James G.

Big corporate holders of Bitcoin are entering a more competitive phase as new entrants add crypto to their balance sheets. While activity remained steady in October, shifting buying patterns eroded the dominance of long-standing leaders, bringing greater attention to new corporate holders of Bitcoin and major altcoins.

Visa is taking another major step in digital payments with a new pilot program that allows U.S. businesses to send stablecoin payouts directly to crypto wallets. Announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, the initiative connects traditional bank accounts to blockchain-based transfers, aiming to speed up cross-border payments and support the expanding freelance economy.

Coinbase’s planned $2 billion acquisition of BVNK, a stablecoin infrastructure firm, has collapsed, ending what could have been one of the largest deals in crypto history. The decision, reached during the due diligence stage, was mutual, according to statements from both companies.

Brazil has taken a significant step toward bringing stablecoin activity under its traditional financial system. New regulations issued by the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) grant stablecoin transactions the same legal treatment as foreign-exchange operations and subject crypto companies to a licensing regime similar to that of banks.

Bitcoin’s sharp rebound, fueled by optimism over the end of the 40-day U.S. government shutdown, has split traders. While most market watchers welcomed the recovery, aggressive short sellers faced a costly squeeze. High-risk trader James Wynn is at the center of the turmoil after a series of rapid losses pushed him into an even larger short bet.

A recent token purge by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has brought unwanted memecoin drops back into the spotlight. His public donation address once again attracted developers seeking attention, and their deposits were removed in a decisive move signaling a firmer stance.

A prolonged U.S. government shutdown has created a rare information void just as financial markets seek clarity. Investors are awaiting the Federal Reserve’s next rate decision with limited insight, while lawmakers continue advancing cryptocurrency legislation despite widespread staffing delays.

Growing attention to the long-delayed Fort Knox audit has reignited debate between gold and Bitcoin. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has once again joined the discussion, questioning gold’s verifiability while responding to long-time critic Peter Schiff. Rising interest in tokenized gold and continued market uncertainty have added fresh momentum to the conversation.

Growing interest in Ethereum’s long-term outlook has pushed validator queues higher for both entry and exit. Recent data indicate that roughly 1.5 million validators are waiting to join the staking system, while approximately 2.45 million ETH are in the exit queue. These conditions mark a busy period for participants who choose native staking over liquid staking alternatives.

Polymarket is regaining momentum after a long cooldown period as trading activity climbs again. User participation is also on the rise, with renewed interest from both crypto-native and mainstream audiences. Recent data shows the platform nearing the trading volumes last seen during the peak activity surrounding the 2024 U.S. elections.

A steady shift toward digital assets is underway across the hedge fund sector, as an increasing number of managers incorporate crypto positions. Rising market activity and clearer signals from U.S. policymakers have been key drivers of this trend. In fact, recent survey data indicate a broad transition that is gradually pulling crypto further into mainstream finance.

Growing interest in digital public infrastructure is prompting the United Nations to take a more active role in blockchain policy and training. A new wave of programs is being developed to help governments understand and apply technology in real-world systems. Momentum inside the UN suggests a coordinated effort to guide countries through the next phase of digital transformation.

US digital asset ETFs came under pressure this week as institutional traders shifted to a more cautious stance. Bitcoin and Ether products recorded sharp outflows, while Solana funds continued to draw steady interest. Activity suggested uneven sentiment across major crypto assets as markets reacted to recent volatility.