Market Movement:

  • Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw a combined inflow of $618.9 million last week, with $477 million into Bitcoin and $142 million into Ethereum funds.
  • Bitcoin price is at a critical support level of $107,000; a daily close below this could trigger a decline toward $100,000.
  • Ethereum Foundation moved $610 million (160,000 ETH) into a new multi-signature wallet, indicating potential strategic shifts.

Key Events:

  • T. Rowe Price filed for a mixed crypto ETF holding 5-15 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana, managing $1.77 trillion assets.
  • Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed eagerness to advance crypto market structure legislation ahead of a Senate roundtable with key policymakers and industry leaders.
  • Wallets tied to alleged scammer Chen Zhi moved approximately $1.7 billion in Bitcoin, linked to a $14 billion scam operation, as authorities seek to trace the funds.

Trading Signals:

  • Over the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs experienced net inflows of $477 million and $142 million respectively, reversing prior outflows.
  • The recent $610 million transfer by the Ethereum Foundation to a secure multi-signature wallet may signal increased institutional custody measures.
  • On-chain analysis shows wallets linked to the LuBian mining pool moved 15,959 BTC, about two months after a $14.5 billion theft was uncovered.

Narrative Shifts:

  • Institutional interest appears to be resurging with T. Rowe Price’s ETF proposal and increased ETF inflows, indicating a potential shift towards mainstream adoption.
  • Regulatory momentum is high, with key Senate Democrats proposing stricter KYC rules and high-risk protocol bans, while industry leaders push for clarity.
  • The movement of billions in Bitcoin linked to a major scam highlights ongoing concerns over security and illicit activity in the crypto space.

Risk Alerts:

  • Bitcoin faces a critical support level at $107,000; a close below this could accelerate a decline toward $100,000, indicating heightened volatility risk.
  • Regulatory proposals by Senate Democrats threaten to impose strict KYC and restrict DeFi protocols, potentially impacting market stability.
  • The movement of $1.7 billion in Bitcoin tied to a scammer underscores risks of large-scale illicit activity and potential market disruptions.

Opportunities:

  • The filing of T. Rowe Price’s ETF with diverse assets suggests growth potential in institutional crypto investment products.
  • The Ethereum Foundation’s treasury move into secure multi-signature wallets may facilitate increased DeFi development and institutional participation.
  • The resurgence of ETF inflows and institutional interest could signal a bullish environment for Bitcoin and Ethereum in the near term.

Flows & Positioning

T. Rowe Price Enters Crypto ETF Market with Diverse Asset Focus

T. Rowe Price has filed for its first crypto exchange-traded fund (ETF), aiming to invest in a diversified basket of digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This move marks a significant entry for the $1.77 trillion asset manager into the crypto space, reflecting a growing trend among traditional finance firms to explore cryptocurrency investment products. The proposed T.

Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF will hold between five to 15 digital assets, signaling a shift in strategy for a firm traditionally focused on mutual funds. Analysts view this filing as part of a broader institutional interest in crypto, with over 155 crypto ETP filings currently awaiting regulatory approval in the U.S.

Significant Inflows into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Amid Market Uncertainty

Recent data indicates that Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs received a combined inflow of $618.9 million, reversing a trend of outflows seen earlier in the week. Specifically, $477 million flowed into Bitcoin ETFs while Ethereum attracted $142 million, suggesting renewed investor confidence despite ongoing market volatility. This influx comes as experts express mixed sentiments about the future trajectory of the crypto market, emphasizing that while these inflows typically correlate with price increases, the current market conditions remain uncertain. The recent surge in ETF investments highlights the importance of institutional participation in stabilizing the crypto market.

Whale Activity and Market Movements Signal Caution

In a notable development, wallets linked to alleged scammer Chen Zhi have moved approximately $1.7 billion in Bitcoin, raising concerns among investors. This movement coincides with a broader trend of caution among Bitcoin traders, as evidenced by a recent shift from futures to spot trading on exchanges like Binance. Additionally, dormant Bitcoin wallets have begun to stir, with a transfer of 262.43 BTC valued at over $28 million occurring during a period of market downturn. Such whale movements often precede significant price shifts, indicating that traders are closely monitoring these developments for potential market implications.

Broader Market Context and Future Outlook

The recent activities in the crypto ETF space and significant whale movements reflect a complex market landscape. While institutional interest is clearly on the rise, the volatility and caution exhibited by traders suggest that the market is still in a phase of adjustment. As T. Rowe Price and other firms navigate this evolving environment, the potential for future ETF approvals and institutional adoption remains a key factor that could influence market dynamics in the coming months.

Corporate & Capital Markets

Hyperliquid Strategies Files to Raise $1B for HYPE Token Purchases and Expansion

Hyperliquid Strategies has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise up to $1 billion as part of its plan to expand its crypto holdings. The firm intends to offer up to 160 million shares of common stock to fund additional purchases of the Hyperliquid (HYPE) token and cover general corporate expenses. Upon completion of its merger with Sonnet BioTherapeutics, Hyperliquid Strategies is projected to hold 12.6 million HYPE tokens, worth roughly $470 million, along with $305 million in cash earmarked for further HYPE acquisitions, making it the largest corporate holder of the token.

Kraken Reports Over $5 Billion in Tokenized Equities Trading

Kraken announced that its xStocks platform generated over $1 billion in onchain transactions and reached more than 37,000 unique holders. This marks a significant milestone as the company reports that tokenized equities trading has surpassed $5 billion.

Tesla Maintains $1.3 Billion Bitcoin Holdings in Q3

Tesla's latest earnings confirm it hasn’t sold any Bitcoin, keeping its $1.3 billion holdings intact. This decision comes as Tesla posts stronger profits and record energy revenue.

Ecosystem Movers

Bitcoin's Critical Support Level

Bitcoin is currently facing a pivotal moment as it hovers near the crucial support level of $107,000. A daily close below this threshold could set the stage for a significant decline towards the psychological barrier of $100,000. This potential drop highlights the volatility and sensitivity of Bitcoin's price movements in the current market environment, where traders are closely monitoring technical indicators for signs of a trend reversal or continuation.

Tesla's Bitcoin Holdings Surge

Tesla reported an $80 million profit from its Bitcoin holdings in Q3 2025, maintaining a total of 11,509 Bitcoin valued at approximately $1.31 billion. This valuation marks an increase from $1.23 billion in the previous quarter, driven solely by Bitcoin's price appreciation. The company's decision to refrain from selling or adding to its crypto reserves reflects a strategic approach amidst a recovering digital asset market, positioning Tesla as the 11th largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally.

BNB's Market Expansion and Price Predictions

Binance Coin (BNB) has recently gained significant traction, with its market cap reaching $149.5 billion following listings on platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase. Analysts from Perplexity AI predict that BNB could see a price surge towards $1,600, supported by its deflationary design and expanding utility across various sectors, including NFTs and payment solutions. The recent price action has seen BNB consolidate after a record high of $1,369.99, indicating strong market interest and potential for future growth.

Stablecoin Growth and Market Impact

Stablecoins have emerged as a dominant force in the payment landscape, processing $46 trillion in total transaction volume over the past year, a 106% increase year-over-year. Notably, adjusted figures indicate that stablecoin payments hit $9 trillion, rivaling major payment networks like PayPal and Visa. This surge underscores the maturation of stablecoins as they transition from speculative instruments to essential tools for remittances and cross-border transactions, solidifying their role in the on-chain economy.

On-Chain & Network

Ethereum Foundation Moves $610 Million to New Multi-Signature Wallet

The Ethereum Foundation has migrated $610 million worth of ETH, totaling over 160,000 ETH, to a new multi-signature wallet provided by Safe. This migration is part of a routine update aimed at enhancing the security of the Foundation's treasury funds. The move also indicates a strategic shift as the Foundation plans to deploy more of its funds into decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to bolster community development.

Kadena Ceases Operations Amid Severe Market Decline

Kadena has announced the shutdown of its operations after its native token, KDA, plummeted 77% over a month, leading to an inability to sustain business activities. Although the blockchain network will remain operational due to its decentralized nature, the organization will halt all active maintenance. At its peak in 2021, Kadena's market capitalization reached nearly $4 billion, but it struggled to maintain adoption, with total value locked in DeFi dropping to just $128,000, a stark decline from its all-time high of $11 million in August 2022.

Ethereum Mainnet Achieves 200 Millisecond Block Times with New RPC

The Ethereum mainnet has achieved impressive performance metrics, with transaction block times now reaching as low as 200 milliseconds. This enhancement is made possible through the implementation of the "FAST RPC" solution by the Ethereum infrastructure platform Primev, which significantly improves transaction speeds and user experience on the network.

Soneium Aims to Establish a Compliance-First Layer-2 Platform

Startale Group is positioning its Soneium project as a compliance-first Layer-2 platform in Japan, collaborating with major partners like Sony and SBI. The initiative aims to integrate financial infrastructure with entertainment-driven adoption, indicating a strategic focus on regulatory compliance and user engagement. Soneium is already demonstrating significant on-chain throughput and is actively working on governance and decentralization metrics.

Macro & Policy

GENIUS Act Establishes Federal Framework for Stablecoins

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, known as the GENIUS Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 18, 2025. This legislation marks the first federal framework in the United States aimed at regulating payment stablecoins, introducing strict rules regarding who can issue stablecoins, how reserves must be backed, and the required disclosures for transparency. The law creates a licensing pathway under the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for both banks and qualified non-banks, while algorithmic or DeFi-native tokens are excluded for further study, signaling a significant shift towards regulatory clarity in the stablecoin market.

Paxos' $300 Trillion Minting Error Raises Regulatory Concerns

Paxos experienced a significant operational error when it mistakenly minted 300 trillion PYUSD tokens, which were subsequently burned 24 minutes later. This incident has raised questions about the company's eligibility for a national trust charter from the OCC under the recently enacted GENIUS Act. Critics are now questioning whether Paxos should receive federal banking authority following this blunder, highlighting the scrutiny that stablecoin issuers may face in light of regulatory frameworks.

SEC and CFTC Target End-of-Year Crypto Oversight Milestones

As the U.S. government shutdown continues, federal agencies, including the SEC and CFTC, are preparing to set regulatory milestones for cryptocurrency oversight by the end of the year. This indicates a continued commitment to advancing regulatory frameworks for digital assets, despite the current political impasse, and suggests that significant developments in crypto regulation may be forthcoming.

Senator Lummis Advocates for Open Banking Rule Supporting Crypto

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to finalize its open banking rule, which was established on October 22, 2024. This rule allows consumers to share financial data with third-party applications via APIs, facilitating connections between bank accounts and crypto exchanges. Despite legal challenges from banking industry groups, Lummis emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent banks from restricting access to digital asset platforms.

Security & Incidents

Hackers Move $1.8 Billion in Bitcoin Stolen from LuBian Mining Pool

Onchain analysts report that LuBian-linked wallets moved 15,959 BTC to four addresses, valued at $1.8 billion, approximately two months after a $14.5 billion heist was uncovered. The movement occurred on October 22, 2025, and follows an earlier transfer of 11,886 BTC worth $1.3 billion on October 15, 2025, just after the U.S. Department of Justice announced a significant crypto forfeiture case.

Xeltox Enterprises Fined $177 Million by Canadian Regulator

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) fined Xeltox Enterprises, the parent company of Cryptomus, nearly $177 million for non-compliance with the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. The fine, totaling $176,960,190, is the largest financial penalty ever imposed by the Canadian regulator and was announced on October 22, 2025.

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