The latest developments in cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital finance.
Circle’s Arc blockchain is gaining momentum as BDACS prepares to launch South Korea’s first won-backed stablecoin, KRW1, connecting Korean fintech to global crypto infrastructure. The move comes amid debate over whether banks should control stablecoin issuance — highlighting Korea’s balancing act between regulation and innovation.
10x Research predicts Strategy has up to a 70% chance of joining the S&P 500 following its Q3 earnings, despite slowing Bitcoin purchases and weak investor sentiment. The move would make it the first Bitcoin-treasury company in the index — potentially signaling a new phase of crypto integration into traditional finance.
Former Mt. Gox CEO Mark Karpelès used Claude AI to audit the exchange’s 2011 code, revealing severe security flaws that contributed to its early hacks. While AI could have flagged vulnerabilities, human oversight failures were central to the collapse — a lesson that still echoes in today’s crypto landscape.
Iran International reported that Ayandeh deposits would move to Bank Melli after the central bank revoked the lender’s licence in October 2025.
Thailand’s SEC and cybercrime police raided a World iris scanning site for allegedly operating an unlicensed crypto service linked to its WLD token. The move adds to mounting international regulatory pressure on Sam Altman’s digital identity project, which continues to face privacy and compliance challenges across multiple countries.
Fetch.ai and Ocean Protocol are close to settling their dispute over 286 million FET tokens worth $120 million. The agreement could prevent a damaging legal fight and stabilize investor sentiment after the ASI merger fallout. Ocean’s founder denies wrongdoing, attributing FET’s price collapse to broader market dynamics.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao rebuked Senator Elizabeth Warren for falsely claiming he pleaded guilty to money-laundering, clarifying his charge was a compliance failure under the Bank Secrecy Act. His presidential pardon by Donald Trump has sparked accusations of corruption from Democrats, as political tensions over crypto policy continue to escalate.
Crypto spot trading on major centralized exchanges rebounded 31% in Q3, reversing months of decline as Bitcoin’s rally rekindled investor interest. Binance retained its market dominance with 43% of spot volume, while competition in the derivatives market continues to intensify across global platforms.
President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, ending the DOJ’s landmark crypto case. The White House called it a victory for innovation and the end of “Biden’s war on crypto,” potentially signaling a more favorable era for the digital asset industry in the U.S.
Revolut’s MiCA license and upcoming Crypto 2.0 platform underscore its ambition to become Europe’s leading regulated crypto provider. With over 280 tokens, zero-fee staking, and seamless fiat integration, the fintech giant is positioning itself at the forefront of MiCA-era digital finance, bridging mainstream banking with next-generation crypto innovation.
Bloomberg reported early funding discussions in October 2025. A proposed valuation does not mean a round has closed or establish market revenue.
Hong Kong’s approval of the ChinaAMC Solana ETF marks another milestone in the global expansion of regulated digital asset products — and underscores how far the U.S. still trails. With major players like Bitwise predicting Solana will underpin the next generation of tokenized finance, Asia is cementing its lead in institutional crypto innovation.
U.S. Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recorded over $180 million in combined outflows Monday, extending a week of red amid government paralysis and widening protests. Analysts warn that the political turmoil is eroding institutional confidence — though a policy resolution could swiftly revive investor appetite for crypto.
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson says corporate-controlled blockchains are “doomed” unless they embrace decentralization. While corporate chains may accelerate short-term adoption, he believes only open, user-driven systems will survive in the long run — preserving the ethos that defines blockchain itself.
10x Research argued that shrinking premiums could change the investment case for Bitcoin treasury stocks. A lower multiple does not guarantee value.
U.S. Bitcoin ETFs lost $1.2 billion this week amid a sharp BTC selloff, led by major redemptions from BlackRock and Fidelity funds. Yet, Charles Schwab reports record engagement, with its clients now owning 20% of all crypto ETPs — signaling that institutional interest remains strong despite near-term volatility.
Prediction markets are rapidly entering the mainstream, with Polymarket and Kalshi leading the charge. Experts say their simplicity and cultural relevance could make them DeFi’s first mass-adopted product — bridging the gap between Wall Street and everyday users.
Australia’s government plans to grant AUSTRAC new powers to restrict or ban crypto ATMs amid concerns about financial crime. While Minister Tony Burke stressed that a full ban isn’t planned, the move highlights the country’s cautious stance toward crypto infrastructure — even as adoption surges and providers push for fair regulation.