Crypto News

The Bank of Russia says restrictions on self-custody wallets do not apply to international payments, preserving a channel for cross-border trade settlements. First Deputy Governor Vladimir Chistyukhin confirmed the exemption on October 29, 2026. Domestically, rules effective from September 1 restrict transfers from regulated digital accounts to self-custody wallets. Existing wallet holdings are unaffected, while peer-to-peer transactions remain permitted until July 1, 2027. Unqualified investors, who make up about 98% of market participants, face an annual purchase cap of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Thirteen organizations were licensed for digital currency exchange activities as of mid-October. The policy keeps self-custody wallets available for international settlements while directing domestic crypto activity toward licensed intermediaries. Its impact will depend on how authorities distinguish cross-border from domestic transactions and enforce the upcoming peer-to-peer limits.

Anthropic has filed an IPO prospectus, a step that could bring the AI company closer to a public listing, according to the article citing Reuters. The company could be valued at more than $2 trillion, though the figure is a potential valuation rather than a confirmed IPO price. The filing puts Anthropic ahead of OpenAI in the race to become a major publicly listed AI lab. A prediction market cited in the article priced the chance of an IPO by December 31, 2026, at 94.4%. Traders will watch for further filings, IPO timing and valuation disclosures. The development may affect sentiment toward AI and technology stocks, but the article reports no direct impact on cryptocurrency markets.

US Senator Bill Hagerty discussed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, crypto regulation and the role of stablecoins in an interview with Bitcoin Magazine. The conversation included a possible expansion of the reserve, which the chapter list references alongside 200,000 Bitcoin, but the article does not report a new policy decision or specific proposal. Hagerty also addressed the Clarity Act, the GENIUS Act, stablecoin rewards, and how stablecoins could support demand for US Treasuries and the dollar’s global role. He argued that regulatory uncertainty had enabled aggressive enforcement and said a lighter government touch could help crypto innovation. The interview also covered Bitcoin mining and energy development in Tennessee, public skepticism about crypto, and his opposition to a central bank digital currency (CBDC). For traders, the discussion highlights ongoing US policy debates around the Bitcoin Reserve and digital-asset regulation, rather than a confirmed change in law or government Bitcoin holdings.

Mosaic is a generative artwork by BitArt that turns Bitcoin data into evolving visual and musical compositions. It uses satoshi numbers and transaction-related data, including UTXOs, to determine the work’s colors, positions and sound. Participants’ Bitcoin transactions contribute to a composition that no single person controls. The project, supported by the Bitcoin Art Society (BAS), has grown to more than 127 million tiles and one billion layers, according to BitArt. The artist says viewing every layer at one per second would take more than 30 years. Mosaic will appear on the main-stage LED screens at Bitcoin Amsterdam on November 5–6, 2026. The article frames the project as an experiment in generative art, collective authorship and digital preservation—not as a Bitcoin product or market announcement.

Chainlink bought back about 92,800 LINK in the two hours before the report, worth approximately $1.07 million. The Chainlink buyback was more than 4,500 LINK larger than the previous week’s reported amount. The purchase adds a source of demand for LINK, though the report provides no further details about the buyback’s funding or its effect on market prices.

Solana has integrated Polygon’s Open Money Stack, connecting bank rails, wallets and exchanges to the Solana network. The integration is designed to let businesses access these services through a single connection. The announcement did not disclose launch metrics, transaction volumes or commercial terms, so the immediate effect on SOL trading is unclear. The move highlights continued efforts to improve payment and financial infrastructure across blockchain networks.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, as expected, and market reaction was muted. Two officials dissented in favor of a 0.25 percentage-point rate increase. The article argues the Fed is unlikely to hike again soon, with higher long-term yields and slowing capital expenditure potentially helping cool inflation, while fuel prices remain a key driver outside the Fed’s control. Alphabet (GOOG) missed revenue and earnings expectations, prompting concerns about how it will fund artificial intelligence investment and about weakening free cash flow. The author warns that slower growth in AI infrastructure spending could pressure technology firms that supply data-center hardware and other “picks and shovels.” Investors may need to be more selective as the cycle shifts toward AI applications. For crypto traders, the Fed’s pause offers a broadly neutral macro signal, while changing expectations for tech and AI investment could affect sentiment toward crypto-related AI and infrastructure tokens.

US September PCE inflation remained elevated, reinforcing concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep rates higher for longer. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.6% year over year and 0.5% month over month. Core PCE, which excludes food and energy, increased 3.1% annually and 0.3% monthly—both annual rates remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Nominal consumer spending rose 0.5% in September, led by services, but inflation-adjusted real PCE was nearly flat. Personal income increased 0.2%, while real disposable income fell 0.3%. The personal saving rate was 3.8%. The data arrived after the Fed held its policy rate at 3.75%–4.00%, with two officials dissenting in favor of a quarter-point increase. Sticky PCE inflation could support expectations of tighter monetary policy, keeping traders focused on rate decisions, Treasury yields and risk-sensitive assets such as Bitcoin. The figures do not by themselves determine the Fed’s next move; upcoming inflation and employment data will also shape market expectations.

Ethereum has fallen about 15% over the past month and is trading just above $2,300, with analysts warning that the price could drop to $2,000. On-chain analyst Ali Martinez said large investors sold around 160,000 ETH, worth nearly $350 million, in five days. Exchange balances also increased by 100,000 ETH, potentially putting more tokens within reach of sellers. Martinez added that ETH had lost support near $2,385 and that its chart pattern points to further downside if selling continues. Another trader said failure to reclaim $2,400 could leave Ethereum vulnerable to a fall below $2,200. There are also signs of possible short-term support. One large trader reportedly opened a $45 million ETH long position with 25x leverage and has recorded a 100% win rate across 20 trades, though the claim does not establish that the trader has inside information. Ethereum’s Relative Strength Index is just above 30, near the oversold zone, which can precede a rebound but does not guarantee one. Overall, whale selling and technical weakness pose downside risks, while the leveraged long and low RSI offer potential counter-signals.

Polygon Open Money Stack (OMS) now supports Solana, allowing businesses to manage stablecoin payments from bank deposits through cross-chain transfers to payouts. The service combines fiat on- and off-ramps, virtual accounts, embedded Solana wallets, payment routing and cash-out options in one product flow. Polygon says its regulated fiat infrastructure is backed by money transmitter licences in 48 US states. OMS supports USDC, USDT, PYUSD, SOL and wrapped SOL, routing assets between Solana, TRON and EVM chains. Businesses can also use selected components alongside their own wallets, compliance providers or settlement systems. The integration targets fintechs, payment apps, marketplaces and other platforms building on Solana. Polygon cites more than $2 trillion in quarterly stablecoin volume on Solana, and says the expansion lets businesses keep Solana as their settlement layer while adding tools for real-world payments. The announcement is an infrastructure expansion; the article does not report new transaction volumes or customer adoption.

Bitcoin ETFs recorded $137 million in net inflows on Wednesday, bringing October flows close to breakeven after a mid-month deficit of $907 million. The shift follows a broader change in ownership: nine hedge funds and banks sold about 68,000 BTC worth of ETF shares over nine months, while sovereign wealth funds, wealth managers and other investors added exposure. Since June, funds have reportedly bought back 87,000 BTC, this time through direct purchases rather than basis-trade arbitrage. The article says the arbitrage trade became less attractive as its annualized return fell from 7.9% to 4.8%, leaving an estimated 1.5 percentage points over cash after costs. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve held rates at 3.75%–4.00%, and market expectations for further rate hikes eased, potentially supporting risk assets. Bitcoin was trading near $80,000, down about 2% over 24 hours, while Ethereum and Solana also declined. Other developments included a planned NYSE-parent partnership with Trade.xyz to offer regulated US perpetual futures using Hyperliquid infrastructure, pending approval; Visa’s stablecoin settlement volume exceeding $25 billion annualized, more than ten times last year’s level; and $21 million in net outflows from ETH ETFs. The ETF flow reversal and reported institutional buying may support sentiment, though short-term price action remains exposed to macro conditions and market volatility.

Bitcoin lending and yield generation could create a new source of institutional demand, according to a report from Bitcoin infrastructure developer RootstockLabs. The report estimates that only 1.5% of Bitcoin’s supply is currently used in lending and Bitcoin-native finance, while identifiable institutional investors hold about 3.9 million BTC. RootstockLabs says lending, structured credit and using Bitcoin as collateral could help institutions earn returns on existing holdings and improve balance-sheet efficiency. In a hypothetical scenario where institutional holdings double to 7.8 million BTC, a 5% yield on 5% of those holdings would generate 19,500 BTC a year. The report presents this as potential returns, not a forecast of new demand. The report also highlights risks from leverage, rehypothecation, custody failures, borrower defaults and legal uncertainty. RootstockLabs institutional propositions director Tony DiCarlo said Bitcoin’s verifiable collateral and programmable liquidation rules may mitigate some risks, while volatility remains a concern. He cited a $750 million Bitcoin-backed loan by MARA to help finance a planned Ohio power plant acquisition as an example of Bitcoin being used for real-world financing.

Chainalysis traced a network of Russian intermediaries that helped North Korean IT workers convert millions of dollars in cryptocurrency into cash through the Russian exchange Garantex. The findings followed US sanctions against 10 people and one entity accused of helping North Korean government-run IT schemes fund weapons programmes. The US Treasury said Russian national Ilya Boykov converted about $3.5 million in cryptocurrency for sanctioned company Alis since 2024. Another Russian, Vitold Obertas, allegedly handled nearly $2 million in conversions for North Korean officials since January 2025. Chainalysis described one route in which a North Korean worker’s stablecoin payments were converted into Ether (ETH), consolidated, sent to Boykov, and then transferred to Garantex for cash-out. The case highlights ongoing risks from North Korean IT workers using false identities to obtain jobs at crypto firms, as well as scrutiny of exchanges and intermediaries facilitating illicit crypto flows.

US core PCE inflation rose to 2.5% year over year in September, above the 2.4% forecast but below the previous 3.3% reading. The Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of underlying inflation remains above its 2% target, suggesting price pressures have not fully eased. The data could encourage a more cautious Fed stance on interest rates. For crypto traders, the prospect of tighter monetary policy may weigh on risk appetite, although the article reports no specific market price reaction. Bitcoin prediction markets showed a lower likelihood of BTC reaching $78,000. Traders will watch comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and subsequent rate expectations for clues about the dollar, broader markets and crypto assets.

Lookonchain reported that five crypto whales opened long positions in HYPE over several hours, totaling 597,912 HYPE worth about $52.7 million. The sizeable HYPE positions point to a bullish bet by these traders, but the report does not specify leverage, entry prices or whether the positions remain open.

US third-quarter GDP grew at an annualised rate of 3.4%, accelerating from 2.2% in the second quarter and beating analysts’ 3.2% forecast. US third-quarter GDP growth was supported by strong investment in AI data centres and advanced technology equipment, while consumer spending remained resilient despite persistent inflation. Federal Reserve Chair Warsh said economic momentum had strengthened and capital spending was historically high as a share of GDP. The stronger growth highlights the resilience of the US economy, but may also keep attention on inflation and the path of interest rates.

On-chain monitoring firm MLM says 625,000 HYPE, previously idle for nearly three weeks, has moved to a new wallet and from HyperEVM to Hypercore. The wallet’s funding is linked to addresses associated with TradeXYZ’s purchases on Hyperliquid, and the tokens may belong to TradeXYZ. The transfer comes from a 3.75 million HYPE over-the-counter trade last month: 3.125 million HYPE was staked in a single wallet, while the remaining 625,000 HYPE was initially sent elsewhere. MLM speculates that ICE bought the full 3.75 million HYPE and that the latest transfer may be part of an investment in TradeXYZ, but neither claim has been confirmed. The HYPE movement is a notable on-chain signal, not confirmation of a completed deal.

Parity Technologies CEO Gavin Wood says the company is reducing costs and roles as it shifts from developing Polkadot’s core technology to a more focused engineering operation. The company plans to concentrate on completing developer platform features, advancing Polkadot as an application platform—including engineering related to proposals for its economy—and developing JAM. Polkadot Hub is live, while the Polkadot Community Foundation is taking on a larger role in ecosystem growth and adoption. Wood said the changes reflect long-term financial planning and are intended to support Parity through its next two-year budget cycle; no further restructuring is planned during that period, barring unforeseen events. The number of affected jobs was not disclosed. For traders, the announcement signals a strategic and cost-base shift rather than a stated change to DOT’s tokenomics or network operations.

Axis Robotics (AXIS) fell about 40% in 24 hours after on-chain investigator ZachXBT reported that insiders withdrew more than 76 million AXIS tokens, worth over $12 million, from a multisig wallet and sold them through decentralised exchanges. Some tokens were also transferred to Bitget. One insider reportedly sold 42 million AXIS today and now holds more than $5.04 million in USDC across eight wallets. The reported insider selling has put AXIS under pressure and may heighten volatility as traders monitor further transfers and exchange inflows.

Strategy faces possible removal from MSCI’s global equity indexes under proposed rules for companies with limited operating assets and concentrated financial holdings. MSCI is expected to name affected companies on November 11, with changes scheduled after the market close on November 30, 2026. The decision on Strategy is not final. The proposed framework considers operating assets and financial tests, and includes safeguards for existing index constituents. Other firms, potentially including digital-asset treasury company Metaplanet and uranium investor Yellow Cake, could also be affected. JPMorgan estimates that Strategy’s removal could prompt about $2.8 billion in passive selling of its shares. If other major index providers adopt similar rules, the total could reach $8.8 billion. These estimates concern Strategy stock, not its Bitcoin holdings. MSCI’s classification could therefore pressure Strategy shares without requiring direct BTC sales. Strategy says its financing and capital-allocation model—including common stock, preferred securities and convertible debt—makes it more than a vehicle holding Bitcoin. MSCI says its rules must distinguish operating companies from firms that primarily hold financial assets. Chairman Michael Saylor has played down MSCI’s influence on capital flows and criticised its approach. For traders, the main risks are index-driven selling and potentially more difficult fundraising. A weaker share premium or softer demand for securities could constrain Strategy’s ability to finance further Bitcoin purchases. The ruling may also shape how index providers classify Bitcoin treasury companies. It could weigh indirectly on BTC sentiment, but it does not change Bitcoin’s fundamentals or automatically trigger Bitcoin sales.

Crypto exchange HTX has agreed to stop unlawful crypto promotions to consumers in the UK until 21 October 2031, under a settlement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The pledge covers promotions through HTX’s website, apps and social media. The FCA says HTX already blocks UK customers from making deposits and new users from opening accounts. The settlement follows an FCA case brought in October 2025. Its terms are confidential, and Huobi Global S.A., the company behind HTX, did not admit liability or wrongdoing. The agreement concerns UK crypto promotions and does not itself announce a wider suspension of HTX’s services. HTX also faces separate UK and EU sanctions. The UK imposed an asset freeze on Huobi Global in May over suspected support for Russia’s government. The EU later imposed a transaction ban on HTX, effective 23 August. The developments add regulatory pressure on the exchange but are unlikely, on their own, to affect the broader crypto market significantly.

An OKX survey found that 19% of European respondents consider cryptocurrencies a better option for building long-term wealth than retirement plans, which were preferred by 8%. The results point to stronger stated confidence in crypto, although the article provides no survey methodology or evidence that respondents have changed their actual investments. The report cites the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework as part of the regulatory backdrop. It also notes prediction-market odds of about 1% for Ethereum reaching $10,000 by 31 December 2026. The survey signals investor sentiment, but it does not establish a direct outlook for crypto prices or Ethereum demand.

An Anthropic IPO could revive investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and help trigger a rebound in technology stocks, as positioning has become cautious. Deutsche Bank data shows active investors have cut US equity exposure to its lowest level in more than a month, while computer-driven funds have also reduced holdings. Goldman Sachs says its hedge fund clients sold short about $5 in stocks for every $1 they bought this month, bringing borrowed-share bets against a rally close to a five-year high. If stocks rise, short sellers may have to buy shares to close positions, potentially amplifying gains. The proposed Anthropic IPO is a possible catalyst, not a confirmed trigger; the scale and timing of any rebound remain uncertain.

Fidelity Digital Assets reported that Bitcoin’s net unrealized profit and loss (NUPL) indicator rose from 0.09 to 0.36 last quarter. The report says that historically, when Bitcoin NUPL has been around 0.36, within a range of plus or minus 0.05, the median return over the following year has been 93%. The figure is a historical observation, not a forecast or guarantee of future performance.

Kraken Prop added gold, silver, WTI and Brent oil, copper and natural gas on October 29, 2026. The new commodity markets are priced using index oracles and available for simulated trading 24/7 in supported regions, except the UAE. On plans other than Lite, Kraken Prop cut commissions on all non-crypto markets from 4 basis points to 2 basis points per side. The lower rate also covers the S&P 500 and XYZ100 indices and applies to existing evaluation and funded accounts. Crypto commissions are unchanged. Gold offers up to 5x leverage and a $500,000 notional cap on non-Lite plans; limits vary for other commodities. Lite plans retain their existing commission rate. The platform says its account limits, evaluation rules and profit share are unchanged. Trading involves simulated positions, while payouts are based on simulated performance; the article says payouts are typically made within 24 hours. The expansion gives traders more markets and lower costs, but does not represent direct trading in real commodity positions.

Bakkt (NYSE: BKKT) has raised its 2026 transaction-volume target to $3 billion, but the company’s ability to turn higher activity into lasting revenue and profit remains uncertain. An analysis by Dorine Cherop maintains a Hold view, citing low take rates, high costs, weak margins and slow customer activation. Bakkt’s prospects depend in part on expanding cross-border payments and other higher-margin transactions. Until the company demonstrates stronger unit economics and progress towards profitability, losses and potential shareholder dilution could limit the stock’s upside. The $3 billion goal is a growth signal, but execution and financial results remain key tests.

Airtm has partnered with Mastercard-owned stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK to let users in emerging markets pay participating retailers directly from their digital wallets. The integration will run through Airtm Connect and use the Stellar blockchain for payments. The companies expect to begin rolling it out in Q4 2026, but have not yet named the first countries, merchants or supported stablecoins. The partnership will also give Airtm access to Mastercard’s Global Money Platform, which supports fiat accounts, stablecoin payments and international transfers. BVNK will add another provider to Airtm’s infrastructure for deposits, incoming transfers and merchant payments. The arrangement may make it easier for users to move between digital wallets and conventional payment systems, while expanding stablecoin use in everyday commerce.

Solana tokenized equities reached a record 2,077 unique products, surpassing the previous high of 2,036. The milestone comes as the sector expands in supply, trading and holders: tokenized equity supply reached $684 million in September 2026, up 47% in three weeks, while monthly trading volume rose to $4.4 billion. Holder addresses topped one million, although wallet counts do not represent unique investors. Issuers including xStocks, Ondo Global Markets and Backpack Securities are adding products to the Solana network. Up to 63% of tokenized equity trades occur outside traditional US stock-market hours, and Solana’s DeFi integrations let users trade or lend these assets on-chain. A September 2026 SEC innovation exemption may also support on-chain trading of certain listed US stocks. For traders, Solana tokenized equities offer fractional exposure and round-the-clock access, but issuer structures vary and after-hours liquidity may be thin, widening price gaps with underlying shares. Despite record growth, the market remains small compared with traditional equities.

Bulktrade plans to support deposits and withdrawals from Arc, Tempo, Arbitrum and HyperEVM while keeping trading on its specialised execution layer. The platform uses a modified Solana validator client and its BULKBFT matching system, but Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko said an app that does not run on Solana’s base layer is not actually part of Solana. The debate highlights a distinction between using Solana technology and operating on the Solana network. Bulktrade, which raised $8 million in January with Yakovenko as an angel investor, launched its mainnet beta in September. By late October, it had recorded more than $1.3 billion in cumulative trading volume, open interest of about $13 million to $14 million, and roughly $8 million in total value locked. Bulktrade’s multichain access could attract liquidity from other networks, though the dispute may complicate how the exchange is perceived within the Solana ecosystem.