Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

VICI Properties is rated Buy with a $30 price target, implying about 26% upside from recent levels, alongside an approximately 8% dividend yield. The real estate investment trust’s core fundamentals remain strong, with 100% occupancy, 100% triple-net leases and a 39.4-year weighted average lease term. VICI Properties is expected to deliver annual adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per-share growth of roughly 5%. Despite these stable operating metrics, the stock has fallen nearly 30% from its 52-week high. It trades at about 9.6 times estimated 2026 AFFO, well below the sector median of approximately 15 times. The main risks are tenant concentration, elevated interest rates and greater exposure to non-core assets. However, the article argues that the valuation discount may provide an attractive entry point for income-focused investors. For crypto traders, the news has no direct impact on digital-asset fundamentals or token prices, but it highlights broader investor interest in high-yield assets and sensitivity to interest-rate expectations.

David Tepper’s Appaloosa Management placed about 40% of its $7.7 billion portfolio in three AI infrastructure stocks, according to its second-quarter 2026 13F filing. Amazon represented roughly 15.4% of the portfolio, with 5 million shares valued at about $1.19 billion. Micron Technology and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing made up the rest of the approximately $3.1 billion position. The AI stocks provide exposure to cloud computing, high-bandwidth memory and advanced chip manufacturing. Appaloosa increased its Amazon and TSMC holdings during the quarter and added Nvidia back to the portfolio. It also opened new positions in CoreWeave and SpaceX, while fully exiting SanDisk after the stock had gained 591% year to date. More than three-quarters of the fund is now linked in some way to AI growth. However, 13F filings show holdings only at the reporting date and exclude short positions, options and many international investments. Traders should therefore treat Tepper’s AI stocks portfolio as a delayed institutional signal rather than a real-time buy recommendation. Appaloosa reported no cryptocurrency or digital-asset exposure.

Adams Diversified Equity Fund (ADX) has outperformed the Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX) in total return over the past three years, according to the article. ADX has nearly 100 years of operating history, an expense ratio of about 0.5%, no leverage and an annual distribution near 8%. Its distributions are linked to net asset value growth. GPIX also targets an approximately 8% yield, but pays investors monthly and uses a covered call strategy. The approach can reduce volatility and generate regular income, although it may limit gains when the S&P 500 rises sharply. The comparison presents ADX as the stronger option for investors prioritising long-term total returns and an established track record. GPIX may be more suitable for investors seeking steady monthly cash flow, lower volatility and diversification. The ADX versus GPIX debate is relevant to income-focused traders, but neither fund is directly linked to cryptocurrency markets. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Bitcoin price prediction is turning more bullish after BTC rebounded from below $76,000 to around $81,000 on Sept. 20. The cryptocurrency has reclaimed the key psychological level of $80,000, but the $82,000–$83,000 resistance zone remains a major test. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $433 million in net inflows on Sept. 18, according to Farside Investors. Fidelity’s FBTC led with $310.7 million, followed by BlackRock’s IBIT with $108.4 million. The inflows followed $159.5 million a day earlier and partially reversed heavy outflows of $450.4 million on Sept. 15 and $295.9 million on Sept. 16. A sustained Bitcoin breakout above $83,000 could expose the $85,000–$86,000 area, where selling pressure may increase. However, repeated failures near $82,000 suggest that traders should watch volume, ETF flows and follow-through before treating the move as a confirmed trend reversal. Bitcoin price prediction remains dependent on whether institutional demand continues and BTC can hold above $80,000.

The crypto market remained resilient after two potential setbacks: the US Senate rejected the Clarity Act and the Federal Reserve raised its policy rate to 3.75%-4%, its first increase since 2023. Bitcoin avoided a major decline, supporting a bullish market interpretation. Analysts are watching the $69,900-$80,400 range. Holding above $69,900 would preserve the early bull-market structure, while a sustained break above $80,400 could confirm stronger upward momentum. A fall toward $65,000-$66,000 remains a risk if Bitcoin faces a second support test. Capital rotated into privacy and infrastructure projects. Zcash rose above $1,500, while NEAR benefited from growth in confidential transactions, which reportedly exceeded $30 billion, and a $70 million TVL. Hyperliquid also reached a record high. Traders are increasingly focusing on established mid-market projects with real users, products and revenue potential. US Treasury yields above 5% and uncertainty over inflation, fiscal borrowing and economic growth remain key risks. However, some investors believe elevated debt could eventually increase monetary debasement concerns, supporting Bitcoin over the long term. After the Clarity Act failed, the SEC introduced an innovation exemption for compliant tokenised US stocks traded on public blockchains and decentralised exchanges. The framework requires KYC, voting and dividend rights, and limits trading volume to 0.25% of the underlying stock’s daily volume. It may support regulated tokenisation but could restrict institutional liquidity. Options are emerging as a potential DeFi growth sector alongside perpetual futures. Derive, Hyperliquid and Lighter are competing for market share, while Kraken plans to offer compliant access to Hyperliquid perpetuals for US users. Venice AI token usage reportedly increased from 50 billion to 250 billion tokens per day in six months. Arc Chain launched, and S&P Global’s reported acquisition of OpenZeppelin highlighted growing institutional interest in crypto infrastructure.

Southwest Airlines (LUV) is maintaining a buy rating as its commercial transformation shows progress despite higher fuel costs. The airline said it remains on track to meet its third-quarter profit targets, supported by stronger business-travel revenue and resilient demand. Southwest Airlines expects its assigned-seating model, extra-legroom options and baggage fees to generate more than $2 billion in EBIT in 2026, with additional gains possible in 2027. EBITDA is forecast to increase from $2.1 billion in 2025 to $5.0 billion in 2028. Free cash flow is expected to remain under pressure because of elevated capital expenditure and transformation costs. However, the balance sheet is improving as net debt and leverage decline. This could create scope for shareholder returns if oil-price volatility eases. For traders, the main catalysts are fuel prices, quarterly profit delivery, business-travel demand and evidence that the new commercial model is lifting revenue. The stock’s near-term upside may remain limited by fuel costs, while successful execution could support a stronger long-term recovery.

The United States has warned of rising Iran tensions involving Iranian forces, Yemen’s Houthi movement and a possible Israeli role, according to reports cited by CryptoBriefing. The indications point to potential major fighting, although no specific military action was confirmed in the article. Iran tensions could further complicate efforts to secure a US-Iran deal and related reconstruction funding. Prediction-market pricing for a deal that includes reconstruction funding has fallen to 15.5% YES, signalling reduced confidence in a diplomatic resolution. Crypto traders should monitor official statements from Washington, Tehran, Israel and regional mediators, as well as developments involving the Houthis. Any confirmed escalation could increase geopolitical risk and trigger short-term volatility across Bitcoin, altcoins and traditional risk assets. The report does not identify a direct cryptocurrency-specific catalyst.

Nine major technology companies have accumulated about $3.1 trillion in off-balance-sheet AI commitments, up $1.3 trillion in three months, according to Morgan Stanley-related estimates. The exposure includes roughly $1.2 trillion in future data-centre leases and $1.9 trillion in purchase agreements for chips, equipment and other AI infrastructure. It is about five times the companies’ combined trailing 12-month capital expenditure of $600 billion and roughly three times their on-balance-sheet leases and long-term debt. The commitments are generally disclosed in US GAAP footnotes and may not appear as liabilities until contracts become active. Some firms have also used special-purpose vehicles to finance infrastructure outside consolidated balance sheets. Alphabet’s contractual obligations rose from $332 billion in March to $811 billion in June 2026. Oracle’s off-balance-sheet commitments reached about $273 billion, while Meta’s were estimated at $420 billion, nearly five times its reported debt. A separate Nikkei Asia analysis put similar obligations at five hyperscalers at $1.65 trillion, above their combined reported debt of $1.35 trillion. The scale of these off-balance-sheet AI commitments could make leverage and net-debt metrics understate financial risk. If AI revenue growth fails to match infrastructure spending, companies may face weaker free cash flow, higher capital needs, write-offs, renegotiations and refinancing pressure. Some hyperscalers have already moved into negative free cash flow. For crypto traders, the impact is indirect but important: a reassessment of Big Tech AI spending could pressure technology valuations and semiconductor demand, reduce risk appetite and tighten liquidity across digital-asset markets.

Bitcoin rose from about $75,000 to nearly $82,000 within days, reaching its highest level since the start of the month. The rally stalled near $82,000 as reports of escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthis increased geopolitical risk. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile fired at Riyadh and reported no casualties. The US State Department warned that the conflict could escalate rapidly and advised Americans to seriously reconsider travel through the region. Unverified reports also claimed that Iran had raised its military alert level. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly shortened overseas trips in response to the developments. Technical factors also pressured Bitcoin. Market analyst Ali Martinez said the TD Sequential indicator shifted from a buy signal near $75,000 to a sell signal as Bitcoin approached $81,500. The change suggests that short-term momentum may be overstretched and could encourage traders to lock in profits. For crypto traders, Bitcoin’s rejection at $82,000 highlights the combined impact of geopolitical risk and weakening short-term momentum. Further escalation could increase volatility and trigger a deeper pullback, while easing tensions may allow Bitcoin to retest resistance.

GSR analysed more than 2,300 token listings on major exchanges since 2013 and found that the median token fell below its launch price within three days and declined 50% within 90 days. The study highlights persistent risks in token listings and weak post-listing performance. Tokens launched with a fully diluted valuation (FDV) above $1 billion recorded a median one-year return of -81%. Tokens with an initial circulating supply below 20% fell by about 75% after one year, compared with a roughly 45% decline for tokens with 30% to 50% in circulation. The findings suggest that high-FDV, low-float token listings face stronger long-term selling pressure. Traders may need to examine valuation, unlock schedules, circulating supply and market-making conditions rather than treat an exchange listing as a bullish signal.

The Invesco S&P 500 Concentrated QVM ETF (QVMT) retains a Hold rating after its portfolio recalibration improved its investment profile. QVMT now combines stronger value exposure with solid growth and quality characteristics, creating a notable growth-at-a-reasonable-price (GARP) tilt. These factors could help QVMT withstand persistent inflation and higher interest rates. However, QVMT has delivered limited performance since February 2026 and has underperformed the broader market, represented by the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), as well as peers such as DYNF. The ETF remains relevant for multifactor investors seeking concentrated exposure to value, growth and quality stocks, but its recent performance weakens the near-term investment case. The article concludes that QVMT should be shortlisted rather than aggressively bought.

British AI cloud provider Nscale has filed an S-1 registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed New York Stock Exchange listing under the ticker NSCL. The Nscale IPO targets a valuation of up to $35 billion and could test investor appetite for high-growth, capital-intensive AI infrastructure companies. Nscale was spun out of a cryptocurrency mining business in 2024. Nvidia is both a GPU supplier and customer, has invested more than $2 billion in the company, and signed a $1.2 billion capacity-leasing agreement with it. Nscale reported first-half 2026 revenue of $140.6 million, up 1,252% year on year. However, it recorded a net loss of about $1.02 billion, including approximately $457 million from fair-value adjustments and $492 million in operating losses. The company also reported about $103.4 billion in active and contracted total contract value as of 31 August, linked to roughly 461,000 GPUs. The Nscale IPO will likely be compared with Nvidia-backed AI infrastructure provider CoreWeave. For crypto traders, the listing may offer a signal on demand for GPU cloud services, data centres and AI computing, as well as market valuations and financing conditions. It has no direct effect on cryptocurrency supply, blockchain activity or token fundamentals.

Robinhood Chain fees have fallen sharply as the recent meme coin boom cools, but the data does not show a broad migration of traders to Solana. Daily network fees dropped from about $8 million in early September to roughly $230,000 on September 16, a decline of around 97%. Transaction volume fell by only 32%, from 13.1 million to 8.9 million transactions, while the average fee dropped from 64 cents to 2.6 cents. Robinhood Chain remains active. Decentralised exchange volume reached about $12.8 billion to $13 billion in the week ending September 16, up 5% week on week. Stablecoin supply fell only 1% to approximately $1 billion, with about $930 million held in DeFi applications. The data suggests traders are still using Robinhood Chain but are paying less per transaction. Meme launchpad Pons saw the clearest slowdown. Its weekly volume fell 37% to $616 million, while protocol revenue declined from $10.7 million to $5.8 million. By contrast, Uniswap V3 volume on Robinhood Chain doubled to $5.3 billion, indicating that activity may be shifting from speculative token launches to broader DeFi trading. Solana DEX volume fell 8% to $17 billion, while PumpSwap volume dropped 36%. Cross-chain data showed only about $2 million in net flows from Robinhood Chain to Solana. Traders therefore appear to be rotating between applications rather than leaving Robinhood Chain entirely. The short-term outlook is weaker for meme activity and network fee growth, although sustained DeFi volume could support the chain’s longer-term usage.

Real Vision founder Raoul Pal says Bitcoin may outperform the Nasdaq 100 after the BTC-to-Nasdaq 100 weekly ratio broke above a downtrend. He cited Bitcoin’s move from about $75,580 to above $81,000 after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%. Pal expects fiscal dominance, debt-refinancing needs and rising liquidity to support Bitcoin and other crypto assets. Traders should monitor the BTC/Nasdaq 100 relative-strength trend, liquidity conditions and further Federal Reserve policy signals. The forecast is bullish but remains dependent on macroeconomic conditions and sustained capital inflows.

Bitcoin has tested its annual moving average for 20 consecutive days without establishing a firm position above it, according to CryptoQuant analyst Axel Adler Jr. The 30-day Bitcoin compression indicator shows volatility tightening near a key resistance level, suggesting that Bitcoin may soon face a decisive directional move. Adler said this is the fourth similar signal during the current bear-market phase. Traders are likely to monitor whether Bitcoin breaks above resistance or falls below the annual moving average. The indicator does not determine the direction of the move, but a breakout could increase momentum while a rejection may intensify selling pressure.

The United States has barred Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the United Nations General Assembly in person, citing activities that allegedly undermine peace efforts. Abbas will participate by video instead. Palestinian officials accused Washington of disregarding recent reforms, deepening diplomatic tensions. The decision may weaken expectations of US recognition of Palestine before 2027 and raise questions about Washington’s future role in the peace process. Traders should monitor US statements, the UN response and recognition announcements from countries including Italy and Japan. The event is primarily a geopolitical development, with no direct cryptocurrency market catalyst identified.

Venture capitalist Jason Calacanis said Bitcoin has become the “DVD of the Netflix era,” arguing that it is weak for everyday transactions and smart contracts, has an intimidating user experience, and no longer captures the public’s imagination. He suggested Bitcoin is now viewed as a stable, boring asset rather than a path to overnight wealth. Michael Saylor rejected that framework. He said Bitcoin has grown into a $1.6 trillion digital asset and argued that its core use case is preserving wealth across generations, not entertaining people at dinner parties. Saylor’s response highlights a fundamental Bitcoin debate: whether its value should be measured by practical utility and transaction activity, or by its role as digital capital and a long-term store of value. The exchange also reflects Bitcoin’s institutionalisation. The asset’s narrative has shifted from anti-bank experimentation towards exchange-traded funds, corporate treasury holdings and potential government reserves. For traders, the comments are more relevant to long-term sentiment than immediate price direction. They reinforce the divide between investors seeking high-growth blockchain applications and institutions treating Bitcoin as digital gold.

Nas, Grandmaster Caz, Steve Stoute, Ben Horowitz and Erik Torenberg discussed the Paid in Full Foundation and its work supporting hip-hop pioneers. The foundation combines financial assistance with public recognition through the Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards, addressing the limited compensation and acknowledgment many early artists received despite hip-hop’s huge cultural and commercial impact. Grandmaster Caz shared his experience as an early architect of hip-hop and described the importance of receiving the award. The speakers also examined hip-hop’s influence on language, fashion and global brands, and highlighted how different generations of artists can connect through shared recognition and support. The Paid in Full Foundation is the central initiative discussed.

Binance Wallet has launched Pre-Access campaigns through PancakeSwap, giving eligible users tokenized exposure to private companies before a potential IPO. The subscription-based Pre-Access campaigns will run through PancakeSwap’s dedicated portal, while third-party providers will manage the underlying tokenized assets. Users must pass eligibility checks and accept campaign-specific risk disclosures. Allocation limits, claims and refund terms will vary by campaign. Participation quotas may be increased through Binance Alpha points and on-chain bStocks activity, potentially favouring active Binance ecosystem users. No companies or tokenized assets have been identified yet. PancakeSwap is expected to announce the first campaign through its official channels. The initiative expands the Binance Wallet and PancakeSwap partnership beyond crypto token launches into tokenized traditional finance and pre-IPO exposure. For traders, the Pre-Access campaigns are strategically significant but have no immediate, confirmed impact on cryptocurrency prices. The programme could increase activity and demand across Binance Wallet, PancakeSwap and related tokenized-asset infrastructure. However, regulatory uncertainty, limited liquidity, provider risk and the absence of named assets make the near-term market effect difficult to assess.

Hong Kong plans to strengthen its position as the leading offshore yuan hub by expanding the dim sum bond market and introducing yuan-denominated gold and commodity trading. Chief Executive John Lee announced the measures in the city’s Policy Address. Dim sum bond issuance reached RMB 1 trillion in each of the two years through 2025, while outstanding bonds rose above RMB 1.27 trillion in 2026, an increase of more than 60%. State Grid’s RMB 14.9 billion dim sum bond sale in August was more than 13 times oversubscribed. The government plans to increase the frequency and size of dim sum bond issuance, including longer-term debt supported by China’s Ministry of Finance. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing will also launch an Offshore RMB Bond Index. Offshore yuan lending reached RMB 935 billion in 2025, with a new liquidity tendering mechanism planned to deepen market funding. Hong Kong’s central gold clearing and settlement system began trials in July 2026 and is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027. Storage capacity is targeted to exceed 2,000 metric tons by 2030. The Southbound Bond Connect quota has risen 60% to RMB 800 billion, while the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s yuan liquidity facility has expanded to RMB 500 billion. The dim sum bond expansion could improve yuan liquidity and strengthen Hong Kong’s role in cross-border finance, but the direct impact on cryptocurrency prices is likely limited.

PrimeEnergy Resources (PNRG) remains underfollowed because insiders control roughly half of its shares and the company provides limited corporate communication. The restricted public float may increase volatility and reduce short-term trading liquidity, making patient, limit-order-based execution more suitable for investors. PNRG is debt-free and is increasing oil and gas production in the second half of the year. Strong commodity prices across the energy sector support the company’s outlook, while its debt-free balance sheet could provide resilience during economic downturns and commodity-price cycles. Despite a Seeking Alpha Quant rating of “Hold”, the company is described as attractively valued by the article’s author. PrimeEnergy Resources is therefore presented as a long-term energy investment rather than a high-volume trading opportunity. Investors should monitor production growth, oil and gas prices, insider ownership, liquidity, and future company disclosures. The article reflects the author’s view and is not investment advice.

A Coldcard firmware vulnerability dating to 2021 may have led to the theft of 1,600–1,800 BTC, worth more than $100 million, from thousands of addresses since 30 July. The flaw reportedly reduced the randomness of recovery seeds in affected hardware wallets. Coldcard maker Coinkite said users should assume attackers may have used AI to review its publicly available firmware, although AI involvement has not been confirmed. The Coldcard firmware vulnerability had remained undetected for about five years, raising concerns about hardware-wallet security and seed-generation practices. Separately, Shielded Labs researcher Taylor Hornby used a Claude Opus 4.8 audit agent to identify a Zcash Orchard shielded-pool circuit flaw dating from 2022. Testing showed that unlimited counterfeit ZEC could potentially be created without detection, but developers fixed the issue within days and have not confirmed any theft. Chainalysis also reported that daily on-chain entries containing malware instructions and command-and-control information rose from about 2.06 to 11.1, an increase of 440%.

The iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) remains rated a buy after gaining 34%, as its valuation has fallen sharply. IXN’s forward price-to-earnings ratio declined from about 29 times in October 2025 to below 18 times, despite a projected long-term earnings-per-share growth rate of 28.5%. The ETF offers broader global diversification, but its concentrated portfolio and significant artificial intelligence exposure remain key risks. Technical indicators and seasonal market trends are currently supportive. A breakout from IXN’s consolidation range could send the ETF towards $165, while a breakdown could expose it to a decline towards $110. For traders, the main issue is whether IXN can convert its lower valuation and strong growth outlook into a technical breakout. The ETF’s performance may also influence sentiment towards global technology stocks and high-growth themes. However, the analysis concerns an equity ETF rather than the cryptocurrency market directly.

An Israeli-Ukrainian visitor in Uman for Rosh Hashanah was reportedly detained and conscripted into the Ukrainian military, according to the Jerusalem Post. The incident highlights Ukraine’s stricter enforcement of mobilization laws under martial law as the war with Russia continues. It may also signal that Kyiv is prioritising military readiness over near-term diplomatic progress. Prediction markets currently price the probability of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire by December 31, 2026, at 21.5%. Traders should watch official statements from Ukraine, Russia and the United States, particularly any actions involving President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. Further mobilization cases could reinforce expectations of a prolonged conflict, while credible negotiations could improve ceasefire odds. The event has no direct impact on cryptocurrency fundamentals, but any escalation could affect crypto through broader risk sentiment, volatility and demand for defensive assets.

Waymo plans to launch a fully autonomous, all-electric ride-hailing service in Singapore in 2028 through its Waymo app. The move marks the company’s first entry into Southeast Asia and will make it the city-state’s third autonomous-driving operator, after Grab and ComfortDelGro. Waymo expects its first Jaguar I-PACE vehicles to arrive in the coming months. In 2027, trained specialists will manually drive the vehicles to collect local road, traffic and weather data, support mapping and seek regulatory approval. Singapore residents will not be able to hail fully driverless vehicles until 2028. Waymo says it has completed more than 20 million fully autonomous trips and driven over 300 million kilometres on public roads. In the US cities where it operates, its vehicles have recorded 94% fewer injury-causing crashes than human drivers, according to the company. Singapore currently has only 16 autonomous vehicles operated by Grab and ComfortDelGro on three fixed routes in Punggol. Waymo’s expansion highlights that regulatory approval, safety data, privacy compliance and public trust remain major barriers to scaling autonomous-driving services globally.

Backpack recorded the largest week-on-week increase in tokenized stock DEX trading volume among major issuers. Its volume rose by $193 million over the latest seven-day period compared with the previous seven days. Coinbase ranked second, with an increase of $106 million, while st0x placed third after gaining $38.6 million. The data signals growing activity in tokenized stock markets and stronger user engagement with blockchain-based equity trading platforms. However, the figures measure changes in trading volume rather than net capital inflows, asset prices or profitability. Traders should therefore monitor liquidity, spreads, regulatory developments and whether the tokenized stock DEX trend continues before treating the increase as a broader crypto-market signal.

Turkey has offered to provide Saudi Arabia with assistance following recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on 19 September that Ankara was ready to act under the Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement. The agreement’s signatories are monitoring the attacks, while Saudi Arabia’s military needs may focus on technical support that Turkey can provide. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the agreement on 7 August. Their joint statement said an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all three. The development raises regional geopolitical and security risks, but it has no direct impact on cryptocurrency fundamentals. Crypto traders should instead monitor potential effects on oil prices, safe-haven demand, the US dollar and broader risk sentiment.

Hut 8 co-founder Marc van der Chijs has warned that the artificial intelligence race between technology companies and governments could create systemic risks for banks and critical infrastructure. He said advanced AI may exploit weaknesses in legacy banking software, triggering an AI financial system crisis across interconnected institutions. Van der Chijs believes the Bitcoin network could be more resilient than traditional banks, although exchanges and crypto businesses remain exposed because they depend on conventional IT systems. His concerns echo warnings from Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei about uncontrolled AI development and infrastructure vulnerabilities. He also estimated that AI and robotics could eventually perform 90% to 95% of existing jobs. This could lead to major job cuts, lower operating costs and significant fiscal pressure from reduced tax revenue. Potential responses include AI or robot taxes, but locally operated AI models may be difficult to monitor. Hut 8 has shifted from Bitcoin mining towards AI data centres and reportedly secured a $9.8 billion contract. Van der Chijs said he previously sold substantial Bitcoin to fund AI investments, but is now directing some AI-related gains back into crypto, mainly through exchange-traded funds. He believes capital flowing into the tech sector limited Bitcoin’s advance toward $200,000-$250,000, while still calling Bitcoin his preferred long-term asset. For traders, the warning raises long-term financial-system and cybersecurity risks, but it is not evidence of an immediate Bitcoin market shock. Renewed ETF exposure could support Bitcoin demand, while continued AI investment may compete with crypto for capital.

Avalanche will activate the Helicon mainnet upgrade on September 22 at 15:00 UTC through AvalancheGo v1.15.0. The Avalanche Helicon upgrade is mandatory for all mainnet node operators, who must update their software before activation. Compatible plugins must also be upgraded. Helicon will introduce a new set of Avalanche Community Proposals and raise the plugin version used by Avalanche applications. The upgrade has a fixed activation time to ensure validators run compatible consensus software and avoid disagreements over valid blocks. The Avalanche Helicon upgrade is expected to have limited immediate impact on users if node operators complete the required updates. Traders should monitor AVAX price volatility, network status and validator readiness around September 22. The release signals continued protocol development but does not announce a tokenomics change, new rewards programme or major application launch.