Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

5 hours ago

According to Lookonchain’s monitoring, seven miner addresses dormant for 16.5 years transferred 350 Bitcoin roughly six hours ago, valued at approximately $28 million. The miners obtained the 350 BTC through mining in March 2010.

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Bitcoin’s correlation with gold has reached a nearly six-year high, while its correlation with the Nasdaq has dropped to a one-year low, according to recent data shared by WuBlockchain. This shift in correlation patterns may indicate a change in Bitcoin’s role as a financial asset, suggesting it is being perceived more as a hard-asset hedge similar to gold, rather than a tech-equity proxy. The 90-day correlation with gold now exceeds 50%, while the Nasdaq correlation stands at about 33%. This development occurs as investors reassess Bitcoin’s relative value amid broader market dynamics.

Key Takeaways The increased correlation between Bitcoin and gold appears to suggest a shift in investor sentiment towards viewing Bitcoin as a safe-haven asset. The reduction in Bitcoin’s correlation with the Nasdaq indicates a potential divergence from tech-equity trends. Market data reflects these shifts, with Bitcoin seemingly aligning more closely with traditional hard assets like gold. What to Watch Analysts will be closely monitoring further data releases and market reactions to these correlation shifts. Key indicators include central bank gold purchases, geopolitical tensions, and economic data releases such as the U.S. CPI figures. Should these factors align with scenarios supporting a rise in gold prices, market participants could see a continued increase in Bitcoin’s correlation with gold. Conversely, stabilizing tech markets could see Bitcoin’s correlation with the Nasdaq rebound. Such dynamics will be pivotal in shaping future asset allocation strategies.

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Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

Bitcoin [BTC] has been on the higher side over the past couple of days, with the asset teasing a potential move past the $80,000 region on the chart.

The case is that the price continues to hover around this region with no definitive push. What market participants do at this level remains crucial to understanding Bitcoin’s next move, but for now, there is no definitive direction.

OG Bitcoin holders sell their bags Data from CryptoQuant tracking Bitcoin OG Spent Transaction Outputs (STXO) using the 90-day moving average has significantly spiked, reaching 1,500 Bitcoin.

Bitcoin OGs are holders who have kept their assets for more than five years. When they spend their Bitcoin, it often indicates a shift in sentiment, as seen recently.

These OGs have moved their Bitcoin, which could indicate selling pressure and suggest that their conviction has weakened, especially as BTC reaches new local highs.

Source: CryptoQuant Pseudonymous senior market analyst Darkfost described the influencing factor behind the recent rally, saying:

“This consolidation period seems to have introduced some doubt across nearly every type of investor, even the most seasoned ones like the OGs.”

Other factors could have also played a role in the move, including the recent Coldcard hack that has driven investors to switch private wallets.

What’s happening on a small scale AMBCrypto’s look at Long-Term Holders (LTH), a group of investors who hold an asset for at least 155 days, gives a more detailed insight. The analysis was based on the LTH Binary Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) to track whether dormant tokens have moved or not.

Notably, a majority of the sell pressure that came into the market, using a 7-day simple moving average, came between August 19 and 25, a move that likely reflected when the majority of these LTHs sold.

Source: CryptoQuant However, since its peak on the 25th of August, the LTH Binary CDD has dropped from a high of 0.85 to the present level of 0.14.

This decline suggests that there is growing calm among these holders, as they have been moving fewer of their tokens over the past few weeks.

The Spot market is holding Over the past few days, there has been growing accumulation across the spot market, showing that there has been major buying of the asset.

The Spot netflow hit -$252.40 million on the 4th of September following $2.81 billion in accumulation of the asset in the market. Although, the netflow has dropped significantly to around -$4.03 million as of midday on the 5th of September.

Source: CoinGlass For now, there is growing accumulation in the market, and if it continues this way, it can help sustain Bitcoin.

Final Summary Bitcoin OG holders have increased spending activity, suggesting some long-term investors may be taking profits. Spot market accumulation remains strong, while lower LTH movement points to reduced selling pressure.

Ansem has been repeatedly pumping ZCAT, the meme token linked to ZEC's dividend, whose market cap has surged past $92 million to a new all-time high.

Crypto trader Ansem has been repeatedly hyping Solana-based meme token ZCAT (Anonymous Cat). He stated: "Some say if it’s on Solana, its market cap will never reach $100 million. Well, just keep watching. Let’s win." According to GMGN data, ZCAT’s market cap briefly exceeded $92 million, hitting a new all-time high, surging over 330% in 24 hours, with 24-hour trading volume standing at $3.6 million. ZCAT is a cat-themed meme token built on Solana, inspired by Zcash (ZEC)’s privacy concepts, featuring an anonymous cat mascot wearing a brown paper bag on its head. It uses a ~3% transaction and transfer tax to purchase and airdrop bridged Zcash (ZEC) on Solana to its holders. BlockBeats reminds users that most meme coins lack practical use cases, are highly volatile, and investors should exercise caution.

34 minutes ago

Cathie Wood: Bitcoin is gradually decoupling from gold's price trend.

ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood (affectionately known as "Woodie" in financial circles) noted that August non-farm payroll data shows the U.S. economy remains highly resilient. Markets may interpret the strong jobs figures as a sign of rising inflationary pressure, leading to further bets on the Federal Reserve tightening policy, but they are overlooking more critical shifts. While the U.S. headline inflation rate still stands at 3.7%, other inflation metrics are closer to the 2% target, and oil prices could even fall to around $30 per barrel. U.S. stocks continue hitting record highs amid rising interest rates, corporate capital spending has broken through a growth bottleneck that has persisted for over two decades, and Bitcoin is gradually decoupling from gold’s price trends. These phenomena are not mutually independent. As more companies adopt artificial intelligence, AI-related firms are creating jobs at a faster pace, and technological advances could simultaneously boost productivity and reduce costs. These signals point to stronger real economic growth and the emergence of powerful "tech-driven deflation." Current markets are still pricing based on traditional economic models, but a new economic system driven by AI and emerging technologies is taking shape rapidly.

34 minutes ago

WLFI advisor Ogle is the actual top holder of PONS, holding 15.28 million PONS at an average price of $0.1.

According to EmberCN's monitoring, WLFI advisor ogle's PONS holdings are not the 10.96 million units shown on FOMO, but 15.28 million units valued at $13.92 million. He also holds 4.32 million PONS in another address, worth $3.86 million. Ogle is actually the top PONS whale, having accumulated a total of 15.28 million PONS at an average price of $0.1 per unit, with an unrealized profit of $13.77 million, marking an 87x gain. The relevant addresses are: 0x1Bcc5f67CD17e13770F199fA03bC043b0cde1143; 0x825F23921dCFf36944d8B0b0CA23ac7D05fB86cB

34 minutes ago

OpenAI Simultaneously Recruits Schumer’s Daughter and Veteran Republican Operative to Focus on U.S. State AI Policies

From Beating AI Express News: OpenAI has appointed three new state-level policy heads, with Jessica Schumer drawing the most attention. She is the daughter of US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, previously served as chief of staff at the Obama administration’s Council of Economic Advisers, and later led Amazon’s public policy work in New York. At OpenAI, she will oversee policy and partnerships in the US Northeast. Another new hire, Caulder Harvill-Childs, previously worked in public policy at Meta and also served Republican Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns; he will now be responsible for the US Southeast. Thomas MacLellan will handle state-level cybersecurity policy, with prior experience at firms including Palo Alto Networks, Symantec, and FireEye. OpenAI is shifting more focus to US states, a strategy it terms "reverse federalism": instead of waiting for Congress to enact uniform legislation, it is pushing major states like California and New York to adopt similar AI rules, eventually forming de facto national standards. OpenAI publicly noted that California, New York, and Illinois have already started aligning on frontier AI safety rules.

34 minutes ago

Altcoins rally broadly, with Layer 2 (L2) and DeFi sectors surging sharply. ARB, RAY, and SUSHI – the direct beneficiaries of the Meme craze – lead the market’s gains.

According to HTX market data, altcoins are rallying broadly amid active trading on Robinhood, BNB Chain, and Solana. The L2, DeFi, and DEX sectors are seeing sharp gains, with L2 led by ARB, followed by OP, STRK, IMX, etc. DeFi and DEX tokens including RAY, ORCA, JUP, UNI, SUSHI, CAKE, CRV, SPK, LISTA, and ENA are all rising, as capital flows back to DeFi projects with real trading use cases and fee mechanisms. On BNB Chain, boosted by BNB breaking above $780, tokens like BOME, 1000CAT, MARSCOIN, and TUT are also climbing. Meanwhile, today’s Altcoin Season Index has risen to 40, meaning roughly 40 of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap have outperformed Bitcoin over the past 90 days, and total altcoin market cap has hit $1.10 trillion. Top gainers: ARB up over 51% in 24 hours, trading at $0.1997. Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum L2 built on Arbitrum Orbit, allocates 10% of its net protocol revenue to the Arbitrum ecosystem—8% to the DAO treasury and 2% to development funds. RAY up over 42% in 24 hours, trading at $1.177. Solana-based token launch platform StonkFun announced it has integrated with Raydium LaunchLab. Going forward, all new StonkFun token deployments will launch via LaunchLab to cut costs, reduce front-running risks, and enable auto-compounding liquidity post-binding. SUSHI up over 24% in 24 hours, trading at $0.2385. SushiSwap has integrated its DEX and launchpad into Robinhood Chain, allowing new tokens to pair with tokenized stocks and launch with an existing Sushi V3 pool. SushiSwap Launch V2 is set to launch around September 4, with SUSHI serving as the launchpad’s quote asset. Other notable 24-hour gains: BOME, IOST, 1000CAT up over 20%; COTI, TUT, CAKE, SPK, UNI, STRK, MET, ORCA up over 10%; CRV, ENA, IMX, JUP, LISTA also posting solid increases.

34 minutes ago

StonkFun completes a $1 million buyback of STONK tokens; its platform token STONK surpasses $100 million in market cap today.

Solana-based token launch platform StonkFun announced it has completed a $1 million STONK token buyback, while over $7.5 million in rewards have been distributed to holders in the StonkFun ecosystem. StonkFun also announced it has launched on Raydium LaunchLab. Going forward, all new StonkFun token deployments will be initiated via LaunchLab to lower deployment costs, reduce sniper risks, and enable automatic liquidity compounding after binding is completed. According to GMGN market data, StonkFun’s platform token STONK surpassed $100 million in market cap today, currently trading at $92 million, with a 256% 24-hour gain and $30.4 million in trading volume over the same period. BlockBeats reminds users that related token prices are highly volatile, so investors should exercise caution.

34 minutes ago

Bitcoin remained largely unchanged amid the latest escalation in the U.S.-Iran war, with the U.S. striking three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for earlier attacks on its warships. However, BTC faces a huge and potentially volatile week ahead with the release of the latest inflation readings.

Bitcoin Holds Steady Amid Latest U.S.-Iran Attacks In an X post, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed that its forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran launched missiles at two U.S. Navy warships. “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.

Bitcoin held steady amid these latest attacks, trading just below the psychological $80,000 level. BTC is trading at around $79,800, up less than 1% on the day, according to TradingView data.

Source: TradingView; Bitcoin daily chart Bitcoin had tumbled yesterday following the release of the August U.S. jobs report, which came in way stronger than expected. This boosted bets of a potential Fed rate hike, which could happen as soon as this month’s FOMC meeting.

Fed Governor Chris Waller eased concerns about a September rate hike earlier in the week, saying he was leaning toward holding rates unchanged. However, he noted that the upcoming August inflation readings could sway his decision.

All Eyes On Next Week’s CPI and PPI Data The market is focused on the release of the August CPI and PPI data next week, which could spark significant volatility for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market. Waller mentioned that a hot inflation reading could prompt him to consider a hike.

Meanwhile, other Fed officials such as Fed President Beth Hammack have also raised concerns about rising inflation, signaling their readiness to back a hike. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, in his Jackson Hole speech, vowed that they are ready to do what they must do if inflation doesn’t show signs of slowing.

Ahead of the CPI and PPI release, crypto traders are almost evenly split on whether the Fed will hold or hike rates at the September FOMC meeting. Data from the top crypto prediction market platform Polymarket shows a 51% chance that they will hold rates steady and a 50% chance they will hike rates.

Source: Polymarket

Bitcoin remains locked in a post-breakout consolidation phase, but the latest rejection from the upper end of the structure shows that buyers are still struggling to generate sustained momentum above $80K. The broader trend remains constructive, although the current range leaves BTC vulnerable to further liquidity-driven swings before its next directional move.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Daily Chart Bitcoin’s daily structure remains significantly stronger than it was before the August breakout. The asset is holding well above the former $72K-$74.5K resistance zone and both moving averages, preserving the broader bullish shift despite the recent loss of momentum.

However, BTC has repeatedly encountered selling pressure inside the $80.5K-$82.5K resistance zone. The latest attempt briefly pushed toward $82K before being rejected, sending the price back below $80K. This inability to establish acceptance above the resistance area suggests that supply remains active at higher prices.

At the same time, the asset continues to trade within a gradually ascending channel. Its lower boundary currently sits around the $76K-$77K region, making this the most important nearby structural support. As long as BTC remains above this area, the ongoing price action can still be interpreted as consolidation following the sharp rally rather than a confirmed bearish reversal.

A decisive breakout above the $80.5K-$82.5K zone would strengthen the continuation scenario. Conversely, losing the channel support around $76K-$77K could trigger a more substantial correction, with the former $72K-$74.5K breakout zone becoming the next major area of interest.

BTC/USDT 4-Hour Chart The 4-hour chart highlights the market’s current indecision more clearly. BTC rallied from the lower boundary of the ascending structure near $76.5K-$77K and quickly tested the $81K-$82K area, only for sellers to reject the move once again.

Price subsequently dropped toward $79.5K and has entered a tight short-term consolidation. This creates a notable contrast between the rising channel structure and the repeated failures near its upper boundary. Buyers are still defending higher lows, but they have yet to demonstrate enough momentum to convert the $80.5K-$82.5K supply area into support.

The $76.5K-$77.5K region therefore remains crucial. Another test of this zone could determine whether the ascending structure survives. A strong reaction would keep a renewed push toward $81K-$82K in play, whereas a breakdown would indicate that the consolidation is transitioning into a deeper corrective phase.

Sentiment Analysis The one-week BTC liquidation heatmap shows substantial liquidity on both sides of the current price, which supports the possibility of continued choppy trading and liquidity sweeps.

Above the market, notable liquidation concentrations appear around $81K-$82K and extend toward approximately $84K. These clusters could attract price if buyers regain momentum.

However, the downside liquidity is particularly relevant following the latest rejection. A broad and comparatively dense concentration is visible below the market, especially around the $76K-$78K region. This aligns closely with the lower boundary of the ascending technical structure.

As a result, a downside liquidity sweep toward $76K-$78K remains a plausible near-term scenario before another recovery attempt. Such a move would not automatically invalidate the broader bullish setup, but a sustained breakdown beneath this region would increase the probability of a deeper retracement toward the $72K-$74.5K support zone.

Disclaimer: Information found on CryptoPotato is those of writers quoted. It does not represent the opinions of CryptoPotato on whether to buy, sell, or hold any investments. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use provided information at your own risk. See Disclaimer for more information.

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BTC's major rally allowed many investors to dispose of their assets. What's next for its price?

CryptoQuant data shows that bitcoin investors started realizing major profits after the explosive August rally, disposing of roughly 110,000 BTC in just a few weeks.

Such highly concentrated profit-taking developments have historically been followed by substantial price correction for the underlying asset, the analysts warned. Moreover, several demand indicators have weakened, which could add to the selling pressure.

110K BTC Profit Taken The major run that began on August 19 at prices of under $65,000 drove the leading cryptocurrency to almost $80,000 in just two days. According to CQ’s latest weekly report, holders realized net profits of 23,000 BTC on that day alone (August 21), which became the largest single-day profit realization this year.

The asset indeed dipped in the following days as it felt almost inevitable after such a gigantic jump, but went on the offensive once again in the following week or so. It rocketed past $82,000 on Friday before it was rejected following the US jobs report, and now sits below $80,000.

The report described the major profit-taking as a classic characteristic of a bullish cooldown, but warned that if they continue at such a rapid pace, the asset’s price could be primed for another correction. Historical occurrences have shown that BTC tends to dump hard after a major rally if investors are not convinced about its potential.

“It is a hallmark of a bullish cooldown: bullish because it happens into strength, cautionary because concentrated realization can cap near-term upside,” reads the report.

Bitcoin Profit Taking. Source: CryptoQuant Cooling Demand CryptoQuant outlined another reason why BTC could be primed for a more profound correction, even though it already slipped from $82,400 to $79,600. Its apparent spot demand briefly expanded by 43,000 units, marking its fastest growth pace of the year. However, that metric has lost its momentum and is now back in contraction.

US investors’ demand has weakened as well. The most used metric for this, the Coinbase Premium, measuring the price difference between the asset on the leading US exchange and other trading platforms, has returned to slightly negative territory at -0.05.

You may also like: Bitcoin’s $3K Drop Comes as Fed Rate Hike Bets Surge, but Analyst Remains Bullish Bitcoin Is Back Above $80,000, But Fidelity Says the Bear Market May Not Be Over Yet Bitcoin ETF Inflows Exceed $700M as Historical Pattern Points to BTC Local Top The analysts said similar periods of soft US spot demand have capped the cryptocurrency’s rallies three other times this year alone.

Nevertheless, the short-term picture does not necessarily mean that BTC’s run is over and that it will return to a bearish phase. The Bull Score currently stands at 70, which is above the 60 threshold historically associated with sustainable bull markets.

” This keeps the broader picture constructive: Bitcoin remains in the early phase of a new bull market even as short-term momentum cools. The “official” bull market begins once price closes above its 365-day moving average,” they added, outlining that this key MA is located at around $83,000 – the level that stopped BTC in May.

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In brief Four more long-dormant Bitcoin wallets awakened between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4, moving a combined 202.84 BTC (~$15.73 million), per Galaxy Research—led by a 146.06 BTC stash ($11.31M) untouched since 2013. The 2011-era coins carried astronomical gains, including a 40 BTC wallet up over 2.5 million percent; one 6.78 BTC transfer was tagged with a Coinbase recipient attribution, typically signaling intent to sell. The moves extend a summer-long trend, following an earlier wave that shifted roughly $40 million in 10 days, with several wallets carrying "Noah Doe" lawsuit tags. The parade of long-dormant Bitcoin wallets springing back to life is showing no signs of slowing, with at least four more ancient stashes stirring in recent days, one of them apparently headed for a sale.

According to Galaxy Research's blockchain monitoring, the awakened wallets moved a combined 202.84 BTC, worth roughly $15.73 million, between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4.

Myriad: Bitcoin's next price move? Click to make your prediction.The largest, holding 146.06 BTC, or about $11.31 million, had sat untouched since November 2013, nearly 12.8 years, and delivered a gain of about 12,902% on a cost basis near $595. A 40 BTC wallet dormant since November 2011 followed, worth around $3.09 million and up a staggering 2,571,899% from an average cost of roughly $3. That means this patient hodler managed to turn roughly $120 in BTC into more than $3 million—by sitting on it for close to 15 years.

Two smaller wallets rounded out the batch: 10 BTC untouched since June 2011, worth about $777,000, and 6.78 BTC last active in February 2011, valued near $551,000. The oldest coins carried astronomical paper gains, with the 2011-era holdings up more than 2,000% and, in one case, over 500,000% from their original cost.

The follow-up flurry extends a trend that’s sped up during the summer. Recent data from Galaxy chart shows Bitcoin's oldest cohort, coins untouched for a decade or more, stirring at a pace rarely seen in 2026. An earlier wave saw six wallets move roughly $40 million in a single 10-day stretch in August.

Most such movements leave the coins' fate ambiguous, since a transfer alone doesn't reveal whether an owner is selling, consolidating or shifting to new custody. This time, one wallet offered a clearer signal.

Galaxy tagged the 6.78 BTC transfer with a recipient attribution of Coinbase, indicating the decade-old coins were sent to the exchange, a move typically associated with an intent to sell rather than simply relocate funds.

Several of the reawakened wallets also carried "Noah Doe" sender tags, a reference to the New York lawsuit seeking to have thousands of dormant addresses declared abandoned property. Named wallets tied to that case have been stirring regularly since a judge paused the proceedings in June.

Why so many vintage holders are moving now remains unclear, but each awakening revives questions about long-lost supply returning to circulation.

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A fresh wave of long-dormant Bitcoin wallets reawakened between August 29 and September 4, transferring a combined 202.84 BTC, valued at approximately $15.73 million. Blockchain analytics firm Galaxy Research tracked the movements, noting that these wallets had been inactive for many years, with some coins not moved since as far back as 2011.

Ancient Wallets Move After Years of InactivityAmong the oldest wallets was a particularly notable wallet holding 146.06 BTC, equivalent to roughly $11.31 million. This stash had remained untouched since November 2013, achieving a remarkable gain of nearly 12,902% from an estimated acquisition price of $595 per bitcoin.

Another significant transaction involved a wallet containing 40 BTC, dormant since November 2011. The wallet’s value reached approximately $3.09 million, with the original investment believed to be around $120. The gain on this holding stood at an extraordinary 2,571,899% over nearly 15 years.

Two smaller wallets contributed to the total. One contained 10 BTC, not moved since June 2011 and now worth about $777,000. The oldest in this batch held 6.78 BTC, previously untouched since February 2011 and now valued at approximately $551,000. Wallets from the 2011 era in particular demonstrated stratospheric percentage gains from their modest initial investment.

Summer 2026 Sees Spike in Old Coin MovementsThe recent transactions are part of a broader pattern that has accelerated through the summer months. According to Galaxy Research, activity among Bitcoin addresses with ten years or more of dormancy has risen to levels rarely seen in 2026. In August, a previous series of transfers involved six ancient wallets moving a collective total of nearly $40 million within a 10-day period.

Most movements of dormant Bitcoin leave it unclear whether the original holders are selling, consolidating, or simply moving the funds for security reasons. This time, one transaction to Coinbase stands out as a likely attempt to liquidate some coins. Of the four wallets, the 6.78 BTC transfer was tagged with a Coinbase recipient, a signal that the funds were probably moved to the exchange for sale.

Mini dictionary: Galaxy Research is a digital asset and blockchain analytics provider operated by Galaxy, a global financial services firm focused on digital assets, which conducts research into cryptocurrency markets and on-chain activity.

Wallet Dormancy PeriodBTC MovedCurrent ValueOriginal Acquisition PriceApproximate Percentage GainSince Nov. 2013146.06 BTC$11.31 million~$59512,902%Since Nov. 201140 BTC$3.09 million~$32,571,899%Since June 201110 BTC$777,000n/a2,000%+Since Feb. 20116.78 BTC$551,000n/a500,000%+Lawsuit-Tied Wallets and Unclear MotivationsSeveral of the recently active wallets have been linked to the “Noah Doe” lawsuit in New York, which seeks to categorize thousands of dormant Bitcoin addresses as abandoned property. Galaxy Research noted that activity associated with these lawsuits has risen since proceedings were paused in June, with more wallets connected to the case awakening.

Despite the frequency of these movements, the reasons why so many long-term holders are transferring their coins now remain unexplained. Each transfer prompts renewed speculation about how much of Bitcoin’s supply could be reintroduced into the market as dormant wallets awaken after years of inactivity.

Several of the long-dormant wallets moved significant amounts for the first time in over a decade, recording staggering percentage gains and highlighting the ongoing trend of old coins re-entering circulation in 2026.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Polygon CEO Marc Boiron says staff time off pains him. His post on X split the crypto industry within hours.

The Polygon Labs boss admitted he prefers speed over rest. Critics called that a fiat mindset, so Boiron answered with a lesson about Bitcoin culture.

Boiron wrote that he feels torn whenever staff step away from work. He genuinely wants people to relax with their families. However, he cannot stomach the thought of a rival moving faster.

I'm torn internally when people take time off. Is this normal?

On the one hand, I want people to relax, enjoy time with their families and take a break. I genuinely want it.

On the other hand, it pains me so much when I know we could move faster. I don't understand how you can…

— Marc | Polygon Labs (💜,⚔️, ※) (@0xMarcB) September 4, 2026 He wrote that time off “pains me so much” and conceded that he struggles to admit the preference. In the end, he prefers the pace over the pause.

The timing sharpened the reaction. Polygon Labs cut nearly 30% of its workforce in January. Then the company trimmed staff again in July while it pivoted toward stablecoin payments.

Both cuts followed a wider industry pivot toward revenue. Many readers therefore judged the post through that lens.

A Bitcoin supporter on X dismissed the stance as a fiat mindset. He also labeled Boiron a shitcoiner and told him to weigh what actually holds value.

Why He Answered With a Bitcoin LessonBoiron pushed back with a credential check. He said he worked as an investor, adviser and early lawyer for companies that Bitcoin maximalists admire. He also argued that he knows those founders better than his critics do.

“Before being a ‘shitcoiner’, I’ve been an investor, advisor and early lawyer for some of the most bitcoin maxi companies that bitcoiners love… They understand that bitcoin gets more valuable with time so getting more of it is actually more difficult with time,” Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, on X

His argument rests on scarcity. Bitcoiners guard every coin, because each one gets harder to obtain over time. Therefore, he says, they maximize the hours they spend working on Bitcoin.

That reading of the culture remains contested. Maximalists split openly this year over Saylor’s first BTC sale, which exposed real disagreement on strategy.

Polygon Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto MarketsPolygon itself has momentum to protect. POL, the native token of the network, trades near $0.095 and ranks 71st by market value. Its market cap sits just above $1 billion.

The token has added roughly 25% over the past month. However, the rally stalled after a peak near $0.125 in late August, and POL has drifted sideways since then.

Boiron shows no sign of softening either message. The harder question now sits inside Polygon Labs, not on X. Staff there decide whether the exchange reads as candor or as pressure.

After a lot of objection, criticism, and denial, Wall Street is moving onto crypto rails.

According to Bloomberg, crypto exchanges are expanding beyond cryptocurrencies into round-the-clock markets for stocks and commodities. The huge increase in “perpetual futures” trading linked to stocks and commodities further confirmed this sentiment.

How did one month change things for good? In August, these contracts generated $778 billion in Trading Volume across major crypto venues. They represented 23.48% of all Perpetual Futures activity, compared with only 0.5% in November 2025.

At the same time, their centralized-exchange volume reached $665.42 billion in August, up from only $11.58 billion in January.

Source: CoinBureau The main reason behind this surge is that crypto platforms are attracting traditional-asset trading because perpetual futures offer 24/7 access. This makes stocks, ETFs, and commodities easier to trade through crypto infrastructure.

For instance, though the SpaceX-linked SPCX contract is private, investors can speculate on its valuation without owning the actual stock—thanks to crypto perpetuals trading.

This was further validated by Binance accounting for about $433.4 billion of TradFi perpetual volume, with most of that coming from equity-linked contracts.

That said, the list also includes Bybit and Hyperliquid, as even these are becoming important venues for traditional-asset speculation.

What does this mean for the crypto market? In simple words, some individual stocks can experience larger price swings than Bitcoin [BTC], creating attractive opportunities for traders seeking volatility.

Through perpetual contracts on crypto platforms, traders can take leveraged long or short positions on assets such as Nvidia, Tesla, gold, or oil, often 24/7, even when traditional markets are closed.

All in all, if this trend continues, exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, and Hyperliquid could increasingly compete with traditional brokers and futures exchanges.

As expected, the crypto community applauded this milestone, as one of them noted,

Source: X The August flipover This comes at a time when the crypto market surged to new heights. However, at press time, the global cryptocurrency market cap was changing hands at $2.77 trillion, marking a 1.2% drop in the past 24 hours.

But with the ETF market seeing a huge influx in August 2026, the market appears to still be in a bullish run.

Source: SoSo Value As AMBCrypto reported, Bitcoin’s role as “digital gold” may be strengthening as its market behavior increasingly resembles gold rather than technology stocks.

Final Summary Stock-linked perpetual futures on centralized-exchange volume reached $665.42 billion in August. If the momentum sustains, Binance, Bybit, and Hyperliquid could compete with traditional brokers. 

US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $986.9 million in net inflows for the week ending September 5, capping off a three-week streak that has funneled $3.8 billion into these products. Early 2026 was rough for Bitcoin ETF flows, with year-to-date net figures still sitting at approximately negative $1 billion. Three consecutive weeks of heavy buying haven’t erased that deficit, but they’ve dramatically narrowed it.

Thursday was the main event Daily inflows during the week were anything but evenly distributed. Thursday alone accounted for roughly $731 million in net new capital, the largest single-day haul since January 14. Friday cooled off to $174.6 million. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) was responsible for $117.4 million of that total, while Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) contributed $57.2 million.

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Total assets under management across all US spot Bitcoin ETFs stood at $101.3 billion as of the latest data, after briefly touching $103.3 billion during the week. Since their collective launch in January 2024, these funds have accumulated $55.6 billion in cumulative net inflows.

Bitcoin holds steady while altcoin ETFs bleed Bitcoin’s price during the week hovered near $80K, dipping briefly below $79K before recovering to roughly $79,700. Spot Ether ETF inflows dropped 74% week-over-week, while XRP ETF products saw an 83% decline.

August 2026 delivered $3.5 billion in total Bitcoin ETF inflows, marking the strongest month since September 2025.

Digging out of a hole That the year-to-date figure still sits around negative $1 billion, even after $3.8 billion in three-week inflows, illustrates just how severe the earlier exodus was.

The $101.3 billion in combined AUM across all spot Bitcoin ETFs represents a significant chunk of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization. At current prices near $80K, Bitcoin’s fully diluted market cap sits in the neighborhood of $1.6 trillion, meaning these ETFs collectively hold somewhere around 6% of all Bitcoin that will ever exist.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

A Bitcoin mining facility in El Reno, Oklahoma, leaked roughly 3 to 3.8 million gallons of water into the ground while the surrounding region baked under a severe drought. The city has condemned the site and plans to send its operator, Athlon Blockchain Technology LLC, the bill.

The leak, which surfaced around August 28, caused water pressure to plummet across El Reno. Schools and public buildings temporarily shut down because taps ran dry.

How millions of gallons vanished unnoticed The culprit was a damaged private water line connected to an unauthorized fire hydrant that Athlon had installed on the property. Because the hydrant was unsanctioned, city crews had no reason to monitor it, and the leak went undetected until residents started noticing their faucets sputtering.

The facility itself houses containerized data centers used for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence storage.

City officials moved quickly once the source was identified. The site was condemned, and a 10-day removal notice was issued to the property owner. El Reno Mayor Steve Jensen confirmed that taxpayers would not be on the hook for the costs associated with the massive leak. The city plans to charge Athlon for every gallon, since the water was metered, along with the cost of response efforts.

An administrative hearing has been scheduled for September 14 to determine further action against the company.

A facility already operating on borrowed time The condemnation didn’t happen in a vacuum. City records show that El Reno officials issued a stop-work order against the Athlon facility back in June 2023. The site was operating without a certificate of occupancy, a basic regulatory requirement for any commercial building.

Despite that stop-work order, operations at the facility apparently continued. The fact that a Bitcoin mining site ran for years without proper permits, installed its own fire hydrant without authorization, and only drew enforcement action after causing a city-wide water crisis raises uncomfortable questions about how local governments oversee these operations.

The broader tension between mining and water The incident has already reignited local discussions about regulatory oversight. El Reno officials are reportedly considering enhanced monitoring systems to detect large-scale leaks more quickly and to keep closer tabs on industrial water consumers.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

An analysis of Bitcoin’s historical performance from 2010 to 2026 shows that the vast majority of its annual gains are concentrated in a tiny number of trading days, leading multiple industry experts to argue that long-term holding may be more advantageous than frequent attempts at timing trades. Data indicates that in 11 of the past 18 years, removing the 10 best-performing trading days of the year would turn a profitable year into a losing one. For instance, Bitcoin rose 94% in 2019, but would have fallen 40% for the year if its 10 best trading days were excluded; as of 2026 so far, Bitcoin is down roughly 9%, a drop that would widen to around 36% if its 5 best days were removed. Andre Dragosch, Head of European Research at Bitwise, noted that Bitcoin spends most of its time in sideways consolidation, with its major gains typically concentrated in a small number of explosive trading days, making it extremely difficult to time these moments precisely. “Holding period matters more than timing,” he said. Adam Haeems, Head of Asset Management at Tesseract Group, pointed out that on Feb. 5, 2026, Bitcoin fell roughly 14% in a single day, only to rise around 12% the next day. This demonstrates that attempting to capture excess returns by avoiding dips may carry the risk of missing out on rapid rebounds. With growing allocations to Bitcoin via spot ETFs, institutional funds, and corporate balance sheets, the cryptocurrency’s daily volatility is declining overall, but its market returns still exhibit the trait of concentrated, periodic bursts of gains.

Relevant content

The Trump administration is exerting comprehensive pressure on [沃什], and the Federal Reserve’s independence is once again under test ahead of its September interest rate hike.

Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s September 15-16 policy meeting, the Trump administration is ramping up public pressure on the Fed to avoid raising interest rates and even push for further cuts. Trump, U.S. Vice President Vance, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and White House Senior Economic Advisor Navarro have all recently publicly called for keeping rates steady or lowering them. Markets currently assign a roughly 60% probability that the Fed will raise rates by 25 basis points in September, driven primarily by U.S. August nonfarm payrolls adding 162,000 jobs and the unemployment rate holding at 4.1%. Fed Chair Walsh has repeatedly emphasized inflation risks, noting earlier that 54% of components in the PCE price index rose more than 3% over the past 12 months, arguing the Fed should focus on curbing inflation. Trump’s latest remarks go further, suggesting that if the Fed does not cut rates, the U.S. could take measures such as halting trade with countries that run a trade surplus with the U.S. With the November midterm elections approaching, high prices and elevated interest rates are putting growing political pressure on the Trump administration. Markets will now closely watch U.S. CPI data to be released this week, which could be a key factor in the Fed’s decision to raise rates or hold them steady in September.

30 minutes ago

CZ: Kyrgyzstan has established a cryptocurrency regulatory framework, and the stablecoin KGST has started circulating.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) announced in a post that he attended the third official meeting of Kyrgyzstan’s National Crypto Commission today, chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. The meeting discussed topics including crypto regulatory frameworks, compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), anti-fraud, stablecoins, and asset tokenization—with a specific pilot project also covered in the tokenization sector. CZ noted that Kyrgyzstan’s crypto industry has made "real progress". Just about a year ago, a crypto regulatory framework was still just a concept in the country; now, Kyrgyzstan has established such a framework, opened local banking channels to serve crypto trading platforms, and its stablecoin KGST is already in market circulation.

30 minutes ago

Muse Spark 1.3 Max is officially launched: The most powerful reasoning tier is finally available.

Beating AI News Flash: Meta has officially launched Muse Spark 1.3 Max, the highest inference intensity variant of Muse Spark 1.3. When Muse Spark 1.3 was first released, the Max version was still undergoing additional security testing and only available as a preview to a small number of partners. Now that security testing is complete, it can be directly used in Muse Code and Meta Model API. Meta’s Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang stated that Max is significantly more capable than the High and XHigh variants in programming and agent tasks. In Artificial Analysis’ Coding Agent Index, Muse Code paired with Muse Spark 1.3 Max scored 68 points, placing it in the first tier.

30 minutes ago

XDOF, which made its debut only three months ago, is now racing to secure Series B funding at a valuation of $1.2 billion.

According to multiple people familiar with the matter, XDOF, a startup focused on collecting real-world remote operation data to train general-purpose robots, is in late-stage negotiations for a Series B round less than three months after emerging from stealth mode. The company is valued at approximately $1.2 billion, with 8VC leading the financing round. XDOF was co-founded in 2024 by University of California, Berkeley researchers Philipp Wu (CEO) and Fred Shentu (CTO). The startup previously closed a $70 million Series A round, with investors including Thrive Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Lux, and Spark Capital. XDOF had not planned to raise additional capital so quickly after its Series A, but sources said the company’s rapid business growth—with annualized revenue approaching $50 million—attracted multiple venture capital firms to proactively reach out and push for a new funding round. TechCrunch has not obtained the specific amount of funding in this round, nor can it confirm whether the aforementioned $1.2 billion valuation includes new financing. Sources noted that the deal terms have not been finalized and could still change.

30 minutes ago

BNB’s sharp rally drove a broad surge in its ecosystem meme coins, with Binance Life jumping more than 17% in the past 24 hours.

According to HTX market data, BNB has surged sharply today, breaking through the $770 mark with a 24-hour increase of over 8%, driving a broad rally in its ecosystem meme coins. Among them: MARSCOIN is trading at $0.24, up 40.7% in 24 hours; 1000CAT is at $0.00264, up 36.36% in 24 hours; TUT is at $0.002843, up 24.67% in 24 hours; Binance Life is at $0.5653, up 17.48% in 24 hours; BROCCOLI714 is at $0.021, up 16.45% in 24 hours.

30 minutes ago

BNB rises to $770, surging over 8% in 24 hours.

According to HTX market data, BNB has risen to touch $770, currently trading at $769.91, with a 24-hour increase of 8.2%.

30 minutes ago

Changpeng Zhao expects the bets YZi Labs made over the past few months to become its best performers. The Binance founder credits the timing, because the firm invested while crypto prices sat near their lows.

His optimism is directly tied to the deployment of his private billions. In fact, YZi Labs is the family office that manages his personal wealth.

Why CZ Thinks His Firm’s Timing WorksHis comment sat on top of a summary of an August 28 book club session in Hong Kong. Zhao told the audience that money rushing into artificial intelligence (AI) is filtering out short-term crypto teams.

He has also argued that AI money rotating back into digital assets is already underway.

I strongly believe the YziLabs investments over the last few months will be some of the best performing because those investments were done during the depth of the crypto winter. https://t.co/D6exzyfyTF

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) September 4, 2026
The winter framing has support. Bitcoin had fallen 47% from its peak by early June, a slide that fueled a coldest crypto winter debate. Prices have since clawed back ground, yet they remain far under the October high.

What YZi Labs Has Backed This YearYZi Labs runs more than $10 billion for Zhao and Binance co-founder Yi He. It grew out of Binance Labs, the exchange’s former venture arm, and now invests independently. Its 2026 deals stretch well past crypto, into robotics, AI payments, and custody.

YZi Labs investments made during the 2026 crypto winter. Source: BeInCryptoThe biggest disclosed check went to robotics. YZi Labs led a $52 million round in RoboForce in March, a company building physical AI systems. It also bought into digital asset custodian BitGo before the January NYSE listing.

Smaller bets followed. In April, the firm added to its position in prediction market Predict.fun alongside Susquehanna Crypto. It then led an $8 million pre-seed round for the payments protocol AEON in May, and it backed the fixed-rate lender TermMax in August.

Zhao published no returns data, however. The claim therefore stays untested. Meanwhile, YZi Labs spent much of the year fighting for control of BNB treasury firm CEA Industries. A director resigned in March, and both sides reached a settlement in June.

Bitcoin’s next leg will decide whether the timing looks smart. Zhao has separately said that a $1 million bitcoin could arrive sooner than most expect. Current Bitcoin price levels leave him a long way from that mark.

Zcash (ZEC) has reached a new all time high of $1,025 after more than eight years, marking a sharp reversal from years of deep losses and a dramatic return of investor interest in the privacy-focused cryptocurrency.

Zcash hits record price after long drawdownThe milestone was first noted by analyst CryptoPatel, who highlighted ZEC’s remarkable rise from levels below $20 in 2024. He described it as a 6,300% increase over about two years, underscoring the scale of Zcash’s rebound from its previous cycle low.

Zcash had fallen more than 98% from its 2018 peak, spending much of the intervening years at deeply depressed prices. According to CoinLore, ZEC traded at $1,015 on September 4, with intraday highs reaching $1,032 and daily trading volumes around $1.4 billion. The data indicates ZEC had gained over 93% since the start of the year.

ZEC spent years trading well below its former highs, only to stage a powerful rally back to four-figure prices once market interest returned. CryptoPatel illustrated this by noting the token’s long journey from around $16 in 2024 to its recent high above $1,000.

CryptoPatel also cautioned against interpreting the historical entry price as a cue to chase the rally, stating that buying above $1,000 is a fundamentally different position compared to accumulating at sub-$20 levels. He wrote, “I’M NOT SUGGESTING A FRESH Zcash ENTRY HERE.”

Technical landscape strengthensTechnical metrics for ZEC remain robust after the latest surge. The TradingView snapshot showed 14 moving-average buy signals with no sell signals, signaling strength across short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes. The 10-period exponential moving average was about $856.71, the 50-period EMA near $652.78, and the 200-period EMA at $485.86. These readings illustrate just how far the price has advanced in recent sessions.

IndicatorValue10-period EMA$856.7150-period EMA$652.78200-period EMA$485.86RSI78.5Stochastic %KAbove 85The Relative Strength Index stood at 78.5 and Stochastic %K was above 85, indicating powerful upward momentum but also signaling stretched conditions that could lead to consolidation.

Classic pivot levels showed ZEC trading above the first resistance at $1,004, with the next major level near $1,162. Observers cautioned that while technical signals are strong, rapid momentum moves could trigger sharp reversals if demand weakens.

Zcash’s ongoing privacy role and recent upgradesZcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency known for its focus on privacy via advanced cryptographic techniques. Unlike many blockchains, shielded transactions in Zcash can hide key information such as transaction amounts and addresses from public view.

The protocol uses zero-knowledge proofs to validate transactions without exposing user data. Zcash’s Orchard system implements the Halo 2 proving system, enhancing scalability and privacy since Network Upgrade 5.

In July 2026, Zcash activated the Ironwood NU6.3 network upgrade, introducing a new shielded pool to increase security and ensure that the circulating supply can be independently verified. This development followed the discovery of a soundness vulnerability in Zcash’s privacy infrastructure earlier in the year.

Mini dictionary: Zcash is an open-source, privacy-focused cryptocurrency launched in 2016. It uses zero-knowledge cryptography, allowing users to shield transactions so their details remain confidential while the network still verifies their validity.

Continued upgrades and protocol enhancements remain central to Zcash’s investment narrative and separate it from other cryptocurrencies whose recovery stories are driven mainly by speculative sentiment.

Bitcoin holds near $80,000 as ZEC divergesWhile ZEC staged a swift rally to a new high, Bitcoin provided a more measured backdrop. BTC briefly rallied above $80,000 in early September, reaching as high as $81,491, before pulling back toward the $79,000–$80,000 area. This marked the first time Bitcoin closed the month above $80,000.

Bitcoin’s technical profile remains strong, with the 10-day EMA at $78,503, the 20-day EMA near $76,067, and the 200-day EMA at $72,563. However, oscillator readings are more neutral; the RSI was at 67, and both Momentum and MACD gave sell signals, suggesting short-term momentum may be fading even as the longer-term trend is constructive.

A key demand zone has emerged at $77,500–$78,100, identified by market analyst @wealthmanager as an area that could define Bitcoin’s next move. If buyers defend this area, Bitcoin could target the $82,000 level and above. If not, further consolidation may follow.

For ZEC, the main focus now shifts to whether it can stabilize after its exceptionally rapid advance, while for Bitcoin, maintaining support above $80,000 remains a priority for traders tracking broader market direction.

Both assets enter September with strong momentum but face different technical and narrative challenges. ZEC must navigate the aftermath of a historic rally, while Bitcoin seeks to turn a major psychological level into sustained support.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

9h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Eddy S.

Summarize this article with:

The CLARITY Act has just lost a major opponent, which is the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). This latter, who for months had been blocking the crypto regulation text, has now thrown in the towel… this, ten days before the crucial vote in the Senate. And meanwhile, another little bomb is circulating and this could plunge the market and bitcoin.

In brief The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) shifts from opponent to neutral on the CLARITY Act, ten days before the final vote on September 15. Section 604 and the 1.4 billion dollars of crypto revenues linked to the Trump family remain major points of friction. Alice Liu (CoinMarketCap) warns of a possible “sell the news” scenario after the vote, while targeting bitcoin at 500,000 dollars by 2030. The CLARITY Act Pauses as the Sheriff Surrenders After months of bombarding the US Senate, the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) finally bows the knee. Although it still does not support the CLARITY Act, it does stop putting obstacles in its way, and that’s already quite something. A neutrality rather than outright opposition that could change everything with only ten days left until the final vote scheduled for September 15, 2026. This vote that requires 60 votes, Republicans alone already hold 53 of them.

So they needed to convince at least seven reluctant Democrats, including Catherine Cortez Masto, who precisely relied on these sheriffs’ opposition letters to justify her vote against. This turnaround, or this neutrality, therefore loses much of its strength today. But not everything is won yet because there remains Section 604, which protects crypto software developers. These can be treated like fund managers, which is a boon for innovation advocates. But, a nightmare for those who track money laundering.

What if the Crypto Market Itself Posed the True Threat? While Washington negotiates with the Sheriffs, the crypto market itself is already worried about a very different scenario. Once voted, could the CLARITY Act become a classic “sell the news” event?, wonders Alice Liu, head of research at CoinMarketCap. For her, the crypto market has already priced in the news. So the day the text actually passes, there will be nothing left to buy, everyone will sell, and the long-awaited regulatory clarity will turn into a pretext for profit taking.

A mechanism already seen over and over in the crypto ecosystem, certainly, but which today takes on a particular flavor given the scale of the file. Alice Liu predicts among other things that bitcoin will climb to 500,000 dollars by 2030. However, she is much colder on AI tokens, which she judges to be driven more by narrative speculation than by real utility.

The CLARITY Act therefore overcomes a major obstacle which is the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). But, winning in the Senate guarantees nothing on the charts. Between the close of the vote and the “sell the news” threat, the real battle probably starts after September 15.

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Eddy S.

The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Key Highlights Analysis of 33,904 suspicious activity reports between September 2023 and December 2025 uncovered $12.7 billion in questionable crypto transfers Cryptocurrency service providers submitted 55% of all reports, flagging $5.5 billion, while traditional banking institutions reported $6.4 billion Fraudsters systematically converted victim funds to USDT before routing through decentralized platforms or foreign exchanges Approximately 25% of victim reports involved elderly Americans, consistent with demographic distribution Criminal enterprises operated from forced labor facilities in Cambodia, Laos, and Burma, where trafficked workers executed scams The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at the US Department of Treasury has traced roughly $12.7 billion in questionable financial transactions to cryptocurrency investment fraud operations headquartered primarily in Southeast Asian facilities.

The agency examined 33,904 Bank Secrecy Act filings submitted by approximately 1,300 financial institutions during a 28-month period from September 2023 through December 2025. Victims from every US state and multiple territories were impacted by these fraudulent schemes.

These operations are known by various terms, including pig butchering scams, romance fraud and crypto confidence schemes. Organized criminal networks establish false relationships with targets before directing them to illegitimate cryptocurrency investment platforms.

Reporting volume showed consistent growth during the analysis timeframe. Financial institutions filed 590 reports totaling $485.7 million in October 2023. That figure surged to 2,482 reports representing $833.5 million by December 2025—reflecting average monthly growth of 10.9% in report volume and 18% in monetary value.

Fund Transfer Patterns Targets purchased no fewer than 22 distinct digital currencies, with Ethereum, Tether USDT, and Circle USDC representing the most frequently used options. However, blockchain forensics revealed that stolen funds were nearly universally converted to USDT regardless of initial purchase.

🚨 SHOCKING: US Treasury’s FinCEN has identified $12.7 BILLION tied to suspected crypto scams largely run by Southeast Asian criminal organizations.

The agency analyzed 33,904 reports filed between September 2023 and December 2025.

FinCEN said the scams, including pig… pic.twitter.com/H1qRtkV8io

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) September 5, 2026

Following conversion, assets were channeled through decentralized finance applications or cryptocurrency exchanges located beyond US borders. Certain wallet addresses received simultaneous deposits from numerous victims, enabling investigators to connect seemingly independent transactions to unified criminal networks.

FinCEN emphasized that the $12.7 billion figure does not necessarily represent actual victim losses. This amount may encompass blocked transactions, redundant reports, and reporting inaccuracies.

Targets often depleted resources beyond disposable income. The agency documented incidents involving Individual Retirement Accounts, home equity credit lines, and borrowed funds. One victim transferred approximately $640,000 from her retirement savings. Another individual lost over $1 million during a six-month period.

Criminal Operations in Southeast Asia Numerous criminal syndicates conduct operations from expansive facilities throughout Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. Victims of human trafficking are lured with fraudulent employment opportunities, then coerced into contacting fraud targets and executing scams.

United Nations researchers estimate several hundred thousand individuals have been trafficked into these criminal enterprises. Chainalysis published findings in February 2026 indicating cryptocurrency payments associated with human trafficking increased 85% throughout 2025.

Law enforcement agencies have targeted the financial systems supporting these networks. Federal investigators and Thai police froze roughly $580 million in digital assets and confiscated approximately 8,000 mobile devices in March during operations against pig butchering syndicates.

The Cambodia-based Huione network emerged as a prominent case study of enabling infrastructure. Chinese law enforcement detained a former Huione Group executive in April following investigations connecting the network to over $89 billion in cryptocurrency transactions.

FinCEN’s Rapid Response Program has blocked $1.8 billion since its 2015 inception and successfully recovered slightly more than $1 billion for 5,790 American victims. The bureau advised anyone encountering these schemes to immediately notify their financial institution and submit a report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recorded their strongest three-week inflow stretch of 2026 as Bitcoin traded around $80,000.

The funds attracted $986.9 million in the week ending Friday, bringing net inflows over the past three weeks to $3.8 billion, according to SoSoValue data.

Total net assets across the funds stood at $101.3 billion on Friday after briefly rising to $103.3 billion a day earlier, while cumulative net inflows reached $55.6 billion.

ETF demand marks a sharp turnaround from heavy outflows earlier in 2026, though year-to-date net flows remain roughly $1 billion negative.

Bitcoin ETF inflows cool after Thursday surgeUS spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $174.6 million in net inflows on Friday, down sharply from the nearly $731 million recorded a day earlier.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the largest spot Bitcoin ETF by assets, drew $117.4 million on Friday, accounting for about 67% of the day’s total net inflows, according to Farside Investors data.

Daily spot Bitcoin ETF flows from Monday through Friday. Source: SoSoValue

Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) was the only other fund to record net inflows, attracting $57.2 million, while all other US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded no net flows for the day.

The slowdown came as Bitcoin fell from around $81,200 to briefly below $79,000 on Friday. Bitcoin traded at $79,716 at the time of publication, still up about 2.6% over the past seven days, according to CoinGecko.

Bitcoin ETF demand strengthens as Ether, XRP flows fadeCompared with the previous week, Bitcoin ETF inflows increased about 7%, while inflows into US spot Ether and XRP ETFs fell about 74% and 83%, respectively.

Spot Ether ETF inflows dropped to $218.4 million from $824.4 million, while XRP ETF inflows declined to $19 million from $110.5 million, according to SoSoValue.

Despite weaker inflows, Ether and XRP ETFs remain in positive territory for the year. US spot Ether ETFs have recorded about $863 million in net inflows year-to-date, while XRP ETFs have attracted roughly $515 million.

Magazine: BTC will hit $1M by 2030... but Arthur Hayes is buying ETH instead

This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph's Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.

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The cryptocurrency market, currently dominated by Bitcoin (BTC), is entering a new cycle and attracting numerous investors; however, as economic cycles shift and the industry experiences its ups and downs, no single investment can perform exceptionally well in every environment.

Summary

EiCrypto markets Bitcoin-linked contracts as an alternative to actively trading BTC. Contract plans range from $100 to $24,000, with terms lasting two to 30 days. The platform says earnings are settled automatically 24 hours after contract activation. Advertised returns and customer income claims are promotional and are not independently verified. Consequently, many BTC investors are seeking diversified investment strategies; by moving beyond the singular “buy low, sell high” speculative approach, they can more easily mitigate risk, generate stable returns, and build long-term wealth without having to sell their Bitcoin holdings.

A new choice for Bitcoin holders: the all-new EiCrypto contract strategy yield plan As the market demand for stable investment solutions continues to grow, digital asset service provider EiCrypto has launched a new Bitcoin (BTC)-based contract product designed to offer BTC holders a potential avenue for generating returns.

This strategy allows Bitcoin to be held in EiCrypto’s independently managed accounts; upon the activation of a hash rate contract, the platform’s professional operations team assumes full responsibility for operational services, with earnings automatically settled to the client’s account.

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Deposit methods: Users can deposit and withdraw funds using major cryptocurrencies such as BTC, USDT, ETH, LTC, USDC, XRP, SOL, BNB, DOGE, ADA, BCH, and more.

Select a contract: EiCrypto offers a variety of tailored contract plans to meet the diverse needs of users worldwide; simply choose the plan that suits you best and start mining with a single click.

Activate the contract: Once the contract is activated, earnings will be automatically settled to your account after 24 hours. You are free to withdraw your earnings or reinvest them; compound investing is one of the most effective ways to rapidly grow your assets.

Popular mining solutions: Novice Contract Plan: $100 — 2-day term — Total return approx. $108

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Stable Contract Plan: $2,500 — 15-day term — Total return approx. $2,025

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David Rodríguez Fernández, a Bitcoin holder from Barcelona, ​​Spain, stated, “My investment in Bitcoin has been limited to the traditional approach of buying low and selling high; however, my assets often sit idle for long periods, and since I cannot accurately predict market direction, it is common for them to shrink in value.”

“EiCrypto’s contract strategy represents a truly significant innovation. I no longer need to trade Bitcoin frequently; instead, I simply use my Bitcoin to purchase an EiCrypto contract plan and log in via my phone each day to track my earnings. It requires no extra effort, and my daily income is now around $4,000.”

The advantages of EiCrypto Convenient services

The platform features a simple, intuitive interface, allowing users to view account information and service data at any time, making digital asset management easier and more efficient.

Security assurance

EiCrypto prioritizes the protection of user accounts and data through multi-layered security mechanisms—including account security, data protection, risk control, and encryption technology—to provide a robust service environment.

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Leveraging cloud computing and automation technologies, the platform automates the management of computing power resources and operational workflows; this minimizes manual intervention, enabling users to participate in cloud computing services with greater ease.

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Conclusion The cryptocurrency market is reshaping the world’s financial landscape, and EiCrypto’s unique contract strategy is becoming a preferred choice for speculators seeking diversified portfolios. Only by maximizing asset utilization and minimizing risk can one obtain the most substantial returns in cryptocurrencies.

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Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.

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Spot Bitcoin ETFs traded in the US recorded strong capital inflows on Thursday, September 3rd. Market data showed a net daily inflow of approximately $730.8 million, with some market sources estimating total inflows at around $740 million. This figure represents the highest daily net inflow for spot Bitcoin ETFs in the past nine months.

According to the data, approximately 9,450 BTC flowed into ETFs in a single day. This brought the total net inflows to $55.9 billion, and the cumulative BTC position to approximately 699,000 BTC. The total net asset value of spot Bitcoin ETFs was recorded at $99.61 billion, while the daily trading volume reached $5.69 billion.

On a fund-by-fund basis, one of the strongest inflows of the day was recorded with BTC purchases amounting to approximately $631 million, while some ETFs saw limited outflows. Nevertheless, the overall picture remained significantly positive, indicating a renewed acceleration in institutional investor demand for Bitcoin.

*This is not investment advice.

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MicroStrategy has stamped its own branding on Nike Air Jordans, and the $250 Bitcoin Jordans now sit in its online store.

Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy treats merch as an extension of its Bitcoin pitch. Nike, meanwhile, has lost almost half its value in a year.

Bitcoin Jordans Land at $250 a PairThe listing describes a mid-top silhouette built on the original AJ1, with leather overlays and custom branding. MicroStrategy sells it as a custom build, not an official Nike collaboration.

The store carries 53 products, from $10 Bitcoin shoelaces to $250 Nike Dunks. Checkout, however, accepts only cards and wallets such as Apple Pay. Bitcoin itself buys nothing there.

A company whose entire business is Bitcoin is not accepting crypto payments for its products.

Nike Bitcoin Jordans by MicroStrategy. Source: Strategy StoreRegardless, MicroStrategy has benefited significantly from the latest Bitcoin bull run. MSTR stock went up 45% in a month, erasing all losses from the last 6 months.

Smaller firms now copy the same corporate treasury playbook, and the merch doubles as a recruiting tool for that audience.

Nike Needs More Than a Sneaker DropNike (NKE) stock trades at $38.40 after another 0.95% slip. The shares have lost 48.63% over the past year and 40% since January.

Nike (NKE) one-year price chart, Source: TradingViewThe problems run deeper than sentiment. Bank of America recently cut its rating on Nike stock to Neutral. Nike guides for a low single-digit revenue decline this fiscal year, while Greater China continues to shrink.

Tariffs also cost 130 basis points of gross margin, bringing it to 40.2%.

Sneaker culture and crypto share a collector instinct. So, a limited drop travels fast.

Nike’s own numbers, however, move on China, tariffs, and wholesale orders. CEO Elliott Hill has turned blunt about the pace of the comeback.

“I’m so tired…of talking about fixing this business. I want to move to inspiring and driving growth.” Elliott Hill, Nike CEO

A niche sneaker run will not close that gap. Still, the drop shows how far a Bitcoin balance sheet now travels as a consumer brand. Nike keeps the sneaker revenue either way, yet the marketing energy belongs to Saylor.

Bitcoin holders whose coins have remained dormant for more than five years have doubled their spending activity since May, pushing the cohort’s 90-day average to about 1,500 BTC.

Summary

Five-year Bitcoin holders’ 90-day spent-output average has climbed to approximately 1,500 BTC. Activity has doubled from its May level as Bitcoin continues to trade within a tight range. Spent UTXOs show that old coins moved, but they do not confirm sales. Coldcard-related security concerns may account for part of the increased wallet activity. Bitcoin OG activity doubles from May levels CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost reported that activity among Bitcoin’s oldest holders has increased during the latest period of price consolidation. The analyst defines the group as investors whose coins had remained unspent for more than five years before moving onchain.

🗞️ OG Bitcoin Holders Are on the Move

OG activity has intensified during this consolidation phase.

The 90-day moving average of spent UTXOs (STXO) from holders who have held BTC for more than 5 years just climbed to 1,500 BTC.

As a reminder, a UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output)… pic.twitter.com/8kXvJ06XKH

— Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) September 5, 2026 The 90-day moving average of spent outputs from the cohort has reached about 1,500 BTC, twice the level recorded in May, according to Darkfost. A moving average smooths daily changes, making it less sensitive to isolated transfers from a few large wallets.

At 1,500 BTC, the current average is also about 56% above the 962 BTC reported on June 24. At the time, the reading had fallen below 1,000 BTC for the first time since November 2024, indicating that activity from older holders had slowed to its lowest point in nearly two years.

As previously reported by crypto.news, earlier peaks appeared in May 2024, February 2025, and September 2025. Daily movements during those periods exceeded 10,000 BTC, 30,000 BTC, and, in one case, 142,000 BTC.

Darkfost linked the latest increase to unease created by Bitcoin’s consolidation. Even investors who have held through several market cycles appear more active, the analyst said, although the data cannot identify the reason behind each transaction.

Bitcoin traded near $79,600 at the time of writing, down about 1.8% over 24 hours after moving between an intraday low of $78,723 and a high of $81,370. The price has struggled to establish a lasting move above $80,000 following several sharp swings around the level.

Spent UTXOs do not prove Bitcoin was sold A spent UTXO records Bitcoin that has been used as an input in a new transaction. Because Bitcoin’s ledger tracks transaction outputs rather than account balances, an output becomes “spent” whenever its owner moves the coins to another address.

Movement alone does not identify the purpose of a transaction. An investor can send BTC to an exchange for a possible sale, transfer it to a new custodian, consolidate several outputs, divide a balance across wallets or replace an old security setup.

Darkfost cautioned against treating the 1,500 BTC average as confirmed selling. Some of the transactions may represent holders moving their coins to safer storage after the Coldcard security incident rather than exiting their positions.

Destination data provides more useful evidence when an old wallet sends coins to a labeled exchange or trading firm. Even then, an exchange deposit shows that the Bitcoin became available for trading; it does not establish that the owner completed a sale.

Recent dormant-wallet transfers illustrate the limitation. During a 10-day period in August, six wallets that had remained inactive for almost 12 to more than 15 years moved 553.59 BTC worth $40.15 million.

Five transfers went to addresses with no identified exchange connection. One wallet sent 40 BTC to an address labeled Boerse Stuttgart Digital, which provides custody and trading infrastructure. Neither the unlabeled destinations nor the custody provider established whether the owners sold, changed custodians, or reorganized their holdings.

Another 28 dormant wallets moved 1,314.41 BTC on Aug. 20, including more than 1,200 BTC from addresses created in 2014. Blockchain records documented the transfers but did not reveal the owners’ intentions.

Coldcard incident complicates onchain readings The Coldcard incident created an unusual source of Bitcoin activity after a firmware flaw exposed seed phrases generated by affected hardware wallet models. Owners were advised to create new seeds and transfer their holdings because installing corrected firmware could not repair credentials produced by vulnerable software.

In early August, K33 Research found that nearly 890,000 BTC had moved over seven days, the highest seven-day active supply recorded in 2026. The surge occurred while Bitcoin was trading within one of its narrowest 30-day ranges since 2023, separating the rise in network activity from a major price breakout.

Researchers linked the activity partly to Coldcard users migrating funds and attackers draining vulnerable wallets. Galaxy Research had confirmed the theft of 1,596 BTC from about 7,300 addresses across three attack waves by Aug. 5.

Galaxy estimated that losses could reach approximately 2,055 BTC, then worth close to $130 million, if a suspected fourth wave was confirmed. Around 90% of the stolen Bitcoin had not moved after the initial attacks at that stage, according to the research firm.

Transfers made for seed migration still consume old UTXOs, so they can raise spending metrics even when the owner keeps control of the coins. The effect can reach age-based cohorts if affected wallets contain Bitcoin that has remained untouched for five years or longer.

Wallet consolidation can produce a similar result. Combining several old outputs into one new output records the original UTXOs as spent without changing the owner’s total balance, apart from the network fee.

U.S. investors can hold Bitcoin without managing seeds For U.S. investors, the Coldcard incident has renewed attention on the custody differences between directly held Bitcoin and shares of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. Direct holders control spendable BTC but remain responsible for seed creation, backups, firmware updates, and wallet migration.

ETF investors do not manage private keys because the fund and its service providers handle custody. Bloomberg Intelligence senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas argued in August that the Coldcard losses strengthened the case for ETFs among investors who only want exposure to Bitcoin’s price.

An earlier report on the U.S. custody debate noted that no verified flow data had tied ETF demand directly to the incident. Investor responses could also include multisignature wallets, new hardware devices, institutional custodians, or the division of funds across several storage methods.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust uses Coinbase Custody to hold its Bitcoin in segregated cold-storage wallets, according to the fund’s SEC filing. The trust may also use Anchorage Digital Bank as an additional custodian.

ETF ownership transfers personal seed risk to fund operators, custodians, and other service providers. BlackRock’s filing warns that hacking, employee misconduct, technical failures and unauthorized transfers could still cause losses, while available insurance may not cover every event.

Unlike direct holders, retail ETF shareholders cannot withdraw the underlying Bitcoin to a personal wallet or use it for onchain payments. Fund shares trade during U.S. market hours, while Bitcoin transactions remain available around the clock.

US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds posted their strongest three-week inflow streak of 2026, with Bitcoin holding near the $80,000 level. The recent surge has reversed trends seen earlier this year, when heavy outflows weighed on the market.

Record inflows fuel Bitcoin ETF growthFrom Monday to Friday last week, spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US attracted $986.9 million, according to data compiled by SoSoValue. Over the past three weeks, net inflows reached a total of $3.8 billion, marking the most significant inflow period so far this year.

Total net assets across these US spot Bitcoin ETFs stood at $101.3 billion at the end of the week, having briefly peaked at $103.3 billion the day before. Cumulative net inflows now sit at $55.6 billion, reflecting strong investor participation despite previous volatility in 2026.

However, year-to-date flows remain approximately $1 billion negative, underscoring the challenging start to 2026 before this recent turnaround.

Friday saw net inflows of $174.6 million into US spot Bitcoin ETFs, a notable decrease from the previous day’s figure of nearly $731 million. Analysts attributed the slowdown to profit-taking and softer market sentiment as Bitcoin’s price moved lower late in the week.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), now the largest US spot Bitcoin ETF by assets, recorded $117.4 million in inflows on Friday, representing 67% of all new money entering US spot Bitcoin ETFs that day. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed, attracting $57.2 million and standing as the only other spot Bitcoin ETF in the US to see net inflows for the day. All other US spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced neutral flows.

Bitcoin’s price declined from roughly $81,200 to briefly under $79,000 on Friday, and BTC traded at $79,716 at the end of the period, still up about 2.6% over the previous seven days, CoinGecko data showed.

Bitcoin ETF gains contrast with declining Ether and XRP flowsSpot Bitcoin ETF inflows grew about 7% compared to the prior week, highlighting robust interest even as altcoin-focused ETFs lost momentum.

US spot Ether ETF inflows dropped by roughly 74%, totaling $218.4 million, down sharply from $824.4 million the prior week. Meanwhile, US XRP ETF inflows fell 83% to $19 million, compared to $110.5 million a week earlier.

Despite reduced weekly inflows, both Ether and XRP ETFs remain in positive territory for the year, with net inflows of about $863 million and $515 million, respectively, according to SoSoValue.

These variations in ETF demand reflect a shifting market environment, where altcoins have seen less attention as Bitcoin continues drawing sizable allocations.

Traders note that rapid fluctuations can occur in cryptocurrency markets, especially with macro indicators and altcoin news acting as catalysts. In response, smart investors have increasingly turned to privacy-first tools like CryptoAppsy to streamline their workflow. By integrating real-time charts, intelligent price alerts, asset-specific news, and macroeconomic data on a single platform, users can efficiently monitor the market without switching between apps or creating an account.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.