Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Since early 2025, the crypto industry has seen an unprecedented surge in crypto M&A activity. According to RootData, year-to-date crypto M&A deals reached 143, a 93% increase from the previous year. Major exchanges like Kraken and Coinbase spearhead this wave. Kraken’s $1.5 billion acquisition of futures platform NinjaTrader and Coinbase’s consecutive takeovers of derivatives exchange Deribit and on-chain fundraising service Echo illustrate how top players use acquisitions to fill ecosystem gaps in derivatives, payments and custody services. This crypto M&A trend is fueled by depressed market valuations and a strict regulatory environment. By acquiring firms with existing licenses, industry leaders fast-track compliance and expand offerings without lengthy in-house development. The strategy not only accelerates market consolidation but also offers Web3 startups a more stable exit path beyond token listings or IPOs, boosting investor confidence in early-stage projects. Traditional financial institutions including Robinhood, Mastercard, Stripe and SoftBank now enter the crypto space via strategic acquisitions. This shift is transforming the sector from trading-driven to service-driven, paving the way for a one-stop financial ecosystem. Although integration challenges and valuation risks remain, the current M&A surge marks a pivotal step toward industry maturity and mainstream adoption.

Huobi HTX has launched its HTX Team Race as part of the annual Summit Race, offering a 400,000 USDT prize pool split equally between spot and derivatives channels. Registration runs from November 11–26 (UTC+8), requiring teams of 5–100 members with at least 100 USDT per account. The trading phase lasts from November 26 to December 16 (UTC+8), during which the top 20 teams by total volume in each channel share a 200,000 USDT pool. Team captains receive 10% of their pool, and remaining rewards are allocated based on individual trading volumes. New users also benefit from welcome gifts, including fee cashback coupons, interest coupons, free contract positions and grid trading credits. The competition aims to boost global market engagement, reward strategic execution and amplify HTX token usage.

A new World Bank report reveals that nearly three billion people still lack digital ID, cutting them off from essential services and widening the global digital divide. Sub-Saharan Africa has national ID coverage of 80%, but only 32% use digital ID and just 23% deploy it for services. Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal have launched digital ID initiatives, while Europe and North America lead with adoption rates up to 81% in Turkey. The World Bank urges prioritizing birth registrations and building trust in digital ID systems. In parallel, China is rolling out biometric border clearance at major ports and land crossings with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Face-swiping, fingerprint and iris scans at Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Shenzhen checkpoints aim to speed immigration. China’s RealDID blockchain-based ID and AI-driven student ID pilots underline its push toward a comprehensive digital ID ecosystem.

The US government shutdown appears set to end after a Senate-approved stopgap spending bill and an imminent House vote. The Senate’s action sparked a short-lived Wall Street rebound, but gains stalled as AI stocks cooled and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 2.48%. While funding is now extended until January 30, investors worry about a repeat showdown, injecting fresh political risk. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the shutdown shaved roughly $18 billion off Q4 GDP, with potential long-term losses near $7 billion and dampened corporate and consumer spending. Fintech Weekly warns that reduced regulatory staffing has delayed key approvals, creating potential oversight gaps for regional banks and fintech firms amid a tightening cycle. Crypto traders should note that shutdown-related market volatility and liquidity constraints may amplify short-term swings, but longer-term positions face headwinds until fiscal clarity and regulatory stability return.

Brazil’s Central Bank has unveiled new crypto regulations requiring all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to register as Sociedades Prestadores de Serviços de Ativos Virtuais (SPSAVs) by February 2026. Under these crypto regulations, firms must meet minimum capital requirements starting at US$2 million, with specialized activities demanding up to US$11 million. The rules also integrate stablecoin operations into foreign-exchange oversight and cap unauthorized cross-border transfers at US$100,000. Entities have a nine-month transition period, with a full compliance deadline set for November 2026. Non-compliant firms face operational suspension. The framework strengthens AML/KYC protocols and is designed to reduce money laundering and market fraud. Brazil’s move marks its most detailed crypto regulations to date and aims to align digital-asset services with established banking standards, potentially setting a global benchmark for secure and transparent crypto markets.

South Korean economists urge caution on won stablecoin legalization, highlighting risks of coin runs, money laundering and regulatory gaps. A Korean Economic Association survey shows 37.1% support won stablecoin for payment innovation, while 30% question its necessity. 58.1% favor a hybrid issuance by banks and qualified non-bank institutions; 35.5% support bank-only issuance. Experts recommend gradual implementation via pilot programs, rigorous stress tests and robust oversight to safeguard financial stability. Proper regulation could reduce transaction costs, speed up settlements, boost financial inclusion and strengthen cross-border trade. Clear frameworks and independent oversight are essential to balance innovation and security in South Korea’s digital currency strategy.

Aerodrome Finance’s AERO token surged over 10% in 24 hours, reclaiming the $1 level and breaking above the critical $1.20 resistance. Weekly gains climbed 44%, driven by strong momentum in Base ecosystem tokens such as UNI, VIRTUAL and KTA. Open Interest jumped from $6.96M to $10M, while a bullish MACD crossover and rising moving averages signal continued upward pressure. On-chain metrics show holder addresses rising from 670.6K to 682.3K, daily active users at 51.6K and trade counts hitting a three-year peak with over 5.2M daily transactions. Total Value Locked on Aerodrome Finance stood at $472M, with $697K on Aerostrategy, and deflationary veAERO staking burning tokens to tighten supply. Traders should watch the $1.20 support zone for AERO token: holding it could pave the way to the $1.58 seasonal high, while a drop below may trigger a swift pullback. Monitor Base ecosystem momentum, Open Interest trends and veAERO lock-up dynamics for further upside signals.

Recent U.S. dollar liquidity constraints are reshaping the crypto ecosystem, from stablecoin reserves to trading market makers. As the Federal Reserve considers ending quantitative tightening or expanding its balance sheet to relieve systemic liquidity stress, repo market usage and SRF borrowings have surged, driving up short-term funding costs. Crypto exchanges and market makers, reliant on these channels, now face heightened risks of sudden liquidity withdrawal. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury market’s limited depth and elevated instant impact costs pose challenges for dollar-pegged stablecoins and institutional traders holding short-term Treasuries as “safe” reserves. Proposed stablecoin regulations, including the GENIUS framework, would demand higher asset quality and transparency, increasing compliance costs and squeezing yields. Political events, such as a potential government shutdown, may further amplify or alleviate funding pressures in the short term. Key impacts for crypto firms include: 1) reduced market-making and leverage float as funding costs rise; 2) tighter stablecoin reserve management balancing liquidity, yield, and regulatory compliance; 3) increased demand for transparency and regular stress testing by exchanges and custodians to maintain market confidence. Recommendations: maintain conservative cash and high-quality short-term bond pools, institutionalize stress tests, publish reserve proofs, and engage proactively with regulators. Traders should prepare for more frequent liquidity shocks, favouring assets that are highly liquid, transparent, and quickly convertible.

DeFi is entering a new phase of sustainable growth as on-chain infrastructure matures and value capture models evolve. Leading protocols are enhancing cross-chain and multi-VM support to improve transaction speed and lower fees. Injective Protocol now offers sub-second block times in both WASM and EVM environments, while major platforms secure institutional financing for high-performance trading rails. Meanwhile, economic models are shifting from inflationary token incentives to deflationary mechanisms and cash flow distributions. Uniswap’s “Unification” proposal illustrates this trend, aligning governance tokens with real-world revenue and token burn processes. Regulatory clarity and security remain focal points: the SEC’s “safe harbor” discussions aim to distinguish pure protocol tools from centralized intermediaries, while $150 billion in locked value highlights the urgency of robust audits. Traders should watch for protocols that deliver true usage-driven revenue, cross-chain resilience, and strong compliance frameworks — key drivers for the next bullish wave in DeFi.

US Solana spot ETFs have recorded 11 straight days of net inflows since their October 28 debut, accumulating $350 million. On Nov 11, these Solana spot ETF products saw $7.98 million in new inflows, led by Grayscale’s GSOL with $5.93 million and Bitwise’s BSOL with $2.05 million. Combined assets under management reached $568 million, with a Solana NAV ratio of 0.64%. This pattern of Solana spot ETF inflows may tighten SOL supply, boost liquidity, and drive upward price momentum. In comparison, Bitcoin ETFs saw only a modest $1.15 million inflow and Ethereum ETFs posted zero flows, indicating growing trader interest in Solana and bullish sentiment for SOL.

Crypto futures liquidations surged to $427 million over a 24-hour period, driven by massive long-position unwindings amid extreme volatility. Longs accounted for $293 million versus $134 million in shorts. Bitcoin futures saw around $113 million liquidated, with 84.86% of positions long, while Ethereum faced roughly $90.4 million wiped out at a 90.26% long ratio. Updated figures show Bitcoin and Ethereum liquidations reaching $114 million and $108 million, respectively. Zcash liquidations also hit $38.22 million, 74.85% from long bets. These crypto futures liquidations underscore the risks of leveraged trading and can signal potential trend reversals. Traders should manage risk with proper position sizing, stop-loss orders, and by monitoring funding rates and market sentiment.

The Bank of England has launched a landmark stablecoin regulation consultation, proposing to treat GBP-backed stablecoins as e-money tokens for retail payments up to £20,000. Under the draft rules, issuers would need an e-money license, maintain 1:1 fiat reserves, guarantee redemption on demand and comply with AML/KYC requirements. Transactions above £20,000 would fall outside e-money rules and face additional oversight. Developed in coordination with the FCA, the framework aims to safeguard financial stability, protect consumers and foster innovation in crypto payments. The consultation runs until January 2024 and will shape the final e-money regulation. By introducing clear stablecoin regulation, the BoE seeks to align with global standards like the EU’s MiCA, enhance market confidence and support the growth of digital payment solutions.

Ripple is targeting Wall Street with a new crypto strategy to integrate XRP into traditional financial workflows. The company spent around $4 billion on acquisitions, including institutional credit network Hidden Road and stablecoin-powered platform Rail, to enhance its blockchain infrastructure. CEO Brad Garlinghouse says Ripple will slow further acquisitions and focus on integrating existing assets. The plan aims to drive institutional adoption of the XRP Ledger and launch new product lines for banks and financial institutions. By modernizing legacy systems with blockchain, Ripple hopes to boost XRP utility and trading activity among institutional investors. This strategic move positions Ripple to compete at the center of institutional crypto services and marks a significant step in merging digital assets with conventional finance.

The Federal Reserve is divided over a potential December rate cut, with hawks focused on inflation risks and doves urging lower interest rates to sustain growth amid slowing inflation and tariff pressures. Market participants, expecting a Fed rate cut, have priced in lower borrowing costs—potentially lifting risk assets like cryptocurrencies—yet incomplete economic data from the U.S. government shutdown introduces uncertainty. Key indicators—slowing inflation trends, mixed employment figures and persistent global trade tensions—fuel the debate. Traders should monitor Fed rate cut discussions and statements closely, as a cut may boost crypto prices by reducing yields on safer assets, whereas a hold could strengthen the dollar and increase market volatility. Strategies include portfolio diversification, tracking policy updates and analyzing past rate decisions’ effects on markets. This ongoing Fed rate cut debate underscores the balance between economic stimulus and inflation control, with implications for crypto traders navigating interest rate shifts and market volatility.

Ethereum spot ETFs have experienced significant net outflows as investors adopt a risk-off stance. On October 20, these funds recorded $146 million in withdrawals, driven by escalating U.S. political tensions and a sharp ETH price decline. Bitcoin spot ETFs also saw $40.47 million pulled over a four-day span. More recently, TraderT data show a historic $107.39 million net outflow on November 11. Grayscale Mini ETH led withdrawals with $75.75 million, followed by BlackRock’s ETHA at $19.99 million. No Ethereum spot ETFs saw inflows that day. These cumulative outflows—exceeding $250 million—highlight volatile market conditions and shifting institutional sentiment. Traders should track ETH ETF flows and U.S. policy updates closely, as sustained withdrawal trends could influence ETH price action and broader crypto market dynamics.

Ethereum supply on centralized exchanges has dropped to a one-year low, driven by large-scale whale accumulation. Data from CryptoQuant and Binance show a sustained outflow of ETH as investors transfer tokens to private wallets. Whales holding 10,000 to 100,000 ETH have increased their combined balances by 7.6 million ETH since April 2025, a 52% rise. Institutional investor BitMine Immersion Technologies recently added over 110,000 ETH, bringing its total to 3.5 million ETH. BitMine aims to own 5% of the total Ethereum supply, citing strong fundamentals and the upcoming Fusaka network upgrade in December 2025. The Fusaka upgrade targets improved scalability and efficiency for decentralized applications, DeFi protocols, and NFTs. This drop in Ethereum supply suggests reduced selling pressure and bullish sentiment among major holders. While retail traders have trimmed positions, whale buying reflects confidence in Ethereum’s long-term potential. Lower exchange supply trends often precede price rallies, making ETH supply and network upgrades key indicators for future bullish momentum.

Nick Timiraos of the Wall Street Journal warns that the Fed lacks consensus on a December rate cut. Government shutdown has halted key labor and inflation data since October 1. Fed Chair Jerome Powell likened the situation to driving in fog. Following two rate cuts in September and October, the federal funds target stands at 3.75%–4%. Powell stated that a December rate cut is "far from guaranteed." Market odds for a cut in December plunged from near 100% to 63%–75%, according to SSGA. With official data dark, traders rely on private surveys with inconsistent coverage. Gold surged to $4,050 per ounce, reflecting elevated risk appetite. Internal Fed debates focus on three issues: inflation control, labor market weakness, and whether current rates are still restrictive. Hawks warn that easing risks reigniting inflation. Doves point to slow hiring gains and rising unemployment. Powell publicly highlighted Fed division to temper market bets on a specific outcome. Even if shutdown ends, the Fed may lean on qualitative indicators to guide policy. Uncertainty over a December rate cut continues to fuel market volatility and could reshape global capital flows.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has made Zcash (ZEC) the second-largest holding in his Maelstrom family office after Bitcoin (BTC). ZEC’s price spiked near $700 before correcting to about $478. Hayes plans to buy dips into the $300–350 range. His bullish Zcash outlook rests on three pillars: the November 18 halving that will tighten supply, Grayscale’s $102m ZEC fund offering institutional backing, and rising demand for on-chain privacy. He also sets a long-term target of $10,000 per ZEC but warns that high leverage may trigger sharp volatility and liquidations. Traders should monitor the halving, institutional inflows, on-chain shielded transfers and exchange flows to balance risk and reward in this high-volatility privacy coin.

Bitcoin (BTC) filled its latest CME futures gap at $104,000 after the Wall Street open, a historically reliable short-term target for bulls. However, a sudden $240 million sell-off by large whales in the order book stalled the rebound and pushed BTC back below key resistance. Derivatives traders have turned risk-off: open interest (OI) in BTC futures dropped more than 11% in the past week, according to CryptoQuant, signaling a broad deleveraging across the market. Analysts from Material Indicators and Skew highlight concentrated sell orders and renewed short positions at the $104K pivot. While gap fills often precede price gains, the current whale pressure and reduced OI suggest consolidation may continue before any sustainable breakout.

Senate approved a continuing resolution 60–40 to fund US government operations through January 31, 2026, ending a 40-day shutdown. The bill now moves to the House after the federal holiday and, once signed, will allow agencies like the SEC to resume work on the next business day. Concurrently, the Senate Agriculture Committee released a bipartisan crypto regulation draft to clarify digital asset rules. Leaders aim for committee approval by October and final enactment ahead of the 2026 midterms. Traders should monitor renewed SEC actions and market structure developments, as this crypto regulation clarity is expected to boost market confidence and stability.

Bitwise launched the first Solana staking ETF (BSOL) on October 28, 2025, on NYSE Arca, integrating on-chain staking rewards into NAV. Solana staking ETF BSOL offers investors dual returns from SOL price exposure and approximately 7% annualized on-chain yield. Institutional inflows exceeded $545 million within two weeks, underscoring growing demand for yield-bearing products. Despite strong net inflows, SOL’s spot price fell nearly 29% amid macro headwinds, highlighting the slower price transmission of locked staking capital compared to spot ETFs. The surge in institutional capital pushed Solana’s total staked supply to over 417 million SOL, equivalent to about $35 billion in TVL. BSOL reshapes Solana’s PoS ecosystem with a dual-layer structure: a TradFi staking pool for compliant institutional funds and a DeFi layer (bSOL, mSOL, JitoSOL) for liquidity. The BSOL model may extend to other PoS chains like Sui, AVAX, and ATOM, paving the way for multi-asset yield baskets. Key risks include yield volatility, slashing risk, and liquidity constraints. As blockchain yields gain financialization, Solana staking ETF marks a shift from price speculation to yield-based valuation.

Lookonchain data shows a major PEPE whale, “ThisWillMakeYouLoveAgain,” with over $36 million in PEPE unrealized gains, has acquired 8.41 million ASTER tokens since November 4. The whale purchased ASTER at an average price of $0.97, spending roughly $8.14 million, and now holds an unrealized profit of $1.1 million. This continued ASTER token accumulation highlights sustained whale interest and could impact market liquidity and price movements. Traders should watch large‐scale ASTER transactions for potential signals on token valuation.

According to on-chain tracker The Data Nerd, whale Hm8po has accumulated an additional 121,000 TRUMP tokens on Bybit, spending about $951,000. The whale now holds 233,500 TRUMP, valued at roughly $1.81 million, with an average entry price of $7.08. This large-scale TRUMP accumulation underscores growing institutional interest. Traders should monitor any subsequent on-chain movements or announcements, as further whale buys could fuel a bullish rally, while potential sell-offs may trigger short-term price dips.

A major Bitcoin mining facility fire erupted at Bitdeer’s new Ohio site on November 12, causing two of 26 buildings to collapse. Bitmain founder Jihan Wu confirmed via X that there were no casualties. Senior management has launched an on-site investigation. This Bitcoin mining facility fire is expected to delay Bitdeer’s planned Q1 2025 launch by several months. Key impacts include disrupted hash rate expansion, infrastructure rebuilding requirements, financial strain on the company and supply chain disruptions for mining hardware. The incident highlights the critical need for robust mining safety protocols, such as advanced electrical fire prevention systems, emergency response measures and regular facility inspections. Despite the setback, global demand for Bitcoin mining remains strong. Bitdeer’s ability to restore operations quickly and implement enhanced safety measures will be closely watched by investors and industry peers.

Sony has unveiled a Japan-Only PS5 Digital Edition priced at ¥55,000 ($357), launching November 21 to boost local market share. The region-locked console undercuts the global model’s ¥72,980 price tag and counters Nintendo’s new Switch 2 edition. CEO Hideaki Nishino highlighted affordability as key to expanding the PS5 ecosystem among Japanese gamers. This targeted pricing strategy mirrors Nintendo’s successful regional initiatives. Sony also raised its operating profit forecast to ¥1.43 trillion for the fiscal year after reporting a ¥429 billion profit in the latest quarter. The company approved a ¥100 billion share buyback to bolster shareholder value. PS5 hardware sales hit 3.9 million units, exceeding last year’s results, though monthly active PlayStation users dipped to 119 million. This Japan-Only PS5 Digital Edition initiative aligns with broader profit gains across Sony’s entertainment and sensor divisions, positioning the company to reclaim ground in Japan’s competitive console market.

Sonic Labs has shifted to a token-driven growth strategy, unveiling a deflationary tokenomics model. The network will use tiered fee rewards for builders and validators, allocating portions of gas fees to stakeholders and burning the rest to reduce the S token supply. Under new CEO Mitchell Demeter, Sonic Labs has secured funding to open a New York City office, targeting US institutional adoption. The project emphasizes technical enhancements and sustainable ecosystem growth over short-term marketing, focusing on incentives for developers and validators. The revamped tokenomics model aims to foster long-term value by aligning network economics with fundamental growth drivers.

Zhimin Qian, known as China’s “Goddess of Wealth”, pleaded guilty in a UK court to running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 128,000 investors between 2014 and 2017. In 2018, UK authorities carried out the largest Bitcoin seizure to date, confiscating over 61,000 BTC (approx. $6.5 billion). Qian, who used aliases like Yadi Zhang, laundered stolen funds via luxury real estate and high-end purchases. She faces up to 14 years’ imprisonment under the Proceeds of Crime Act, while accomplice Jian Wen has already been jailed for six years. Courts now navigate cross-border compensation hurdles: victims may wait years to claim assets and contest whether compensation aligns with the BTC’s value at seizure or its current price. UK police and the Crown Prosecution Service are coordinating a crypto asset recovery and victim-claim process. This Bitcoin seizure highlights intensifying crypto regulation and enforcement in the UK.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently unfollowed over 300 X (formerly Twitter) accounts within two months, triggering a debate on the distorted crypto attention economy. Data from RootData shows that on November 8–9, CZ removed follow status from active BNB Chain projects like BakerySwap and ReachMe. CZ explained this was a cleanup of inactive profiles and warned against buying ‘CZ-followed’ accounts, pledging immediate unfollows if such sales are detected. Traders report individual CZ-followed accounts traded for up to $80,000 during the bull market, with typical deals ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. A notorious case involves the Oracle project, whose team allegedly acquired and rebranded a CZ-followed account to pump token sales before disappearing with investor funds. This episode highlights systemic problems: small projects struggle for legitimate exposure, leading to extreme marketing tactics and turning social media “backing” into hard currency. The industry’s attention deficit underscores the need for robust data-driven evaluation and a return to product quality over short-term FOMO.

Crypto security researcher Gianluca Di Bella warns that advances in quantum computing pose an immediate threat to current encryption and zero-knowledge proofs. He highlights “collect now, decrypt later” attacks, where adversaries harvest encrypted data today and decrypt it once quantum hardware matures. Di Bella urges the industry to migrate now to NIST-approved post-quantum encryption standards—ML-KEM, ML-DSA and SLH-DSA—to ensure long-term data security. Practical deployment remains slow due to Rust-based development complexity, limited investment and a niche talent pool. He adds that post-quantum zero-knowledge proof protocols like PLONK are still untested in production. He warns major tech firms could achieve quantum breakthroughs within 10–15 years, and authoritarian regimes may exploit hidden quantum decryption capabilities. Immediate adoption of post-quantum encryption is vital to safeguard sensitive data and preserve crypto integrity against future quantum threats.