Open-Source Defense Fund Gains Early Support The Ethereum Foundation and the Keyring network have launched a joint campaign to raise legal defense funds for Tornado Cash developers Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev. The initiative, which began Thursday, has collected more than $22,000 as of Friday morning, according to its website. Funds will come from protocol fees generated by Keyring’s ZkVerified permissioned vaults over their first two months of operation. The Ethereum Foundation said the model “ensures that the first users of a vault directly support the legal protection of privacy-focused developers.” “By linking the growth of new financial tools with the protection of the people who build them, Keyring demonstrates that communities can strengthen resilience while driving innovation forward,” the Foundation added in its statement. Investor Takeaway The initiative marks one of the first coordinated efforts by major crypto organizations to fund open-source legal defense, a growing priority amid tightening global scrutiny on privacy tools. Legal Battles Continue for Tornado Cash Developers Roman Storm was convicted in the U.S. this summer on one charge of money transmission but avoided a verdict on separate money laundering and sanctions counts after a split jury. His co-developer, Alexey Pertsev, was sentenced to 64 months in prison by a Dutch court in 2023 for facilitating $1.2 billion in money laundering through Tornado Cash between 2019 and 2022. Both are appealing their convictions. Tornado Cash, an open-source privacy protocol built on Ethereum, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2022 for allegedly helping to obscure illicit transactions linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. The case against its developers has become a flashpoint for debates over privacy, code authorship, and developer liability in decentralized finance. Crypto advocates and policy organizations have stepped up funding efforts since the convictions. The Solana Policy Institute donated $500,000 in August, while the Ethereum Foundation previously pledged another $500,000 to support Storm’s defense. The latest Keyring initiative aims to make legal defense funding self-sustaining through ongoing protocol activity. Changing U.S. Prosecutorial Stance The campaign comes amid signs of a softer tone from U.S. prosecutors toward software developers. Last week, Matthew J. Galeotti, acting assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said that “writing code is not a crime.” The comment has been viewed within the industry as an acknowledgment of the distinction between building open-source tools and using them for illegal purposes. Privacy advocates hope the Justice Department’s shift in rhetoric will translate into fairer treatment for developers facing charges tied to decentralized software. “We still have a long way to go in this appeal as the court has decided that an additional investigation has to be done,” Pertsev wrote on X on Friday. “We keep working towards justice and your help is invaluable to #CodeWithoutFear.” Investor Takeaway The Tornado Cash trials have become a bellwether for crypto’s legal status in the U.S. and Europe, testing how far accountability for open-source development can extend. Building a Legal Defense Infrastructure The Keyring model seeks to establish a repeatable framework for funding legal defense within open-source ecosystems. By linking vault fees directly to developer legal protection, supporters say the initiative could serve as a precedent for future privacy-related cases. Observers note that the approach mirrors broader efforts to build decentralized funding mechanisms that operate outside of traditional donations or grants. While the sums raised so far are small compared to institutional pledges, the Ethereum Foundation’s involvement adds legitimacy to the concept. The organization has not disclosed whether the new model will be expanded beyond the Tornado Cash cases, but Keyring’s success in raising funds quickly suggests that crypto communities are willing to back initiatives that safeguard developer rights.

Shuffle, a well-known name in crypto betting, has revealed a data breach that put the private information of most of its users at risk. Fast Track, Shuffle’s customer relationship management (CRM) provider, was the source of the leak. It also had its own security vulnerability.  Noa Dummett, the founder, said that the intrusion mainly affected communication data, such as programmed emails and user addresses that were processed by the hacked server. The breach is serious because Shuffle is one of the most popular websites in the world for online gambling and crypto.  Shuffle management is currently investigating the matter to determine what data was compromised and where it may have been sent. In response, the company said it will look for other CRM providers and better ways to reduce risk for third-party systems. Risks Are Rising For Investors This most recent hack shows how much more dangerous it is for people who use cryptocurrency, even if the stolen data only includes contact information or customer service records. Attackers can exploit this kind of information to trick people into giving over their private keys or account credentials by pretending to be exchanges or wallet providers. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, unlike traditional banking. This means that if you fall for a fraud, you could lose all of your money forever. Recent high-profile breaches at platforms like Discord, Bitcoin Depot, and outsourcing companies handling Coinbase’s data reveal that the sector still has significant security vulnerabilities. The $5 Wrench Attack: Real-Life Threats The effects of exposed data extend beyond digital thievery, potentially including physical threats. These attacks, which are sometimes called “$5 wrench attacks,” include threatening or forcing people who own crypto to do things, sometimes with violence or kidnapping. Reports indicate that such events are occurring increasingly around the world.  This has led to warnings from industry experts and a spike in demand for professional custody services. A well-known case recently convicted 14 people to life in jail for a crypto extortion operation in India. This highlights the real-world dangers of exposing Bitcoin users’ personal information. Need for Better Security Measures The Shuffle hack highlights a common issue in the Bitcoin world: the risk of centralised intermediaries holding significant amounts of sensitive customer data. Experts say that crypto firms need to do more thorough audits, be more open, and have complete risk management plans in place to fix these ongoing problems and win back users’ trust. The Shuffle event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of greater privacy and security regulations in the rapidly evolving crypto sector. This is because users and platforms continue to face threats from both digital and physical attacks.

Commentators say that the financial world is undergoing significant changes as old organizations start to use the “debasement trade” theory. This investment strategy bets on the continuous decrease in fiat money’s purchasing power, as central banks continue to issue money. Entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano says that “no one is ever going to stop printing money” is now widely accepted. This has led investors to seek assets that will better retain their value over time. This movement, previously associated with goldbugs and early Bitcoin supporters, has expanded as banks and asset managers reassess their portfolios. Jeff Park, the chief investment officer at ProCap BTC, notes that an increasing number of people are viewing Bitcoin as a viable investment, recognising that traditional assets such as the dollar and bonds are facing challenges. New Wave of Institutional Interest in Bitcoin and Gold Bitcoin and gold are now seen as the main winners in the debasement trade. Bitcoin continues to rise, while gold has increased by 50% this year. Both are viewed as safe places to deposit value. Institutions are becoming more comfortable with adding Bitcoin to their portfolios as a way to protect themselves from the risks of fiat currency. Matt Hougan, the chief investment officer at Bitwise, calls the debasement trade “the dark matter of finance,” a force that is always there but never seen, affecting how investors act. Growing government deficits, rising debt, and monetary policies that keep real yields low are all variables that are speeding up the acceptance of the debasement story. What Are Anti-Debasement Assets? People think of Bitcoin as more than simply “digital gold”; it was designed to be an “anti-debasement” asset. Enrique Ho, the CFO of Blink Wallet, says that Bitcoin’s limited quantity, clear issuance, and trustless verification make it the “purest expression of capital preservation” in a time when money is losing value. This view sees Bitcoin as a one-of-a-kind investment that protects capital when the value of traditional money changes. The Dollar Goes Down: Highlight The Trend The US Dollar Index (DXY) indicates that the dollar is weakening. It has declined almost 12% this year, from a peak of 110 in January to a three-year low of 96.3 in September, before rising slightly in October. As the dollar’s value declines relative to other global currencies, the reasons for the debasement trade become more popular with both individual and institutional investors. The Main Theme of the Next Ten Years Given the absence of debate over the “debasement trade,” institutional investors are likely to continue investing more in Bitcoin, gold, and other hard assets. As deficits grow and the money supply continues to expand, these anti-debasement assets are likely to shape portfolio strategies and capital flows over the next decade.

Bitcoin cryptocurrency can be expected to fall to the next support level 115000.00 (target price for the completion of the active short-term correction ii).   Bitcoin reversed from resistance zone Likely to fall to support level 115000.00 Bitcoin cryptocurrency recently reversed down sharply from the resistance zone between the key resistance level 125000.00 (which has been reversing the price from the start of July) and the upper daily Bollinger Band. The downward reversal from this resistance area started the active short-term corrective wave ii – which belongs to the minor impulse wave 3 of the intermediate impulse wave (3) from June. The downward reversal from the resistance level 125000.00 started the active short-term correction ii. Given the strength of the resistance level 125000.00 and the bearish sentiment seen across the crypto markets lately,  Bitcoin cryptocurrency can be expected to fall to the next support level 115000.00 (target price for the completion of the active short-term correction ii). Bitcoin Technical Analysis The subject matter and the content of this article are solely the views of the author. FinanceFeeds does not bear any legal responsibility for the content of this article and they do not reflect the viewpoint of FinanceFeeds or its editorial staff. The information does not constitute advice or a recommendation on any course of action and does not take into account your personal circumstances, financial situation, or individual needs. We strongly recommend you seek independent professional advice or conduct your own independent research before acting upon any information contained in this article.    

The Phala Network community has voted chiefly to move the AI-focused parachain from Polkadot to its own Ethereum Layer 2 (L2). This decision comes after months of discussion and thought among all parties involved. The change is expected to make the system more scalable, secure for businesses, and better suited to current market needs. Phala’s executives said that the move will start before November 20. This ensures that PHA tokenholders receive the same quantity of the new ERC-20 version on Ethereum at a 1:1 ratio. The new L2 environment will not affect essential network functions like staking, rewards, and governance. Why The Move Happened Phala’s proposal is based on its current integration with Ethereum. The project launched a live Ethereum L2 in January, generating business interest in confidential, GPU-powered computation workloads. The migration plan, led by ecosystem leader “doylegxd,” pointed out the problems with Polkadot’s infrastructure, including its inability to scale and the high operational costs of renewing parachain slots. By entirely shifting to Ethereum L2, Phala aims to leverage Ethereum’s liquidity, tools, and native compatibility with cutting-edge compute technologies. The new environment is the best place for its decentralised, private compute workloads, which include support for AI-powered Web3 apps and TDX deployments. Effect on Tokenholders and Governance The changeover procedure ensures that PHA tokenholders receive ERC-20 tokens, which they can utilise in Ethereum’s expanding DeFi and AI ecosystems. The move prioritises continuity, ensuring that key services such as governance and incentive distribution remain in place and are easily accessible during the migration phase. With a market worth of $80.6 million, Phala is the 11th largest AI-agent-related crypto asset and one of the top 50 AI tokens in the world. The strategic shift to Ethereum positions it for further growth and adoption by businesses in the burgeoning field of private AI computation. The Changing Multichain Dynamic of Polkadot Astar and KILT Protocol, on the other hand, have opted to grow on Ethereum while still being on Polkadot. Phala stands out for forcefully leaving Polkadot behind, focusing entirely on Ethereum to concentrate resources and exploit its particular technological opportunity. Phala’s move indicates that Ethereum Layer 2 has become a mature platform for advanced AI computing, with specialised Web3 projects shifting their focus to become more scalable and business-relevant.

A wallet linked to the decentralized trading platform Hyperliquid has been hacked, resulting in the loss of approximately $21 million in cryptocurrency after a private key leak. Blockchain security firm PeckShield confirmed that the attacker gained unauthorized access to the wallet by compromising its private key, rather than exploiting Hyperliquid’s protocol or smart contracts. #PeckShieldAlert A victim 0x0cdC…E955 lost ~$21M worth of cryptos on #Hyperliquid due to a private key leak. The hacker has bridged the stolen funds to #Ethereum, including 17.75M $DAI & 3.11M $MSYRUPUSDP. pic.twitter.com/yZUMM6xL5f — PeckShieldAlert (@PeckShieldAlert) October 10, 2025 On-chain data shows that the stolen funds included 17.75 million DAI and 3.11 million MSYRUPUSDP, which were swiftly transferred and bridged to Ethereum. The hacker then dispersed the assets across multiple wallet addresses in a bid to obscure the transaction trail — a tactic commonly used to evade detection and asset recovery. PeckShield’s analysis revealed that the compromised wallet had recently closed a significant trading position on Hyperliquid, suggesting that the attacker might have been monitoring its activity before the theft occurred. The firm noted that the incident was isolated to a single user and did not involve any breach of the Hyperliquid exchange infrastructure. Investor Takeaway The isolated nature of the hack protects Hyperliquid’s reputation but reignites broader concerns about user-side security in decentralized finance. User Security Practices Under Scrutiny While Hyperliquid itself remains secure, the incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities tied to private key management and self-custody risks. Experts warn that even highly secure decentralized exchanges cannot protect users from breaches caused by poor key storage practices or social engineering attacks. A stronger protective measures, such as hardware wallets, multi-signature setups, and the use of cold storage for large holdings. Users are also encouraged to remain cautious of phishing attempts and malware designed to capture private keys or seed phrases. As of press time, no official recovery efforts have been announced, though blockchain investigators continue to monitor the movement of the stolen funds across networks. Investor Takeaway The Hyperliquid wallet hack underscores that private key/user security remains the weakest link in crypto, even when trading platforms themselves are uncompromised. Hyperliquid Under Broader Market Pressure Hyperliquid is facing renewed competition as its market share in the DeFi derivatives sector drops to around 38%, with platforms like Aster and Lighter gaining traction. The decline comes amid growing rivalry in on-chain trading volumes, suggesting traders may be shifting toward competitors offering better liquidity and incentives. In response, Hyperliquid has introduced a permissionless spot-quote feature on its mainnet, allowing stable asset deployers to designate their tokens as quote assets without central approval. The upgrade aims to attract new projects and restore momentum by decentralizing listings and expanding trading pairs—a strategic move to counter market losses and reignite community participation.

Morgan Stanley will soon allow all clients — including those with retirement accounts — to invest in cryptocurrency funds, lifting the wealth and risk-profile barriers that had previously excluded most investors, CNBC reported Friday. Starting Oct. 15, financial advisors at the $8.2 trillion wealth manager will be able to recommend bitcoin and ether products from issuers such as BlackRock and Fidelity across its full client base. Until now, only customers with at least $1.5 million in assets and an “aggressive” risk rating could access crypto exposure, and only through taxable brokerage accounts. The decision marks a major broadening of access to digital assets within one of Wall Street’s most established advisory networks. It follows a flood of demand since U.S. regulators approved spot bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds in 2024 — products that have attracted more than $77 billion in inflows, according to The Block ETF data. Looser Federal Stance Morgan Stanley’s move lands amid a shift in Washington toward friendlier treatment of alternative assets in retirement plans. In August, President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission to ease restrictions on 401(k) investments in crypto, gold, and private equity. While the order itself didn’t alter existing law, it revoked previous guidance discouraging crypto holdings in retirement portfolios and gave regulators 180 days to propose new rules or safe harbors. Since then, the Labor Department has issued advisory opinions indicating it will reduce liability risks for plan sponsors that include such assets. Together, those signals have opened the door for major financial institutions to expand crypto options for mainstream savers — a move that would have been politically unthinkable two years ago when regulators were warning of “extreme volatility” and investor harm. Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee has also laid out fresh guidelines for digital assets. In an Oct. 1 note circulated to advisors, the bank suggested crypto allocations of up to 4% in diversified portfolios, depending on client risk tolerance. Conservative accounts would hold none, while “opportunistic growth” models could include the maximum. The committee described cryptocurrencies as “speculative and increasingly popular,” warning that investors should rebalance regularly to prevent outsized exposure as prices swing. The firm’s willingness to open crypto to retirement clients signals growing comfort with the asset class’s maturation, particularly as bitcoin and ether ETFs trade on major exchanges under SEC oversight. It also positions Morgan Stanley ahead of peers still weighing how to integrate digital assets into fiduciary portfolios. For many investors, the new policy may be their first legitimate route to crypto exposure inside a retirement wrapper. It aligns with a broader trend of digital assets entering traditional finance — from ETFs and trust products to custody and advisory services. “It’s an acknowledgment that crypto has become part of the investable universe,” said one person familiar with the bank’s strategy. “Clients have been asking for this access for years.”

James Check, an expert, says that the price floor for Bitcoin has moved up, and that $110,000 is now a good starting point for the cryptocurrency. According to Check, this change in attitude indicates the growing strength of Bitcoin and its current market value, which is approximately $2.42 trillion. This increase in the floor price indicates that investors are more confident in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects and its potential for future gains. Check denotes an apparent reason why Bitcoin dropped back to $95,000. Most coins were bought above that price threshold, so that level is now more of a floor than a ceiling. Milestones In Market Capitalization Build Trust The expert emphasised that Bitcoin’s market cap has demonstrated resilience by surpassing key levels, increasing from $1 trillion in 2024 to $2 trillion in 2025. This growth lays a strong base that could sustain higher valuations in the future. James Check said that with these milestones, investors no longer have to ask if Bitcoin will go up, but how high it might go. These prices have established a solid foundation that supports hopes for further growth and paves the way for higher price targets. Bullseye $150,000 Next According to Check, Bitcoin’s next logical stop may be $150,000, which would put its market cap at about $3 trillion. Other industry analysts, such as Alex Thorn of Galaxy Digital, who predicted Bitcoin could reach between $150,000 and $185,000 in 2025, also concur with this forecast. This rise would mean a gain of almost 23.5% from Bitcoin’s current price of about $121,000. Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, believes that regaining key psychological levels, such as $120,000, could trigger a swift ascent towards new all-time highs. Bullish Control Stays James Check says that the bullish case for Bitcoin is still extreme, and that if it drops to lower levels like $95,000, it would show that bulls are weak. If Bitcoin can’t hold this new floor, the rally will stop for a long time. Currently, indicators suggest continued purchasing enthusiasm and increasing momentum. The new $110,000 floor is a good indicator for Bitcoin’s future in 2025. It prompts investors to raise their targets and anticipate further growth in the world’s largest cryptocurrency. James Check, an analyst, says that $110,000 is Bitcoin’s new price floor. This indicates that BTC’s price has a solid foundation, and investors should increase their expectations for 2025.

Global financial giant State Street has released new research with a projection that institutional exposure to digital assets will double by 2028. According to the report, this will be driven by the rapid rise of tokenization, real-world asset (RWA) integration, and evolving regulatory clarity. Our 2025 global research on #digitalassets and emerging technologies reveals a decisive shift in adoption and strategic commitment among institutional investors toward #tokenization and blockchain-enabled transformation. Read more: https://t.co/hzk1f3dZ1O pic.twitter.com/tULwI2Ke88 — State Street (@StateStreet) October 9, 2025 The survey, which polled more than 100 leading asset managers and institutional investors, found that over 70% of respondents plan to increase their crypto exposure in the next three years, with many identifying tokenized funds, stablecoins, and Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) as the preferred investment vehicles.  Investor Takeaway State Street’s findings suggest growing institutional confidence in tokenized and regulated digital assets as mainstream adoption accelerates. Corporate Investors Are Doubling Down on Crypto Tokenization State Street’s report underscores how far traditional finance (TradFi) has come in embracing digital assets. What began as cautious experimentation has transformed into structured allocation strategies across banking, asset management, and pension fund portfolios. In other words, the findings reflect a growing institutional consensus that blockchain-based assets are transitioning from speculative tools to core components of portfolio diversification. Among those surveyed, over 50% already hold some form of digital asset exposure, either directly or through managed funds. This marks a substantial increase from the previous years.  Institutions cited inflation hedging, cross-border efficiency, and tokenization of traditional securities as primary motivators. However, real-world asset tokenization, the process of representing physical or financial assets like bonds, real estate, and commodities on blockchain networks, has emerged as the most anticipated growth driver.  State Street estimates that tokenized assets could account for $5 trillion in market value by 2030, transforming how capital markets operate. According to the report, “Tokenization is no longer a buzzword — it’s the bridge between legacy finance and the blockchain economy.”  The research also points to a steady migration of liquidity from traditional equities and bond markets toward regulated crypto investment vehicles, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which are now available in major jurisdictions like the U.S., Hong Kong, and Australia. So, institutions globally now consider crypto as a way to hedge their funds, radically reduce settlement times, and increase liquidity. Investor Takeaway Institutional investors are increasingly viewing tokenization as the next major frontier in digital finance, with real-world assets expected to drive over $5 trillion in market value by 2030. Regulatory Progress Remains Crucial to Institutional Investors State Street’s findings align with a broader macro shift observed across 2025: major institutions are moving from indirect crypto exposure —through equity in blockchain companies or mining firms — to direct digital asset holdings, including on-chain staking and tokenized fund shares. However, much of the optimism for institutional allocations to Bitcoin and Ethereum to grow by at least 200% by 2028 hinges on regulatory clarity progress. In the U.S., the Treasury’s recent clarification of tax rules and the SEC’s streamlining of ETF approvals have lowered entry barriers for institutional players.  Meanwhile, Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and Asia’s growing adoption of stablecoin-friendly policies — as seen in Singapore and Hong Kong — are setting the stage for more compliant, transparent on-chain finance. For full-scale adoption to become a reality, fragmented regulation, counterparty risk in DeFi, and limited custody solutions must be turned around.

Exchange Operator Seeks Listing in Local Market HashKey Group, the owner of Hong Kong’s largest licensed cryptocurrency exchange, has filed for an initial public offering in the city, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. The company could raise as much as $500 million through the offering, which may take place later this year. HashKey operates the city’s top regulated trading platform and is one of only two exchanges fully licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Data from CoinGecko show its 24-hour trading volume near $117 million, placing it among the most active digital asset venues in Asia. The firm has not commented publicly on the IPO plans. Cointelegraph said HashKey had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication. Investor Takeaway A successful Hong Kong listing would make HashKey one of the first regulated Asian exchanges to tap public markets, highlighting investor demand for compliant crypto infrastructure. Regulatory Backdrop and Security Challenges HashKey’s rise has also drawn unwanted attention. In January, the SFC flagged 33 websites impersonating the exchange, bringing the total number of fraudulent domains to 45. The regulator warned investors about scams using HashKey’s name to solicit deposits, while the company confirmed that it had no ties to the sites. The exchange’s prominence has coincided with tighter rules in Hong Kong’s digital asset sector. In August, regulators introduced new custody requirements banning the use of smart contracts in cold wallets and enforcing stricter security standards. Days later, the SFC warned that the city’s stablecoin framework was heightening fraud risks, while DBS Hong Kong’s chief executive said the new regime would effectively block onchain derivatives trading. In September, local media reported that Chinese authorities were weighing restrictions on mainland state-owned enterprises and banks pursuing stablecoin or crypto initiatives in Hong Kong. The report was later removed, though it added to concerns that Beijing’s stance could slow the city’s crypto ambitions. Expansion and Fundraising Milestones HashKey has expanded rapidly beyond exchange services. In September, the company launched a $500 million Digital Asset Treasury Fund, with its CEO saying disciplined treasury management would help institutions endure market downturns. In April, the SFC approved HashKey to offer Ether staking services, clearing the way for future spot ETF-linked staking products. The group has also raised fresh capital this year. In February, it secured $30 million from Gaorong Ventures at a valuation of $1.5 billion. A month earlier, it became a crypto unicorn after raising almost $100 million at a pre-money valuation above $1.2 billion. These rounds underscore growing investor confidence in Hong Kong’s regulated exchanges even as the broader market remains volatile. Investor Takeaway HashKey’s IPO could test whether Hong Kong investors are ready to back regulated crypto firms. A strong debut may reinforce the city’s role as Asia’s digital asset capital. Hong Kong’s Push to Be a Crypto Hub Hong Kong has sought to rebuild its image as a global crypto hub since reopening to retail trading in 2023. The government has promoted licensing regimes and compliance-first exchanges as part of its strategy to attract digital finance businesses. Yet the city’s tightening oversight and mainland China’s influence have raised questions about how much autonomy local regulators truly have. HashKey’s listing could serve as a barometer for the policy’s success. If the IPO proceeds smoothly and attracts strong institutional demand, it could draw more crypto firms to consider public offerings in Hong Kong. Conversely, muted investor

Jiko, the only banking platform built entirely on U.S. Treasury bills to power global liquidity, has secured new strategic investments from Coinbase and Blockstream Capital Partners. The investment round also strengthens Jiko’s relationships with Crypto.com and Bitso, as all four institutions adopt Jiko’s infrastructure for settlement, storage, and payments based on U.S. T-bill-backed assets. The partnerships expand Jiko’s growing influence among financial institutions seeking compliant, yield-generating alternatives to traditional cash banking. Jiko’s model allows institutions to hold cash equivalents fully invested in short-term U.S. Treasuries while maintaining real-time liquidity and 24/7 settlement capability through its JikoNet system. “The crypto world moves in milliseconds. The fiat world takes days. That mismatch creates friction and risk, breaking the promise of programmable money,” said Stephane Lintner, Co-Founder and CEO of Jiko. “Today’s digital economy needs banking rails built for digital markets. We’re proud that Coinbase, Blockstream Capital Partners, Bitso, and Crypto.com have chosen Jiko as a strategic partner.” Takeaway Backed by Coinbase and Blockstream, Jiko’s U.S. T-bill infrastructure bridges digital assets and traditional finance — enabling safe, real-time liquidity for institutions. Building Always-On Liquidity Infrastructure For The Digital Economy Jiko’s 24/7 JikoNet settlement network represents a breakthrough for institutions transacting in U.S. dollars. The platform integrates with digital asset ecosystems to deliver round-the-clock fiat settlement, eliminating delays typical in traditional banking systems. Coinbase’s investment and adoption of JikoNet underscore a shared vision for bringing institutional-grade stability to the next generation of financial infrastructure. “Bringing U.S. T-bill access onto an always-on platform is an important step in how markets evolve,” said Roger Bartlett, VP, Institutional at Coinbase. “Jiko’s approach and technology are a good fit with the pace at which we’re building, and we’re pleased to support Coinbase’s investment in Jiko through the JikoNet platform.” Jiko’s regulatory foundation — as an FDIC-insured national bank — allows it to serve institutional clients with the security, transparency, and compliance standards required in traditional finance. The combination of regulated custody and programmable liquidity positions Jiko as an essential bridge between fiat banking and digital finance infrastructure. Takeaway Jiko’s JikoNet provides 24/7 fiat settlement infrastructure powered by U.S. Treasuries — a crucial step toward merging speed, safety, and yield in digital markets. Institutional Adoption Expands Across The Americas Beyond its new investors, Jiko’s partnerships with Bitso and Crypto.com highlight its growing adoption across Latin America and the broader digital asset ecosystem. Bitso, one of the largest crypto platforms in the region, is leveraging Jiko’s model to enhance transaction safety and operational efficiency for millions of users. “Jiko’s U.S. T-bill-backed rails bring a level of safety and efficiency that elevates how we serve our customers every day,” said Imran Ahmad, General Manager of Bitso Business. “From onboarding to ongoing settlement, Jiko’s technology and responsiveness have exceeded expectations.” Similarly, Crypto.com’s partnership underscores the integration of yield generation with secure liquidity management. “Partnering with Jiko helps strengthen our infrastructure, thanks to its security, liquidity, and 24/7 availability,” said Joe Anzures, General Manager, Americas and EVP of Payments at Crypto.com. “Their unique model allows for yield generation while minimizing counterparty risk.” To drive further adoption and institutional engagement, Jiko has appointed Breanne Madigan — a 22-year industry veteran with experience at Goldman Sachs, Ripple, and DCG (Tradeblock) — as Managing Director and Head of Digital Assets. Madigan’s role will focus on expanding partnerships, guiding digital asset strategy, and positioning Jiko as the liquidity backbone for compliant digital finance. Takeaway With partners like Bitso and Crypto.com, Jiko is scaling its T-bill-based model globally, uniting safety, compliance, and yield for institutional-grade digital liquidity.  

South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) is tightening its grip on cryptocurrency tax evasion by extending enforcement measures to include the seizure of cold wallets—offline storage devices used for self-custody of digital assets. According to the report, the tax agency has begun coordinating with local authorities to trace and confiscate digital assets belonging to individuals with unpaid tax liabilities. Officials confirmed that when evidence suggests crypto holdings are hidden offline, investigators may obtain warrants to search residences and seize hardware wallets or other physical storage devices. The crackdown marks a major escalation in South Korea’s efforts to recover unpaid taxes tied to cryptocurrency investments. Since 2021, the NTS has seized more than 146 billion won (about $103 million) worth of crypto assets from over 14,000 tax-delinquent individuals. The new directive signals the government’s intent to close remaining loopholes that have allowed wealthy evaders to shelter assets outside centralized exchanges. Investor Takeaway Investors may face increased scrutiny as South Korea closes loopholes that once shielded offline crypto holdings. South Korea’s NTS Tracks Crypto Wealth Held Beyond Exchanges Authorities have traditionally relied on domestic exchanges to enforce tax collections, freezing assets linked to known delinquents. However, as more users move funds into cold or non-custodial wallets—devices disconnected from the internet and beyond direct exchange oversight—the NTS is now turning to physical seizure as a last resort. “We analyze tax delinquents’ coin transaction history through crypto-tracking programs, and if there is suspicion of offline concealment, we will conduct home searches and seizures,” an NTS official said. Still, the move raises significant questions about due process, privacy, and enforcement feasibility. Legal experts note that verifying ownership of cold wallets or accessing private keys without cooperation could prove difficult. The initiative also risks clashing with existing exemptions that exclude non-custodial wallets from certain overseas financial reporting requirements. Meanwhile, the agency continues to struggle with crypto assets held on foreign exchanges. Data from the first half of 2025 shows that South Koreans transferred more than 78.9 trillion won ($55.6 billion) worth of crypto to overseas platforms, complicating enforcement efforts. Investor Takeaway Korea’s move could inspire similar enforcement models across Asia, reshaping how investors manage off-exchange crypto assets. Restriction And Market Order South Korean actor Hwang Jung-eum has been handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for four years, for embezzling more than 4.2 billion won ($3 million) from her management agency to finance cryptocurrency investments. The Jeju District Court found that Hwang, who owns the agency, transferred the funds 13 times under false “advance payment” claims between January and April 2022. Her conviction comes as South Korea heightens its oversight of digital assets. The Financial Intelligence Unit reported a record 36,000 suspicious crypto transactions this year, highlighting growing concerns over illicit flows. At the same time, Busan Digital Asset Custody Services, in partnership with Woori Bank, launched KRW1, the nation’s first won-backed stablecoin, reflecting Seoul’s dual approach of stricter regulation and the formal integration of blockchain finance into its financial system.

Kalshi, the U.S.-based prediction market startup founded at MIT, has raised more than $300 million in fresh funding, valuing the company at $5 billion and setting the stage for a rapid international expansion. The Series D round was led by Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), with participation from Paradigm, CapitalG, Coinbase Ventures, General Catalyst, and Spark Capital. The raise follows a $185 million Series C in June led by Paradigm, which valued the firm at $2 billion. Kalshi said its platform is now live in more than 140 countries, calling it the “world’s only unified global prediction market.” The rollout instantly adds billions of potential customers, though access remains restricted in 38 jurisdictions — including Canada, France, the U.K., Singapore, and Russia — per the company’s member agreement. The expansion caps a year of breakneck growth for Kalshi, which now projects $50 billion in annualized trading volume, up from $300 million a year ago. The company claims more than 60% of global market share, overtaking its decentralized rival Polymarket, which this week announced a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. “Kalshi has emerged as the leading prediction market platform, and we’re thrilled to back them,” said Alex Immerman, a partner at a16z’s Growth Fund. “Tarek and Luana chose the difficult but more responsible path of becoming the first CFTC-regulated prediction market, and their breadth of markets, liquidity, and infrastructure are built for scale.” Founded in 2018 by MIT graduates Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopes Lara, Kalshi allows users to trade on the outcomes of future events — from economic data releases and political elections to weather and sports results — in a regulated environment overseen by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The company’s recent surge has been driven by its sports-based contracts, including multi-leg “parlay” bets that mimic traditional sportsbook offerings. That popularity has drawn both investor attention and regulatory scrutiny. While Kalshi won a key legal battle earlier this year when the CFTC dropped its challenge against its election markets, several U.S. states have since filed suits accusing the firm of violating local sports betting laws. Despite the legal friction, Kalshi has leaned into compliance as a competitive advantage. “Becoming regulated was the hard road, but it’s the only road that scales,” co-founder Mansour said in a recent interview cited by The New York Times. Kalshi’s approach has also helped it build partnerships across mainstream fintech channels. The company has integrated with trading apps Robinhood and Webull, allowing users to buy and sell event contracts directly through those platforms. Head of Crypto John Wang said earlier this year that Kalshi wants to appear “on every major crypto app” within 12 months. The latest funding gives the startup ample runway to pursue that goal — and to test the global appetite for event-based trading beyond the United States. The platform’s global interface mirrors its U.S. product, offering identical functionality to users abroad, though local regulatory frameworks could still pose hurdles. With the new capital, Kalshi joins a small group of crypto-adjacent fintechs crossing the multibillion-dollar valuation threshold in 2025. Its rapid ascent underscores how prediction markets — once dismissed as niche experiments — are now vying for a place alongside traditional financial derivatives. As Immerman put it, Kalshi’s market “is built for scale.” The next test is whether it can hold that lead as global regulators, competitors, and a swelling user base catch up.

Cake Wallet, the open-source and privacy-focused crypto wallet, has introduced xStocks, a groundbreaking feature that enables users to invest in tokenized stocks and ETFs directly through its decentralized app. The integration marks a significant leap in bridging traditional financial markets with Web3, allowing users to invest in global equities using popular cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR), Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH). Through xStocks, investors gain access to tokenized versions of major companies including Google, Amazon, Nvidia, and other blue-chip equities and ETFs. All trades are conducted within a self-custodial environment, meaning users retain full ownership of their assets without the need for intermediaries such as banks or brokers. “With Cake Wallet, anyone can be their own bank and their own brokerage, saving and investing from the same decentralized ecosystem,” said Vikrant Sharma, CEO of Cake Labs. “xStocks gives users complete control of their financial destiny—without compromising on privacy or accessibility.” Takeaway Cake Wallet’s integration of xStocks merges self-custody and traditional investing, empowering users to buy tokenized stocks directly with crypto from one platform. Expanding Cake Wallet’s DeFi Ecosystem The launch of xStocks follows Cake Wallet’s broader strategy to expand its decentralized finance (DeFi) offerings. Earlier in 2025, the platform introduced dEURO, a stable digital euro offering 10% APR on holdings. Together, dEURO and xStocks create a comprehensive ecosystem that enables users to earn yield and invest in assets entirely outside traditional banking and brokerage channels. The new functionality is powered by the integration of the LetsExchange API, a trusted in-app crypto swap solution that ensures fast, seamless conversions between cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets. This integration makes it possible for Cake Wallet users to enter equity markets without leaving the Web3 environment or surrendering custody of their funds. “It is great to see xStocks trading available in Cake Wallet, one of the most trusted wallets in the crypto space,” said Alex J., Chief Product Officer at LetsExchange. The collaboration underscores the growing convergence between decentralized infrastructure and traditional investment products, positioning Cake Wallet as a leader in privacy-oriented financial innovation. Takeaway By integrating both yield generation and equity investment, Cake Wallet evolves into a full-service decentralized finance platform — merging savings, trading, and investing in one ecosystem. Global Access With Regulatory Boundaries xStocks is designed for global accessibility, giving users in most regions the ability to invest in tokenized assets directly from the Cake Wallet interface. However, due to regulatory restrictions, the service will not be available in certain jurisdictions, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Belgium, the UK, Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. Despite these limitations, Cake Wallet continues to lead innovation in decentralized finance by enabling everyday users to access financial products that were once reserved for traditional markets. Its open-source design ensures transparency and community trust, while its privacy-first approach differentiates it from mainstream crypto wallets and centralized platforms. With the addition of xStocks, Cake Wallet now supports multi-asset management, in-app swaps, yield products, and tokenized equity investing — all within a single, secure application. The update solidifies its position as a next-generation financial tool for users who value autonomy, privacy, and global access. Takeaway xStocks expands global access to tokenized assets while keeping full ownership in users’ hands, reinforcing Cake Wallet’s vision of self-sovereign finance.  

Tom Lee’s BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) is in the headlines again after the latest news of a new addition of 23,823 ETH (roughly $104 million) to its corporate treasury. Already, BitMine is the world’s largest Ethereum treasury, but this new purchase cements its place at the top of the chain.  Bitmine keeps accumulating $ETH — 5 hours ago, they received another 23,823 $ETH($103.68M) from BitGo.https://t.co/DLOO6fgc7Khttps://t.co/w5uTBr9jZg pic.twitter.com/nScuFMDf5X — Lookonchain (@lookonchain) October 10, 2025 According to a Lookonchain report, the company received the ETH from a BitGo wallet unmarked on Arkham Exchange, but Lookonchain identified the wallet as Bitmine’s. BitMine has not confirmed the reported acquisition at the time of writing, but analysts argue that it’s part of the company’s broader accumulation strategy.  Investor Takeaway The latest $104 million ETH purchase signals BitMine’s continued bet on Ethereum’s institutional future and on-chain dominance. New ETH Acquisition Reinforces BitMine’s Titan Status  From shifting from core Bitcoin mining to Ethereum treasury, BitMine has been laser-focused on its goal to hold 5% of the total ETH supply. As of the latest reporting, the company’s ETH holdings have surpassed 2.83 million tokens, putting their crypto & cash portfolio at about $13.4 billion in assets.  According to data from Ethereum Treasuries, the company now claims the largest corporate ETH holding globally, and its continuous acquisition is symbolic. By acquiring ETH directly, BitMine is dramatically increasing its exposure to the second-most critical protocol in the blockchain stack and the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency. The firm’s balance sheet is now heavily weighted toward Ethereum, giving it a double role as both a top miner and major ETH token holder. Ethereum has increasingly become the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized assets, and blockchain-based AI infrastructure. For BitMine, holding ETH provides both balance-sheet diversification and a strategic foothold in a protocol that underpins much of Web3’s financial and computational activity. Besides reinforcing BitMine’s role as an ETH treasury titan, Analysts view this as part of a broader shift in how crypto companies are thinking about capital allocation. Instead of only mining or staking, many are storing tokens as strategic reserve assets. Investor Takeaway By targeting 5% of the total ETH supply, BitMine is positioning itself at the center of Ethereum’s next phase of institutional adoption. BitMine Gives ETH Institutional Confidence A Boost BitMine’s ongoing aggressive ETH accumulation drives the narrative that has been steadily gaining traction in 2025 — that Ethereum is becoming a solid competitor to Bitcoin in the crypto treasury department and not only on the charts.  Ethereum’s growing institutional appeal is driven by several factors, including its expansion of on-chain utility (from staking yields to real-world asset tokenization) and rising developer activity that positions ETH as the powerhouse of decentralized applications. However, concentration risk remains a factor. With a treasury increasingly dominated by a single digital asset, BitMine’s exposure to market volatility is significant. A sharp downturn in ETH prices could affect both balance-sheet valuation and investor confidence.  Still, BitMine appears undeterred, emphasizing that its strategy is rooted in long-term conviction rather than short-term speculation. If the accumulation trend continues, 2025 could be remembered as the year corporate treasuries began to truly “go on-chain.”

The Global Encryption Coalition (GEC) and other privacy groups have asked the Irish government to drop a planned bill that would allow police to read encrypted messages. The Communications Interception and Lawful Access Bill is still in its early stages. Still, civil society and digital rights groups are closely monitoring it, as they worry that even small steps towards weakening encryption could have harmful global effects. Ryan Polk, the GEC’s spokesperson, said that weakening encryption puts everyone in the globe, not just Irish nationals, at risk. Ireland is home to the European headquarters of big tech companies like Apple and Meta. This gives it significant influence in determining digital security standards for the whole EU. Privacy advocates say that the Irish government has a special duty to protect encryption as a key aspect of digital safety and trust. What Happens When Encryption Gets Weaker People who are against the proposed law say that any intentional weakening of encryption opens up holes that can’t be limited to “good guys” only; cybercriminals and hostile state actors will immediately target these backdoors. Ryan Polk stated that weaker digital protections would increase the risk of fraud, identity theft, and spying attempts for both individuals and businesses. Encryption is praised as an essential way to protect sensitive information, from private messages to government processes. Privacy advocates say that if Ireland goes ahead with its plans, big internet companies may have to give up some of their security or exit the Irish market. This would make Irish citizens, government officials, and even the police less safe online. A Growing Debate About Irish and EU Law This debate in the US is happening at the same time as talks in the EU about the so-called “Chat Control” bill, which would make messaging services analyse messages before they are encrypted. The idea has hit a snag in Brussels, where Germany’s government is strongly against it. The GEC instructs Ireland to drop its own plan and cease supporting Chat Control, stating that both actions will compromise the privacy of millions of Europeans. Ireland’s Position in European Policy Moving Forward Ireland will have more power over these policy decisions when it takes over the EU Council presidency in July 2026. The GEC and other supporters are urging Irish MPs to consider the far-reaching effects of any attempt to limit encryption. They say that choices made in one country about digital privacy now have effects in many other countries as well. Privacy groups argue that weakening encryption would erode trust in digital communications, compromise national security, and hinder economic growth by making it more difficult for companies to invest in new technologies and innovate.

Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced a major update to its Futures API, introducing full support for trading symbols that include Chinese characters. The update, effective October 9, 2025, allows developers and traders to use UTF-8 encoded trading pair names directly within the Binance Futures API. This move enhances accessibility for Chinese-speaking users, strengthens localization efforts, and reinforces Binance’s position as a global leader in derivatives trading. According to Binance’s official developer changelog, the Futures API now supports UTF-8 encoding across all endpoints, including REST API requests, responses, and WebSocket data streams. The update enables trading pairs with non-Latin characters, such as simplified or traditional Chinese, to be used seamlessly when placing or retrieving orders. Binance emphasized that this update improves the flexibility of its trading infrastructure and ensures compatibility with international character sets. Technical updates to API functionality Developers integrating Binance’s Futures API are advised to ensure that symbols containing Chinese characters are properly URL-encoded using UTF-8 percent-encoding before making requests. This applies to all functions, including placing, canceling, and querying orders. Binance warned that systems built to handle ASCII-only symbols should be updated to maintain compatibility and prevent potential data errors. The company also clarified that the change affects both REST and WebSocket endpoints, ensuring consistent UTF-8 handling throughout the Binance Futures system. This comprehensive encoding support marks a significant milestone for Binance’s API infrastructure, aligning it with international standards and improving interoperability for third-party applications. Industry analysts suggest the update could have strong strategic implications for Binance’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region. By enabling Chinese character support, Binance caters more directly to developers, algorithmic traders, and institutional users in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore—markets where Chinese-language integration is crucial for efficient automation and user experience. This marks the first time Binance has implemented full non-English symbol compatibility at the API level, despite already offering multilingual support in its web and mobile interfaces. The change underscores Binance’s commitment to localization and its ongoing investment in infrastructure enhancements designed to serve its vast global trading community. Market experts note that this feature could also improve the discoverability and integration of Binance’s API within regional trading platforms and algorithmic systems. By simplifying how developers interact with exchange data using local language identifiers, Binance effectively lowers the barrier for innovation among developers and quantitative funds operating in Chinese-speaking regions. Global trend toward localization in crypto APIs Binance’s latest move follows a broader industry trend toward improving accessibility and inclusivity in crypto infrastructure. Competing exchanges are increasingly implementing multilingual documentation, broader character support, and region-specific API improvements to attract global developers. However, Binance appears to be among the first major derivatives platforms to fully adopt UTF-8 character support for trading symbols. The Binance Futures API update is now live, with detailed documentation available on the official Binance Developer Portal. The update represents not only a technical enhancement but also a strategic effort to support a growing base of Chinese-speaking traders and developers in the global digital asset market.

Bitwise Asset Management has filed an amended Solana ETF application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), introducing staking as part of the fund’s strategy. The updated filing, submitted on October 8, 2025, rebrands the product as the “Bitwise Solana Staking ETF” and outlines a unitary sponsor fee of 0.20%. The move positions Bitwise as the first asset manager to formally integrate staking yield within a U.S. exchange-traded fund tied to Solana (SOL). If approved, the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF would allow investors to gain exposure not only to Solana’s market price but also to staking rewards generated through its proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism. In the filing, Bitwise specifies that the ETF’s assets will be staked directly on the Solana network, earning yield that would be reflected in the fund’s performance. This marks a significant evolution in crypto ETF design, moving beyond simple price tracking toward active participation in blockchain ecosystems. A new era for Solana and crypto ETFs Staking is a fundamental component of Solana’s network operations, allowing participants to secure the blockchain and validate transactions while earning rewards. By incorporating staking into an ETF structure, Bitwise aims to replicate on-chain yield opportunities within a regulated investment framework. The move comes at a time when Solana continues to gain institutional interest due to its high throughput, low fees, and expanding DeFi and NFT ecosystems. This development follows similar moves by 21Shares, which also added staking to its Solana ETF filing. Both firms are vying to capture the next wave of institutional capital seeking diversified crypto exposure with income-generating potential. Analysts view the introduction of staking-enabled ETFs as a step toward legitimizing blockchain yield mechanisms in mainstream finance. Bitwise’s proposed 0.20% management fee sets a new benchmark for cost efficiency among crypto ETFs. Compared to existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF offers one of the lowest fee structures in the market, signaling an aggressive strategy to attract retail and institutional investors alike. However, incorporating staking into a regulated ETF introduces complex compliance considerations. The SEC must evaluate how staking rewards are treated under securities laws and whether the structure aligns with existing rules around fund income reporting, custody, and potential slashing risks. While staking could enhance returns, it also exposes the ETF to on-chain risks, such as validator penalties and network downtime. Market impact and industry outlook If approved, the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF could pave the way for broader integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) mechanisms into traditional investment vehicles. Experts suggest that this innovation could bridge the gap between on-chain activity and Wall Street, providing investors with transparent, yield-generating exposure to blockchain assets. The SEC’s decision will be closely watched by the industry, as it may set a precedent for future staking-enabled ETFs based on other proof-of-stake networks like Ethereum, Avalanche, and Cosmos. For now, Bitwise’s filing signals a clear intent: to lead the next phase of crypto ETF evolution, merging yield generation with regulatory oversight and institutional-grade access.  

Coinbase and Mastercard are reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire BVNK, a London-based stablecoin infrastructure provider, in a deal valued at approximately $2 billion, according to an exclusive report from Fortune. The potential acquisition underscores the growing convergence between traditional financial institutions and digital asset platforms as both sectors race to secure a foothold in blockchain-based payments and settlement solutions. Sources close to the matter told Fortune that discussions between the two companies and BVNK have reached late-stage negotiations, though no final agreement has been signed. Neither Coinbase nor Mastercard has issued an official statement confirming the talks, and there have been no regulatory filings or press releases as of Thursday. The reported deal remains subject to final approvals and due diligence. Founded in 2021, BVNK has quickly emerged as a leading player in stablecoin infrastructure, providing businesses with technology to issue, manage, and transact in stablecoins across multiple blockchain networks. Its platform helps bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), enabling companies to integrate digital asset payments and settlements seamlessly. Earlier this week, BVNK received strategic investment from Citi Ventures, further validating its position within the growing fintech and blockchain ecosystem. Strategic implications for Coinbase and Mastercard For Coinbase, the acquisition of BVNK would represent a significant expansion of its institutional services and on-chain infrastructure capabilities. It would enable the U.S.-based exchange to deepen its role in stablecoin issuance and global payment settlement. Coinbase has already established itself as a critical player in the stablecoin market through its partnership with Circle, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC). By acquiring BVNK, Coinbase could enhance its ability to facilitate cross-border payments, improve liquidity efficiency, and expand its influence in the enterprise blockchain market. Mastercard’s potential involvement highlights its ongoing strategy to modernize payment rails through blockchain integration. The global payments company has been exploring tokenized payment systems, central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots, and partnerships with crypto firms to enable secure, compliant digital asset transactions. By acquiring BVNK, Mastercard could leverage its infrastructure to offer real-time settlement, improve cross-border efficiency, and expand its suite of blockchain-enabled payment solutions. Market and industry impact Analysts suggest that a joint acquisition of BVNK by Coinbase and Mastercard would mark a watershed moment in the collaboration between traditional finance and the digital asset industry. Such a move would demonstrate that major financial institutions view blockchain-based infrastructure not as competition but as the foundation for the next generation of global payments. If completed, this would be one of the largest acquisitions in the stablecoin infrastructure sector to date, signaling the growing strategic importance of on-chain settlement technologies. It would also place BVNK, a relatively young company, at the center of one of the most significant fintech deals of the year. As the digital payments landscape continues to evolve, the partnership between Coinbase and Mastercard—if finalized—could redefine how traditional financial systems interact with blockchain technology, setting the stage for a more integrated and compliant on-chain financial ecosystem.

Analysts believe Bitcoin is currently in a tight position, with the asset’s next major move expected within a 105-day window before the market direction becomes definitive. According to a recent analysis by Tony Severino, Bitcoin has reached what he described as a “record tightness” after the asset failed to overcome a resistance zone marked by the Bollinger Band technical indicator. The Bollinger Band uses three levels to determine the market’s state—the upper band, which tends to act as resistance; the lower band, which serves as a support catalyst; and the middle band, which alternates between support and resistance levels on the chart. Source: X According to Severino’s analysis, Bitcoin has formed a fractal pattern similar to what it did on two previous occasions after testing the upper band on the chart. Historically, in the past two instances when Bitcoin traded into the upper weekly band, it took an average of 95 days—ranging between 84 and 105 days—for a significant move to occur. In Severino’s words:“According to past local consolidation ranges, it could take as long as 100+ days to get a valid breakout (or breakdown, if BTC dumps instead).” The analyst claims that Bitcoin’s next upward or downward move will depend heavily on the next few candles. Either direction, he believes, will be accompanied by heavy volatility, serving as a note of caution for traders. He added:“Expanding from a squeeze setup like this can lead to head fakes. We might have seen one with this latest move. We also might see another head fake down from here before eventually taking off higher.” Another crypto analyst, popularly known as Rekt Capital, said that a major price rally could be the next major outcome for Bitcoin. His analysis also points to fractal patterns in the market, drawing correlations with the 2017 and 2021 price movements. The chart he has been tracking for months shows that, similar to the market cycles of 2017 and 2021, the corrective phase appears to be over and the asset has now entered what he calls the “discovery phase.” Source: X The discovery phase represents a stage in the market where the token repeatedly sets new all-time highs. In this case, his projected target exceeds the highly anticipated $136,000 to $140,000 range on the chart. Is the Market in Alignment? Market investors appear to be in alignment with this potential Bitcoin rally. Institutional investors—a group known to influence price movements with large buy and sell orders—have remained predominantly bullish. According to the latest data from SoSoValue, institutional investors purchased roughly $2.5 billion worth of Bitcoin in the past trading week. Further analysis shows that a majority of this inflow came from BlackRock, particularly as its exchange-traded fund (ETF) reached a new milestone of 80,000 BTC, representing a fresh capital inflow of $4 billion. Such a significant inflow from institutional investors signals strong conviction in the market and could potentially reduce Bitcoin’s available supply, creating scarcity that drives prices upward over time. In the spot market, investors are also actively buying the asset. According to CoinGlass, spot exchange net flows recorded a major purchase of $209 million worth of Bitcoin, adding more buying pressure that aligns with institutional sentiment. Likewise, the Accumulation/Distribution (A/D) indicator—used to determine whether investors are buying or selling—shows that buying activity continues to surge. The A/D indicator reveals that investors’ purchase volume has continued to rise overall, with total recorded volume reaching 12.9 billion across the market. The combined accumulation across these different market segments shows that investors remain largely bullish on Bitcoin, with a high likelihood that more liquidity will continue flowing into the market. Momentum Gradually Fading Away Momentum in the market has been high, as indicated by a 16% surge in trading volume to $73.3 billion. A massive liquidity increase like this often implies that the asset’s current trend is likely to continue in the same direction. At the time of writing, however, Bitcoin has shown slight downside movement with a minor liquidity drop of 0.57%, suggesting that bearish pressure may temporarily dominate. Still, this drawdown is likely a short-term corrective phase, after which the asset could trend higher once again—especially as overall bullish sentiment in the market continues to grow. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What does the 100-day window mean for Bitcoin?The 100-day window refers to the estimated period analysts believe Bitcoin has to confirm its next major price direction—either a bullish breakout or a downward correction. 2. Who are the analysts behind this prediction?The analysis comes from Tony Severino, who highlighted Bitcoin’s “record tightness,” and Rekt Capital, who compared current market patterns to previous cycles in 2017 and 2021. 3. What technical indicator is being used in this analysis?The Bollinger Band indicator is the key tool used. It measures market volatility and helps identify potential resistance and support levels. 4. How are institutional investors influencing Bitcoin’s price?Institutional investors, led by firms like BlackRock, have injected billions into Bitcoin through ETFs and direct purchases, increasing scarcity and boosting long-term bullish sentiment. 5. What price levels are analysts targeting for Bitcoin?Rekt Capital projects that Bitcoin could surpass the $136,000 to $140,000 range during the discovery phase if the bullish trend continues.