Crypto News

BiXBiT has launched custom firmware for Bitmain Antminer S21, S19, T21, T19, L9 and L7 series Bitcoin miners. The company says early deployments achieved up to 40% higher hashrate and 35% better energy efficiency, using tuned performance profiles, adjustable power settings and thermal controls. These are company-reported results, not independently verified figures. The firmware can disable an unstable hashboard while keeping a miner running on its remaining boards. It connects to BiXBiT AMS 3.0, which lets operators monitor hashrate, temperature, power use and profitability, manage fleets and receive alerts. Support is limited to devices with Bitmain stock firmware released before August 2026; later versions are not yet supported. The launch may help mining operators optimize costs, but its direct effect on Bitcoin’s price is likely limited.

Brazil’s crypto regulation deadline falls on Friday, requiring exchanges already operating in the country to apply for authorization if they want to continue serving customers. Filing an application allows firms to keep operating while the Central Bank of Brazil reviews it, a process that could take up to two years. New providers must be authorized before launching regulated services. The Brazil crypto licensing process carries significant costs. Capital requirements range from 10.8 million reais (about $2 million) to 37.2 million reais, alongside audits, technical certification and anti-money-laundering controls. Lawyers warn that these obligations could strain smaller exchanges and increase market concentration. Firms that miss the deadline must stop services within 30 days, while banks and payment providers face restrictions on transactions with unauthorized firms from Nov. 6. Unresolved rules on verifying self-custody wallets, reporting transfers and applying a $100,000 limit to some international transactions are adding uncertainty. Binance Brazil chief Thiago Sarandy said unclear requirements could lead to inconsistent reporting. The Brazil crypto rules arrive as the country ranks first globally for grassroots crypto adoption, with $252.5 billion in crypto activity from July 2025 to June 2026, according to Chainalysis.

Hong Kong fintech PhotonPay has raised $40 million in a Series C round led by Blockchain Capital, with SBI Group, IDG Capital, GL Ventures and Lightspeed Faction also participating. PhotonPay plans to expand its stablecoin and fiat payment services, including multi-asset wallets, card issuance and local clearing infrastructure, and develop financial tools for AI agents. PhotonPay reported $65 billion in annualized transaction volume as of August 2026. It holds 34 payment and financial licences, serves more than 200,000 business customers across over 200 countries and territories, and works with partners including J.P. Morgan and Mastercard. The funding follows its Series B in January 2026. The raise reflects investor interest in stablecoin payment infrastructure and the potential for AI-driven commerce. Traders will be watching whether PhotonPay’s volume grows and whether its agent-focused payment services develop into recurring commercial activity.

Brazil crypto exchanges must file authorization applications with the Central Bank by October 30, 2026, to keep operating while their applications are reviewed. They must show they meet requirements for financial capacity, governance, technology and anti-money laundering controls. Providers that miss the deadline must cease operations, and authorized institutions will face restrictions on dealings with unauthorized firms. The deadline adds regulatory uncertainty to Brazil’s crypto market. The article identifies no direct market impact on XRP; any effect on broader crypto sentiment remains uncertain.

Sparrow Wallet 2.5.6 is a major maintenance release focused on security, accessibility and reliability for Bitcoin users. It adds checks for unconfirmed transaction signatures, Payjoin inputs, stored block hashes and hardware-wallet operations. The update also fixes wallet history and balance issues, improves handling of chain reorganisations, and adds compatibility changes for Bitcoin Core 32.1 and later. Sparrow Wallet 2.5.6 upgrades Java and Tor, improves screen-reader and keyboard support, and adds shortcuts for navigating wallet functions. It also includes fixes for wallet imports, transaction broadcasting, device errors and other bugs. The release does not announce a token, funding round or market-moving partnership.

Silver prices fell 2.63% to $52.228 an ounce, while gold dropped 1.07% to $4,023.58 an ounce, according to Gate data reported by Odaily. Oil prices also declined: WTI crude was down 1.63% at $101.15 a barrel and Brent fell 0.88% to $114.04. European equities rose, with Germany’s DAX up 1.19%, while the US dollar showed mixed moves against the offshore yuan and yen. The report provides a snapshot of traditional markets; it gives no direct information about cryptocurrency prices or trading flows.

US stocks opened lower on 29 October, with the Dow Jones down 0.59%, the S&P 500 down 0.5% and the Nasdaq down 1.35%. AI stocks broadly fell: ServiceNow dropped 20.92%, Alphabet lost 12.1%, Marvell fell 10.7%, Atlassian declined 6.19% and Twilio slid 5.53%. The VIX volatility index rose 0.18%. The sharp decline in AI stocks points to pressure on technology shares and may weigh on broader risk appetite, although the report does not identify a specific cause.

XRP ETF cumulative net inflows reportedly reached a record $1.8 billion by October 16 and surpassed that level by the October 26 market close, according to figures cited in the articles. Net assets were about $1.47 billion in the earlier report; inflows measure investor contributions, while assets reflect the current value of fund holdings. The later update frames the XRP ETF inflows as evidence of continued institutional interest, despite cautious retail sentiment and slower secondary-market activity. The earlier report said XRP traded near $1.31 on October 19, up about 2% over 24 hours but down roughly 7% for the week. Trading volume rose, while buying momentum remained weak. This divergence shows that XRP ETF inflows do not guarantee a price rally: broader sentiment, whale activity and on-chain flows can also affect XRP. Both articles also promote UE Crypto, a cloud-mining and earnings platform, and describe fixed daily returns and claims about regulation, audits and asset protections. These claims and advertised returns are not independently verified in the articles. Traders should verify ETF data and approach the promotion cautiously.

Bitcoin has risen after each of the three US midterm elections with reliable post-launch data: about 25% in 2014, 45% in 2018 and 92% in 2022. The average gain was 53.7%, but the median was about 45%—below the 67.5% median for non-midterm years. The S&P 500 has also historically performed better in the year after midterms, though these patterns do not show that elections cause market gains. DWF Labs says Bitcoin’s four-year cycle and position relative to its halving may matter more than which party controls Congress. The 2026 setup differs from previous midterm years: Bitcoin is about 36% below its peak, versus historical declines of roughly 67%–73%. DWF identifies the June low near $58,524 as a key level. A break below it could resemble the deeper 2014 and 2018 downturns, while holding it would be more consistent with 2022. A scaled comparison of historical price paths—not a forecast—places Bitcoin at roughly $92,000–$150,000 12 months after the 2026 election; two scenarios remain below $80,000 for much of the first six months. Political uncertainty, including federal debt, defence spending and crypto legislation, could also affect sentiment, alongside liquidity and broader risk-asset conditions. For traders, past post-election gains are context rather than a dependable signal: the sample is small, and Bitcoin’s cycle and market conditions remain central.

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has issued 12 voluntary practices for responsible AI use in financial services, including AML, KYC and financial crime investigations. The guidance urges boards and senior managers to maintain accountability, oversee third-party providers and monitor AI systems, but does not specify detailed requirements for agentic AI. Elliptic says its eight-principle standard translates those expectations into checks for agentic AI used in on-chain risk management. It calls for clear human accountability, explainable decisions, ongoing performance validation and controls over providers. Its proposed benchmarks include coverage of at least 99% of value-moving transactions and evidenced uptime above 99.9%. Elliptic data cited in the article shows agentic crypto payments rose 500% in the three months to September. The company argues that as agentic AI use grows, firms should be able to show what an AI agent decided, why it acted and who was responsible. The FSB practices are non-binding; Elliptic’s standard is intended to help firms assess providers.

The Bank of Russia says restrictions on self-custody wallets do not apply to international payments, preserving a channel for cross-border trade settlements. First Deputy Governor Vladimir Chistyukhin confirmed the exemption on October 29, 2026. Domestically, rules effective from September 1 restrict transfers from regulated digital accounts to self-custody wallets. Existing wallet holdings are unaffected, while peer-to-peer transactions remain permitted until July 1, 2027. Unqualified investors, who make up about 98% of market participants, face an annual purchase cap of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Thirteen organizations were licensed for digital currency exchange activities as of mid-October. The policy keeps self-custody wallets available for international settlements while directing domestic crypto activity toward licensed intermediaries. Its impact will depend on how authorities distinguish cross-border from domestic transactions and enforce the upcoming peer-to-peer limits.

Anthropic has filed an IPO prospectus, a step that could bring the AI company closer to a public listing, according to the article citing Reuters. The company could be valued at more than $2 trillion, though the figure is a potential valuation rather than a confirmed IPO price. The filing puts Anthropic ahead of OpenAI in the race to become a major publicly listed AI lab. A prediction market cited in the article priced the chance of an IPO by December 31, 2026, at 94.4%. Traders will watch for further filings, IPO timing and valuation disclosures. The development may affect sentiment toward AI and technology stocks, but the article reports no direct impact on cryptocurrency markets.

US Senator Bill Hagerty discussed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, crypto regulation and the role of stablecoins in an interview with Bitcoin Magazine. The conversation included a possible expansion of the reserve, which the chapter list references alongside 200,000 Bitcoin, but the article does not report a new policy decision or specific proposal. Hagerty also addressed the Clarity Act, the GENIUS Act, stablecoin rewards, and how stablecoins could support demand for US Treasuries and the dollar’s global role. He argued that regulatory uncertainty had enabled aggressive enforcement and said a lighter government touch could help crypto innovation. The interview also covered Bitcoin mining and energy development in Tennessee, public skepticism about crypto, and his opposition to a central bank digital currency (CBDC). For traders, the discussion highlights ongoing US policy debates around the Bitcoin Reserve and digital-asset regulation, rather than a confirmed change in law or government Bitcoin holdings.

Mosaic is a generative artwork by BitArt that turns Bitcoin data into evolving visual and musical compositions. It uses satoshi numbers and transaction-related data, including UTXOs, to determine the work’s colors, positions and sound. Participants’ Bitcoin transactions contribute to a composition that no single person controls. The project, supported by the Bitcoin Art Society (BAS), has grown to more than 127 million tiles and one billion layers, according to BitArt. The artist says viewing every layer at one per second would take more than 30 years. Mosaic will appear on the main-stage LED screens at Bitcoin Amsterdam on November 5–6, 2026. The article frames the project as an experiment in generative art, collective authorship and digital preservation—not as a Bitcoin product or market announcement.

Chainlink bought back about 92,800 LINK in the two hours before the report, worth approximately $1.07 million. The Chainlink buyback was more than 4,500 LINK larger than the previous week’s reported amount. The purchase adds a source of demand for LINK, though the report provides no further details about the buyback’s funding or its effect on market prices.

Solana has integrated Polygon’s Open Money Stack, connecting bank rails, wallets and exchanges to the Solana network. The integration is designed to let businesses access these services through a single connection. The announcement did not disclose launch metrics, transaction volumes or commercial terms, so the immediate effect on SOL trading is unclear. The move highlights continued efforts to improve payment and financial infrastructure across blockchain networks.

DTCC launched its tokenization service on October 28, with 20 DTC participants—including JPMorgan, Citi and State Street—signing access agreements. The DTCC tokenization service creates on-chain representations of securities already held in custody; it does not issue new shares or move the US stock market onto a public blockchain. Tokenized entitlements retain the securities’ CUSIPs and ownership rights. More than 30 securities are initially eligible, including selected Russell 1000 stocks, index ETFs and US Treasuries. Canton Network and DTCC’s private Besu environment are available at launch, with additional network connections planned for 2027. The often-cited $30 trillion refers to the value of securities eligible for tokenization, not assets already issued on-chain. Access is restricted to participating institutions and approved wallets. Transfers between registered wallets on the same network can settle around the clock, but conversions between tokenized and traditional forms remain limited to business hours. Potential uses include collateral mobility and improved capital efficiency; the service does not make assets freely transferable across networks or replace existing settlement processes. DTCC has not disclosed issuance or transfer volumes, so the launch is not yet evidence of substantial adoption. For crypto traders, the DTCC tokenization service is a long-term signal of institutional blockchain development, but not a confirmed near-term catalyst for Canton’s CC token. Adoption, completed settlement activity, links to cash settlement and the future of the SEC staff’s three-year no-action position remain key indicators.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, as expected, and market reaction was muted. Two officials dissented in favor of a 0.25 percentage-point rate increase. The article argues the Fed is unlikely to hike again soon, with higher long-term yields and slowing capital expenditure potentially helping cool inflation, while fuel prices remain a key driver outside the Fed’s control. Alphabet (GOOG) missed revenue and earnings expectations, prompting concerns about how it will fund artificial intelligence investment and about weakening free cash flow. The author warns that slower growth in AI infrastructure spending could pressure technology firms that supply data-center hardware and other “picks and shovels.” Investors may need to be more selective as the cycle shifts toward AI applications. For crypto traders, the Fed’s pause offers a broadly neutral macro signal, while changing expectations for tech and AI investment could affect sentiment toward crypto-related AI and infrastructure tokens.

US September PCE inflation remained elevated, reinforcing concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep rates higher for longer. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.6% year over year and 0.5% month over month. Core PCE, which excludes food and energy, increased 3.1% annually and 0.3% monthly—both annual rates remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Nominal consumer spending rose 0.5% in September, led by services, but inflation-adjusted real PCE was nearly flat. Personal income increased 0.2%, while real disposable income fell 0.3%. The personal saving rate was 3.8%. The data arrived after the Fed held its policy rate at 3.75%–4.00%, with two officials dissenting in favor of a quarter-point increase. Sticky PCE inflation could support expectations of tighter monetary policy, keeping traders focused on rate decisions, Treasury yields and risk-sensitive assets such as Bitcoin. The figures do not by themselves determine the Fed’s next move; upcoming inflation and employment data will also shape market expectations.

Ethereum has fallen about 15% over the past month and is trading just above $2,300, with analysts warning that the price could drop to $2,000. On-chain analyst Ali Martinez said large investors sold around 160,000 ETH, worth nearly $350 million, in five days. Exchange balances also increased by 100,000 ETH, potentially putting more tokens within reach of sellers. Martinez added that ETH had lost support near $2,385 and that its chart pattern points to further downside if selling continues. Another trader said failure to reclaim $2,400 could leave Ethereum vulnerable to a fall below $2,200. There are also signs of possible short-term support. One large trader reportedly opened a $45 million ETH long position with 25x leverage and has recorded a 100% win rate across 20 trades, though the claim does not establish that the trader has inside information. Ethereum’s Relative Strength Index is just above 30, near the oversold zone, which can precede a rebound but does not guarantee one. Overall, whale selling and technical weakness pose downside risks, while the leveraged long and low RSI offer potential counter-signals.

Bitcoin ETFs recorded $137 million in net inflows on Wednesday, bringing October flows close to breakeven after a mid-month deficit of $907 million. The shift follows a broader change in ownership: nine hedge funds and banks sold about 68,000 BTC worth of ETF shares over nine months, while sovereign wealth funds, wealth managers and other investors added exposure. Since June, funds have reportedly bought back 87,000 BTC, this time through direct purchases rather than basis-trade arbitrage. The article says the arbitrage trade became less attractive as its annualized return fell from 7.9% to 4.8%, leaving an estimated 1.5 percentage points over cash after costs. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve held rates at 3.75%–4.00%, and market expectations for further rate hikes eased, potentially supporting risk assets. Bitcoin was trading near $80,000, down about 2% over 24 hours, while Ethereum and Solana also declined. Other developments included a planned NYSE-parent partnership with Trade.xyz to offer regulated US perpetual futures using Hyperliquid infrastructure, pending approval; Visa’s stablecoin settlement volume exceeding $25 billion annualized, more than ten times last year’s level; and $21 million in net outflows from ETH ETFs. The ETF flow reversal and reported institutional buying may support sentiment, though short-term price action remains exposed to macro conditions and market volatility.

Bitcoin lending and yield generation could create a new source of institutional demand, according to a report from Bitcoin infrastructure developer RootstockLabs. The report estimates that only 1.5% of Bitcoin’s supply is currently used in lending and Bitcoin-native finance, while identifiable institutional investors hold about 3.9 million BTC. RootstockLabs says lending, structured credit and using Bitcoin as collateral could help institutions earn returns on existing holdings and improve balance-sheet efficiency. In a hypothetical scenario where institutional holdings double to 7.8 million BTC, a 5% yield on 5% of those holdings would generate 19,500 BTC a year. The report presents this as potential returns, not a forecast of new demand. The report also highlights risks from leverage, rehypothecation, custody failures, borrower defaults and legal uncertainty. RootstockLabs institutional propositions director Tony DiCarlo said Bitcoin’s verifiable collateral and programmable liquidation rules may mitigate some risks, while volatility remains a concern. He cited a $750 million Bitcoin-backed loan by MARA to help finance a planned Ohio power plant acquisition as an example of Bitcoin being used for real-world financing.

Phase has launched its EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain and Phase Proxy, a service that routes AI agents’ web requests through internet connections shared by smartphone users. Unlimit founder Kirill Eves has committed $45 million to fund the project’s first two years; Phase says the commitment is expected to provide four years of runway and that it has no outside investors. The funding is a commitment, not a completed venture-capital round. Users can earn PHASE tokens by validating blocks without staking or specialized hardware, and may receive extra rewards for routing proxy traffic. Participation can adjust to a phone’s battery and connectivity. Phase plans to launch AI computing and model-routing services in November, with revenue expected to fund open-market PHASE purchases for node operators. The launch adds an AI and decentralized-infrastructure use case, but the summaries provide no token price, exchange-listing or adoption data. Demand for PHASE will depend on actual network use and participation.

Chainalysis traced a network of Russian intermediaries that helped North Korean IT workers convert millions of dollars in cryptocurrency into cash through the Russian exchange Garantex. The findings followed US sanctions against 10 people and one entity accused of helping North Korean government-run IT schemes fund weapons programmes. The US Treasury said Russian national Ilya Boykov converted about $3.5 million in cryptocurrency for sanctioned company Alis since 2024. Another Russian, Vitold Obertas, allegedly handled nearly $2 million in conversions for North Korean officials since January 2025. Chainalysis described one route in which a North Korean worker’s stablecoin payments were converted into Ether (ETH), consolidated, sent to Boykov, and then transferred to Garantex for cash-out. The case highlights ongoing risks from North Korean IT workers using false identities to obtain jobs at crypto firms, as well as scrutiny of exchanges and intermediaries facilitating illicit crypto flows.

US core PCE inflation rose to 2.5% year over year in September, above the 2.4% forecast but below the previous 3.3% reading. The Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of underlying inflation remains above its 2% target, suggesting price pressures have not fully eased. The data could encourage a more cautious Fed stance on interest rates. For crypto traders, the prospect of tighter monetary policy may weigh on risk appetite, although the article reports no specific market price reaction. Bitcoin prediction markets showed a lower likelihood of BTC reaching $78,000. Traders will watch comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and subsequent rate expectations for clues about the dollar, broader markets and crypto assets.

Lookonchain reported that five crypto whales opened long positions in HYPE over several hours, totaling 597,912 HYPE worth about $52.7 million. The sizeable HYPE positions point to a bullish bet by these traders, but the report does not specify leverage, entry prices or whether the positions remain open.

US third-quarter GDP grew at an annualised rate of 3.4%, accelerating from 2.2% in the second quarter and beating analysts’ 3.2% forecast. US third-quarter GDP growth was supported by strong investment in AI data centres and advanced technology equipment, while consumer spending remained resilient despite persistent inflation. Federal Reserve Chair Warsh said economic momentum had strengthened and capital spending was historically high as a share of GDP. The stronger growth highlights the resilience of the US economy, but may also keep attention on inflation and the path of interest rates.

On-chain monitoring firm MLM says 625,000 HYPE, previously idle for nearly three weeks, has moved to a new wallet and from HyperEVM to Hypercore. The wallet’s funding is linked to addresses associated with TradeXYZ’s purchases on Hyperliquid, and the tokens may belong to TradeXYZ. The transfer comes from a 3.75 million HYPE over-the-counter trade last month: 3.125 million HYPE was staked in a single wallet, while the remaining 625,000 HYPE was initially sent elsewhere. MLM speculates that ICE bought the full 3.75 million HYPE and that the latest transfer may be part of an investment in TradeXYZ, but neither claim has been confirmed. The HYPE movement is a notable on-chain signal, not confirmation of a completed deal.

An OKX survey of 1,932 adults who had previously invested in crypto found that European respondents were more likely to see cryptocurrency as a tool for long-term wealth building than traditional retirement accounts: 19% chose crypto, compared with 8% who chose retirement plans. In the US, retirement accounts led crypto, 21% to 12%. Real estate was the top choice across the five surveyed countries, selected by 34% of respondents. Plans to increase crypto holdings were also common: 47% of European respondents said they expected to raise their allocation over the next five years. The newer survey summary reports a 55% figure for US respondents, while the earlier account specifies that 55% applied when boomers were excluded. Younger investors were more inclined to increase holdings, while 55% of boomers said crypto was not important to generational wealth. A separate US study found that 77% of adults considered crypto investments in workplace retirement plans risky. The findings reflect views among existing crypto investors, not the wider population, and do not show that investors are replacing pension savings. US policy proposals have sought to expand access to alternative assets, including digital assets, in 401(k) plans. Overall, the survey points to interest in crypto as a long-term wealth asset, particularly among younger investors, but signals no immediate buying activity and highlights continuing concerns about volatility and retirement risk.