Из жизни альткоинов

Japanese investment company Metaplanet today announced that it is temporarily pausing its stock acquisition rights. According to data from Coingecko, the firm currently holds 30,823 BTC on its balance sheet.

Metaplanet Pauses Stock Sale, Committed To Buying Bitcoin

According to an announcement made earlier today, one of the major Bitcoin treasury firms, Metaplanet, is poised to suspend the exercise of its 20th to 22nd series of stock acquisition rights. These rights, also known as Moving Strike Warrants, will be in suspension from October 20th to November 17th.

For the uninitiated, Moving Strike Warrants are financial instruments that give investors the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a company’s stock at a strike price that adjusts over time, usually based on the stock’s market price or other metrics. 

Today’s announcement means that Metaplanet is essentially temporarily halting the sale of common stock to fund additional BTC purchases. Seeing the company’s stock’s recent performance, this should hardly come as a surprise.

Metaplanet’s shares have collapsed a massive 70% from their June highs. The following chart shows how Metaplanet’s stock is down more than 22% over the past month, trading at $550 at the time of writing.

Besides the depressed price action, Metaplanet’s valuation now stands at 1.05x Net Asset Value (NAV), the lowest reading since the firm launched its Bitcoin treasury strategy. Metaplanet’s total share value is now just slightly above the total value of BTC it holds.

The decision to temporarily halt additional share sale is likely taken to avoid further dilution of shareholders’ value. The seemingly incongruent behavior between rising BTC price and falling Metaplanet stock is not out of the ordinary.

For instance, Michael Saylor-led Strategy – despite being the largest public company in terms of BTC held on its balance sheet – has had to struggle over the past few months. MSTR shares have tumbled over 4.5% over the past month.

That said, Metaplanet reiterated that it remains committed to buying more BTC in the future. In its official announcement, the company said:

We remain committed to our mission of expanding Bitcoin holdings and maximizing BTC Yield for the benefit of our shareholders. In support of this mission, we are also developing new financial instruments and advancing the sophistication of our capital policy.

Crypto Adoption Continues To Grow

While Metaplanet temporarily halting stock sales might spook some BTC bulls, the overall trend of corporate adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to grow. For example, NYSE-listed CleanCore recently revealed that its treasury now holds 710 million DOGE.

Similarly, MARA Holding recently increased its corporate treasury by 373 BTC, surpassing $6 billion in holdings. Nation-states appear to be joining the bandwagon too, as Luxembourg stated that its sovereign wealth fund is set to invest in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

That said, some industry experts argue that the recent surge in corporate adoption of digital assets is not entirely organic. At press time, BTC trades at $117,672, down 2.7% in the past 24 hours.

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has criticized Senate Democrats’ controversial proposal to regulate the DeFi sector, which has reportedly stalled bipartisan talks on the long-awaited crypto market structure legislation.

Coinbase CEO Slams Democrats’ Proposal

In a Friday X post, Coinbase’s CEO warned that the crypto industry “absolutely won’t accept” the Senate Democrats’ proposal on DeFi regulation as it “would set innovation back, and prevent the US from becoming the crypto capital of the world.”

For context, crypto journalist Eleanor Terret reported that Senate Democrats and Republicans were allegedly quarreling behind the scenes over a leaked proposal to regulate DeFi platforms in the upper chamber’s version of the crypto market structure bill, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA).

The six-page document, named “Preventing illicit finance and regulatory arbitrage through decentralized finance platforms,” proposed establishing a “clear” regulatory framework for DeFi platforms by “defining accountability, clarifying oversight, and preventing the misuse of decentralized protocols for illicit finance, sanctions evasion, or to bypass market guardrails.”

Jake Chervinsky, Variant CLO, called Democrats’ proposal “deeply unserious,” affirming that the drafted suggestions are “basically a crypto ban,” with many “fundamentally broken and unworkable” aspects.

The lawyer argued that the changes to RIFA’s draft text would effectively kill the bill, as it would make everyone in crypto an intermediary, force front-end providers to apply Know Your Customer (KYC) rules to their users, and give agencies “unchecked power for selective regulation.”

“It lets Treasury regulate anyone with ‘sufficient influence’ in a DeFi protocol and also lets Treasury define ‘sufficient influence’ however it pleases,” Chervinsky explained. “It creates a ‘restricted list’ for protocols and front-ends that Treasury thinks are too risky, and then makes it a crime for anyone to use them. There is no limiting principle, defense, or recourse. Treasury is all-powerful.”

“The RFIA draft got a few key things right,” he stated, a sentiment shared by other industry leaders like Uniswap’s CEO, Hayden Adams. Variant’s CLO highlights that the Senate Banking Committee’s draft protects software developers from unjust regulation and criminal prosecution, “preventing future administrations from returning to the era of Gary Gensler. Without this, there is no bill.”

Crypto Market Structure Bill At Risk?

Coinbase CEO affirmed that legislation is a process and pledged to continue fighting for the rights of investors and developers and to “preserve economic freedom.” He also added that Coinbase leadership is “committed to engaging and helping Congress get it right.”

Amid the backlash, some have debated whether the market structure bill can arrive at President Donald Trump’s desk before the end of the year. Eleanor Terret reported for Crypto In America that Senate Republicans are “frustrated” that Democrats have allegedly offered “little substantive feedback” on the two published discussion drafts on the legislation and have been reluctant to set an official date for the legislation’s markup session.

A Senate Banking Committee Communications Director, Jeff Naft, said that “What was sent to Republicans was not a legislative offer; the document was not written in legislative text, included multiple incoherent policy ideas, and was not a good-faith effort to engage on market structure.” As a result, negotiations have reportedly stalled.

However, anonymous sources told Terret that the leaked proposal was “meant as a starting point for discussions, not a final position,” and Democrats are seemingly frustrated that the document was made public.

Jacques Petit, Director of Communications for Senator Ruben Gallego, stated that “Their demand to set a markup date before text is agreed to is like setting a wedding date before the first date. It’s nonsensical.”

Terret noted that the longer this incident drags on, the more likely the crypto legislation won’t arrive at the President’s desk this year. If it spills over to 2026, it risks losing momentum, as Congress shifts its main focus from digital assets regulation to the midterm elections.

Morgan Stanley, one of the largest investment firms in the US, announced on Friday that it will broaden access to crypto investments for all clients, including those with retirement accounts. 

This shift, reported by CNBC, allows financial advisors to present cryptocurrency funds to any client starting October 15, moving away from the previous restrictions that limited access to individuals with a minimum of $1.5 million in assets and an aggressive risk tolerance.

Morgan Stanley Broadens Crypto Access

This decision marks a notable evolution in the firm’s approach to digital assets, especially following the US government’s changing stance on cryptocurrencies under President Donald Trump’s administration. 

Throughout the year, the Republican Party, spearheaded by Trump’s vision of making America the ‘crypto capital of the world’, has taken significant steps towards this goal. 

These include the passing of the GENIUS Act for stablecoins and the appointment of Paul Atkins as the new US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair. This has also led to the dropping of several enforcement cases which targeted industry giants like Coinbase, Binance, Uniswap, among others. 

As a result, Morgan Stanley recently indicated that it would enable trading of THE market’s largest cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), through its E-Trade subsidiary.

Furthermore, the firm has consistently demonstrated a willingness to adapt to market trends, particularly as competition from platforms like Coinbase (COIN) and Robinhood (HOOD) intensifies.

As it eliminates eligibility requirements for crypto funds, the bank plans to implement an automated monitoring system to ensure that clients do not become overly concentrated in these investments.

Major Banks Explore Stablecoin Launches

The global investment committee at Morgan Stanley has recommended a cautious approach, suggesting a maximum initial allocation of up to 4% to cryptocurrencies based on individual investment goals ranging from wealth preservation to opportunistic growth. 

Lisa Shalett, the chief investment officer for wealth management, emphasized that while cryptocurrencies are increasingly popular, they remain “speculative assets” that not all investors will choose to pursue.

Currently, advisors are limited to offering Bitcoin funds from established firms like BlackRock and Fidelity. However, Morgan Stanley is actively observing the evolving landscape for potential expansions in its offerings, including broader crypto options. 

This initiative comes as major US banks, such as Bank of America and Citibank, explore the launch of stablecoins, signaling a transformative shift in the financial services sector.

Morgan Stanley is also monitoring developments in the stablecoin market. CFO Sharon Yeshaya has acknowledged the potential applications of stablecoins for their clientele, although she noted that it is still too early to assess their full impact on the firm’s operations. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

Центральный банк России на форуме «Финополис 2025» в городе Сочи объявил о планах ввести прямое регулирование инвестиций в криптовалюты и дать участникам рынка год на получение лицензий и «обеление» инфраструктур.

On-chain data shows Dogecoin holders have broken the 8.1 million milestone. Here’s how other cryptocurrencies like XRP and Cardano compare.

Dogecoin Holder Count Above Other Altcoins, But Still Below Bitcoin & Ethereum

In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has shared about how the various coins in the cryptocurrency sector currently compare in terms of the Total Amount of Holders.

The Total Amount of Holders is an indicator that measures, as its name suggests, the total number of wallets carrying some non-zero balance on a given network.

When the value of this metric rises, it means new investors are joining the blockchain and/or old ones who had sold earlier are investing back into the asset. Existing users creating new wallets to distribute their holdings also contribute to the trend.

In general, all of these factors can be assumed to be at play at once to some degree, so some net adoption of the asset can be considered to have occurred whenever the Total Amount of Holders goes up.

On the other hand, the indicator witnessing a decline implies some investors may have decided to exit from the cryptocurrency, so they are clearing out their wallets.

Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows the trend in the Total Amount of Holders for some of the top assets in the sector:

As is visible in the above graph, the Total Amount of Holders has generally gone up in the cryptocurrency sector during the past year, indicating that new investors have been coming in.

Many coins have shown a steady growth rate, but the trend has fluctuated for others. Dogecoin saw some explosive growth earlier in 2025, but the memecoin’s adoption has since taken a slow approach.

Today, the Dogecoin network hosts around 8.1 million users. This is more than XRP (7.1 million), Cardano (4.5 million), USDC (4 million), and Chainlink (802,500). DOGE being above XRP in particular is interesting, as the latter’s market cap is more than four times the former’s, showcasing the reach that the memecoin has among retail traders.

Ethereum has continued to dominate the list with over 160 million holders, far ahead of Bitcoin with its 56.9 million count. USDT rounds out the top three with a metric value of 8.9 million.

Historically, adoption is something that has been constructive for any cryptocurrency network, as a wider userbase means a more solid foundation for future price moves to grow on. In this view, the uptrend in the Total Amount of Holders among Dogecoin and other assets can be a positive signal.

DOGE Price

While Dogecoin is continuing to attract retail users, its price has struggled recently, being down around 18% from its September high to $0.25.

Президент США Дональд Трамп заявил о введении 100% пошлин на товары из Китая. Это привело к масштабному падению криптовалютного рынка, а объем ликвидаций маржинальных позиций стал крупнейшим в истории.

In its latest move toward integrating cryptocurrencies into its financial framework, Russia has announced that domestic banks will be granted permission to engage in limited crypto operations under stringent regulatory conditions. 

Vladimir Chistyukhin, the First Deputy Chairman of the Bank of Russia, highlighted that this cautious approach aims to prevent commercial banks from making cryptocurrency trading their primary focus.

New Role Of Banks In Crypto Assets

Chistyukhin emphasized the need for strict capital and reserve standards, asserting that while excluding banks from cryptocurrency transactions would be unjustified, it is essential to maintain conservative views on the banking sector’s involvement with digital assets. In his statement, Chistyukhin asserted:

We hold conservative views and think about how appropriate it is for the banking sector to include cryptocurrency in its assets. After discussion with the professional banking community, we came to the conclusion that excluding banks from such operations would be unjustified.

To mitigate risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing, all transactions involving digital assets will be subject to existing anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. 

Chistyukhin noted the importance of transparency in these transactions, stressing that all parties involved must be adequately identified and that the sources of funds must be clear. 

This regulatory framework aims to ensure that banks, brokers, and exchanges are held accountable for monitoring illegal transactions, with strict penalties for those who fail to comply. Chistyukhin added:

The international community and the Russian professional community have become very clear that crypto assets have an increased risk associated with money laundering and the financing of terrorism. We believe that all anti-money laundering mechanisms should also apply to investing in crypto assets.

Bank Of Russia To Conduct Major Digital Asset Audit

In a related development, the Bank of Russia is planning a comprehensive audit of the nation’s cryptocurrency holdings and activities, set to take place in early 2026. 

As reported by Bitcoinist earlier this week, this audit will assess investments in digital assets by regulated financial institutions and investigate any lending or financing associated with crypto businesses. 

The central bank intends to cross-reference data from various sources, including miners, exchanges, and the Federal Tax Service, to identify discrepancies between reported activities and actual transactions.

But while Russia continues to develop its regulatory landscape for digital assets, a divide has emerged among government agencies. While some ministries advocate for clearer regulations and taxation for crypto operations, the central bank appears to favor a more cautious approach, prioritizing financial stability over rapid integration.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Chainlink (LINK) is grinding higher above a key pivot, trading near $22.5 with a $15.25 billion market cap and roughly $1.68B in 24-hour volume.

Positioning looks constructive as open interest has edged up to $1.38 billion (+0.43%), while derivatives volume climbed 10%, a combo that typically supports continuation when spot holds support. Funding remains modestly positive, suggesting bullish bias without dangerous leverage.

On-chain flows echo that tone. The Chainlink Reserve, a program that accumulates LINK using protocol revenues, added 45,729 LINK this week, lifting its balance to 463,190 LINK (about $10 million at recent prices).

Jovay Network picks Chainlink for CCIP and Data Streams

Fundamentals continue to expand. Jovay Network selected Chainlink CCIP as its native cross-chain communication standard from day one and adopted Chainlink Data Streams to deliver secure, low-latency market data.

For developers building tokenized asset markets and institutional-grade DeFi, that means simpler interoperability and cleaner market feeds, two real-world utilities that strengthen the LINK demand flywheel (node rewards, staking, and service payments).

Beyond Jovay, Chainlink remains the leading oracle and interoperability stack across major chains, with expanding partner networks and cross-chain integrations. In prior cycles, a similar cadence in enterprise integrations preceded periods of relative strength for LINK versus the broader altcoin market.

Price levels to watch: Can LINK Clear $25?

Technically, LINK reclaimed the $22 zone and is testing it as new support. Holding that shelf keeps a breakout toward $23.00–$23.20 in play; a decisive close above that band opens the path to the $25.60 resistance cluster.

A push through $25.60 would validate a bullish continuation from the current bull-flag structure and refocus buyers on $27.8 (prior high) next.

On the downside, $21.50–$21.90 is the first defense. A daily close below $21.50 risks a deeper check of $20.70–$20.00; persistent weakness could revisit $19, where demand previously re-emerged.

Until those lower levels break, the mix of rising OI, healthy spot volume, and Reserve accumulation favors buy-the-dip flows over a trend reversal.

With reserves growing, derivatives steady, and Jovay’s CCIP/Data Streams integration adding another real-world pillar, Chainlink’s momentum base is firming. If bulls defend $22 and flip $23–$23.2 into support, a run at $25–$25.60 looks increasingly likely.

Cover image from ChatGPT, LTCUSD chart from Tradingview

Bitcoin is currently consolidating below the $125,000 level after a sharp correction that pushed the price down to $120,000, a key psychological and technical area of support. Despite the recent volatility, bulls are showing resilience, holding price levels that suggest the broader uptrend remains intact. However, uncertainty persists as some analysts warn that a deeper correction toward lower demand zones could still occur before the next leg higher.

Interestingly, onchain data provides a more optimistic signal. Metrics indicate that Bitcoin miners are not in a hurry to sell, suggesting strong conviction in the market’s long-term trajectory. This stability from miners — historically one of the largest sources of selling pressure — reflects growing confidence in the sustainability of current price levels.

As the market navigates this phase of consolidation, traders are watching whether Bitcoin can reclaim $125K and establish a new base for continuation. For now, the combination of miner confidence and stable demand suggests the market is preparing for its next decisive move rather than signaling exhaustion.

Bitcoin Miners Remain Strong

Top onchain analyst Axel Adler shared new insights into the state of the Bitcoin mining economy through the Miner Financial Health Index — a composite metric designed to measure the financial condition of miners by accounting for hashprice, block profit, fee share, and overall cash flow. According to Adler, the index currently stands at 59%, which represents a healthy, neutral-to-bullish mining economy.

This reading indicates that miners are operating in a stable environment with balanced profitability and no signs of distress. Importantly, the absence of excessive stress or euphoria suggests that miners are not under pressure to liquidate holdings, a factor that often contributes to market stability. Historically, periods when the index stays within the 50–65% range have coincided with steady price growth, as miners tend to accumulate or hold their rewards rather than selling into rallies.

Adler notes that a sharp rise above 80% would mark the beginning of a distribution phase, typically associated with increased miner selling as profits peak. For now, the moderate reading highlights that the current cycle still has room for growth before reaching overheated levels.

This insight aligns with other onchain indicators showing robust network activity and strong miner confidence, reinforcing the notion that Bitcoin’s recent correction remains a healthy consolidation phase rather than a sign of structural weakness. As long as miners continue to operate profitably and refrain from large-scale selling, Bitcoin’s underlying market foundation remains firm — setting the stage for potential renewed momentum once price volatility subsides.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: Bulls Defend $120K Support

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around $121,400, consolidating after a brief pullback from the $126,000 all-time high. The daily chart shows BTC holding above key support levels, with the 50-day (blue) and 100-day (green) moving averages trending upward — confirming that the broader structure remains bullish.

The $120,000–$121,000 zone is emerging as a short-term support area, where buyers have stepped in to defend against further downside. A sustained move above $123,500 could open the door for a retest of $125,000, while a breakdown below $120,000 would likely expose BTC to a deeper correction toward the $117,500 level, a major horizontal support that previously acted as resistance in September.

Momentum indicators suggest the market is in a cooling phase after an extended rally, allowing for potential re-accumulation before the next major move. The recent consolidation aligns with on-chain data showing miners maintaining confidence and no significant selling pressure.

Bitcoin remains structurally bullish, as long as price holds above $117,500. Traders will watch for a breakout above $125,000 to confirm renewed momentum and potentially push BTC into price discovery territory once again.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

An obscure firm using the storied “Salomon Brothers” name has ignited one of Bitcoin’s strangest ownership fights to date: a mass “dusting” campaign that blasted tens of thousands of legacy wallets with on-chain “legal notices” embedded in OP_RETURN messages. In a detailed forensic study, Galaxy Research links the messages to a coordinated attempt that may be laying groundwork for abandoned-property claims—though it remains unclear how any claimant could ever take control of coins without the private keys.

Bitcoin Dust Attack Sparks Legal Chaos

According to Galaxy’s analysis, an unknown, sophisticated actor sent 41,523 OP_RETURN messages from 3,738 sender addresses to 39,423 recipient addresses that collectively held about 2.334 million BTC when targeted. The vast majority—98.82%—were legacy P2PKH addresses with very long inactivity, averaging roughly 2,171 days (~5.95 years).

The campaign rolled out in waves over the summer: test transactions in late June with no links or “Salomon” references, followed in July and August by messages carrying all-caps “LEGAL NOTICE” language and URLs pointing to Salomon Brothers’ website. Early operational hiccups—like an initial broken URL—were later corrected as the sender iterated through a “test → blast → monitor → adjust” loop.

The notices directed recipients to a page asserting that the targeted wallet “appears to be lost or abandoned,” and that a Salomon client “has taken constructive possession of it.” The page gives owners ninety days to prove control—either by moving funds on-chain or by submitting documentation—warning that “the lack of a response may be provided to a court as evidence of the relinquishment of all rights, title and interest.” As of Friday, October 10, 2025 (Europe/Berlin), the page states that responses must come “before October 10, 2025.”

“Constructive possession,” as defined by Cornell Law’s Legal Information Institute, refers to legal possession without direct physical control—“for example, someone with keys to a safe deposit box may have constructive possession to the contents of that box.” Applied to bearer-style digital assets, the analogy is provocative: on Bitcoin, control is cryptographic, not custodial, and “keys” are literally the ability to sign. Establishing constructive possession without a private key is, at minimum, legally novel.

Galaxy’s researchers stress there is no evidence the episode reveals a Bitcoin protocol flaw or a private-key compromise. In fact, most of the targeted scripts (legacy P2PKH) are less exposed to certain hypothetical attack classes than other address types. Still, the scale and method—paired with explicit deadlines and relinquishment language—suggest the organizer could attempt legal action in jurisdictions with unclaimed-property statutes that contemplate digital assets.

“Given the OP_RETURN campaign’s scale, the messages’ contents, and the notices they linked to, a plausible interpretation is that whoever is behind them may try to wage legal claims on unresponsive wallets,” Galaxy writes, while cautioning that “the legal viability and possible reach” are “questionable.”

The campaign also coincided with renewed on-chain movement from at least one long-silent whale. Shortly after a tranche of messages drew attention in early July, a wallet associated with an early holder moved roughly 80,000 BTC, fueling speculation that the dusting acted as a wake-up call for dormant addresses. Whether cause, coincidence, or opportunistic timing, the episode underscored a truth unique to bearer crypto: proof of life is an on-chain signature away.

Salomon’s public posture, captured across its website, frames the effort as a compliance exercise “meant only for the wallet owner,” insisting the client “is not a hacker and is not phishing.” But the notice also asserts that, after the 90-day window, the “digital wallets and their contents will be considered to be confirmed as abandoned,” and warns against any “trespass” without the client’s authorization—language likely to alarm Bitcoiners who view private keys as the sole arbiter of control.

What happens next hinges on courts more than code. Abandoned-property law in the US varies by state, and even where statutes recognize virtual currency, translating a court order into on-chain control is non-trivial. Without the keys, a claimant cannot sign a transaction; without a cooperative custodian or intermediary, there is no off-chain lever to pull. Galaxy’s bottom line reflects that tension: the gambit is sophisticated and not purely performative, but any attempt to convert “constructive possession” into spendable BTC would face profound practical and legal hurdles.

For now, the dust has settled into an uneasy signal. The campaign demonstrates that OP_RETURN can carry more than memes—it can deliver pseudo-legal processes at blockchain scale. Whether that message ever amounts to more than noise will test the boundaries between on-chain facts and off-chain claims, and whether courts will try to bridge a gap that cryptography, by design, made very wide.

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $121,614.

According to the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office, a Bitcoin trader in Herzliya was attacked and robbed in what prosecutors call a violent home invasion on September 7.

The victim was stabbed and forced to give up digital wallet access. Reports say the thieves walked away with roughly $600,000 in assets and valuables.

How The Attack Unfolded

Reports have disclosed that the assailants waited in the stairwell outside the victim’s apartment and struck at about 8:10 a.m. They forced their way in when the door opened. The attacker tied the man up and stabbed him twice, each wound above the knee.

They threatened harm to his family to force him to hand over wallet codes. At first, the group demanded 500 Bitcoin, a demand that was later scaled down as violence was used to extract access.

Under pressure, the victim surrendered credentials that allowed transfers of approximately $547,260 in Bitcoin and $42,248 in USDT.

The intruders also took a Rolex watch valued at about $50,000, a laptop, a Trezor hardware wallet, around €5,300 in cash and several thousand Israeli shekels. Before leaving, they sprayed disinfectant inside the flat—apparently in an effort to erase traces.

Arrest And Charges

Based on reports, police arrested 46-year-old Murad Mahajna on September 10. He was indicted by the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office.

The charges include breaking and entering, aggravated robbery, extortion by threats, obstruction of justice and making threats.

Prosecutors say they linked Mahajna to the scene using phone records, voice identification, technological data and CCTV footage. He is described as having a criminal history with 10 prior convictions for matters including violence, drugs and weapons.

Numbers And Evidence

The sums in this case are specific. Roughly $589,508 in crypto was reportedly moved from the victim’s accounts — the combined total of the Bitcoin and USDT transfers.

When the watch and cash are added, the financial loss approaches the headline figure of $600K that circulated in early reports.

Crypto-analytics sources tracking physical attacks on holders listed this event among confirmed “wrench” style assaults; one count put it as the 52nd such physical attack recorded in 2025.

Phone calls allegedly made after the assault pressured the victim for more coins and included threats to “find” family members if demands were not met.

Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView

A leaked draft from the US Senate Banking Committee Democrats outlines an aggressive approach to decentralized finance (DeFi), proposing that any person or firm “designing, deploying, operating or profiting from a DeFi front-end” be regulated as a broker and register with the SEC or CFTC.

The text would also extend KYC/AML obligations to DeFi interfaces, including some non-custodial wallets and UI hosts, and authorize the U.S. Treasury to maintain a “restricted list” of risky protocols and front-ends.

While the memo carves out room for “sufficiently decentralized” protocols that don’t monetize, and shields open-source developers who don’t profit from running the tech, critics argue the compliance bar is functionally impossible for most U.S.-based teams.

Industry Backlash And Early Market Impact

Reaction from crypto policy leaders was swift. Jake Chervinsky, chief legal officer at Variant, said that “ropes in everyone in crypto,” calling it unworkable and tantamount to a ban on U.S. DeFi front-ends.

Summer Mersinger of the Blockchain Association warned it would “effectively ban DeFi, wallet development, and other applications in the United States,” pushing responsible builders offshore.

Consequently, markets appeared to flinch as a DeFi basket gauge slipped 3–4%, with notable underperformers including HYPE and ASTR amid growing regulatory uncertainty.

Beyond prices, founders fear a chilling effect on hiring, fundraising, and product launches if front-end operators and wallet providers must run full broker-style compliance stacks.

Politics, Policy, And The Risk Of An Innovation Exodus

The Senate had been inching toward a bipartisan digital-asset market-structure compromise after the House passed its Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (294–134). But Democrats’ DeFi counter-proposal, driven in part by illicit finance and national-security concerns, may stall momentum in a chamber that needs 60 votes.

If the “restricted list” and front-end broker provisions survive, expect heavy lobbying, civil-liberties pushback, and potential court challenges. Strategists warn the U.S. could cede developer mindshare and liquidity to Europe’s MiCA regime, which already provides clearer guardrails for token issuers and service providers.

Potential Impact of Senate DeFi Restrictions

The leak raises the odds of a near-term U.S. DeFi slowdown as teams reassess legal exposure and capital waits for clarity.

For markets, the key watchpoints are (1) whether Senate staff soften front-end and wallet obligations, (2) how “sufficient decentralization” is defined in statute, and (3) whether Treasury’s blacklist power is scoped narrowly.

Without meaningful revisions, the U.S. risks swapping consumer protection for a brain drain, with innovation (and tax revenue) flowing to friendlier jurisdictions.

Cover image from ChatGPT, ETHUSD chart from Tradingview

Shiba Inu has maintained steady momentum in recent days, trading at approximately $0.00001197 after bouncing from its weekly lows near $0.00001180. Shiba Inu’s recent bounce follows a period of increased activity that saw Bitcoin reach new all-time highs this week. 

Although SHIB’s price action is relatively quiet compared to other cryptocurrencies, it is forming a structure on the daily candlestick timeframe chart that could soon lead to an explosive rally. Technical analysis of Shiba Inu on the TradingView platform shows that the meme coin is about to go on an explosive price action.

Testing The Boundaries Of A Long-Term Structure

Technical analysis of Shiba Inu’s recent price movement on the daily candlestick chart reveals that the token is currently retesting a major strong buy zone within a broad descending structure that has shaped its trend since May 2025. 

Shiba Inu has been locked in a tight consolidation range over the past several months, defined by a horizontal support region at the bottom and a slanting resistance trendline connecting a sequence of lower highs. The upper resistance is now situated between $0.0000135 and $0.000014.

However, as it stands, Shiba Inu may still solidify its strong buy zone between $0.0000108 and $0.0000120 in order to collect liquidity that’s needed for a breakout momentum. Each test of this area since May has led to some sort of buying pressure that has prevented further declines.

If SHIB can maintain stability within this accumulation zone and begin to push higher, the next important step would be a clean breakout above its descending resistance line. It would need to close decisively above $0.0000150 on the daily chart to confirm the strength of this move. That kind of breakout would mark a clear shift in structure and open up an explosive move to $0.000017.

However, the area around $0.0000176 to $0.0000190 also coincides with a broader trend reversal zone, where Shiba Inu might experience selling pressure from previous order blocks. A rejection here could cause another pullback that will keep the meme coin within its long-term consolidation. 

On the other hand, if the price manages to pierce through $0.0000190 and establish support above it, the SHIB could finally escape the confines of its descending structure and set the stage for a sustained bullish move above $0.00002 again.

Current Shiba Inu Price Action

At the time of writing, Shiba Inu is trading at $0.000012 after a mild pullback from $0.00013 earlier in the week. Whether this breakout materializes will depend heavily on the broader crypto market. Bitcoin’s continued dominance and momentum are dictating the sentiment across altcoins. Therefore, an extended uptrend from Bitcoin’s current consolidation after its most recent all-time high could also contribute to Shiba Inu bouncing off its strong buy zone.

Meanwhile, a popular Shiba Inu community member account on X recently warned the SHIB Army to be careful of a growing phishing scam.

Bitcoin has been experiencing heightened volatility after reaching a new all-time high of $126,000 earlier this month. The price has since entered a consolidation phase, hovering near the $120,000 level as traders search for fresh demand. Market sentiment remains divided — some analysts expect Bitcoin to stabilize and prepare for another leg up, while others warn of a possible drop below current levels as momentum cools.

This raises the question that’s echoing across the market: Could this be the first truly different Bitcoin cycle? According to top analyst Darkfost, traditional patterns may not apply this time. “Some claim that a -80% to -90% bear market will occur as usual,” he explains, “but certain data points suggest that this cycle is being built on new foundations.”

Unlike previous cycles driven by retail speculation, this one appears increasingly influenced by institutional participation, ETFs, and long-term holders, all contributing to reduced volatility and deeper market maturity. While corrections remain part of Bitcoin’s DNA, structural changes in demand and liquidity may be redefining how this cycle unfolds. Whether Bitcoin breaks higher or faces a major retracement, one thing is clear — this market is evolving faster than ever before.

Bitcoin’s Fourth Cycle: A Stable and Mature Market Phase

According to top analyst Darkfost, Bitcoin’s current cycle stands out as the most stable in its history. During this bullish phase, BTC has not experienced a single correction exceeding 28%, a stark contrast to previous cycles where violent retracements were common. Most drawdowns have remained within a modest 10%–20% range, and only four corrections have surpassed 25%, marking this as the least volatile Bitcoin cycle so far.

For perspective, between 2020 and 2022, Bitcoin endured multiple 50% drawdowns, creating sharp waves of fear and euphoria that defined the market’s rhythm. Today, the picture is very different. Volatility has dropped to its lowest levels since the last bear market, reflecting a new level of market maturity. As Darkfost points out, this decline in volatility has also led to a tightening of the Bollinger Bands’ standard deviation, signaling growing price stability and disciplined market behavior.

This shift suggests that Bitcoin’s market structure has fundamentally evolved. It no longer mirrors the chaotic, retail-driven cycles of the past. Instead, adoption continues to climb, regulation has become more favorable, and, most importantly, the investor base is changing. Large institutional players and corporate treasuries — particularly in the United States — are entering the market, absorbing selling pressure that once triggered deep corrections.

As a result, Bitcoin’s fourth cycle is rewriting the rulebook, built on deeper liquidity, stronger hands, and long-term conviction rather than speculation. This may be the first cycle where Bitcoin transitions from a volatile asset to a globally recognized, maturing store of value.

Price Consolidation Continues Around $121K

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading around $121,800, consolidating after a volatile week that saw strong resistance near the $126,000 all-time high. The 4-hour chart shows that BTC is moving sideways within a narrow range, struggling to reclaim the short-term 50 EMA (blue line), which has now turned into dynamic resistance.

The immediate support level sits near $120,000, while the key horizontal level at $117,500 — highlighted in yellow — remains the most crucial zone to maintain the broader bullish structure. As long as the price holds above this area, the uptrend remains intact, with potential for a renewed push toward the $124,000–$126,000 zone.

Momentum indicators suggest that buyers are still defending critical support, though market indecision dominates. The 100 and 200 EMAs (green and red lines) continue trending upward, reinforcing mid- and long-term bullish sentiment. However, failure to close above $122,500 in the coming sessions could expose Bitcoin to deeper retracements, with eyes on $118,000 as the next demand area.

The chart suggests a healthy consolidation phase after a major breakout. A decisive move above $123K would confirm renewed bullish momentum, while a breakdown below $120K could mark the beginning of a deeper correction phase.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Ripple (XRP) is expanding its global reach once again, this time entering the Kingdom of Bahrain through a new partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB). At the same time, new data shows that corporate XRP treasuries have climbed above $11.5 billion following a fresh purchase from Reliance Global.

Ripple Expands Into Bahrain, Strengthening Its Middle East Presence

According to the press release, Ripple has entered the Kingdom of Bahrain through a new partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB), the country’s leading fintech incubator and ecosystem builder. Ripple and Bahrain Fintech Bay plan to run accelerator activities and take part in local events to boost blockchain innovation across the country.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, said Bahrain was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to regulate crypto assets. According to Merrick, Ripple aims to help strengthen the local blockchain industry in Bahrain and eventually introduce its custody solution and Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin to financial institutions in the country. Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain Fintech Bay, described the collaboration as a key step in connecting global innovators with Bahrain’s financial ecosystem. 

Ripple currently holds more than 60 regulatory licenses and registrations worldwide, including its DFSA license from March 2025, making it the first blockchain-enabled payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. 

Ripple is taking part in Fintech Forward 2025 in Sakhir on October 8 and 9, an event organized by Economist Impact that will bring together key players from banking, fintech, and government. 

XRP Treasuries Cross $11.5 Billion as Corporate Adoption Surges

Corporate interest in XRP continues to rise as large firms add the token to their balance sheets. According to corporate disclosures compiled by Crypto Treasury Tracker, combined XRP holdings across institutions in the U.S. and Japan now total more than $11.5 billion, showing a significant rise in blockchain-based asset adoption. The growth follows Reliance Global’s purchase of $17 million in XRP, which the company disclosed in a filing with the SEC on September 30, 2025. 

SBI Holdings leads global XRP holdings with around $10.4 billion in reserves. Other notable corporate treasuries include Trident Digital, which plans to raise $500 million for XRP reserves, and Webus International, which filed with the SEC for a $300 million XRP-focused treasury. In Japan, Gumi Inc. allocated $13.5 million of its $38 million raise to XRP under its Digital Asset Treasury initiative, while VivoPower added $19 million to its holdings. 

Companies are turning to XRP for its fast settlement time, low transaction cost, and ability to improve cross-border liquidity. Adding to the momentum, a well-known finance bull on X shared that Ripple won “Best Initiative with Digital Currencies” at the PAY360 Awards, calling it a significant recognition of XRP’s real-world utility. 

Ripple’s XRP has gained new recognition in the financial sector after Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie praised it as the cryptocurrency with the strongest real-world utility. His remarks emphasized Ripple’s professionalism, XRP’s use case, and the company’s commitment to building a lasting financial infrastructure. 

XRP Framed As The Coin With The Strongest Use Case 

Crypto analyst John Squire has drawn fresh attention to Ripple and XRP after sharing a video of Gilbertie praising the token’s real-world utility on X social media. In the interview, the Teucrium CEO discussed why the company chose XRP, calling it the digital asset with the strongest utility across the crypto market. 

He said his confidence in XRP stems from Ripple’s focused mission to achieve its goals of building a robust and sustainable financial system. Gilbertie commended the Ripple team’s disciplined mindset and deep technical expertise—qualities that set the crypto payments company apart from other blockchain firms. These strengths, he added, are key reasons Teucrium selected XRP, viewing it as a transformative technology with real utility rather than merely a speculative token. 

“The Ripple team, from the interaction we’ve had with them, they’re really professional, they act like investment bankers over there. They know what they’re doing, and they will make this work,” Gilbertie said in the interview. 

The Teucrium CEO’s high praise of Ripple reflects confidence in XRP’s potential as a settlement tool. He explained that while Bitcoin serves as a store of value, XRP distinguishes itself by solving tangible problems within the global payments landscape. He clarified that his statement was not a price prediction, but rather a reflection of his belief that XRP possesses the most utility among all the cryptocurrencies in the market. 

Gilbertie’s remarks about Ripple come shortly after Teucrium’s XRP ETF went live on the market, providing regulated exposure to the altcoin. Although the fund did not receive explicit approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) amid the ongoing government shutdown, the company proceeded with the launch. According to one expert, the SEC’s lack of response signaled implicit consent, noting that “silence is compliance.”

Analyst Calls XRP “The Plumbing” For The Next Financial System

In a separate report, crypto market commentator X Finance Bull urged investors to rethink how they evaluate XRP, insisting it should not be compared to corporate stocks. He described XRP as “the plumbing” for the next global financial system—one that connects institutions, governments, and decentralized ecosystems through tokenized infrastructure. 

From his viewpoint, Ripple’s objective is not to chase company valuations but to develop a framework that enables global money movement, covering $200 trillion in annual cross-border payments, trillions in tokenized assets, CBDCs, DeFi rails, and Real-World Assets (RWAs). He added that capturing even 1-2% of this value could change the price of XRP forever.

The analyst also highlighted Ripple’s expanding institutional network, noting recent collaborations with Luxembourg’s Ministry of Finance and its growing presence across Bahrain, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Although the recent rally appears to have briefly dipped down, the price of Ethereum is still on an upward trajectory, showcasing its resilience as a formidable digital asset. Presently, the crypto sector is undergoing a crucial shift, and ETH, once viewed as a mere digital asset, is now being considered the ideal choice for a store of value and treasury asset.

SharpLink CEO Hails Ethereum As The Treasury King

Amid Ethereum’s ongoing upward trend, a new debate is now being observed among prominent figures and institutions in the dynamic financial landscape. This debate coincides with the growing belief that ETH could be the next big thing in crypto finance.

Joseph Chalom, Co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming, has caused a stir in the cryptocurrency community after proclaiming Ethereum the superior treasury asset compared to Bitcoin, the leading digital asset. While being a Maxie on tokenization, Chalom believes both Bitcoin and Ethereum are dominating this part of the sector. “I think there is a role for Bitcoin in every single person’s portfolio, and I think there is a role for ETH,” he stated. 

However, the CEO has put ETH ahead of BTC as the smarter long-term choice for corporate treasuries looking beyond simple digital reserves. Chalom’s statement implies that Ethereum is a more dynamic store of wealth for contemporary businesses due to its utility-driven ecosystem, staking yields, and rapid integration throughout decentralized finance.

One of the major reasons Chalom has hailed ETH as a better treasury asset than BTC hinges on their distinct volatility, with the altcoin having a 40% volatility. Although it is not certain, the CEO stated that the spot ETFs caused many BTC to be held without trading, leading to a decline in BTC’s volatility. 

As a result, Chalom thinks ETH is an ideal store of value since it is more productive and deflationary, which are key factors to consider when building a digital treasury. Another factor that pushes ETH ahead of Bitcoin is staking. Owning and staking ETH also comes with several benefits. 

According to the CEO, a staked ETH is equivalent to revenue in public companies, as they trade on valuations. Furthermore, Chalom reveals that large investors holding billions worth of ETH can go into the DeFi ecosystem and make a difference. With the massive holdings, these investors can raise the standards of DeFi by king-making protocols and creating beneficial incentive structures without necessarily taking more risk.

A Massive Portion Of ETH Staked Within The Week

Since the beginning of the week, on-chain data shows that a significant amount of Ethereum has been staked. Specifically, this large ETH staking is being carried out by the leading asset management firm, Grayscale, signaling growing institutional confidence in the network’s long-term potential.

As reported by Ted Pillows on X, Grayscale has staked over 1,161,600 ETH, valued at a whopping $5.1 billion, in the past week. According to Pillows, retail is exiting liquidity on BNB Chain memes while in Ethereum, smart money is positioning itself. “No wonder most people have lost money this cycle,” the crypto pundit added.

South Korea’s tax agency has warned that officers may visit homes to seize offline cryptocurrency holdings — including so-called “cold wallets” — if owners fail to settle unpaid tax bills.

According to reports, the National Tax Service (NTS) made the comments in statements first reported on October 9.

Seizures And Past Collections

The move comes as part of a wider push by tax authorities that has already seen large sums recovered from delinquents.

Reports show the NTS and regional teams confiscated and sold about 146 billion won from 14,140 people between 2021 and 2024. In 2021 alone, the first year of forced collections, officials recovered 71 billion won from 5,741 cases.

Local governments have also been active. Cheongju city says it has seized crypto from 203 residents since 2021, totaling roughly 1.5 billion won.

In Seoul’s Gangnam District, officials reported reclaiming about 140 million won from a high-value tax delinquent earlier this year. These actions show local authorities are using both legal tools and new systems to track assets.

How Authorities Track Crypto

Reports describe a growing use of blockchain analytics and electronic seizure tools to spot transfers, link accounts, and identify crypto wallets tied to people with unpaid taxes.

Some municipalities are rolling out systems that match suspicious wallet addresses to on-record accounts at exchanges, allowing officials to freeze or move assets when a delinquent does not cooperate.

At the national level, authorities say they are coordinating more with exchanges to block accounts and recover funds.

Limits And Legal Questions

While the NTS stresses it has the power to recover unpaid taxes, experts and lawyers note that forcing entry into private homes or taking possession of hardware wallets raises legal and practical issues.

To seize a cold wallet, authorities need the device or private keys. That often requires judicial authorization or the owner’s cooperation.

Reports flag that enforcement is easier where assets sit on domestic exchanges than when they are held overseas.

What This Means For Crypto Holders

According to the coverage, the warning is meant to push compliance: freeze accounts first, request voluntary payment next, and if there is still no payment, convert assets to cash and apply them to the debt.

Officials say the sales are carried out at market price after notifying the owner and the exchange. Still, the public response has ranged from concern to calls for clearer rules about how far tax agents may go in private spaces.

Featured image from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea by AdobeStock, chart from TradingView

Pro-Ripple lawyer Bill Morgan has revealed that he will continue to panic buy XRP. This comes as institutions continue to seek ways to gain exposure to XRP, with the spot ETFs launch imminent, while asset managers have filed for several other types of XRP funds. 

Pro-Ripple Lawyer Says He Will Keep Panic Buying XRP

In an X post, the pro-Ripple lawyer said he will continue to panic-buy XRP amid “terrible XRP demand.” He noted that ETF applicants have agreed with the market that XRP, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana are the top four cryptos for a reason, ignoring USDT and BNB, which complete the list of the top 6 cryptos by market cap. 

In line with this, the pro-Ripple asserted that there is every reason to panic and buy more XRP. Morgan’s statement followed GraniteShares’ filing for an XRP ETF that includes 3x long and 3x short leveraged investments with exposure to the XRP price. The legal expert noted that there were similar products for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. 

When warned that panic buying XRP could end badly for him, the pro-Ripple lawyer alluded to how he has gained significantly since buying most of his XRP when the price was below $0.5. Meanwhile, aside from the demand for XRP from ETFs, Morgan also appears bullish as more companies adopt the altcoin for their treasuries. 

The pro-Ripple lawyer revealed that Reliance Group Global had added XRP to its digital asset treasury, buying $17 million worth of XRP. Morgan has, in the past, also highlighted treasury purchases from companies such as VivoPower and Gumi. Notably, there are now 10 XRP treasury companies that could hold a combined $11.5 billion in XRP if they all execute their proposed purchases. 

Morgan Defends XRP’s Burn Mechanism

In another X post, the pro-Ripple lawyer defended XRP’s burn mechanism and addressed criticisms of why the number of burnt tokens is low despite XRP existing for over a decade. Morgan stated that this is the greatest point ever made for XRP’s value, as having to burn tokens to increase value is a “real sign of lack of value.”

The pro-Ripple lawyer claimed it is only when a token lacks a real sign of value that issuers need to artificially create scarcity to increase value by effectively getting rid of tokens. He added that it is not rational to deliberately reduce something valuable, explaining why XRP’s burnt tokens are low. 

It is worth noting that some XRP tokens get burnt with every transaction conducted on the XRP Ledger (XRP). However, Morgan stated that XRP transactions are incredibly cheap, which is why only a few tokens are burnt as gas fees.

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $2.81, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

With the market recovering gradually, Bitcoin seems to have found stability above the $120,000 price mark after experiencing a pullback on Tuesday from its current all-time high. The ongoing bull market cycle continues to play out strongly compared to previous ones, and analysts believe that this cycle could be the best one yet.

A Historic Reset In Bitcoin Cycle Trend

In an insightful research shared on the social media platform X, Darkfost, a market expert and author, has delved into the long-standing Bitcoin cycle trend. Following his investigation, the expert highlighted a potential shift in the current bull market cycle, which is flagged as cycle 4, from the past ones.

Currently, Bitcoin’s fourth cycle is unfolding unlike any before it, raising the question of whether this could be the first truly different cycle. These shifting dynamics are “rewriting the rules” of Bitcoin’s cyclical behavior, paving the way for a development trajectory that is more sustainable but also possibly even more explosive.

According to the market expert, several crypto analysts predict that the market will experience a -80% to -90% bearish phase as seen in the past. However, certain data suggest a different scenario could unfold in this current cycle. Such development implies that BTC is being built on new foundations of institutional adoption, regulated ETFs, and deep market maturity. 

Darkfost highlighted that Bitcoin is changing in front of investors and throughout this cycle. In the meantime, the expert has outlined two key and closely connected phenomena, which include drawdowns and volatility.

In the ongoing bull market cycle, there has been a correction in BTC’s price, exceeding 28% during its bullish phase. Overall, the most drawdowns recorded in this fourth cycle have stayed within a 10% to 20% range. 

In contrast, there were several instances of drawdowns of almost 50% between 2020 and 2022. Meanwhile, data reveal that only four corrections have gone beyond 25%, making this cycle the least volatile to date. As a result, the volatility of Bitcoin is at its lowest level, except during the last bear market. 

Less Violent Corrections And Rallies This Cycle

The low volatility clearly explains why there have been fewer violent corrections and rallies in this cycle. As volatility declines, Darkfost noted that the standard deviation of Bollinger Bands continues to tighten over time, which is indicative of their growing stability.

Considering this new trend, the expert believes that this cycle is already different in both its structure and dynamics, moving away from the early BTC cycle pattern. A wave of different players often triggers a shift in a cycle trend.

This is evidenced by the rising adoption, increasing favorable regulatory landscape, and shifting investor base, which have highly contributed to the ongoing shift. Large treasuries and institutional players have entered the market, particularly in the United States, and new whales are absorbing the selling pressure from older ones.