Category: NEWS

  • Aerodrome price surges 10% after Animoca Brands announces strategic investment

    Aerodrome price surges 10% after Animoca Brands announces strategic investment

    Aerodrome Finance Price

    • Aerodrome Finance price eyes breakout above $1.
    • This comes after Animoca Brands announced it market-acquired and staked AERO tokens.
    • Market sentiment and the institutional confidence may propel Aerodrome Finance price to $1.34.

    Aerodrome Finance (AERO) price is up amid bullish momentum.

    The token gained as web3 and gaming investor Animoca Brands makes a strategic investment, a move that helped AERO price extend 24-hours to over 10% and briefly surpass the $1 mark.

    The Animoca Brands’ backing of Aerodrome Finance adds to the growing institutional interest in the decentralized exchange project on Base.

    Animoca Brands acquires, stakes AERO

    Animoca Brands announced its acquisition of AERO tokens on October 28, noting it made purchases on the open market. The company then staked all of these tokens for veAERO, demonstrating long-term commitment to Aerodrome Finance.

    Buying and staking AERO aligns with Animoca’s mission to generate value in open networks and support innovative protocols.

    As noted in the post above, the company sees Aerodrome as a dominant player on Base. With more than 50% of the DEX total value locked (TVL) on the blockchain, Aerodrome has become the central liquidity hub for the ecosystem.

    “Aerodrome is a key component in the engine behind Base’s DeFi growth and Coinbase is making it seamless for its CEX users to trade tokens which have liquidity on DEXs such as Aerodrome thus driving more value to Aerodrome voters. With sustainable tokenomics for $AERO and the team’s ability to execute, Aerodrome has proven its standing as a key player in Base infrastructure,” Animoca Brands posted on X.

    The investment follows a pattern of institutional backing for Aerodrome, including previous acquisitions by entities like Coinbase Ventures and Wintermute Ventures.

    Alexander Cutler, CEO of Dromos Labs and a core contributor to Aerodrome, lauded Animoca’s move. He noted that AERO’s value is accessible only through open market participation and active involvement.

    Price outlook: AERO bulls eye breakout above $1

    At the time of writing, AERO is up nearly 2% on the day and has extended the uptick to 10% in the past 24 hours.

    Over the past week, AERO has climbed 26%. This sees it outperform the broader market gains and form an uptrend since touching lows of $0.70 on Oct. 17.

    Currently, price hovers in a key range near $0.99 as bulls aim for a decisive breakout above the $1 psychological level.

    AERO price chart by TradingView

    If AERO strengthens above $1, it would allow bulls to target the next hurdles around $1.2 and then $1.34.

    The RSI at 70 on the 4-hour chart nonetheless suggests gains will firmly push AERO into the overbought zone. However, the MACD points to strength for buyers as the signal line cuts above the zero line, suggesting bullish momentum.



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  • Australia tightens crypto rules: check out all the details

    Australia tightens crypto rules: check out all the details

    Australia tightens crypto rules as ASIC classifies stablecoins as financial products

    • Crypto firms offering financial products must obtain an AFSL by 30 June.
    • Bitcoin and NFTs are said to be excluded from the financial product category.
    • The Treasury has finished consultations on new crypto legislation.

    Australia has tightened its regulatory framework for digital assets, introducing updated guidelines that define how crypto service providers will be classified and licensed.

    The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced revisions to its Information Sheet 225.

    Firms offering services tied to financial products will now need to apply for an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and join the Australian Financial Complaints Authority by June 30.

    The updated document aims to streamline compliance requirements, strengthen investor protection, and bring digital asset providers under the same regulatory standards as traditional financial institutions.

    This marks a significant shift in Australia’s approach to overseeing crypto-related businesses and ensuring greater market transparency.

    The move aims to bring greater oversight to the rapidly evolving crypto industry while maintaining flexibility for tokens like Bitcoin, which will not be treated as financial products under the new guidance.

    Bitcoin excluded, but stablecoins under scrutiny

    Under the revised guidelines, ASIC clarified that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, gaming non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and tokenised event tickets do not fall under the financial product category.

    However, stablecoins, wrapped tokens, tokenised securities, and yield-bearing products like staking services and tokenised real estate will require licensing.

    ASIC also confirmed in-principle regulatory relief for stablecoin and wrapped token distributors to help transition into compliance ahead of broader legislative reforms.

    The updated framework outlines that services offering financial returns or lock-up periods will be classified as financial products, ensuring investors in yield-based assets are protected under existing finance laws.

    Industry welcomes clarity but warns of implementation challenges

    The update has been broadly welcomed across the blockchain sector for providing long-awaited clarity.

    Industry groups and legal experts said the move provides visibility on ASIC’s approach to regulating the digital asset ecosystem.

    However, they warned that the transition could create logistical hurdles due to limited local expertise, banking restrictions, and insurance access.

    Blockchain APAC’s CEO noted that ASIC’s approach of implementing policy ahead of final legislation brings short-term certainty but also leaves room for interpretation.

    These “structural bottlenecks,” including resource and compliance constraints, could shift risks from legal to operational levels if not addressed promptly.

    Transition underway as crypto firms prepare for licensing

    Industry players are now restructuring their operations to align with the new rules.

    The Digital Economy Council of Australia called the update a significant step toward mainstream regulation but expressed concern about ASIC’s capacity to process a large volume of licensing applications in time.

    The move follows the Albanese government’s proposal in March for a unified framework that places crypto exchanges under existing financial services laws.

    The Treasury concluded consultations last week on draft legislation that would formalise this transition, further aligning Australia’s crypto oversight with global regulatory trends.

    The update marks a turning point for Australia’s digital asset market, setting a roadmap for compliance while signalling the government’s intention to balance innovation with investor protection.

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  • Battle for a green month: Can Bitcoin hold its gains as ‘Uptober’ comes to a close?

    Battle for a green month: Can Bitcoin hold its gains as ‘Uptober’ comes to a close?

    Battle for a green month: Can Bitcoin hold its gains as 'Uptober' comes to a close?

    • Bitcoin is fighting to close October in positive territory, a key historical signal.
    • The month has been highly volatile, with a 13% correction at one point.
    • A series of technical indicators are now pointing to a bullish short-term structure.

    It has been an up-and-down and often frustrating month for Bitcoin traders, a period of wild price swings that has put the seasonal promise of an “Uptober” rally to a severe test.

    Now, with just a few days left in the month, a tense battle is underway as the bulls fight to keep the world’s leading cryptocurrency in positive territory, a goal that could have significant implications for the rest of the year.

    Historically, October has been a powerful launchpad for Bitcoin, delivering average gains of more than 20%. But this year has been a different story.

    After spiking above $123,000 early in the month, the market was hit by a brutal 13% correction that saw prices plummet to $107,000.

    Since then, the bulls have been in a grinding, hard-fought recovery, with the price currently hovering around $115,000, a meager 1.14% gain for the month.

    A powerful macro tailwind provides support

    This fragile recovery is being supported by a powerful macroeconomic tailwind.

    Traditional markets are firing on all cylinders, with the S&P 500 hitting fresh record highs as investors confidently price in a quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve this week.

    This dovish monetary policy, combined with an easing of US-China trade tensions, has propelled a “risk-on” sentiment that typically benefits assets like crypto.

    Adding another layer of support is a renewed wave of institutional interest.

    Spot Bitcoin ETFs have now recorded their third consecutive day of inflows, a clear signal of conviction from the market’s larger and more influential players.

    The view from the charts: a bullish structure takes shape

    A deep dive into the technical charts reveals a bullish short-term structure that suggests the path of least resistance is now to the upside.

    The Average Directional Index (ADX), a key measure of trend strength, is sitting at a strong 32.14, a reading that suggests the current upward momentum is likely to persist.

    At the same time, the Squeeze Momentum Indicator is flashing a “bullish Impulse,” a high-probability signal that directional movement to the upside is just beginning.

    The Ichimoku Cloud analysis also shows Bitcoin trading above the clouds, another classic indicator of trend continuation.

    The final hurdle: a pivotal Fed decision

    While the technical and macro pictures are aligning in favour of the bulls, a major and binary risk event looms on the horizon: the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement on Wednesday.

    While the market is pricing in a 25-basis-point cut, any hawkish language about the future path of interest rates could easily trigger a wave of short-term volatility.

    The key for the bulls will be whether Bitcoin can maintain its critical support above the $114,000 level through any Fed-related turbulence.

    If it can, then this “Uptober,” while not as explosive as many had hoped, may still end in the green, setting the stage for a potentially powerful final two months of the year.

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  • Gnosis price outlook as GnosisDAO GIP-140 proposal passes

    Gnosis price outlook as GnosisDAO GIP-140 proposal passes

    Gnosis price outlook as GnosisDAO GIP-140 proposal passes

    • GIP-140 revamps GnosisDAO voting with on-chain and beacon data.
    • GNO price dips amid profit-taking and technical resistance.
    • Liquidity limits and stablecoin rules may influence short-term sentiment.

    The Gnosis price has experienced modest volatility following the passing of the GnosisDAO GIP-140 proposal, a major governance update aimed at overhauling the platform’s voting mechanisms.

    The GIP-140 initiative replaces the current subgraph-based GNO strategy with a suite of strategies that read blockchain state directly from both the execution and beacon layers.

    The proposal’s approval marks a significant step toward enhancing the accuracy and reliability of Snapshot voting while adding support for StakeWise tokens and reducing dependency on external data providers.

    GIP-140: revamping voting for accuracy and inclusion

    GIP-140’s passage reflects a broad consensus among GnosisDAO participants, with 82 votes cast, overwhelmingly in favour of the measure.

    The core objective is to eliminate the subgraph dependency, which has historically caused delays and inaccuracies in voting power calculations.

    The new system attributes voting power to GNO balances across both the Gnosis Chain and Ethereum, locked GNO holdings, validator balances, and StakeWise’s sGNO and osGNO tokens.

    By pulling data directly from on-chain and beacon chain sources, the proposal seeks to create a more robust and transparent voting environment that can better reflect actual stakeholder influence.

    The technical implementation involves updating Snapshot’s configuration via a SafeSnap transaction, pointing to aggregator contracts deployed on both Gnosis Chain and Ethereum, as well as a new beacon-chain strategy for staked GNO.

    Delegation mechanisms have also been updated to integrate these new sources, ensuring a seamless transition for DAO members accustomed to existing workflows.

    The changes position GnosisDAO to handle complex governance requirements while reducing reliance on third-party indexers like The Graph, which previously introduced inconsistencies.

    Gnosis price enters consolidation amid profit-taking

    Surprisingly, following the approval of GIP-140, the Gnosis price has seen a slight pullback, falling 0.89% over the past 24 hours and underperforming the broader crypto market, which gained 0.06%.

    The price movement aligns with profit-taking behaviour after GNO achieved a 7.98% weekly gain and an 8.3% rise during October.

    Technical indicators suggest the market is testing resistance around the 30-day simple moving average of $137.93 and the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at $138.47.

    Gnosis price analysis
    Source: CoinMarketCap

    While the RSI remains neutral at 53.42, a bearish divergence in the MACD hints at potential short-term consolidation.

    In addition, liquidity pressures stemming from CoinDCX’s June 2025 delisting continue to weigh on GNO trading activity.

    Despite being months old, the delisting reduced retail access to the token, and the 24-hour turnover ratio of 1.08% remains relatively low compared with broader DeFi sector averages.

    Regulatory uncertainties surrounding stablecoins, particularly the relaunch of USDS under the stricter US GENIUS Act, may also indirectly influence sentiment toward Gnosis Chain assets.

    Nevertheless, milestones like Gnosis Pay’s $100 million transaction volume suggest that ecosystem adoption could counterbalance some of these headwinds.

    Looking ahead

    The combination of technical consolidation, lingering liquidity constraints, and regulatory considerations creates a cautious but watchful environment for Gnosis price movements.

    Holding the $135–$137 zone could provide the stability needed for renewed momentum, particularly as GnosisDAO’s upgraded Snapshot strategies begin to reflect more accurate voting power across multiple token types.

    In the coming weeks, the Gnosis price may respond to both market dynamics and the tangible impact of GIP-140’s execution, particularly if the changes enhance voting accuracy and encourage broader participation in the DAO.

    For now, the community appears aligned, and the successful passage of GIP-140 represents a meaningful milestone that could shape GNO’s trajectory in both governance and market performance.

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  • KERNEL price goes vertical on Upbit listing, hits $0.23

    KERNEL price goes vertical on Upbit listing, hits $0.23

    upbit-lists-kernel

    • KernelDAO price jumped to highs of $0.23 amid Upbit listing news.
    • The KERNEL token reached an all-time high above $0.46 in April, and it could target this mark next.
    • Gains across the crypto market will catalyse an uptick for the token.

    KERNEL, the native token of restaking protocol KernelDAO, spiked more than 25% to hit highs of $0.23 early Tuesday.

    While bulls are battling to hold onto the gains, the uptick saw the token rank among the top performers across the crypto market.

    Given overall crypto sentiment, could Upbit listing help KERNEL price extend its upward momentum amid interest in restaking protocols?

    Upbit listing propels KERNEL to $0.23 high

    As noted, the catalyst for KERNEL’s vertical price ascent today is likely trader reaction to Upbit’s announcement.

    On October 28, 2025, the leading South Korean crypto exchange confirmed the token’s listing on its KRW market, adding support for trading on the Ethereum network.

    The listing ignited immediate buying pressure, with KernelDAO daily volume spiking as bulls propelled KERNEL from lows of $0.16 to an intraday peak of $0.23 as of writing.

    Notably, daily volume stood at over $316 million, up a staggering 1,540% in the past 24 hours.

    With gains of over 20%, KERNEL ranked among the few top altcoins with double digit price movements on the day.

    KernelDAO price hovered in the list of top gainers alongside Hedera’s HBAR, Pump.fun’s PUMP and Bittensor’s TAO tokens.

    Why such interest in KernelDAO?

    KernelDAO is a leading restaking protocol behind a $1.7 billion total value locked ecosystem.

    The YZi Labs-backed project is live across top blockchains, including Ethereum and BNB Chain.

    Notably, it boasts key products like Kernel, Kelp, Gain, and Kred, a recently introduced product focused on real-world assets.

    Upbit’s listing is the latest in bullish support for the KERNEL token, with the South Korean crypto exchange known for its active trading community.

    The listing not only boosts KERNEL’s visibility but also taps into fresh liquidity pools.

    KernelDAO is a restaking infrastructure platform that provides a range of staking-related services.

    It enables restaking on the BNB Chain, supports BNB Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs), and offers Bitcoin (BTC) restaking opportunities.

    In addition, the project operates an Ethereum-based restaking protocol that runs directly on the Ethereum network.

    This system includes a vault-style smart contract designed to manage staked ETH, rsETH, and liquid staking token (LST) assets.

    The platform’s native KERNEL token serves multiple purposes, including governance, restaking, and slashing insurance within the ecosystem.

    KernelDAO bulls target $0.50 next

    KERNEL price reached an all-time high of $0.46 in April 2025, and while it dropped to lows of $0.09 in June, it has recovered by more than 115% since.

    Current prices around $0.19 means bulls are about 57% off the all-time peak.

    KERNEL chart by CoinMarketCap

    As the broader cryptocurrency market rebounds amid various catalysts, including renewed institutional interest, regulatory clarity in key regions, and macroeconomic shifts favoring risk assets, KernelDAO looks set to benefit.

    DeFiLlama shows the protocol’s total value locked (TVL) has pumped to over $1.7 billion.

    As such, gains across the restaking sector could add further fuel to KernelDAO’s ecosystem.

    Targets on the upside include the ATH and a breakout above $0.50.

    On the downside, buyers need robust activity around $0.18 and $0.16.

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  • Nasdaq-listed AgriFORCE eyes $700M Avalanche treasury bet; AVAX price outlook

    Nasdaq-listed AgriFORCE eyes $700M Avalanche treasury bet; AVAX price outlook

    AVAX price at crossroads

    • Avalanche price is looking to hold the $20 level.
    • Nasdaq-listed AgriFORCE has shareholder approval to roll out an Avalanche treasury strategy.
    • The company says it’s eyeing a $700m AVAX treasury strategy.

    Avalanche price holds above the $20 mark amid news that Nasdaq-listed company AgriFORCE Growing Systems has secured shareholder support for a bold pivot into the Avalanche ecosystem.

    The AVAX token, which has bounced off lows of $18 in the past week, shows notable resilience amid broader market optimism around a potential altcoin explosion.

    AgriFORCE eyes $700 million AVAX treasury bet

    Nasdaq-listed AgriFORCE, a company traditionally rooted in sustainable agriculture technologies, is eyeing an aggressive pivot into the crypto treasury strategy ecosystem.

    Specifically, the company wants to become the first publicly traded entity on Nasdaq dedicated exclusively to the Avalanche blockchain network.  AVAX One is the new company.

    On October 27, AgriFORCE revealed it had secured special shareholder approval for the initiative .

    A $300 million capital infusion and a further $250 million offering are set to fund an aggressive AVAX treasury strategy.

    In the process of acquiring and holding AVAX tokens, AgriFORCE is poised to commit up to $700 million in exposure through direct purchases, staking, and ecosystem participation.

    Matt Zhang, founder of Hivemind and nominated chairman of the AgriFORCE board, commented:

    “With this mandate from shareholders, we can now proceed to close the transaction and begin the focused work of accumulating AVAX strategically and creating the Berkshire Hathaway of the on-chain financial economy.”

    AVAX price holds above $20: Is $40 next?

    Amid the corporate enthusiasm, the Avalanche native token shows resilience.

    While the price of AVAX fell from highs of $21 this week, bulls managed to recover from lows of $18. Maintaining stability above the critical $20 psychological level signals a potential bullish momentum that will align with the broader cryptocurrency market.

    If bulls break above $30, the altcoin could target prices above $40. As well as tokenization, catalysts such as institutional inflows and narrative shifts around spot exchange-traded funds are critical.

    AgriFORCE’s corporate strategy and market performance also point to what investors may want to look out for in the coming weeks. In its announcement, the company said it will put its plans into action in the coming days.

    “The completion of this transaction will position the Company as the first Nasdaq-listed entity with a primary mission centered on the Avalanche ecosystem. The transaction is expected to close on or about October 30, 2025,” it wrote.

    AVAX price reached its all-time high of $146 in November 2021.

    The current price is well off this peak.

    However, bulls have managed to bounce by an impressive 630% since the Avalanche price fell to its all-time low of $2.79 in 2020.

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  • Mt. Gox delays Bitcoin repayments again as creditors await full settlement

    Mt. Gox delays Bitcoin repayments again as creditors await full settlement

    Mt. Gox delays Bitcoin repayments again as creditors await full settlement

    • Mt. Gox extends Bitcoin repayment deadline to Oct 2026 amid ongoing administrative hurdles.
    • Once the top Bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox’s collapse in 2014 led to the loss of 850,000 BTC.
    • Arkham data shows holdings now down 75% to 34,690 BTC.

    Mt. Gox, once the world’s largest Bitcoin exchange, has delayed repayments to its creditors until October 2026 — extending a saga that began more than a decade ago.

    The announcement, made just days before its previous deadline of October 31, 2025, reflects ongoing administrative and technical challenges in finalising payments.

    While many creditors who submitted paperwork have received partial repayments, a significant number are still waiting for their funds.

    The Tokyo District Court approved the extension after the trustee cited the need for additional time to process remaining claims and complete settlements efficiently.

    Delayed Bitcoin repayments extended to 2026

    According to the latest notice, the Mt. Gox rehabilitation trustee confirmed that most base, early lump-sum, and intermediate repayments have been processed for creditors who completed the required steps.

    However, repayments for others remain pending.

    The trustee explained that it was “desirable to make the repayments to such rehabilitation creditors to the extent reasonably practicable,” leading the court to approve a new deadline of October 31, 2026.

    This marks another chapter in one of the cryptocurrency industry’s longest-running recovery efforts.

    Mt. Gox, which once handled over 70% of the world’s Bitcoin trading volume, collapsed in 2014 after a massive hack led to the loss of approximately 850,000 BTC.

    The company subsequently filed for bankruptcy in Japan.

    How the Mt. Gox collapse reshaped Bitcoin history

    When Mt. Gox failed, the exchange’s bankruptcy shook investor confidence in digital assets and exposed vulnerabilities in early crypto infrastructure.

    About 200,000 BTC were later recovered, but 650,000 BTC remain missing.

    The recovery process transitioned into a court-supervised civil rehabilitation in Japan, during which a trustee began redistributing recovered Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) in 2024.

    At the time of its collapse, Mt. Gox’s influence was unmatched.

    The incident not only caused a sharp decline in Bitcoin prices but also prompted tighter regulatory oversight in key markets.

    In the years since, it has become a landmark case in crypto regulation, bankruptcy law, and investor protection — shaping how global exchanges handle custody and insurance.

    Market impact and sell-off concerns

    With repayments scheduled to continue into 2026, traders and analysts have debated whether the eventual release of thousands of Bitcoin could trigger selling pressure.

    Historically, such fears have surfaced each time Mt. Gox announced repayment progress.

    However, recent on-chain data suggests that these effects may be limited.

    According to Arkham Intelligence, Mt. Gox currently holds 34,690 BTC worth nearly $4 billion, down from about 142,000 BTC in mid-2024 — a decline of more than 75%.

    Analysts tracking these wallets have noted that even large movements from the exchange have had only short-term effects on Bitcoin’s market price, indicating that most creditors are choosing to hold rather than sell immediately.

    What’s next for creditors and the crypto market

    The trustee’s revised timeline means that full repayments could now take another year, extending the wait for thousands of claimants worldwide.

    For many early Bitcoin investors, the repayments represent not only financial recovery but also closure on one of crypto’s most notorious events.

    Still, the Mt. Gox story continues to serve as a cautionary tale for digital asset investors.

    It underscores the importance of secure custody, transparent operations, and regulatory compliance — principles that have since become standard practice across global crypto exchanges.

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  • Magic Eden’s ME token soars 35%, reclaims $0.60 amid ‘big week ahead’ hype

    Magic Eden’s ME token soars 35%, reclaims $0.60 amid ‘big week ahead’ hype

    Magic Eden Token

    • Magic Eden price soared more than 35% amid a breakout above the key resistance of $0.50.
    • Trading volume jumped 1,280% to over $129 million to signal buying pressure.
    • “A big week” ahead and other potential catalysts could boost ME bulls.

    Magic Eden’s native token, ME, has experienced a significant price surge in the past 24 hours.

    Prices rose to intraday highs above $0.60 for the first time since the October 11 crash, with bulls’ gains coming amid a retest of a key technical barrier.

    As the altcoins rank among the top gainers in the 500 largest cryptocurrencies by market cap, buyers are likely to hold the crucial level and target a new leg up.

    But what could help ME price in the short term?

    Magic Eden among top gainers as price pumps 35%

    Per CoinMarketCap data, Magic Eden’s ME token is one of the standout performers in the cryptocurrency arena today.

    The token’s 35% uptick in the past 24 hours has come amid a robust trading volume of $129 million – the metric is up 1,280% in the past 24 hours.

    This performance has not only outpaced the broader market but also dwarfed top performers such as Pi Network, Virtuals Protocol and Zcash.

    ZEC hovered around $270 on October 24, but was near $350 at the time of writing.

    On the technical front, ME broke above the critical hurdle at $0.50, reaching intraday highs of $0.60.

    While the altcoin is well off its all-time peak above $13.24, bulls have bounced off the all-time low of $0.23.

    ME could retest $0.55 or $0.50 before seizing on an uptick across the market to target the psychological $1 mark.

    RSI at 60 suggests bulls have more room to aim for gains.

    Magic Eden price chart by TradingView

    What could help Magic Eden price higher?

    Several factors appear to have converged to ignite this pump.

    Notably, the official Magic Eden X account issued a cryptic yet bullish proclamation early this morning: “Big week ahead.”

    This post, which garnered over 300 likes and widespread speculation within the community, hinted at impending announcements or developments that could further bolster the platform’s growth.

    Such communications from project leads often serve as potent catalysts, drawing in retail traders and amplifying social sentiment.

    ME gains also follow the community cheering of the recent acquisition of Dynamic by Fireblocks, which the platforms announced on October 23.

    As a key user of Dynamic’s developer platform, Magic Eden could benefit significantly from this integration.

    Dynamic powers over 50 million on-chain accounts for industry leaders, including Kraken, Ondo Finance, Magic Eden and zerohash.

    Magic Eden’s seamless user onboarding and embedded wallet functionalities for NFT trading across chains.

    The deal merges Fireblocks’ institutional-grade custody with Dynamic’s agile tools, creating what executives describe as the “first complete custody-to-consumer stack” for on-chain finance.

    Overlaying these platform-specific tailwinds is a broader crypto market rebound.

    While gains in October 2025 remain muted as the macroeconomic environment hit risk-on sentiment, Bitcoin’s climb to $116,000 and Ethereum’s break to $4,200 has bulls excited.

    The big week for crypto includes a potential rally ahead of a Federal Reserve rate cut, the impact of the US-China trade deal and SEC approval for exchange-traded funds.

    The macroeconomic lift could spill over to altcoins like Magic Eden.

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  • Cryptocurrency is as ‘property’ under Indian law, rules Madras High Court

    Cryptocurrency is as ‘property’ under Indian law, rules Madras High Court

    Madras High Court rules cryptocurrency is a “property”

    • Madras High Court confirms crypto can be owned and held in trust.
    • WazirX has been barred from redistributing investors’ unaffected XRP holdings.
    • Ruling strengthens investor rights and Web3 governance in India.

    In a landmark ruling that could reshape cryptocurrency in India, the Madras High Court has declared that cryptocurrencies qualify as property under Indian law.

    The Court’s decision, delivered by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, affirms that cryptocurrencies can be owned, held in trust, and protected as legal property — a major step in clarifying the legal status of digital assets in the country.

    Cryptocurrency in India now recognised as property

    The case arose from a petition by an investor whose 3,532.30 XRP coins were frozen after a cyberattack on WazirX, one of India’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

    In July 2024, the platform suffered a $234 million hack involving Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens.

    While the investor’s XRP holdings were not part of the stolen assets, WazirX sought to redistribute all users’ funds under its so-called “socialisation of losses” plan.

    Justice Venkatesh firmly rejected the proposal, ruling that each investor’s digital holdings are individual property and cannot be diluted or redistributed to cover exchange losses.

    He emphasised that cryptocurrencies, though intangible, possess all the essential attributes of property — they are identifiable, transferable, and exclusively controlled through private keys.

    “It is not a tangible property nor is it a currency,” the judge observed. “However, it is a property, which is capable of being enjoyed and possessed in a beneficial form.”

    This interpretation grants digital asset holders stronger legal standing, ensuring that their cryptocurrencies are recognised as assets protected under Indian law.

    Jurisdiction and investor protection

    The Court also settled questions over jurisdiction, dismissing WazirX’s argument that Singaporean arbitration rules applied because its parent company, Zettai Pte Ltd, is based in Singapore.

    Justice Venkatesh cited the Supreme Court’s earlier decision in PASL Wind Solutions Pvt Ltd v. GE Power Conversion India Pvt Ltd (2021), noting that Indian courts have authority over assets located within India.

    Because the investor’s transactions originated from Chennai and involved an Indian bank account, the Court confirmed that the case fell squarely under Indian jurisdiction.

    The court further highlighted that Zanmai Labs Pvt Ltd, which operates WazirX in India, is registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) — unlike its foreign parent company or Binance.

    This distinction reinforced that Indian exchanges operating domestically are subject to Indian oversight and accountability, particularly in protecting user assets and maintaining transparent custodial practices.

    Strengthening Web3 governance

    Justice Venkatesh’s decision went beyond individual relief to call for higher standards of corporate governance in the Web3 and crypto sectors.

    He urged exchanges to maintain separate client funds, conduct independent audits, and uphold robust KYC and anti-money laundering controls.

    These measures, the Court noted, are vital for building trust in the digital economy and protecting consumers from future mishandling of assets.

    Legal experts hailed the judgment as a milestone in developing “crypto-jurisprudence” in India.

    Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Indian exchange Giottus, described it as a foundational moment that signals to all market participants — exchanges, users, and regulators — that the digital asset space will be held to strong standards of governance and protection.

    A foundation for India’s crypto future

    The Court’s ruling not only protects the rights of individual investors but also strengthens the broader regulatory framework around digital assets.

    By recognising cryptocurrency as property, the judgment fills a crucial legal gap in a country where tax enforcement on crypto remains strict, but investor protections have lagged.

    As Justice Venkatesh wrote, courts now serve as the “central stage where the future of digital value is debated.”

    Through this ruling, the Madras High Court has given India a clearer picture of ownership, responsibility, and trust in the age of decentralisation.

    With cryptocurrency in India now firmly recognised as property under Indian law, the decision marks a turning point for the country’s digital asset ecosystem — affirming that in India, crypto holdings are not just speculative instruments but protected assets under the law.

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  • Bitplanet becomes South Korea’s first listed firm to buy Bitcoin (BTC)

    Bitplanet becomes South Korea’s first listed firm to buy Bitcoin (BTC)

    Bitplanet becomes South Korea’s first listed firm to buy Bitcoin

    • Bitplanet bought 93 BTC in Korea’s first regulated corporate purchase.
    • The firm plans daily Bitcoin buys to reach a 10,000 BTC treasury.
    • Backed by major investors, Bitplanet leads Korea’s Bitcoin adoption.

    Bitplanet has made history in South Korea’s financial landscape by becoming the nation’s first publicly traded company to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) through a regulated domestic exchange.

    The KOSDAQ-listed technology firm recently acquired 92.67 BTC — worth approximately $10.9 million — marking a new chapter in the country’s corporate embrace of digital assets.

    Korea’s first regulated corporate Bitcoin buy

    The BTC acquisition positions Bitplanet as a pioneer in compliant Bitcoin adoption within Asia’s evolving financial ecosystem.

    It is the first time a listed company has acquired Bitcoin through a licensed exchange within the country’s regulated financial infrastructure.

    Executed entirely under the supervision of South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the transaction signals growing confidence among institutional investors that Bitcoin can serve as a legitimate, strategic treasury asset.

    The Seoul-based company described the move as a deliberate, rules-based initiative rather than a speculative trade.

    Co-CEO Paul Lee explained that the purchase marks the start of a disciplined, long-term accumulation plan designed to reduce timing risks while positioning Bitcoin as a strategic treasury reserve.

    The transaction was executed fully in compliance with domestic financial laws, a milestone that could encourage other listed companies to follow suit.

    Notably, the timing of Bitplanet’s move coincided with a strong rally in Bitcoin prices, which recently climbed above $115,000 amid optimism about US Federal Reserve rate cuts and increasing exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows.

    By choosing this moment to make its first acquisition, Bitplanet demonstrated not only market awareness but also confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term role as a corporate asset.

    From its IT roots to a Bitcoin treasury company

    Founded in 1997 as SGA Co., Ltd., Bitplanet has deep roots in IT, cybersecurity, and education technology services.

    The company rebranded in September 2025 to reflect a broader shift toward blockchain and Bitcoin-focused ventures.

    Its pivot follows the full $50 million acquisition of SGA earlier in the year and the completion of a $40 million fundraising round to support its new treasury strategy.

    This strategic transformation underscores Bitplanet’s vision of becoming South Korea’s first institutional-grade Bitcoin treasury company.

    The firm has developed a comprehensive infrastructure for compliant digital asset management, including regulated custody solutions, secure storage, and real-time audit systems that meet government and financial oversight standards.

    Bitplanet’s management says it intends to accumulate Bitcoin daily through licensed domestic exchanges, aiming to build a reserve of up to 10,000 BTC over time.

    This steady, methodical approach minimises exposure to market volatility and mirrors similar strategies employed by firms such as Japan’s Metaplanet, one of Bitplanet’s key backers.

    Backed by global Bitcoin advocates

    Bitplanet’s Bitcoin strategy is supported by a global network of digital asset investors.

    The firm’s backers include Simon Gerovich of Metaplanet, AsiaStrategy, Sora Ventures, UTXO Management, KCGI, Kingsway Capital, and ParaFi Capital — groups known for advancing institutional Bitcoin adoption worldwide.

    Their involvement signals strong confidence in Bitplanet’s compliance-focused model and its potential to establish a new standard for Bitcoin treasury management in Asia.

    Industry observers believe the company’s regulated approach could pave the way for broader corporate participation in South Korea’s growing digital asset market.

    The BTC purchase also aligns with the country’s forthcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, scheduled to take effect by 2027, which will formalise the rules for cryptocurrency custody and corporate holdings.

    By moving early, Bitplanet positions itself to benefit from the regulatory clarity that this law is expected to bring.



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