Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Bitcoin transaction fees have plunged to their lowest level since 2011, with a 14-day moving average of just 3.5 BTC per day. Despite Bitcoin trading above $110,000, average on-chain fees fell to around $0.67 per transaction on August 23, 2025—10% lower year-on-year. Analysts attribute the drop in Bitcoin transaction fees to weaker demand for blockspace as investors increasingly use Bitcoin as a store of value rather than for payments. Improvements such as SegWit and the Lightning Network have also eased network congestion and lowered costs. The decline follows a surge in NFT-related activity in 2023–2024 that once pushed transaction costs as high as $50. Now, roughly half of all blocks are under-filled, reducing fee revenue for miners. After the 2024 halving cut block rewards to 3.125 BTC, miners had expected transaction fees to offset the revenue shortfall. Instead, low fees mean they remain heavily dependent on block subsidies. Persistent low Bitcoin transaction fees raise concerns over network security and miner profitability ahead of future halvings. Smaller operators may struggle to cover costs, potentially leading to mining centralization and increased risk of 51% attacks. On the upside, cheaper fees could boost everyday use and payment adoption. The balance between block rewards and transaction fees will be critical for Bitcoin’s long-term viability.

The U.S. government converted $11 billion in grant funding into a 10% non-voting equity stake in Intel, signalling plans for a sovereign wealth fund and deeper private-sector involvement. Watcher.Guru’s post about expanding government ownership drew attention from the XRP community. In response, influencer Zach Rector asked whether the government might pursue some of Ripple’s large XRP escrow holdings. Community members voiced concerns that government control of Ripple escrow could lead to sanctions, slow innovation, and extend institutional influence over digital assets. While the move applies to traditional corporations, discussions now centre on potential future government stakes in cryptocurrencies like XRP.

VersaBank USA has launched a pilot program for tokenized deposits, issuing Digital Deposit Receipts (DDRs) pegged 1:1 to US dollars. Under the pilot, the USDVB token represents a digital deposit held by the bank. This form of digital banking on blockchain differs from stablecoins by being issued by a regulated institution and backed directly by cash reserves. The trial aims to test stability, security and operational efficiency, enabling faster settlements, lower costs and improved fraud protection. Tokenized deposits could integrate with DeFi applications while complying with banking oversight. Challenges include regulatory clarity across jurisdictions and public education for adoption. Success may herald a shift in financial markets, blending traditional banking trust with blockchain innovation.

Binance Futures will launch a USD-Margined BASUSDT perpetual contract on August 26, 2025, at 12:12 UTC. The new perpetual futures listing will allow traders to long or short $BAS using USDT as margin and settlement currency. By introducing this USD-Margined BASUSDT perpetual contract, Binance expands its altcoin trading suite, offering enhanced liquidity and hedging opportunities. This listing underscores Binance’s commitment to diversify derivatives offerings and cater to demand for altcoin perpetual futures. Traders can anticipate tighter spreads, increased market depth, and round-the-clock trading. As part of Binance Futures’ continuous product expansion, the BASUSDT perpetual contract is expected to boost trading volume in the token and strengthen its market presence.

The BAS futures listing on Binance Futures marks the token’s debut in the derivatives market. With the new perpetual contract, crypto traders can now long or short BAS with up to 50x leverage. This BAS futures listing enhances liquidity and offers more trading options for both institutional and retail traders. Binance’s move reflects its broader efforts to expand its futures offerings and support emerging tokens.

Binance Alpha will list Mitosis (MITO) for spot trading on August 28, 2025 at 22:00 UTC+8, following standard listing procedures. Binance Futures will launch the MITOUSDT perpetual contract later that day at 22:30 UTC+8, offering up to 50× leverage. Traders should review the contract specifications, margin requirements and risk disclosures before trading. The addition of MITO to Binance Alpha expands trading options and could enhance liquidity for the token. With up to 50× leverage on MITOUSDT, the perpetual contract may attract both high-risk and professional traders seeking to capitalise on price movements. Market participants should monitor order-book depth and funding rates to manage risk effectively. The listing underscores Binance’s ongoing expansion of its Alpha platform and derivatives offerings, signaling continued innovation in cryptocurrency trading services.

A new Bitfinex market report warns that a sustained altcoin season is unlikely until the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlights spot altcoin ETFs. Dozens of proposals tracking tokens such as SOL, XRP, HBAR and LTC remain under SEC review, with most decisions now deferred to October. While liquidity flows into altcoins have begun, analysts say major capital rotations—and a true market rally—hinge on the launch of these altcoin ETFs. Industry sentiment for approval remains high: SOL, XRP and LTC ETFs carry roughly 95% odds, ADA, DOT, AVAX and HBAR about 90%, while SUI and TRX stand at 60% and 50%, respectively. The shift to a more constructive stance under SEC Chair Paul Atkins, compared with Gary Gensler’s stricter approach, along with positive amendments from issuers, further boosts bullish expectations for altcoin ETF success. However, until formal SEC approval, traders should temper expectations for a broad-based altcoin rally.

At the August 22 Jackson Hole symposium, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled that the FOMC could implement a rate cut as early as September if inflation and labor data weaken. He warned that high tariffs and tighter immigration policy continue to fuel inflation and constrain labor‐force growth, and stressed that monetary decisions will rely solely on incoming data. Inflation remains “somewhat elevated,” and tariff effects on prices have yet to fully materialize. Although the labor market is still strong, reduced supply and demand for workers may trigger job cuts. Futures markets now price in an 85% chance of a September rate cut, prompting traders to anticipate shifts in monetary easing. Powell’s speech sparked a short‐lived crypto rally, lifting Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), gold and U.S. equity futures before markets retraced. Some analysts called it the first real opening for rate cuts, while others remain cautious amid persistent inflation. For crypto traders, a confirmed rate cut could drive a rotation from bonds into risk assets and fuel a sustained crypto rally. Key U.S. data—nonfarm payrolls on September 5 and CPI on September 11—will be closely monitored for signs of easing and the next leg up in the crypto market.

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with over $9 trillion under management, has officially denied owning XRP or filing for an XRP ETF. Despite widespread speculation on social media and in crypto forums, the firm’s spokesperson confirmed there are no plans for an XRP ETF, and no XRP holdings appear in public filings or independent trackers. Instead, BlackRock remains focused on its spot Bitcoin ETF and proposed Ethereum ETF, assets with clearer regulatory frameworks and stronger institutional demand. Regulatory uncertainty around XRP persists after the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, even though courts ruled XRP is not a security. Smaller firms like Bitwise, 21Shares, WisdomTree and Canary Capital have filed for XRP ETF approval, but none have secured SEC approval. By steering clear of XRP, BlackRock underscores its compliance-driven, risk-averse approach and prioritizes liquidity and scale in its crypto strategy. This denial removes a key bullish catalyst for XRP ETF speculation and keeps institutional attention firmly on BTC and ETH markets.

Blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps reports Hayden Davis, co-founder of the LIBRA project, netted $12 million through early buys of the YZY token backed by Kanye West. Fourteen wallets tied to Davis received large USDC transfers minutes before the August 21 launch, with his main address executing purchases just one minute after the public listing. These trades suggest insider trading on the YZY token. Davis previously profited from meme coins MELANIA and LIBRA, earning $2.4 million and $6 million respectively amid liquidity manipulation. A US court recently unfroze $57.6 million in USDC linked to Davis and Meteora co-founder Ben Chow. The YZY token distribution remains under investigation by Bubblemaps, raising further concerns about market fairness and regulatory oversight for memecoins.

Anton and James Peraire-Bueno have asked a Manhattan federal judge to bar prosecutors from introducing their Google search history as evidence in a $25 million cryptocurrency trial. The brothers face charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly exploiting Ethereum’s MEV-boost system to intercept private trades and move roughly $25 million in under 15 seconds. Their defense argues the searches—terms such as “top crypto lawyers” and “wire fraud statute of limitations”—were part of privileged communications with attorneys and not proof of intent to commit wrongdoing. They stress that Google search history entries were made during legal consultations, invoking attorney–client privilege. Prosecutors maintain the queries reflect consciousness of guilt. Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke will decide whether to exclude these searches from the trial record. The ruling could set a precedent for the use of digital evidence and Google search history in future crypto trials.

On August 25, venture capitalist Tim Draper told CNBC that altcoins serve as beta testers for Bitcoin, with successful features later integrated into the Bitcoin network. He highlighted that Bitcoin’s market share has grown from around 40% to over 60% across cycles. Draper compared this trend to Microsoft’s early platform consolidation, where developers gravitated toward the strongest ecosystem. He also reiterated Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against unchecked government spending, positioning it above gold and fiat. This perspective underscores Bitcoin’s growing dominance and network resilience, which may bolster trader confidence and influence market dynamics.

Stellar’s XLM dropped 5% from $0.398 to $0.380 as trading volume surged 115% to $402 million, with a record 95.27 million tokens exchanged at the low. The sell-off cemented $0.380 as a critical support zone and $0.393 as resistance, despite a rebound to $0.389 by session’s end. Traders are eyeing a pending U.S. crypto ETF that could channel institutional capital into Stellar and other digital assets. Technical charts show XLM coiling below a key $0.50 resistance, with intraday volatility highlighting a battle between heavy liquidation and potential whale buys. A decisive breakout or further decline will depend on renewed buying momentum and ETF-driven inflows.

The cryptocurrency market saw a sharp sell-off as Bitcoin dipped below $109,000 and Ether corrected 13% from its recent high, triggering more than $900 million in futures liquidations. Analysts attribute the flash crash to a whale selling 25,000 BTC and removing the buy-order wall to force weak hands out—a deliberate Bitcoin dip strategy ahead of anticipated ETF inflows. Experts expect Bitcoin to consolidate between $110,000 and $120,000 or slide toward $100,000 without fresh catalysts. Ether remains bullish long term but needs new drivers beyond corporate adoption. XRP trades in a tight range, eyeing $2.60–$3.10 key levels. The report also highlights macro factors—steepening Treasury yields and rate-cut bets—that could amplify crypto volatility. Key events include Mantle Network’s mainnet upgrade, token unlocks (SUI, JUP, CFG), and major ETF flow data. Traders should prepare for continued bearish pressure in the near term, while monitoring ETF-driven support and whale accumulation tactics in the broader crypto markets.

Mind Network has formed a technical partnership with Ant Group’s AntChain to advance on-chain fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) applications. The collaboration will focus on encrypted messaging, real-world asset (RWA) management, on-chain privacy data transmission, and end-to-end automatic encryption. Building on the Encrypted Messaging Onchain system, the partnership aims to support RWA scenarios such as real estate tokenization, stablecoin clearing, and cross-border payments with native compliance and privacy features. As an anti-quantum FHE infrastructure provider, Mind Network also contributes to the development of the zero-trust internet protocol HTTPZ, setting new standards for secure AI and encrypted data processing in Web3.

Bitlayer will launch a $100,000 USDT airdrop for the DeAgentAI community on August 27. A total of 35,253 DeAgentAI wallet addresses qualify to claim their share of the Bitlayer airdrop. To participate, users must visit the official claim link, prepare BitlayerBTC tokens in their wallets to cover gas fees, and follow on-chain instructions. This Bitlayer airdrop rewards early supporters of the DeAgentAI-Bitlayer partnership and aims to boost token distribution and community engagement.

Bitcoin faces a critical moment as the bitcoin crash scenario unfolds around the $110,000 support level. Trading at $110,071, BTC is under pressure from global risk assets, with the 50-day SMA resistance at $112,142 and $116,552. The RSI sits at 38.38, indicating bearish momentum and potential oversold conditions. If the $110K support fails, price predictions point toward a drop to $103K–$100K, reinforced by the 200-day SMA near $100,930. A break below $100K could trigger a broader bitcoin crash and draw altcoins like ETH and SOL lower. Conversely, holding $110K may spark a relief rally back into the $112K–$116K zone. Traders should monitor these levels closely, as a confirmed breakdown risks a deeper correction while a successful defense could reset bullish sentiment.

Sharps Technology (STSS) has raised $400M to establish the largest Solana reserve company to date. The oversubscribed funding round included ParaFi, Pantera, FalconX, CoinFund and Arrington Capital. Sharps issued shares at $6.50 with $9.75 warrants, expecting to close by August 28. Shares jumped from $7.30 to an intraday peak of $13, closing up 53%. Proceeds will buy the native SOL token, and Alice Zhang, Jambo co-founder, joins as CIO. The Solana Foundation will sell $50M in SOL at a 15% discount to the 30-day VWAP. This move mirrors the digital asset reserve model pioneered by MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin strategy. While institutional Solana reserves can drive demand, trading at a premium poses risks if crypto markets soften, potentially compressing valuation and fundraising capacity.

Bitcoin fell below the $110,000 mark to $109,324—its lowest level since July. Ethereum plunged under $4,400, losing nearly 8% in 24 hours. The sharp sell-off triggered over $900 million in liquidations, including $322 million in ETH longs and $207 million in BTC longs. Altcoins also suffered: SOL dropped more than 8%, XRP slid 6%, and mid-caps such as PENDLE, LDO and PENGU saw double-digit declines. Historical data confirms September’s weak performance for Bitcoin and Ethereum, known as the “September curse.” Analysts Benjamin Cowen and Doctor Profit warn of further short-term losses. Cowen expects Bitcoin to retest the $110,000 support zone, while Ethereum could fall 20–30%. Doctor Profit highlights a CME gap at $93,000–95,000 and record ETF outflows—$1.17 billion from spot BTC ETFs and $237.7 million from ETH ETFs last week—as signs of growing uncertainty. Glassnode on-chain metrics reveal broad distribution across holder groups. Macro risks, including potential Fed rate cuts amid sticky inflation, may elevate long-term yields and pressure risk assets. Traders face seasonal headwinds, capital flight and on-chain sell pressure. Although short-term sentiment is bearish, this cleansing could prime Bitcoin and Ethereum for the next bull cycle.

Developers propose DogeOS, a bridge to connect Dogecoin with Ethereum DeFi platforms. The aim is to enable DOGE lending, staking and cross-chain transactions. The move could transform Dogecoin into a functional asset beyond its meme origin. Whales have increased Dogecoin accumulation in recent weeks. On-chain data shows major holders moving large DOGE volumes to long-term wallets. This trend signals confidence and may stabilise price ahead of new DeFi utilities. Technically, DOGE/USDT on Coinbase has formed a bearish pennant on the four-hour chart. Following a sharp drop to $0.21, price consolidates between converging trendlines with shrinking volume. A breakdown below the lower support line could trigger a 51% drop to $0.14. The 50-period EMA at $0.224 and RSI near 35 suggest sellers remain in control. The Balance of Power readout also tilts negative. Traders should watch for a decisive break below the pennant support. Confirmation may intensify selling pressure toward key support levels. Meanwhile, DogeOS progress underpins long-term utility prospects.

Peter Thiel–backed crypto exchange Bitpanda has ruled out a London listing, citing thin trading and low liquidity in the UK IPO market. CEO Eric Demuth said Bitpanda is considering Frankfurt or New York instead, without committing to a timetable. The UK’s IPO market raised just $215–248 million in H1 2025, its weakest level in three decades, compared with a 2021 peak of $11.88 billion. Companies like Wise and Circle have shifted to US exchanges, attracted by deeper pools of buyers and institutional capital. Bitpanda, which still derives most revenue from continental Europe, aims for a venue offering greater depth and visibility. The decision reflects where investor demand sits today, not a fundamental rejection of the UK market.

XerpaAI, born from the UXLINK ecosystem, has unveiled the world’s first AI Growth Agent designed to automate and optimize Web3 startup expansion. The core mission of XerpaAI is intelligent growth: replacing costly manual marketing and subjective KOL collaborations with an AI-driven engine. The multi-agent architecture—comprising Planning, Data Collection, Content Generation, Distribution & Matching, Optimization & Feedback, and Integration agents—coordinates through blockchain-verified protocols and a shared knowledge graph. This AI Growth Agent automatically generates multilingual content, matches over 100,000 KOL/KOC influencers, and employs real-time optimization loops. Clients report a 3× boost in conversion rates and a 70% cut in acquisition costs. XerpaAI’s Memories mechanism stores historical insights in a distributed knowledge graph, enabling agents to learn and adapt across campaigns. Having served 110,000 communities, the platform recently secured $6 million in seed funding led by UFLY Capital for international expansion and deeper Web3 integration. By combining Plan-and-Solve prompting and Zero-Shot Chain-of-Thought reasoning, XerpaAI positions itself as a scalable partner for Web3 growth automation.

This analysis draws parallels between historical cultural funding—from Michelangelo’s Medici patronage to Gutenberg’s printing press—and today’s cryptocurrency ecosystem. It reviews Bitcoin’s cypherpunk origins and early adoption on Silk Road and WikiLeaks, the Ethereum ICO boom that democratized token issuance, and the market split between quantitative traders and yield “farmers.” As token economics replace ideological decentralization, the focus shifts to speculative behavior and meme coin volatility. Traders can apply these insights to evaluate tokenomics, anticipate project funding cycles, and navigate the ongoing meme coin resurgence.

China’s State Council is reviewing a roadmap to launch yuan-backed stablecoins as part of a broader push for yuan internationalization. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) will lead implementation, with Hong Kong and Shanghai fast-tracking local regulatory approvals. This move follows guidance issued to curb fraudulent stablecoin schemes and counters the U.S. emphasis on dollar-backed stablecoins, which account for over 47% of global transactions. Target markets likely include Belt & Road Initiative countries, where Chinese tech firms like JD.com and Ant Group seek lower cross-border transaction costs. Meanwhile, EU officials are rethinking digital euro rails, considering public blockchains (e.g., Ethereum, Solana) to accelerate launch and improve accessibility. The European Central Bank aims for 50 billion annual transactions and a 40% share of card payments, despite euro stablecoins holding only 0.2% of the $271 billion market cap. In the U.K., industry leaders urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to adopt a national stablecoin strategy or risk falling behind, noting sterling-denominated stablecoins currently total under £500,000. In the U.S., Wyoming’s Frontier Stable Token (FRNT) has been deployed on seven networks—including Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Ethereum, Optimism, Polygon, and Solana—with a public launch set for September and plans to add yield products later. MetaMask is also gearing up to issue its own dollar stablecoin (mUSD) on Ethereum and Linea, marking the first stablecoin from a self-custodial wallet and expanding DeFi access.

Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto has released new chart-based XRP HBAR price targets for the next 1–3 weeks. Using three-day Heikin Ashi charts on Binance and Coinbase, he sets a $4.00–$5.00 range for XRP and $0.40–$0.50 range for HBAR. The analysis spotlights recent momentum followed by consolidation zones, with RSI readings at 63.80 for XRP and 64.45 for HBAR—both under overbought levels but testing descending trendlines. These XRP HBAR price targets depend on sustained volume and a clear breakout from resistance, offering traders short-term projection guidance.

Undress AI, also known as deepnude technology, uses generative AI to strip clothing from images, creating realistic but fake nude photos. This emerging threat exposes children to AI-generated CSAM, cyberbullying, revenge porn and privacy violations. A recent Internet Watch Foundation report found over 11,000 AI-generated CSAM images on a single forum, while Graphika noted a 2,000% surge in spam links promoting Undress AI in 2023. Under UK law, sharing or creating intimate deepfakes without consent is illegal, but proving intent remains a challenge. Parents should act early by discussing online safety and consent, setting parental controls to block harmful websites, and building children’s digital resilience—teaching them to report, block and seek help. Combining open communication with technical safeguards is the most effective defense against the growing dangers of Undress AI.

Bitcoin’s recent retreat from a $124,500 record high is unlikely to mark the end of its bull run, according to on-chain analyst Merlijn The Trader. All 30 peak indicators, including the Puell Multiple and MVRV Z-score, are still neutral, suggesting more upside potential. On-chain data reveals new investors, holding BTC for under a month, are capitulating with average unrealized losses of 3.5%, while short-term holders (1–6 months) maintain aggregated profits of 4.5%. This shakeout, marked by the liquidation of over $70 million in leveraged longs on Binance, has purged weak hands and reset open interest, creating a healthier market structure. Technically, Bitcoin’s 12% pullback remains above the 20-week EMA near $108,000. A rebound from this dynamic support could drive prices back toward the all-time high above $125,500 and ultimately toward the $150,000 target by year-end. A break below the 20-week EMA, however, risks a deeper correction to the 50-week EMA around $95,300. Traders should watch liquidity clusters at $117,000–$118,000 for potential price magnets and short-covering opportunities.

An on-chain analyst, TheDataNerd, projects that a modest 1% Bitcoin 401(k) allocation from U.S. retirement plans could inject $168 billion into Bitcoin, lifting its market capitalization by about 7.4%. This shift is driven by a recent executive order from President Donald Trump, which paves the way for 401(k) plans to offer cryptocurrency investments. A move of this scale would mark a significant milestone in crypto adoption, bringing greater legitimacy, portfolio diversification, and potential stability to Bitcoin. However, plan administrators and participants must weigh benefits—such as inflation hedging and high-growth exposure—against challenges including Bitcoin’s price volatility, evolving regulations, and the need for secure custodial solutions. Financial advisors will play a key role in educating investors and guiding informed decisions as Bitcoin 401(k) options emerge.

A Bitcoin whale sold 24,000 BTC, triggering a $110,000 price drop and forced liquidation of leveraged long positions. The sell-off spurred retail panic and heightened volatility. To hedge against such swings, GoldenMining introduced Bitcoin cloud mining contracts offering fixed daily returns. Plans start at a $15 deposit with a $0.60 daily reward and extend to 47-day contracts requiring $55,000 for a $1,056 daily profit. The platform supports BTC, ETH, ADA, USDT and other major tokens, with transparent pricing, no management fees, and 24/7 professional support. It employs green energy infrastructure, SSL encryption, and AIG-backed insurance. An affiliate program offers up to 5% referral rewards. GoldenMining’s hybrid smart-contract model aims to deliver stable passive income and environmental responsibility. As market uncertainty persists, fixed-income mining contracts may become a key strategy for Bitcoin traders seeking to diversify and stabilize their crypto portfolios.