Crypto Briefs
Short updates on stories reported by a single outlet so far — summarized in a few sentences, always linking the original reporting. Stories picked up by more publications get full articles.
Friday, September 18, 2026
ZachXBT Flags AscendEX Liquidity Concerns via On-Chain Analysis
On-chain analyst ZachXBT warned AscendEX users of potential liquidity issues and delayed withdrawals after identifying limited holdings of major assets on the exchange. The warning prompted concern among users about the platform's ability to meet withdrawal demands, though AscendEX has not yet responded to the allegation.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoRic Edelman Forecasts Bitcoin at $500,000 by 2030
Veteran financial adviser Ric Edelman predicted Bitcoin will reach $500,000 by 2030, comparing the cryptocurrency's long-term growth trajectory to Amazon's valuation arc in 1999. The forecast represents a significant bullish stance on BTC's decade-long appreciation potential.
Read the original at ZyCryptoDogecoin Buy Signal Emerges as DOGE Hits 3-Year Low
Dogecoin (DOGE) has declined to a three-year low, triggering a technical buy signal according to a key indicator analyzed by CryptoPotato. An analyst identified as Martinez noted that bulls must maintain the $0.073 support level for the signal to remain valid; a break below that threshold would invalidate the setup.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoXRP Approaches Golden Cross as Altcoin Focus Intensifies
XRP is nearing a golden cross technical pattern, a bullish signal that occurs when a shorter-term moving average crosses above a longer-term one. The development comes as market attention shifts toward altcoins, potentially supporting momentum in XRP and other digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Read the original at CoinDeskCardano Accounts for 0.33% of Crypto Discussions Amid Price Pressure
Cardano (ADA) faced selling pressure recently while maintaining notable social engagement, representing 0.33% of all crypto-related online discussions. The article suggests on-chain metrics present a contrasting picture to price action, though specific data points are not detailed in the excerpt provided.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoKevin O'Leary Projects Bitcoin Peak at $150,000
Investor Kevin O'Leary has projected a potential peak for Bitcoin at $150,000, citing a recent price surge. O'Leary's outlook emphasizes the importance of regulatory clarity for driving institutional adoption and reshaping asset allocation strategies in the crypto market.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingFed rate hike to 3.75%-4.00% pressures crypto lending yields
The Federal Reserve raised its target rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, with one-year Treasury yields climbing to 4.45% the same day. The move establishes a higher risk-free return benchmark that pressures yields on crypto lending products, as investors can now access similar or better returns through safer US government debt.
Read the original at CryptoSlateLayer-2 tokens surge as Treasury yields ease post-Fed
Starknet and Arbitrum each gained more than 17% as the 10-year Treasury yield fell below 5%, with 98 of CoinDesk's 100 tracked cryptocurrencies advancing. The broad rally followed easing concerns about Federal Reserve rate hikes, lifting layer-2 and DeFi tokens particularly sharply.
Read the original at CoinDeskBitcoin Holds Near Flat in September Despite Rate Hike Headwinds
Bitcoin declined 1.5% in September, historically the cryptocurrency's weakest month, while maintaining track for its first quarterly gain in a year despite headwinds from rising interest rates, higher oil prices, and dollar strength. The resilience suggests the asset may be decoupling from traditional macro factors that typically pressure risk assets.
Read the original at CoinDeskBlockchain malware activity surges 440% as AI enables state-linked hackers
Malware activity on public blockchains has increased 440%, according to CryptoSlate reporting. The rise is attributed to artificial intelligence lowering technical barriers for hackers linked to North Korea and Iran, while the immutable nature of blockchain allows malware instructions to persist beyond traditional domain takedowns, forcing defenders to focus on monitoring wallets, contracts, and off-chain infrastructure.
Read the original at CryptoSlateZcash Short Trader Faces $7.66M Paper Loss as ZEC Approaches $1,500
A trader holding a short position in Zcash (ZEC) faces an unrealized loss of $7.66 million as the asset trades near $1,500, according to CryptoPotato. The same trader had previously profited $1.9 million on a Bitcoin long position and $1.8 million on an Ethereum long before the ZEC trade moved against them.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoUAE and Sweden Arrest Seven in $7.1M Crypto Laundering Ring
Law enforcement in the UAE and Sweden arrested seven individuals suspected of operating a cryptocurrency laundering network that moved $7.1 million, according to Decrypt. Investigators traced crypto transactions that allegedly linked the network to organized crime and contract killing operations. The arrests represent a cross-border enforcement action targeting illicit use of digital assets.
Read the original at DecryptBitcoin recovers toward $78K as altcoins rally
Bitcoin recovered from an overnight low of $75,972 to approach $78,000, marking a third consecutive day of gains. Altcoins including HYPE participated in the broader market rally during the recovery period.
Read the original at CoinDeskHong Kong Plans 24/7 CBDC Settlement for Tokenized Deposits by End-2026
Hong Kong authorities plan to launch round-the-clock central bank digital currency settlement for tokenized deposits by approximately end-2026, according to Crypto.news. The initiative will also enable CBDC transactions for after-hours derivatives trading, with pilots involving multiple market participants underway.
Read the original at Crypto.newsBitcoin Price Near $60K as Four-Year Cycle Theory Faces Test
Bitcoin has fallen more than 50% from its October peak to near $60,000, with traders showing extreme fear sentiment and institutions withdrawing funds for six consecutive weeks. Market participants are debating whether Bitcoin's historically observed four-year price cycle remains intact or has broken down entirely.
Read the original at Crypto.newsMoneyGram launches MGUSD stablecoin to 60M users via Kraken
MoneyGram is rolling out MGUSD, its own stablecoin, to its 60 million users globally after five years of blockchain development. The remittance company has partnered with Kraken, secured a validator seat on the Tempo network, and has already processed over $2 billion in stablecoin settlements, signaling accelerated crypto integration in its core money-transfer business.
Read the original at The DefiantU.S. Treasury Sanctions Iran's BitBank Over Revolutionary Guards Transfers
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned BitBank, a Tehran-based cryptocurrency exchange, alleging it facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin transfers to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and processed payments from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The action targets the exchange's role in channeling funds from a strategically critical shipping chokepoint to a designated terrorist organization.
Read the original at CoinDeskIran Reportedly Uses Bitcoin for Strait of Hormuz Transit Tolls
US claims Iran is using bitcoin to collect tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially circumventing traditional sanctions and financial oversight. The reported practice could strain US-Iran relations and test the effectiveness of existing economic restrictions on the Islamic Republic.
Read the original at Crypto Briefingdtcpay closes $25M Series A with SBI Group investment
dtcpay announced completion of a $25 million Series A funding round with SBI Group as a strategic investor. The capital will support expansion of stablecoin payment infrastructure across Asia and Europe, according to Crypto.news.
Read the original at Crypto.newsBolivia commits to crypto regulation framework under IMF program
Bolivia has pledged to establish regulatory and supervisory oversight for cryptocurrencies as part of its IMF-backed economic reform program, aiming to curtail illicit capital flight through digital assets. The Bolivian government's framework development is tied to broader macroeconomic stabilization commitments under the IMF arrangement.
Read the original at Crypto.newsSolana reduces slot time to 250ms in latest network speed upgrade
Solana has reduced its target slot time from 300 milliseconds to 250 milliseconds, representing a nearly 17% increase in the rate at which the network produces slots. The upgrade moves the blockchain closer to its 200ms performance target while maintaining existing processing capacity limits.
Read the original at Crypto.newsBitcoin Tops $77K Following BOJ Rate Hike to 1.25%
Bitcoin traded above $77,400 following the Bank of Japan's rate increase to 1.25%, with spot ETFs adding $159.5 million in inflows. The move marks continued strength in the asset, though momentum indicators suggest cooling pace.
Read the original at Crypto.newsDogecoin, HYPE tumble as crypto rotation diverges from stock rally
Dogecoin and Hyperliquid's HYPE token led crypto losses this week amid a broader rotation from chipmakers into AI stocks that lifted the equal-weight S&P 500 to a record. Ether declined 8% on the week, while memecoins suffered steeper declines as crypto markets failed to participate in the stock market's AI-driven rally.
Read the original at CoinDeskBitcoin tests $60k after PCE-driven selloff and ETF outflows
Bitcoin traded near $60,000 after failing to defend the $59,000-$62,000 range, pressured by May PCE inflation data showing core inflation at 3.4% year-over-year and heavy ETF outflows. Analysts assess whether the decline from $58,000 reflects capitulation or market exhaustion ahead of the weekend.
Read the original at CryptoSlateBasel Rules May Discourage Banks From Crypto Holdings Despite New Legal Paths
US, UK, and European banks now have regulatory permission to issue stablecoins, custody Bitcoin, and settle tokenized assets, but outdated capital requirements under the Basel Committee's cryptoasset standard—live since January 1—treat Bitcoin positions as near-certain losses, potentially deterring institutional adoption despite the legal green light.
Read the original at CryptoSlateCorporate Bitcoin Purchases Slump to 5,900 BTC in Q3
Corporate treasuries acquired only 5,900 bitcoin over three months, marking a significant slowdown in institutional adoption. The report notes broader demand signals are also weakening, suggesting cooling interest in bitcoin accumulation among large entities.
Read the original at CoinDeskNeedle Stealer malware targets seven crypto wallets via fake AI software
A malware strain called Needle Stealer is using signed Microsoft software to replace browser wallet extensions and steal cryptocurrency from users, according to CryptoSlate. The attack has targeted seven browser wallets while leaving Coinbase and MetaMask uncompromised, representing a supply-chain focused threat vector against self-custody infrastructure.
Read the original at CryptoSlateJPMorgan: Bitcoin May Outperform Gold if ETF Hedging Eases
JPMorgan analysts suggest Bitcoin could receive stronger price support than gold if ETF hedging activity decreases, citing short interest in BlackRock's IBIT spot Bitcoin ETF reaching its highest level this year. The comparison implies differing market dynamics between the two traditional hedging assets.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoCircle launches Arc Studio AI agent for onchain app development
Circle introduced Arc Studio, an AI coding agent that generates full-stack onchain applications, smart contracts, and agents from natural language prompts, according to an Arc announcement on September 17. The tool produces frontend interfaces, backend logic, and smart contract code, targeting developers building blockchain applications.
Read the original at Crypto.newsEthereum flags abuse risk in Glamsterdam testnet
Ethereum scheduled October 6 for Glamsterdam deployment on Sepolia testnet, with developers warning that free test ether could enable disposable builder accounts to disrupt payload delivery. The testnet rollout aims to stress-test protocol changes ahead of mainnet implementation.
Read the original at Crypto.news