XRP has returned to the critical $2 level, reflecting market uncertainty as whales have sold over 390 million XRP, valued at approximately $783 million, in the past week. This significant distribution from wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP indicates frustration among high-value holders, which can negatively impact market sentiment. As XRP struggles to break above near-term resistance, the selling pressure could push the price below the psychological floor of $2. Each failed breakout attempt has been met with renewed selling, suggesting that the market is in a tug-of-war between bullish expectations and bearish realities.
Bitcoin is currently testing a crucial Fibonacci support level, with analysts warning that a breakdown could lead to a drop towards April lows near $76,000. The recent volatility saw BTC dip below $88,000 before rebounding sharply, indicating a highly reactive market as traders await the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. With a 92% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut being priced in, market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic. Analysts suggest that defending the Fibonacci level is critical for maintaining the bullish trend, as failing to do so could trigger significant sell-offs.
Ethereum's supply on exchanges has plummeted to a record low of 8.7%, a 43% decline since July. This tightening of liquid supply, driven by increased staking and long-term custody, raises speculation about a potential supply squeeze that could lead to upward price momentum. Analysts note that the significant drop in exchange balances indicates a shift in how ETH is being utilized, with more tokens moving into staking and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. This development suggests that even amid bearish sentiment, underlying demand for ETH may be strengthening.
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recently reported positive inflows, signaling renewed investor interest, while ether ETFs continue to experience outflows. This shift in capital flows indicates a changing appetite among institutional investors, favoring Bitcoin over Ethereum at this time. The contrasting trends in ETF flows could reflect broader market sentiment, with Bitcoin's resilience attracting more institutional capital. As the market anticipates potential policy easing from the Fed, these developments may set the stage for further price movements in the coming weeks.
Airwallex is planning an expansion into Silicon Valley after securing a valuation of $8 billion.
Aztec Network raised over $60 million in ETH with a community-first token sale, which served as the first public test of the Continuous Clearing Auction mechanism developed jointly with Uniswap Labs.
South Korea is set to implement bank-level liability standards for crypto exchanges in response to a significant hack at Upbit, where $30.1 million was stolen. This regulatory overhaul aims to hold exchanges accountable for user losses due to hacking or system failures, similar to existing laws for banks and electronic payment firms. The Financial Services Commission is reviewing provisions that would require exchanges to compensate users regardless of fault, a move that reflects growing concerns over security in the crypto sector. Data from the Financial Supervisory Service indicates that major exchanges in South Korea, including Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax, experienced 20 system failures between January 2023 and September 2023, impacting over 900 users with total losses of 5 billion won.
Upbit alone was responsible for six incidents, resulting in 3 billion won in damages for more than 600 victims. The planned reforms may also introduce mandatory IT security infrastructure plans and significantly increased penalties for hacking incidents, potentially reaching up to 3 percent of annual revenue for exchanges.
ZKsync has announced the planned retirement of its Lite network in 2026, marking the end of its initial zero-knowledge rollup launched in June 2020. The decision is part of a broader transition towards zkEVM systems and ZK Stack deployments, which are expected to be the focus of future development. Currently, the Lite network holds approximately $50 million in remaining funds, as reported by L2BEAT. The retirement of ZKsync Lite is described as an "orderly sunset," indicating that the system has fulfilled its purpose as a proof-of-concept and has validated critical ideas within the Ethereum ecosystem.
This transition reflects ongoing advancements in Ethereum's scalability solutions, particularly in the realm of zero-knowledge technology.
Monet Bank, a community bank in Texas with assets under $6 billion, has rebranded itself as a crypto-focused "infrastructure bank." This shift aims to position the bank as a premier digital asset financial institution, offering services for Bitcoin, stablecoins, and broader digital asset finance. The bank's owner, billionaire Andy Beal, is noted for his ties to a pro-Bitcoin network associated with Donald Trump, which could influence its strategic direction in the crypto space.
A digital bank in the Philippines has begun offering cryptocurrency services, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), through an integration with US fintech firm Alpaca. This move reflects a growing trend in the region towards digital asset adoption. Similarly, French banking giant BPCE plans to enable its millions of customers to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly within its banking apps, further illustrating the increasing acceptance of crypto in traditional banking systems.
The recently released 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) from the Trump administration does not mention Bitcoin or digital assets, focusing instead on AI, biotech, and quantum computing. This omission raises questions about the administration's commitment to integrating digital assets into national security discussions, despite previous efforts to establish a strategic national Bitcoin reserve and the formation of the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets.
The Central Bank of Argentina is preparing to allow private banks to offer cryptocurrency services, marking a significant regulatory development in the region. This initiative aligns with broader trends in Latin America, where financial institutions are increasingly integrating digital assets into their service offerings, potentially enhancing access to cryptocurrencies for a wider audience.
European banks are increasingly opening their doors to cryptocurrency services, contrasting sharply with regulatory crackdowns in Asia, particularly in South Korea. This divergence in regulatory approaches could lead to a significant shift in the global crypto landscape, with Europe potentially becoming a more favorable environment for crypto innovation and investment.
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