Coinpedia Fintech News

Hong Kong’s financial watchdogs, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC), have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen financial reporting and audit checks for licensed crypto firms.
The move will help regulators review financial records, share information, and spot risks early before they become bigger problems.
New Agreement Brings Crypto Firms Under Closer Checks
The newly active MoU directly replaces the 2021 agreement and brings licensed crypto firms under Hong Kong’s regular financial checks.
The rules mandate that crypto firms holding an SFC license must subject their corporate balance sheets, proof-of-reserves, and client-asset custody logs to meticulous third-party assurance work.
It also covers the audit and assurance work their auditors carry out.
Meanwhile, the tighter rules could increase compliance costs for smaller crypto firms because they may need stronger accounting systems and more audit support.
At the same time, closer checks could give investors more information about the financial position of licensed firms.
Regulators Can Now Share Information and Investigate Together
The MoU goes beyond basic guidance and sets up a stronger system for joint supervision. The SFC and AFRC will work more closely to monitor licensed crypto firms and respond to possible risks.
Under the agreement, the two regulators can share information in real time, refer cases directly, provide technical support and carry out joint on-site inspections.
This allows them to act faster when they find issues at a crypto firm.
AFRC CEO Janey Lai said the stronger information-sharing system will help regulators “identify emerging risks earlier.”
By requiring crypto firms to keep clear and accurate financial records, regulators aim to spot problems earlier and reduce the risk of major exchange failures. If a firm reports false figures, hides wallet balances or uses unverified offshore funds, the SFC and AFRC can launch a joint investigation.
SFC Chairman Kelvin Wong said the wider cooperation will provide “more comprehensive oversight” across Hong Kong’s financial sector.
Crypto Firms Face Higher Reporting Standards
For licensed crypto firms, the changes mean financial records and audit work will receive more attention.
Auditors will also come under the overall cooperation framework. This gives regulators a clearer way to examine reporting issues and share information when concerns arise.
The move comes as Hong Kong continues to expand its digital asset rules. The SFC has already introduced measures covering areas such as client asset protection, staking, and virtual asset trading platforms

SpaceX stock is heading into a pivotal stretch with its biggest near-term operational catalyst arriving as investors continue to digest a wave of newly tradable shares. SPCX is hovering around $149 after a signifcant recovery, while Starship Flight 14 prepares for its first attempt to reach orbit. The mission could reinforce SpaceX’s long-term growth story, but the stock is also facing substantial new share supply. The clash between the launch catalyst and the post-IPO overhang could determine whether SPCX resumes its recovery or remains stuck below its recent highs.
Starship Flight 14 Could Change the SpaceX Story
SpaceX is targeting September 28 for Starship Flight 14, with the 75-minute launch window scheduled to open at 7:15 a.m. Central Time from Starbase, Texas. The mission is designed to attempt Starship’s first orbital flight and deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites.
Starship’s 14th flight is set to launch on Monday, Sept 28. The 75-minute launch window opens at 7:15 a.m. CT. Live coverage of the mission starts ~35 minutes before launch → https://t.co/uQKQvgaTmJ
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 27, 2026
The mission carries more weight for investors than a routine test flight. Starship is central to SpaceX’s plans for substantially larger launch capacity, future lunar missions and the continued expansion of Starlink. The company is also developing Starship as part of its longer-term infrastructure strategy, including ambitions around large-scale space-based computing.
A successful orbital attempt would give investors another concrete milestone for the company’s next-generation launch platform. A failure or significant delay would put the focus back on the execution risks that have surrounded the program.
The launch is also arriving after SpaceX pushed the target from September 22 to September 28, giving SPCX another near-term event capable of moving the stock.
328 Million Shares Add Pressure to SPCX
While Starship provides the bullish catalyst, SpaceX is dealing with a significant increase in potential stock supply. Roughly 328.4 million shares became eligible for trading on September 24 as another tranche of the company’s unusual staggered IPO lockup structure expired. At the September 23 closing price of $148.36, those shares represented approximately $48.7 billion in potential market supply. Eligibility does not mean all of those shares will be sold.
The market had already reacted to the approaching unlock. SPCX dropped more than 4% on September 23 as investors weighed the additional supply alongside valuation concerns. The lockup schedule does not end with this tranche. Additional releases are expected in October, while larger pools remain restricted under SpaceX’s staggered post-IPO structure
SpaceX’s Growth Story Extends Beyond Starship
The valuation debate around SPCX is also increasingly tied to businesses beyond rocket launches. SpaceX reported roughly $7.8 billion in second-quarter revenue, up about 92% year over year, according to recent financial reporting.
Starlink remains a major commercial engine, while the company is simultaneously investing heavily in AI computing infrastructure. That spending is substantial. SpaceX has been building computing capacity alongside its satellite and launch operations, adding another potential long-term growth avenue but also increasing the capital requirements investors must account for.
Starship remains important to that broader strategy because lower-cost, higher-frequency launches would support the company’s ability to scale its satellite network and other space infrastructure.
SpaceX Stock Price Analysis: Can SPCX Break Above $160?
SPCX’s daily chart is developing a bull-flag-style consolidation after the stock’s sharp recovery from the $115–$120 region. The initial rally created the flagpole, while the subsequent pullback and sideways-to-downward consolidation are forming the flag portion. SPCX stock is now pressing near the upper boundary of that structure around $150, putting the stock close to a potential breakout trigger.
The first level to watch is $150–$152. A decisive move above this area would push SPCX out of the current consolidation and strengthen the continuation setup. The next resistance sits around $158–$160, followed by $170–$175. A sustained breakout above $160 would give the bull-flag setup more credibility and expose $185–$190 as the next major zone. Beyond that, the chart shows heavier resistance around $205–$210, with the previous record near $225 remaining the larger upside reference.
The structure remains vulnerable if sellers regain control. $145 is the first support, while $135–$140 marks the lower edge of the recent consolidation. A break below that zone would weaken the bullish continuation pattern and shift attention toward $115–$120, where the broader recovery began.
What’s Next For SpaceX Stock?
SPCX stock is sitting at a critical inflection point as Starship provides a major near-term catalyst and the stock builds a bull-flag-style structure. A breakout from the current consolidation would strengthen the recovery and signal renewed buying momentum. However, fresh share supply remains a major overhang, making follow-through crucial. For now, the setup favors a clear breakout-or-retest phase, with Starship potentially providing the trigger for the next decisive move.

Bitcoin is falling below $83,000, but investors are moving large amounts of BTC away from the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance. More than 13,800 BTC worth around $1.16 billion has left Binance in a single day, marking its biggest daily outflow since 2023.
The move comes as Bitcoin drops below $83,000, raising questions about investor behavior.
Binance Sees a Largest Single-Day Outflow
According to CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost, BTC has gained around 45% since its July high and recently broke above the key $82,000 level, staying above it for several days.
At the same time, Bitcoin is flowing out of exchanges. Binance, which holds around 30% of BTC across major exchanges, has seen steady outflows, with weekly net flows averaging around -2,000 BTC.
The latest outflow was much larger. Binance recorded more than 13,800 BTC in net outflows in a single day, marking its largest daily outflow since 2023. Its BTC reserves also dropped from around 705,000 BTC to 685,000 BTC in just four days.
The trend is not limited to Binance. More than 31,780 BTC worth around $2.52 billion reportedly left centralized exchanges over the past week.
Large outflows often mean investors are moving BTC to private wallets for longer-term holding. With less Bitcoin available on exchanges, selling pressure could also decrease, supporting the ongoing rally.
Yet, Bitcoin Price Drops Below $83K
These large withdrawals are happening while Bitcoin is under short-term pressure. BTC fell 2.73% to around $82,674, while the total crypto market cap dropped 2.58%.
The decline comes as geopolitical tensions have spiked after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposed seven-day regional ceasefire.
The sell off was also fueled by a leverage flush. Bitcoin liquidations reached $90.07 million, with long positions accounting for $78.06 million.
Across the wider crypto market, 122,766 traders were liquidated, taking total liquidations to $380.49 million.
Bitcoin Targets $100K as Key Support Holds
Bitcoin’s short-term drop has brought two important support levels into focus. Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez says BTC could be going through a bullish retest after breaking out of a double-bottom pattern.
BITCOIN: BULLISH RETEST!?$BTC appears to have broken out of a double bottom pattern and is now moving back toward the $82,000 neckline.
If this level holds as support, the retest could offer a buying opportunity before the rally resumes toward the pattern’s $100,000 target. https://t.co/YA0DGPjiYk pic.twitter.com/SXE7VeA9SN
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) September 28, 2026
Bitcoin is now moving back toward the $82,000 neckline. Holding this level could support another move higher, with the pattern pointing toward a $100,000 target.
If the $82,000 level fails, the next major support sits at $79,688, near the 61.8% Fibonacci level. Holding above this zone could keep BTC in consolidation, while a break below it may push the price toward the 200-day SMA near $71,070.

HBAR is gaining market attention today after registering a strong breakout, with the move coinciding with a fresh enterprise push involving IBM Cloud. The token surged toward $0.115 with sharp volume influx. The catalyst is Hedera-based identity infrastructure for AI agents, now available through IBM’s cloud marketplace. Traders are watching whether HBAR can turn the breakout into a sustained trend reversal.
IBM Puts Hedera’s AI-Identity Play in Front of Enterprise Customers
The latest catalyst comes from IDTrust, an identity platform developed by The Hashgraph Group using Hedera technology. IDTrust has been listed on the IBM Cloud Catalog, allowing businesses to access the platform through IBM’s existing enterprise cloud distribution channel. The platform is designed around verifiable credentials and digital identities for people, devices and autonomous AI agents.
🚨HUGE: IBM JUST CONNECTED ITS DIGITAL ASSET PLATFORM TO SWIFT’S BLOCKCHAIN LEDGER.
And literally yesterday, IBM partnered with The Hashgraph Group to bring @hedera powered IDTrust to IBM Cloud.
Effectively meaning IBM can push more of Hedera's services to their customers
Now… pic.twitter.com/ipmhnqnQQ5
— ALLINCRYPTO (@RealAllinCrypto) September 24, 2026
The Hashgraph Group has also received IBM Silver Partner status and signed an Embedded Solution Agreement covering IBM Cloud and AI technology. The development gives Hedera a commercial connection to one of the world’s largest enterprise technology ecosystems. IBM has been part of the Hedera Governing Council since 2019, making the latest integration an extension of an existing relationship rather than a standalone partnership.
Hedera is also pushing its interoperability infrastructure into open-source development. The network recently contributed its Cross-Ledger Protocol to the Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust, where it will be developed as an open-source lab.
Moreover, HBAR’s institutional-access story is also developing through the Canary HBAR ETF, which trades on Nasdaq under the ticker HBR. The fund held roughly 782 million HBAR, worth about $73.5 million, based on its latest reported holdings. The ETF gives traditional-market investors exposure to HBAR through a regulated exchange-listed vehicle rather than direct token custody.
HBAR Price Analysis: $0.11 Is the Breakout Test
HBAR’s daily chart shows a decisive break above the horizontal neckline that had capped price for months. The breakout also came with a significant increase in volume, giving the move more weight than a low-volume spike.
HBAR token reached roughly $0.115 on the breakout before pulling back toward the $0.096–$0.10 area. The first level bulls need to reclaim is $0.10–$0.11. A sustained move above that zone would confirm that the former resistance is turning into support and put $0.12 in focus.
Above $0.12, the next major resistance sits around $0.14–$0.15. On the downside, $0.09–$0.095 is the first support zone. Losing that area would weaken the breakout and expose the $0.085–$0.09 consolidation base.
What’s Next for HBAR?
HBAR now has a clearer fundamental catalyst behind a technical breakout. IBM’s distribution of IDTrust gives Hedera an enterprise-facing use case around AI-agent identity, while the ETF provides another route for U.S. market exposure. The chart, however, still needs confirmation. Holding the breakout structure would keep the reversal intact; slipping back below the former resistance would raise the risk of another range-bound phase.

Crypto market enters a high-stakes U.S. economic week as traders look for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve’s next rate move. The data comes as U.S. 10-year Treasury yields remain elevated near 5.15%, keeping pressure on risk assets
With BTC near $83,000, the upcoming jobs and inflation data could decide whether Bitcoin pushes above $85,000 or slips toward $80,000.
Key U.S. Economic Event this Week
Sept 28: Donald Trump Oval Speech
This week starts with Trump’s planned Oval Office address at 2 p.m. ET today. The White House has not shared the full details, but the speech is expected to focus on keeping the U.S. ahead in AI.
Trump could announce plans to expand data centers and make it easier to build the power and infrastructure needed for AI.
The speech may also cover new chip tariffs and a possible path for companies like Anthropic to remove their “supply chain risk” label.
Sept 28: JOLTS Job Openings data
Another key event this week is the August JOLTS job openings report, due on September 29. The latest JOLTS report showed 7.27 million open jobs in July 2026, up from 7.18 million in June.
Meanwhile, a weaker August reading could point to a cooling job market, which may push Treasury yields and the dollar lower.
This could support risk assets like Bitcoin as markets see less pressure from high rates.
Sept 30: PCE Inflation data
Next, August PCE inflation data is due on September 30. The PCE index is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure and is closely watched for rate decisions.
Both headline and core PCE are expected to rise 0.3% month-over-month, up from 0.2% previously. Yearly PCE inflation is forecast at 3.6%, slightly below the previous 3.7%.
The same day will also bring the third estimate of Q2 GDP, giving markets more clues about the U.S. economy.
Oct 1: US Initial Jobless Claims
Meanwhile, the weekly jobless claims report gives a quick look at changes in the U.S. labor market. Last week, initial claims came in at a strong 197,000, while markets expect a slight rise to 200,000 this week.
If claims rise more than expected, it could signal a weaker job market. For crypto, bad economic news can be good news if it increases hopes for lower interest rates.
Oct 2: Jobs Report
The biggest event comes on Friday with the September U.S. jobs report. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, but economists expect job growth to slow sharply to 83,000 in September.
The unemployment rate is expected to stay at 4.1%. A weaker jobs report could boost hopes for lower interest rates, potentially supporting Bitcoin and other risk assets.
How the Crypto Market Will React
The global crypto market cap is currently near $2.94 trillion, down 2%, while Bitcoin is trading around $83,000. Geopolitical tensions are also adding pressure after Trump rejected an Iranian proposal linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts see $85,000 as a key resistance level, while $80,000 remains the major support level for Bitcoin.

NEAR price has exploded higher as Bitwise pushes its spot NEAR ETF toward launch and unveils an aggressive long-term valuation model for the token. NEAR climbed to around $5.45, its highest level in roughly a year, after gaining about 48% in seven days. The ETF will trade on NYSE Arca under NRR, while Bitwise’s latest 39-page NEAR report projects a $155 base-case price for 2030 and a $562 extreme bullish scenario.
Bitwise NEAR ETF Gets NYSE Arca Approval
Bitwise’s NEAR ETF has cleared a major listing milestone.The SEC’s registration statement became effective on September 24, while Bitwise also filed a Form 8-A registering the ETF shares for trading on NYSE Arca. The exchange listing is under ticker NRR.
The fund is designed to hold NEAR directly and seek additional returns through staking. Its prospectus lists a 0.75% sponsor fee, while the ETF’s primary objective is to provide exposure to the value of NEAR held by the trust. The listing approval moves the product significantly closer to trading, but the regulatory filings do not establish a confirmed launch date.
Bitwise Drops a $155 NEAR Target — and a $562 Bull Case
The bigger development came with Bitwise’s newly released 39-page NEAR investment report, co-authored by Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan.
The base case for $NEAR is $150+.
The bull case for $NEAR is $550+.
I don't think we're bullish enough on crypto for the coming years. https://t.co/b8pS0pgr5i
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) September 26, 2026
The $155 base case would represent a dramatic increase from NEAR’s current price around $5.33. The extreme bullish scenario reaches $562. Bitwise’s bear case, meanwhile, shows that the firm’s model also accounts for substantial downside if its adoption assumptions fail.
In the bullish scenario, Bitwise compares NEAR’s potential role in the emerging digital economy with established payment networks, including Visa. The report cites Visa’s $15.7 trillion payment volume in 2024 as part of its valuation framework.
NEAR Price Analysis: Can the Breakout Reach $6?
The weekly NEAR/USDT price chart shows a decisive breakout from a multi-year descending trendline. NEAR spent much of 2025 and 2026 below the trendline while repeatedly forming lower highs. The latest rally has broken above that structure with a sharp increase in volume.
NEAR token price has also moved through the $4.40–$4.60 resistance zone marked on the chart. With NEAR now around $5.30, the immediate technical hurdle sits near $5.50–$5.75. A sustained move above $5.75 would put $6 into focus. Beyond $6, the weekly chart leaves room toward the $7–$8 area, where previous supply could emerge. On the downside, $4.40–$4.60 is now the key breakout-support zone. Holding above this region would keep the long-term breakout structure intact. A weekly rejection back below it would weaken the setup and expose the next support around $3.80–$4.00.
Final Words
NEAR has entered the market’s spotlight on two fronts: Bitwise is moving its ETF toward launch, while its new valuation report has put unusually large long-term numbers on the table. The $155 base case and $562 extreme bull case are tied to assumptions about NEAR’s future network adoption, not immediate price expectations. In the near term, the ETF launch path, rising derivatives positioning and the weekly trendline breakout leave $5.50–$6 as the next major test.

Popular crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez says Ethereum is approaching a key level that could decide its next major move. With ETH trading near $2,696, Martinez says buyers face a final hurdle around $2,700–$2,750.
Meanwhile, rising whale activity and strong ETF inflows are adding support as ETH tests this important resistance zone.
Ali Martinez Identifies Ethereum’s Final Hurdle
Ali Martinez says Ethereum is now close to the apex of a large symmetrical triangle, meaning the price is moving into a tighter range before a possible breakout.
For him, the main hurdle is the 2,750 area. Therefore, Ethereum needs to break above and hold this zone to confirm buyers are gaining control.
The challenge is the amount of ETH previously traded at higher levels. Martinez’s chart shows a large supply area between $2,722 and $2,822, where more than 13.3 million ETH changed hands.
This makes the zone important because many holders in this range could sell if ETH returns to their previous buying prices.
Whale Buying Supports Martinez’s ETH Setup
While this supply wall remains, whale activity is moving in the opposite direction. According to Martinez, transactions worth more than $1 million jumped from 1,202 to 7,113 in one week, an increase of nearly 500%.
2/5 Whale activity remains elevated across the Ethereum $ETH network.
Over the past week, transactions worth more than $1 million have surged nearly 500%, rising from 1,202 to 7,113. pic.twitter.com/r8m9TEuyct
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) September 27, 2026
More importantly, large holders added more than 320,000 ETH, worth around $864 million at current prices.
For Martinez, this rising whale demand is important because it shows that large holders are continuing to accumulate while ETH approaches the resistance zone.
If this buying pressure absorbs the available supply, the breakout could become easier.
ETF Inflows Add More Buying Pressure
Martinez’s view is also supported by strong institutional demand. U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded six consecutive days of inflows, bringing the weekly total to about $690 million.
The buying streak started with a $270 million net daily inflow, marking the strongest single day for Ether funds since the October 2025 cycle peak.
Ethereum Price Targets: $3,400
Meanwhile, Martinez’s bullish setup does not end at $2,750. He says that once Ethereum clears the main hurdle, he sees $3,400 as the next major target.
The chart also shows resistance around $2,970 and $3,366 before ETH reaches that level.
Beyond $3,400, Martinez sees the possibility of Ethereum moving toward the 4,300 range if buying momentum remains strong.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum is moving beyond its traditional blockchain design toward what he calls a “cryptographic world computer.” His vision for 2030 focuses on advanced cryptography, lighter nodes, better privacy and decentralized computing, which could change how Ethereum processes and verifies activity.
Ethereum Is Moving Beyond Traditional Blockchain Design
In his September 27 essay, Buterin explained that Ethereum has already changed through proof-of-stake, zero-knowledge proofs and Layer-2 networks. The next step, he says, is to use advanced cryptography to handle more of the network’s computation and data.
Today, blockchain nodes often download transaction data and repeat the same calculations to check that everything is correct. Buterin believes Ethereum can move away from this process by using SNARK proofs and PeerDAS data sampling.
Instead of doing all the work again, nodes could verify smaller proofs that show the work was completed correctly. This could reduce hardware needs and make it easier for more people to run Ethereum nodes.
That also creates room for another change: heavy computing could happen through decentralized networks, while Ethereum remains the main security layer and checks the proofs they provide.
Ethereum Could Become a “Cryptographic World Computer”
This is where Buterin’s idea of a “cryptographic world computer” comes in. Ethereum could combine blockchain security with cryptographic proofs, privacy tools and decentralized computing.
The cryptographic world computer:https://t.co/ueayODeUPo
My attempt to express in somewhat concise terms the true meaning of basically everything planned to happen to Ethereum starting from the fork after Hegota. It's really not just a blockchain anymore. It's a hybrid…
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) September 27, 2026
Zero-knowledge proofs would play an important role by allowing information or computation to be verified without revealing everything behind it. Ethereum could also handle more work in parallel, helping the network manage larger amounts of data and computation.
However, Buterin noted that making these proofs efficient and handling large amounts of data remain major challenges.
Hegota Fork: Ethereum’s Last Normal Upgrade
Buterin sees the upcoming Hegota fork as Ethereum’s last “normal” upgrade before future changes focus more heavily on advanced cryptography.
Hegota is expected to introduce FOCIL, which can help ensure valid user transactions are included in blocks.
It will also support more flexible accounts, including social recovery, spending limits, sponsored gas fees and quantum-resistant signatures.
What Ethereum Could Look Like by 2030
If this vision takes shape, Ethereum could become faster, more private and easier to verify while keeping its core security guarantees.
Buterin’s comparison shows the possible change clearly. Ethereum could move from around 17-second blocks and roughly 200 seconds for 12 confirmations toward 4–8-second slots and 8–32-second finality.
Running a node could also require much less hardware, while users could get stronger privacy and censorship resistance.
Ethereum would not need to do every calculation itself. It could verify cryptographic proof that the work was done correctly.

Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty said XRP has already secured the regulatory clarity most of the crypto industry is still fighting for, independent of whether Congress ever passes the CLARITY Act. That certainty, he said, came through two separate paths. The outcome of Ripple’s own SEC lawsuit, and a joint SEC-CFTC guidance confirming XRP and several other digital assets qualify as commodities. “We have clarity lowercase c, with or without clarity uppercase C, the legislation,” Alderoty said.
A Status Won The Hard Way
Alderoty was candid that this clarity didn’t come easily, or with much early support from the rest of the industry. He said Ripple was public from the start that it was fighting the SEC not just for itself, but on behalf of crypto broadly, a claim he said the industry initially dismissed. “They just didn’t believe us,” he said.
“There were many in the industry that probably would just have been happy if Ripple got run out of town.” He said sentiment has shifted since, with more of the industry now recognizing Ripple’s role in shaping the legal landscape they currently operate under.
What The SEC’s New Guidance Confirms
Alderoty pointed to the SEC’s newly proposed 400-page “Regulation Crypto Assets” guidance, released less than 24 hours before the interview, as further validation. He said the document cites Ripple’s own comment letters directly, with several legal positions the company argued during its lawsuit now reflected in the SEC’s official proposal.
Why Ripple Isn’t Waiting On Congress
Alderoty argued that regulators shouldn’t sit idle while Congress debates legislation that may or may not eventually pass. He said the SEC and CFTC operate under a statutory mandate to protect consumers and market integrity, a mandate that doesn’t include waiting indefinitely for lawmakers to act. “Their job is not to wait for Congress to change the laws,” he said. “Their job is to work within the laws as they currently exist.” If the CLARITY Act does eventually pass, he added, the SEC and CFTC would simply adjust their existing rules to align with it, not start from scratch.
What This Means For Ripple’s Business Going Forward
Framed against that backdrop, Alderoty’s main point was that while CLARITY Act’s passage would still matter significantly for the rest of the crypto industry, still operating without clear rules, Ripple and XRP have already crossed that threshold. Whatever happens with the bill in Washington, XRP’s regulatory status, hard-won through years of litigation, isn’t riding on the outcome.

Bitcoin has been climbing steadily since July, but one chart analyst thinks October could finally bring the pullback traders have been waiting for. After a rally that began in July and has continued through late September, a technical analyst says Bitcoin may be due for a healthier cooling-off period, and October could be the month it shows up. He’s not predicting a crash, just a normal pause after months of steady gains.
Level To Watch
The analyst is watching one support zone closely, around $82,900 to $83,000. As long as Bitcoin holds above this level, the short-term uptrend stays intact and there’s still room for another push higher, potentially toward $88,600 to $92,200. A brief dip below the line wouldn’t necessarily flip the picture bearish, but a clear, sustained break below it would be the first real warning sign.
What A Deeper Pullback Could Look Like
If Bitcoin does break down further, the next levels to watch are $81,600, then the 50-week average currently sitting near $78,700, and finally a deeper zone between $63,326 and $74,800 if selling really picks up. Importantly, the analyst said these lower levels aren’t targets, they’re simply areas he’d expect buyers to step back in if a real pullback unfolds.
Why This Isn’t Necessarily Bad News
The analyst pointed out that a pause in Bitcoin’s rally could actually be good for altcoins. He said that whenever Bitcoin trades sideways instead of surging, altcoins often get their moment to shine, something already playing out in recent weeks.
Despite flagging October as a period of possible weakness, the analyst was clear he hasn’t called a top. Bitcoin’s short-term trend has remained bullish since July, and another fresh high before any pullback is still very much on the table. His approach is to stay flexible and update his outlook as new price signals emerge, rather than locking into one fixed prediction and ignoring what the market shows next.

The Bitget hack has sparked a new debate over crypto’s biggest promise of decentralization. After hackers routed stolen funds through THORChain and converted assets into Bitcoin, Bitget CEO Gracy Chen asked the protocol to block the attacker addresses.
THORChain rejected the request, saying its permissionless design does not allow it to censor transactions.
How Did the Bitget Hacker Use THORChain?
Following the 24 September 2026 Bitget breach, blockchain security firms TRM Labs and SlowMist’s MistTrack tracked how the stolen funds moved across different networks.
According to blockchain tracking firms, the hackers first swapped stolen USDT and USDC into ETH and BNB to avoid freezes by issuers such as Tether and Circle.
Yet, Circle and Tether managed to freeze 218,023 USDT and 99,990 USDC, worth about $318,000 combined, from an attacker linked address.
Over the next 13 hours, the attackers moved millions of dollars in ETH and BNB through THORChain, a cross-chain protocol that allows direct swaps between different blockchains without using wrapped tokens. This allowed hackers to convert part of the stolen funds into native Bitcoin (BTC).
The newly converted BTC was then spread across thousands of private wallets, making the funds harder to track and recover.
Until now, hackers have moved about $4 million–$4.5 million of the stolen $387.5 million through THORChain and converted it into Bitcoin.
THORChain Rejects Bitget’s Request
The movement triggered a public clash between Bitget and THORChain.
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen called on THORChain validators to block addresses linked to the attackers. Chen argued that decentralization should not prevent networks from responding to known stolen funds.
Our attacker addresses are publicly listed and actively tracked. We are formally asking @THORChain to refuse service to these addresses. Decentralization is a design principle, not a shield for facilitating known stolen funds.
The industry is watching. https://t.co/rOzV9kpu0F
— Gracy Chen @Bitget (@GracyBitget) September 26, 2026
THORChain rejected the request, saying it is a decentralized, permissionless network similar in design to Bitcoin and Ethereum. The protocol said blocking selected transactions would go against how its system operates.
“What responsibility should Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB Chain bear when handling known stolen funds?”
THORChain Faces Criticism Over Its Role
The THORChain team’s response has drawn criticism from crypto security experts. SlowMist founder Cosine pointed to THORChain’s handling of earlier incidents and questioned whether the network should take action when stolen funds are clearly identified.
The decision has drawn criticism from security experts, including SlowMist founder Cosine, who questioned THORChain’s response to funds linked to major hacks.
After the $1.46 billion Bybit hack, nearly $1.2 billion in stolen funds reportedly moved through THORChain. Now, funds linked to the Bitget hack are also being sent through the network for swaps.
The attacker wallets have already been flagged and are being tracked by exchanges and security firms. Critics say this raises questions about whether THORChain could do more to stop the funds.
They also point to past incidents when THORChain developers used a “red button” to pause the network during an exploit.
when thorchain got drained in 2021, the network halted within hours. when thorfi went underwater in jan 2025, nodes voted to freeze withdrawals overnight.
"decentralized and permissionless" seems to apply only when it's other people's money.
a sanctioned state already used you to… https://t.co/V3PXFB5PCG
— Matt (@matthubuilds) September 27, 2026
Critics argue that the network is now continuing to process stolen funds and collect fees from these transactions.

Bitcoin is seeing two bullish signals at once. Bitcoin supply that hasn’t moved for more than six months has reached 81%, while the Inter-exchange Flow Pulse indicator has flipped back to a bullish trend.
Bitcoin Supply Keeps More Coins Off The Market
The 81% figure from an x post suggests a large share of BTC supply hasn’t moved in at least six months. That level of dormant supply has fueled talk of a potential supply shock as available coins become increasingly locked up.
Still, the data shows inactivity, not a guaranteed price outcome. The next move depends on whether demand returns strongly enough to absorb available supply.
IFP Golden Cross Brings Bulls Back
The Bitcoin Inter-exchange Flow Pulse indicator has also produced a bullish signal after forming a golden cross with its 90-day moving average.
BTC inflows into derivatives exchanges are currently above the 90-day average, pointing to increasing capital flows into those venues. The indicator had shifted bearish on September 12 and stayed there for some time before flipping bullish again, per CryptoQuant analyst CW8900.
Interestingly, Bitcoin continued trending upward during that bearish period despite derivatives inflows remaining below the 90-day average.
Bitcoin Could See Stronger Momentum Ahead
Now those inflows are rising again, creating a setup for potentially stronger upward movement than the current trend.
Historically, Bitcoin has recorded significant rises when the IFP produces bullish signals. That historical relationship doesn’t guarantee another rally, but the latest flip puts the indicator back on the bullish side.
For Bitcoin, the combination of 81% of supply sitting untouched for six months or longer and a renewed bullish IFP signal gives traders two closely watched signals as the market looks for its next major move.

If Bezos were starting today, the argument goes, stock tokenization could be his first big bet, per Token Terminal. The comparison isn’t about changing stocks themselves. It’s about changing how people access, trade, transfer, and use them.
Stock Tokenization Follows Amazon’s Original Logic
In 1994, the Internet didn’t change what a book was. It changed the experience around it, opening access to a much larger catalog with 24/7 availability, search, and discovery.
The same logic applies to stock tokenization. The underlying stock stays the same, while blockchain could create broader global access, 24/7 trading and transfers, plus interoperability across trading, lending, and collateral markets.
That’s the interesting part. The technology doesn’t need to reinvent the asset.
Public Equities Leave A Massive Onchain Gap
Public equities remain one of the world’s largest asset classes, yet only $2.8 billion, excluding ETFs, is represented onchain today. That gap is difficult to ignore.
The opportunity described here is similar to what Bezos looked for with books: a massive existing market where new technology could improve the customer experience and potentially scale significantly.
Could Stocks Become Onchain Finance’s Entry Point?
Books became Amazon’s entry point into Internet commerce. Stock tokenization could play a similar role for onchain finance by putting a familiar financial asset onto a new technological substrate.
There’s no guarantee the comparison plays out. But the setup is straightforward: a huge existing market, limited onchain representation, and blockchain infrastructure capable of changing how stocks are accessed and moved.
For stock tokenization, that makes public equities an obvious candidate for becoming a major entry point into onchain finance.

UNI price action looks less mysterious after years of compression. The token stayed under bears’ grip after its $45 peak in 2021, with a descending dynamic trendline keeping pressure on price and eventually forming a descending triangle.
UNI Price Breakout Changes The Technical Setup
The Q3 2026 rally changed that structure. UNI surged from $2.35 to $10.85, breaking out of the long-running pattern and turning the post-breakout phase into a potential accumulation period.
The next hurdles are already visible. UNI faces resistance around $12.30, followed by $15.10 and $17.50 this year. That doesn’t mean the move gets there in a straight line.
If UNI can’t flip $12.30, consolidation could drag on with price fluctuations below that level. A deeper pullback could even send UNI toward $8.25 and $6.35 before buyers attempt another push.
Uniswap Usage Adds Another Bullish Signal
The technical setup isn’t the only thing changing. Uniswap’s usage has been rising, adding another layer to the UNI price story.
Uniswap V4 now captures 50% of Ethereum DEX volume across Uniswap V2, V3, V4 and Curve, up from 31% in August 2025.
More importantly, V4 has held the top position every month since March 2026. Meanwhile, Uniswap V2’s share dropped from 5% to below 1% over the same period.
UNI Price Needs $12.30 Before Bigger Targets
For UNI price, $12.30 is the level that matters next. A successful flip would put $15.10 and $17.50 into focus, while failure could keep the token trapped below resistance and expose $8.25 or even $6.35. The breakout has happened. Now UNI needs to prove it can hold the gains.

Litecoin price has broken out of its months-long range as LTC surges toward $75, putting the $80 level within sight. The rally has accelerated alongside a sharp rise in futures positioning, with open interest climbing toward yearly highs, while spot ETF holdings continue to surge. LTC price has also pushed above the key $60–$62 resistance zone with strong volume. With leverage now running high, the next move could determine whether LTC extends the breakout or faces a sharp pullback.
Litecoin Price Rally Gains Steam as ETF Holdings Hit Record
LTC price climbed more than 16% in the latest session, reaching an eight-month high and recording its strongest trading volume of 2026. The move pushed Litecoin above the range that had contained price action for most of the year. The spot ETF market is also expanding. U.S. Litecoin ETF holdings have reached roughly 175,000 LTC, a record level, with a recent addition of around 39,000 LTC to Canary Capital’s LTCC fund contributing heavily to the increase.
The ETF data gives the rally a stronger spot-market component, but derivatives activity is expanding at a much faster pace. Futures open interest has risen to approximately $670 million, close to its 2026 peak. Around $140 million was added within a 48-hour period, highlighting how quickly leveraged exposure has entered the market.
LitVM Adds a New Utility Narrative for Litecoin
Litecoin’s rally is also developing alongside efforts to expand the network beyond its traditional payments role. LitVM is building an EVM-compatible rollup secured by Litecoin, bringing smart-contract functionality and Web3 applications into the Litecoin ecosystem. Its current infrastructure combines EVM compatibility with Litecoin-based settlement and zero-knowledge technology.
The LiteForge testnet is already live, with the project targeting applications across DeFi, tokenized assets and other Web3 use cases. The development adds a potential utility catalyst for Litecoin, although broader ecosystem adoption remains necessary before it can be treated as a sustained source of demand for LTC.
Litecoin Price Analysis: Can LTC Break $80?
LTC/USDT price chart shows a decisive breakout from a long-standing range. Litecoin spent months moving largely between $50 and $60, with the upper boundary repeatedly rejecting attempts to establish a larger recovery. The latest surge has changed that structure. LTC broke above the $60–$62 resistance zone with a sharp increase in volume and accelerated through $65 before reaching the $70s.
The immediate hurdle is now $75–$76. The chart shows LTC testing this area after a near-vertical breakout. A sustained daily close above $76 would strengthen the move and bring $80 into focus. Above $80, the next technical area sits around $84–$85, near the upper portion of the broader structure.
On the downside, $67–$70 is the first area that could provide short-term support after the breakout. The more important structural zone remains $60–$62. A return below that region would weaken the breakout and raise the risk of LTC falling back toward the $50–$54 range. Momentum is already stretched, with the RSI near the upper end of its recent range. Combined with futures open interest near yearly highs, the setup leaves LTC exposed to larger-than-normal price swings.
Final Words
Litecoin has shifted from a prolonged range into a high-momentum breakout, with ETF holdings and new smart-contract infrastructure adding to the broader narrative. The biggest risk now comes from leverage: futures positioning has expanded much faster than spot ETF flows, leaving the rally vulnerable to sharp liquidations if momentum fades. Holding the reclaimed range would keep the breakout structure intact. A decisive move through the current resistance would give bulls a fresh technical pathway toward the next major zone above $80.

Bitget has annoucne to reopen crypto withdrawals after a $387.5 million security breach that forced the exchange to suspend the service. Bitcoin withdrawals will resume first on September 28, followed by Ethereum and USDT, while XRP and other assets are expected to return by October 2.
Alongside the withdrawal restart, Bitget has also launched a recovery bounty program, offering rewards totaling up to 10%.
Bitget Schedule Phased Withdrawal Resumption
Bitget will resume withdrawals in phases to manage liquidity and avoid sudden pressure on its network. The first phase will begin on September 28 at 08:00 UTC (1:30 PM IST), when Bitcoin withdrawals will reopen on the native Bitcoin network.
Bitget will begin resuming withdrawals in orderly phases following the security incident identified on September 24.
The vulnerability involved in the incident has been identified and remediated.
Bitget's security and technical teams have since been conducting additional… https://t.co/VZu59GnLAN
— Bitget (@bitget) September 26, 2026
On September 29, Ethereum withdrawals will resume across Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum, Base and Optimism. USDT withdrawals will follow on September 30 across Ethereum, BSC, Solana and Tron.
Finally, on October 2, withdrawals for other assets such as XRP, BNB and AVAX, along with fiat currencies and P2P settlements, will return to normal.
Why Withdrawals Paused but Deposits Continued
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said the temporary withdrawal pause was a security measure and did not affect users’ account balances.
Bitget initially estimated the affected assets at $351.6 million. After further tracking, the exchange raised the figure to around $387.5 million, adding assets on Zcash and TRON that were missing from the first estimate.
The exchange said the security issue has been fixed and no further unauthorized transfers are possible. However, withdrawals were paused as an extra safety step while the platform completed its security review.
Deposits and other exchange services continued during the review because incoming deposits did not pose a threat to the platform’s core systems.
Bitget Launches Recovery Bounty Program With 10% Rewards
As withdrawals begin to resume, Bitget has also launched an Asset Recovery Bounty Program offering up to 10% in total rewards. The program offers 5% for helping freeze stolen funds and another 5% if those efforts lead to their recovery.
Thank you to Circle and Tether for moving quickly. Every address frozen matters.
To the broader community: Bitget's Recovery Bounty Program is live — 5% for freezing attacker funds, 5% for recovery. Every exchange, security researcher, and onchain investigator can make a… https://t.co/UrFjceBL49
— Gracy Chen @Bitget (@GracyBitget) September 26, 2026
Circle and Tether have already frozen 218,023 USDT and 99,990 USDC, worth about $318,000 combined, from an address linked to the attacker.
However, more stolen assets remain under investigation.
Data shows that attacker-linked wallets still hold more than 63,000 ETH, worth around $183 million, which cannot be frozen by stablecoin issuers. Even more than 102 million stolen XRP tokens, worth about $157.48 million, also remain in circulation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposed seven-day ceasefire plan and reportedly told close aides that he expects U.S. strikes on Iran to resume after the November 2026 midterm elections.
The news has pressured crypto markets, with Bitcoin falling about 3.81% as the market entered a consolidation phase.
Details of Iran’s 7-Day Ceasefire Proposal
According to reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared a seven-day ceasefire plan through Qatari mediators. Under the proposal, the U.S. would first meet its existing commitments. Iran would then reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Day 6, with nuclear talks restarting on Day 7.
Iran also offered to restore normal shipping through the Strait and resume talks on its nuclear program.
In return, Tehran wants the U.S. to lift its naval blockade, ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports and support a regional ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Trump Rejects Iran Ceasefire, Will Bomb
U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected the proposal, with reports pointing to three main reasons.
First, Washington believes continued economic pressure could force Tehran to accept a broader deal. The naval blockade is also limiting Iran’s access to ports and oil revenues.
Second, U.S. officials remain doubtful that Iran would fully follow through on nuclear and regional commitments. Some officials reportedly view the seven-day plan as only a temporary pause that will give the IRGC time to regroup and safely export its oil.
Third, Washington sees less pressure to accept the deal because U.S.-led efforts have already helped keep some oil tankers moving through the region. This reduces the immediate need to lift the naval blockade in exchange for reopening the Strait.
Bitcoin Slides Toward $84K as Tensions Rise
Following the news, the global crypto market cap fell below $3 trillion, while Bitcoin dropped below $84,000 after reaching $87,395 earlier this week.
Despite the pullback, crypto trader Ash Crypto sees the current Bitcoin structure as mirroring the 2022 cycle bottom, followed by the price action before its next major rally.
Bitcoin is currently mirroring the 2022 cycle bottom and pre-bull run price action.
After breaking out of the trendline, Bitcoin entered an accumulation phase and formed a range before breaking out for the next leg up.
We’re seeing a similar setup again. pic.twitter.com/6vAcPwB36V
— Ash Crypto (@AshCrypto) September 26, 2026
According to the analysis, Bitcoin first broke out of the $76,000–$80,000 range before rising toward $87,000.
BTC is now testing the $83,000–$84,000 area. Holding the $80,000–$82,000 range could keep the current structure intact. A move back above $87,000 could then open the path toward $92,000.
However, if Bitcoin falls below $80,000, the price could turn lower toward the $76,000 level.

Crypto whales are quietly shifting capital into a handful of altcoins as the market heads into the final days of September. Data tracking more than 20,000 Ethereum whale wallets shows UNI, LINK, LIT, ONDO and ENA leading the accumulation-side flow over the 30 days ending September 25. UNI tops the list with $86.9 million in net flow, followed by LINK at $56.7 million, while LIT, ONDO and ENA also posted strong positive flows.
UNI Leads the Whale Accumulation Race With $86.9M in Net Flow
Uniswap (UNI) witnessed the biggest whale-accumulation story among the list. Large Ethereum wallets recorded $86.9 million in net UNI flow over 30 days, with $126.1 million of accumulation-side flow versus $39.3 million of distribution. That gives UNI a 76.3% accumulation share, making it the clear leader by dollar value.
UNI price is trading around $9.73, up 8.1% over the past seven days. The token has traded between $8.46 and $10.89 during the week, showing that volatility remains high. The immediate resistance sits around $10.00–$10.90; a sustained break above the weekly high could open the door toward $11.50–$12.00. On the downside, $9.00–$8.45 is the first major support zone. Holding that area keeps the recent bullish structure intact.
LINK Whales Are Back as Accumulation Meets a Critical Price Test
Chainlink is the second-largest whale accumulation play, with $56.7 million in net 30-day flow. Accumulation accounted for 72.4% of tracked whale flow, pointing to a clear accumulation-side bias among the wallets monitored.
LINK is trading near $14.10, showing a 18.8% seven-day gain. The token has climbed sharply from the week’s low and is now pressing the upper end of its recent range. $14.40–$16.50 is the first resistance zone to watch, followed by $17.00 if buyers sustain the breakout. On the downside, $10.80–$12.50 becomes the key support area. A failure to hold it could trigger a deeper pullback after the week’s strong advance.
LIT Whales Are Heavily Accumulating as Price Consolidates
Lighter’s (LIT) stands out for the strength of its accumulation ratio rather than the absolute dollar value. The token recorded $35 million in net whale flow over 30 days, while accumulation represented 90.6% of the tracked flow—the highest share among the five altcoins.
LIT price is trading around $4.8–$4.9, with its seven-day performance essentially flat at around +0.4%. Latest data shows a weekly range stretching from roughly $4.6 to $5.2, highlighting a sharp midweek move followed by profit-taking. $5.00–$5.20 is the immediate resistance zone; clearing it could put $5.50 in focus. Meanwhile, $4.60–$4.70 is the key support area. The contrast between heavy whale accumulation and muted weekly price performance makes LIT one of the more interesting setups in the group.
ONDO Whales Move In as the Token Surges 36% in a Week
ONDO recorded $29.2 million in net whale flow, with accumulation accounting for 64% of tracked whale activity. While its accumulation ratio is lower than LIT or ENA, the size of total whale activity remains significant, with more than $100 million in tracked whale flow during the period.
ONDO price trades around $0.55 and is up 36.7% over seven days. The token has moved from a weekly low near $0.394 to a high around $0.579, putting it close to the top of its current range. $0.58 is the immediate breakout level; a decisive move above it could push ONDO toward $0.60–$0.65. On the other hand, $0.52–$0.50 is the first support zone to watch if traders begin locking in profits. The latest rally also coincides with Ondo’s launch of BlackRock-powered tokenized portfolios.
ENA Whales Keep Accumulating as Bulls Push Toward $0.25
ENA completes the list with $21.7 million in net whale flow and a 77.8% accumulation share. The dollar flow is smaller than UNI or LINK, but the strong accumulation ratio shows that the tracked whale activity was heavily tilted toward the accumulation side.
ENA price is trading around $0.27, having gained approximately 59.5% over the past seven days. Latest data shows the token moved from a weekly low near $0.166 to a high around $0.249, with momentum accelerating sharply into the weekend. The immediate hurdle is $0.28–$0.30; a sustained breakout above that region could bring $0.35 into focus. If momentum cools, $0.20–$0.25 becomes the first support zone. The sharp weekly move also means volatility and profit-taking risk have increased considerably.
Are These the Altcoins Whales Are Accumulating?
Yes, UNI, LINK, LIT, ONDO and ENA currently stand out as the five largest accumulation-side whale flows in the latest 30-day Ethereum-wallet dataset. UNI leads by value, LIT shows the strongest accumulation concentration, while ONDO and ENA have the strongest recent price momentum. The next confirmation will come from price action: sustained moves through resistance while whale positioning remains positive would strengthen the accumulation signal, while rising distribution or failed support levels would weaken it.

Crypto security losses have climbed into the billions in 2026, exposing a threat landscape that extends far beyond traditional DeFi exploits. Hundreds of incidents have targeted protocols, wallets, exchanges and critical infrastructure, while a small number of mega-breaches have driven a disproportionate share of stolen funds. Infrastructure attacks, private-key compromises, social engineering and AI-powered scams are adding new layers of risk.
This Coinpedia’s report examines where crypto is losing the most money in 2026, which attack vectors are causing the largest damage, and how the security threat is evolving across the industry.
2026 Has Already Become a Multi-Billion-Dollar Security Story
The 2026 security record already includes 288 reported incidents and roughly $2.21 billion in losses, spanning publicly reported exploits, protocol failures and incidents involving intermediaries. The attack surface now extends across exchanges, wallets, infrastructure, operational systems and smart contracts.
Crypto platforms increasingly depend on infrastructure that sits behind the blockchain. Exchanges hold hot-wallet liquidity, protocols rely on transaction-signing systems, and development teams control deployment and administrative access. A compromise at any of these points can expose large pools of assets without requiring a conventional smart-contract exploit.
The largest losses in 2026 have involved systems capable of authorizing transactions, controlling wallets, validating activity or influencing protocol behavior.
Attack Frequency Is Rising Faster Than the Dollar Damage
H1 2026 recorded 207 hacks, compared with 83 during H1 2025. Yet total losses fell to about $972 million from approximately $2.3 billion a year earlier, showing that the number of attacks rose even as aggregate damage declined.
Smart-contract exploits accounted for 125 of the 207 H1 incidents, making them the most common attack category. The expanding number of protocols, applications and financial products has also widened the number of potential entry points available to attackers.
The median H1 2026 hack was around $219,000, while the mean loss reached roughly $4.7 million. The wide gap reflects the impact of several extremely large breaches on the overall average. Smaller exploits account for a high volume of incidents, while a limited number of major compromises drive a much larger share of the money stolen.
A Small Number of Attacks Is Driving Most of the Damage
Approximately 4% of attacks accounted for about 75% of stolen funds during H1 2026. Most financial losses were therefore concentrated in a small group of major incidents.
The concentration was particularly visible in April, when breaches involving Drift and KelpDAO together accounted for roughly $577 million in losses. Many other attacks during the period involved significantly smaller amounts.
The data points to two distinct security pressures. Protocols face a continuous stream of lower-value exploits, while high-value infrastructure and custody failures can produce hundreds of millions of dollars in losses through a single compromise.
Infrastructure, Not Just Smart Contracts, Is Driving the Biggest Losses
Smart-contract exploits accounted for most H1 incidents, but infrastructure and operational compromises were responsible for roughly 76% of stolen funds while accounting for only about 15% of incidents.
These attacks target private keys, signing systems, credentials, wallet infrastructure, privileged accounts and transaction-approval processes. A weakness in any of these layers can give attackers control over assets without exploiting the underlying smart contract.
A protocol can have audited contracts while remaining exposed through its developer environment, front end, key-management system or transaction-signing architecture. Security controls therefore need to cover both the code layer and the systems that authorize changes and transactions. Access permissions, key segregation, multi-party approvals and transaction monitoring become critical when large asset pools are involved.
The Biggest Breaches Are Hitting Critical Crypto Infrastructure
The largest security incidents of 2026 include major compromises of infrastructure and asset-control systems. Liquid Network suffered a roughly $319 million gross theft after attackers exploited validator software to create unbacked synthetic bitcoin and convert it into real BTC. Around 85% of the funds were subsequently returned.
KelpDAO and Drift suffered losses in the $285 million–$292 million range, while Bitget reported approximately $387.5 million in affected assets following unauthorized hot-wallet transfers.
Coldcard also suffered a compromise involving approximately $116 million, adding hardware-wallet infrastructure to the year’s major security incidents. The incidents involved different attack methods, but each reached systems connected to substantial pools of assets. Custody controls, transaction authorization, key management and rapid containment can materially affect how much an attacker is able to move.
Security Audits Are Not a Complete Defense
Security audits address a major part of smart-contract risk, but audited platforms can still suffer significant losses. A sample of 245 documented incidents from January 2025 through July 2026 found that 147 involved platforms that had completed independent audits. Those platforms accounted for 88.44% of the capital drained in the sample.
The losses included risks outside traditional contract review, including compromised infrastructure, private keys, malicious integrations, governance failures and social engineering. Security therefore requires controls beyond code review, including infrastructure hardening, access management, transaction monitoring, privileged-account protection and incident response.
Insurance Capacity Is Tiny Compared With the Loss Surface
Active coverage across major on-chain insurance protocols fell 20.2%, from $163.2 million to $130.2 million, while cumulative payouts remained around $33 million.
The available coverage remains small compared with the industry’s multi-billion-dollar security losses. Centralized platforms may maintain individual protection funds, but those reserves generally apply to specific ecosystems rather than providing broad market-wide protection.
Insurance also becomes relevant only after a security event has occurred. Coverage limits, exclusions, claim requirements and the assets covered determine how much of a loss can actually be recovered.
AI Is Expanding the Human-Compromise Layer
AI is making established forms of crypto crime faster and more convincing. AI adoption across crypto crime reached 54 out of 100 in 2026, up from 28 in 2024.
The technology is being used across phishing, synthetic identities, deepfake communications, reconnaissance and social engineering. These methods can target employees, developers, signers and users with legitimate access to sensitive systems.
A compromised employee credential can open a production environment. A manipulated signer can authorize a transaction. A convincing deepfake or fabricated communication can bypass normal trust checks.
What the 2026 Security Record Reveals
The biggest crypto security risks are shifting from code alone to the systems that control and move assets. Smart-contract exploits remain the most common attack type, but infrastructure, custody, private keys, transaction controls and market-pricing systems are producing some of the largest losses. A relatively small number of major breaches can also outweigh hundreds of smaller incidents in financial damage.
The 2026 record points to a broader security perimeter across the crypto industry, one that includes code, infrastructure, capital controls and human access. Protecting each layer is becoming increasingly important as more assets move through interconnected protocols, exchanges and automated financial systems.

Bitcoin supply is getting tighter as long-term holders continue to keep their coins off the market. Data from Bitcoin financial services firm River Financial shows that 81% of circulating BTC has not moved for at least six months, leaving fewer coins available for active trading.
However, the supply shock has failed to push Bitcoin above $87K as it fell below $84K and entered a consolidation phase.
81% of Bitcoin Supply Remains Dormant
According to River Financial, about 16.3 million BTC has remained untouched for more than six months. With Bitcoin’s circulating supply near 19.7 million coins, only around 3.7 million BTC makes up the active float.
This means most Bitcoin holders are keeping their coins rather than selling or moving them between wallets and exchanges. The trend has become more visible as Bitcoin recovered roughly 50% from its June lows and moved above $87,000.
The shrinking active supply is largely linked to long-term accumulation. River Financial data shows long-term holders have added more than 3 million BTC since 2020.
At the same time, the movement of older coins has slowed sharply. Only about 300,000 BTC from older wallets moved during the first half of 2026, suggesting fewer long-held coins are returning to circulation.
This leaves fewer coins available for buyers and sellers across exchanges and trading platforms.
Meanwhile, while long-term holders keep Bitcoin off exchanges, institutional investors are also adding to their holdings through spot Bitcoin ETFs, which recorded $134.51 million in net inflows, bringing total weekly inflows to nearly $2.6 billion.
Retail Buyers Reverse Their Selling Trend
River’s data also shows a major change among retail investors. During the first half of 2026, retail holders sold a net 140,000 BTC.
However, that trend reversed in Q3, when they bought back more than 107,000 BTC.
Mid-sized “dolphin” wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC have also increased their holdings. These wallets accumulated more than 113,000 BTC since mid-July, adding further pressure to the available supply.
Whale Activity Shows Heavy Buying and Selling
BTC is trading around $83,970, after recently pushing toward the $87,385 area. The important point is that whales are placing large orders on both sides of the market, creating a clear battle zone.
Between $85,122 and $87,000, large sell orders totaling around $37 million are placed. This creates a strong sell wall that could make it harder for Bitcoin to move above the $85K – $87K range.
At the same time, around $21.1 million in buy orders are placed between $82,000 and $83,500.
This makes the $82K–$83K area an important support zone, while $85K – $87K remains a major selling area.