Category: Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin Holds Near $85,000 as ETF Demand Offsets Miner Reserve Decline

Bitcoin was trading around $84,800 on Sept. 27, 2026, holding close to the $85,000 mark after a week of heavy buying through U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. The largest cryptocurrency gained 0.88% over 24 hours, slightly trailing a 1.03% advance across the broader crypto market.

The price action leaves traders focused on two near-term signals: whether BTC can clear resistance at $86,000 and how the market reacts to the Sept. 30 U.S. inflation report.

ETF inflows provide support

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted about $2.4 billion during the five trading days ended Sept. 25, according to SoSoValue. That was the strongest weekly inflow of 2026 and marked a shift back to net buying after a period of outflows.

Bitcoin’s 30-day correlation with the S&P 500 reached 95%, underscoring how closely the asset has tracked broader risk sentiment and interest-rate expectations. BTC also remained above its key daily moving averages, and its MACD stayed positive. Those technical signals, however, do not show how much of the move was driven specifically by ETF demand.

Miner reserves and hashrate decline

Miner reserves fell by 1,530 BTC in the week to about 1.193 million BTC, according to CryptoQuant, which tracks wallets tied to miners and mining pools. A decline in reserves does not by itself confirm sales; coins may be sold, moved into custody, or redirected for other uses.

The network’s seven-day average hashrate dropped to roughly 915.8 exahashes per second on Sept. 26, a three-week low. Hashrate estimates can fluctuate because of block timing, power availability, and changes in active mining equipment. Mining continued during the decline.

Bitcoin’s Puell Multiple rose by 0.24 during the week to 1.13. The metric compares daily mining revenue with its 365-day average; a reading above 1 indicates that revenue from newly issued BTC is above that average. It does not account for miners’ electricity, hardware, or financing costs.

Key price levels to watch

Since retreating from a September high near $87,374, Bitcoin has mostly traded between $83,000 and $85,000. Resistance is clustered between $85,500 and $86,000. A break above that zone could put the earlier high back in play. If BTC falls below $83,000, traders may watch the $80,000–$81,000 area for support.

Derivatives activity has cooled during the pause. Open interest dropped 6.5%, and 24-hour Bitcoin liquidations fell 88% to $7.45 million, pointing to fewer leveraged positions and fewer forced closures.

Inflation data looms

The next U.S. inflation reading is scheduled for Sept. 30, when the Bureau of Economic Analysis releases its August personal income and outlays report. The data will include the personal consumption expenditures price index, a gauge closely watched for its impact on interest-rate expectations.

Some traders refer to October as "Uptober" because Bitcoin has often gained during the month, but past performance does not guarantee a repeat. Near term, BTC’s response will depend on the inflation data and whether the price can hold its nearby support levels.

November 4, 2026
OKX Founder Challenges THORChain’s Decentralization Claims After Bitget’s $387.5M Breach

OKX founder Star Xu has publicly questioned THORChain’s claim to true decentralization after funds linked to the Bitget security breach reportedly moved through the cross-chain network. The exchange now estimates the attacker made off with approximately $387.5 million and is asking industry partners to help block the stolen assets.

Bitget Raises Loss Estimate to $387.5 Million

On September 24, Bitget detected unauthorized transfers from certain hot wallets at 18:31 UTC. The exchange initially placed the damage at $351.6 million and paused withdrawals, while noting that cold wallets remained secure and its protection fund held more than $464 million.

After further tracing, Bitget revised the amount sent to attacker-controlled addresses to $387.5 million. The update included Zcash and Tron transfers that were omitted from the initial figure; it did not reflect new transfers after the breach was contained. Mandiant and SlowMist are assisting with the investigation.

Withdrawal restoration is scheduled in stages: Bitcoin on September 28, Ethereum on September 29, USDT on September 30, and other tokens, fiat withdrawals, and peer-to-peer services on October 2. Bitget stressed these dates are a restoration schedule, not confirmation that withdrawals have resumed.

Star Xu Questions THORChain’s Validator Model

Bitget CEO Gracy Chen asked THORChain to refuse transactions from addresses linked to the attacker. That request highlighted the network’s role in moving assets between blockchains and raised questions about whether its operators can act on publicly flagged wallets.

In response, Xu argued THORChain should not be compared with Bitcoin or Ethereum. He said validators jointly control assets in vaults through a threshold-signing system. “I don’t think THORChain’s TSS + validator model represents true decentralization,” he wrote. “The selected validators set collectively controls the underlying assets in the TSS vaults. Once the signing threshold is reached, those validators can move the funds.”

Under that model, a required group of validators can authorize transfers. Xu said this makes THORChain an intermediary, even though no single validator controls a vault.

THORChain’s official account rejected that characterization, describing the network as decentralized and permissionless. It also questioned whether base-layer blockchains should face similar demands when stolen assets pass through them.

Stablecoin Freezes and Recovery Efforts

Circle and Tether froze roughly $318,000 in USDC and USDT at a wallet linked to the Bitget attack. The wallet held about 99,990 USDC and 218,023 USDT when the issuers blocked the tokens. Those issuer controls can stop stablecoin movement, but they do not give Circle or Tether control over Ethereum held at the same address.

Bitget has also launched a recovery bounty program, offering eligible parties 5% of affected funds they help freeze or recover. The exchange published attacker addresses and a live tracing dashboard for firms monitoring the transfers.

The confirmed freeze represents only a small portion of the $387.5 million estimate. Further recovery depends on where the assets move and whether the services handling them can restrict transfers. Bitget’s September 28 update is expected to provide more details on the investigation and withdrawal restoration.

November 4, 2026
OKX Founder Challenges THORChain’s Decentralization Claims After $387.5M Bitget Exploit

OKX founder Star Xu has publicly questioned THORChain’s claim that it operates as a fully decentralized blockchain, after funds connected to the Bitget hack were reportedly moved through the cross-chain network. The dispute highlights the growing tension between permissionless infrastructure and efforts to freeze stolen crypto assets.

Bitget has raised its confirmed loss estimate to approximately $387.5 million following unauthorized transfers detected at 18:31 UTC on September 24. The exchange has asked industry participants, including THORChain, to help block assets tied to the attacker.

Bitget revises loss estimate upward

Bitget initially estimated the affected amount at $351.6 million and temporarily paused withdrawals after spotting suspicious activity in some hot wallets. The exchange said cold wallets were not compromised and its protection fund held more than $464 million.

After further tracing, Bitget revised the total to $387.5 million. The new figure includes Zcash and Tron transfers that were not part of the initial calculation, not new transactions after the breach was contained. The exchange said Mandiant and SlowMist are assisting with the investigation.

Bitget has published a restoration schedule for withdrawals: Bitcoin is expected to resume on September 28, Ethereum on September 29, and USDT on September 30. Other tokens, fiat withdrawals, and peer-to-peer services are slated for October 2. The exchange stressed these dates are a schedule, not confirmation that services have resumed.

Decentralization dispute intensifies

Bitget CEO Gracy Chen asked THORChain to refuse transactions from addresses linked to the attacker. That request triggered a broader debate about whether THORChain’s validators can act on publicly flagged wallets.

Star Xu argued that THORChain’s threshold-signature scheme (TSS) and validator model do not represent true decentralization. He said the selected validator set jointly controls assets held in vaults, and once the signing threshold is reached, those validators can move funds. From a custody perspective, he contends, THORChain acts as an intermediary even if no single validator controls a vault.

THORChain’s official account rejected that interpretation, describing the network as decentralized and permissionless. It questioned whether base-layer blockchains should be expected to censor transactions when stolen assets pass through them. The two sides remain divided on both THORChain’s level of control and its responsibility in recovery efforts.

Stablecoin freezes and recovery bounty

Circle and Tether froze approximately $318,000 in USDC and USDT at a wallet linked to the Bitget attack. The wallet held roughly 99,990 USDC and 218,023 USDT when the issuers blocked the tokens. These issuer-level controls can stop those stablecoins from moving, but they do not give Circle or Tether control over Ethereum held at the same address.

Bitget has also launched a recovery bounty program, offering eligible parties 5% of affected funds they help freeze or recover. The exchange published attacker addresses and a live tracing dashboard for firms monitoring the transfers.

The confirmed freeze accounts for a small fraction of the $387.5 million estimate. The final recovery outcome will depend on where the assets move and whether the services handling them can impose transfer restrictions. Bitget’s next scheduled update on September 28 is expected to cover both the investigation and withdrawal restoration.

November 4, 2026
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP Face Crucial Resistance Tests as September Ends

The cryptocurrency market is heading into the final days of September with several major assets facing pivotal resistance tests. Analysts have set ambitious price targets for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, with each needing to clear nearby technical hurdles to reach new highs. The upcoming U.S. inflation report on September 30 could also play a decisive role in shaping market direction.

Overall crypto market capitalization has risen from roughly $2.62 trillion on September 1 to $2.87 trillion, reflecting a broad rally. Bitcoin recently traded near $84,900, up about 0.9% over 24 hours, while the total market gain sets the stage for a potentially strong month-end finish.

Bitcoin Eyes $87,000 After Reclaiming $85,000

Bitcoin has gained approximately 7.4% in September. Analyst Philakone noted that the price remains above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, with resistance identified at $87,385. Martini Guy highlighted $85,000 as an earlier level that Bitcoin needed to reclaim before approaching $87,000. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted about $2.39 billion in net inflows during the week ending September 25, signaling strong demand. In the near term, traders are watching resistance around $85,900 to $86,000. A move below $84,000 could shift focus to the $82,000–$83,500 area.

Ethereum Must Clear $2,800 to Target $2,900

Ethereum has risen about 9.3% this month. Analyst Alex Marzell pointed to $2,900 as a possible destination due to concentrated trading interest near that level. Daan Crypto identified $2,800 as the nearer obstacle; a move through it would open a clearer path to higher levels. Ethereum was near $2,700 in recent pricing, leaving it below both targets. Traders will look for a sustained push above $2,800 before judging whether the $2,900 target is achievable.

Solana Analysts Watch the $125–$130 Range

Solana traded near $122 after a daily gain of about 1.2%. Alaoui Capital suggested that breaking out of a sideways trading pattern could carry SOL toward $130, citing demand from Solana investment funds. Analyst Apex Gotu identified $125 to $130 as the next key zone, with SOL needing to pass $125 before testing the upper end of that range.

XRP Must Pass $1.61 to Test $1.70

XRP has gained about 7.9% over the past month. Analyst Diana said the token recovered after an earlier rejection near $1.61. In her view, a break above that level could open a move toward $1.70, though the target remains conditional on clearing resistance. ETF inflows offer another measure of interest, but price action will ultimately determine whether buyers can sustain the recovery.

The final trading days of September also bring a scheduled U.S. economic release on September 30: the Bureau of Economic Analysis will publish August personal income and outlays data, including the personal consumption expenditures price index. This inflation report could influence market sentiment and price action across the board.

November 4, 2026
Crypto Investment Strategies: From Bitcoin HODLing to DeFi, ETFs and Tokenized Assets

Why crypto investing looks different today

Crypto investing has moved well beyond the early model of buying Bitcoin and safeguarding private keys. Today’s market includes exchange-traded funds, staking, decentralized finance, derivatives and tokenized assets. That shift reflects technological progress, new financial infrastructure and growing institutional participation. Investors can now choose between direct ownership, yield-generating strategies and regulated investment products.

The first playbook: buy, hold and self-custody

In Bitcoin’s early years, investment options were limited. Investors typically bought BTC through exchanges or peer-to-peer markets and then moved it into personal wallets. Long-term holding, later widely known as HODLing, became one of crypto’s defining strategies. Investors were mainly betting on Bitcoin’s scarcity and future adoption rather than expecting income from the asset. Self-custody was therefore a central part of early crypto investment strategy.

Altcoins and the diversification lesson

Ethereum and other blockchain networks widened the investment universe beyond Bitcoin. Ethereum introduced programmable smart contracts, giving investors exposure to decentralized applications and blockchain infrastructure. The 2017 ICO boom then brought thousands of new tokens to market. Failed projects and severe corrections showed that spreading capital across cryptocurrencies does not automatically reduce risk when assets share similar market drivers.

DeFi and staking add yield, along with new risks

Decentralized finance changed how investors could use their crypto holdings. Lending, borrowing, liquidity provision and yield farming became accessible strategies. Proof-of-stake networks also expanded staking, allowing holders to earn rewards by participating in blockchain security. These approaches introduced potential income but also added risks tied to smart contracts, liquidation, validators, token incentives and protocol failures.

ETFs bring crypto into traditional brokerage accounts

Exchange-traded products marked another major shift by bringing crypto exposure into conventional brokerage accounts. By 2026, US-listed products extended beyond Bitcoin. SEC filings show the Grayscale Solana Staking ETF supports in-kind creations and redemptions, while its updated trust structure provides for distributions derived from staking rewards. The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF similarly seeks SOL exposure while generating additional SOL through staking. These products illustrate how traditional investment vehicles are incorporating features once associated with on-chain investing.

Tokenization connects blockchains and traditional assets

The latest phase increasingly links blockchain infrastructure with traditional financial assets. Solana currently indexes approximately USD 7 billion in tokenized value across nearly 2,700 assets, including equities, ETFs, Treasuries and commodities, with roughly USD 348 million in 24-hour real-world asset volume. More broadly, Bitwise reported that tokenized real-world assets reached USD 32.89 billion during 2026 after increasing 50.3% year-to-date in its Q2 review. Tokenization is also becoming more integrated with DeFi, where real-world assets can potentially serve as collateral or interact with lending and trading protocols.

Data-driven portfolio management takes hold

Modern crypto investors increasingly monitor ETF flows, derivatives positioning, on-chain cost bases, liquidity and macroeconomic conditions alongside traditional technical indicators. This creates strategies that combine blockchain-specific data with techniques already familiar to conventional financial markets.

What investors should keep in mind

Crypto investment strategies have evolved from straightforward Bitcoin holding into a multi-layered market spanning diversification, staking, DeFi, ETFs and tokenization. More options give investors greater flexibility, but they also introduce custody, liquidity, smart-contract and market risks that require careful research and risk management. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

FAQ

How did early crypto investment strategies work?

Early crypto investing largely involved buying Bitcoin through exchanges or peer-to-peer markets and holding it in personal wallets. Investors generally focused on Bitcoin’s scarcity and long-term adoption rather than earning income from their holdings.

How did Ethereum change crypto investing?

Ethereum introduced programmable smart contracts, expanding investment opportunities beyond digital money. Investors could gain exposure to decentralized applications, tokens and eventually DeFi protocols, creating new strategies involving lending, liquidity provision and other blockchain-based financial activities.

What role does staking play in modern crypto investing?

Staking allows holders of proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies to participate in network security while potentially earning rewards. It provides an alternative to simply holding tokens, although investors must consider validator, liquidity, slashing and protocol-related risks.

How have crypto ETFs changed investment strategies?

Crypto ETFs allow eligible investors to gain digital-asset exposure through traditional brokerage infrastructure without directly managing wallets and private keys. By 2026, some products also incorporated features such as staking and in-kind creations and redemptions.

How is tokenization changing crypto investment strategies?

Tokenization brings traditional assets such as equities, ETFs, Treasuries and funds onto blockchain infrastructure. This increasingly connects conventional finance with crypto markets and can enable programmable transfers, on-chain trading and integration with decentralized-finance applications.

November 3, 2026
Bitcoin’s Market Share Slips Below 60% as Altcoin Recovery and Privacy Tech Gain Attention

Bitcoin’s share of the cryptocurrency market has fallen to 58.5%, slipping below the 60% level that traders often watch as a signal of market leadership. The move comes as altcoins recover from a soft stretch and privacy-focused crypto assets attract fresh attention.

Glassnode’s Altcoin Cycle Signal has climbed to 81.25, and the total market value of altcoins has risen about 33% since mid-August. Even so, the Altcoin Season Index remains neutral, suggesting that a broad, sustained run of altcoin outperformance has not yet been confirmed.

Altcoin recovery is visible, but not yet a full season

Recent price action shows selective strength rather than a market-wide rotation. Filecoin gained 5.88%, Theta Network added 5.55%, and Axie Infinity rose 5.11%, with order activity favoring buyers in those assets. Those gains are notable, but the neutral Altcoin Season Index indicates that most altcoins have not consistently beaten Bitcoin.

The current market structure may also differ from earlier cycles. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds now give institutional investors a direct way to gain exposure to the largest cryptocurrency. That channel could reduce the amount of capital that moves from Bitcoin into smaller tokens, meaning Bitcoin dominance might decline without producing the same kind of altcoin rotation seen in the past.

Shielded Bitcoin proposal puts privacy back in focus

Separately, researchers Clara Shikhelman, Mikhail Komarov, and Aleksei Moskvin from cryptography firm [alloc] init have proposed a privacy system called Shielded Bitcoin. The design borrows the encrypted payment structure used by Zcash and aims to make Bitcoin payments harder to trace without altering Bitcoin’s core network rules.

Under the proposal, Bitcoin-denominated value would be held in encrypted records called notes. When a user spends a note, the system would publish a marker showing that the record had already been used. A mathematical proof would verify ownership and confirm that no new value was created. The transfer would conceal the payment amount as well as the sender and recipient.

The key difference from Zcash is enforcement. Bitcoin nodes currently validate every transaction against a shared set of rules, and transactions that fail those rules cannot enter a valid block. Shielded Bitcoin would instead place encrypted transfer information on Bitcoin while separate software checks whether the private payment follows the proposed system’s rules. As a result, Bitcoin could confirm an underlying transaction even if the private payment encoded inside it fails Shielded Bitcoin’s separate checks.

Zcash shielded activity rises with privacy demand

The proposal arrives as developers explore privacy for payroll, business payments, and everyday spending. Standard Bitcoin transactions permanently display amounts and addresses on the public ledger. Once an address is linked to a company or individual, related activity can become easier to trace. Shielded Bitcoin seeks to reduce that visibility while preserving Bitcoin’s public transaction record.

Users could reconstruct accepted private payments with wallet keys because encrypted transfer data would remain on Bitcoin. Separate viewing keys could give accountants or auditors transaction access without spending authority.

Zcash already supports both transparent and shielded payments. Transparent transactions expose addresses and values, while shielded transactions encrypt those details. According to CoinDesk calculations based on ZecStats data, Zcash shielded pools held about 4.9 million ZEC on Friday, up 14% from July 30. That represented roughly 29% of issued ZEC and had an estimated value of USD 7.8 billion after the cryptocurrency’s rally.

Zcash also recorded around 63,000 shielded transactions last week, its busiest week for private transactions since 2022 and its fourth-highest total on record. Reported transfer volume across the Zcash network exceeded USD 23 billion, the largest weekly total since 2021 and the second-highest weekly level in the network’s history.

What to watch next

For crypto traders, the main question is whether altcoin strength broadens enough to push the Altcoin Season Index out of neutral. For privacy advocates, the focus is whether proposals such as Shielded Bitcoin can advance without compromising Bitcoin’s validation model or creating new audit and compliance challenges.

Bitcoin dominance has slipped below 60% as altcoins recover, but neutral altcoin-season readings show that broad outperformance remains unconfirmed. At the same time, Shielded Bitcoin and rising Zcash shielded activity show that private cryptocurrency payments are drawing renewed attention.

November 3, 2026
Grayscale Zcash ETF Surpasses $1B in Assets Amid ZEC Price Rally

Grayscale’s Zcash ETF (ticker: ZCSH) reached $1 billion in assets under management on September 24, less than a month after its debut on NYSE Arca. The milestone was driven by a combination of new investment, a sharp rise in Zcash’s (ZEC) price, and the value of ZEC tokens the fund already held before listing.

How Much New Investment Did ZCSH Attract?

Grayscale described the achievement as ‘$1B in AUM,’ but that figure reflects the total value of the fund’s assets, not solely new cash inflows. Data from SoSoValue shows cumulative net inflows of $306.12 million as of September 24, against roughly $1 billion in net assets.

However, not all inflows represent fresh cash. A filing reveals that DCG International Investments—part of Grayscale’s parent group—acquired about $100 million of ZCSH shares on September 8 in exchange for 85,705 ZEC tokens. This in-kind transaction swapped tokens for shares, rather than adding new cash. Subtracting that leaves roughly $206 million in other reported net inflows, though the net figure may include other transaction types and does not specify how much came from outside investors’ cash purchases.

Why Did the Fund’s Assets Grow Faster Than Inflows?

ZCSH began exchange trading on August 25 as a conversion of the older Grayscale Zcash Trust, which already held ZEC. The ETF listing did not mark the start of its holdings; the trust had accumulated tokens beforehand. A September filing lists the Grayscale Zcash Trust as the ETF’s former name.

ZEC’s price also surged after listing. According to CoinMarketCap, the token traded near $1,530 around the September 24 milestone—roughly double its price when ETF trading began. This price increase boosted the dollar value of ZEC already in the fund, lifting AUM without a corresponding rise in the number of tokens held.

That distinction matters when interpreting the $1 billion figure. Existing holdings contributed to the fund’s starting size, while price changes altered their reported value. Net inflows track a separate metric: additions to the fund after accounting for withdrawals.

What Happens Next for ZCSH Shareholders?

Grayscale has announced a three-for-one share split. Shareholders of record at the close on September 28 will receive two additional shares for each share held. The split is expected to take effect before trading opens on September 30, with ZCSH retaining the same ticker.

The net asset value per share will fall to about one-third of its previous level as the share count triples. The split itself does not add ZEC or change the total value of an investor’s holding. After it takes effect, ZEC’s price and changes in the fund’s holdings will continue to determine its assets under management.

Also Read: 21Shares Launches ether.fi and Zcash ETPs Across Europe

November 3, 2026
AI Agents Pick RLUSD for XRP Ledger Settlements as XRP Traders Bet on Late 2026

Autonomous AI agents operating on XRP Ledger infrastructure are increasingly turning to Ripple USD (RLUSD) for continuous settlement, according to data from XRPL AI Hub. The trend underscores a growing preference for dollar-pegged predictability in machine-to-machine payments, even as XRP remains the network’s native asset.

Why AI agents favor RLUSD

XRPL AI Hub data shows RLUSD dominance across direct clearing settlements, both in all-time-high activity and in the latest 30-day settlement data. By contrast, XRP transaction volumes were largely unchanged over the past week, creating a clear split between the network’s native token and its dollar-linked stablecoin in automated transactions.

The reason is straightforward: machines need predictable costs when paying for computing resources, APIs and other digital services. RLUSD tracks the U.S. dollar one-to-one, allowing software to calculate expected expenses more precisely before executing payments. XRP, by contrast, remains exposed to market volatility, and even a small price move can change the real cost of a planned transaction.

The machine-native economy

BlackRock’s research note, “The Machine-Native Economy,” describes a financial system increasingly built around autonomous software. Traditional banking operates on human schedules, while AI agents can transact continuously. According to the research, the global stablecoin market has surpassed USD 300 billion, and annual stablecoin transaction volume has reached USD 11.6 trillion.

That liquidity gives automated systems access to assets designed for frequent transfers. AI agents can pay for computing power, APIs and other services without waiting for traditional banking hours. Tokenized GPUs also form part of this emerging infrastructure because autonomous systems require computing resources around the clock.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said the number of AI agents making transactions could grow exponentially. Yet those systems need predictable costs to operate within strict budgets. RLUSD’s dollar peg supports that requirement, while XRP still retains a role in interbank clearing. The XRPL data, however, shows RLUSD taking a larger share of transactions linked to autonomous software.

Prediction markets: near-term caution, longer-term optimism

Prediction-market positioning around XRP’s price tells a different story. Kalshi’s September XRP market currently shows a USD 1.70 forecast, up USD 0.10 on the day. Still, the contract tied to XRP trading above USD 1.70 last changed hands at 32 cents, down from 36 cents a day earlier. Since each contract pays USD 1 if XRP reaches that level, the price implies roughly one-in-three odds.

About 46,650 contracts have changed hands since the market opened on September 1, while roughly 10,870 remain open. Further up the September ladder, the USD 1.80 contract trades near 19 cents. Contracts tied to USD 2.00 and USD 2.10 each sit near 7 cents.

Kalshi’s full-year XRP market has strengthened. The contract covering XRP above USD 2.00 in 2026 rose to 59 cents from 53 cents. The USD 2.50 contract increased to 33 cents from 26 cents, while the USD 3.00 contract climbed to 24 cents from 19 cents. The pattern shows a split between near-term and longer-term expectations: traders have reduced exposure to an immediate September breakout while assigning higher prices to later 2026 outcomes.

ETF inflows add support below USD 1.60

Fund flows have also provided support to the XRP market. U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded USD 22.65 million in inflows on September 25, with Bitwise leading those inflows. The buying indicates continued demand through regulated investment products, even as XRP remains below the USD 1.60 level.

Yet ETF demand has not produced an immediate breakout. That leaves the coming trading sessions important for both price positioning and prediction-market expectations.

Two narratives for XRP Ledger

XRP Ledger activity now presents a separate structural development. RLUSD continues to gain relevance in machine-driven settlements because automated systems prioritize stable and measurable costs. At the same time, XRP traders continue to debate how quickly the native asset can recover.

Final thoughts: RLUSD is gaining traction among AI agents because stable pricing supports continuous automated payments. Meanwhile, XRP remains below USD 1.60 despite USD 22.65 million in ETF inflows. Kalshi traders show weaker September expectations but stronger confidence in higher XRP prices later in 2026.

November 3, 2026
Pi Network Wraps Protocol 27, Schedules Protocol 28 Mainnet Rollout for October 16

Pi Network has finished its Protocol 27 Mainnet upgrade and is now preparing for the next network change. Protocol 28 is scheduled to go live on Mainnet on October 16, 2026, with node operators required to update their software by October 13.

The completion of Protocol 27 came after an initial September 15 target. It follows other upgrades this year, including Protocol 26, and is part of the project’s broader effort to refine how accounts, applications, and smart contracts interact on the network.

Protocol 27 expands authorization options

According to the Pi Network team, Protocol 27 gives accounts and applications more flexible ways to authorize smart contract transactions. That means developers have more choices when designing how an app approves a transaction. The upgrade is focused on the mechanics that support application activity rather than on token price or exchange listings.

Pi Network had previously described Protocol 27 as the final planned upgrade in that sequence. The project has since announced Protocol 28 and moved the new version to Testnet, setting up the next Mainnet rollout.

Protocol 28 Mainnet upgrade set for October 16

Protocol 28 is scheduled for Mainnet on October 16, 2026. Node operators have until October 13 to update their software, three days before the planned network change. The team says the new version is designed to improve how the network handles delays in transaction data.

Protocol 28 will also let developers upgrade groups of smart contracts at once instead of updating each contract separately. In addition, it introduces a safer way for developers to change stored data as applications evolve. These changes are aimed at network operations and application maintenance.

PI price climbs back above $0.09

The PI token traded at $0.09115 at the time of reporting, up 4.29% in 24 hours and 7.2% over seven days, according to CoinMarketCap. The token had fallen below $0.083 earlier in the week, climbed close to $0.094, pulled back toward $0.085, and then recovered above $0.09.

The rebound pushed PI’s market value back above $1 billion, placing it near 65th among cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Despite the weekly gain, PI remains down about 32.45% over 90 days, and its 30-day return is negative 2.55%. The short-term recovery is therefore taking place within a longer period of declining prices.

Key price levels and trading activity

PI’s recent swing high is near $0.09508, with a previous rejection area at $0.09858. Its recent swing low is around $0.08490, followed by a prior consolidation area near $0.08048. At $0.09115, the token is trading between the recent swing high and low.

Trading activity increased during the seven-day rebound. The seven-day average daily volume reached $8.03 million, about 1.3 times its usual level. The 30-day average was $6.29 million a day, below its usual level for that period.

Background: Open Network and protocol cadence

Pi Network launched Open Network in February 2025, enabling external connections and exchange integrations. The October update follows a series of protocol changes the team has made during 2026. For node operators, the immediate task is to complete the software update before the October 13 deadline.

November 3, 2026
Apeing Stage 5 Presale Gains Attention as Bitcoin Cash and Hyperliquid Make Moves

Apeing is advancing through Stage 5 of its 33-stage token presale while Bitcoin Cash stabilizes near $339 and Hyperliquid adds new market data infrastructure. The developments put early-stage token sales, spot-market volatility, and decentralized derivatives infrastructure in focus across different parts of the crypto market.

Apeing presale reaches Stage 5

Apeing uses the Ethereum ERC-20 standard and has a fixed supply of 16.75 billion APEING tokens. The project has allocated 40% of that supply, or 6.7 billion tokens, to its presale.

The sale includes 33 stages. Each stage remains open for one week or until its allocated tokens sell out. Prices increase in later stages, and the project says unsold tokens will be burned when each stage ends.

Apeing reports more than $105,000 raised, over 410 holders, and more than 470 million tokens sold. Its current Dip Devourers stage prices APEING at $0.00055, while the project states a planned listing price of $0.01.

At the current $0.00055 price, the stated $0.01 listing level represents a mathematical increase of about 1,718%. That figure reflects the project’s published prices and does not guarantee future market performance.

A $1,000 purchase at the current price would equal roughly 1.82 million APEING tokens before transaction costs. At a hypothetical $0.01 price, the same tokens would carry a value near $18,182. At hypothetical prices of $0.10 and $0.50, that token amount would equal roughly $181,818 and $909,091, respectively. These figures are mathematical examples rather than price forecasts.

Ape Wars competition adds monthly incentives

The project also runs Ape Wars, a monthly competition based on participant purchases. First place receives an extra 10% of monthly purchases plus a one-time 25% bonus code. Second place receives an additional 10% plus a 15% bonus code. Third place receives an additional 10% and a 10% bonus code. The leaderboard resets at the start of each month.

Michael Wrubel has also brought wider visibility to the project during its presale. As traders search for the best crypto to buy now, one question remains central: how much will presale participation translate into activity after listing?

Bitcoin Cash holds near $339 after intraday surge

Bitcoin Cash climbed from $328 to $346 during roughly four hours on September 24. TokenPost reported that BCH reached $346 at 10:27 a.m. ET after gaining 5.55% over the four hours.

At that point, the cryptocurrency held a 1.85% gain over 24 hours. The report also placed Bitcoin Cash near a $6.81 billion market capitalization and ranked it 21st by market value.

The supplied market figure later placed BCH at $338.67, down 0.17% over 24 hours. That level left the cryptocurrency below its intraday peak while preserving part of the earlier move.

The rally also triggered around $130,000 in short liquidations across Binance, Bybit, and OKX during the reported hour. Long liquidations totaled zero over the same period.

Still, the available information did not establish a confirmed catalyst for the sudden move. As a result, the price action remains the clearest measurable feature of the episode.

Hyperliquid adds dedicated fiber market data access

Hyperliquid entered the latest infrastructure news cycle after DoubleZero launched a dedicated fiber-optic market data feed for the platform. The service targets professional trading firms seeking faster access to order-book information.

The feed gives firms access to Hyperliquid’s full order book without requiring them to assemble the information through the public API. It covers Hyperliquid perpetual futures and trade[XYZ] perpetual futures.

Those trade[XYZ] products include contracts linked to real-world assets such as oil, gold, and silver. The new connection brings infrastructure more commonly associated with institutional markets to decentralized derivatives trading.

DoubleZero said the Hyperliquid launch expands its Edge service to three venues. The company already provides the service across Solana and Kalshi.

Even with the infrastructure development, the supplied Hyperliquid price stood at $91.61, down 0.29% over 24 hours. Therefore, the latest market data shows softer token performance alongside the exchange’s infrastructure expansion.

Professional traders now have another route to real-time order-book data as decentralized markets build more specialized trading systems. Meanwhile, Apeing continues its presale, and Bitcoin Cash remains below its recent $346 intraday high.

What to watch

Apeing continues Stage 5 of its 33-stage presale while reporting more than $105,000 raised. Bitcoin Cash trades near $339 after a sharp four-hour jump, while Hyperliquid adds dedicated fiber market data access through DoubleZero.

November 3, 2026