Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (Fintrac) imposed a record C$176.9M crypto AML fine on Xeltox for severe compliance breaches. Regulators flagged over 2,500 suspicious transfers linked to fraud and ransomware. The firm also failed to report more than 1,500 individual crypto inflows above C$10,000. This crypto AML fine underscores Ottawa’s tougher stance on AML compliance. New Bank Act amendments now require explicit transfer consent and customer transaction limits. By 2026, a national financial crimes agency will bolster fraud detection and crypto tracing. Traders should anticipate higher compliance costs, potential liquidity impacts and greater regulatory scrutiny.

Kadena has halted all business operations and active blockchain maintenance, handing over network security to miners and community nodes via a transition binary. Official support and developer grants for dApps and smart contracts have ceased. The announcement sparked a 70% drop in the KDA price, with KDA/USDT tumbling to $0.077 on Binance. Traders saw RSI readings plunge to 17 and a volume spike above 222 million, indicating oversold conditions and forced selling. Over 566 million KDA tokens remain locked for mining rewards until 2139. After a 99% decline from its November 2021 peak, KDA faces further downside risk, with $0.057 as a key support level. The network transition raises concerns over long-term stability and governance. Crypto traders should monitor Kadena’s support levels, market sentiment, and upcoming governance updates for potential entry points.

A major Bitcoin whale has reopened a $235 million 10x leveraged short between $111,000 and $111,500, after netting over $200 million in profits from last week’s crash to $100,000. On-chain data shows large holders face nearly $7 billion in unrealized losses as Bitcoin trades below its $113,000 average cost. A second whale boosted bearish exposure to 2,100 BTC, holding $5.8 million in paper gains. Negative funding rates, rising volatility and forced liquidations indicate continued bearish sentiment. Technical charts highlight resistance at $112,000 and support near $108,000 and $104,000 (200-day MA). Traders should monitor liquidation clusters around these levels for potential sharp intraday swings.

Asia-Pacific’s leading exchanges have clamped down on Bitcoin accumulation firms under updated listing rules. Hong Kong’s HKEX has rejected at least five digital asset treasury (DAT) applicants over its “cash company” classification. India’s BSE turned down Jetking Infotrain’s crypto allotment plan, while Australia’s ASX bars companies from holding over 50% of assets in cash-equivalents, forcing some to pursue ETF structures. Exchanges now demand concrete business operations for treasury-centric listings. Japan remains more lenient if firms provide full disclosures, but MSCI plans to exclude DATs with crypto holdings above 50% from key indices, risking passive inflows. U.S. firms lead the sector, with Strategy Inc. holding 61.3% of public Bitcoin reserves. Traders should monitor these policy shifts, as reduced corporate Bitcoin accumulation may heighten price volatility.

Robinhood has expanded its RWA tokenization program on Arbitrum L2, issuing 80 new stock tokens and bringing the total to 493 US stocks and ETFs valued at over $8.5 million on-chain. According to Dune Analytics, cumulative minting has reached $19.3 million, with $11.5 million burned, reflecting active trading. Under MiFID II, these blockchain-based derivatives allow 24/7 access, a €1 minimum investment and a 0.1% forex fee. Stocks now represent 70% of tokenized assets, while ETFs account for 24%, with the remainder in commodities, crypto ETFs and US Treasuries. The Bank of Lithuania has sought legal clarity on the token structure, and Robinhood has pledged cooperation. This tokenization drive follows the launch of micro futures for BTC, XRP and SOL, the $179 million WonderFi acquisition and a proposed unified RWA framework filed with the US SEC.

Roman Storm, co-founder of privacy mixer Tornado Cash, has warned that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) could retroactively prosecute developers of open-source DeFi protocols as unlicensed money service businesses. Storm’s conviction in August for allegedly operating an unlicensed money transmission service has sparked legal uncertainty and fear among DeFi builders, who worry that non-custodial projects may face similar charges. In response, the Ethereum Foundation and Keyring Network are funding the legal defense of Storm and other Tornado Cash contributors through proceeds from zkVerified vaults. At the American Innovation Project Summit, DOJ acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Galeotti sought to reassure the industry, stating that writing code without illicit intent is not a crime and promising clearer regulatory guidance. Despite these assurances, the case sets a precedent that could deter talent, slow DeFi innovation and introduce heightened regulatory risk for decentralized finance projects in the US.

NewsMax (NASDAQ: NMAX) will invest up to $5 million over 12 months in Bitcoin (BTC) and Official Trump Coin (TRUMP), following board approval on Oct. 16, 2025. This makes it the first NYSE-listed firm to hold TRUMP tokens and the 100th public company to adopt Bitcoin. The strategy balances Bitcoin’s relative stability with the high-risk, high-reward potential of Trump’s memecoin, driven by the former president’s pro-crypto influence. Immediately after the announcement, a wallet snapped up $4 million of TRUMP, but its price has plunged 70% from a $16 peak to about $1.25. NewsMax stock rose 3% in after-hours trading, though the crypto reserves represent a tiny share of the company’s $1.4 billion valuation since its March 2025 IPO. CEO Christopher Ruddy calls Bitcoin the gold standard of cryptocurrency and expects TRUMP to track the progress of Trump’s presidency. Traders should weigh Bitcoin’s growing institutional adoption against the significant downside risk in Trump Coin exposure. Technical indicators for TRUMP show a bearish trend with five consecutive lower lows and a break below key support.

Ethereum Foundation research lead Dankrad Feist has left his full-time role to join Stripe Tempo’s development team as core builder and adviser. Stripe Tempo is a new open-source Layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin payment processing. Backed by Stripe and Paradigm, it recently closed a $500 million Series A round at a $5 billion valuation. Feist will focus on network scaling, user experience improvements and integrating Ethereum blobs to free up blockspace. He will remain an advisory researcher for Ethereum, contributing to scaling solutions. Supporters say Stripe Tempo’s high throughput can enhance on-chain payments. Critics argue another standalone chain could cannibalize base-layer fees, face centralization risks and regulatory challenges. This Layer-1 project underscores the ongoing tension between Ethereum’s base layer and specialized chains, with implications for ecosystem growth and fee distribution.

Bitcoin mining firm Bitfarms has increased its convertible notes offering from an initial $300 million to $500 million, issuing 1.375% notes due January 15, 2031. The notes convert at roughly a 30% premium to the last close and include an $88 million overallotment option. To curb dilution, Bitfarms entered capped call transactions with a strike price of $11.88 (125% premium). Proceeds will fund general corporate needs and expansion into AI and high-performance computing. After the announcement, Bitfarms shares plunged 18.4% in regular trading and fell another 5.3% in after-hours, closing at $5.28, despite an 82.7% gain over the past month and a 530% rally across six months. The issuance, pending TSX approval, is set to close by October 21, 2025. Bitfarms operates 1.3 GW of energy infrastructure across North American mining and HPC centers and recently secured a $300 million Macquarie debt facility, posted Q2 revenue up 87% year-over-year to $78 million, and unveiled new AI data center partnerships. Analysts maintain a unanimous “Buy” rating, forecasting profitability by 2025.

Bitcoin advocates including Jack Dorsey and developer Peter Todd have launched the “Bitcoin for Signal” campaign urging Signal to integrate Bitcoin payments via the Cashu protocol. The proposal employs Chaumian ecash to issue blinded, redeemable tokens, enabling private, peer-to-peer Bitcoin transfers within Signal’s encrypted messaging environment. Backers such as developers Calle and Pavol Rusnak argue that adding Bitcoin payments aligns with Signal’s privacy ethos and could broaden crypto adoption. Critics, including Bitcoin contributor Peter Todd, warn that Signal’s existing MobileCoin implementation relies on too few validators, posing centralization and security risks. Opponents also note regulatory uncertainties around off-chain solutions, while some suggest integrating privacy-focused coins like Monero (XMR) or Zcash (ZEC) as alternatives. Support from Jack Dorsey follows his renewed call for tax reform on small BTC transactions, underscoring his commitment to more accessible and private Bitcoin payments. Traders should monitor upcoming technical audits, governance decisions, and regulatory feedback, as these developments may influence Bitcoin’s market dynamics and privacy-driven use cases.

Coinbase has confirmed a BNB listing on its exchange after a public dispute with Binance over token listing fees. Limitless Labs CEO CJ Hetherington alleged Binance required a 2 million BNB security deposit for new token listings, a claim Binance initially denied and threatened to litigate before apologizing and clarifying it charges no listing fees. Coinbase’s Base head Jesse Pollak maintains that a BNB listing should cost 0%, and has now added BNB to its official roadmap. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao welcomed the BNB listing and encouraged Coinbase to list more BNB Chain projects. As the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, BNB could see a liquidity boost and increased trading volume. Both Coinbase and Binance have also introduced clearer governance and community voting to streamline future token listings.

Nasdaq-listed Zeta Network Group has completed a $230.8 million private share placement funded in Bitcoin (BTC) and SolvBTC, issuing Class A common shares and warrants at $1.70 per unit (warrants exercisable at $2.55). The transaction strengthens Zeta’s treasury by adding Bitcoin-based assets to generate sustainable yield. CIO Patrick Ngan said integrating SolvBTC—a 1:1 on-chain pegged wrapped BTC token on Solv Protocol—combines Bitcoin scarcity with institutional-grade yield strategies. Solv Protocol CEO Ryan Chow noted this move reflects a trend of public companies using Bitcoin for active liquidity and yield management. Following similar initiatives by BlackRock and Coinbase, the deal marks a milestone in embedding tokenized Bitcoin within regulated markets. Traders should monitor increased demand and liquidity from Bitcoin-backed treasury models, which may influence short-term price action and long-term market stability.

S&P Global Ratings has teamed with Chainlink to publish live stablecoin risk scores on-chain via Chainlink oracles. The move starts on Coinbase’s Base network, offering high-speed, low-cost access. Protocols and institutional investors can now fetch real-time SSAs in smart contracts to automate collateral requirements, lending and treasury operations. SSAs score major stablecoins from 1 (strong) to 5 (weak), evaluating reserves, governance, liquidity and compliance. These stablecoin risk scores enable better transparency and data-driven risk management as the stablecoin market tops $300 billion. S&P Global plans to extend SSAs to other networks based on demand. The initiative follows Chainlink’s recent collaborations with Deutsche Börse data feeds and a UBS-SWIFT blockchain solution, reinforcing the trend of institutional adoption of on-chain oracles for tokenized assets.

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried alleges that the Biden administration, via the SEC and DOJ, timed his fraud arrest and crypto regulation testimony to block a GOP-backed crypto regulation bill after he shifted tens of millions in political donations toward Republican causes. He points to missing SEC internal texts that he says could clarify regulator motives. Bankman-Fried was convicted of multi-billion-dollar fraud tied to the FTX collapse and received a 25-year sentence. Bankruptcy trustees are pursuing over $38 million in political contributions, claiming some funds were improperly routed through PACs and dark-money groups. While House Republicans demand SEC transparency, critics argue this is a lobbying effort to recast the collapse as political persecution. Bankman-Fried is appealing his conviction and is serving time in Mendota Federal Prison.

On October 14, 2025, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a historic Bitcoin seizure of 127,271 BTC valued at about $15 billion—the largest crypto forfeiture to date. Investigators traced the funds to unhosted wallets controlled by Chen Zhi, aka “Prince Chen,” who allegedly ran forced-labor compounds in Cambodia. Victims were trafficked into romance and investment scams, known as “pig butchering,” to defraud users worldwide. The DOJ enforcement action includes charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Authorities, working with the Treasury Department and international partners, used blockchain analytics to follow complex on-chain transactions. This Bitcoin seizure underscores enhanced tracing capabilities and the risks of illicit crypto networks. The assets remain in government custody pending forfeiture proceedings. Traders should monitor potential market reactions during asset disposal. This crypto forfeiture signals intensified action against fraud and human trafficking enabled by cryptocurrency.

Kenya crypto regulation takes a major step forward as parliament passes the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill 2025, now pending presidential assent. Once enacted, the law will assign the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to license fiat–crypto payment processors and stablecoins, while the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) will oversee exchanges, wallets, brokers and digital asset managers. Over the past year, Kenya received nearly $20 billion in crypto flows and ranks third in Sub-Saharan Africa for adoption, underscoring robust market activity. The VASP Bill aims to strengthen consumer protections, enforce anti-money-laundering standards and enhance governance by establishing clear compliance requirements for service providers. Projects like Worldcoin (WLD) and major exchanges must secure formal licences or face enforcement actions. This framework is expected to bring immediate legal clarity, boost investor confidence, attract foreign investment and set a regional standard. Traders should monitor presidential assent and forthcoming CBK and CMA guidelines to gauge licensing timelines and market entry opportunities under Kenya crypto regulation.

MicroStrategy resumed its disciplined Bitcoin accumulation strategy, adding 220 BTC at an average price of $123,561 between October 6 and 12, funding the $27.2 million purchase through at-the-market offerings of STRF, STRK and STRD. Meanwhile, MARA Holdings acquired 400 BTC at $115,800 each, spending about $46.3 million and raising its total holdings to 53,250 BTC. These institutional buying moves increased Bitcoin accumulation by 620 BTC, highlighting sustained market interest amid volatility when the Fear & Greed Index dipped to 24 before rebounding to 38. The latest BTC purchases reinforce market stability and bullish sentiment, as investors view Bitcoin accumulation as a hedge against low-yield assets.

Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager with €2.3 trillion in assets under management, plans to launch its first Bitcoin ETN in early 2026. Backed by the EU’s MiCA regulation, the Bitcoin ETN offers financial institutions a compliant route for regulated crypto exposure, serving as an inflation hedge and supporting portfolio diversification. Amundi underscores Bitcoin’s store-of-value potential and aims to rival U.S. products like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. Industry analysts expect this launch to accelerate institutional adoption of Bitcoin across Europe, strengthen the link between traditional finance and the cryptocurrency market, and enhance Bitcoin’s credibility.

Coinbase has ended its effort to acquire UK stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK after months of exclusive negotiations. The proposed $2 billion deal, in which Coinbase competed with Mastercard, was intended to bolster its USDC partnership, expand cross-border payments and enhance merchant services. Coinbase declined to comment on the collapse, marking one of the year’s largest failed stablecoin M&A transactions. The deal’s breakdown comes as tech and finance firms, including Stripe and Mastercard, intensify acquisitions in the stablecoin sector. Crypto traders should watch for strategic shifts in Coinbase’s institutional growth strategy and broader M&A trends in stablecoin infrastructure.

Visa has launched a pilot program enabling businesses to send USDC stablecoin payouts via its Visa Direct network. This stablecoin payouts trial converts fiat dollars into USDC on delivery. Recipients can access funds in minutes, cutting settlement times from days. Initially, the pilot targets international firms and gig-economy platforms. All transactions are recorded on public blockchains for transparency and easy accounting. The pilot aims to expand cross-border payments on the Visa Direct platform and boost financial inclusion. Visa plans a global rollout by 2026 as regulatory clarity improves. Industry analysts predict it could process billions in annual transactions. Traders should watch stablecoin payouts for their impact on USDC volume and payment infrastructure in the cryptocurrency market.

Hong Kong issues its third blockchain-based green bond (digital bond), leveraging HSBC’s permissioned blockchain and subsidized by the HKMA’s Digital Bond Grant Scheme. The AA+-rated digital bond will be denominated in US dollars, euros, offshore yuan and Hong Kong dollars, with proceeds funding environmental and climate initiatives. All issuance, recording and settlement occur on-chain, backed by immutable transaction records, real-time impact tracking and reduced administrative costs through tokenization and removal of intermediaries. A built-in fail-safe allows reverting to traditional systems if needed. This follows two prior digital bond sales and at least six tokenized corporate bond offerings totaling $1 billion since 2023. Authorities highlight cross-border regulatory compliance and technical infrastructure as challenges but plan international cooperation to drive adoption of blockchain green finance and pave the way for future tokenized bonds.

Tether has hired Vincent Domien and Mathew O’Neill, former HSBC global head of metals trading and EMEA head of precious metals, to bolster its gold trading and reserve operations. Leveraging its balance sheet, Tether holds over $12 billion in gold, growing reserves by more than one metric ton weekly. These assets back both USDT and its gold stablecoin XAUT, which has a market cap of $2 billion fully collateralized by about 1,300 gold bars. Tether’s gold strategy delivered over $130 billion in profits from reserve assets last year and is projected to earn $150 billion this year. The move signals bullish momentum for tokenized gold and reinforces stablecoin credibility amid growing demand for digital and physical asset diversification.

The IRS has issued guidance that clears the way for crypto staking in regulated funds. Under the new crypto staking rules, Wall Street ETFs and investment trusts may stake a single proof-of-stake token and distribute staking yields to investors. Eligible products must be listed on a national exchange, hold only one digital asset, use a qualified custodian and independent staking provider, and apply robust risk controls. The guidance takes effect immediately and covers networks such as Ethereum and Solana. Industry experts say this clarity removes a major legal barrier for ETPs and other institutional vehicles. By boosting staking yields in compliance products, the IRS framework is expected to accelerate mainstream adoption of proof-of-stake blockchains and reinforce US leadership in digital assets.

The US Senate Agriculture Committee released a draft Market Structure Bill to clarify crypto regulation by defining digital commodities and naming the CFTC as their primary regulator. Authored by Senators Boozman and Booker, the draft resolves jurisdictional conflicts with the SEC and adds statutory definitions for digital assets, blockchain, DeFi, and DAOs under the Commodity Exchange Act. The bill grants developer protections shielding blockchain infrastructure from money transmitter rules. It establishes a Digital Commodity Retail Office within the CFTC to oversee fair trading and investor protections. It also mandates global cooperation with foreign regulators, a move likely to attract institutional capital and boost altcoin ETF prospects. Several sections remain under negotiation as lawmakers refine compliance tools and enforcement powers. Traders should monitor the bill’s progress for updates on compliance requirements and enforcement measures that could affect trading strategies and market stability. This legislation marks a pivotal step in formal US crypto regulation, enhancing market transparency and stimulating retail and institutional participation.

U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs snapped a two-week outflow streak with nearly $300 million in net inflows, led by Fidelity’s FBTC and Ark 21Shares’ ARKB. This reversal highlights renewed institutional confidence and a ‘buy the dip’ mentality among investors. European crypto investment products also recorded steady inflows, underscoring divergent regional trends in digital asset demand. Altcoin funds drew significant capital, with Solana-linked products netting $118 million last week—bringing their nine-week total to $2.1 billion—and smaller but steady inflows seen in HBAR. On-chain fundamentals remain supportive: Bitcoin’s circulating supply is approaching 19.95 million (95% of its 21 million cap), reinforcing its scarcity narrative. Bitcoin and Ethereum prices rose 1.4% and 2.1% respectively, reflecting bullish market sentiment and potential short-term upside.

China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) alleges a state-level Bitcoin seizure after claiming the US government confiscated 127,272 BTC stolen from the LuBian mining pool in December 2020. Blockchain data shows the coins lay dormant for four years until the US Department of Justice transferred them to a DOJ-controlled wallet on July 5, 2024, and formally forfeited them in October 2025. Prince Group founder Chen Zhi now faces wire fraud, money laundering and coerced labor charges. His legal team has requested more time to trace the stolen funds, calling US allegations misleading. This high-profile Bitcoin seizure has not changed circulating supply but has injected regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty. Traders should monitor on-chain movements of the seized coins, DOJ legal developments and broader Sino-US cyber claims for potential market volatility.

Husky Inu is advancing its pre-launch token sale with the next price increase scheduled from $0.00022378 to $0.00022443 under its dynamic pricing model initiated on April 1, 2025. The project has raised $904,432 toward a $1.2 million target, hitting fundraising milestones at $750K, $800K, $850K and $900K. Official launch remains set for March 27, 2026, with strategic reviews completed on July 1 and October 1, 2025, and an upcoming review on January 1, 2026. In broader crypto markets, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) saw marginal declines, while Ripple (XRP) and Chainlink (LINK) recorded modest gains. Traders should track Husky Inu’s price schedule and ongoing market sentiment to assess short-term trading opportunities and long-term growth prospects.

Coinbase has introduced its first fiat savings product for UK customers, the Coinbase UK Savings Account, offering a competitive 3.75% AER on GBP deposits up to £85,000 with FSCS protection through ClearBank’s FCA-regulated accounts. Interest compounds daily and is credited weekly, with no minimum balance or lock-in period. This launch follows similar stablecoin yield offerings and positions Coinbase ahead of UK banks offering lower rates. By merging bank-grade insurance with crypto-platform yields, Coinbase aims to attract cautious retail investors, enhance its fiat on-ramp, and pressure mid-tier banks to improve savings rates.

BNY Mellon projects the stablecoin and tokenized cash market will reach $3.6 trillion by 2030, driven by institutional stablecoin investment, blockchain payment rails and clearer regulations like the EU’s MiCA. Tokenized deposits and digital money market funds enable faster settlement, reduced counterparty risk and improved liquidity. A tokenized money market fund launched with Goldman Sachs enhances institutional access to digital cash. Blockchain will complement, not replace, traditional finance—boosting transparency and cutting operational errors. Investment in stablecoins and tokenized cash solutions is rising among financial firms seeking efficiency.