if the Fed announces an end to QT, it would signal a higher tolerance for inflation, which would create a "tailwind" for Bitcoin and other risk-on crypto assets, potentially extending the current bull market into 2026. This is supported by previous instances where announcements of easier monetary policy led to increases in inflation expectations.
With a rate cut already largely priced into the market—Bitcoin was trading flat around $115,000 at the time of writing—traders are advised to watch the Fed’s stance on ending QT, a move that institutions like Bank of America and JP Morgan have signalled they expect soon. Traders are also building up leveraged positions ahead of the decision, and are cautioned against crowded positioning. The $111,000 to $115,000 range for Bitcoin is seen as a key area to watch, especially considering the high leverage and uncertain U.S.-China trade relations, which could also impact the market. Source
The Norwegian Tax Administration reported a significant increase in cryptocurrency holdings declared for the 2024 tax year, with over 73,000 people reporting $4 billion in crypto assets. This figure marks a 30% year-over-year jump, demonstrating the effectiveness of the tax authority's recent efforts to encourage better reporting compared to previous years, such as 2019 when only 6,470 individuals declared digital assets. Tax director Nina Schanke Funnemark expressed satisfaction with the increased compliance, which helps ensure correct taxation.
The total value of reported crypto holdings, exceeding $4 billion, included approximately $550 million in gains and $290 million in losses. Looking ahead, the tax authority announced that starting in 2026, crypto exchange operators and custodians will be mandated to report certain information through third-party reporting. This push for increased compliance by Norway aligns with actions taken by other governments, such as the UK tax authority, which has also been actively cracking down on underreported crypto gains. Source
Western Union plans to launch its own dollar-backed stablecoin called USDPT on the Solana blockchain in 2026. The international payments giant made the announcement with the Solana Foundation, stating that the token will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank. This move is intended to help customers with international payments by enabling them to seamlessly send, receive, spend, and hold the USDPT token, leveraging Western Union's existing global compliance and risk infrastructure. The company also intends to debut a "Digital Asset Network" to provide real-world utility for digital assets, suggesting this is a key step in their mission to make financial services more accessible globally.
This initiative follows a trend of financial services firms embracing stablecoins to streamline payments, a sector whose market capitalization is nearing $312 billion, marking a significant rise in 2025. Other large entities, including PayPal and JP Morgan, are also working on issuing their own tokens. The article mentions that another payments processor, Zelle's parent company, is also beginning to use stablecoins for international transactions to ensure faster and more reliable cross-border money movement. The growing interest from major financial organizations and a more favourable regulatory environment, such as the U.S. President signing the GENIUS Act into law, indicates a broader industry shift toward leveraging digital assets. Source
Nasdaq-listed OceanPal Inc. raised $120 million through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) deal to establish SovereignAI, a new subsidiary. This subsidiary is dedicated to commercializing the Near Protocol and developing AI infrastructure that uses Near’s blockchain and NVIDIA technology to build privacy-preserving AI. The new company is also designed to offer exposure to the NEAR token, the native cryptocurrency of the Near Protocol. Developed in partnership with the Near Foundation, SovereignAI plans to implement a crypto treasury strategy aimed at acquiring up to 10% of the total Near token supply, positioning OceanPal as a public vehicle for investment exposure to the protocol's asset, aligning with a shared vision of "universal AI sovereignty."
The establishment of SovereignAI comes with a leadership reorganization at OceanPal, including the appointment of former State Street executive Sal Ternullo as co-CEO and former BNY Mellon, Galaxy, and Robinhood executive David Schwed as chief operating officer. Furthermore, key figures in the technology and blockchain space, such as Near Foundation co-founder and CEO Illia Polosukhin, Richard Muirhead of Fabric Ventures, and Lukasz Kaiser of OpenAI, are slated to join the SovereignAI advisory board. The move highlights the increasing synergy between autonomous AI agents and crypto, with AI agents utilizing blockchain networks like Near, a layer-1 blockchain launched in 2020, to manage assets, verify actions, and operate as self-governing economic participants in financial markets. Source
Mt. Gox, once the world's largest Bitcoin exchange, accounting for 70% of Bitcoin trading volume in 2013, shut down in 2014 after years of unnoticed hacks exploited a vulnerability in Bitcoin’s code known as "transaction malleability." The Tokyo-based exchange, which started as a marketplace for Magic: The Gathering cards, filed for bankruptcy after disclosing the loss of 850,000 Bitcoin, valued at $475 million at the time but now worth billions. The exchange had faced regulatory scrutiny and legal issues prior to its collapse, including having funds seized by the US Department of Homeland Security and a lawsuit from a partner, CoinLab. The massive loss caused Bitcoin's price to drop dramatically and left 127,000 creditors seeking restitution.
Over a decade later, and after 140,000 Bitcoin was recovered in 2023 following the charging of two Russian nationals for conspiring to launder the stolen funds, repayments to creditors are finally underway. The process, however, has faced multiple delays, with the latest extension pushing the final deadline back a full year to October 31, 2026. The delays are attributed to many creditors not completing necessary procedures or facing issues during the process. While around 19,500 creditors have been repaid, the initial batch of refunds in 2024 reportedly triggered a sharp sell-off as many recipients immediately liquidated their long-awaited Bitcoin, a factor that might make the current delay welcome for some market participants. Source
Ethereum's next major upgrade, Fusaka, has successfully debuted on its final testnet, Hoodi, paving the way for its mainnet launch scheduled for December 3. This update is designed to bring significant security and scalability improvements to the network. Key components of Fusaka include several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), notably EIP-7594, which implements Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS). PeerDAS will allow validators to process smaller data pieces from layer 2 networks instead of full data "blobs," thereby boosting node efficiency. The update also features EIP-7825 and EIP-7935, which aim to increase the gas limit and improve overall efficiency as the network prepares for parallel execution, a feature allowing multiple smart contracts to be processed simultaneously. Furthermore, other EIPs within this update are focused on enhancing zero-knowledge rollups.
The Fusaka upgrade is a three-stage process, starting with the mainnet launch, followed by the activation of the EIP that increases blob capacity, and concluding with a second hard fork for further blob capacity increases. This upgrade directly addresses Ethereum's scalability, which is one third of the "blockchain trilemma" that also includes decentralization and security, a concept popularized by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. While Ethereum was initially designed to prioritize decentralization and security, this upgrade seeks to fine-tune the scalability aspect to better compete with faster layer 1 blockchains. Following Fusaka, the network's attention will shift to the Glamsterdam upgrade, which is another part of the "Surge" stage of Ethereum's technical roadmap, continually focusing on making the network more scalable. Source
The article discusses how Markethive is strategically building on the legacy of its predecessor, Veretekk, a revolutionary set of online lead generation tools from the 1990s that empowered early entrepreneurs. Veretekk's innovative technology, including tools like the Hammer and Blogfather, helped users generate tens of thousands of leads, effectively laying the foundation for successful online business development. Markethive aims to not only replicate but vastly improve upon this powerful impact, adapting it for the modern digital landscape by creating a comprehensive, all-in-one ecosystem for entrepreneurs. This new direction focuses on more than just lead generation; it is designed to help users acquire and retain thousands of actual, paying customers, with initiatives such as developing Supergroups and the Promo Code feature to facilitate this customer-centric approach.
A major part of Markethive's innovation is the development of Hive Press and the accompanying Franchives model, which aims to decentralize digital publishing by allowing individuals to create independent, unique digital news websites. These sites, built on a resilient infrastructure with unique domains and IP addresses distributed across global servers, provide a "cottage industry" solution for entrepreneurs, allowing them to build profitable online news businesses while ensuring resilience against censorship. Furthermore, Markethive is diligently developing advanced broadcasting systems and an unparalleled online marketplace powered by its native cryptocurrency, Hivecoin, and underpinned by blockchain technology. CEO Thomas Prendergast emphasizes that the new system will be a thousand times more powerful than Veretekk, delivering key advantages like email that reliably reaches the inbox, and operating on principles of freedom, privacy, and liberty in response to a geopolitical climate that increasingly threatens open communication. Source
Dr. Sangmin Seo, chair of the Kaia DLT Foundation, argues that the Bank of Korea’s proposal for the banking sector to spearhead the rollout of won-denominated stablecoins lacks a logical foundation, despite the central bank’s concerns about risk. The Bank of Korea favors banks due to their existing strict regulations, including capital and Anti-Money Laundering requirements. However, Seo suggests that a better approach is establishing clear rules for all stablecoin issuers to foster innovation while minimizing monetary risks. This would allow both banking and non-banking institutions that meet the criteria to compete. He believes the central bank should provide guidelines on risk mitigation and necessary issuer qualifications, rather than limiting issuance primarily to banks, an idea previously proposed by the BOK’s deputy governor in June.
The Bank of Korea also plans to ban interest payments on stablecoins to prevent competition with bank deposits and has instead promoted deposit tokens, which are digital representations of bank deposits. Seo contends that a complete ban on stablecoin yield would be an excessive measure that could severely limit their utility and adoption, even while agreeing that the stablecoins themselves shouldn't be yield-bearing. The stablecoin market in South Korea is actively developing, with at least eight major banks planning to launch a won-pegged stablecoin by late 2025 or early 2026, and tech conglomerate Naver’s fintech arm reportedly moving toward a stablecoin project as well, indicating growing interest in the sector following the election of a president who has pushed for crypto-related laws. Source
Australia’s financial regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has published a significant update to its digital-asset guidance, Info Sheet 225, expanding how existing financial-services laws apply to crypto businesses. This revised guidance replaces the earlier "crypto-asset" terminology with the broader "digital assets" to encompass virtual, tokenized, and coin-based products. The regulator aims to provide greater certainty to businesses before the government introduces formal licensing for exchanges and custody platforms through its forthcoming Digital Asset Platforms and Payment Service Providers bills. The update reiterates that many digital assets, including yield-bearing tokens, staking programs, and asset-referenced stablecoins, will likely require an Australian Financial Services license under current law. This finalized guidance builds on a December 2024 consultation, now featuring 18 classification examples and introducing new sections on custody, fund management, and transitional relief for crypto professionals.
The update details new custodial obligations for firms holding client assets, requiring them to meet net tangible asset thresholds of up to $10 million ($6.5 million US), unless their custody role is considered incidental. The ASIC also reinforced that Australian law applies to offshore and decentralized structures if they are marketed or sold to local users, warning that global platforms cannot use geography to evade domestic oversight. The guidance arrives as the Labor government prepares to advance its own digital-asset-platform legislation later this year, and the ASIC's framework is expected to evolve alongside these Treasury reforms. In a concession, the regulator outlined transitional measures allowing experienced crypto professionals to qualify as responsible managers under AFS license requirements and signaled possible no-action relief for firms actively seeking authorization. Source
The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF, trading as BSOL, recorded a significant $55.4 million in trading volume on its launch day, marking the highest debut volume for any crypto ETF this year. This launch occurred alongside new Hedera and Litecoin ETFs from Canary Capital. The successful debut of BSOL surpassed pre-launch estimates and was bolstered by approximately $223 million in assets attracted before the launch, indicating growing institutional interest and confidence in staking-related crypto products. Staking allows investors to earn rewards by locking up cryptocurrency to help validate blockchain transactions, a mechanism now being embraced by Wall Street through these exchange-traded products, moving beyond the initial focus on Bitcoin and Ether.
While BSOL’s debut was strong, its trading volume was still considerably lower than the $1.08 billion collective trading volume achieved by the nine spot Ether ETFs when they launched in the US last July. Specifically, the Bitwise spot Ether ETF saw $94.3 million in trading on its launch, which was higher than its Solana product's $55.4 million. In comparison, the other altcoin ETFs launched on the same day by Canary Capital, the Hedera ETF (HBR) and the Litecoin ETF (LTCC), saw $8 million and $1 million, respectively, with the latter falling short of its analyst prediction. Source
SharpLink Gaming, one of the largest publicly traded holders of Ethereum, plans to deploy $200 million worth of ETH from its treasury into decentralized finance protocols on the Linea layer-2 network. The initiative, developed in partnership with Consensys, will roll out over several years and aims to generate improved yields through Ethereum staking, restaking, and participation in DeFi incentive programs. SharpLink will rely on Anchorage Digital Bank for custody to ensure institutional-grade security, combining yield generation with a disciplined approach to treasury management. The company views this move as a strategic effort to enhance staking returns while safeguarding shareholder interests.
Beyond yield optimization, SharpLink’s partnership with Consensys also focuses on building institutional capital market infrastructure on Ethereum, such as tokenized equity strategies and on-chain capital raising mechanisms. As a member of the Linea Consortium, SharpLink’s participation is intended to strengthen adoption and liquidity within the ecosystem. The company’s Ethereum holdings recently increased to nearly 860,000 ETH, valued at about $3.56 billion, after a new purchase of $79 million worth of ETH. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s price has rebounded sharply to over $4,100, reflecting renewed optimism in the market and reinforcing the timing of SharpLink’s long-term DeFi strategy. Source
Visa announced plans to expand its stablecoin services by adding support for four new stablecoins across four different blockchains, as part of its broader effort to integrate digital assets into its payment network. CEO Ryan McInerney revealed during the company’s year-end earnings call that Visa will enable banks to mint and burn stablecoins through its tokenized asset platform, enhancing cross-border payment capabilities with Visa Direct. While the company did not specify which stablecoins or networks will be included, this move builds on Visa’s existing support for assets like USDC, EURC, PYUSD, and USDG on Ethereum, Solana, Stellar, and Avalanche.
McInerney highlighted strong growth in Visa’s stablecoin-linked services, noting that the firm has facilitated around $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions since 2020 and reached a $2.5 billion annualized volume run rate. Consumer spending tied to stablecoin-based Visa cards reportedly quadrupled over the last quarter compared to the same period a year ago. Visa’s strategy centers on expanding partnerships with banks and financial institutions to simplify and accelerate cross-border payments, positioning stablecoins as a key driver in the company’s next phase of digital payment innovation. Source
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released updated guidance on digital assets, clarifying which crypto-related services fall under financial product regulations. Under the revised Info Sheet 225, companies dealing in financial product-classified crypto assets must join the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and apply for an Australian Financial Services License by June 30. Tokens like Bitcoin, gaming NFTs, and tokenized event tickets are not considered financial products, while stablecoins, wrapped tokens, tokenized securities, and digital asset wallets are. ASIC also plans to offer temporary regulatory relief for certain stablecoin and wrapped token issuers to ease the transition to new laws.
Industry leaders have welcomed the guidance as a long-awaited step toward regulatory clarity, though concerns persist over practical implementation and ASIC’s capacity to process license applications efficiently. Experts warn of “structural bottlenecks,” including shortages in local expertise, banking access, and insurance support, which could make compliance more difficult. While the guidance provides short-term certainty, critics argue that ASIC is applying policy before comprehensive law reform is complete, creating ambiguity in interpretation. The industry remains in a transition phase as businesses restructure ahead of broader legislation expected under Australia’s forthcoming crypto regulatory framework. 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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