Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Bitcoin gift tax rules help traders manage crypto taxes effectively. Bitcoin gift tax is governed by IRS property rules, so gifting BTC is not a taxable event at transfer. For 2025, individuals can gift up to $19,000 per recipient (or $38,000 for married couples) without filing Form 709. Gifts to U.S. citizen spouses are unlimited; non-citizen spouses have a $190,000 annual exclusion. Transfers above these thresholds require Form 709 but incur no gift tax unless the $13.99 million lifetime exemption is exceeded. Recipients inherit the donor’s original cost basis and holding period, with gains calculated on the donor’s basis and losses on fair market value under the dual-basis rule. Proper documentation—transfer dates, fair market value, wallet details, and transaction IDs—is vital. Avoid pitfalls like misvaluing transfers, disguising sales, selling crypto before gifting, or misclassifying services. For tax-efficient Bitcoin gifts, execute direct wallet-to-wallet transfers and consult a tax professional for high-value or cross-border transfers.

Following co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson’s Ztarknet proposal to integrate a STARK proof validator into Zcash’s mainnet, Starknet’s STRK token has rallied over 25–30%, reaching $0.19 with trading volume surpassing $800 million. The plan aims to preserve Zcash’s on-chain privacy and security on Ethereum Layer-2 while enhancing speed and programmability. DeFi researchers highlight that protocol-level privacy on Starknet supports private transfers across dApps without mixers. STRK recorded the second-highest monthly inflows among Layer-1 and Layer-2 tokens after Arbitrum, reflecting strong demand. Coupled with ongoing Starknet protocol upgrades and a new Bitcoin-focused financial platform, this convergence of Zcash privacy tools and Starknet scalability is boosting interest in Layer-2 privacy solutions and could shape future dApp development. Traders should watch STRK and ZEC for sustained volatility as adoption and alliance prospects drive market momentum.

Analysts now agree Bitcoin price has begun its third wave of Elliott Wave expansion. According to Gert Van Lagen, BTC rebounded from the 40-week SMA, signaling the end of Wave II and the onset of Wave III. This expansion targets a range of $200,000 to $240,000. Crypto trader Jelle points out resistance at the midpoint of a long-term ascending channel. A clear breakout here could open upside to $350,000. Macro researcher Sminston With highlights a recent uptick in US PMI. This suggests a risk-on rotation that may boost high-growth assets like Bitcoin. On-chain data shows Bitcoin has filled the CME gap at $100K and is retesting $105K. Meanwhile, futures open interest and average order sizes have declined, indicating reduced whale activity. Notably, clusters of long liquidations near key levels have historically preceded price recoveries. A sustained rebound above $105K would reinforce Bitcoin’s bullish trend. Traders should monitor support at $105K, watch for channel breakouts, and track macro catalysts.

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.

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.

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.

Argentina’s federal judiciary has ordered a Libra asset freeze targeting US promoter Hayden Davis and intermediaries Favio Camilo Rodríguez Blanco and Orlando Rodolfo Mellino. The order freezes digital wallets, bank accounts and real estate linked to an alleged memecoin fraud worth up to $250M. Prosecutors accuse them of converting Libra tokens to fiat, potentially tied to political lobbyists and cash withdrawals at Banco Galicia. The National Securities Commission has instructed all virtual asset service providers to block related accounts on local crypto platforms. This cross-border investigation spans courts in Buenos Aires and New York. New York authorities previously froze $57M in USDC linked to Davis and the defunct Meteora exchange. The Libra asset freeze aims to preserve evidence and secure investor recourse amid rising regulatory scrutiny of crypto fraud.

Arthur Hayes, BitMEX co-founder, plans to dollar-cost average (DCA) accumulate Zcash (ZEC) between $300 and $350, underscoring his ZEC investment strategy. This disciplined approach aims to reduce risk and avoid emotional trading by buying at predetermined price points. As his second-largest holding after Bitcoin (BTC), Hayes’s method highlights confidence in ZEC’s privacy features and long-term outlook. Traders should watch for support levels in the $300–350 range, set clear entry and exit strategies, and monitor price volatility. This ZEC investment plan may boost buying pressure on dips and influence market sentiment around Zcash.

CryptoQuant data shows Bitcoin’s Stablecoin Supply Ratio (SSR) has plunged to near 13—levels last seen during mid-2021 and mid-2024 market bottoms—highlighting an accumulation zone with ample stablecoin “dry powder.” Binance’s BTC-to-stablecoin reserve ratio echoes this trend as stablecoin holdings rise while BTC balances fall. Analyst MorenoDV notes that SSR troughs historically precede strong rallies, implying limited downside and significant upside if liquidity rotates back into Bitcoin. On price action, BTC is defending the $100K–$105K range and remains above its 50-week moving average, a key springboard for mid-cycle rallies. A weekly close above the $108K–$110K zone—or a breakout from a falling wedge at $106K—could target $115K–$120K. Conversely, losing the 50-week MA may trigger a retest of $95K–$98K. Longer-term moving averages stay bullish, supporting the sustained uptrend. Fundamental drivers include easing U.S. shutdown concerns and proposed $2,000 stimulus checks, which lifted crypto by 4.5% in 24 hours. Traders now eye next week’s U.S. CPI release: sticky inflation could cap gains, while a decisive close above $110K would confirm a new bullish cycle and pave the way for all-time high tests—potentially $130K by year-end.

Bitcoin mining faces a squeeze as rising energy costs and growing AI computing demand drive up power prices, eroding mining profitability across the sector. MARA Holdings CEO Fred Thiel warns that smaller operations without access to ultra-low-cost power risk being squeezed out. Leading miners are repurposing spare capacity for AI hosting and high-performance computing services to diversify revenue and offset shrinking Bitcoin mining margins. Companies are also forging strategic energy partnerships and investing in on-site generation to secure stable power. With the next Bitcoin halving in 2028 set to cut block rewards to 1.5 BTC, analysts predict only miners with flexible infrastructure, diversified services, or proprietary power sources will remain profitable post-halving.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cleared the final regulatory hurdle for the first Spot XRP ETF, which is set to begin trading this Wednesday or Thursday. The new Spot XRP ETF will let investors gain direct exposure to XRP without handling the token itself, simplifying trading operations and boosting market liquidity. Analysts expect the ETF launch to drive significant trading volume, improve price discovery, and signal stronger regulatory clarity. Traders should monitor initial fund inflows, bid-ask spreads, and short-term volatility around the market debut.

AMD forecasts a 35% compound annual growth rate over the next three to five years, driven by strong AI data center hardware demand. The company projects its AI data-center unit to grow 80% annually, aiming for tens of billions in sales by 2027. Strategic multi-year GPU supply agreements with OpenAI, Oracle and Meta, alongside best-selling EPYC server processors, underpin AMD’s push for double-digit share in a larger AI data center market and to outpace its gaming segment. AMD also raised its total AI hardware market forecast to $1 trillion by 2030. Looking ahead, the Instinct MI400X GPUs launching in 2026 as 72-GPU rack-scale systems, and projected gross margins of 55–58%, highlight AMD’s aggressive strategy. Crypto traders should note that rising GPU demand for AI workloads could tighten supply for mining GPUs and support AMD’s stock (AMD) outlook.

Injective has deployed its native EVM mainnet on its Cosmos-based Layer 1 blockchain, achieving full Ethereum compatibility and advancing its MultiVM interoperability roadmap. The EVM mainnet integrates EVM and WebAssembly runtimes, offering 0.64s block times and ultra-low transaction fees. Developers can deploy smart contracts with standard Ethereum tools such as Hardhat and Foundry without code modifications, while sharing liquidity, assets and state across the Injective ecosystem. The launch features over 40 dApps and partners and builds on inEVM Layer 2 tests since 2023. Governance by the Injective Council, including Google Cloud and Binance’s YIZI Labs, and backing from Jump Crypto, Pantera Capital and Mark Cuban underscore the network’s security and growth potential. Future support for Solana VM is also planned, further enhancing cross-chain interoperability.

Analysts at Black Swan Capitalist, led by Versan Aljarrah, highlight XRP’s high 0.8+ correlation with Bitcoin has tethered its price cycles to BTC’s speculative swings. Despite growing utility via RippleNet partnerships with over 300 banks and payment providers, and recent licensing approvals for a spot XRP ETF, XRP remains volatile. Aljarrah predicts decoupling from BTC within months or even days, driven by direct institutional capital inflows into XRP. Traders should monitor ETF approvals, bank integrations, adoption metrics, and correlation trends. Successful XRP decoupling would reduce volatility, foster independent price growth, and attract further institutional investment, marking a pivotal moment for XRP’s market maturity.

UK authorities have sentenced Zhimin Qian to 11 years and 8 months in prison for orchestrating a £5 billion Bitcoin laundering operation linked to a £6.3 billion Ponzi scheme. Between 2014 and 2017, Qian defrauded over 128,000 Chinese investors, converting stolen funds into 61,000 BTC. The Metropolitan Police and Chinese law enforcement used digital forensics and cross-border cooperation to trace the illicit transactions. This asset seizure marks the largest cryptocurrency confiscation in UK history. Investigators relied on rigorous AML checks and victim testimony to dismantle the network. Traders should note that this Bitcoin laundering case highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny and the traceability of blockchain transactions. Enhanced compliance requirements and enforcement announcements may trigger market volatility but improve long-term trust in digital assets.

Polymarket has re-entered the US market by partnering with fantasy sports leader PrizePicks to launch regulated prediction markets on its platform. The integration uses Polygon-based event contracts to let users wager on sports, entertainment and cultural events. Following a 2022 CFTC settlement and QCEX acquisition, Polymarket ensured compliance and regained access to millions of US fantasy sports users. It will also serve as the designated clearinghouse for DraftKings’ upcoming prediction markets. In 2025 the platform processed billions in trading volume and secured a $2 billion strategic investment from Intercontinental Exchange. Traders should watch regulatory developments, user growth metrics and wash trading probes, as these factors will shape liquidity and price stability in US prediction markets.

XRP’s burn rate has accelerated sharply, rising 29% to 676 XRP on October 24 before jumping over 60% to 1,073 XRP within 24 hours. This increase signals heightened on-chain activity on the XRP Ledger, driven by growing demand for cross-border transfers and tokenized asset operations. Each transaction burns a small amount of XRP, reinforcing the deflationary model and reducing circulating supply. Traders view higher burn rates as a bullish indicator, as they support price momentum and scarcity. Coupled with low fees, fast settlement, and testing key resistance levels, the sustained deflationary pressure underpins XRP’s long-term value proposition.

Crypto liquidations surged to $379.9 million in 24 hours after Bitcoin retraced from a $107K high to $104.7K, triggering forced liquidations of leveraged positions. A price bounce from $101.6K to $106.6K stalled within a tight $104.7K–$107.1K range, catching traders who bet on a breakout. Bitcoin liquidations totaled $81.4 million, evenly split between longs and shorts, while Ethereum saw $71.9 million in mainly long liquidations. ZCash liquidations reached $31.2 million, largely bullish. CoinGlass data highlights liquidity zones at $103.8K–$104.4K and $100.7K–$102.4K. These crypto liquidations underscore the market’s volatility. Traders should monitor support and resistance, manage leverage cautiously, and avoid premature breakout bets amid ongoing volatility.

Three years after the 2022 FTX collapse, a sustained bitcoin rally has highlighted ongoing creditor repayment challenges. Although the FTX estate recovered $16.5 billion and distributed $7.1 billion in three payout rounds (January, May and September), creditors face real recovery rates of just 9–46% when adjusted for bitcoin’s surge to $103,000. Next distributions are set for January 2026. The FTX collapse spurred centralized exchanges like Binance and OKX to implement proof-of-reserves audits and on-chain analytics, while DeFi platforms, including dYdX, strengthened governance and self-custody safeguards. Regulatory moves such as the US GENIUS Act and the EU’s MiCA framework aim to improve market oversight and prevent future failures. Ongoing legal proceedings—Sam Bankman-Fried’s appeal and Caroline Ellison’s mid-2026 release—underscored lasting industry repercussions. Traders should monitor future distributions, regulatory shifts and transparency audits, as these factors, alongside the bitcoin rally, will shape market sentiment.

On November 11, Hong Kong crypto laws were reformed by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Licensed local exchanges can now match trades using offshore order books. Under the previous regime, matching was confined to Hong Kong, limiting trading volume and efficiency. This change allows global liquidity pools to deepen and attracts foreign capital. The new rules require prefunding on overseas platforms and delivery-versus-payment settlement. This regulatory update to Hong Kong crypto laws also mandates that exchanges establish a compensation fund for failed transactions. Offshore affiliates must be based in FATF jurisdictions, comply with IOSCO standards and submit to SFC surveillance to prevent market manipulation. In parallel, Hong Kong launched spot Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) ETFs. These measures enhance investor protection and position the city as Asia’s leading digital asset hub. Traders can expect tighter spreads, improved execution and increased institutional participation.

Tether Gold has recruited two HSBC metals trading veterans, Vincent Domien and Mathew O’Neill, to expand its bullion operations. The move supports Tether Gold’s push to build over $12 billion in private physical gold reserves, adding more than one tonne each week. By internalizing execution, sourcing, custody and hedging, Tether Gold aims to improve trade timing, settlement efficiency and reporting transparency. The firm’s XAUT token is backed by about 1,300 allocated bars and $2 billion in circulation, separate from USDT reserves. With gold prices at record highs and central banks boosting purchases, Tether’s bullion holdings generated $13 billion in profits last year. Traders will monitor upcoming reserve attestations and balance sheet updates to gauge the impact on liquidity management, transparency and potential shifts in asset mix.

HBAR has faced consecutive sell-offs driven by heavy institutional unloading and surging volumes. On October 21, the token plunged 4.3% below its $0.1720 support as institutions sold 67.16 million HBAR, spiking volume 71% above average and touching a low of $0.1688 before a brief rebound to $0.1745 on thin volume. In a subsequent session, HBAR failed to breach $0.1940 resistance and dropped 2.1% to $0.1837 amid a 95% volume surge to 142.7 million tokens. The formation of lower highs from the $0.1967 peak confirms a bearish structure. Key levels to watch are support at $0.1688 and $0.1831 (next target $0.1820), and resistance at $0.1745, $0.1842, $0.1870, and $0.1940. Traders should monitor volume trends closely, as elevated activity often signals institutional distribution.

Domino’s Cyprus has launched xMoney Fiat Checkout on its web and mobile platforms, enabling instant, embedded fiat payments without redirects. The solution supports credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, reducing friction and enhancing security. The pilot marks the first phase of a broader EU expansion under MiCA compliance, demonstrating Web3 readiness. xMoney Fiat Checkout also lays the groundwork for USDC Integration on the Sui blockchain, offering near-instant crypto settlements. Built-in XMN token and a secure backend ensure compliance and data protection. This move bridges traditional payments and crypto, improving customer experience and accelerating mainstream crypto adoption across Domino’s European outlets.

SoFi Crypto has relaunched its crypto trading feature within its FDIC-insured app, allowing users to buy, sell and hold over 30 digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). The integration unifies crypto trading with checking, savings and investing services, removing external transfers and separate logins. Access rolls out via a waitlist through November 30, with early adopters entering a promotion to win 1 BTC by completing three trades of at least $10 by January 31, 2026. At launch, funding is via ACH or USD deposit only, with outbound withdrawals coming later. The platform complies with OCC guidance and federal registration, enhancing regulated custody and security. SoFi data shows crypto ownership among members doubled in 2025, underlining rising demand for seamless banking integration of crypto trading.

Cardano and Wirex have launched the first multichain ADA card powered by Visa. The new Cardano ADA card lets users spend ADA and over 685 cryptocurrencies worldwide via the Wirex app. The card supports BTC, ETH and USDC, and is accepted in 130+ countries. It offers up to 8% cashback on purchases and ATM withdrawals. Traders can also access DeFi features such as crypto-backed loans, staking and yield accounts, plus structured trading products. The Cardano ADA card is integrated into Wirex’s platform, tapping 6 million users across 130 countries. EMURGO, Cardano’s commercial arm, partnered in this launch and plans to roll out a non-custodial version in 2026. Future updates include auto-staking and tokenised real-world asset yields. A share of profits will fund the Cardano Treasury to boost ecosystem sustainability. This initiative bridges traditional finance and on-chain finance. By offering multi-chain spending, rewards and DeFi tools, the card may accelerate ADA’s mainstream adoption. Traders should watch for increased transaction volumes and potential demand for ADA as real-world use cases grow.

Zcash has dropped nearly 30% from its seven-year high of $734.96, trading around $512 after an 850% surge since early October. On the 4-hour chart, a bearish double top at $749 and $683 with a $503.42 neckline signals potential declines. Key indicators like MACD and RSI are trending down. A decisive break below the $503.42 support could push ZEC toward the $400 Fibonacci retracement level and even $256.41. Futures open interest fell 28% to $846 million, while the long-to-short ratio dipped below 1, reflecting traders’ bearish stance. Despite gains in peer privacy coins such as Monero (XMR) and Dash (DASH), Zcash’s near-term outlook remains weak. A rebound above $600 is needed to invalidate the bearish setup.

Threshold Network has launched an upgraded protocol and app enabling direct, gasless tBTC minting and redemption between Bitcoin mainnet and multiple chains—Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, Sui and Starknet—in a single BTC transaction. The new interface features a Use tBTC directory, a Vaults dashboard for integrated yield strategies, and a unified My Activity log. Users only need to deposit BTC to a single-use address; tBTC arrives on the chosen chain without gas costs, secondary approvals or L1 bridging. Aimed at both institutional and retail traders, this streamlined process maintains full self-custody while facilitating seamless DeFi integration. With institutional Bitcoin holdings surpassing $414 billion, Threshold Network positions tBTC as a trust-minimized bridge for corporate treasuries and funds to deploy BTC liquidity across DeFi markets.

Pi Network has rolled out version 0.5.4 of its Node app, now rebranded as Pi Desktop, to enhance reliability, accessibility and secure reward calculations. The update fixes Pi App Studio display issues, moves the App Studio icon to the top navigation bar, enables approved external links for accessing blogs and resources, and addresses bugs in auto-updates, block container creation and reward computations. A new open port verification mechanism strengthens security and sets the stage for future reward migration. On the market front, the PI token spiked to nearly $0.30 in late October before retracing to around $0.23, delivering a 14% monthly gain and holding above the $0.20 support level. Exchange reserves have climbed by 2 million PI in the past 24 hours to more than 426 million tokens, indicating a potential build-up of sell pressure. Looking ahead, approximately 143 million PI tokens are set to unlock within the next 30 days, which may drive short-term volatility. Traders should monitor the Pi Desktop upgrade, upcoming token unlocks and growing exchange balances for trading opportunities and risk management.

Ethereum price dropped below $3,532 after slipping over 3% in 24 hours. The coin trades near $3,500 and failed to clear the $3,654 resistance on the daily chart. Hourly data shows a break of key support at $3,532, with next floor levels at $3,474 and $3,400. A daily close above $3,532 could spark a rally toward $3,700. Conversely, a break of $3,400 support may lead to a drop toward $3,000. Mid-term indicators show no reversal signals, suggesting limited volatility. Ethereum price action remains range-bound. Traders should monitor $3,400 support and $3,532–$3,654 resistance for market direction.