Crypto Briefs — Friday, September 25, 2026
The Federal Reserve has issued proposed regulations implementing the GENIUS Act for stablecoin governance, marking a significant step toward comprehensive U.S. digital asset oversight. Separately, crypto exchange Bitget halted withdrawals after detecting approximately $352 million in suspected unauthorized transfers, raising questions about exchange security protocols. Meanwhile, regulatory attention continues to shift toward privacy protections, with outgoing SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce advocating for privacy-preserving technologies in the crypto sector, and the EU warning of near-term quantum computing threats to current encryption standards.
Federal Reserve proposes rules implementing GENIUS Act for stablecoins
The U.S. Federal Reserve has issued proposed regulations to implement the GENIUS Act, legislation passed last year that governs stablecoins. The proposals include specific rules addressing stablecoin yield programs, marking a key step in establishing federal frameworks for digital asset regulation.
Bitget Halts Withdrawals After $352M Suspected Unauthorized Transfer
Crypto exchange Bitget detected unauthorized transfers totaling nearly $352 million from its wallets and temporarily halted withdrawals in response. The exchange identified the suspicious activity and moved to contain potential losses, though details on the breach mechanism and user impact remain limited from the single-source report.
Evercrest Files Civil Claim Against LayerZero Labs and CEO Pellegrino
Evercrest, identified by LayerZero Labs CEO as KelpDAO, has filed a British Columbia civil claim against LayerZero and CEO Ryan Pellegrino. Pellegrino disputed the claim as meritless and stated he would defend it in Vancouver court. The nature of the dispute was not specified in the source.
SEC Commissioner Peirce Calls for Privacy-Preserving Crypto Tech
Outgoing SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce criticized how regulators collect and handle cryptocurrency users' data, advocating for privacy-preserving technologies. Peirce, known as 'Crypto Mom' for her crypto-friendly positions, addressed concerns about regulatory surveillance of the crypto sector.
US May Fund Foreign Stablecoin Ventures to Protect Dollar Status
According to Decrypt, Washington is considering funding private stablecoin projects in foreign markets as a strategic tool to maintain the dollar's reserve currency status and sustain demand for Treasury securities. The move reflects US policy interest in leveraging stablecoin infrastructure for geopolitical and financial objectives rather than purely regulatory oversight.
Lightning Labs discloses critical bug in invoice handling
Lightning Labs revealed a critical vulnerability in older versions of its software that could mark canceled invoices as paid, potentially causing merchants to deliver products without receiving payment. The company released fixes for the tapd and lnd components in 2025, addressing the flaw that could mislead payment verification systems.
Bitcoin Options Expiry at $15B as Traders Anticipate $100K Move
Bitcoin traders are positioned bullishly ahead of a $15 billion options expiry on Friday, with net long positioning suggesting market participants expect price appreciation toward the $100,000 level. The concentration of bullish bets ahead of the expiry date indicates trader sentiment is tilted toward higher prices in the near term.
Santiago Capital's Johnson calls Bitcoin best 'pure play' for rising liquidity
Brent Johnson of Santiago Capital argues that Bitcoin functions as the optimal pure-play asset for capturing gains from increasing global liquidity, according to Bitcoin Magazine. Johnson discusses Bitcoin's role alongside digital assets and stablecoins as durable investment vehicles.
Mint.io Launches Connected Web3 Gaming Economy with MNTD Rewards
Mint.io has opened its Web3 player economy across its web platform, integrating games, XP, leaderboards, and rewards ahead of planned MNTD token activation. The platform was designed with token mechanics from inception to support cross-game progression and incentive systems.
Hedera's IDTrust joins IBM Cloud Catalog for AI agents
Hedera-based identity platform IDTrust has been added to IBM Cloud Catalog, enabling enterprises to issue and verify digital identities for AI agents, devices, and people. The integration expands distribution channels for verifiable identity solutions built on the Hedera network.
Optimism Superchain TVL Crosses $14 Billion Milestone
Optimism announced that aggregate total value locked across its Superchain ecosystem has exceeded $14 billion, combining multiple OP Stack networks including Base and World Chain rather than measuring OP Mainnet alone. The metric reflects the growing economic scale of interconnected Layer 2 deployments, though users still experience separate chains and bridges; Optimism is developing shared proofs and cross-chain messaging to increase interoperability between these networks.
Cosmos Network Halts to Recover $2.2M in Stolen ATOM
Cosmos Hub was restarted to seize approximately $2.2 million in stolen ATOM tokens, but around 169,000 tokens escaped the recovery effort. The network-wide pause affected unrelated users, while recovered funds from Neutron-linked accounts now sit in a validator multisig wallet pending further action.
Ethereum Draft Proposes Compliance Controls for Confidential RWA Tokens
An Ethereum draft proposal outlines a framework for real-world asset tokens that keeps transaction amounts confidential while preserving issuer enforcement capabilities. The design aims to address institutional requirements for privacy and regulatory compliance in permissioned network environments, potentially broadening RWA adoption among traditional finance participants.
Litecoin Network Activity Surges, Token Gains Momentum
Litecoin experienced increased network activity on Sept. 24, 2026, according to CoinDesk reporting. The surge in on-chain activity corresponded with price movement for the token, though specific metrics and price data were not detailed in the available source material.
Block Merges Bitcoin Lightning Into x402 Payment Standard
Block has merged the Lightning payment specification into the x402 standard repository, advancing interoperability between Bitcoin's Layer 2 solution and the broader payment protocol. A Python implementation of the integration remains under review pending real-node testing, according to The Defiant.
Bitcoin Researchers Propose Shielded Transfer System Without Consensus Changes
Researchers Clara Shikhelman, Mikhail Komarov, and Aleksei Moskvin published a September 24 paper introducing Shielded Bitcoin, a metaprotocol enabling private transfers on the Bitcoin network without soft forks or consensus rule changes. The system would conceal transaction amounts, senders, recipients, and transfer linkage using Zcash-style shielding.
Cardano Governance Approves New Treasury Funding Allocations
Cardano's onchain governance process has approved new treasury allocations for ecosystem and infrastructure projects, with funding to be released in stages tied to project milestones. The approval reflects the network's transition to the Voltaire-era governance model, which distributes decision-making authority rather than concentrating it within the Cardano Foundation.
Tokenized-Stock Holders Hit 4.3M, BNB Chain Leads
Tokenized-stock holder count has reached 4.3 million across chains, with BNB Chain leading, followed by Robinhood Chain at 1.3 million and Solana at 997,000, according to Token Terminal data. The metric tracks token balances rather than unique individual investors.
Bitcoin Declines as U.S. Bond Yields Remain Elevated
Bitcoin extended losses Thursday as U.S. bond yields held near elevated levels following a sharp Wednesday surge that triggered a selloff across risk assets. The correlation between crypto markets and fixed-income volatility continues to influence short-term price action.
Traders Price in 4 Fed Rate Hikes Through June 2027
Market participants are pricing in four Federal Reserve rate hikes by June 2027, the most likely scenario according to CoinDesk reporting. Rising bond yields and a stronger dollar are pressuring bitcoin below $83,000 and weighing on gold prices, reflecting broader macroeconomic headwinds affecting risk assets.
EU warns Q-Day crypto threat may arrive before quantum computers mature
The European Union has warned that Q-Day—the moment when quantum computers could break current encryption—could occur before quantum systems become commercially viable, threatening digital security infrastructure. EU member states have until end of 2026 to develop contingency plans for the cryptographic transition, according to the warning.
Chainalysis: Crypto Activity Fell 1.6% Despite $2.1T Market Drop
Chainalysis reports that global crypto economic activity declined only 1.6% to $9.4 trillion in the 12 months ended June 30, 2026, despite the market losing approximately $2.1 trillion in capitalization. Domestic peer-to-peer transfers surged 302.9% to $228.7 billion and cross-border stablecoin flows climbed 77.5% to $220.3 billion, while inflows to centralized services fell 4.3%, suggesting that stablecoins have decoupled transaction utility from price volatility.
Bitcoin Shows Long-Term Resilience to Rising Bond Yields
CoinDesk analysis finds bitcoin exhibits minimal correlation with rising bond yields over extended periods, though short-term bond market volatility may temporarily suppress crypto sentiment. The report suggests that while macro headwinds can create near-term price pressure, bitcoin's long-term trajectory remains independent of Treasury yield movements.
Two XRPL Pools Generate $2.8B Volume in Just 185 Trades
Two obscure liquidity pools on the XRP Ledger generated $2.8 billion in reported volume through only 185 trades, both pools trading issued tokens. CryptoSlate notes the feed does not disclose how each trade was valued, raising questions about the legitimacy of the volume figures.
Binance UNI reserves hit 71.6M as token reaches six-month peak
Binance's Uniswap (UNI) reserves have grown to 71,584,353 tokens, coinciding with UNI trading at six-month highs. The exchange's increased holdings and elevated trading activity suggest strategic positioning, though the underlying drivers of price movement and reserve accumulation remain unspecified.
Bitcoin Whales Accumulate as Large Holders Drive Rally
Bitcoin rallied as whale accumulation intensified, with the CryptoPotato analysis noting that large holders bought during recent dips and continued purchasing as price recovered. The report also attributes meaningful upward pressure to emerging Wall Street institutional participation in the current advance.
XRP Falls Below $1.60 as Bitcoin Slips Under $84K
XRP experienced a sharp decline after failing to break above the $1.60 resistance level, while Bitcoin dropped below $84,000. Zcash, Dogecoin, and Hype were among the major losers in the broader cryptocurrency market downturn.
Brazil Imposes $10K Crypto Self-Custody Reporting Rule
Brazil's financial regulator will require covered institutions to report self-custody cryptocurrency transfers exceeding $10,000 to Coaf (Financial Activities Task Force) starting October 1 under Resolution 588. The rule aims to enhance anti-money laundering oversight of digital asset transfers.
SEC's Peirce backs zero-knowledge proofs for KYC
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce advocated for regulators to adopt zero-knowledge proofs as a method to minimize personal data collection in know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering compliance processes. The proposal aligns privacy-preserving cryptography with regulatory requirements, potentially reducing the scope of customer information that financial institutions must retain.
Sui Testnet v1.80.1 Deploys Protocol 137 With Dev-Focused Changes
Mysten Labs released Sui testnet v1.80.1 featuring protocol version 137, which includes updates to cryptographic verification, GraphQL subscriptions, and archival services. The changes—including cheaper Ristretto255 range proofs and broader package-query support—target developers building wallets and indexers rather than general users. The release is testnet-only and should not be treated as a mainnet upgrade.
OKX Tightens European Institutional Trading Guidance Under MiCA
OKX has updated compliance guidance for institutional users in the European Economic Area to align with MiCA regulations, affecting stablecoin and fiat trading access. The changes reflect how exchanges are implementing granular compliance at the product level rather than platform-wide, with institutional account eligibility and asset availability now tied to specific regulatory classifications and jurisdictions.
Neutron DAO Proposal Passes as $9.3M in Crypto Goes Missing
Neutron DAO passed Proposal #9 on September 22, coinciding with security incidents at protocols Astroport and Drop that resulted in approximately $9.3 million in missing cryptocurrency, according to SlowMist analysis. The total amount remaining unrecovered is unclear, and the connection between the proposal passage and the incidents requires further investigation.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce To Leave for Regent Law Role
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce announced her departure from the agency in November 2026 to join Regent University School of Law as an associate professor. Peirce has been a prominent voice on cryptocurrency regulation within the SEC, known for her more favorable stance toward digital assets compared to some colleagues.
Hyperliquid Strategies buys $45.8M HYPE amid whale selling pressure
Hyperliquid Strategies purchased 494,200 HYPE tokens valued at $45.8 million, continuing treasury accumulation efforts. The purchase occurs as large token holders move millions of HYPE toward potential sale, according to Lookonchain monitoring.
Ondo Launches BlackRock Portfolio Strategies for Non-US Traders
Ondo has unlocked access to BlackRock portfolio allocation strategies through tokenized securities, though the offering is restricted to non-US traders. BlackRock supplies the underlying allocations while Ondo issues the securities and manages onboarding for direct minting and redemption.
Bitcoin Sees Largest Single-Day Binance Outflow Since 2023
More than 13,800 BTC withdrew from Binance in a single day, marking the largest outflow since 2023, as bitcoin held above $84,000 following a recent rally. CryptoQuant analyst Darkfrost attributed the withdrawals to market dynamics, with the large exodus potentially signaling investor repositioning or self-custody preference amid price strength.
Bitget CEO: $352M hack exploited spoofed transfers, not key theft
Bitget CEO Gray Chen attributed the exchange's $351.6 million loss to attackers who compromised a wallet backend and spoofed transaction data, rather than stealing private keys. The disclosure clarifies the attack vector behind one of crypto's largest exchange breaches this year.
Tether says EQIBank exposure below 0.034% after U.S. seizure
Tether disclosed that its exposure to EQIBank represents less than 0.034% of its total assets, as the offshore bank faces a U.S. forfeiture action involving $84.2 million. The disclosure appears to address investor concerns about potential losses from the bank's legal troubles.
Bitcoin Options Expiry: $16B in Contracts Due Today
CryptoPotato reports $16 billion in Bitcoin options expire today, with traders constructing butterfly spread positions betting on Bitcoin reaching $95,000 by end-October. The article examines potential market volatility around the expiry event and notes speculative positioning in longer-dated contracts.
Hut 8 Wins $140M Auction for Poolin's Texas Data Centers
Hut 8 emerged as the winning bidder for two Texas data-center sites owned by bankrupt mining company Poolin with a $140 million offer, nearly triple the $52 million stalking-horse opening bid. The Pyote and Tarbush campuses faced competition from DigiPower X and Fluidstack-backed Pecos Industrial Development. Bankruptcy court approval is required at a September 29 hearing before the transaction closes. Hut 8 is expanding beyond Bitcoin mining into broader data-center and AI infrastructure, with power access as a critical asset.
Franklin Templeton Files Bitcoin DRIP ETF Application
Franklin Templeton has filed for Bitcoin DRIP ETFs designed to automatically reinvest stock dividend income into Bitcoin exposure. The products remain in filing status and are not yet available to investors. The filing represents an attempt to blend traditional dividend-reinvestment mechanics with cryptocurrency asset exposure.
Taiko Bridge Exploit Reports Put Layer-2 Security in Focus
Reports indicate Taiko, an Ethereum layer-2 network, experienced a bridge-related exploit resulting in $1.7 million in losses tied to verification issues. The incident has renewed scrutiny on security practices across Ethereum L2 solutions.
Altura Winds Down Stablecoin Vault After msUSD Depeg
Altura is shutting down its stablecoin vault following significant withdrawal pressure triggered by panic surrounding MainStreet's msUSD stablecoin depeg. The move reflects contagion risk across interconnected stablecoin and liquidity protocols in the crypto ecosystem.
Texas Brothers Plead Guilty in $8M Crypto Kidnapping Case
Two Texas brothers pleaded guilty in federal court for an armed kidnapping and $8 million cryptocurrency theft in Minnesota. The case represents a significant criminal prosecution involving digital assets, highlighting law enforcement's capacity to pursue and prosecute crypto-related violent crimes.
CZ Proposes Freezing Unmoved Satoshi Bitcoin Post-Quantum Migration
Binance founder CZ has suggested that legacy Bitcoin held by early miners like Satoshi Nakamoto could be frozen after a future quantum-resistant migration window to prevent theft by quantum computers. The proposal has sparked community debate over balancing security against the principle of immutable ledger and users' property rights.
US Treasury yield hits 5.2% amid stalled crypto bill
The US 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.2% during trading, potentially threatening recent cryptocurrency gains as the Federal Reserve may pursue additional rate hikes. A major US digital asset bill remains stalled, adding uncertainty to the regulatory environment for crypto markets.
Re7 Labs Opens $223K USDC Compensation for USR Exploit Victims
Re7 Labs established a 223,000 USDC compensation pool for wallets affected by March's Resolv Labs USR stablecoin exploit. The payout follows Gauntlet's earlier 4.37 million USDC compensation pool, with Re7 Labs now publishing claim mechanics for affected users.
Magic Eden Reports Possible NFT Exploit; Thousands Transferred for 0 ETH
Magic Eden faced reports of a potential contract exploit after thousands of NFTs were sold for 0 ETH in unusual transactions. One account involved claimed the transfers were part of a whitehat operation, though the full scope and legitimacy of the activity remained unclear at publication.
WSJ: $1.9M in Fake Bets Inflated Polymarket Influencer Videos
A Wall Street Journal investigation found approximately $1.9 million in fraudulent bets featured across 1,100+ creator videos promoting Polymarket, part of a paid influencer scheme involving fake trades on dummy platform versions. The discovery raises questions about promotional practices in the prediction market space.
Ethereum ETFs Post $66M Inflows Over 5 Days
Ethereum traded near $2,667 as spot ETFs recorded $66 million in inflows over five consecutive days. Technical analysts note $2,540 as a key support level, with positive Bollinger Band positioning and leverage risks shaping the path toward a potential $3,000 target.
Ethereum Outflows From Exchanges Accelerate Amid Price Consolidation
Ethereum holdings on centralized exchanges have declined significantly, indicating sustained investor withdrawal despite recent price momentum loss. The outflows suggest long-term holding behavior among ETH investors even as near-term trading activity has cooled.
Solana DEX Volume Spike Linked to Circular Bot Trading
Bitquery analysis reveals that recent Solana decentralized exchange volume spikes include repeated round-trip trades executed by automated bots, suggesting inflated activity metrics. The investigation identifies circular trading patterns but does not yet quantify available liquidity for independent traders.
Payy Bridge Exploit Drains Funds, Freezes Crypto Cards
Payy's bridge was exploited and drained, resulting in the freezing of its crypto card offerings. The company has not disclosed the extent of customer losses from the incident. The exploit raises questions about the security of Payy's infrastructure and the status of user funds held on the platform.
Asia Moves to Build Infrastructure for Tokenized Capital Markets
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev has predicted a "tokenisation supercycle" involving trillions of dollars in real-world assets moving on-chain as capital markets digitize. Asian regulators are reportedly establishing legal and market infrastructure to support this shift toward blockchain-based securities and asset settlement.
Kraken Offers Tokenized Oura IPO Access via xStocks
Oura, maker of the Oura Ring health tracker, is listing on Nasdaq under ticker OURA with an indicated price range of $40–$44 per share. Eligible Kraken customers can submit non-binding interest through xStocks and receive OURAx, a 1:1 tokenized representation of Oura equity, on listing day; OURAx will trade on Kraken and participating xStocks Alliance platforms.
Samourai Wallet Co-founder Faces Prison Transfer After Program Closure
Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of privacy-focused Samourai Wallet, faces another prison transfer after FCI McKean deactivated a treatment program he was enrolled in. Rodriguez had recently completed a 30-day ordeal at the facility, and the program closure now necessitates his relocation within the federal prison system.
Solana Upgrade Targeting 150ms Finality Enters Public Testnet
Solana has launched a network upgrade targeting 150-millisecond finality on its public testnet. The upgrade represents a long-awaited development aimed at improving the blockchain's transaction speed and performance characteristics.
CFTC Updates Guidance on Crypto as Derivatives Collateral
The CFTC has issued updated guidance on tokenized customer-fund investments and blockchain record-keeping, refocusing attention on existing rules permitting futures intermediaries to accept cryptocurrency as margin collateral. The article examines the cascading effects triggered when collateral tokens decline in value.
Fed Drafts Stablecoin Issuance Rules for Banks and Subsidiaries
The Federal Reserve released two proposals on September 24 outlining requirements for stablecoin issuance. One proposal establishes terms for insured state member banks to seek approval for stablecoin subsidiaries, while the other governs issuer qualification. The rules detail asset backing and operational standards for dollar-pegged tokens.
Bitcoin Long-Term Holders Realize 72% Gains Amid Profit-Taking
Bitcoin long-term holders have realized profits of 72%, according to CryptoQuant analysis. Exchange reserves and open interest have declined, though CryptoQuant notes the market recovery remains unconfirmed, suggesting uncertainty about whether profit-taking will trigger a broader selloff.
Sequans Communications Completes Bitcoin Treasury Exit
Sequans Communications has sold its final 314 Bitcoin, completing a full exit from its corporate treasury holdings. The company's strategic divestment reflects a broader corporate trend away from speculative cryptocurrency investments toward financial stability measures.
PayPal's PYUSD stablecoin expands to 70 new markets
PayPal expanded its PYUSD stablecoin to 70 additional markets globally, according to Crypto Briefing. The expansion is positioned to reduce remittance costs and settlement times, potentially disrupting traditional financial infrastructure in those regions.
US Seizes Capstone Bank Accounts Over Alleged Tether, Bitfinex Transfers
U.S. authorities seized Capstone's bank accounts amid allegations of illegal transfers connected to Tether and Bitfinex. The action underscores risks in crypto-banking partnerships and may discourage smaller banks from working with digital-asset firms, according to Crypto Briefing.
NEAR Rallies on Bitwise ETF Approval, Trades Near $5
NEAR token rallied to trade near $4.96 following NYSE Arca's approval of Bitwise's NEAR ETF listing. The price action reflects combined momentum from the exchange-traded product launch and existing staking initiatives, though technical indicators suggest stretched conditions ahead.
Switchboard Oracle Support Ends on Solana; Migration Questions Remain
Switchboard, a Solana oracle provider, is ending support on September 25, requiring applications using its price feeds to migrate to alternatives. Current public documentation shows which applications depend on Switchboard data, but it remains unclear how many live markets have completed the transition before the deadline.
Ripple CEO: XRP May Cede Payment Flows to Stablecoins
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse acknowledged that XRP may not be optimal for all cross-border payment use cases, conceding that stablecoins could better serve certain customer needs. The statement reflects a shift in positioning as the company navigates competition in the payments space and regulatory uncertainty around cryptocurrencies.
Ethena Expands USDe Backing Strategy to Tokenized Equities
Ethena has extended its basis trading strategy for USDe stablecoin backing to include tokenized U.S. equities and equity perpetual futures, moving beyond cryptocurrency-only funding models into traditional stock markets. The protocol now diversifies collateral funding across both crypto and equity derivatives.
Kazakhstan Permits Crypto Miners to Use Flared Oil Field Gas
Kazakhstan has approved crypto miners' use of excess gas from oil fields for power generation, addressing energy waste through flaring. The policy aims to reduce emissions while supporting the country's mining sector competitiveness.
Bitcoin Holders Cash Out Differently Than Previous Market Peaks
CoinDesk reports that Bitcoin holders are liquidating positions ahead of a potential market top, but the methods and patterns differ from prior bull-cycle peaks. The shift reflects evolving market infrastructure and holder behavior as the asset matures.
Bond Volatility Spikes to March Highs as Bitcoin, Stocks Stay Calm
Bond market volatility has reached its highest level since March, while cryptocurrency and equity volatility indexes remain near yearly lows. The divergence suggests different risk assessments across asset classes, with traditional bonds facing elevated uncertainty despite relative calm in bitcoin and stock markets.
Whitehats recover $5.7M in NFTs after Limit Break exploit
Whitehats recovered $5.7 million in NFTs following an exploit of Limit Break's payment processor. The incident underscores the importance of security infrastructure in blockchain systems to mitigate financial losses from vulnerabilities.
CoinMarketCap acquires CoinGlass for derivatives analytics
CoinMarketCap has acquired CoinGlass, a crypto derivatives data provider, to expand its analytics capabilities. The move is intended to strengthen CoinMarketCap's competitive position in the crypto data market by integrating derivatives insights into its existing platform.
Travala Establishes Permanent AVA Reserve, Doubles Monthly Buybacks
Travala announced creation of a permanent strategic reserve for its AVA token and committed to matching AVA Foundation monthly open-market buybacks, effectively doubling purchase volume each cycle. The company stated that tokens placed in the reserve will not be sold or transferred, representing a balance-sheet commitment to token supply management.
Peirce Urges SEC to Address KYC Data Collection Before Stablecoin Rules Expand
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has called for ending what she characterizes as KYC "honeypots"—concentrated stores of customer identifying information—before proposed stablecoin regulations create additional ones. Peirce argues that direct stablecoin issuers should collect customer data conditionally rather than mandatorily, and that reliance on institutional intermediaries should remain an option to reduce centralized identity repositories.
KuCoin Launches 20x Leverage Moonshot AI Pre-IPO Perpetual
KuCoin has listed MOONSHOTUSDT, a perpetual futures contract linked to Beijing Moonshot AI Technology with up to 20x leverage and 24/7 trading, settling in USDT. The contract is a synthetic derivative tracking the company rather than direct share ownership or IPO allocation.
MultiversX Restarts Mainnet After Exploit; Kraken Halts EGLD Trading
MultiversX resumed mainnet block production on September 24 following an exploit-triggered halt, but major exchange Kraken maintained restrictions on EGLD trading, allowing only cancellations while pausing deposits and withdrawals. The network outage and continued exchange restrictions highlight ongoing recovery efforts and custodian caution in the wake of the security incident.
Altcoins surge while Bitcoin consolidates near $84K
Altcoins rallied broadly with 93 of 100 CoinDesk 100 constituents rising, while Quant jumped 39% over 24 hours. The altcoin season index reached its highest level in more than three months as Bitcoin held near $84,000.
Toshiba joins 26-firm Japanese EJPY stablecoin trial
Japan launched a six-month pilot program with 26 participants including Toshiba, financial institutions, and local government bodies to test EJPY and other yen stablecoins in payments, remittances, and related use cases. The initiative represents an expansion of Japan's effort to integrate stablecoins into commercial infrastructure.
KuCoin Launches Tokenized Stock Trading for Apple, Robinhood, SpaceX
KuCoin has added spot trading for tokenized representations of Apple, Robinhood, Strategy, and SpaceX stocks issued on Solana, with each token collateralized 1:1 by underlying assets held with a regulated custodian. The xStocks offering is restricted by jurisdiction, excluding the United States and United Kingdom among others.
Morpho Faces Risk Curation Model Sustainability Challenges
Morpho protocol has disclosed structural vulnerabilities in its risk curation business model, including dependence on offchain revenue streams and concentration risk among curators. The DeFi lending protocol's reliance on these mechanisms could undermine long-term sustainability and competitive positioning in the crowded lending market.
Zest Protocol Enables Bitcoin Collateral for Ethereum USDC Loans
Zest Protocol launched a mainnet demo allowing users to collateralize native Bitcoin on the Bitcoin network to borrow USDC on Ethereum without wrapping or bridging assets. Bitcoin remains in self-custodial Taproot vaults during the process. The current demo limits collateral to 0.001 BTC per wallet and represents an early-stage release ahead of full production launch.
Morgan Stanley Joins NEXTPredict Prediction Market Platform
Morgan Stanley has joined NEXTPredict, a prediction market platform, as the sector bets on attracting institutional traders. Prediction markets remain dominated by sports betting, though valuations increasingly hinge on anticipated institutional adoption and broader market participation.
BlackRock Expands Tokenization Efforts Through Ondo Partnership
BlackRock is deepening its involvement in blockchain-based tokenization of financial products, according to Decrypt. The move reflects a broader trend of major financial institutions accelerating their onchain product offerings. Details of the specific partnership scope were not disclosed in the brief announcement.
Mitchell Askew: 15M Inactive BTC Signals Seller Exhaustion
Bitcoin Magazine reports analyst Mitchell Askew's interpretation of on-chain data showing approximately 15 million BTC in long-term inactive supply, which he argues indicates seller exhaustion despite macroeconomic headwinds. Askew uses this metric to explain Bitcoin's recent rally and suggests limited selling pressure from long-term holders.
Bitget's $352M Hack Could Deplete 76% of Protection Fund
Bitget faces a reported $352 million hack linked to North Korean actors, which would consume 76% of its $464 million protection fund if fully covered, leaving reserves at $112 million below the exchange's stated minimum threshold. The incident poses questions about the sufficiency of Bitget's user protection mechanisms and recovery capacity.
Bitcoin ETFs Swing to $800M Net Inflows After July Outflow Trough
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have reversed a $5.8 billion net outflow deficit recorded in July to post $800 million in net inflows year-to-date. The reversal marks a significant shift in investor sentiment toward bitcoin-linked ETF products following the summer selloff.
Polygon payment channels reach 11M updates per second in test
Polygon Labs announced a test of an agent payment system that processed over 11 million verified payment updates per second across 25 hubs while maintaining final settlement on Polygon Chain. The benchmark demonstrates the scaling potential of agent pay channels, a layer-two infrastructure design for off-chain transaction processing.
Researchers Propose Zcash-Style Privacy Layer for Bitcoin
Researchers have published a specification for Shielded Bitcoin, a design that would hide transaction senders, receivers, and amounts on the Bitcoin network using privacy mechanisms similar to Zcash. The proposal defers technical details on how bitcoin would enter and exit the privacy layer to a forthcoming paper.
Altcoins Outperform Bitcoin After BTC Rejected at $87K
Multiple altcoins including XRP, SOL, ADA, LINK, DOGE, and NEAR posted larger weekly gains than Bitcoin following BTC's rejection near $87,000. The moves suggest a shift in market momentum away from Bitcoin dominance toward alternative tokens.
Crypto.com Files CFTC Application for U.S. Equity Perpetuals
Crypto.com has filed with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to offer single-stock perpetual contracts, joining Coinbase and Kalshi in seeking regulatory approval for equity derivatives in the American market. CRO token rose 6% following the filing announcement.
Aave Enables Coinbase Stock Tokens as Collateral on Base
Aave has launched a dedicated V4 market on Base chain allowing users to borrow USDC against seven tokenized Coinbase stocks, with a borrowing cap of 21 million USDC. Access is restricted to eligible non-US investors, marking an expansion of real-world asset integration into the lending protocol.
US crypto ETFs attract $3B in weekly inflows, diversifying beyond Bitcoin
US spot crypto ETFs recorded $3.04 billion in combined net inflows from Monday through Thursday, with nearly $800 million flowing into non-Bitcoin products including Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Zcash, according to SoSoValue data. Bitcoin remained the dominant destination for inflows during the period.
Circle Foundation funds UN stablecoin payment trials
Circle Foundation announced grants to the UN Development Programme and World Food Programme to pilot stablecoin payments for development and humanitarian aid delivery. The initiative, announced September 25, aims to test digital payment infrastructure for international aid operations.
Survey: 20% of US Crypto Investors Uncertain About 1099-DA Tax Forms
An August survey by Awaken Tax found that approximately one in five US crypto investors who filed or planned to file a tax extension received incomplete 1099-DA forms or were unsure if the forms matched their actual trades. The finding highlights compliance challenges as the IRS 1099-DA reporting requirement comes into force for cryptocurrency transactions.
CFTC Advances Crypto Regulations; SoFi and Mastercard Launch Stablecoin Settlement
The CFTC is advancing cryptocurrency regulations while SoFi and Mastercard have launched a stablecoin settlement service, signaling moves toward regulatory clarity and mainstream adoption. The developments come amid legal challenges reflecting ongoing market tensions in the crypto sector.
Streamflow Burns 70% of STREAM Token Supply in Single Transaction
Streamflow Foundation executed an on-chain burn of 699.99 million STREAM tokens, reducing total supply from approximately 1 billion to 300 million tokens. The foundation stated that product operations, vesting schedules, staking, and airdrop services remain unchanged following the supply reduction.
Tether Says EQIBank Exposure Below 0.034% of Group Assets
Tether disclosed that its exposure to EQIBank, a seized institution, represents less than 0.034% of the stablecoin issuer's total group assets, according to a federal court order listing $79.1 million in seizures. The minimal exposure figure appears designed to reassure markets about Tether's financial resilience amid regulatory scrutiny of the company's reserve composition.
Bitcoin tests $83K support amid options expiry, yield pressures
Bitcoin fell to approximately $83,450 on September 25 after declining from a weekly high above $87,000, consolidating into a narrower trading range. The pullback coincides with quarterly options expiry and elevated U.S. Treasury yields, creating headwinds for price momentum according to technical analysis.
XRP price target of $2.38 carries downside risk to $1.18, analysts say
CryptoSlate reports that while XRP shows bullish market signals supporting a $2.38 price target, analysts identify potential crash risk down to $1.18. The analysis cites a $1.63 median price level and notes that adoption rates and macroeconomic conditions remain key test points for the token's direction.
Jumper schedules JUMP token sale on Legion for late September
Jumper announced a three-day JUMP token sale on Legion platform beginning Sep. 29 at 13:00 UTC and closing Oct. 2 at the same time. The announcement detailed eligibility criteria for participating investors in the offering.
Coinbase's tokenized US stocks on Base reach $22M market cap
Coinbase's tokenized US stocks on the Base blockchain have reached a $22 million market capitalization, according to Crypto Briefing. The development represents an expansion of traditional finance assets into decentralized finance, widening the use cases available on the Base ecosystem.
Bitget halts withdrawals following $351M security breach
Bitget suspended withdrawals after a $351 million hack, with the CEO stating that user funds remain secure. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges at centralized exchanges and may impact market confidence in the platform.
Bitcoin Rally Pauses Ahead of $15.6B Options Expiry
Bitcoin's rally has slowed as $15.6 billion in options contracts expire, according to Decrypt's technical analysis. XRP and Solana meanwhile continued climbing, suggesting divergence across major cryptocurrencies. The article examines chart patterns to assess whether the move represents a pullback or potential reversal.
Magic Eden Alerts Users to Payment Processor Exploit Risk
Magic Eden issued a warning about a vulnerability in Limit Break's Payment Processor V2 that exposed older Ethereum NFT listings on its platform. A whitehat actor rescued over 23,000 NFTs affected by the flaw, preventing potential losses from the exploit.
Circle, Tether Freeze $318K in Stablecoins After Bitget Hack
Circle and Tether blacklisted a wallet holding approximately $318,000 in USDT and USDC following a major Bitget cryptocurrency heist. The majority of stolen funds remain in ether, which cannot be frozen through stablecoin issuer intervention, limiting the effectiveness of the freeze action.
STRC Strategy Proposes Daily Dividends to Boost Coin Price
A strategy proposal aims to restore STRC toward its $100 target through daily dividend distributions, following months below that level despite a 12% dividend rate and approximately $1 billion in preferred share buybacks. The move indicates existing incentive mechanisms have not sufficiently driven price recovery.
Bitget hacker converts $351.6M USDC to ETH, Circle freeze policy scrutinized
Following a Bitget breach valued at approximately $351.6 million, the attacker has swapped stolen USDC into ETH, prompting renewed scrutiny of Circle's freeze policies for stolen assets. Security researcher Taylor Monahan documented the attacker's activity, raising questions about Circle's criteria and timing for freezing funds connected to exchange breaches.
Forward Industries raises $25M via stock offering to buy Solana
Forward Industries agreed to sell 3.125 million shares at $8 per share in a registered direct offering expected to raise approximately $25 million before fees. The company stated it intends to use the net proceeds to acquire additional SOL tokens for its corporate treasury.
Magic Eden NFT Approvals Pose Risk After Whitehat Moves 3,832 NFTs
A whitehat actor moved 3,832 NFTs from Magic Eden after discovering that processor permissions persisted following the EVM marketplace's closure, according to Revoke.cash. The incident highlights lingering security risks from unrevoked smart contract approvals, though the full extent of potential malicious losses remains unclear.
Ethereum Foundation CSA Outlines MEV, Privacy, Compensation Plans
Aerugo, Ethereum Foundation Chief Strategy Advisor, detailed the organization's execution priorities: treating MEV extraction as a structural threat, establishing privacy as a protocol default, and shifting EF compensation into ETH and Ethereum-native stablecoins. The announcement signals the foundation's strategic refocus on protocol security and developer alignment.
Schwab, Cboe launch prediction market products to compete with Polymarket
Charles Schwab is partnering with Cboe to develop prediction-style trading products tied to the S&P 500, according to Wall Street Journal reporting. The initiative packages binary yes-or-no trades within listed options structure, positioning traditional Wall Street infrastructure to compete directly with decentralized prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi.
Venus adds tokenized stocks to Core Pool amid borrowing risk questions
Venus Protocol has introduced tokenized stocks linked to Tesla, Nvidia, and SpaceX as collateral in its Core Pool, though launch caps remain in place. The move precedes full settlement of borrowing-related risks associated with the new asset class.
Bitcoin rebounds to $65K as oil retreats amid cautious macro backdrop
Bitcoin recovered to $65,000 as oil prices declined, though the rally remains constrained by elevated US macro indicators including the dollar index near 101 and 10-year Treasury yields at 4.5%. CryptoSlate reports the rebound is in "test mode" pending clearer signals from US market data.
OKX, NYSE Partner to Bridge TradFi and Crypto Markets
OKX and NYSE announced a joint venture to enable OKX's 120 million global users to access ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equities markets. The partnership, led by former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, aims to integrate traditional finance infrastructure with crypto exchange capabilities.
Polymarket partners with OpenWorlds on AI trading agents
Polymarket has partnered with OpenWorlds to integrate autonomous AI agents into its prediction market platform, enabling algorithmic trading across political, sports, and other event categories. The collaboration aims to expand participation in prediction markets through AI-driven participation, though specific implementation details and launch timeline were not disclosed.
White Hat Operation Recovers 23K NFTs After Payment Processor Exploit
A white hat operation recovered approximately 23,000 NFTs that were moved without owner authorization following an exploit in a payment processor. Affected holders are being advised to revoke outdated contract approvals prior to receiving their rescued tokens back.
Tesla's Bitcoin Holdings Near $1B as BTC Rallies
Tesla's Bitcoin holdings have risen to approximately $997.8 million, comprising 11,509 BTC, as Bitcoin traded near $87,000 following a strong weekly rally that added roughly $122 million to the position. The valuation data comes from blockchain intelligence firm Arkham, placing Tesla's crypto assets within striking distance of the $1 billion mark.
Circle CFO Jeremy Fox-Geen to Exit by Year-End
Circle's Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Fox-Geen will step down before year-end, with the company initiating a search for his replacement. Fox-Geen's exit agreement includes $1.05 million in conditional cash payments, according to The Defiant.
SEC Staff Clarifies Staking Receipts, Token Buybacks in New FAQs
The SEC staff published new frequently asked questions addressing the regulatory treatment of staking receipts and token buybacks. The guidance clarifies that qualifying staking receipts fall outside security classification, while reaffirming prior positions on how maintenance and development funding affects token characterization.
Zano halts economic activity over inflation bug, plans rollback
Zano, a privacy-focused blockchain, suspended economic activity after discovering an inflation bug and announced plans for a rollback to address the vulnerability. The incident raises concerns about blockchain security practices and their potential impact on market confidence in privacy coins.
Bitcoin Holds $84K as Treasury Yields Hit Decades High
Bitcoin remained near $84,000 as US Treasury yields spiked to their highest levels since 2007, with the 10-year yield climbing to 5.22% and the 30-year reaching a 22-year high of 5.52%. Traders liquidated $1.7 billion in leverage amid the broader bond market selloff.
Appeals Court Rules Kalshi Sports Contracts Fall Under State Regulation
A Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel determined that prediction market provider Kalshi's sports-related event contracts are not swaps and therefore fall outside federal regulatory oversight. The ruling suggests such contracts remain subject to state regulations rather than federal commodity or derivatives frameworks, marking another legal setback for Kalshi's business model.
US Prosecutors Seek $84.2M From Bank Tied to Tether
Federal prosecutors have filed claims seeking $84.2 million from a Montana payments firm and Caribbean bank allegedly involved in unlicensed money movement. The action targets entities accused of facilitating transactions connected to Tether, the stablecoin issuer.
EBA Proposes Stablecoin Lending Restrictions for EU Crypto Firms
The European Banking Authority has floated potential regulatory restrictions on stablecoin lending for EU cryptocurrency firms, according to The Defiant. Proposed measures under consideration include leverage caps and mandatory certification of lending protocols, as regulators examine rules governing decentralized finance gateways operating in the EU.
Blockchain Association leadership returns to founder Smith after Mersinger exit
The Blockchain Association announced a leadership transition, with Summer Mersinger departing and original CEO Kristin Smith returning to lead the trade group. The shift follows an extended congressional effort involving the crypto Clarity Act, which did not advance. The change marks a notable transition for the industry advocacy organization during a period of active legislative engagement.
Bitget CEO Links $388M Exchange Theft to North Korean Hackers
Crypto exchange Bitget released details on Thursday regarding a hack attributed to North Korean threat actors, resulting in $388 million in stolen assets. The CEO's disclosure marks an escalation in attribution statements surrounding the incident, though additional specifics on the hack's mechanics and recovery efforts were not detailed in the available excerpt.
86% of Real-World Asset Perp Volume Now Trades Onchain
Real-world asset perpetual futures have seen a significant shift toward onchain trading, with 86% of volume now occurring on distributed ledgers according to Crypto Briefing. The trend reflects growing adoption of decentralized derivatives markets and represents a structural challenge to traditional finance infrastructure for trading RWA derivatives.
Circle's cirBTC Wrapped Token Crosses 5,000 Issued
Circle's cirBTC wrapped Bitcoin token has surpassed 5,000 issued tokens, up from approximately 40 in mid-August, driven by institutional DeFi demand. The rapid growth demonstrates increasing adoption of Circle's tokenized Bitcoin offering among institutional participants in decentralized finance.
Bitget CEO loses $80K in fake interview scam linked to Lazarus
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen disclosed an $80,000 loss from a social engineering attack involving a fraudulent interview, with the incident attributed to the Lazarus Group. The case highlights vulnerabilities in human-layer security within the cryptocurrency industry and underscores the need for enhanced protective measures against sophisticated scams targeting executives.
TALIS Launches Structured Markets Protocol on Robinhood Chain
TALIS deployed an onchain structured markets protocol on Robinhood Chain designed to facilitate tokenized stock trading. The protocol aims to expand access to complex financial instruments and increase participation in tokenized asset markets globally.
HIFI Raises $37M Series A for Tokenized Money Settlement
HIFI closed a $37 million Series A funding round led by Left Lane Capital to build settlement infrastructure for tokenized money. The capital will support expansion of regulatory licenses, card products, and capital markets infrastructure.
Dormant Bitcoin whale moves $380M in holdings
A dormant wallet that received Bitcoin in April 2022 transferred $380 million worth of holdings on September 25, according to CryptoSlate. The destination wallet retained the full balance as of the time of reporting, leaving unclear whether the move presages a market sale or wallet consolidation.
Kamino Launches Sterling Lending Market for tGBP on Solana
Kamino has opened a lending market for tGBP, a British-pound stablecoin issued by BCP Technologies, allowing users to supply or borrow the asset against collateral including USDC, cbBTC, and JitoSOL. The market, curated by Steakhouse Financial, expands sterling-denominated credit options on Solana, where dollar stablecoins have historically dominated DeFi lending.
Bitget Revises Hack Loss to $36M Higher, Offers Bounty
Bitget increased its reported loss from a recent security breach by $36 million, citing previously uncounted assets from the same incident. The exchange said it would announce a withdrawal recovery plan by September 26 and offered a bounty for recovery of the stolen cryptocurrency.
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