Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

In a joint announcement on September 3, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) unveiled a harmonized framework for spot crypto trading on both SEC-registered national securities exchanges and CFTC-designated contract markets. It is supported by the President’s Working Group and forms part of the SEC’s Project Crypto and the CFTC’s Crypto Sprint. The collaboration aims to streamline regulatory oversight, reduce jurisdictional overlap, and enhance market surveillance, clearing, and data transparency. Platforms including CME, NYSE, Nasdaq, and CBOE are now eligible to list and trade spot contracts for major digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham emphasized the framework’s role in broadening market access and fostering innovation for both institutional and retail investors. Regulators invite exchanges and trading venues to engage on compliance guidance and execution under the new spot crypto trading framework.

Since August 20, a major Bitcoin whale has rotated over $4 billion in BTC into roughly 886,000 ETH. On-chain trackers Lookonchain and CMDR show this Bitcoin whale offloaded 35,991 BTC via Hyperliquid, converting it into ETH and opening leveraged positions that were closed for profit and reinvested in spot ETH. In the past 24 hours, whales bought over 260,000 ETH, while exchange balances fell sharply, indicating large-scale accumulation. This capital rotation coincides with Ethereum’s strong performance. ETH rose 25% over the past month, versus a 4% drop in BTC. US spot Ether ETFs now manage over $23 billion, and corporate treasuries hold 4.44 million ETH. Traders should watch whale moves, ETF inflows, and exchange outflows. Growing institutional demand and shifting sentiment may drive further upside for ETH, with bulls targeting $4,412 to $10,000.

South Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance has signed the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), officially launched on September 2, 2025, to mandate global sharing of crypto transaction data. Starting in 2026, domestic exchanges such as Upbit and Bithumb must collect and report identifying and transactional data of foreign investors to their home tax authorities. Conversely, transaction records of Korean nationals on overseas platforms will be submitted to the National Tax Service. From 2027, CARF will operate fully, requiring virtual asset operators to exchange crypto transaction data across borders irrespective of transaction size, closing offshore reporting gaps. Aligned with 48 committed countries, this framework enhances tax transparency and combats evasion. In parallel, Seoul is advancing a stablecoin regulatory framework: Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC) executives are engaging with local banks and the Bank of Korea to ensure access to local-currency stablecoins for trading and remittances.

Lee Eok-won, nominee for South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) chair, criticised cryptocurrencies as lacking intrinsic value and failing basic monetary functions due to extreme volatility. He rejected pension funds’ crypto investments amid discussions on crypto regulation and said he would review global trends before approving spot Bitcoin ETFs. Conversely, he endorsed tough crypto regulation for won-pegged stablecoins under President Yoon’s digital asset framework. Industry experts slammed his conservative stance, arguing it undervalues blockchain utility and risks sidelining Korea’s Web3 ambitions. Some urged an independent digital assets regulator to balance market stability with innovation and investor protection.

Bitcoin’s six-month volatility has slumped from nearly 60% to a historic low of 30%, narrowing its risk gap with gold. JPMorgan’s volatility-adjusted model values Bitcoin at US$126,000—a 13% premium over the current US$111,000 price. Corporate treasuries now hold over 6% of total supply, while spot Bitcoin ETFs have drawn US$14.8 billion this year, with BlackRock managing US$58 billion. Traders watch the US$117,570 support level to confirm a sustained uptrend. Analysts say institutional adoption and clearer regulation reinforce Bitcoin’s “digital gold” narrative, and parity with gold’s full market cap could drive BTC above US$1 million by the early 2030s.

August witnessed a record $163 million in crypto hacks across wallets, exchanges and DeFi. The largest attack saw 783 BTC ($91.4 M) stolen via social engineering and laundered through Wasabi Wallet. Following hot-wallet key compromises, Turkish exchange BtcTurk lost $48–54 M. Other incidents included a $7 M AMM manipulation at Odin.fun, a $5 M exploit of BetterBank.io via fake PulseChain (PLS) pools, and a $4.5 M CrediX Finance (CREDIX) breach turned exit scam with funds routed through Tornado Cash (TORN). Year-to-date losses exceed $2.3 B, with wallet breaches alone costing $1.7 B. High crypto prices above $100 K are fueling sophisticated cybercrime, underscoring urgent calls for stronger cybersecurity measures.

River reports that in 2025, institutions, ETFs and governments are buying over 3,200 Bitcoin daily, dwarfing miners’ 450 BTC output. In Q2, corporate treasuries added 159,107 BTC, lifting total reserves to about 1.3 million. Michael Saylor’s Strategy leads with 632,457 BTC. Exchange reserves hit multi-year lows. Strong institutional demand and hefty ETF inflows may trigger a Bitcoin supply squeeze, underpinning a bullish outlook.

Binance APAC Head SB Seker brings over 20 years of experience across public policy, fintech and blockchain. As the new Binance APAC Head, he will oversee regional strategy, strengthen regulatory partnerships and drive market adoption. Seker’s background includes senior roles at Crypto.com, Ant Group, Rothschild & Co, Amicorp and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Binance’s CEO Richard Teng said the appointment underscores the exchange’s commitment to compliance and responsible growth. Traders can expect improved regulatory clarity and greater confidence in the Asia-Pacific digital asset ecosystem.

On-chain data from Onchain Lens reveals a prominent BTC whale has transferred a total of 3,000 BTC (approx. $327 million) to Hyperliquid in three consecutive deposits over eight hours. The first two deposits of 1,000 BTC each occurred within six hours, followed by a final 1,000 BTC transfer just 20 minutes ago. This large BTC whale transfer underscores a material rotation from BTC to ETH via an ETH swap. Traders can verify each deposit through blockchain explorers and Hyperliquid’s deposit feeds. Such transparent on-chain analytics enable risk managers to monitor liquidity flows and assess order-book depth in real time. The influx into Hyperliquid’s exchange is likely to impact execution pricing and short-term funding rates. For institutional desks, tracking these BTC whale transfers is crucial when evaluating market liquidity and potential ETH buying pressure. This event highlights the growing importance of on-chain data analytics for managing crypto portfolios.

Grayscale Investments filed S-1 registration statements with the SEC for spot ETFs tracking Cardano (ADA) and Polkadot (DOT). The Grayscale Cardano Trust will list on NYSE Arca as GADA, custody by Coinbase Custody, and track ADA via the CoinDesk Cardano Index (ADX). The Grayscale Polkadot Trust will trade on Nasdaq under DOT, referencing the CoinDesk Polkadot CCIX Rate. Both spot ETFs offer passive altcoin ETF exposure without leverage or derivatives. These filings follow earlier 19b-4 exchange submissions to streamline SEC review and investor disclosures. Approval timelines remain uncertain amid uneven regulatory prioritization. Market participants will watch SEC comment periods. A successful ADA ETF and DOT ETF launch could drive trading volume and price support for ADA and DOT, mirroring the bullish response to BTC and ETH spot ETF approvals.

XRP price is consolidating within a symmetrical triangle between $2.90 and $3.20 after a recent rally. Momentum indicators—including the 4-hour RSI around 48 and the MACD histogram—have weakened, while trading volume continues to decline. Key support levels lie at the 100-day EMA ($2.76) and 200-day EMA ($2.49). A confirmed daily close below $2.90 could trigger a downside break toward these EMAs, validating bearish risks. Conversely, a high-volume breakout above $3.20 would restore bullish momentum and open targets at $3.46 and $4.47, with analysts eyeing extended rallies to $7.62 if momentum sustains. Traders should monitor volume spikes and price action around $2.90 and $3.20 for clear entry and stop-loss levels.

CoinShares reported Q2 net profit of $32.4 million, up 1.9% year-on-year but down 5.3% quarter-on-quarter. Assets under management (AUM) rose 26% to $3.5 billion, driven by a 29% gain in Bitcoin and a 37% rise in Ethereum prices plus $170 million of net inflows into spot crypto ETPs. Management fees reached $30 million, capital markets income was $11.3 million, and adjusted EBITDA hit $26.3 million. Strategic treasury operations swung from a Q1 loss to $7.8 million in unrealized gains. Additional revenues came from Ethereum staking, delta-neutral trading and lending. CoinShares CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti said a US exchange listing is planned this quarter to tap deeper liquidity and enhance valuations.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing a record 96 crypto ETF filings, highlighting rising institutional interest in digital assets. Solana tops the list with 16 proposals from firms including Invesco and Galaxy. XRP trails closely with 15 applications by ProShares and Franklin Templeton. Additional filings cover Dogecoin, Litecoin, Chainlink, Polkadot, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Cardano, marking the broadest diversification beyond BTC and ETH to date. Demand for regulated crypto ETF structures has pushed asset managers like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust to accumulate over $58 billion, or 3% of total BTC supply, and Ethereum ETF applicants to secure more than $13 billion in potential inflows. Analysts predict a bullish impact on market liquidity and altcoin prices once approvals arrive. ETF expert Nate Geraci anticipates significant price moves for XRP and major altcoins, while James Seyffart calls this the largest wave of crypto ETF filings so far. However, SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw’s ongoing opposition has reduced XRP ETF approval odds to 62%, keeping traders on alert for upcoming SEC rulings.

Tether has launched USDT on Bitcoin using the RGB protocol. The new USDT on Bitcoin enables native stablecoin transactions in Bitcoin wallets and on the Lightning Network for fast, low-cost payments. RGB is an open-source protocol that issues assets directly on Bitcoin via client-side validated smart contracts. It only uses the Bitcoin network for on-chain settlement, keeping state transitions private and off-chain. By issuing USDT on Bitcoin, Tether expands Bitcoin’s utility beyond a store of value to support stablecoins, NFTs and custom tokens, and removes the need for wrapped tokens or bridges. This integration could unlock dollar-denominated payments secured by Bitcoin and boost DeFi, lending and payment use cases on Bitcoin. Some critics argue that RGB is not a true Layer 2 and view the “native” label as marketing. Traders should watch for increased stablecoin demand and network fees as native USDT adoption grows.

Bitcoin Infrastructure Acquisition Corp Ltd, a Cayman-based crypto SPAC, has filed with the SEC to raise $200 million through a Nasdaq IPO under ticker BIXIU. The SPAC will issue 20 million shares at $10 apiece and allows investors to redeem shares if no merger closes within 24 months. Led by ex-Lightning Labs chief Ryan Gentry and CFO James DeAngelis, the blank-check company seeks targets in Web3, blockchain infrastructure, DeFi platforms, wallets, tokenization, and secure custody, focusing on Bitcoin and stablecoin systems. This listing follows recent $575 million raised by two crypto SPACs—CSLM Digital Asset Acquisition Corp III and M3-Brigade Acquisition VI Corp—underscoring strong investor appetite for digital asset ventures.

Hong Kong’s new stablecoin law took effect on August 1, introducing rules on issuance, redemption and custody. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have issued fraud alerts as dozens of firms label products “stablecoins” without real backing to boost valuations. SFC head Ye Zhiheng warned traders against hype-driven decisions and compared unlicensed platforms to “Russian Roulette.” SFC CEO Julia Leung urged due diligence and cautioned against unverified social media claims. HKMA chief Eddie Yue said licensing will be highly selective, with only a few approvals expected despite initial talks with dozens of applicants. Under the stablecoin law, advertising unlicensed stablecoins to retail investors is a criminal offence. In H1 2025, regulators logged 265 virtual asset complaints—mainly fraud, hacking and frozen funds—underscoring the risks. Both authorities pledge to crack down on manipulative practices to balance innovation with investor protection.

CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight has issued a new advisory under the CFTC FBOT Framework, allowing licensed non-US crypto platforms—including Binance, Bybit and OKX—to offer direct market access to US traders. Acting Chair Caroline Pham said the CFTC FBOT Framework restores regulatory clarity, onshoring trading activity previously driven offshore and giving Americans access to deeper global liquidity across both digital and traditional assets. Under the framework, exchanges must meet home jurisdiction licensing and CFTC-comparable standards before serving US clients. The advisory also paves the way for deploying Nasdaq’s advanced surveillance system for real-time fraud detection in derivatives and crypto markets. Following the advisory, Binance Coin (BNB) rallied above $876, nearing its all-time high of $899. This regulatory win is expected to boost US crypto trading volumes, enhance market stability and increase liquidity.

Onchain Lens flagged two major UNI withdrawals: a 315,529 UNI (~$3.55M) move from Binance to a private wallet, followed by a 408,557 UNI (~$4M) transfer on Aug 29. These UNI withdrawals have removed over 724,000 UNI (~$7.55M) from on-exchange liquidity. Large-scale UNI withdrawals often signal strategic accumulation or staking preparation, reducing sell pressure on Binance. Traders should track on-chain UNI withdrawals and wallet flows to monitor liquidity shifts, assess whale activity, and anticipate price catalysts.

Ethereum ETFs have outpaced Bitcoin ETFs for six weeks, drawing $13.6B in inflows and managing $30.17B in assets, according to SoSoValue. Over August 21–27 alone, ETH funds added $1.83B vs $0.17B into Bitcoin ETFs. Spot data from DefiLlama shows Ethereum ETFs outperformed even amid volatility, with -$241M vs -$1.179B for Bitcoin funds in the week of August 18–24. Over the past month, Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $3.7B, while Bitcoin ETFs recorded $803.4M in net outflows. BlackRock’s ETHA leads with $17.19B AUM, compared to $83.54B in its IBIT Bitcoin ETF. ETH rose 7.5% weekly and 19% monthly to trade near $4,600, while BTC dipped 0.4% weekly and 5% monthly, around $113,000. Strong ETF inflows and rising prices highlight growing institutional demand for Ethereum, suggesting continued bullish momentum.

Ethereum futures open interest on the CME reached a new record, exceeding $10 billion as institutional demand intensifies. Micro ETH futures positions topped 500,000 contracts, while ETH options open interest also surpassed $1 billion. US spot Ethereum ETFs pulled in $3.69 billion in August, lifting total ETF inflows to $13.64 billion. BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF added 67,899 ETH ($315 million) on August 25. At the same time, BitMine, led by Tom Lee, holds 1.7 million ETH and plans to buy 4.3 million more to control 5% of the supply. After purchasing 190,000 ETH ($873 million), BitMine’s treasury now stands at $8.8 billion. ETH has risen more than 20% this month, trading around $4,584 and nearing its August 24 high of $4,953. The surge in Ethereum futures open interest and ETF inflows underscores strong institutional backing and could drive further price gains.

Webull has launched commission-free crypto trading in Australia through a partnership with Coinbase Prime. The move brings over 240 digital assets — including BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, BCH and UNI — to the Webull platform with institutional-grade custody and execution services provided by Coinbase Prime. The rollout follows Webull’s US relaunch, which resumed crypto trading after a 2023 pause due to regulatory concerns. Australian users can now trade crypto without commissions, mirroring Webull’s stock trading model. The platform plans to introduce staking and advanced order types later this year. This expansion into Australia marks the first step in Webull’s broader international strategy, with Brazil next on the list. The launch highlights intensifying competition among brokers to meet rising crypto trading demand in the APAC region. It also underscores growing institutional support for digital asset adoption and could boost market liquidity.

Aave Horizon by Aave Labs enables qualified institutions to borrow stablecoins against tokenized real-world assets. Built on Aave Protocol v3.3, Horizon supports USDC, RLUSD and GHO loans collateralized with RWAs such as CLOs, US Treasuries, and tokenizations from Superstate, Circle and Centrifuge. The platform integrates Chainlink NAVLink for on-chain valuations and employs Llama Risk and Chaos Labs for risk oversight. Institutional borrowers receive non-transferable aTokens and liquidity providers can earn yields without permission. Compliance and whitelisting are handled by stablecoin issuers within Horizon’s non-custodial framework. By bridging traditional finance and DeFi, Aave Horizon delivers 24/7 access to efficient on-chain lending markets, unlocking new liquidity channels and revenue streams for Aave DAO, and marking a pivotal move toward institutional DeFi adoption.

Polygon has integrated USDT0 and XAUt0 via LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token framework, marking its eleventh launch of USDT0 and third for XAUt0. This USDT0 integration enables direct, bridge-free transfers on Polygon. In under 12 months, USDT0 recorded $10.5 billion in bridge volume and over 210,000 cross-chain transfers. XAUt0 brings native gold-backed collateral to DeFi, supporting borrowing and hedging strategies. The upgrade retains existing contract addresses, so users take no action. The Polygon USDT0 integration builds on over $1 billion in PoS USDT liquidity, six million wallets, and recent upgrades like AggLayer and the Bhilai Hardfork. Liquidity on Polygon now stands at $1.6 billion for USDT0 and $2.5 million for XAUt0. With low fees, high scalability, and simplified capital flows, Polygon positions itself as a hub for DeFi, payments, and real-world asset applications. The integration supports projects from Fox’s Verify to Warner Music and Starbucks, promising faster, frictionless, institutional-scale transactions across multichain environments.

A recent Aviva survey of 2,000 UK adults highlights the rise of crypto pensions. 27% would consider adding cryptocurrency to their retirement plans, and 23% might withdraw pension funds to invest in digital assets. Younger savers lead the trend: nearly 20% of 25-34-year-olds have already used pension money to buy crypto. Higher return potential drives demand: over 40% cite it as a key motivator. But risk awareness varies: 40% worry about hacking, 37% point to regulatory gaps, and 30% fear volatility, while almost one-third misunderstand the trade-offs and 27% are unaware of any risk. Looking ahead, pension regulation will tighten. From January 2026, HMRC will mandate full KYC on all crypto trades and transfers to strengthen tax oversight. In the US, a new executive order permits 401(k) plans to hold Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, potentially unlocking over $9 trillion in retirement assets. For traders, crypto pensions mark a significant source of potential inflows. Monitor large pension pools, pension regulation shifts, and tax compliance measures—they could reshape market dynamics and uncover new trading opportunities.

Polymarket has named Donald Trump Jr. to its advisory board after 1789 Capital committed tens of millions in funding. The regulated prediction market has processed over $8 billion in bets, including $2.5 billion during the 2024 U.S. election and $6 billion in the first half of 2025. This appointment caps 18 months of talks and follows Polymarket’s $112 million acquisition of QCEX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange. With DOJ and CFTC regulatory clearance secured, Polymarket is poised for a compliant U.S. relaunch. The platform also teamed up with Elon Musk’s X for AI-driven forecasts. Trump Jr.’s role underscores growing institutional interest in blockchain prediction markets, even as he backs other crypto ventures.

Numeraire (NMR) rallied 130% after JPMorgan Asset Management committed $500M in capacity to Numerai’s AI hedge fund. Trading volume jumped above $800M, marking multi-month highs. The allocation could boost the fund’s assets under management from $450M to $950M. Numerai delivered a 25.45% net return in 2024, sustained 15 consecutive months of positive performance and achieved a Sharpe ratio near 2.75. Numeraire powers a crowdsourced AI model network where data scientists stake NMR on stock predictions. Accurate forecasts earn rewards while incorrect models burn tokens. A $1M buyback program and a fixed 11M token supply reinforce token economics. Backed by Paul Tudor Jones, Numerai is drawing Wall Street’s interest in AI-driven crypto finance. High RSI readings above 80 signal overbought conditions but underscore rising institutional demand.

Kristin Johnson, the only Democratic commissioner at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will resign on Sept. 3, two years before her term ends. Her departure, following exits of former Chair Rostin Behnam and fellow commissioners, leaves only Acting Chair Caroline Pham in office. Johnson championed initiatives in cyber threat evaluation, AI market integration and stronger crypto regulation, urging clear digital asset oversight frameworks that balance innovation with responsibility. The stalled quorum and delayed Senate confirmation of Brian Quintenz as permanent chair risk slowing CFTC crypto rulemaking and enforcement. Such CFTC crypto rulemaking delays could leave digital asset firms in regulatory limbo. Traders should monitor potential delays in digital asset regulation and rulemaking amid continued leadership uncertainty.

Crypto trader “White Whale” has increased the MEXC bounty to $2.5 million after the exchange froze $3.1 million of his assets and demanded in-person KYC in Malaysia. He launched the social media #FreeTheWhiteWhale campaign to pressure MEXC to release funds. The bounty now includes $250,000 for minting a free Base network NFT tagged #FreeTheWhiteWhale and another $250,000 for charity donations. The trader alleges MEXC breached its own terms by imposing offline identity checks. MEXC defends the asset freeze and 365-day review as standard risk control for high-risk accounts. Another user, Pablo Ruiz, reports $2.08 million USDT frozen under similar conditions. The dispute underscores the risks of account freeze and opaque KYC policies on centralized exchanges. Crypto traders may become wary of similar compliance requirements in future.

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Go in India at ₹399 per month, offering users 10× higher message limits, image generations and file uploads than the free tier. ChatGPT Go now supports India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for all subscriptions—Go, Plus and Pro—enabling payments in INR via a popular digital payment system. This integration removes barriers for millions without credit cards and taps into India’s 491 million UPI users. India is ChatGPT’s second-largest market. CEO Sam Altman confirmed plans for a New Delhi office and local team. Facing competition from Google Gemini and Perplexity AI, OpenAI aims to drive AI subscription growth and accelerate local market adoption with this local payment integration.