Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Analysts highlight five cryptos under $1 with 20x potential ahead of Bitcoin’s next all-time high. Leading the list is Ozak AI (OZ), priced at $0.01 in its presale Phase 5. OZ offers AI-powered predictive analytics via its Stream Network, DePIN security, and Data Vaults, aiming for a $1 listing. A strategic partnership with SINT adds one-click AI upgrades and cross-chain voice interfaces. Meme coin Dogecoin (DOGE) trades at $0.236, poised to rally on social media endorsements. Cardano (ADA) stands at $0.915, with sustainability upgrades and governance enhancements driving institutional interest. Ethena (ENA) at $0.724 backs the USDe synthetic dollar, tapping DeFi stablecoin demand. Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) remains a community favorite at $0.0358, leveraging NFT brand recognition. Together, these cryptos under $1 showcase diverse use cases—from AI infrastructure to meme culture and DeFi—offering traders high-reward opportunities in the next bullish cycle.

BitMEX Research revisits the debate over OP_RETURN policy limits after Bitcoin Core removed the size cap in June 2025, sparking concerns about onchain JPG spam. With around 17% of nodes running the filtering client Bitcoin Knots, the cat-and-mouse battle between spammers and developers continues under the lens of information theory. The report demonstrates how images can be encoded in fake Bitcoin addresses (outputs that can never be spent) and why filters cannot fully prevent this. Pushing the concept further, researchers show that private keys—256-bit random data—can carry Unstoppable JPGs without breaking Bitcoin’s protocol, by embedding tiny black-and-white images or even larger files split across multiple keys. They build a 15-of-15 P2SH transaction with weakly signed inputs, making 14 private keys publicly reconstructable to reveal a hidden JPEG logo. Despite theoretical proposals to ban fake addresses or require output signatures, such changes would demand a disruptive hard fork, break wallet compatibility, and still leave room for new spam techniques. The Unstoppable JPGs case underscores that fee markets, not filters, remain the most practical defense against blockchain spam.

Bitcoin price dipped below $109,300, slipping under its January 2025 all-time high. The BTC price decline risks flipping the 100-day EMA at $110,820 and the 200-day SMA near $101,000 from support to resistance. Popular trader Cryptomorphic warns that a breach of the 100 EMA could trigger a deeper correction toward $103,000. On-chain analytics from CryptoQuant’s Axel Adler Jr. highlights the 100K–107K range as the nearest strong support, backed by the short-term holder realized price and 200-day SMA intersection. Continued downside liquidity hunting has liquidated nearly $500 million in BTC long positions since Sunday. Some traders see a short squeeze rallying BTC toward $114,000–$115,000 this week, driven by trapped shorts and order-book dynamics. A secondary support level around $92K–$93K emerges from short-term holders’ cost basis. Overall, Bitcoin price action remains volatile as traders monitor key moving averages and support zones. A sustained recovery above the 100 EMA is crucial to maintaining the bull trend.

Crypto platforms are cutting bug bounty rewards to lower costs. This trend, known as bug bounty cuts, could weaken security incentives. Many protocols cap bounties at low amounts, sometimes under $50,000, despite holding millions in value. This misalignment encourages hackers to exploit rather than disclose. For example, Cork Protocol’s $12 million hack followed a critical bug bounty capped at $100,000. Industry leaders like MakerDAO and Wormhole set $10 million bounties to match risks. Security experts recommend bounties at 10% of capital at risk. However, aggressive pricing and exclusivity contracts are chilling white hat participation. If this continues, the industry risks billion-dollar hacks. To ensure robust crypto security, protocols should scale bounties with risk, treat security as a value driver, and maintain transparent rewards. Proper incentives will keep skilled researchers focused on disclosures. The decentralized economy depends on trust. Without adequate bug bounty programs, market stability and institutional confidence could be threatened.

Jon Rice, a veteran crypto journalist, has rejoined Cointelegraph as Editor-in-Chief. Rice previously held the role during 2020–21, launched Cointelegraph Magazine, then moved on to lead Blockworks and co-found Crypto Briefing. He aims to introduce a fresh editorial vision that underscores the neutrality of Web3 technology while highlighting opportunities and holding bad actors accountable. Under current management, Cointelegraph has refined its strategy and launched successful ventures like Decentralization Guardians and Formula agency. CEO Yana Prikhodchenko praised Rice’s proven track record in scaling newsrooms and recruiting top talent. In his first move, Rice promoted long-time editor Geraint Price to Deputy Editor, recognizing Price’s efforts in strengthening quality control. Rice emphasized that editorial independence and fairness remain sacred principles for the publication’s future.

Crypto-journalist Kurt Wuckert Jr highlights the risks to genetic privacy exposed by 23andMe’s bankruptcy sale and proposes a new model for tokenized genetics on blockchain. Instead of selling raw DNA data to third parties, individuals would receive whole genome sequencing and have their genetic variants encrypted, split into discrete tokens, and stored on-chain via privacy-focused protocols. Those tokens could then be leased or sold directly to researchers and pharmaceutical companies, ensuring self-sovereign data governance and direct compensation. Leveraging Bitcoin SV’s (BSV) high throughput, low fees, and Teranode scalability, this architecture can support the trillions of microtransactions required for a global genetic data marketplace. The model aims to deliver robust privacy protections through cryptographic proofs while returning value to data owners. A decentralized genetic marketplace could accelerate precision medicine, public health initiatives, and conservation efforts—transforming genetic data into a real-world, liquid asset under individual control.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has extended its review of the proposed Cardano ETF, moving the decision deadline from August 27 to October 26, 2025. This SEC delay prolongs regulatory uncertainty and stalls mainstream investors’ regulated access to ADA. In the 24 hours after the announcement, ADA fell 5.15% to $0.84. Other altcoin ETFs, including WisdomTree Ripple (XRP) and Canary PENGU, also saw their filings postponed to October 12, 2025, reflecting continued SEC scrutiny of spot crypto products. Market impact has been swift but focused on short-term risk-off flows rather than long-term conviction shifts. XRP slipped 1.73% to $2.91 and PENGU dropped 5.59% to $0.0305. Delays in altcoin ETF approvals may slow institutional adoption of ADA and other tokens. Traders should track SEC docket updates, set calendar alerts for key deadlines, and monitor price and volume reactions around ruling dates. Meanwhile, existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs remain the main regulated vehicles for institutional crypto exposure.

Crypto price analysis for August 26 shows broad weakness, with the total market cap down nearly 3%. Bitcoin (BTC) dipped below $112,000, triggering $940 million in liquidations. Ethereum (ETH) fell from $4,673 to $4,335 before rebounding near $4,420. Solana (SOL) lost over 7%, while Toncoin (TON) and Jupiter (JUP) also slid. This crypto price trend underscores bearish sentiment. REX Financial CEO Greg King warned ETF issuers to pick assets carefully, highlighting Solana’s potential for stablecoin exposure. Global regulators (ESMA, IOSCO, WFE) pushed back on tokenized stock offerings, citing inadequate investor protections. Meanwhile, Gemini overtook Coinbase in app‐store finance rankings after launching an XRP rewards credit card with Ripple and Mastercard. Institutional momentum continues: Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto and Multicoin Capital plan a $1 billion Solana treasury fund, with backing from the Solana Foundation. Despite ongoing ETF and treasury initiatives, crypto price weakness and regulatory headwinds create a cautious trading environment.

WORLD3’s WAI token gained significant traction after its token generation event (TGE) on Binance Alpha on August 12, debuting at $0.02 and rising 185% to a $0.057 intraday high. Following the strong launch, the WORLD3 WAI token secured listings on major centralized exchanges including KuCoin, Gate, MEXC and Bitget, enhancing liquidity and trading volume. Momentum extended post-launch as prices climbed to a $0.071 peak on August 19—a 255% gain from the opening price—before settling at $0.0458, up 7% in the past 24 hours. Technical indicators support the bullish outlook: the MACD is turning positive, and the 14-day RSI stands at 52 and rising, indicating potential for further gains. By distributing across multiple CEXs, WORLD3 has broadened market access and solidified its position in the altcoin space. Traders drew interest not only from price performance but also from the project’s AI-driven Web3 agents that analyze real-time on-chain data to recommend personalized strategies, from play-to-earn opportunities to optimal yield farming. The confluence of strong TGE metrics, continuous exchange roll-outs and robust technical signals suggests a promising outlook for the WAI token, making it an attractive asset for crypto investors seeking exposure to AI-enabled DeFi innovations.

Shiba Inu returns in 2021 were extraordinary: a $1,000 investment at launch would have surged into the millions at its October peak, driven by viral meme culture, retail FOMO and speculative mania. Though Shiba Inu returns now trade well below their all-time high, early adopters still hold tens of thousands of dollars from that initial stake. After multiple 70–90% drawdowns and ongoing ecosystem expansions like Shibarium, SHIB’s enlarged market cap makes repeat 1,000× gains unlikely, suggesting more modest trading ranges ahead. Meanwhile, MAGACOIN Finance—a politically themed meme coin with structured tokenomics and audited security—is generating intense presale demand, with each phase selling out rapidly. Analysts believe MAGACOIN Finance could replicate SHIB’s early momentum by offering a fresh narrative, enhanced transparency and a growing global community. For traders eyeing the next viral crypto opportunity, MAGACOIN Finance’s presale may mark the next potential breakout.

A coalition of international regulators and exchange bodies—including ESMA, IOSCO and the WFE—has formally asked the US Securities and Exchange Commission to tighten oversight of tokenized stocks. In a letter to the SEC Crypto Task Force, they warned that tokenized stocks replicate the appearance of US equities but lack legal rights, custody safeguards and investor protections. The group urged the SEC to enforce honest marketing practices and clear rules before tokenized stocks expand across major crypto platforms. They flagged a growing number of brokers and exchanges offering these products under misleading labels. The regulators believe that enhanced supervision and regulatory clarity are essential to protect investors and preserve market integrity as tokenized stocks gain traction.

Arkham Intelligence reports that UAE Bitcoin-linked wallets hold around 6,300 BTC (~$700 million), mined through Citadel Mining’s Abu Dhabi operation launched in 2022 with Phoenix Group and IHC. On-chain data and satellite imagery confirm the Citadel Mining facility’s output. While Citadel’s total Bitcoin mining reaches about 9,300 BTC, only 6,300 BTC remain in UAE Bitcoin wallets tied to the government. Citadel Mining is 85% owned by 2pointzero, which is controlled by IHC and partly by Royal Group under Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

R0AR Chain’s public node sale raised over $1 million in 72 hours, selling out Tier 1 and Tier 2 licenses under its tiered NFT model. Early participants gain validator rights, equal ETH and 1R0R payouts, exclusive DeFi access and AI integrations. Demand drove the native 1R0R token to an ATH of $0.0356. Nodes are purchasable with ETH, USDC or USDT, and using 1R0R tokens unlocks bonus benefits. Concurrently, R0AR Chain launched Wallet 2.0 on iOS and Android, offering fee-free, private self-custody and seamless swaps. By opening validator nodes to the community on Optimism’s OP Stack, R0AR Chain democratizes Layer 2 infrastructure, aligning incentives across the ecosystem.

Ethereum extended its rally to a fresh all-time high of $4,960 but displayed bearish RSI divergence, signaling waning momentum. The price retraced to the ascending channel’s midline and now finds support between $4,400 and $4,450. A sustained break below $4,400 could expose the next major support at $4,000. On the 4-hour chart, ETH tested liquidity above $4,800 before reversing into the 0.618–0.702 Fibonacci cluster near $4,400. Onchain liquidation data highlights key liquidity zones above $4,900 for short squeezes and below $4,000 for long liquidations. Ethereum is consolidating within this $4.2K–$4.9K range, and a decisive breakout or breakdown is likely to trigger the next impulsive move.

Bitcoin price has struggled to sustain a rebound, trading near $110,000 after dipping to $108,760. On-chain metrics reveal weak network adoption, with daily active addresses falling below 692,000 and spot cumulative volume delta at –$199 million, signaling seller dominance. Technical indicators add to the bearish outlook: RSI nears the oversold zone and MACD remains negative. Crypto futures liquidations total $940 million in 24 hours, including $800 million from long positions and $320 million in Ether. Open interest in Bitcoin futures stays elevated near 740K BTC, while Ether futures and options OI hit multi-month highs. In NFTs, blue-chip collections fell over 10% weekly—Pudgy Penguins (–17%), BAYC (–14.7%), Doodles (–18.9%)—while CryptoPunks dropped just 1.35%, highlighting its defensive appeal.

Bitcoin plunged to a seven-week low below $109,000 on Coinbase, sparking over $900 million in crypto liquidations as around 200,000 traders faced forced position closures. Data from CoinGlass shows that long positions suffered most, a whale sale of 24,000 BTC amplified liquidation spikes. Since its mid-August peak above $124,000, Bitcoin has retraced 12%, wiping roughly $200 billion from the global crypto market cap, which dipped below $4 trillion to $3.83 trillion. Ether held firm near $4,340 amid strong institutional interest, while altcoins such as Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK) and Sui (SUI) saw deeper losses amid thin weekend liquidity. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s rate-cut hints at Jackson Hole weighed on risk assets, heightening market volatility. Historical September corrections in 2017 and 2021 suggest downside risks may persist. Traders should monitor liquidation spikes and macro uncertainty for potential further corrections.

Kanye West’s YZY token launched on August 21 surged 1,400% to a $3 billion market cap before crashing nearly 75% to $0.70 within days. Whale data shows top 1,000 addresses had an average buy cost of $1.45, with 44% entering at $1.80–$2.00. By August 25 only 30% of these addresses had sold, locking in an average loss of 18%. Nansen reports 13 wallets netted $24.5 million, while some whales lost up to $1.8 million. Trading bots turned $200k into $1.6 million in 30 minutes, and sniper Hayden Davis earned about $12 million. Over 27,000 addresses still hold YZY tokens. BubbleMaps links early buyers to the TRUMP memecoin sniper. The rapid pump-and-dump echoes past celebrity tokens like TRUMP, MELANIA and LIBRA that collapsed over 90%. Traders should brace for acute volatility and asymmetric insider activity in future celebrity memecoin launches.

Trump Media is set to introduce a CRO-based rewards program on its TRUTH Social and TRUTH+ platforms, leveraging Crypto.com’s digital wallet infrastructure. The system will use Cronos (CRO) as its utility token to reward user actions such as posting and engagement, with points convertible into CRO. This follows Trump Media’s plan, in partnership with a tech group, to form a new company for a CRO treasury strategy, aiming to raise $6.42 billion. By embedding CRO and Crypto.com services into its social networks, Trump Media seeks to enhance user loyalty and drive transactional volume across the Cronos ecosystem.

Cardano price pulled back sharply after failing to break the key $1 resistance. ADA is now consolidating between immediate resistance at $0.8475 and support in the $0.80–$0.81 zone (near the 50-day SMA). A successful breach of $0.8475 could trigger tests of $0.90 and $1.00, while a breakdown below $0.80 may send Cardano price down to $0.72 (the 200-day SMA) or even $0.62 and $0.55 in an accelerated sell-off. The RSI stands at 48.35, indicating neutral to bearish momentum. ADA’s performance remains highly correlated with Bitcoin (BTC), making BTC’s next move critical for Cardano price direction. Traders should monitor these key ADA levels and Bitcoin’s trend to gauge potential rebounds toward $1.20 or deeper corrections.

HBAR experienced a sharp 6% intraday drop from $0.242 to $0.228 on Aug. 25 amid heavy sell-side pressure. A surge in token volume—169.5 million HBAR—at the $0.228 level signaled strong institutional support, stabilizing the price and driving a recovery back toward $0.237. Since then, HBAR has traded in a tight $0.2363–$0.23827 consolidation zone, indicating an accumulation phase. Persistent buy-side interest at $0.2363 underscores firm institutional conviction around key technical levels. Traders will watch for a breakout above the $0.23827 resistance to confirm a broader uptrend. HBAR’s ability to absorb selling and rebound at support highlights potential trading opportunities for both short-term momentum plays and longer-term accumulation. Failure to clear the $0.23827 barrier could result in continued range-bound trading.

August 26, 2025 – U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs are on track to record approximately $972 million in net outflows this month, marking the second-largest monthly withdrawal since their January 2024 launch. After amassing $53.9 billion in investor funds, these Bitcoin ETF outflows have coincided with Bitcoin’s slide from an early-August peak above $124,000 to just over $100,000. Analysts at Matrixport warn that seasonal headwinds and declining ETF inflows are weighing on Bitcoin’s price recovery. To restore momentum and push Bitcoin beyond $150,000 before year-end, research firm 10x Research estimates that Bitcoin ETFs would need to attract nearly $1 billion this month and a total of $404 billion in inflows for the year—requiring an additional $173 billion by December. In contrast, Ether ETFs continue to draw strong demand, posting $3.23 billion in net inflows this month and extending their winning streak since April. Cryptocurrency traders should monitor ETF flows closely, as capital movements in and out of Bitcoin ETFs have emerged as a key driver of short-term price action.

Mantra Finance has launched its first VARA-compliant real-world asset (RWA) tokenization product, the Pyse E-Bike Fleet. Backed by Pyse’s $9 million green assets and a proven $2.5 million investor distribution, this product lets holders earn cash-flow-based lease income from electric vehicles leased to major food and e-commerce firms in the UAE and India. This move marks a milestone in RWA tokenization, following Mantra’s $108.8 million ecosystem fund for RWA startups and Binance’s integration as a validator on Mantra Chain. Nearly 30% of OM tokens have migrated from Ethereum’s ERC-20 to the native mainnet, boosting liquidity prospects. At $0.22, OM trades near a 90% drop since April’s flash crash, and traders view the compliant RWA tokenization launch and on-chain migration as bullish catalysts. Globally, the RWA market hit $26.5 billion this year, up 70%, while Bitcoin Hyper’s HYPER presale has raised $12.12 million, underscoring demand for asset-backed yields and scalability solutions.

Economist and gold advocate Peter Schiff has forecast a 31% decline in Bitcoin’s price, predicting a drop from recent levels near $110,000 to a bearish $75,000. Schiff cited the cryptocurrency’s recent 13% fall from its August highs and questioned the sustainability of institutional buying, advising traders to sell now and buy back at lower prices. He compared the projected $75,000 support level to MicroStrategy’s average cost basis. In parallel, on-chain data revealed a major Bitcoin whale unloading 22,769 BTC (roughly $2.6 billion) and reallocating funds into Ethereum, acquiring 472,920 ETH ($2.2 billion) and opening a $577 million ETH long position. Traders should monitor these developments for potential short-term trading opportunities and assess implications for market sentiment and liquidity.

Ethereum open interest on CME futures has surged alongside ETH price gains, reflecting a fresh wave of institutional inflows. In contrast, Bitcoin open interest has lagged, failing to retest earlier highs despite BTC’s price rally. The divergence underlines stronger professional conviction in Ethereum open interest versus Bitcoin. Retail participation on centralized exchanges remains muted, suggesting the current ETH rally is driven primarily by institutions and may support more orderly price action. Traders should monitor CME futures open interest, exchange flows, and funding rates to gauge rally sustainability.

Vanilla Drainer is a new crypto scam service that has siphoned over $5.27 million in cryptocurrency within three weeks. Launched publicly in December 2024, the drainer software uses phishing tactics to bypass anti-fraud checks like Blockaid and takes a 15–20% cut of stolen assets. Major incidents include a $3.09 million stablecoin heist on August 5 and a $1.23 million loss in July, with proceeds converted to ETH and DAI and funneled into a fee wallet holding $2.23 million. The scam evades tracking by rotating domains and deploying fresh smart contracts. Despite an overall decline in scam outflows this year, phishing attacks rose 153% in July to $7.09 million. This crypto scam underscores the need for robust blockchain security. Traders should use hardware wallets and multi-factor authentication to reduce phishing risks.

High-net-worth leverage trader James Wynn faced a DOGE liquidation on his 10× long position, losing $22,627 on Hyperliquid. This DOGE liquidation follows his $100 million BTC loss in May and $25 million wipeout in June. Wynn has recorded $21.7 million in memecoin losses since March, including a $1 million PEPE position. He blames an alleged market-maker “cabal” for coordinated pump-and-dump schemes. Despite these setbacks, Wynn predicts the end of the market correction and urges a “max long” strategy. His planned memecoin launch aims to counter key opinion leaders. Historical patterns show large leverage liquidations often mark market bottoms, making Wynn’s outlook a potential bullish signal for traders.

Bitcoin transaction fees have plunged to their lowest level since 2011, with a 14-day moving average of just 3.5 BTC per day. Despite Bitcoin trading above $110,000, average on-chain fees fell to around $0.67 per transaction on August 23, 2025—10% lower year-on-year. Analysts attribute the drop in Bitcoin transaction fees to weaker demand for blockspace as investors increasingly use Bitcoin as a store of value rather than for payments. Improvements such as SegWit and the Lightning Network have also eased network congestion and lowered costs. The decline follows a surge in NFT-related activity in 2023–2024 that once pushed transaction costs as high as $50. Now, roughly half of all blocks are under-filled, reducing fee revenue for miners. After the 2024 halving cut block rewards to 3.125 BTC, miners had expected transaction fees to offset the revenue shortfall. Instead, low fees mean they remain heavily dependent on block subsidies. Persistent low Bitcoin transaction fees raise concerns over network security and miner profitability ahead of future halvings. Smaller operators may struggle to cover costs, potentially leading to mining centralization and increased risk of 51% attacks. On the upside, cheaper fees could boost everyday use and payment adoption. The balance between block rewards and transaction fees will be critical for Bitcoin’s long-term viability.

The U.S. government converted $11 billion in grant funding into a 10% non-voting equity stake in Intel, signalling plans for a sovereign wealth fund and deeper private-sector involvement. Watcher.Guru’s post about expanding government ownership drew attention from the XRP community. In response, influencer Zach Rector asked whether the government might pursue some of Ripple’s large XRP escrow holdings. Community members voiced concerns that government control of Ripple escrow could lead to sanctions, slow innovation, and extend institutional influence over digital assets. While the move applies to traditional corporations, discussions now centre on potential future government stakes in cryptocurrencies like XRP.

VersaBank USA has launched a pilot program for tokenized deposits, issuing Digital Deposit Receipts (DDRs) pegged 1:1 to US dollars. Under the pilot, the USDVB token represents a digital deposit held by the bank. This form of digital banking on blockchain differs from stablecoins by being issued by a regulated institution and backed directly by cash reserves. The trial aims to test stability, security and operational efficiency, enabling faster settlements, lower costs and improved fraud protection. Tokenized deposits could integrate with DeFi applications while complying with banking oversight. Challenges include regulatory clarity across jurisdictions and public education for adoption. Success may herald a shift in financial markets, blending traditional banking trust with blockchain innovation.