Today's Crypto and Bitcoin News

At 8:00 AM UTC+8, Bitcoin was priced at $72,344, showing a -0.54% decrease, while Ethereum stood at $2,659, up by +0.77%. The market's 24-hour long/short ratio in the futures market was almost balanced at 49.8% long versus 50.2% short positions. The Fear and Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, was at 77 yesterday, indicating a "Extreme Greed" level and has maintained 77 today, increasing the crypto market to Extreme Greed territory.    What is Trending in the Crypto Community  In October, the U.S. saw an ADP employment increase of 233,000, surpassing expectations and prior figures. The Q3 real GDP annualized growth was 2.8%, falling below forecasts and prior results. Meanwhile, the core PCE price index rose by 2.2%—higher than anticipated but lower than previous levels. Additionally, real personal consumption expenditures climbed by 3.7%, exceeding both prior values and expectations. Microsoft shareholders have begun preliminary voting on whether the company should invest in Bitcoin. MicroStrategy plans to raise $42 billion over the next three years to buy more Bitcoin. U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a net inflow of $4.73 billion over the past 13 trading days. Vitalik Buterin previously donated 400 ETH from meme coin sales to a Ukrainian charity. The amount bet on the U.S. presidential election on Polymarket has exceeded $2.7 billion. Canadian-listed company Sol Strategies sold $1.71 million worth of Bitcoin and increased its holdings by 12,389 SOL.     Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change MKR/USDT +8.56% LINK/USDT +4.16% AAVE/USDT +3.73% Trade now on KuCoin   Read More: BTC Surpasses $73,000, SUI Surges Amid Strong Ecosystem Performance: Oct 30   Bitcoin Set to Hit $100K by January 2025 — 10x Research 10x Research analysts say Bitcoin could reach $100,000 by January 2025, driven by strong institutional interest and bullish market signals. Despite Bitcoin nearing a new high, retail trader interest remains low.   The $100,000 price target is based on their model, which recently triggered two buy signals, the latest on October 14. The model claims an accuracy rate of 86.7% over the last 15 signals. Analysts explained that when Bitcoin hits a six-month high, it typically sees a 40% return over the next three months. At the current price of $73,000, a 40% rise would push Bitcoin past $101,000 by January 27, 2025.   Bitcoin buy signal. Source: 10x Research   Institutions like BlackRock are treating Bitcoin as a long-term stable asset—digital gold. 10x Research explained, "Gold has always been seen as a safe haven asset, so if Bitcoin is the new digital gold, it makes sense that institutions would be interested." In October alone, spot Bitcoin ETFs brought in $4.1 billion worth of Bitcoin.   Spot Bitcoin ETF monthly flows. Source: 10x Research   Read More: BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF IBIT Gains $329M Amid Bitcoin Dip   Bitcoin Nears All-Time High, Retail Still Unmoved Bitcoin touched $73,562 on October 29, just shy of its all-time high, but later settled around $72,300. Despite this rally, retail interest remains low. Google search data shows “Bitcoin” is at 23 out of 100 compared to May 2021's peak.   Search interest in “Bitcoin” since October 2019. Source: Google Trends   Crypto analyst Miles Deutscher noted that Bitcoin is close to breaking its all-time high, yet retail traders seem uninterested. Coinbase’s app ranks 308th in the Apple App Store, far below its typical top-50 rank during bull runs. It did, however, jump 167 spots between October 28 and 29, hinting at renewed interest.   CryptoQuant analysts said retail investors are slowly returning but are being outpaced by larger investors. Historically, retail activity lags behind rallies, often joining only after big gains are made.   GRASS Becomes Biggest Solana Airdrop With 1.5 Million Claims The GRASS token airdrop on Solana set a record, with 1.5 million addresses claiming tokens. This makes it the most claimed airdrop on Solana so far, according to Dune Analytics. GRASS is the governance token for a Solana-based DePin project.   Source: https://dune.com/asxn_r/grass-claims   The launch was so popular it caused an outage in Phantom, Solana's biggest wallet. Over 2.8 million wallets are eligible for GRASS, with 5 million addresses able to claim eventually, said Andrej Radonjic, CEO of Wynd Labs. It’s important to note that users may have multiple addresses, so GRASS isn't necessarily the most held token in terms of unique users.   GRASS is a viral crypto project that scrapes and cleans web data to train AI bots. Users get GRASS tokens for sharing their bandwidth. Andrej Radonjic noted that users are finally receiving ownership for sharing their bandwidth, challenging a decades-long trend of companies exploiting user data for profit. The token is also used to stake on the network and pay for bandwidth.    GRASS token price on KuCoin   Read More: What Is Grass Network (GRASS) and How to Earn Passive Income from It?   Robinhood’s Q3 Crypto Volumes Climb to $14.4 Billion, More Than Double From Last Year Robinhood reported Q3 earnings, showing a strong interest in cryptocurrency trading. Crypto volumes hit $14.4 billion, up 112% from last year. Equity trading also rose, reaching $286.2 billion, a 65% increase. Despite this growth, crypto trading has slowed compared to earlier quarters—down from $21.5 billion in Q2 and $36 billion in Q1.   Transaction-based revenue grew by 72% year-over-year to $319 million. Cryptocurrency trading brought in $61 million, up 165% from last year. Assets under custody (AUC) rose 76%, boosted by net deposits and rising stock and crypto values.   Robinhood reported $0.17 per share earnings for Q3, compared to a loss of $0.09 per share last year. Revenue was $637 million, just below the expected $650.67 million. CFO Jason Warnick said, “Q3 was another strong quarter, as we drove 36% year-over-year revenue growth.”   Robinhood is also expanding support for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures. The company introduced event contracts, letting users bet on outcomes of events like the U.S. presidential election.   Conclusion The crypto landscape is buzzing with activity, from Bitcoin’s predicted climb toward $100,000, fueled by institutional interest, to retail investors slowly re-entering the scene. GRASS has set a new record as the most-claimed airdrop on Solana, highlighting strong community engagement in decentralized projects. Meanwhile, Robinhood continues to show growth, with crypto trading volumes more than doubling year-over-year. However, the lackluster interest in Bitcoin on Google Trends paints a complex picture of whether retail investors are sufficiently drawn to "digital gold" during this current bull run.

BTC$98,924.50+5.84%

At 8:00 AM UTC+8, Bitcoin was priced at $72,736, showing a 3.97% increase, while Ethereum stood at $2,638, up by 2.78%. The market's 24-hour long/short ratio in the futures market was almost balanced at 51.8% long versus 48.2% short positions. The Fear and Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, was at 72 yesterday, indicating a "Greed" level and has increased to 77 today,  increasing the crypto market to Extreme Greed territory.    Quick Take  Bitcoin briefly hit $73,620 before pulling back, coming just $150 short of its all-time high. Bitcoin reached a new peak against the Mexican Peso. Total trading volume of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs surpassed $4.5 billion, with BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF trading volume reaching $3.3 billion, the highest in six months.  The total market cap of Memecoins on Solana surpassed $12 billion, marking a new all-time high. Alphabet's Q3 revenue and earnings per share exceeded expectations. Circle plans to increase the exchange fee for the USDC stablecoin. Besides, Circle will jointly release a privacy ERC-20 framework in collaboration with Inco Network. Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change GOAT/USDT +10.77% SUI/USDT +10.24% GRASS/USDT +16.04%   Trade now on KuCoin   Read More: X Empire Token Launches on KuCoin, Solana Network's Daily Fees Revenue Reaches New Highs: Oct 25   Bitcoin Set for "Perfect Storm" to New All-Time High as it Surpasses $73,000 with a 3.97% Increase in 24 Hours BTC/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Bitcoin is poised for significant price action which suggests a "perfect storm" which may push it to a new all-time high soon. Several factors are aligning: uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election, market optimism related to Donald Trump's potential victory, and historically bullish Q4 trends.   The potential influence of a Trump victory, combined with positive seasonality, could lead to strong gains for Bitcoin. Despite volatility driven by geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and macroeconomic challenges in the U.S., Bitcoin's price has rebounded sharply in recent weeks. Analysts see these conditions as creating a unique window of opportunity for the digital currency.   Currently, Bitcoin's price sits at $72,736, marking a 3.97% increase in the past 24 hours. This is the highest level in nearly five months, with many investors feeling confident about continued growth leading into the election.   Read more: Bitcoin Soars Past $62,000 Following Trump Assassination Attempt: The Trump Effect   Dive Into More Bullish Coins: SUI, DEEP, MOVE SUI experienced a notable surge of 10% today, breaking through the $2 mark, signaling strong momentum in the Sui ecosystem. This bullish movement was accompanied by significant gains across other ecosystem tokens, highlighting broader investor confidence.      DEEP led the way with a remarkable 30% increase, while MOVE followed closely with a 36% rise. NAVX also showed positive momentum, climbing 16%, and CETUS gained 10%, reflecting a comprehensive uptrend across the network. The synchronized rally in these tokens suggests growing enthusiasm and adoption within the Sui ecosystem, possibly driven by new developments, partnerships, or market sentiment favoring the project.   Read More: Top Sui Memecoins to Watch in 2024-25   NBA Topshot NFT Sales Hit Six-Month High as 2024 Season Begins Source: CryptoSlam   The start of the 2024-2025 NBA season has reignited interest in NBA Topshot NFTs, leading to the highest weekly sales in over six months. As the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks tipped off the new season on October 22, excitement spilled over into the NFT market.   Weekly sales for NBA Topshot NFTs reached 43,600 as of October 27, representing a significant 94% increase from the previous week. This spike comes after a period of stagnation, where sales dropped to an average of 26,000 NFTs during and after the playoffs.   The renewed activity highlights how key events like the start of a new sports season can have a tangible impact on NFT sales. With the current trend, analysts believe that NFT activity related to basketball will continue to rise throughout the season, driving both fan engagement and market activity.   Solayer and OpenEden Launch Yield-Based Stablecoin on Solana Solayer’s sUSD minting diagram. Source: X   Solayer and OpenEden have launched a new yield-based stablecoin on the Solana blockchain, named sUSD, which is backed by U.S. Treasury bills. This stablecoin marks the first of several tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) that Solayer plans to offer, allowing users to access investment opportunities with as little as $5.   The sUSD operates as a request for quote (RFQ) marketplace, where users can deposit USD Coin (USDC) and receive sUSD tokens in return. The stablecoin aims to bring more accessible financial products to a broader audience by leveraging the power of tokenization.   Solayer has already facilitated nearly $300 million in restaked total value locked (TVL) on its platform. Experts predict that the market for tokenized RWAs could grow 50 times by 2030, representing a massive opportunity. The sUSD stablecoin seeks to capture early adopters interested in both blockchain technology and secure yield-bearing assets like U.S. Treasury bills.   Read more: Restaking on Solana (2024): The Comprehensive Guide   Musk's AI Startup xAI Seeks $40 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round xAI is aiming to raise several billion dollars in an upcoming funding round that could push its valuation to $40 billion, representing a $16 billion increase from its $24 billion valuation after a $6 billion raise in the spring, according to the Journal. Though the funding discussions are still in early stages and could change or fall through, the potential growth reflects significant market interest in xAI. The company has yet to comment on the matter, as noted by Forbes.   Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is aiming to raise funds at a valuation of around $40 billion. The company recently held discussions with investors to support its next phase of growth. This follows an earlier valuation of $24 billion after a successful $6 billion fundraising round in the spring. xAI tries to keep up with increasingly higher valuations at rival companies such as OpenAI.   xAI raised funding from Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Fidelity. The startup, known for its "Grok" chatbot on Musk's social platform X, plans to use the cash to launch its first products and speed up research. xAI is hiring for many roles, as seen on its careers page. Since the funding, xAI has grown rapidly, building a massive data center in Memphis this summer. The center runs 100,000 Nvidia chips at once, giving xAI unmatched computing power to train its AI model, according to Semafor.   As part of its growth strategy, xAI plans to double the number of graphics processing units (GPUs) at its Memphis data center—from 100,000 to 200,000. This expansion aims to improve xAI's computational power to support its advanced AI research and development efforts. NVIDIA's CEO has praised xAI for rapidly setting up the data center and scaling its operations in a short amount of time.   Read More: Top 15 AI Crypto Coins to Know in 2024   Conclusion Recent market shifts and project updates reveal exciting growth across various sectors of the blockchain and AI landscapes. Bitcoin's surge past $73,000 shows strong investor sentiment amid political uncertainties and seasonal bullish factors. The Sui ecosystem also saw impressive gains, with tokens like DEEP and MOVE leading the charge, showcasing rising enthusiasm. As the U.S. election approaches on November 5, we may expect increased volatility in the crypto market, creating unique opportunities for seasoned traders in options and futures. However, investors should remain vigilant during these volatile times and take necessary steps to mitigate risks.

As of October 29, Bitcoin's market performance remains robust, with the price around $71,299, marking a 5.13% increase in the past day and pushing Bitcoin's market cap to $1.41 trillion. Bitcoin's market dominance is approximately 58.6%, fueled by steady inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and heightened bullish sentiment ahead of the upcoming U.S. election.   The Fear and Greed Index currently reads 72, placing it in the "Greedy" zone—an indicator of market optimism and investor confidence as prices remain strong. In the futures market, the long-short ratio reflects a predominantly bullish outlook, with a majority of traders favoring long positions. This trend aligns with substantial institutional inflows into Bitcoin-focused financial products, collectively reinforcing Bitcoin’s positive momentum as the final U.S. presidential election nears on November 5, 2024.    Quick Take  Forbes: Central banks worldwide are increasing their research on Bitcoin. Robinhood launches U.S. presidential election derivatives trading. Solana’s market cap surpasses PayPal,  Reaches $83.63 Billion.  Coinbase report: Solana network activity is mainly concentrated in U.S. time zones, with DEX-related activities accounting for 75%-90% of total successful transaction fees. Swell L2 announces migration to Optimism Superchain. Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change MOG/USDT +17.28% DOGE/USDT +16.01% RUNE/USDT +14.61%   Trade now on KuCoin   Read More: Tether Transparency, Arkham Expands to Solana, and Vitalik's Ethereum Vision of “the Purge”: Oct 28   Bitcoin's Market Dominance Nearing 60%  BTC/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Bitcoin nears 60% market dominance, signaling a shift as investors prioritize its stability over altcoins. With a 10% rise in dominance this month, Bitcoin emerges as a "flight to quality" asset in uncertain markets, while altcoins continue to show lackluster market performance compared to the leading coin.    Last year, Bitcoin's market share dropped below 40%. It hit a low during a prolonged bear market with declining values and shaken confidence. Since then, Bitcoin steadily regained strength. Growing institutional interest, regulatory developments, and its reputation as a hedge against economic uncertainty drove this trend. Experts predict more growth in Bitcoin's dominance.   Bitcoin's recent surge is driven by a combination of technical momentum and substantial capital inflows, reinforcing its bullish outlook. For the week ending Oct. 25, Bitcoin funds recorded $920 million in inflows, pushing year-to-date inflows to an impressive $25.4 billion, as reported by CoinShares. This momentum followed an even larger wave of inflows into the 11 U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which accumulated over $2.1 billion in net inflows just a week earlier, according to Farside Investors.   Additionally, Bitcoin's chart saw a significant technical event known as a “golden cross,” where its 50-day moving average surpassed the 200-day moving average. This bullish signal often indicates potential for a sustained price breakthrough, and with robust inflows and positive market sentiment, Bitcoin appears well-positioned for continued growth.   Solana's Flips Ethereum in Daily Transaction Fees  Solana recently overtook Ethereum in daily transaction fees, generating $2.54 million in 24 hours, surpassing Ethereum’s $2.07 million . This surge places Solana among the top fee-generating blockchains and shows growing market activity. Increased activity on Raydium, a major decentralized exchange on Solana, drove the spike in fees. Raydium's fast transactions and lower costs attracted more traders and liquidity, boosting Solana's volume.   Protocols by 24 hour fees. Source: DefiLlama   The rise in Solana's fees shows its scalability and ability to handle demand without slowdowns or cost spikes. This makes Solana appealing for DeFi projects, NFTs, and other blockchain applications needing high throughput and efficiency.   While Solana's gains impress, Ethereum still leads in overall fee generation. In the past month, Ethereum generated $134.6 million in fees. Its established ecosystem, strong developer community, and wide range of applications keep Ethereum as the leading blockchain. However, Solana's rapid growth suggests it could play a more important role in the future as projects seek alternatives to Ethereum's high fees and scalability issues.   Read More: X Empire Token Launches on KuCoin, Solana Network's Daily Fees Revenue Reaches New Highs: Oct 25   Base Leads in Stablecoin Volume Base, an Ethereum layer-2 network, recently led the market in stablecoin volume. On October 26, Base accounted for 30% of all stablecoin transactions, surpassing other major blockchains. This milestone and record transaction count highlight Base's growing influence and potential as a key player in the stablecoin market.   Stablecoins are essential to the crypto market. They bridge traditional and decentralized finance and provide a stable medium of exchange. Base's leadership in stablecoin volume shows that layer-2 solutions are crucial for scaling Ethereum's capabilities and solving issues like high fees and congestion. By offering faster and cheaper transactions, Base positions itself as a valuable platform for stablecoin users seeking efficiency.   After Base's surge in stablecoin volume, Solana and Ethereum also showed strong activity. Solana captured 25% and Ethereum took 20%. The competition to attract stablecoin transactions shows the growing demand for efficient blockchain solutions. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire suggested that if this trend continues, USDC could reach an annual transaction rate of $6.6 trillion on Base alone, highlighting its growing role in the financial system.   Read More: Top Types of Stablecoins You Need to Know in 2024   Conclusion Despite setbacks, such as a dip following news of a Tether investigation, Bitcoin has demonstrated resilience. Meanwhile, networks like Solana and Base highlight continued growth potential for altcoins, particularly in DeFi, NFTs, and stablecoin transactions. With heightened volatility likely as the U.S. election on November 5 approaches, the crypto market may see dynamic shifts in the coming weeks.   Read more: Solana vs. Ethereum: Which Is Better in 2024?

KuCoin has launched pre-market trading of Grass (GRASS), generating excitement ahead of the upcoming GRASS airdrop. The average pre-market price currently stands at 0.87 USDT, showing a promising trend. With the GRASS Airdrop One scheduled for October 28, 2024, at 13:30 UTC, traders and participants are preparing to secure their positions before the official token launch.   Quick Take The GRASS token is currently trading at an average price of 0.87 USDT on KuCoin pre-market.  For the first Grass Network airdrop, 100 million GRASS tokens—10% of the total supply—will be given out.  Those eligible to receive tokens during the Grass airdrop campaign include Alpha testers, GigaBuds NFT holders, and other contributors to the network. As per the project roadmap, the GRASS token will be used for governance, staking, accessing bandwidth, and paying transaction fees within the Grass network. What Is Grass Network (GRASS)?    The Grass Network is designed to change how internet connectivity works by letting users sell unused bandwidth through a decentralized model. This contrasts with traditional networks, where corporations control data and profits. With Grass, users earn passive income while maintaining ownership over their contributions.   The infrastructure includes routers that connect nodes across regions, ensuring low-latency web traffic. Additionally, the network features Live Context Retrieval (LCR) to provide a transparent search experience without advertising interference. This approach aims to build the first user-owned map of the internet by empowering participants through decentralization.   Read more: What Is Grass Network (GRASS) and How to Earn Passive Income from It?   When Is the Grass Airdrop?  Source: Grass Foundation on X    The Grass Airdrop One is scheduled for October 28, 2024, at 13:30 UTC. To be eligible, users must have earned 500 or more Grass Points during any epoch and linked their Solana wallet to the Grass dashboard by October 14, 2024, at 20:00 UTC. This airdrop rewards early supporters and contributors, marking an important milestone in the development of the Grass Network​.    Read more: Top DePIN Crypto Projects to Know in 2024 GRASS Airdrop Breakdown and Eligibility Source: Grass Foundation on X    The Grass Foundation's first airdrop distributes 100 million GRASS tokens, accounting for 10% of the total 1 billion token supply. Allocation details are as follows:   9% to users with 500+ Grass Points during the Network Snapshot (Epochs 1-7). 0.5% to GigaBuds NFT holders, with 515 GRASS allocated per eligible NFT. 0.5% to users who installed the Desktop Node or Saga Application and earned Grass Points. Eligible participants can check their airdrop allocation using the official Grass eligibility tool. Claiming will open soon, and additional allocations are expected as the network evolves.   Incentive Programs and Future Token Releases The phased token release strategy ensures sustainable growth, with only 10% of the supply airdropped initially. The remaining 90% will be released periodically, supporting liquidity, staking incentives, and community-building initiatives.   The referral program offers an additional layer of rewards, giving participants 20% of the points earned by their direct referrals. This approach aligns individual incentives with the network’s long-term expansion goals.   GRASS Token Utility  The GRASS token is central to the network’s goal of creating a user-owned internet. Its design ensures a sustainable balance between governance, staking rewards, and bandwidth access.   Key Use Cases Governance: Token holders propose and vote on network improvements, determine incentive mechanisms, and align on partnerships. Staking Rewards: Users stake GRASS tokens to Routers to facilitate web traffic, earning rewards while contributing to network security. A minimum of 1.25 million GRASS must be staked for each router to become operational. Access to Bandwidth: After decentralization, GRASS will serve as payment for transactions across the network, enabling decentralized scraping of public web data. Users can participate in the Bonus Epoch by downloading the Grass desktop app, connecting their Solana wallets, and earning Grass Points. The referral program offers up to 20% of points earned from referred users, further incentivizing participation and network growth.   GRASS Token’s Price Performance on KuCoin Pre-Market GRASS pre-market price trends on KuCoin    KuCoin has become a primary exchange for GRASS futures, with pre-market trading starting on October 17, 2024. Here’s a snapshot of the pre-market performance:   Floor Price: 0.76 USDT Highest Bid: 0.67 USDT Average Price: 0.87 USDT Traders are closely monitoring GRASS price trends in the pre-market, preparing for the token’s full launch and upcoming airdrop. The phased token release has fueled speculation while mitigating the risks of market dilution.   When Is the Grass Network (GRASS) Listing Date?  The GRASS token will officially be listed on KuCoin spot trading on October 28, 2024 at 14:00 UTC, after the airdrop. Stay tuned to official channels and KuCoin News for the latest developments surrounding the GLASS token listing and withdrawal timelines.    Read more: Grass (GRASS) Gets Listed on KuCoin! World Premiere!   Rising Fake Airdrops Amid GRASS Token Launch and Airdrop  With the surge in excitement around GRASS, scammers are spreading fake airdrop links across social media. To avoid falling victim to fraud, users should rely only on official announcements from the Grass Foundation or KuCoin. The Grass airdrop eligibility checker is available on the official website, and users are urged to stay vigilant.   Conclusion The GRASS token launch and airdrop signal the beginning of a major initiative to reshape internet ownership. With a focus on governance, staking, and user empowerment, GRASS is positioned to play a significant role in the decentralized web ecosystem. However, participants should remain cautious, as token dilution and price volatility could impact market stability.   As the October 28, 2024 airdrop approaches, users can stay informed through KuCoin and the Grass Foundation's official channels. It’s essential to trade wisely, check eligibility early, and remain vigilant against scams to fully benefit from the GRASS ecosystem.    Read more: October’s Top Crypto Airdrops: X Empire, TapSwap & MemeFi and More

At 8:00 AM UTC+8, Bitcoin was priced at $68,021, showing a 1.38% increase, while Ethereum stood at $2,507, up by 1.02%. The market's 24-hour long/short ratio in the futures market was almost balanced at 50.8% long versus 49.2% short positions. The Fear and Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, was at 74 yesterday, indicating a "Greed" level, but has slightly decreased to 72 today, keeping the crypto market in Greed territory.    Quick Take  Vitalik Buterin: Exploring targeted grants as an alternative to staking ETH. Ethereum Foundation sells ETH to fund developer projects within the ecosystem. Tether CEO Breaks Down USDT Reserves Amid Allegations  and denounced the Wall Street Journal's report as irresponsible. Solana's on-chain DEX daily trading volume led for 17 consecutive days; Base chain ranked third for 7 consecutive days. FTX reached a $228 million settlement with Bybit, allowing it to withdraw $175 million in digital assets and sell $53 million in BIT tokens to Bybit’s investment arm, Mirana Corp. Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair  24H Change OM/USDT +9.86% DOGE/USDT +4.67% ORDI/USDT +3.73% Trade now on KuCoin   This past week, the crypto world has been marked by significant shifts, including Tether’s efforts to boost transparency, Arkham Intelligence’s expansion into Solana data, and Vitalik Buterin's roadmap to reduce Ethereum's complexity. Each of these developments highlights major transformations in the crypto ecosystem, bringing new capabilities and insights.   Read More: X Empire Token Launches on KuCoin, Solana Network's Daily Fees Revenue Reaches New Highs: Oct 25   Tether CEO Breaks Down USDT Reserves Amid Allegations   Amid claims that Tether was under investigation by U.S. authorities for violating anti-money laundering laws, CEO Paolo Ardoino provided transparency on the company’s reserves at Lugano's PlanB event. Tether holds $100 billion in U.S. treasuries, 82,000 Bitcoin (worth about $5.5 billion), and 48 tons of gold. Ardoino criticized the Wall Street Journal's report, denying any investigation and highlighting Tether's role in helping law enforcement retrieve illicit funds. Since 2014, Tether has assisted in recovering over $109 million linked to cybercrime and sanctions evasion. Ardoino also voiced concerns about the U.S. regulatory environment, citing the lagging policies that push innovative crypto firms to relocate abroad. Despite these issues, Tether remains optimistic, expecting changes in crypto regulations post-2024 U.S. elections. As of October, USDT reached a market cap of $120 billion—seen as a positive sign for the broader crypto market.   Tether tokens in circulation. Source: Tether   Arkham Adds Solana Data to Its Crypto Intelligence Platform   Arkham Intelligence has expanded its crypto tracking capabilities by adding Solana blockchain data to its platform. This update enables users to monitor large fund movements, receive real-time trading alerts, and follow Solana's top traders and investors. Solana, the fifth-largest blockchain by market cap, has become a hub for memecoin trading, particularly popular for its low fees and quick transactions. Arkham’s move aims to bring greater transparency and monitoring capabilities for Solana, providing more detailed data on transactions and market trends. The addition of Solana comes as part of Arkham's mission to broaden its blockchain coverage, giving users more robust tools for tracking and analysis in an increasingly diversified crypto ecosystem.   Source: X   Read more: Top Crypto Projects in the Solana Ecosystem to Watch in 2024   The Purge - Vitalik Buterin’s Plan to Address Ethereum Bloat   Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin presented "The Purge," a proposed roadmap to reduce the blockchain’s "bloat" and complexity. Bloat occurs as Ethereum accumulates new features and stores massive amounts of historical data, which has made running a node challenging due to high storage requirements.    Chart depicting the current data required for full sync on the Ethereum network. Source: ycharts   Currently, an Ethereum node requires about 1.1 terabytes of storage for execution, adding a burden on individual participants. Buterin's solution involves reducing the necessity for every node to store all historical data while maintaining network redundancy. His plan includes having nodes store only a portion of the blockchain’s history, thereby reducing costs while maintaining the blockchain’s integrity. Buterin also discussed expiring old blockchain state information to reduce storage needs further. This approach would help Ethereum stay scalable, secure, and accessible in the long term. "The Purge" is just one of several updates Buterin has suggested, alongside plans like "The Scourge" to mitigate centralization risks and "The Verge" to simplify computational processes, making Ethereum node management possible even for smaller devices like smartwatches.   The Purge roadmap showing the plan to simplify the protocol and eliminate technical debt. Source: vitalik.eth   Read more: What Is The Surge Phase in Ethereum 2.0 Upgrade?   Conclusion   The cryptocurrency ecosystem is transforming, as exemplified by Tether’s transparency efforts amid controversy, Arkham Intelligence’s expansion into Solana, and Vitalik Buterin’s vision for Ethereum’s future. These moves demonstrate a maturing market, seeking better compliance, transparency, and scalability. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, staying informed is vital for those engaged in this dynamic space. Each of these developments, in its own way, points toward a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient digital economy.

Raydium, a decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Solana blockchain, achieved a historic feat by generating more fees than Ethereum within 24 hours. On October 21, data from DefiLlama confirmed that Raydium earned $3.4 million in fees, edging out Ethereum’s $3.35 million. This surge underscores the growing traction of Solana-based DeFi protocols in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.   Quick Take Raydium briefly outperformed Ethereum with $3.4 million in fees on October 21. Raydium’s success reflects Solana’s increasing dominance in DeFi. RAY token hit its highest price since March 18, driven by increased trading volume. Raydium handled more volume than Uniswap despite being available on fewer chains. Analysts expect Raydium’s upward trend to continue, with targets set above $3.5. Despite Ethereum reclaiming its lead with $3.7 million in fees shortly after, Raydium’s ability to surpass it, even temporarily, marks a significant shift in the DeFi market.   Solana's Dominance Drives Raydium’s Trading Volume Over $1B Raydium’s TVL | Source: DefiLlama   Raydium's growth aligns with Solana’s expanding DeFi ecosystem. Over the last month, the platform's trading volume surged by 64%, supported by increased interest in Solana's memecoins, such as Popcat (POPCAT) and Cat in a Dogs World (MEW). As of October 23, Raydium managed over $1.2 billion in trading volume, reinforcing its role as a top-tier DEX.   The influx of liquidity and trading activity contributed to the rise in Raydium’s total value locked (TVL), peaking at $1.93 billion at the time of writing. This increase in TVL mirrors the broader trend on Solana, which reached a network TVL of $6.67 billion—approaching Tron’s level and signaling intense competition within the DeFi sector.   Read more: Top Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) in the Solana Ecosystem   Raydium Processed Higher $10.3B in Transactions, Overtaking Uniswap In another remarkable development, Raydium managed more volume than Uniswap, one of the most dominant DEXs in the industry. Over the past week, Raydium processed $10.31 billion in transactions compared to Uniswap’s $10.03 billion, despite Uniswap being available on 19 different chains.   This surge highlights Raydium’s strategic advantage, particularly in leveraging Solana’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure, which attracts traders looking for efficiency. With Solana’s memecoin frenzy driving higher volumes, Raydium has cemented itself as a key player in the DeFi sector.   Raydium Price Prediction: RAY Price Rallies 157% Since August RAY/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Raydium’s native token (RAY) has experienced bullish momentum over the past few weeks, outperforming major DEX tokens like PancakeSwap and dYdX. The RAY token hit a recent high of $3.18, representing a 157% increase from its lowest point in August. Analysts suggest that the token could continue its upward trend, with the next target set at $3.5.   Key technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the MACD signal sustained bullish momentum. The “golden cross” pattern, where the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average, further confirms the bullish trend.   Can Token Unlocks Pressure RAY Price in the Future? While Raydium's growth is impressive, it faces some challenges. Future token unlocks may introduce volatility, with 263 million RAY tokens currently in circulation out of a maximum supply of 550 million. Additionally, competition from other DEXs and potential regulatory hurdles could impact its trajectory.   Looking ahead, Raydium’s success will be closely tied to the broader growth of Solana’s ecosystem. With Solana gaining traction in DeFi and NFTs, Raydium is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum. Analysts predict steady growth through 2024, with price targets ranging between $5 and $10.     Final Thoughts Raydium’s recent performance showcases the growing influence of Solana-based protocols in the DeFi sector. As the platform continues to expand its trading volume and liquidity, it challenges long-standing giants like Ethereum and Uniswap.   Raydium's ability to sustain this growth will depend on its capacity to innovate and adapt to market changes. If the current trends persist, Raydium could cement itself as a dominant force in decentralized finance, marking a pivotal shift in the DeFi landscape.   Read more: Top Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) to Know in 2024

At 8:00 AM UTC+8, Bitcoin was priced at $68,200, showing a 2.30% increase, while Ethereum stood at $2,536, up by 0.45%. The market's 24-hour long/short ratio in the futures market was almost balanced at 49.7% long versus 50.3% short positions. The Fear and Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, was at 69 yesterday, indicating a "Greed" level, but has slightly increased to 72 today, keeping the crypto market in Greed territory. The US October S&P Global Manufacturing PMI preliminary value came in above expectations, and the same was true for the Services PMI.    Quick Take  Wall Street is preparing trades that could benefit if Trump wins over Harris, according to the Wall Street Journal. US spot Bitcoin ETFs have collectively surpassed 1 million BTC in total on-chain holdings. Tomarket's user base exceeded 40 million, with its Token Generation Event set for October 31. MicroStrategy's stock price surged above $230 on Thursday, reaching its highest level in nearly 25 years and setting a new peak since the company began its Bitcoin acquisition strategy in 2020. Microsoft added "evaluation of Bitcoin investment" as a voting item for the December shareholder meeting. Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change SAFE/USDT +70.47% MEW/USDT +13.31% RAY/USDT +7.11%   Trade now on KuCoin   Bitcoin's Evolution Toward a Stable Currency by 2030: Analysis from CryptoQuant CEO Over the past three years, Bitcoin mining difficulty has experienced a substantial increase, rising by 378%. This surge has largely been fueled by considerable institutional investments in large-scale mining operations, thereby intensifying entry barriers for individual miners. Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, argues that this trend may ultimately prove advantageous for Bitcoin, suggesting that increased mining difficulty could act as a precursor to Bitcoin's transformation into a stable currency by 2030.   Source: CryptoQuant Mining Difficulty    Ju argues that the increasing influence of institutional actors within the Bitcoin mining sector will contribute to reduced market volatility. The anticipated influx of major fintech players is expected to catalyze the widespread adoption of stablecoins over the next three years, which may lay the groundwork for Bitcoin's utilization as a common transactional currency following the next halving event in 2028. The centralization of computational resources driven by institutional participation is expected to bolster the stability of the Bitcoin ecosystem—a critical prerequisite for its evolution into a widely adopted currency.   X Empire Token Launches on KuCoin The Elon Musk-themed game X Empire recently launched its token on The Open Network (TON). $X is a token based on the TON blockchain, designed to power the X Empire. X Empire combines AI, NFTs, and Web3 technologies and is available for trading on KuCoin starting Oct. 24.   X/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin    The X Empire (X) token was launched on major exchanges, including KuCoin, on October 24. $X began trading at $0.000096, dropped to $0.00005, and briefly rebounded to $0.00013 before declining again. Market participants had generally expected a price closer to $0.0002. At its current valuation, X Empire's market capitalization sits just below $40 million—significantly lower than Catizen's $106 million, Hamster Kombat's $217 million, and far beneath Notcoin's $786 million.   The developers of X Empire have outlined plans to release multiple Telegram applications designed to offer exclusive benefits to token holders, including a news feed and a language learning platform. Additionally, the team teased an upcoming announcement via Telegram, stating, "One month until something big," on Thursday.    Solana's Daily Fee Revenue Reached New Highs at $8.7M  Solana TVL and fees. Source: DefiLlama   Solana continues to build momentum with its recent surge in network revenues capturing the attention of the crypto community. Positioned as a fierce competitor to Ethereum, Solana's recent economic achievements show its growing presence and influence. Let's dive into the key developments.   Layer-1 blockchain Solana has once again broken network revenue records. On October 23, it generated approximately $8.7 million in network activity value, up from just under $8 million the previous day, according to Blockworks Research. This includes revenue from base fees, priority fees, and tips, highlighting Solana's growing economic footprint.   One key factor driving Solana's rise has been the surge in celebrity coin trading on Solana-based memecoin platforms like Pump.fun and Moonshot. The activity on these platforms has drawn attention and bolstered Solana’s reputation.   Furthermore, on October 21 Solana’s decentralized exchange Raydium generated $3.4 million in fee revenue, surpassing Ethereum's $3.35 million in the same period. This is another achievement for Solana, especially as Ethereum struggles to recover from a significant revenue drop following its March Dencun upgrade, which led to a 95% reduction in transaction fees.   Read more: Solana vs. Ethereum: Which Is Better in 2024?   Conclusion These recent developments underscore the volatility, unpredictability, and complexity that define the cryptocurrency sector. Bitcoin's prospective journey toward increased stability could represent a significant milestone for its mass adoption by 2030. Conversely, initiatives such as the Elon Musk-themed X Empire token highlight the inherent challenges and unpredictability involved in launching new tokens. On top of that, Layer-1 blockchain Solana has once again broken network revenue records. Moreover, the suspected stolen government-linked crypto holdings emphasizes the enduring risks associated with digital asset security. As the landscape continues to evolve, each event holds the potential to significantly shape the trajectory of digital assets. The journey of cryptocurrencies is far from complete, and stakeholders must maintain vigilance as this dynamic environment continues to unfold.

At 8:00 AM UTC+8, Bitcoin  was priced at $66,665, showing a 1.12% drop, while Ethereum stood at $2,524, down by 3.73%. The market's 24-hour long/short ratio in the futures market was almost balanced at 49.5% long versus 50.5% short positions. The Fear and Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, was at 69 yesterday, indicating a "Greed" level, though slightly down from 71 recorded 24 hours earlier. The crypto market remains in Greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index slightly decreasing from 70 to 69. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market leans towards greed.   Quick Take  The crypto market saw a dip, with Bitcoin briefly falling to $66,000 and Ethereum dropping 5%, while Solana held steady. Tesla revealed it continues to hold $184 million in Bitcoin, showing its long-term commitment to the asset despite market volatility.  Investor sentiment remains cautious due to global uncertainties and the upcoming U.S. election, adding to market hesitancy. Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair  24H Change GOAT/USDT +37.01% POPCAT/USDT +18.05% MEW/USDT +15.49%   Trade now on KuCoin   Crypto Market Slides: Bitcoin Dips to $66k, Ether Slides 5%, Solana Holds Firm BTC/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Cryptocurrencies experienced a selloff in parallel with traditional financial markets on Wednesday. Bitcoin saw a decline of 2.3%, falling to $66,000 before recovering above $67,000, while Ethereum took a harder hit, dropping 5.3% to below $2,490. The broader crypto market, represented by the CoinDesk 20 index—tracking the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap—fell by 2.6%. Chainlink suffered the worst losses, slumping 7.6%, while Internet Computer managed to rise 1%, the only token to defy the downtrend. This selloff, occurring alongside traditional market downturns, highlights investor hesitancy amidst current global uncertainties.   Solana Outshines Ethereum, Reignites Debate on Blockchain Roadmaps SOL/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin    One of the standout performances came from Solana, which held steady amidst the market declines. The SOL/ETH trading pair surged 6.3%, setting a new all-time high, while ETH/BTC hit its lowest point since April 2021. This strong showing from Solana has reignited debates around Ethereum's roadmap. According to Brian Rudick, director of research at GSR, Ethereum's underperformance must be analyzed in the broader context. He pointed out that the recent success of spot Bitcoin ETFs and the revival of Solana following the FTX collapse were unique events that helped BTC and SOL significantly outperform ETH. Rudick emphasized that, discounting the FTX collapse, Ethereum's performance since the 2021 crypto peak has actually been on par with Solana’s, suggesting that the current sentiment might be skewed by recent developments rather than longer-term trends.   Political Uncertainty and Upcoming U.S. Election Weigh on Sentiment Adding to the bearish sentiment is the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Joe Edwards, head of research at Enigma Securities, noted that even with crypto-friendly Donald Trump leading in betting markets, and Vice President Kamala Harris displaying a less antagonistic stance towards crypto compared to the current administration, markets are struggling to gain momentum. This lack of direction is likely tied to hesitancy around the political outlook and broader macroeconomic conditions. Investors are unwilling to make bold moves before seeing how the election unfolds, keeping upward momentum in check. With different drivers at play for each major asset, the near future of the crypto landscape appears uncertain, and traders will need to navigate these waters carefully in the weeks ahead.   Read More: Polymarket Hits Record $533M in Volume Amid U.S. Election Hype and Potential Token Launch   Tesla Holds Its Bitcoin, Reveals Q3 Financials Amid Stock Dip After Cybercab Reveal Tesla Retains Bitcoin Holdings for the Fifth Straight Quarter. Tesla's Q3 2024 earnings report revealed that the company held onto all its digital assets, including $184 million in Bitcoin, for the fifth consecutive quarter. This consistency in Bitcoin holdings highlights Tesla's approach to cryptocurrency as a strategic long-term asset.   In Q3, Tesla's revenue was $25.18 billion, slightly down from Q2's $25.5 billion, but net income showed a healthy increase, reaching $2.18 billion, up from $1.5 billion in the previous quarter. The continued holding of Bitcoin by Tesla and other public companies is closely monitored by investors, serving as an indicator of institutional interest in the crypto space and potential market impacts from selling pressures.   Source: Tesla Balance Sheet Q3   Arkham Intelligence Reports Wallet Movements, No BTC Sold Speculation about Tesla's Bitcoin wallet activity spiked when Arkham Intelligence reported a transfer from wallets believed to belong to the company. According to Arkham, Tesla still controls around 11,509 BTC, worth roughly $750.7 million. This finding was confirmed by Tesla's recent financial disclosures, confirming no crypto sales since 2022, despite rumors of asset movement. Tesla's firm commitment to Bitcoin reflects their confidence in its value as a digital asset. Despite investor skepticism following the launch of Tesla's self-driving Cybercab, the company's commitment to holding its Bitcoin remains unwavering. The decision by Tesla to retain its Bitcoin holdings is closely observed by investors and the broader market. Public companies holding large amounts of digital assets are often seen as indicators of institutional confidence in the crypto space. Tesla's consistency here reflects continued interest from significant players in the industry, which could impact market sentiment and the broader adoption of Bitcoin.   Conclusion Tesla’s ongoing commitment to its Bitcoin holdings, alongside its mixed revenue and profit performance, underscores its strategic perspective on cryptocurrency as a long-term asset. Investors closely watch moves like this from public companies to gauge broader institutional interest in crypto. As Tesla stands firm, it signals confidence in Bitcoin's role in the evolving financial landscape. Cryptocurrencies experienced a selloff in parallel with traditional financial markets on Wednesday. Adding to the bearish sentiment is the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election. With different drivers at play for each major asset, the near future of the crypto landscape appears uncertain, and traders will need to navigate these waters carefully in the weeks ahead.   Read More: HBO Spotlights Peter Todd, Avalanche Launches Crypto Visa, Sui Integrates with Google Cloud: Oct 23

Today's crypto highlights: Peter Todd is under scrutiny after HBO’s documentary suggests he might be Satoshi Nakamoto, sparking controversy and fear. Avalanche breaks new ground with its Visa card launch, bringing crypto payments closer to mainstream adoption. Sui Blockchain advances by integrating Google Cloud’s real-time data services, boosting blockchain utility. The crypto market remains in Greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index slightly decreasing from 71 to 70. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown some momentum, trading at $67,419 with a slight gain of +0.07%, while Ethereum (ETH) has dropped by -1.66% to $2,622. In the futures market, the 24-hour Long/Short ratio remains balanced at 49.5%/50.5%, reflecting relatively even sentiment among traders. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market leans towards greed.   Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me   Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers      Trading Pair  24H Change SCR/USDT 118.7% UNIO/USDT 18.73% POKT/USDT 31.23%   Trade now on KuCoin   HBO Documentary Brings Peter Todd Into the Spotlight, Sparks Safety Concerns Peter Todd recently found himself in an unexpected spotlight. An HBO documentary, created by filmmaker Cullen Hoback, claimed that Todd is the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. The documentary premiered on October 9, alleging Todd's identity as the man behind the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency. Since then, Todd has voiced fears for his safety, explaining that the sudden association with Nakamoto's wealth has forced him into hiding.    Though Todd vehemently denied being the Bitcoin inventor, the exposure has put him at risk. In an interview with Wired, Todd stated, “Obviously, falsely claiming that ordinary people of ordinary wealth are extraordinarily rich exposes them to threats like robbery and kidnapping. Not only is the question dumb, it’s dangerous.” Todd pointed out that Satoshi Nakamoto took great efforts to remain anonymous to avoid precisely such threats, and he criticized those trying to uncover Nakamoto's identity.   Despite Todd's rebuttal, Cullen Hoback defended the documentary's purpose, arguing that identifying Nakamoto is important given the potential wealth associated with the Bitcoin creator. Hoback highlighted that an anonymous figure possibly controls one-twentieth of the global supply of Bitcoin, making Nakamoto’s identity significant. While the documentary raises questions, it has also put Todd in a precarious position, showing the potentially harmful impact of high-profile speculation in the cryptocurrency world.   Avalanche’s Crypto Visa Card Marks Milestone for Adoption Avalanche has launched its Visa Card, which brings cryptocurrency payments closer to mainstream use. The card enables users to make purchases using cryptocurrencies such as WAVAX, USDC, and sAVAX at any location that accepts Visa payments. Available in both virtual and physical formats, the card provides a seamless way for users to convert their digital assets into transactions across millions of merchants globally. Initially launched in Latin America and the Caribbean, the rollout is expected to expand to additional regions soon.   The Avalanche Visa Card represents a significant move in bridging traditional finance and the crypto economy. The card offers self-custody wallets for users, providing secure, unique addresses for each asset, and ensuring easy access to spending while maintaining high security. Features like spending alerts, card freeze options, and PIN customization give users more control over their funds, enhancing security.   One standout feature of the Avalanche Card is its non-bank status. This means that the card is not linked to any traditional financial institution, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of privacy without any impact on their credit scores. However, this also means that users need to handle their spending responsibly, as there are no reporting mechanisms to credit bureaus.   Avalanche's strategic launch in underbanked regions like Latin America aims to provide financial inclusion through blockchain technology. The card supports the goal of integrating cryptocurrencies into everyday financial transactions, allowing holders to spend crypto as easily as fiat currency. By bringing crypto payments into the physical world, Avalanche is working to drive the adoption of digital currencies, making them a practical alternative to traditional money. Though there are limitations regarding specific countries—such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Russia, where the card is not accessible—the initial rollout is a step forward in bridging financial gaps with crypto technology.     Sui Integrates with Google Cloud to Power Real-Time Blockchain Applications Sui, a decentralized blockchain network, has announced a new integration with Google Cloud, facilitated by blockchain infrastructure provider ZettaBlock. This partnership is a significant development for blockchain data accessibility, allowing developers to access real-time blockchain information through Google Cloud’s Pub/Sub service. By providing seamless data flow, this integration aims to boost the creation of innovative applications, such as AI-powered fraud detection and immersive gaming.   Blockchain technology acts as a decentralized digital ledger, making data transparent and secure. By integrating with Google Cloud, Sui’s blockchain data becomes available for applications that rely on real-time responsiveness. This is especially relevant for artificial intelligence models that need immediate access to the latest data, such as those used for monitoring transactions for signs of fraud.   The collaboration with Google Cloud means that developers can now build more sophisticated solutions on the Sui network. For example, AI models can detect suspicious transactions as they happen, rather than relying on older, static data. This ability enhances the effectiveness of fraud detection systems. Additionally, real-time blockchain data can enrich online gaming experiences by making games dynamic—altering difficulty levels or character behaviors based on actual blockchain events. ZettaBlock and Sui are looking forward to expanding these capabilities, offering developers advanced tools to make blockchain data more accessible for a wide range of applications.   See Also: Top Sui Memecoins to Watch in 2024-25   Source: X   Read More: Top Sui Memecoins to Watch in 2024-25   Conclusion The world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is evolving rapidly, as seen in these latest developments. Peter Todd's forced association with Satoshi Nakamoto has thrown a spotlight on the real dangers of unverified claims in the crypto industry. Meanwhile, Avalanche’s Visa Card launch is a step toward integrating cryptocurrencies into everyday transactions, making digital currencies more accessible. Lastly, Sui's partnership with Google Cloud through ZettaBlock is helping provide innovative solutions with real-time blockchain data, empowering both AI and gaming industries. Stay tuned to KuCoin for up to date crypto news!

The crypto market remains in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index decreased from 72 to 70. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown some decreasing momentum, trading at $67,375 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed.    Quick Take  Stripe made a major move into the stablecoin sector by acquiring Bridge for $1.1 billion. Pump.fun, a memecoin platform on Solana, launched an advanced trading terminal and hinted at an upcoming token launch and airdrop.  Chainlink continues to innovate by integrating AI and oracle technology, enabling near real-time access to corporate financial data on-chain.  Quick Market Updates  Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $67,375, -2.40%; ETH: $2,666, -2.93% 24-hour Long/Short: 48.5%/51.5% Yesterday’s Fear and Greed Index: 70 (72 24 hours ago), level: Greed Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair    24H Change HOOK/USDT      -4.21% KLAUS/USDT      -9.82% DEEP/USDT  -14.41%   Trade now on KuCoin   Stripe Buys Stablecoin Platform Bridge for $1.1 Billion Stripe has acquired Bridge, a stablecoin platform, for $1.1 billion, more than five times Bridge's $200 million valuation. This deal is a strategic move for Stripe to enter the stablecoin market and enhance global money movement.   Bridge provides infrastructure for issuing and transferring tokenized money on various blockchains, serving clients like SpaceX, Coinbase, and Stellar. Stripe processed over $1 trillion in payments in 2023 and now aims to leverage stablecoins to make transactions faster, cheaper, and more efficiently, focusing on solving real-world financial problems.   Bridge shares Stripe’s belief that stablecoins can play a crucial role in transforming finance. The acquisition will accelerate their shared vision of creating a more efficient financial system with stablecoins at the center. Stripe plans to expand stablecoin adoption to make transactions easier across borders, improving the user experience for moving, storing, and spending money.   The timing is significant, with stablecoins gaining traction. According to a16z’s "State of Crypto 2024" report, stablecoins processed $8.5 trillion in Q2, surpassing Visa’s $3.9 trillion. This shows growing mainstream interest, with companies like Revolut and Visa exploring stablecoin use. Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge positions it to be a leader in this evolving financial landscape.   Read more: USDT vs. USDC: Differences and Similarities to Know in 2024   Pump.fun Launches Advanced Trading Terminal and Teases Token Airdrop Pump.fun, a Solana-based memecoin platform, has launched its latest trading tool—Pump Advanced. This new terminal aims to rival established platforms like Photon and Bull X. It includes features like mini charts, top holder stats, and social activity metrics, all in one interface. To attract new users, Pump.fun is offering 0% fees for the first month and secure logins through email with Privy, a non-custodial wallet solution.   During the launch event, co-founder Sapijiju hinted at the upcoming launch of a Pump.fun token and a possible airdrop, though no official timeline has been set. He indicated that the airdrop could be "a lot more lucrative" compared to others in the industry, sparking excitement among users. It’s expected that the token will launch on Solana, keeping in line with the platform’s current ecosystem.   Pump.fun has seen tremendous success since its January launch. It has generated over $140 million in fees and facilitated the creation of more than 2.5 million Solana-based tokens. The platform’s appeal lies in its simplicity, allowing users to easily create and launch tokens—contributing to popular meme coin trends like celebrity tokens and viral livestream stunts.   In the past week, Pump.fun reached a new high, with 31,600 new tokens created in a day, and its trading volume topped $1.1 billion. With the launch of Pump Advanced and its growing popularity, Pump.fun is strengthening its position as a major platform for meme coin enthusiasts, even as competition heats up on other networks. The introduction of its own token and airdrop could further boost its reputation and drive user engagement.   Chainlink Leverages AI and Oracles to Bring Real-Time Corporate Data Onchain Chainlink is tapping into artificial intelligence and decentralized oracles to revolutionize the availability of real-time corporate action data on the blockchain. Announced on Oct. 21, Chainlink's pilot project seeks to tackle inefficiencies in data surrounding mergers, dividends, and stock splits—information often stored in fragmented and unstructured formats like PDFs and press releases. By combining oracles and large language AI models, Chainlink converts off-chain data into a standardized digital format that is accessible in near real-time.   Source: Chainlink   The pilot is supported by major financial institutions like Franklin Templeton, Swift, UBS, and blockchain networks including Avalanche and zkSync. The use of AI and Chainlink oracles aims to reduce costs and manual processes, enhancing efficiency in managing corporate actions that cost financial institutions up to $5 million annually.   Mark Garabedian, director of digital assets at Wellington Management, emphasized how this system could dramatically cut manual work and bring cost savings. Decentralized oracles connect blockchains to the broader financial world, and Chainlink has been exploring how they can support institutional finance. Recent partnerships, such as with Taurus for institutional tokenization, aim to improve cross-chain mobility, transparency, and security.   Chainlink is positioning itself at the center of blockchain adoption within the traditional finance sector, driving innovation by integrating secure and verified data flows from the external financial ecosystem into the blockchain world.   Read More: 94% of Asian Private Wealth Considers Crypto Investing, Vitalik Buterin's Vision for “The Surge”, FBI Arrests SEC’s X Hacker: Oct 18   Conclusion Today highlights some transformative moves in the crypto sector. Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge signals its intent to lead the stablecoin revolution, Pump.fun's advancements push its presence further in the memecoin market, and Chainlink’s use of AI and oracles is setting the stage for bridging traditional finance and blockchain. As mainstream interest grows and more players innovate, the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve at an exciting pace. Keep an eye on these developments as they may reshape the industry's future.

October 21st brings major updates in the crypto market. Yuga Labs launched ApeChain, boosting the Bored Ape ecosystem with new cross-chain tools. Meanwhile, Solana targets $180 as memecoin demand drives network activity. Bitcoin has surged past $69,000, sparking fresh optimism. Tether’s USDT also hit a record $120 billion market cap, hinting at growing investor interest. Let’s dive into these highlights and see what’s fueling the market momentum.   The crypto market remains in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index increasing from 73 to 72. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown some positive momentum, trading above $69,000 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed.    Quick Market Updates  Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $69,034, +0.96%; ETH: $2,747, +3.74% 24-hour Long/Short: 51.5%/48.5% Yesterday’s Fear and Greed Index: 72 (73 24 hours ago), level: Greed Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair    24H Change KCS/USDT      +2.75% KLAUS/USDT      +17.72% DEEP/USDT  +52.40%   Trade now on KuCoin   Quick Take on the Highlights in the Crypto Space for Oct. 21 BlackRock ETF Head: 80% of Bitcoin trading product buyers are direct investors USDT Market Cap exceeded $120 billion, a record high Vitalik Buterin discussed risks and key goals facing Ethereum, believes one of the biggest risks to Ethereum L1 is the centralization of proof of stake due to economic pressure Stripe has acquired stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1 billion Read More: 94% of Asian Private Wealth Considers Crypto Investing, Vitalik Buterin's Vision for “The Surge”, FBI Arrests SEC’s X Hacker: Oct 18   Yuga Labs Unveils ApeChain: A New Ethereum Layer 2 for the Bored Ape Ecosystem Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape Yacht Club, has officially launched ApeChain, an Ethereum-based Layer 2 blockchain. They’ve also introduced the ApeChain bridge and Swap portal, enabling smooth cross-chain transactions. This move is part of Yuga’s push to future-proof its ecosystem. Partnering with Wire Network, a Layer 1 blockchain built for the AI agent economy, Yuga aims to use AI agents to boost engagement between creators and their fans.   Wire Network’s CEO, Ken DiCross, emphasized the potential for advanced AI interactions through this partnership, combining scalable blockchain with Yuga's cultural impact:   Ken DiCross, CEO of Wire Network, stated:   “…By combining our scalable, next-generation blockchain infrastructure with Yuga’s creativity and cultural influence, we are opening up new possibilities for AI agent interactions.”   ~Ken DiCross   APE/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin    Yuga also launched Top Trader, the first native product on ApeChain. This on-chain trading simulation allows users to trade with leverage up to 1,000 times without financial risk. Features include the Ape Portal for cross-chain payments and Yuga ID for simple account management. Transaction gas sponsorship and the Restart Protocol for managing tournament rewards also enhance the user experience.   ApeChain was built using the Arbitrum Orbit toolkit, focusing on improving security and scalability. ApeCoin DAO had initially considered building an independent blockchain but ultimately opted for a Layer 2 solution connected to Ethereum after extensive community discussion. This decision helps align ApeCoin with a more robust and scalable blockchain infrastructure.   Solana Eyes $180 Target as Memecoin Frenzy Fuels Bullish Momentum SOL/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin    Solana (SOL) has seen impressive gains recently, trading around $154.59 after hitting a high of $156.43. The crypto market is on a positive trend, with Bitcoin above $68,000 and other altcoins like Ethereum and XRP also rising. Global market cap has climbed to $2.35 trillion, up 0.8%.   A surge in memecoin demand has boosted Solana’s network activity and total value locked (TVL). This could push SOL to the $180 mark if momentum continues, supported by strong trading volumes and network growth.   Read more: Top Solana Memecoins to Watch in 2024   From October 11 to October 18, SOL rose by 12.1%, partly driven by rising memecoin interest. The hype, such as a viral push for Goatseus Maximus (GOAT), helped Solana’s TVL hit a two-year high of 41 million SOL. Solana also led decentralized exchange volumes, growing by 43% to reach $11.16 billion, outpacing Ethereum’s layer-2 solutions.   On the 4-hour chart, Solana rebounded from the 50% Fibonacci retracement level around $147.51, setting up further gains. It surpassed the 23.6% Fibonacci level at $153.88, which now serves as a key support. If SOL breaks above $158.33, it could target the next resistance at $165, paving the way for a broader rally toward $180.   Technical indicators back this bullish outlook. The 50-period EMA at $151.33 provides solid support, while the RSI stands at 55, showing steady buying interest. If Solana maintains current support and breaks past resistance, it could continue its upward movement toward new highs.   Source: TradingView   BTC Hits $69K Amid Big Market Moves: Here’s How Markets Are Moving BTC/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   On Sunday, Bitcoin surged past $69,000, hitting a high of $69,363. It marked a 9.3% gain for the week, bringing its year-to-date growth to 63% and a 132% increase over the past year. The crypto market saw $71.3 billion in trading volume, with Bitcoin contributing $15.25 billion.   This time, Bitcoin climbed steadily back to $69,000, resulting in only $117.7 million in liquidations across derivatives markets. The last time Bitcoin reached these levels was in late July 2024, but it then tumbled to $49,577 in early August. This time, the climb was more gradual, leading to just $117.7 million in liquidations across the crypto derivatives market. Interestingly, BTC had fewer liquidations compared to ApeCoin (APE) and Ethereum (ETH), which saw bigger wipeouts over the past day.   Bitcoin’s rise shows renewed confidence after months of uncertainty. The lower liquidation figure suggests traders are handling leverage more cautiously. Ethereum and other altcoins faced more turbulence, showing a varied market reaction. As always, volatility remains a factor, and the key question is whether Bitcoin can maintain its momentum or if we will see a correction like in August.   Read More: Trump’s Crypto Platform Raising Only $12 Million (WLFI), Stripe in Talks to Acquire Bridge: Oct 17   Tether's USDT Hits $120B Market Cap: Is 'Uptober' About to Fuel a Bitcoin and Ether Comeback? Tether’s USDT stablecoin reached a record $120 billion market cap, signaling a potential shift in the crypto market on October 20th. This growing supply could provide the liquidity needed to fuel rallies for Bitcoin and Ethereum, potentially ending their seven-month downtrend. With October historically being a positive month for crypto, the increase in USDT could support the “Uptober” narrative, suggesting incoming buying pressure. Recent USDT flows to major exchanges like KuCoin hint at renewed investor interest, possibly driving the next bullish phase for Bitcoin and Ether.   Tether Tokens in circulation. Source: Tether.to   This milestone signals potential investor interest in upcoming crypto investments, as stablecoins are often used to enter the market. Historically, a growing USDT supply has been linked to Bitcoin rallies. In August, Tether minted $1.3 billion in USDT, which helped Bitcoin recover over 21% from a recent low. Data from Arkham Intelligence shows recent significant USDT flows into major exchanges like KuCoin, suggesting increased buying pressure that could fuel a Bitcoin rally this October.   Conversely, a lack of stablecoin inflows can signal a market correction. On August 12, Bitcoin dropped below the $60,000 level, staging a nearly 4% correction as institutional buying of USDT temporarily paused. This highlights the important role stablecoin inflows play in maintaining bullish momentum in the crypto market. When stablecoin liquidity stops flowing in, buying pressure weakens, which can lead to price drops. Monitoring USDT movements can provide insights into upcoming shifts in market sentiment, especially during volatile periods.   Tether treasury outflows. Source: Arkham Intelligence   Read more: USDT vs. USDC: Differences and Similarities to Know in 2024   Conclusion From ApeChain's launch to Bitcoin breaking $69,000, the crypto space is buzzing with action. Solana’s price rally and Tether’s record market cap signal renewed confidence and investor enthusiasm. As October progresses, "Uptober" is living up to its name. Investors are eager to see if these gains will continue or face resistance. Stay tuned to KuCoin for more as the crypto market unfolds.

Ethereum developers are gearing up to launch the Pectra fork, a crucial update designed to enhance Layer 2 scaling and network performance. Central to this upgrade is EIP-7742, which aims to optimize blob-carrying transactions by setting dynamic gas targets. These improvements will unlock cheaper transactions and better scalability for Ethereum’s expanding ecosystem.   Quick Take  EIP-7742, a new Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP), enables dynamic gas targeting for blob-carrying transactions. It allows the consensus layer to set flexible gas limits, improving the efficiency of Layer 2 transactions. Ethereum’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, envisions 100,000 transactions per second (TPS) by combining Layer 2 scaling solutions with Ethereum’s rollup-centric roadmap. Layer 2 networks are becoming dominant, with recent revenue reports showing a 10:90 split between Ethereum’s mainnet and its Layer 2s. This shift has raised concerns about Ethereum’s future revenue streams. In addition to EIP-7742, EIP-3074 will introduce social recovery mechanisms to safeguard users from lost private keys. New invoker contracts will allow users to delegate asset control and transaction fees. What Are Blobs, and Why Are They Important? Blobs, introduced through Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade in March 2024, are large, temporary chunks of data embedded in transactions. Their primary purpose is to make Layer 2 transactions more cost-efficient by offloading data storage from Ethereum’s main blockchain. Instead of permanently recording every transaction detail on Layer 1, blobs allow temporary storage of transaction data, reducing congestion and lowering fees. This approach supports Ethereum’s scaling strategy by enabling rollups and other Layer 2 solutions to process data off-chain while still securing transactions through the mainnet.   However, the current blob limit has become a bottleneck. The number of blobs that can be processed simultaneously is approaching its maximum capacity, threatening Ethereum’s ability to scale efficiently. Without an update, this limitation could stall network performance and drive up gas fees, undermining the benefits of Layer 2 scaling solutions.   To address this, Ethereum developers proposed EIP-7742, which introduces a new mechanism for managing blob gas targets. Under this proposal, the gas target and maximum limits for blobs will adjust dynamically based on network conditions. This flexibility prevents bottlenecks caused by rigid gas limits and ensures that Layer 2 transactions remain cost-effective, even as demand grows. By allowing the consensus layer to set these values dynamically, EIP-7742 paves the way for smoother network operation and future scalability improvements.   This update is a crucial step in Ethereum’s long-term roadmap, as it enhances the platform’s ability to accommodate higher transaction volumes while keeping fees low for Layer 2 users. With dynamic blob fees in place, Ethereum can support the growing ecosystem of decentralized applications and maintain its competitiveness as a scalable blockchain network.   Read more: Ethereum 2.0 Upgrade   Pectra Fork Timeline and New Features The Pectra fork is expected to roll out in late 2024 or early 2025. In addition to EIP-7742, it will include EIP-3074, which introduces social recovery for Ethereum wallets. This feature will allow users to delegate control of their wallets to an invoker contract, which can perform transactions on their behalf.   Another critical update involves reducing the maximum block size from 2.7MB to approximately 1MB, freeing up space for more blob transactions and aligning with Ethereum’s scalability goals.   Buterin’s Vision: Layer 2 as the Future of Ethereum Vitalik Buterin emphasizes a rollup-centric approach to Ethereum’s scaling, where Layer 1 acts as a robust base layer and Layer 2 networks handle the heavy lifting. His ultimate goal is to create a unified Ethereum ecosystem, ensuring seamless interactions between Layer 2 networks without the feel of separate blockchains.   Buterin warns that increasing Ethereum’s gas limits to achieve higher speeds would compromise decentralization, as only larger validators with costly hardware could participate. Instead, he advocates solutions like data compression and bytecode optimization to maintain scalability without sacrificing security.   Ethereum’s Layer 2 Shift and Its Implications Ethereum’s increasing reliance on Layer 2 networks offers benefits like lower fees and faster transactions. However, it comes with a trade-off: the mainnet’s share of total network revenue has significantly dropped. VanEck’s latest analysis reveals that this trend may lower Ether's long-term value, potentially reducing their original price target by 67%.   Read more: Top Ethereum Layer-2 Crypto Projects to Know in 2024   Conclusion The Pectra fork represents a significant milestone in Ethereum’s journey toward becoming a more scalable, efficient blockchain. With dynamic blob fees, social recovery features, and continued focus on Layer 2 networks, Ethereum aims to strike a balance between scalability and decentralization. If successful, these updates will bring Ethereum closer to achieving its ambitious goal of 100,000 TPS, solidifying its position as a leading blockchain for years to come.

On October 18, the crypto world saw significant developments. The FBI arrested a hacker responsible for breaching the SEC's X account in January. Aspen Digital reported that 94% of Asian private wealth is invested or considering crypto, highlighting growing interest. Additionally, Vitalik Buterin unveiled his ambitious plan for Ethereum called "The Surge." Meanwhile, Bitcoin's spot ETFs in the U.S. crossed $20 billion in net flows, demonstrating rising investor confidence.   The crypto market remains in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index increasing from 71 to 73. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown some positive momentum, trading above $67,993.90 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed.    Quick Market Updates  Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $67,424, -0.29%, ETH: $2,605, -0.22% 24-hour Long/Short: 49.7%/50.3% Yesterday’s Fear and Greed Index: 73 (71 24 hours ago), level: Greed Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me   Read More: Trump’s Crypto Platform Raising Only $12 Million (WLFI), Stripe in Talks to Acquire Bridge: Oct 17   Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair    24H Change AIC/USDT      -0.67% BTC/USDT      +0.48% HACHI/USDT  728.22%   Trade now on KuCoin   Quick Take on the Highlights in the Crypto Space for Oct. 18 U.S. retail sales in September grew by 0.4%, surpassing expectations. The European Central Bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points. Aspen Digital reported that 76% of surveyed family offices and wealthy individuals in Asia are investing in digital assets; another 18% plan to join soon. Polymarket predicts a 64% chance of Bitcoin reaching $70,000 this month. The FBI arrested a man for posting fake Bitcoin ETF approval on the SEC's X account. FBI Arrests Hacker Behind SEC's X Account Breach On October 17, the FBI arrested Eric Council Jr. for hacking the SEC’s X account in January. He used a SIM swap attack to gain control of the SEC's social media, posting a fake announcement about a spot Bitcoin ETF approval. This event caused chaos which in turn caused Bitcoin’s price to spike, and investors scrambled. It was a stark reminder of how vulnerable even powerful institutions are to cyberattacks like SIM swapping. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves highlighted the financial and personal damage such attacks can cause. Council now faces identity theft and fraud charges.   The SEC acted quickly. Chair Gary Gensler stepped in 15 minutes after the post went live, clarifying that no ETF had been approved. But the next day, the SEC did approve 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs. These funds now hold a combined $63.5 billion, underscoring the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin despite the earlier chaos.   Source: X   94% of Asian Private Wealth Investing or Considering Crypto A report from Aspen Digital shows that 94% of private wealth in Asia is either invested in or planning to invest in crypto. Interest has surged, up from 58% in 2022 to 76% already investing, with 18% more planning to. The survey, covering 80 family offices and high-net-worth individuals managing $10 million to $500 million, found most have less than 5% of their portfolios in digital assets. Interest is high in decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence, and decentralized infrastructure.   Change in blockchain interest in Asia. Source: Aspen Digital   Spot Bitcoin ETFs are also driving interest. 53% of respondents gain exposure through ETFs. This aligns with a global rise in crypto adoption driven by regulatory clarity and the launch of ETFs in the US and Asia. Bitcoin and Ether ETFs launched in Hong Kong in April, while the US started spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.   Many surveyed investors remain optimistic. 31% believe Bitcoin will hit $100,000 by year-end, showing strong bullish sentiment among Asia’s private wealth.   U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETFs Cross $20 Billion in Net Flows On October 17, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs hit a milestone—crossing $20 billion in total net flows. This happened in just 10 months, which is incredibly fast compared to gold ETFs, which took five years to reach the same level. This rapid growth points to Bitcoin's increasing legitimacy as a store of value, comparable to traditional assets like gold.   Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, called the $20 billion mark the hardest metric to grow for ETFs. The past week alone saw $1.5 billion in inflows, signaling strong investor confidence, especially with improving regulatory clarity around these products. Data from Farside Investors showed that on October 16, Bitcoin ETFs added $458 million worth of BTC, showing continued strong demand.   Source: Eric Balchunas   This growth also reflects a shift in how investors want exposure to Bitcoin. More people want access through regulated financial products, overseen by established institutions. The surge in net flows signals Bitcoin’s growing acceptance among mainstream investors, a positive sign for its long-term prospects.   Read more: Best Spot Bitcoin ETFs to Buy in 2024   Vitalik Buterin's Vision for “The Surge” in Ethereum's Roadmap Vitalik Buterin recently laid out an ambitious plan for Ethereum, called "The Surge." The goal? Scale Ethereum to handle over 100,000 transactions per second (TPS). To do that, Buterin wants to improve both Ethereum's main blockchain and its layer 2 solutions, like rollups. It's not just about speed; it’s about making Ethereum more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly.   Buterin stressed that Layer 2 networks should feel like a unified part of Ethereum, not separate chains. Right now, different L2 solutions can feel fragmented, which can confuse users. Buterin envisions a seamless experience where using an L2 feels just like using the main Ethereum network. This would make it easier for both new users and developers, helping Ethereum grow into a more cohesive and approachable platform.   The other big focus is on cost-cutting. Merging these will optimize computations on Ethereum to ensure a cheaper and highly scalable base layer, enabling the main chain to manage the demand that comes from L2 rollups.This would make the context in which developers have to work much easier, while users will pay lower fees and notice no difference at all.   The goal of "The Surge" is to complete Ethereum’s rollup-centric roadmap while keeping decentralization and security intact. By focusing on scaling, improving user experience, and enhancing interoperability, Buterin wants to make Ethereum a more robust and easy-to-use platform. This is about laying the foundation for Ethereum to continue evolving as a key player in decentralized infrastructure globally.   Read more: Ethereum 2.0 Upgrade   Conclusion The top headlines today underscore the growing adoption of crypto assets and the steps regulators and industry leaders are taking to secure and scale the ecosystem. The arrest related to the SEC hack reminds us of ongoing cybersecurity challenges, while the increased interest in Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum’s scaling plans reflect the sector's potential. Investors across Asia, coupled with new products like ETFs and technological improvements led by Vitalik Buterin, signal a promising outlook for digital assets in the evolving financial landscape.

The convergence of political dynamics, renewed interest in BTC ETFs, and macroeconomic factors like the debasement trade are all contributing to Bitcoin’s surge toward $68,000. Bitcoin ETFs are playing a pivotal role in this rally, attracting increased inflows and clearing key technical levels as investors seek exposure to Bitcoin in traditional financial markets. Payments processor Stripe is ‘engaged in exclusive negotiations’ regarding the acquisition of the stablecoin fintech platform Bridge and Trump’s WLFI token only raised $12.5 million by the time of writing – much less than his intended goal.   The crypto market remains in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index decreasing from 73 to 71. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown positive momentum, trading above $68,000 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed.   Quick Market Updates  Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $67,618, +0.81%; ETH: $2,611, +0.14% 24-hour Long/Short: 50.7% / 49.3% Yesterday’s Fear and Greed Index: 71 (73 24 hours ago), level: Greed Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me   Read More: Ethereum’s Future, Bitcoin's Price Surge, and Q3 Insights: Crypto Market Flatlines at $2.3 Trillion: Oct 15   Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair    24H Change AIC/USDT      +16.78% BTC/USDT      +0.52% CRAI/USDT  +7.84%   Trade now on KuCoin   Quick Take on the Highlights in the Crypto Space for Oct. 17 Trump’s probability of being elected president on Polymarket rose to 60.5%, a record high. Musk donated $75 million to support Trump. Trump’s family crypto project $WLFI updated token terms: non-transferable within one year, no plans to create a secondary market currently. Also, Trump’s son will attend the Bitcoin MENA Summit.  Crypto exchange Kraken launched re-staking on the Ethereum-based protocol EigenLayer. Stripe is in advanced talks to acquire Bridge, a fintech company focused on stablecoins Stripe is in talks to acquire Bridge, a Fintech Company Focused on Stablecoins Payments processor Stripe is ‘engaged in exclusive negotiations’ regarding the acquisition of the stablecoin fintech platform Bridge – a move that could signify an even greater foray into the ever-expanding alternative payments technology market.    Last month, Bridge completed a Series A funding round and raised $40M, where Sequoia Capital was the lead investor. The company has developed a platform that allows creation, custody and exchange of stablecoins including GUSD and USDC.   With the increasing use of stablecoins as a means of payment, Stripe had also begun to execute stablecoin transfers. In the previous week, the company revealed that merchants in the USA would be able to process cryptocurrency payments for the USDC stablecoin, having not ventured into the digital tokens market for nearly six years.   Italy Considers Raising Bitcoin Capital Gains Tax to 42% in 2025 The Italian government is contemplating a significant increase in the capital gains tax on Bitcoin, potentially raising it from 26% to a steep 42% by 2025. Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo made the announcement during a press conference at Palazzo Chigi on October 16, where he discussed Italy’s new budget bill recently approved by the Council of Ministers.   According to Leo, this proposal to raise the withholding tax on Bitcoin profits is part of the broader changes included in the budget bill. He also noted the removal of the minimum revenue threshold for Italy's "web tax" or Digital Services Tax (DST), which has applied to companies earning at least 750 million euros annually and 5.5 million euros from digital services in Italy.    This potential tax hike follows Italy's decision in late 2022 to increase the capital gains tax on crypto trades exceeding 2,000 euros to 26%, a move made as part of the 2023 budget.   Trump’s Crypto Platform Token Sale Misses Mark, Raising Only $10 Million World Liberty Financial’s website shows its WLFI token is far under the $300 million goal it set for public sale. Source: World Liberty Financial The Trump family’s new crypto platform, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), faced a rocky start with its token sale on October 15, raising only 3.4% of its $300 million goal on the first day. The WLFI token, priced at 1.5 cents each, had 20 billion tokens available for public sale, but only over 837  million, roughly $12.5 million worth, were sold at the time of writing.   Despite the platform claiming to have 100,000 sign-ups before launch, Etherscan data  revealed only 6,832 unique wallets holding the WLFI token. Compounding the disappointing sales, the platform’s website crashed due to overwhelming traffic, rendering it unavailable for several hours.   Donald Trump, the project’s "Chief Crypto Advocate," took to social media on October 15 to promote the token sale, saying, “Crypto is the future, let’s embrace this incredible technology and lead the world in the digital economy.” His sons, Eric, Barron, and Donald Jr., are also listed as "Web3 Ambassadors" for the project.   Bitcoin Reaches New Record: Market Attention Pushed the Price Up To $68,323. Is a Major Breakout Approaching? The most popular virtual currency in the world, Bitcoin (BTC), unusually increased to $68,323  on 16th October 2024. It has been 80 days since we saw a similar price level on June 7th. So, what’s behind this sudden surge? Most people point to a BlackRock’s Q3 earnings call that took place about 2 days earlier. As Bitcoin price approaches the $70,000 mark, for some experts it is no longer far fetched to consider the possibility of a major breakout soon.   Within the past week, Bitcoin appeared to be on the longer path towards the piece of $68,323  last week it has reached in nearly 3 months. This increase is impressive because this is the first time that there has been such a strong confidence coming from the market given that earlier in the year the market had been a bit shaky. On October 16th, Bitcoin was in a very strong bullish trend mainly fueled by strong growing institutional demand, a healthy state of the economy, and positive structures in the charts.   A majority of such rally appears to be tracing its roots to the BlackRock Q3 earnings report and the recent talk of their intentions to increase towards the crypto market. For quite a number of months, there has been a watchful eye on BlackRock, and their persistent foray into digital assets is ensuring that there is hope.   Source: KuCoin BTC Price Last 24 Hrs    Read More: Crypto Surpasses $67,000, Tesla Moves $770 Million BTC, Bitcoin ETFs Surge and More: Oct 16   Conclusion In summary, the convergence of political events, renewed interest in Bitcoin ETFs, and macroeconomic factors are fueling Bitcoin’s upward trend towards $68,000. Bitcoin ETFs are playing a central role in this rally, with significant inflows pushing prices higher as investors seek traditional market exposure to BTC. Meanwhile, Stripe’s acquisition talks with Bridge underscore the increasing mainstream adoption of crypto payment technologies. Additionally, Trump’s WLFI token sale fell short of expectations, and Italy considers a steep Bitcoin tax hike. These events illustrate the evolving landscape and growing institutional interest in digital assets.

Hello, Hamster Kombat CEO! Did you withdraw your $HMSTR yesterday and trade it for profit? $HMSTR was finally launched on CEXs, including KuCoin, on September 26 after months of hype. $HMSTR is now trading at $0.003972 at the time of writing.   Now the game is in its Interlude Season, and your efforts in solving daily challenges to maintain your edge as a Hamster Kombat player will pay off. Hamster Kombat’s mini-game puzzle offers a chance to earn valuable golden keys, with the mining phase ending on September 20, 2024.    Quick Take Solve today's Hamster Kombat mini-game puzzle and claim your daily golden key for the day. The $HMSTR token airdrop and TGE event took place on September 26, 2024. $HMSTR  token was listed on top centralized exchanges, including KuCoin, on the same day.  Boost your earnings with the new Hexa Puzzle mini-game and exploring Playground games In this article, we provide the latest puzzle solutions and tips on how to secure your golden key, along with insights into the new Playground feature, which can boost your airdrop rewards.   Read More: What Is Hamster Kombat Hexa Puzzle Mini Game and How to Play?    Hamster Mini Game Puzzle Solution, October 17, 2024 The Hamster mini-game sliding puzzle mimics the fluctuations of a crypto price chart’s red and green candlestick indicators. Here’s how to solve it:   Analyze the Layout: Examine the puzzle to spot the obstacles. Move Strategically: Focus on clearing the candles that block your path. Quick Swipes: Speed is crucial! Make sure your moves are fast and accurate to beat the timer. Monitor the Clock: Keep an eye on the countdown to avoid running out of time. Don’t worry if you fail! You can retry after a short 5-minute cooldown.   Hamster Kombat ($HMSTR) is launched on KuCoin for spot and futures trading. You can deposit $HMSTR with 0 gas fees and start trading the token now!   Hamster Kombat’s New Hexa Puzzle Mini-Game to Mine Diamonds In addition to the sliding puzzle, Hamster Kombat has introduced the Hexa Puzzle, a match-based game that allows you to stack tiles on a hexagonal grid and continuously earn Hamster diamonds. It’s a fantastic way to accumulate diamonds ahead of the token launch, with no restrictions.   Earn More Diamonds From Games in the Playground The Playground feature offers opportunities to earn valuable diamonds by engaging with partner games. Each game provides up to four diamonds. Here’s how to participate:   Select a Game: Choose from 17 available games, including Train Miner, Coin Masters, and Merge Away. Complete Tasks: Play and complete tasks to grab diamonds. Redeem in Hamster Kombat: Enter your key code in Hamster Kombat to boost your earnings in the game. These games are simple, free-to-play, and enhance your earning potential for the upcoming $HMSTR airdrop.   Hamster Kombat TGE and Airdrop is Here  The highly anticipated $HMSTR token airdrop finally took place yesterday, on September 26, 2024. Previously, the token was available for pre-market trading on platforms such as KuCoin. Yesterday, the token distribution occurred, and users have now received their tokens after months of waiting. Besides, players can now withdraw their tokens to selected CEXs including KuCoin from other TON-based wallets in Telegram.   As the airdrop event took place, The Open Network (TON) faced challenges due to a heavy network load caused by the large number of minted tokens generated on the platform.   Read more: Hamster Kombat Announces Token Airdrop and Launch on The Open Network for  Hamster Kombat Airdrop Task 1 Goes Live: How to Link Your TON Wallet Hamster Kombat Adds Airdrop Allocation Points Feature Ahead of HMSTR Airdrop As per the Hamster Kombat whitepaper, sixty percent of the total token supply will be distributed to eligible players, while the rest will go toward market liquidity and ecosystem growth, ensuring long-term sustainability.   Hamster Kombat Welcomes the Interlude Season before the Season 2 Starts  The conclusion of Hamster Kombat Season 1 doesn’t mark the end of the game, as players now enter the Interlude Season. This warm-up phase will last a few weeks before the launch of Season 2. During this period, players can focus on farming diamonds, which will provide advantages in the upcoming season. The more diamonds you collect, the greater the benefits in Season 2. The Interlude Season offers a valuable opportunity for players to prepare and get ahead before new challenges and rewards are introduced.   Read More: Hamster Kombat Welcomes the Interlude Season Before the Token Airdrop on    Conclusion Now that the $HMSTR token has officially launched and the TGE has occurred, you can still stay active in Hamster Kombat’s daily puzzles and Playground games. Continue collecting keys to enhance your rewards and take advantage of ongoing opportunities as you wait for Season 2 to kick off.   For more updates and details, bookmark this page and follow KuCoin News.   Read more: How to Buy and Sell Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) Tokens: A Comprehensive Guide  

The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is rapidly gaining traction, offering new ways to invest, trade, and own everything from real estate to government bonds. Predictions in a Tren Finance report suggest that the RWA sector could experience explosive growth, increasing by 50x and reaching between $4 trillion and $30 trillion by 2030. This transformation is expected to redefine traditional financial markets, introducing faster, cheaper, and more transparent processes through blockchain technology.   According to a Tren Finance report, “The integration of traditional finance with blockchain technology is not just a trend but a fundamental shift towards a more accessible, efficient, and dynamic financial ecosystem.”   Quick Take Tren Finance projects that the RWA tokenization market could reach $10 trillion by 2030, representing a more than 54x increase from its current valuation of $185 billion. The report highlights how sectors like real estate, securities, and commodities are already leading this charge. Stablecoins continue to play a dominant role, accounting for over $170 billion of the total RWA market. In comparison, tokenized securities and treasuries are valued at just $2.2 billion, indicating vast growth potential in financial instruments. Blockchain-powered RWAs are attracting major financial players. Tokenized government bonds and private equity funds have already begun migrating on-chain, promising more accessible and liquid markets for traditional assets. RWAs eliminate the need for third-party intermediaries, speeding up transactions and reducing costs. With blockchain-enabled fractional ownership, investors can now buy shares in real estate properties or fine art for as little as $50. Current State of the RWA Sector: Nearly $200B in Value Source: Tren Finance   The RWA tokenization movement is in its early stages but gaining momentum. Tren Finance reports that stablecoins dominate the current $185 billion market, while tokenized treasuries and securities lag behind with only $2.2 billion on-chain.   The technology is already unlocking new markets. Government securities, which were previously limited to large institutions, are now accessible to smaller investors via tokenization. The BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), launched in March 2024, has accumulated $514 million in assets on the Ethereum blockchain.   Read more: The Rise of Real World Asset Tokenization (RWA): Unlocking Asset Liquidity   Fractional Ownership and Tokenized Markets Are Transforming Finance  Source: Tren Finance   RWAs bring unparalleled flexibility to investment. Tokenized assets allow fractional ownership, giving investors access to traditionally exclusive markets. For example, instead of needing millions to buy real estate, blockchain enables purchasing a fractional share of the property, making high-value investments more accessible.   The Tren Finance report states, “The tokenization of real-world assets unlocks liquidity and transparency in traditionally illiquid markets. Investors can now trade fractional shares of fine art, commercial properties, and carbon credits across blockchain platforms.”   Additionally, private credit markets are also joining the blockchain revolution. Tokenization makes traditionally illiquid loans more tradable and accessible to retail investors.   Read more: Top 5 Crypto Projects Tokenizing Real-world Assets (RWAs) in 2024   Stablecoins and Treasuries are Leading RWA Adoption Source: Tren Finance    Although tokenized government securities only account for $2.2 billion today, this is just the beginning. Projects like Ondo Finance and Franklin Templeton have issued tokenized U.S. Treasury-backed products. BlackRock’s BUIDL fund recently hit $514 million in assets, highlighting growing institutional interest.   Source: Tren Finance    Meanwhile, stablecoins continue to drive most of the RWA activity. With $170 billion worth of stablecoins circulating in 2024, they represent the most successful application of blockchain in traditional finance.   The report highlights how RWAs are helping DeFi innovations thrive by enhancing capital efficiency, liquidity, and composability. Christian Santagata, Product Marketing Manager at re.al, notes, “DeFi innovations have already revolutionized finance, and when combined with RWA tokenization, the possibilities are endless.”   Challenges and Future Outlook for Asset Tokenization Despite the rapid development, challenges remain. Adoption across financial markets is still in progress, and liquidity is limited in some tokenized sectors. Additionally, regulatory frameworks are evolving, posing obstacles for broader integration. However, as blockchain technology matures, experts predict faster onboarding and market liquidity.   The Tren Finance report emphasizes that RWAs will become a "core component of the financial markets” by 2030, capturing a significant share of global markets. This shift will make investment opportunities more inclusive, efficient, and global.   Conclusion The tokenization of real-world assets is transforming financial markets, unlocking new value and opportunities for both retail and institutional investors. With predictions suggesting that the market could grow 50x to $10 trillion or more by 2030, the Great Tokenization is well underway. Blockchain technology is enabling faster, more efficient transactions, fractional ownership, and enhanced liquidity, reshaping the way we think about investment and asset ownership. As major financial institutions and blockchain projects continue to push forward, RWAs are poised to become a cornerstone of the financial ecosystem in the years to come.

The status of the cryptocurrency market keeps changing very rapidly in October while BTC surpasses $67,000 today. Tesla decided to move $770 million BTC to multiple different wallets today. Milestones have been reached by Bitcoin ETFs, Ripple has ventured into stablecoins, there is increasing institutional demand, and mainstreaming is on the increase. The purpose of this article is to analyze the recent advances in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, stablecoin initiatives of Ripple, and the growth of the cryptocurrency markets in general. The pace of change that these trends represent suggests adoption and assimilation of cryptocurrencies into mainstream finance.   The crypto market remains in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index increasing from 65 to 73. Bitcoin (BTC) has shown positive momentum, trading above $67,000 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed.   Quick Market Updates  Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $67,071, +1.49%; ETH: $2,607, -0.85% 24-hour Long/Short: 50.1% / 49.9% Yesterday’s Fear and Greed Index: 73 (65 24 hours ago), level: Greed Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me   Read More: Ethereum’s Future, Bitcoin's Price Surge, and Q3 Insights: Crypto Market Flatlines at $2.3 Trillion: Oct 15   Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair    24H Change HOOK/USDT      +2.81% SUI/USDT      -7.31% AEVO/USDT  +0.41%   Trade now on KuCoin   Industry Highlights Fed’s Bostic: Expected to cut rates by another 25 basis points this year, following the 50 basis points cut in September. Trump family’s crypto project WLFI latest sales: $9.66 million. Tesla transferred all its Bitcoin worth over $770 million to multiple new addresses. Paxos launched a stablecoin payment platform. Ripple announced the first batch of exchanges and platform partners for the RLUSD stablecoin. Tesla Moves $770 Million in BTC to Multiple New Addresses Today Tesla, the electric car manufacturer run by Elon Musk, moved 11509 bitcoins worth around $770 million dollars to new addresses, states onchain data provided by analytics group Arkham Research. This most likely is all that is left from the company’s bitcoin treasury.   In the last hour, the firm which previously made a historical $1.5 billion into bitcoin halfway through February 2021 has transferred around $770 million in bitcoin to approximately 7 new wallets. These movements of tokens were the tracks of what appears to be six bogus transfers, making it the first direct movement from Tesla wallets since it offloaded most of its bitcoin holdings in 2022.   As of Oct. 15, Bitcoin had a cumulative value of approximately 9,720 BTC valued at approximately 650 million dollars, a sharp downturn from the 43,000 BTC it previously held BTC-value. On the other hand, Arkham hive believes that there are up to 11,509 BTC within 68 different Bitcoin addresses worth 770 million at the rate today. Musk's space flight company is expected to have an extra 8,285 Bitcoin assets according to the estimates of BitcoinTreasuries.   Among publicly traded BTC holders organizations, Tesla ranks third after MicroStrategy and MARA (formerly Marathon Digital). Models manufactured by the electric vehicle producer are paid for in bitcoins.   Bitcoin ETFs: A Record-Breaking Surge The cryptocurrency market is evolving rapidly, marked by significant developments in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and Ripple’s stablecoin initiatives. On October 14, US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced a remarkable surge, recording net inflows of $555.9 million. This influx represents the largest single-day inflow since June, signaling increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin as a viable investment asset. Fidelity's ETF led the charge with $239.3 million in new capital, while Bitwise followed closely with over $100 million. Additionally, Franklin Templeton and Valkyrie reported their first inflows for October, along with the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and its mini GBTC fund. According to ETF Store President Nate Geraci, this day was a "monster day" for Bitcoin ETFs, with total net inflows approaching $20 billion over the past ten months. This growth not only surpasses pre-launch demand estimates but also indicates a shift in investor behavior toward greater participation from financial advisors and institutional investors. Daily Bitcoin ETF inflows (green) on Oct. 14 were the highest since June. Source: CoinGlass   Read More: MicroStrategy Eyes Trillion-Dollar Valuation, WLFI Token Sale Approaches, and Bitcoin Search Volume Drops to Yearly Low: Oct 14   Ripple’s RLUSD: The Future of Stablecoins In another significant development, Ripple announced partnerships with several prominent exchanges to facilitate the distribution of its upcoming RLUSD stablecoin. Partners include Uphold, Bitstamp, Bitso, MoonPay, Independent Reserve, CoinMENA, and Bullish. Ripple's CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized that there has been strong demand from customers for high-quality stablecoins like RLUSD to support various financial applications such as payments, asset tokenization, and decentralized finance (DeFi).    Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who wrote in an Oct. 15 announcement:   “Customers and partners have been asking for high-quality stablecoins like RLUSD to use across various financial use cases, such as payments, tokenization of real-world assets, and decentralized finance.”   The RLUSD stablecoin is designed to be an enterprise-grade solution that will be overcollateralized, meaning each unit will be backed 1:1 by US dollar reserves or short-term cash equivalents. Ripple has already deployed RLUSD for testing on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum mainnets since August 9. The company plans to leverage RLUSD alongside its existing XRP token to facilitate faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments.   Conclusion Bitcoin ETFs have pulled in record inflows, Ripple’s RLUSD stable coin is on the rise, and the market continues to mature. Furthermore, Tesla moved 11509 bitcoins worth around $770 million dollars to new addresses. There is definitely rising institutional interest in the space, new innovations are coming forth, and digital assets are becoming embedded within the conventional economy. The situation of cryptocurrency seems favorable, with better chances for investments and greater acceptance in this circle. As always, investors should remain cautious in navigating both opportunities and risks in this dynamic market. Stay tuned to KuCoin news for the latest trends and updates.

Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has hit a major milestone, surpassing $6 billion for the first time since January 2022. The impressive growth marks the revival of Solana’s decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, signaling increasing confidence in the network’s potential. Let's take a closer look at what’s driving this surge.   Quick Take  Solana's TVL surpasses $6 billion for the first time since January 2022 with over 40.72 million $SOL locked in DeFi protocols. Raydium leads Solana's DEX resurgence, surpassing Kamino Finance. Solana now commands 31% of DEX volume across all blockchains. Solana’s TVL growth is driven by liquid staking tokens and restaking protocols like Jito and Solayer. DeFi Activity Boosts Solana’s TVL Solana DeFi TVL | Source: DefiLlama    As of October 2024, Solana’s TVL reached $6 billion, up from previous lows seen earlier in the year. Over 40.72 million $SOL, or approximately 8.66% of its circulating supply, is now locked in DeFi protocols. This TVL growth isn't just the result of $SOL price appreciation but comes from increased activity in key DeFi protocols. Notably, this figure excludes SOL staked natively, emphasizing pure DeFi engagement.   Solana Leads in DEX Volume Solana’s dominance in decentralized exchange (DEX) volume is also contributing to the network's DeFi growth. In the past few months, Solana flipped Ethereum and other blockchains in both 24-hour and 7-day DEX volume metrics. Solana now holds a 31% share in DEX volume across all blockchains, the highest it has seen in two months.   This increasing volume signals accelerating on-chain activity, further solidifying Solana's position as a DeFi powerhouse.   Read more: Solana vs. Ethereum: Which Is Better in 2024?   Raydium Reclaims Its Throne One of the standout contributors to Solana's DeFi revival is Raydium, the blockchain’s largest decentralized exchange (DEX). Raydium has overtaken Kamino Finance, becoming the second-largest protocol by TVL on Solana. This resurgence highlights Solana’s renewed dominance in the DeFi sector.   Raydium had been a key player during Solana’s DeFi boom in 2021 but saw its market position decline. Now, it’s back on top, thanks in part to the growing popularity of Solana-based meme coins. Platforms like Pump.fun have helped lock liquidity in Raydium, pushing its TVL higher. The total market cap of Solana-based meme coins recently surpassed $11 billion, further boosting the DeFi ecosystem.   Read more: Top Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) in the Solana Ecosystem   Jito Crosses $2B TVL as Liquid Staking Tokens and Restaking Protocols Rise Jito TVL | Source: DefiLlama    Another key driver behind Solana’s TVL growth is its thriving Liquid Staking Token (LST) ecosystem. Leading the charge is Jito, the largest liquid staking protocol on Solana, which has amassed over $2 billion in TVL. Jito’s rebranding as a restaking protocol has added to its appeal, especially with the rise of restaking in the Solana ecosystem. Solayer, another restaking protocol, has surpassed $204 million in TVL, further contributing to Solana’s DeFi growth.   Some crypto exchanges have launched liquid staking tokens on Solana, driving more participation and attracting users to the network. The success of these liquid staking protocols shows the potential for restaking to become a major trend in Solana’s DeFi space.   Read more: Restaking on Solana (2024): The Comprehensive Guide   How High Can SOL Price Go?  SOL/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Solana’s growth in DeFi has been mirrored by a price surge for its native token, $SOL. As of October 14, 2024, $SOL hit a peak of $160, up 20.43% over the past seven days. This price increase has also drawn attention to the network's growing DeFi ecosystem, attracting new users and capital.   With the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and positive macroeconomic conditions, the bullish sentiment surrounding Solana shows no signs of slowing down. Key stakeholders continue to lock their $SOL in staking contracts, with $2 billion worth of $SOL staked in recent weeks.   Conclusion As Solana’s DeFi ecosystem expands, key players like Raydium, Jito, and Solayer will continue to drive TVL growth. The recent surge in meme coin market cap and Solana's leadership in DEX volume suggest that the network is poised for further success. The combination of rising liquid staking participation, increasing on-chain activity, and growing protocol engagement makes Solana one of the most promising blockchains in the DeFi sector.   Solana's DeFi resurgence has lifted its TVL beyond the $6 billion mark for the first time since 2022, largely fueled by strong participation in DeFi protocols, liquid staking tokens, and rising on-chain activity. These developments have positioned Solana as a key player in the DeFi ecosystem. However, while the momentum is encouraging, it's important to remember that the crypto market is highly volatile, and external factors such as regulatory changes or broader market corrections could impact Solana's future growth. Investors should carefully assess the risks and stay informed before making any investment decisions.   Read more: Solana Unveils the Seeker Smartphone: A New Era for Web3 Mobile Technology

The crypto market experienced an upswing today led by major tokens such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). The global market capitalization increased by 1.8%, reaching approximately $2.23 trillion. Bitcoin surged past $66,000, showing significant price momentum. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also shared insights on Ethereum's progress after the Merge, discussing opportunities for further improvement. These developments reflect growing optimism and positive trends in the crypto market.   The crypto market is in the greed territory today, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index increasing from 48 to 65.  Bitcoin (BTC) has shown positive momentum, trading above $66,000 in the past 24 hours. Despite recent fluctuations, the overall market sentiment leans towards greed.   Quick Market Updates  Prices (UTC+8 8:00): BTC: $66,087, +5.11%; ETH: $2,630, +6.53% 24-hour Long/Short: 52.1%/47.9% Today’s Fear and Greed Index: 65 (48 24 hours ago), level: Greed   Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me   Read More: MicroStrategy Eyes Trillion-Dollar Valuation, WLFI Token Sale Approaches, and Bitcoin Search Volume Drops to Yearly Low: Oct 14   Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers    Trading Pair    24H Change SUI/USDT      +0.18% SOS/USDT  +41.07% BTC/USDT  +5.00%   Trade now on KuCoin   Industry Highlights Fed’s Kashkari suggests that additional “moderate” rate cuts are advisable.   Tether is considering offering loans to companies in the commodity trading sector.   Deutsche Bank will offer foreign exchange services to the crypto market maker Keyrock.   Telegram plans to establish an office in Kazakhstan to enhance its regulatory compliance efforts.   HashKey is set to launch a tokenization initiative next year.   The Bitcoin staking platform Solv Protocol has secured $11 million in funding, with investors such as Laser Digital and Blockchain Capital, and is now valued at $200 million.  Vitalik Buterin Reflects on Ethereum’s Post-Merge Future Vitalik Buterin shared thoughts on Ethereum’s potential upgrades in a blog post on Oct. 14. He focused on faster transaction speeds and better access for solo stakers. After the Merge, which moved Ethereum to proof-of-stake, the network still takes up to 15 minutes for transactions. This causes delays and congestion. Due to the current staking barriers, Buterin wants to reduce the staking requirement from 32 ETH to 1 ETH, which could help more people participate in securing the network.     Bitcoin’s Price Surge and Market Movements On Oct. 14, Bitcoin jumped above $64,000, leading to more than $100 million in liquidations. Bitcoin hit a high of $64,173, its best level since late September. This price spike forced the liquidation of over $101.4 million in short positions, including $52.33 million in Bitcoin shorts. Overall, 54,649 traders were liquidated for $166 million.   Bitcoin’s rise reflects growing positive market sentiment. It gained 2.1% in the last 24 hours and reclaimed the $64,000 range after weeks of trading lower. This movement pushed Bitcoin’s dominance back to over 58%, a level not seen since April 2021. Ethereum also saw a boost, hitting a two-week high of $2,540 after gaining 2.9%.   Bitcoin short sellers made up over half of the short liquidations in the past 24 hours. Source: CoinGlass   Coingecko Q3 2024 Report: Key Market Trends Coingecko’s Q3 2024 report showed that the global crypto market cap dropped 1%, losing $95.8 billion. However, decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs continued to grow. Prediction markets saw a 565.4% increase, led by Polymarket. Ethereum layer two (L2) networks also grew by 17.2%, with the Base network making up 42.5% of that activity. Memecoins are  the top-performing digital asset sector in 2024, driven by new token creation on Solana, Tron, and most recently, Sui. The Sui memecoin space is among the most trending, following Solana memecoins and Tron memecoins in the crypto market lately.    CoinGecko’s Q3 report emphasizes a market characterized by resilience and changes in dominance. The evolving landscape of exchanges reveals ongoing competition among key players, indicating that innovation and adaptability will shape the future of the cryptocurrency sector.   Source: CoinGecko   Coingecko’s COO and co-founder, Bobby Ong stated, “In the final quarter of 2024, we’ll closely monitor geopolitical and macroeconomic factors—particularly the U.S. Presidential Elections and Fed monetary policy decisions—unfold.”   Read more: Memecoins Surge, Upbit Under Fire for Monopoly Concerns, and More: Oct 11   Conclusion: Bitcoin’s Volatility and Investment Considerations Bitcoin’s rise above $66,000 shows how quickly its price can change. While its performance is impressive, it remains highly volatile. If you plan to invest in Bitcoin, only put in money you’re comfortable losing. Diversifying your investments can help reduce the impact of Bitcoin’s fluctuations.  As detailed in Coingecko's Q3 report, the broader market has faced fluctuations, with a slight decrease in market capitalization alongside notable growth in decentralized finance and NFTs. The changing dynamics within major exchanges also reflect the competitive nature of this space.   In summary, the cryptocurrency landscape is marked by both opportunities and challenges. If you’re looking to invest, stay informed about market trends, and always prioritize risk management by diversifying your portfolio. As always, investors should remain cautious in navigating both opportunities and risks in this dynamic market. Stay tuned to KuCoin news for the latest trends and updates.

Hello, Hamster Kombat CEO! Did you withdraw your $HMSTR yesterday and trade it for profit? $HMSTR was finally launched on CEXs, including KuCoin, on September 26 after months of hype. $HMSTR is now trading at $0.004441 at the time of writing.   Now the game is in its Interlude Season, and your efforts in solving daily challenges to maintain your edge as a Hamster Kombat player will pay off. Hamster Kombat’s mini-game puzzle offers a chance to earn valuable golden keys, with the mining phase ending on September 20, 2024.    Quick Take Solve today's Hamster Kombat mini-game puzzle and claim your daily golden key for the day. The $HMSTR token airdrop and TGE event took place on September 26, 2024. $HMSTR  token was listed on top centralized exchanges, including KuCoin, on the same day.  Boost your earnings with the new Hexa Puzzle mini-game and exploring Playground games In this article, we provide the latest puzzle solutions and tips on how to secure your golden key, along with insights into the new Playground feature, which can boost your airdrop rewards.   Read More: What Is Hamster Kombat Hexa Puzzle Mini Game and How to Play?    Hamster Mini Game Puzzle Solution, October 15, 2024 The Hamster mini-game sliding puzzle mimics the fluctuations of a crypto price chart’s red and green candlestick indicators. Here’s how to solve it:     Analyze the Layout: Examine the puzzle to spot the obstacles. Move Strategically: Focus on clearing the candles that block your path. Quick Swipes: Speed is crucial! Make sure your moves are fast and accurate to beat the timer. Monitor the Clock: Keep an eye on the countdown to avoid running out of time. Don’t worry if you fail! You can retry after a short 5-minute cooldown.   Hamster Kombat ($HMSTR) is launched on KuCoin for spot and futures trading. You can deposit $HMSTR with 0 gas fees and start trading the token now!   Hamster Kombat’s New Hexa Puzzle Mini-Game to Mine Diamonds In addition to the sliding puzzle, Hamster Kombat has introduced the Hexa Puzzle, a match-based game that allows you to stack tiles on a hexagonal grid and continuously earn Hamster diamonds. It’s a fantastic way to accumulate diamonds ahead of the token launch, with no restrictions.   Earn More Diamonds From Games in the Playground The Playground feature offers opportunities to earn valuable diamonds by engaging with partner games. Each game provides up to four diamonds. Here’s how to participate:   Select a Game: Choose from 17 available games, including Train Miner, Coin Masters, and Merge Away. Complete Tasks: Play and complete tasks to grab diamonds. Redeem in Hamster Kombat: Enter your key code in Hamster Kombat to boost your earnings in the game. These games are simple, free-to-play, and enhance your earning potential for the upcoming $HMSTR airdrop.   Hamster Kombat TGE and Airdrop is Here  The highly anticipated $HMSTR token airdrop finally took place yesterday, on September 26, 2024. Previously, the token was available for pre-market trading on platforms such as KuCoin. Yesterday, the token distribution occurred, and users have now received their tokens after months of waiting. Besides, players can now withdraw their tokens to selected CEXs including KuCoin from other TON-based wallets in Telegram.   As the airdrop event took place, The Open Network (TON) faced challenges due to a heavy network load caused by the large number of minted tokens generated on the platform.   Read more: Hamster Kombat Announces Token Airdrop and Launch on The Open Network for  Hamster Kombat Airdrop Task 1 Goes Live: How to Link Your TON Wallet Hamster Kombat Adds Airdrop Allocation Points Feature Ahead of HMSTR Airdrop As per the Hamster Kombat whitepaper, sixty percent of the total token supply will be distributed to eligible players, while the rest will go toward market liquidity and ecosystem growth, ensuring long-term sustainability.   Hamster Kombat Welcomes the Interlude Season before the Season 2 Starts  The conclusion of Hamster Kombat Season 1 doesn’t mark the end of the game, as players now enter the Interlude Season. This warm-up phase will last a few weeks before the launch of Season 2. During this period, players can focus on farming diamonds, which will provide advantages in the upcoming season. The more diamonds you collect, the greater the benefits in Season 2. The Interlude Season offers a valuable opportunity for players to prepare and get ahead before new challenges and rewards are introduced.   Read More: Hamster Kombat Welcomes the Interlude Season Before the Token Airdrop on    Conclusion Now that the $HMSTR token has officially launched and the TGE has occurred, you can still stay active in Hamster Kombat’s daily puzzles and Playground games. Continue collecting keys to enhance your rewards and take advantage of ongoing opportunities as you wait for Season 2 to kick off.   For more updates and details, bookmark this page and follow KuCoin News.   Read more: How to Buy and Sell Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) Tokens: A Comprehensive Guide