Category: NEWS

  • Crypto slump worsens as Bitcoin slips amid a broad market sell-off

    Crypto slump worsens as Bitcoin slips amid a broad market sell-off

    Crypto slump worsens as Bitcoin slips amid a broad market sell-off

    • The crypto market’s October slump has worsened, with a 3% drop.
    • Bitcoin slipped below $110,000 and Ethereum fell below $3,900.
    • The market has lost roughly $370 billion in value this month alone.

    The cryptocurrency market’s brutal October slump has worsened, with a fresh 3% drop sending Bitcoin below the key $110,000 level and dragging most major altcoins deep into the red.

    The broad-based drawdown is the latest chapter in one of the harshest months of the year for the digital asset space, as a potent combination of thinning institutional support, technical disruptions, and simmering macroeconomic tensions creates a powerful “risk-off” wave.

    The scale of the recent carnage is immense. The market has now erased roughly $370 billion in value this month alone, with as much as $19 billion in leveraged positions being liquidated.

    Futures open interest has also been decimated, with $65 billion wiped out, resetting market activity to the levels of early 2025.

    Institutional support thins as ETF outflows accelerate

    A key driver of the recent weakness has been a dramatic and worrying reversal in institutional sentiment.

    After months of powerful inflows, spot Bitcoin ETFs have become a source of intense selling pressure, posting a staggering $1.23 billion in weekly net outflows.

    This included a massive $366 million outflow on Friday alone, a move that removed a critical layer of buying support from an already fragile market.

    A perfect storm: an AWS outage and a SpaceX scare

    This fundamental weakness was compounded by a perfect storm of technical and psychological blows.

    A major outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) disrupted access to a number of leading crypto venues, including the US giant Coinbase and several DeFi front-ends.

    The disruption widened spreads and accelerated forced liquidations, with over $240 million in long positions being wiped out in just 24 hours, a move that briefly pushed Bitcoin toward $107,500.

    Market nerves were frayed further after on-chain trackers flagged a large transfer of 2,395 BTC ($268 million) from a wallet associated with SpaceX.

    While analysts suggested the flows were likely internal custody reshuffles, the timing sparked a wave of “Is Musk selling?” headlines, adding another layer of fear to an already anxious market.

    What to watch next as the market hangs in the balance

    Technically, the market is now at a critical inflection point. Bitcoin is facing a thick layer of resistance between $112,000 and $115,500, with key support levels now sitting at $108,000 and $105,000.

    A decisive daily close back above the 50-day moving average (around $113,000) is needed to stabilize the market. Failure to do so keeps the psychological $100,000 zone firmly in play and raises the risk of a much deeper bearish phase.

    The near-term catalysts remain firmly in the macroeconomic arena, with the upcoming US CPI print and any fresh hints from the Federal Reserve on interest rates likely to be the next major market-moving events.

    For now, a battered and bruised crypto market is left to lick its wounds and wait for the storm to pass.

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  • Bitcoin holds steady as the market resets after a massive leverage flush

    Bitcoin holds steady as the market resets after a massive leverage flush

    Bitcoin holds steady as the market resets after a massive leverage flush

    • The crypto market is stabilizing after a sharp correction and a massive leverage flush.
    • Analysts see the move as a healthy reset, not a structural breakdown.
    • While speculators were purged, institutional money continues to accumulate.

    A fragile but significant calm has settled over the cryptocurrency market, as it begins the slow and painful process of healing from a brutal correction that has purged the speculative excess from the system.

    Bitcoin is holding steady, a quiet resilience that analysts believe is not a sign of weakness, but of a market that has undergone a healthy and necessary reset.

    As Asia begins its trading day, Bitcoin is hovering around $110,300 dollars, with Ethereum changing hands at $3,970.

    This newfound stability comes after a sharp and violent sell-off that had pushed Bitcoin as low as 104,000 dollars just last week.

    The great reset: A cleansing of speculative excess

    The key to understanding the market’s current state is to see the recent crash not as a catastrophic failure, but as a violent and necessary cleansing. In a recent market note, the analytics firm Glassnode described the move as a “flush, not a failure.” 

    The firm’s analysis shows that the speculative leverage that had been driving the market has been decisively unwound, futures open interest has fallen sharply, and traders have been realizing losses in a defensive normalization, not a full-blown capitulation.

    This view is echoed by other market observers who see a similar dynamic playing out in the world of capital formation.

    The market maker Enflux, in a note to CoinDesk, highlighted the news of Blockchain.com’s planned US SPAC listing as a “full-circle moment” for crypto exchanges, a sign that the industry is once again re-engaging with the public markets, but this time from a position of greater maturity.

    The quiet accumulators: The giants beneath the surface

    While the speculative layer of the market has been flushed out, a different and far more powerful story is unfolding beneath the surface.

    While retail traders were being liquidated, the institutional giants were quietly buying the dip.

    Enflux pointed to Tom Lee’s Bitmine allocating another $800 million to buy more ETH as an “infrastructure-scale commitment,” a clear and powerful sign that institutional money is not just staying, but is actively accumulating.

    This is the great divergence that now defines the market: the short-term speculators have been purged, while the long-term capital is quietly and methodically rebuilding the foundation.

    A new harmony in a chaotic world

    This reset is also reshaping the very narrative that governs the market. As Enflux noted, gold’s continued and stunning strength—surging to a new record of $4,380.89 an ounce—is no longer seen as a threat to Bitcoin, but as a complementary signal.

    It shows that in a world of deep macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, digital assets now coexist with traditional hedges, a sign of a broader portfolio shift toward diversification, not abandonment.

    The market may be wounded, but it is also wiser, and a new, more resilient foundation is quietly being laid.

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  • Berachain rises as Greenlane launches $110M treasury strategy: can BERA extend the rally?

    Berachain rises as Greenlane launches $110M treasury strategy: can BERA extend the rally?

    Berachain BERA

    • Berachain price gained slightly amid news of a first BERA treasury strategy.
    • Greenlane Holdings bet not only fortifies its treasury playbook but may herald a wave of corporate adoption, boosting price.
    • The crypto industry is witnessing an explosion in digital asset treasuries.

    Berachain price rose as the broader crypto market signalled a slight bounce on Monday, October 20, 2025, with BERA’s 8% gain largely buoyed by the news that Nasdaq-listed Greenlane Holdings has raised $110 million with eyes on a BERA treasury strategy.

    With Berachain’s native token retesting the $2.15 mark amid this key institutional interest development, bulls are likely to target further upward moves. The altcoin gains alongside intraday outperformers like Bio Protocol and Helium.

    Greenlane eyes first BERA token treasury

    Digital asset treasuries, or DATs, are growing in traction as traditional finance companies increasingly embrace cryptocurrencies.

    Tokens such as Ethereum, Ripple’s XRP, Solana and BNB are all boasting major focused-treasury plays across Wall Street. In the small-cap tokens sector, Berachain is the latest to hit the news headlines.

    On Monday, Greenlane Holdings, a Florida-based distributor of premium smoking accessories and lifestyle products, announced its raising of $110 million via a private investment in public equity.

    Polychain Capital, Blockchain.com, Kraken, North Rock Digital, CitizenX back the initiative.

    Berachain Foundation also supports the company’s move as it targets the establishment of the “first and only” BERA digital asset strategy – so far.

    Greenlane has outlined that its BERA bet will be via “BeraStrategy,” an inaugural digital asset treasury initiative solely focused on accumulating BERA.

    BeraStrategy will execute its token acquisitions via open-market and over-the-counter trades.

    “I believe BERA’s key differentiation is its yield source – in contrast to historic PoS chains like Ethereum and Solana, BERA’s yield is fueled by the monetization of its block rewards. I think there’s untapped potential in Berachain’s institutional growth as a whole,” said Ben Isenberg, chief investment officer of BeraStrategy.

    What could this mean for Berachain price?

    As Greenlane’s BeraStrategy takes shape, market observers are scrutinizing its ripple effects on BERA’s valuation trajectory.

    The move across the industry, with tokens like ETH, BNB, XRP and SOL in focus, has helped buoy the upbeat sentiment around these altcoins.

    Such an influx of capital and subsequent accumulation will undoubtedly catapult Greenlane to the top public BERA holders list.

    DATs are seen as a major adoption angle for cryptocurrencies and analysts see ongoing accumulation as a potential catalyst for the next bullish phase for certain coins.

    Committing $110 million to BERA purchases is a statement and buying these OTC and open markets could add to an upward price momentum.

    Broader crypto market sentiment and a successful rollout are two factors bulls will consider in the short term.

    In terms of price targets, the $2-4 range provides the first resistance zone, while further gains could bring $8-10 into view.

    BERA price reached an all-time high of $14.99 in February 2025. On the flipside, key support areas lie in the $1.6-$1.2 area.

    The all-time low is $0.87- reached on October 11, 2025.



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  • BlackRock brings Bitcoin ETP to UK as regulator opens door for crypto products

    BlackRock brings Bitcoin ETP to UK as regulator opens door for crypto products

    BlackRock brings bitcoin ETP to UK as regulator opens door for crypto products

    • ETP mirrors bitcoin price and trades via the London Stock Exchange.
    • UK aims to become a global hub for regulated digital-asset products.
    • FCA allows tokenisation of investment funds using blockchain technology.

    The investment giant BlackRock has launched its first bitcoin-linked exchange-traded product (ETP) in the United Kingdom, signalling a major step in bridging traditional finance with the crypto sector.

    The move follows the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) decision to ease restrictions on crypto investment vehicles, allowing investors to gain exposure to bitcoin without directly holding it.

    The launch not only widens access to digital assets for UK investors but also highlights a growing convergence between global asset managers and regulators in adapting to the evolution of financial markets.

    BlackRock’s bitcoin ETP debuts on the London Stock Exchange

    The iShares Bitcoin ETP, now listed on the London Stock Exchange, is designed to mirror the price of bitcoin and offer exposure within a regulated structure.

    The product allows investors to buy fractions of bitcoin through units starting at about $11, making participation in the asset class more accessible.

    Unlike holding bitcoin directly, investors can trade the ETP through standard brokerage accounts, bypassing the complexities of digital wallets or private key management.

    The product’s underlying assets are securely held by regulated custodians, ensuring compliance and oversight under the UK’s financial rules.

    BlackRock’s UK-listed ETP builds on the firm’s earlier success with its bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States, which has accumulated over $85 billion in net assets.

    It also adds to its European range, complementing listings in Switzerland, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.

    FCA’s easing of crypto investment restrictions

    The launch comes shortly after the FCA lifted its four-year ban on crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) on 9 October 2025.

    The regulator stated that UK investors could now access such products through approved exchanges, reflecting a broader acceptance of crypto-linked investment options.

    The decision marks a turning point for crypto regulation in the UK.

    It suggests a shift from outright restrictions to a more measured approach that balances investor protection with innovation.

    The FCA’s announcement followed months of consultation with industry players and international regulators.

    Expanding opportunities for asset managers and investors

    BlackRock’s move is expected to encourage other global asset managers to follow suit, as the UK repositions itself as a hub for financial innovation post-Brexit.

    The FCA’s approval has opened the door for firms such as VanEck, DWS, and WisdomTree to explore similar launches.

    For retail investors, the product offers exposure to bitcoin’s price movements through a traditional investment wrapper.

    It eliminates the need for managing crypto wallets and navigating unregulated exchanges, while allowing investment through familiar platforms.

    The regulator’s decision also aligns with the UK Treasury’s ambition to make the country a global centre for digital assets.

    It supports ongoing efforts to integrate blockchain into traditional finance, paving the way for tokenised funds and blockchain-based asset management in the future.

    Crypto risks and the future of tokenisation in the UK

    Despite the easing of rules, the FCA maintained that its ban on crypto derivatives for retail investors will remain.

    While the ETP operates under a regulated structure, exposure to Bitcoin still carries the same volatility and market risks associated with the underlying asset.

    In parallel, the UK is exploring broader blockchain adoption across financial services.

    On 14 October 2025, the FCA announced new provisions allowing asset managers to use distributed ledger technology for fund tokenisation.

    The move is intended to foster innovation and efficiency, signalling that the regulator sees long-term potential in blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrencies.

    By facilitating regulated access to bitcoin and promoting tokenisation, the UK is gradually laying the groundwork for a digital financial ecosystem where traditional and decentralised finance coexist.

    BlackRock’s ETP marks a key milestone in this transition, setting the stage for more institutional crypto products in one of the world’s leading financial markets.

     

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  • Bio Protocol price surges 56% amid major network moves

    Bio Protocol price surges 56% amid major network moves

    • Bio Protocol’s native token (BIO) surged 56% to $0.1238 within 24 hours of its listing on Upbit, South Korea’s leading crypto exchange.
    • A network update has introduced advanced AI-driven BioAgents, multichain support and other developments critical to the Bio Protocol ecosystem.
    •  BIO’s market cap climbed to $196 million.

    Bio Protocol’s native token has experienced a dramatic surge, rising 56% in the past 24 hours to reach $0.1238, with trading volume exceeding $164 million.

    This rally comes after the token’s listing on South Korea’s premier cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit.

    Bio Protocol price skyrockets amid Upbit listing

    After a month-long decline, Bio Protocol (BIO) is showing signs of recovery.

    Since October 1, the cryptocurrency had been in a steady downtrend, falling from $0.15 to a low of around $0.078.

    The announcement of BIO’s listing on Upbit has acted as the immediate catalyst for the token’s explosive growth.

    Upbit commands over 80% of South Korea’s crypto trading volume and has a storied history of propelling altcoins to new heights.

    At the time of writing, BIO’s trading volume surged 820% in the last 24 hours to $311.55 million.

    This listing builds on BIO’s exchange momentum, following debuts on Binance and Kraken. 

    BIO’s price is currently trading at $0.11, having shattered resistance at $0.09, and its market capitalization now stands at nearly $196 million according to CoinMarketCap’s data.

    Bio Protocol price chart by CoinMarketCap

    However, traders warn of potential pullbacks if broader market corrections materialize, emphasizing the need for sustained adoption beyond hype.

    BIO surges amid major network update

    Adding to the momentum from the Upbit listing is the ongoing cheer of Bio Protocol’s recent news of a major network update.

    The update and its momentum have further energized its community. 

    The update introduces enhancements to Bio Protocol’s staking mechanisms.

    There’s also the integration of BioAgents, or AI-driven research assistants, with these aimed at automating hypothesis generation and experiment tracking. 

    “From AI co-scientists to biotech IP, over 8,000 participants joined the first wave of the new Bio Launchpad projects. These launches tokenized AI co-scientists and biotech IP, enabling communities to fund and own breakthroughs in stem-cell research, men’s health, and brain health. Each project bootstrapped onchain treasuries and liquidity, setting the foundation for incentive-aligned communities around real-world science.”

    While aspects such as network slowdown affect immediate community outlook, Bio Protocol’s ability to bridge biotechnology innovation with decentralized governance is huge for BIO.

    It redefines industry standards, offering investors a unique opportunity to participate in a transformative ecosystem. 

    Stakeholders are advised to monitor upcoming milestones, including the launch of new BioXP rewards and cross-chain developments. 

    The prevailing market conditions may count as potential hindrances to bullish advances.

    But with listings and other initiatives in place, buyers may target highs of $0.43, above which there’s the all-time peak of $0.92 reached in January 2025.

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  • Crypto wrap: Bitcoin’s sharp fall drags Ethereum, XRP, Solana and BNB lower

    Crypto wrap: Bitcoin’s sharp fall drags Ethereum, XRP, Solana and BNB lower

    Bitcoin Price Dump

    • Bitcoin slides below $104K as crypto sell-off deepens.
    • $1B in crypto liquidations hit traders within 24 hours.
    • Aave, Flare, BCH sink; Jito jumps on a16z investment.

    The cryptocurrency market has extended its unstable week with a broad sell-off, erasing gains from earlier in the period amid Bitcoin’s slump to under $104,000.

    Meanwhile, the global cryptocurrency market capitalization dropped by more than 3% to $3.5 trillion – before a slight recovery as Bitcoin reclaimed the $107,000 level.

    CoinGlass data showed the global crypto liquidations jumped to over $1.04 billion in 24 hours, with longs suffering the most pain.

    Open interest was down 3.8% to $150 billion as Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and BNB all retested, and in some cases, dropped below key levels.

    Bitcoin slumps to $103,598

    Bitcoin led the market’s steep drop on Friday, October 17, 2025. While the sharp decline was not as bloody as the annihilation seen on Oct. 10, the fall to lows of $103,500 marked another big swing for BTC.

    The benchmark digital asset had partially recovered to highs of $106,600 at the time of writing.

    However, the slump injected fresh fears into a market that witnessed a historic $19 billion liquidation event a week prior.

    Notably, Bitcoin’s dump came amid investor jitters across Wall Street following bad loans news from two US regional banks.

    A spooked market reacted lower, and BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes shared his view on what that could mean.

    ETH, XRP, SOL and BNB mirror BTC’s woes

    Bitcoin hogged headlines for its sharp drop, with an intraday range of $109,260 and $103,598. However, the rot was widespread and Ethereum, XRP, Solana and BNB all shed a significant portion of recent gains.

    Specifically, Bitcoin’s woes that aligned with major ETF outflows saw Ether price drop to under $3,680.

    This extended the decline below the key support level of $4,000, although bulls hovered near $3,800 at the time of writing.

    Crypto analyst Lark Davis said Ethereum is poised at a make-or-break level.

    Elsewhere, XRP price fell more than 4% to lows of $2.20, well off key support of $2.50 and the psychologically important $3.00.

    Ripple’s acquisition of treasury firm GTreasury and reported $1 billion raise for XRP could be key to bullish sentiment.

    Solana, which traded around $182, had declined nearly 5% as it touched lows of $174 to inject fresh bearish sentiment below the critical $200 mark.

    The market also saw BNB, one of the top performers in the past months, suffer more profit-taking as the price touched lows of $1,024. BNB hit its all-time high of $1,370 on Oct. 13.

    Aave, Flare, Bitcoin Cash among top losers

    As the top altcoins mirrored the BTC downturn, with losses on Wall Street catalyzing the dump, Aave, Aster, Flare and Bitcoin Cash emerged as some of the top losers on the day.

    Notably, AAVE was down 13%, ASTER -10%, FLR -9.7% and BCH traded -8% to lead underperformers among the 100 largest coins by market cap.

    Earlier in the day, Zcash fell below $190 amid a 20% dip before a slight rebound pushed ZEC above $216. The privacy coin’s value was 7% down in the past 24 hours.

    Ethena, ZORA and Jito were among the top gainers, with Jito benefiting from bullish news related to a $50 million investment by a16z.



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  • Zcash price drops to $190 amid broader crypto pullback

    Zcash price drops to $190 amid broader crypto pullback

    Zcash Price On Market Chart

    • Zcash price dropped to the $190 support level.
    • Macro headwinds also had Bitcoin falling to below $105,000 to trigger further bleeding across crypto.
    • Analysts remain bullish despite the dip.

    Zcash (ZEC) tumbled to lows of $190, with its double-digit declines reflecting widespread market unease.

    Triggered by macroeconomic pressures, most coins plummeted to key levels, including Bitcoin, which retested the $105,500 area.

    Crypto pullback and Zcash price today

    Zcash, the privacy-focused cryptocurrency launched in 2016, experienced a sharp decline on Friday.

    The token dipped to support around the $190 mark as a broader crypto market retracement ensued to see total market liquidations surpass $1 billion.

    ZEC, one of the outperformers in recent weeks, fell below the key support level of $200.

    Moreover, the price declines are accompanied by rising trading volume to reinforce the profit taking.

    Per CoinMarketCap, the daily trading volume for the privacy-focused coin has jumped 26% to over $742 million.

    Meanwhile, the price has fallen nearly 20% in the same time frame.

    Zcash price chart by CoinMarketCap

    Zcash has climbed 260% over the past month, outperforming nearly all of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation.

    The market-wide pullback reflects broader macroeconomic factors, including renewed tensions in the US-China trade dispute and the ongoing US government shutdown.

    Investors who had recently entered Zcash appear to be taking profits after a strong rally fueled by optimism surrounding its zero-knowledge proof technology.

    Zcash has seen a notable surge in institutional interest in recent weeks.

    Grayscale’s Zcash Trust has been a key driver, with assets under management exceeding $92 million — a signal of rising adoption.

    The trust allows traditional investors to gain exposure to ZEC, one of the leading privacy coins, without the operational complexities of holding the asset directly.

    ZEC price forecast

    Major declines across the market came as investors, spooked by the latest news from US regional banks, exited positions.

    Specifically, reports on Friday indicated that two US regional banks have hit the rocks with bad loans.

    Jitters around banking sector risks saw a sharp dump for bank stocks cascade into futures trading on Wall Street.

    A slip for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also sent crypto nosediving.

    But Bitcoin’s drop could allow some capital rotation to revive ZEC price, one analyst pointed out on X.

    Correlation among shielded transactions adoption gives this strength.

    Market analysts point to overbought conditions in the short term.

    A look at the Relative Strength Index (RSI) shows a dip into oversold territory, which means a potential reversal.

    Overall, while the $190 mark signals a key demand zone, the $240 mark represents a crucial hurdle.

    ZEC price reached highs of $295 earlier in the month.



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  • Aster price tanks 20% as sell-off pressure hits altcoins

    Aster price tanks 20% as sell-off pressure hits altcoins

    Aster Price Bearish

    • Aster price fell 20% to near $1 as sell-off pressure hit altcoins
    • The altcoin touched its all-time high of $2.42 in September, but has declined amid broader selling.
    • Altcoins are dumping as Bitcoin slips to under $106,000.

    Aster (ASTER)’s parabolic gains in recent weeks are quickly fading in the rearview mirror as cryptocurrencies plummet.

    The decentralized exchange’s governance token fell nearly 20% to inch closer to the $1 support level, with bulls succumbing to broader sell-off dynamics.

    Aster has erased significant gains, and broader risks could see bears take control.

    Aster price extends decline amid 20% dip

    With crypto in red early Friday, Aster’s price plunged  20% to hit lows of $1.08 across major exchanges and trading platforms. 

    Having changed hands above $1.36, the double-digit declines over the past 24 hours meant ASTER ranked among the top losers alongside Zcash, Mantle, SPX6900 and Morpho. 

    Aster’s sharp downturn extends a multi-day decline since bulls failed to hold onto gains near $1.60.

    The token had surged to the mark after bouncing off lows seen during the crypto crash on October 10.

    In the past week, Aster’s price has fallen more than 32%, as profit-taking and broader macroeconomic pressures weighed on sentiment.

    The next-generation decentralized perpetuals and spot exchange, built on the BNB Chain, had previously drawn significant attention from investors and traders alike.

    Aster’s rapid rise had been bolstered by recent listings on major platforms such as Robinhood and Binance, which helped fuel earlier momentum.

    However, the euphoria looks to be dissipating as sell-off pressure across cryptocurrencies mounts.

    Bitcoin dipped below $105,000  early Friday. As bears touched lows of $104,597 after a 4% drop in the last 24 hours, top altcoins plummeted. 

    Ethereum, Solana and XRP all dipped to or below key support levels, intensifying the bloodbath.

    What next as Aster revisits $1 level?

    Currently, Aster’s price flirts with the $1 psychological threshold.

    This is a key level that bulls have to defend to avoid giving up further ground.

    Prices, as the chart below shows, have recently consolidated above the critical mark.

    ASTER price chart by TradingView

    However, the sharp decline and breakdown from a descending triangle pattern mean bulls are at risk of more pain.

    The token’s all-time high of $2.42 on September 24 is well off.

    Nonetheless, technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily put ASTER in oversold territory.

    What this suggests is that exhausted selling could allow bulls to target a rebound. 

    Any downward pressure could nonetheless see the support at $1.00 collapse.

    Data from Coinglass shows a sharp decline in open interest for Aster, now at $477 million.

    Bullish positions have borne the brunt of the correction, with long liquidations accounting for nearly 90% of total liquidations — more than $10 million out of $12 million in the past 24 hours.

    Short positions made up just $1.73 million of the total.

    For bulls, a decisive breakout above $1 remains critical to regain momentum.

    Conversely, sustained selling pressure below $0.85 would likely hand control to the bears.

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  • Jito’s JTO token rises on a16z’s $50 million investment in Solana staking protocol

    Jito’s JTO token rises on a16z’s $50 million investment in Solana staking protocol

    a16z Invest In Jito

    • Jito’s native token, JTO, jumped 3% intraday on October 16, 2025, following a16z’s $50 million investment.
    • The $50 million investment by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, acquiring locked JTO tokens, signals strong institutional confidence in Jito’s liquid staking and MEV solutions.
    • The funding will fuel Jito’s Block Assembly Marketplace and node expansion.

    Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm has  announced a $50 million investment in Jito, acquiring a substantial allotment of the protocol’s native JTO tokens.

    Jito, an important infrastructure layer on the Solana blockchain, offers liquid staking and maximum extractable value (MEV) extraction.

    a16z investment of $50m in staking protocol

    Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) $50 million infusion into Jito marks the venture firm’s largest single commitment to a Solana staking protocol.

    It eventually emphasizes strategic token purchases over traditional equity. In exchange for the investment, a16z received non-circulating JTO tokens, locking them for an extended period.

    Brian Smith, executive director of the Jito Foundation. highlighted the deal’s novelty:

    If you’re accepting long-term alignment where you can’t sell for a while, then there’s traditionally some modest discount associated with that.

    This structure, particularly 16z’s prior $55 million LayerZero and $70 million EigenLayer investments, prioritizes ecosystem growth over quick flips.

    The capital to accelerate Jito’s roadmap, including BAM node expansion.

    Strategically, it aligns a16z with Solana’s high-throughput ethos, where Jito’s MEV tools mitigate front-running risks plaguing other chains.

    This infusion arrives amid a16z’s aggressive crypto pivot, following $4.5 billion in new funds raised earlier in 2025.

    As institutional inflows swell, the deal could herald a staking renaissance, democratizing yields while fortifying blockchain security.

    Jito price outlook

    Jito is currently trading at $1.16, up nearly 3% and has touched highs of $1.19 across major exchanges.

    The gains came amid news of a16z’s investment and reflected trader optimism around the token as institutional validation takes root. Solana’s price rising in the past few weeks also buoyed traders.

    Analysts are linking this rebound to the investment’s timing, coinciding with positive Solana network metrics. This includes a 15% uptick in daily active users and rising decentralized finance volume.

    In terms of the technical outlook for JTO, the daily chart price is near the oversold territory with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 35.

    The indecisive market nonetheless has Jito poised above $1 after bulls recovered from lows of $0.33 seen on October 10, 2025.

    Jito price chart by TradingVew

    Other than the technical perspective, regulatory shifts that could impact liquid staking tokens remain a risk.

    However, recent SEC exemptions and broader market downturns indicate a long-term bullish outlook.

    The surge to near $1.20 suggests bulls could eye the $1.50-$1.70 range, above which lie the key targets of $1.85 and $2.56.

    If market conditions align, buyers will target the all-time peak above $5.61 reached in December 2023.



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  • Bitcoin’s October slowdown masks underlying strength, analysts say

    Bitcoin’s October slowdown masks underlying strength, analysts say

    Bitcoin's October slowdown masks underlying strength, analysts say

    • Bitcoin is lagging in October, but analysts say its stability signals strength.
    • The “digital gold” is failing to rally alongside gold, which is hitting new highs.
    • One analyst says a massive move, similar to late 2024, “will start very soon.”

    A strange and deceptive calm has settled over the Bitcoin market.

    While its analog cousin, gold, is once again surging to new all-time highs and US stocks are basking in the green, the king of crypto remains stuck in a frustrating holding pattern, stubbornly refusing to join the party.

    But for some of the market’s sharpest observers, this is not a sign of weakness; it is the quiet coiling of a spring, the calm before a powerful and imminent storm.

    The price action has been a familiar and frustrating story for the bulls. Bitcoin has slipped 1.2 percent over the past 24 hours to $111,500, with the rest of the crypto sector seeing even steeper losses.

    But beneath this sluggish surface, a powerful undercurrent of institutional demand and a shifting macroeconomic tide are quietly building a case for a major breakout.

    A prophecy of a powerful move

    Speaking at the Digital Asset Summit in London on Wednesday, Quinn Thompson, the chief investment officer at Lekker Capital, delivered a bold and bullish prophecy.

    He argued that Bitcoin’s current decoupling from gold is a temporary anomaly that is about to violently correct itself.

    “I posit that we will catch up to gold,” he told the audience. 

    “It will start very soon and the move that is about to come in bitcoin and crypto broadly will resemble a November 2024 and an October 2023 type of move.” 

    These were periods of explosive, parabolic growth, and Thompson’s prediction is a clear signal that he believes a similar fire is about to be lit.

    A ‘floor’ of demand, a path to $150,000

    This view is not held in isolation. Matt Mena, a crypto research analyst at 21Shares, voiced a similar outlook, arguing that Bitcoin’s remarkable durability in the face of global uncertainty is a testament to its underlying strength.

    This, he says, is “underscoring how structural demand—anchored by ETF inflows and a more dovish policy outlook—continues to provide a floor.”

    With the speculative leverage recently flushed out of the system and a new era of monetary easing on the horizon, Mena is now projecting that Bitcoin could climb to $150,000 before the end of the year.

    The shadow of the Fed looms large

    The key to unlocking this potential, all agree, lies with the US Federal Reserve. The market’s conviction that the central bank is on a firm path to continue easing its monetary policy is the primary engine of the current “risk-on” mood.

    That conviction was strengthened on Wednesday with the release of the Fed’s Beige Book, which reported growing signs of weakness in the US labor market.

    Fed Chair Jerome Powell himself has acknowledged this “softness,” a clear signal to the market that further rate cuts are very much on the table for the two remaining policy meetings this year.

    For now, Bitcoin waits, a sleeping giant biding its time. But if the analysts are right, it is a slumber that is about to come to a spectacular and explosive end.

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