Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Cloudflare has launched Net Dollar, a USD-pegged stablecoin designed for AI agents and machine-to-machine payments. Backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar reserves in regulated accounts, Net Dollar goes live on Ethereum via Chainlink oracles and integrates with smart-contract platforms. Developers can embed real-time microtransactions for AI services, data feeds and dApps using Cloudflare Workers. The stablecoin supports seamless on-chain swaps with USDC and USDT and plans multi-chain expansion to Arbitrum and Optimism by Q4. Monthly reserve audits, low-latency transfers and programmable payments aim to bridge traditional finance and DeFi. Traders should watch Net Dollar adoption, liquidity pool growth and its competition with leading stablecoins for potential arbitrage and volume opportunities.

Kraken funding secured up to $500 million in a self-led pre-IPO round valuing the crypto exchange at $15 billion. Reports in early 2024 first cited a $500 million close. The final confirmed tranche was $100 million, backed by venture capital firms, investment managers and CEO Arjun Sethi’s Tribe Capital. Kraken plans to use the proceeds to streamline its IPO, expand institutional trading services and integrate DeFi and tokenized assets. The exchange reported Q2 2025 revenue of $411 million and EBITDA of $80 million. Recent initiatives include launching xStocks, acquiring NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion—adding two million users—and donating $2 million to pro-crypto political groups for regulatory advocacy. This Kraken funding boost positions the exchange for a 2026 IPO and underscores its shift toward institutional growth and tokenized finance.

KuCoin has filed a federal court appeal against FINTRAC’s CAD19M enforcement notice. The crypto exchange disputes its designation as a Foreign MSB and argues the fine is excessive. FINTRAC had accused KuCoin of failing to report large transfers nearly 3,000 times from 2021 to 2024 and not flagging 33 suspicious transactions. CEO BC Wong stressed the company’s commitment to transparent operations, regulatory compliance, and user asset security. KuCoin says its services and compliance measures will remain unchanged while the case proceeds. This legal challenge marks another regulatory hurdle for KuCoin, highlighting cross-border enforcement risks in the crypto industry.

Bitwise Asset Management has filed an S-1 with the US SEC to launch a Hyperliquid HYPE ETF, directly holding HYPE tokens under Coinbase Custody Trust Company with both cash and in-kind creations and redemptions. The spot ETF will not use leverage or derivatives, though listing exchange, ticker and fee structure await SEC review. New SEC guidance may speed approval but standard review applies since Hyperliquid lacks CFTC-registered futures, and Bitwise must file Form 19b-4. Hyperliquid is a Layer-1 for decentralized futures, with HYPE powering fees, incentives and governance. The project faces competition from Aster and heavy supply pressure from 237.8 million HYPE unlocking from November (~$500 million/month), while buybacks cover only 17%. Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes sold his HYPE before the unlock. SEC delays on altcoin ETFs (Pengu, AVAX, SEI) highlight regulatory headwinds. HYPE has slid about 1.5% on the day and is down 24% weekly, trading near $42—well below its mid-September peak of $58 as markets digest US GDP revisions. The SEC’s feedback on the Hyperliquid HYPE ETF filing and other altcoin ETF decisions will be key drivers for short-term price action and long-term adoption.

Cloudflare’s USD-backed NET Dollar stablecoin delivers real-time settlement and programmable payments for autonomous AI agents. Fully collateralized 1:1 with USD, Cloudflare NET Dollar supports global interoperability and high-frequency microtransactions on its global edge network. The token’s programmable payments automate tasks like ticket booking, cross-border transfers, and content monetization, enabling AI firms to pay creators instantly. CEO Matthew Prince says NET Dollar will shift web business models from ad-driven to usage-based microtransactions. The launch aligns with Google’s open-source AI payments initiative supported by Coinbase, highlighting growing demand for programmable stablecoins in the AI economy.

South Korean actress Hwang Jung-eum has received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for four years, for embezzling KRW 4.34 billion ($3.1 million) from her agency to fund high-risk cryptocurrency investments. She admitted full responsibility, sold personal assets and repaid the entire amount in three installments by June. The Jeju District Court cited her remorse and restitution when granting probation, rejecting prosecutors’ request for a three-year jail term. The high-profile crypto embezzlement case highlights legal and regulatory risks in South Korea’s booming crypto market. According to the Korea Asia Financial Research Institute, 27% of South Koreans aged 20–50 hold digital assets, which account for 14% of their portfolios. Economic pressures and a persistent “kimchi premium”—where local crypto prices exceed global rates—continue to drive speculative investment. Traders should note the potential for increased scrutiny and market volatility following this scandal.

Ethereum co-founder Jeffrey Wilcke transferred 1,500 ETH (about $6 million) to Kraken as ETH dipped from $4,000 to $3,900. While exchange deposits can signal quick sell-offs, on-chain analytics show his August $9.22 million and earlier $262 million ETH transfers did not lead to immediate sales. His recent repost on X fuels further sell speculation. Meanwhile, at least 15 whale wallets have accumulated over 406,000 ETH (roughly $1.6 billion) in the past two days, even as major exchanges like Kraken, Galaxy Digital, BitGo and FalconX offloaded tokens. Traders should monitor on-chain whale flows and exchange reserves: large-scale ETH accumulation often underpins price support and may signal a bullish turn for market sentiment.

TeraWulf is planning to raise $3B in high-yield bonds or leveraged loans arranged by Morgan Stanley, secured by Google’s $3.2B backstop. As part of the deal, Google will take a 14% stake, becoming TeraWulf’s largest shareholder. The financing will fund a 10-year hosting agreement to deploy over 200 MW of liquid-cooled capacity across data centers optimized for AI infrastructure services. Following announcements of its AI infrastructure and colocation leases—including a previous $3.7B, 10-year deal with Fluidstack—TeraWulf’s stock jumped as much as 70%, reflecting broad investor optimism. The move underscores a trend of bitcoin mining firms leveraging existing energy infrastructure to expand into AI data centers, helping TeraWulf diversify revenue streams and meet surging demand for specialized compute.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has opened the Shanghai Digital Yuan Hub. The Digital Yuan Hub will manage three platforms: cross-border digital payments, blockchain services and digital asset trading. Announced by PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng, this marks the latest step in yuan internationalization. Xinhua reports the hub aims to simplify global payments and cut reliance on the US dollar. Tsinghua finance expert Tian Xuan said the project offers a “China solution” for worldwide transactions. Concurrently, Beijing is set to authorize yuan-backed stablecoins. Hong Kong fintech AnchorX recently launched an offshore CNH-pegged stablecoin for Belt and Road settlements. Together, these moves underscore China’s strategic push to boost the Digital Yuan and blockchain innovation on the global stage.

South Park’s Season 27 premiere “Conflict of Interest” satirizes prediction apps like Kalshi and Polymarket by depicting students betting on everything from school lunch menus to the Israel–Palestine conflict. The episode mocks platform executives, CFTC and FCC advisers, and features a Trump Jr.–style advisor backing both apps. Unlike earlier jabs at Bitcoin and NFTs, it highlights the mechanics, risks and ethics of prediction markets. The satire arrives as US regulators under Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham withdraw their appeal against Kalshi and issue no-action letters to Polymarket—moves its CEO calls a green light for US operations. Traders should note that regulatory easing may boost platform adoption and liquidity but also bring heightened compliance scrutiny and risk exposure.

Nine European banks have formed a Dutch entity to launch a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin in H2 2026. The consortium will apply for an e-money license from the Dutch Central Bank under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. The euro stablecoin aims to support instant, low-cost payments, 24/7 cross-border settlements and programmable transactions on blockchain. Member banks will offer secure wallets and plan to appoint a CEO after regulatory approval. Open to new partners, the project seeks to reduce reliance on USDT and USDC, bolster Europe’s digital sovereignty and capture a share of the $295 billion stablecoin market.

BlackRock has filed to register a Delaware trust company for a new Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, marking its latest entry in crypto yield products. The ETF, a yield-focused sequel to its $87 billion spot Bitcoin ETF IBIT, will employ a covered-call strategy on Bitcoin futures, selling call options to collect premiums and deliver regular distributions. While providing steady income, this approach caps upside participation compared with spot exposure. The Delaware filing signals an imminent S-1 or 19b-4 registration with the SEC, reflecting growing regulatory openness to diversified crypto offerings. IBIT has drawn over $60.7 billion in inflows since January 2024, helping BlackRock capture a 60% U.S. spot Bitcoin market share, and its combined Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs generated $260 million in annual revenue within two years of launch. BlackRock allocates 1–2% of model portfolios to crypto, underscoring institutional demand. If approved, the Bitcoin Premium Income ETF will join a narrow set of U.S. crypto yield funds, complementing products like convertible preferred stock, with Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas noting a focus on BTC and ETH while pausing altcoin ETF plans. Recent SEC rule changes could accelerate future ETF approvals for Litecoin, Solana, XRP and Dogecoin.

US miner CleanSpark has secured a $100 million Bitcoin-backed credit facility from institutional lender Two Prime, raising its total collateralized financing capacity to $400 million. The loan, backed by over 12,000 BTC from the company’s treasury, provides non-dilutive funding for data center expansion and high-performance computing projects. This follows a recent $100 million line with Coinbase Prime and underscores an industry-wide shift toward Bitcoin-backed financing among major miners. CFO Gary Vecchiarelli highlighted the facility’s favorable cost of capital and enhanced liquidity without selling core assets, while Two Prime CEO Alexander Blume noted growing institutional confidence in BTC collateral. CleanSpark now operates at 50 EH/s of hashrate with a Bitcoin treasury exceeding $1 billion. Despite the new facility, CLSK shares remain steady near $13.68 as trading volumes surge, reflecting increased market interest.

SharpLink Gaming Inc (Nasdaq: SBET) has partnered with Superstate to execute equity tokenization of SBET shares on Ethereum using the Opening Bell platform. The move marks the first direct on-chain issuance of a public company’s registered equity via a compliant digital transfer agent. By issuing tokenized shares directly on-chain, SharpLink aims to modernize capital markets and align with the SEC’s Project Crypto framework. The initiative seeks to unlock deeper liquidity, global investor access and real-time settlement. SharpLink, chaired by Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, holds over 838,000 ETH in its treasury and has generated 3,815 ETH through staking, underscoring its on-chain commitment. The company plans to explore AMM-based secondary trading of tokenized shares on DeFi protocols, though details on timeline, SEC approval, share migration and fee structure remain pending. SBET stock fell 7.6% to $16.26 following the announcement, highlighting the project’s experimental nature. If successful, this equity tokenization could pave the way for broader tokenized share offerings and reshape capital market efficiency on-chain.

Naver acquires Upbit operator Dunamu via a share-swap deal, making the crypto exchange a wholly-owned subsidiary. The acquisition means Naver acquires Upbit’s leading platform, unifying its payment network with South Korea’s largest crypto exchange to accelerate entry into digital finance. Upbit will integrate its GIWA Layer-2 blockchain built on Ethereum’s OP Stack to boost transaction speed and enable future DeFi services. Together, they plan to launch a KRW-pegged stablecoin for low-cost domestic and cross-border payments, leveraging Naver’s 80-trillion-won annual transaction volume. The move aligns with South Korea’s evolving crypto regulations and could strengthen the country’s fintech and crypto hub status.

PayPal has partnered with Spark Protocol to enhance PYUSD liquidity across DeFi. Since its integration on SparkLend on September 25, PYUSD deposits surpassed $100 million. The collaboration aims to scale liquidity to $1 billion in coming weeks. Spark’s Liquidity Layer allocates over $8 billion in stablecoin reserves to lending markets. It offers borrowers deep liquidity and predictable borrowing costs without short-term incentives. PYUSD is issued by Paxos Trust Company and backed by U.S. dollar reserves and Treasuries. This partnership could narrow trading spreads, boost PYUSD trading volumes, and strengthen PayPal’s stablecoin ecosystem. It underscores DeFi’s role in sustainable stablecoin markets and may attract institutional and retail traders to PYUSD.

UK Finance has launched an 18-month pilot for tokenised sterling deposits with six major banks, including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Nationwide and Santander. The programme aims to create a digital pound representation of commercial bank money and tests use cases such as online marketplace payments, remortgaging and wholesale bond settlement. Quant Network will supply the blockchain interoperability infrastructure via its Regulated Liability Network, enabling programmable money features that enhance payment control, reduce fraud and speed up settlement times. The pilot, running until mid-2026, coincides with the Financial Conduct Authority’s planned crypto-asset regulations, highlighting the UK’s push to integrate tokenisation into mainstream banking. By distinguishing tokenised sterling deposits from stablecoins and e-money under existing banking law, the initiative could set new standards for institutional adoption of digital cash and influence future market stability for tokenised sterling deposits.

On September 17, the Federal Reserve delivered a market-anticipated Fed rate cut of 25 basis points to 4.00%–4.25%. However, Fed Chair Powell’s cautious tone and a split dot-plot signaled a ‘hawkish rate cut’ environment. The 10-year Treasury yield jumped, steepening the curve and underscoring persistent inflation concerns as headwinds for risk assets. US equities hit fresh highs, but crypto markets showed mixed momentum. Bitcoin (BTC) failed to clear key mid-range levels and stalled at its 4-hour EMA clusters, hinting at a deeper retest toward range lows. Ethereum (ETH) also remained indecisive, unable to breach its weekly open. Altcoins saw compression breakouts near monthly opens, yet TOTAL3 and ‘Others’ stalled below prior highs. Trading plans now focus on spot-based Fed rate cut scenarios: breakout entries on sustained highs and retest buys into mapped demand zones supported by rising EMAs. Traders should monitor the 10-year Treasury yield as a macro risk gauge. Strict position sizing and no leverage remain crucial ahead of further policy decisions. A sustained BTC reclaim above the mid-range with momentum could unlock broader beta, while deeper retests may present asymmetrical entry opportunities.

Story Protocol (IP) has plunged roughly 50% from its all-time high near $15 to about $7.2 following rapid profit-taking after the Origin Summit in Seoul. Despite a $2.27 billion market cap, on-chain metrics reveal weak value capture: just $29.1 million in TVL and under $700 in daily protocol revenue, while peers of similar size report millions in fees. Fundamental concerns deepened after co-founder Jason Zhao’s departure. On the charts, IP broke down from its August–September ascending wedge and 50-day SMA, testing key support at $7. A breach below could drive prices toward $6.07, $5.40 or lower levels near $4.75 and $2.40. Traders should monitor PCE data, market sentiment and on-chain trends for reversal signals.

YouTube star Mr Beast acquired 538,384 ASTER tokens over three days by depositing 1 million USDT across two wallets for an average price of $1.87 per token. This dip buying strategy followed ASTER’s rally from $0.10 to $2.40 and subsequent pullback to $1.88. Meanwhile, Aster DEX resolved an XPL perpetual trading glitch, reimbursing affected users in USDT and boosting platform transparency. Whale accumulation by Mr Beast has sparked bullish sentiment, with analysts predicting a rebound to $3, a potential 60% gain. Traders should monitor ASTER liquidity, price movements and DEX stability for further market momentum.

World Liberty Financial’s community has approved a 100% WLFI buyback & burn program. All treasury liquidity fees on Ethereum, BNB Chain and Solana will fund on-chain purchases and burns. The protocol collects a 0.125% fee on roughly $3.5 billion in daily trading volume, removing about 4.375 million WLFI tokens each day. At this pace, burning 10% of the circulating 24.66 billion supply will take around 564 days. WLFI has slid over 36% since its September launch and trades near $0.192, close to the lower Bollinger Band at $0.189. The RSI stands at 38.8 and the MACD shows weak momentum. A rebound above $0.197 could target $0.205 and $0.22, while a break below $0.189 risks a drop to $0.18. Supporters say the WLFI buyback & burn will cut supply, reward holders and curb selling pressure. Critics argue burns alone don’t add intrinsic value and call for stricter presale unlocks or vesting. Separately, WLFI plans a USD1 stablecoin-powered retail app and an Apple Pay debit card. A Bithumb MOU aims to boost adoption in South Korea. Robinhood’s listing briefly lifted WLFI above $0.20 and pushed market cap close to $5 billion.

Ethereum accumulator addresses absorbed nearly 400,000 ETH on September 24, following a historic 1.2 million ETH inflow on September 18. These Ethereum accumulator addresses, known for their strict buy-and-hold strategy, likely represent institutional or ETF-related players, underscoring growing institutional demand for ETH. Ethereum’s price slipped below $3,900 amid broader macroeconomic concerns and is testing key support in the $3,800–$4,000 range, with $4,060 identified as critical resistance. CryptoQuant data and the Fear & Greed Index at “fear” indicate a risk-off environment. Analyst Ted Pillows expected the $3,800 liquidity zone test, while Arthur Azizov of B2 Ventures attributes the drop to deleveraging and thinning liquidity. Despite short-term pressure, Ethereum fundamentals in staking, DeFi, and Layer 2 scaling remain robust. Market strategists like Trader Tardigrade and Michaël van de Poppe view current levels as an ideal accumulation area. A decisive reclaim of $4,060 could trigger a rally toward $4,500–$5,000. Conversely, failure to hold support may result in consolidation around $3,500–$4,500 or a deeper slide toward $3,600.

Moody’s warns that crypto adoption in emerging markets is undermining monetary policy and financial resilience. Rising use of dollar-pegged stablecoins for savings and remittances weakens domestic monetary transmission. Adoption now extends beyond investment into savings, remittances and payments. This escalates cryptoization pressures akin to unofficial dollarization but with less oversight. Anonymous wallets and offshore exchanges facilitate capital flight and erode exchange rate stability. Crypto adoption is concentrated in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, driven by high inflation, currency depreciation and limited banking access. Global crypto users reached 562 million in 2024, up 33% year-on-year. Policymakers must balance financial innovation with safeguarding monetary sovereignty and market stability, unlike developed economies that favor institutional integration and clearer regulation.

CryptoQuant warns crypto treasury firms using PIPE financing may see their stocks slump over 50% when discounted shares hit the market after lock-up expiries. PIPE financing provides rapid liquidity but increases share count and fuels dilution. Citing examples: healthcare firm Kindly MD plunged 97% toward its $1.12 PIPE price post-lock-up; SPAC Strive’s $1.35 PIPE implies a potential 55% drop; Cantor Equity Partners could fall back to its $10 PIPE level, halving its value. Next Technology Holding’s proposed $500 million PIPE deal adds further sector concern. Traders should monitor PIPE financing terms—issuance price, lock-up periods, tranche schedules—and track upcoming expiries, comparing market prices with PIPE prices and on-chain asset valuations to manage risk.

XRP Tundra has launched a dual-token presale on Solana and the XRP Ledger. The project is offering TUNDRA-S at $2.50 and TUNDRA-X at $1.25, implying potential 25× returns for early buyers. A 40% token allocation is reserved for presale participants, with a 17% bonus on TUNDRA-S and free TUNDRA-X tokens valued at $0.0205. Staking is enabled via Cryo Vaults, allowing traders to lock XRP for 7–90 days and earn up to 30% APY without moving funds off-ledger. Frost Keys NFTs act as yield multipliers or reduce lockup periods. The presale and token contracts passed audits by Cyberscope, Solidproof, and Freshcoins, and the team completed KYC with Vital Block. By contrast, Cardano price forecasts vary, with Finder projecting ADA at $1.60 by 2026 and VanEck eyeing $6–8 by 2030. XRP Tundra’s fixed pricing, clear tokenomics, and audit-backed framework offer traders a transparent entry point. This update may reshape how early-stage crypto presales and staking opportunities are evaluated.

Glassnode data show that long-term Bitcoin holders have begun profit-taking at levels seen near past cycle peaks. After the Fed’s rate cut, ETF inflows into Bitcoin paused, removing a key support. On September 25, Bitcoin slipped below its $112,000 support level to a four-week low of $108,700. The subsequent rebound quickly faded, hinting at a deeper correction. The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) has climbed above 1.0, indicating some traders selling at a loss. Meanwhile, the Short-Term Holder Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) is approaching zero, raising the risk of further liquidations by newer investors. Analysts at 10x Research remain neutral until Bitcoin reclaims $115,000. Without renewed institutional demand, selling pressure may extend toward nearby stop-loss zones around $107,500. In contrast, Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy remains optimistic about a potential Bitcoin rally by late 2025.

Plasma launched its Layer-1 stablecoin blockchain on September 25, distributing a 9,304-token XPL airdrop that saw the native token surge from its $0.05 ICO price to a peak of $1.54, boosting FDV to about $120 billion and market cap to nearly $1.6 billion. Futures volume spiked over 1,500%. In pre-sales, Plasma raised $1.6 billion, rewarding early whales with returns up to 30×. Plasma’s EVM-compatible chain uses PlasmaBFT consensus for zero-fee USDT transfers and has secured over 100 DeFi partners, including Aave and Chainlink. Its official vaults hold $1.5 billion USDT at 31.64% APY, with phased funding to stabilize liquidity and incentivize staking. Advisors such as Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and Peter Thiel add credibility. Looking ahead, Plasma targets high-demand markets in Southeast Asia, Turkey and South America, plans a Plasma One prepaid card with up to 4% cashback and 10% stablecoin yield, and faces a 25% token unlock in mid-2026. Traders should watch unlock schedules, regulatory shifts and real-world adoption to gauge XPL’s market resilience.

Ethereum price on OKX dipped below the key $3,900 mark on September 26, trading around $3,899 and registering a 2.6% intraday decline. This slide highlights heightened market volatility, as weakness in Bitcoin and other digital assets spreads across major cryptocurrencies. Traders are closely watching support at $3,900 and the next floor near $3,800, using technical indicators and on-chain data to gauge momentum and identify potential rebound opportunities amid bearish short-term sentiment.

WLFI token holders overwhelmingly approved, with 99% support, a buyback and burn program to stabilize price after a 41% September drop. The governance vote authorizes World Liberty Financial to convert fees from WLFI-controlled liquidity pools on Ethereum, BNB Chain and Solana into WLFI on the open market. Purchased tokens will be sent to a burn address to reduce circulating supply and absorb sell pressure. While exact daily burn volumes remain unconfirmed, community estimates suggest up to 4 million tokens could be burned per day. Each buyback and burn transaction will be publicly disclosed on-chain, enhancing transparency in the protocol’s DeFi governance.