Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

14.05.2026 - 13:12

Update: 14.05.2026 - 13:12

Upbit, one of South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has officially announced that it will remove the NKN token from its platform as of June 15th. According to the information released by the exchange, trading support for NKN will end at 09:00 on June 15th. Following this decision, users are advised to close their open positions and withdraw their assets by that date.

Upbit stated that the delisting decision was made after a comprehensive review process. The company explained that the evaluations identified various shortcomings in the project and that the current situation posed potential risks to users. Exchange officials emphasized that protecting investors was the primary goal.

The statement noted that the decision was made after a detailed examination of the project’s business model, sustainability, ecosystem development, and level of technical progress. In addition, on-chain token ownership trends, trading volume in local and international markets, liquidity levels, and listing status on other major cryptocurrency exchanges were also considered as evaluation criteria.

NKN stood out as a blockchain-based project aiming to develop a decentralized network infrastructure. However, recent developments related to the project falling short of expectations and a decline in market activity have negatively impacted investor confidence.

Market analysts note that a delisting decision by a major exchange like Upbit could create short-term selling pressure on NKN. They point out that similar decisions have led to sharp price fluctuations in related tokens in the past.

Experts emphasize that investors should carefully monitor exchange announcements during delisting processes and that it is important for them to complete necessary transactions in advance to avoid delays, especially regarding withdrawal times.

*This is not investment advice.

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Bifrost Network, a Substrate framework-built L1 blockchain for cross-chain communication, has collaborated with Nansen, a prominent on-chain analytics firm. As a part of this collaboration, Nansen will operate as a node validator for the Bifrost Network. With this integration, Bifrost Network intends to increase the reliability and transparency of its ecosystem.

📢 We’re thrilled to welcome @nansen_ai — one of the most renowned on-chain analytics and research platforms — as a validator for Bifrost! 🙌

As the industry's leading blockchain analytics and research entity, Nansen's participation marks a major milestone in our journey toward… pic.twitter.com/SWBSjfZDrl

— BIFROST (@Bifrost_Network) February 28, 2025 The strategic partnership indicates Bifrost Network’s endeavors to facilitate users with the latest technological advancements. As a result of this integration, the platform is focusing on increasing its user base to a significant extent.

Bifrost Network Advancing Reliability and Transparency Nansen’s integration into Bifrost Network as its node validator pays a considerable attention to enhancing trustworthiness, reliability, and transparency. Nansen has gained a significant attention for its latest tools for blockchain analytics. It offers comprehensive insights into the wider on-chain data. Hence, it is popular as a reliable entity within the Web3 world. By taking part in the validation process of Bifrost Network, Nansen will boost the operational integrity, decentralization, and security of the platform.

The multi-chain L1 ecosystem of Bifrost Network backs both non-EVM and EVM environments. It delivers an optimized infrastructure to facilitate dApps. The unique architecture of Bifrost Network enables an unparalleled interoperability while also improving blockchain efficiency. A core feature of the platform deals with BTCFi which is a financial service to delivers Bitcoin liquidity, in a decentralized setting. Thus, the consumers can borrow the stablecoin $BtcUSD which possesses collateral in the form of $BTC.

Offering BTCFi with $BtcUSD to Benefit Developers and Investors $BtcUSD lets users generate more yield while keeping their $BTC holdings. BTCFi will reportedly redefine Bitcoin-based decentralized finance services. It will create exclusive opportunities to benefit developers and investors alike. Moreover, Bifrost Network also leverages Bitcoin Relaying Protocol and Cross-Chain Communication Protocol to guarantee completely verified and trustless transfers.

Along with becoming the official node validator for Bifrost Network, Nansen is also providing additional benefits. Particularly, it will provide efficiency concerning the blockchain research as well as the advanced analytics. These functionalities will reportedly contribute substantially to the innovation and ecosystem growth of the Bifrost Network. According to Bifrost Network, this collaboration underscores a huge leap toward establishing a relatively robust and transparent DeFi ecosystem.

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Crypto journalist with years of experience providing in-depth analysis and news on blockchain and decentralized finance. With a keen eye for detail, Shahzaib delivers insightful articles that explore the latest trends, market movements, and innovations within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. His work focuses on educating readers while offering expert commentary on the evolving landscape of digital assets, DeFi protocols, and the broader impact of blockchain technology.

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Bifrost Network, a cross-chain L1 blockchain, today announced a strategic collaboration with Japan-based SBI Digital Finance, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings. According to data shared by Bifrost on the X platform today, these two companies want to expedite the adoption of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in Japan through cross-institutional partnerships, study explorations, and technological breakthroughs. The alliance seeks to leverage Japan’s legislative environment and rising interest in virtual currencies by fulfilling business demand.

Beyond the impossible. Bifrost made it happen.

Introducing the partnership with SBI Digital Finance (SBI Holdings subsidiary) – we're creating a new institutional Bitcoin finance framework.

This is just the beginning. What if BTCFi becomes the new normal?

On Bifrost. #BFC pic.twitter.com/VsPmKgHKVZ

— BIFROST (@Bifrost_Network) August 13, 2025 Bifrost and SBI Expanding BTC Real-World Utilities Based on this partnership, Bifrost and SBI Digital Finance will embark on studying possible utilities for btcUSD and broaden Bitcoin-integrated financial services. The two partners will examine how BTC is impacting the future of financial networks. As per the data, they will explore the incorporation of Bitcoin into Japan’s famous traditional financial bank, SBI. They also explore the advancement of real-world applications for different financial needs with the utilization of the digital asset.

BTC’s surging adoption in Japan has influenced traditional financial firms to examine its incorporation into their networks. Multiple financial entities are seeking collaborations with crypto-focused companies to provide BTC-based offerings to their clients. This crossover enables individual and business clientele to access BTC services more efficiently, laying the foundation for broader acceptance.

Building Regulatory Structure around BTC The two organizations also disclosed a co-shared commitment to develop a Bitcoin management framework that adheres to Japan’s laws and lays the foundation for new compliant use cases of Bitcoin. This alliance between Bifrost and SBI Digital Finance is a ground-breaking advancement that aims to eradicate regulatory hindrances that in the past discouraged institutional participation in the virtual asset world. The two entities want to establish a consistent legislative structure for institutional clients, creating transparency and confidence. The legal innovation is another milestone in the continued maturation of crypto tokens. By resolving past obstacles and promoting growth, the two partners prepare the ground for long-term institutional adoption.

This collaboration coincides with wider trends in crypto acceptability – a major opportunity in emerging markets like Japan. Metaplanet’s determined BTC acquisitions showcase a broader narrative where Japan-based organizations increasingly want to allocate part of their funds to BTC. This commitment aligns with rising organizational enthusiasm in BTC in the country, where economic turbulence and legislative clarity are encouraging institutional interest in the flagship virtual currency as an inflation safeguard and a diversified financial instrument within traditional investment baskets.    

AUTHOR

Nicholas Otieno is a fintech writer specializing in cryptocurrency markets. Since 2019, he has written articles to educate readers about cryptocurrency and its substantial positive impact on global prosperity. Nicholas is a Bitcoin holder, believing firmly in its fundamentals. His work has been featured in publications such as Finance Magnates, Blockchain.News, Bitcoin Magazine, Coincub, and among others. When he's not writing, Nicholas enjoys performing domestic tasks, spending time with friends, listening to music, and watching football.

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Bifrost Network became a member of the Blockchain Collaborative Consortium (BCCC), which is another step in the aggressive development of the cross-chain platform throughout the Japanese market. Bifrost is positioned alongside some of Japan’s most established technology firms. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to becoming a global leader in blockchain innovation and Bitcoin finance infrastructure.

BCCC – The Japanese Pioneer of Blockchain The Blockchain Collaborative Consortium is the first and the most powerful organization in the blockchain industry in Japan. In 2016, it was created with 34 founding members, including Microsoft Japan, ConsenSys, GMO Internet, and Bitbank. It was launched in 2016 by 34 founding members, including Microsoft Japan, ConsenSys, GMO Internet, and Bitbank. From its inception, BCCC has expanded rapidly into one of Japan’s largest blockchain organizations. It has more than 200 members, and some financial institutions such as Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, technology innovators, or Web3 startups are among them.

The consortium fosters education in blockchain technology and encourages research and development projects. It also encourages funding in blockchain projects and develops collaborations with international blockchain organizations. The organization has successfully recruited students from its Blockchain Daigakko (Blockchain University). This program does not only fill the current shortage of blockchain developers in Japan but also creates a solid talent pipeline to work there.

Strategic Role of Bifrost in the Fintech Japanese Landscape Bifrost Network’s entry into BCCC is also a major effort to become a preferred choice to provide infrastructure in Bitcoin finance in Japan. The cross-chain Layer-1 blockchain is the focus of generating fragmented liquidity between different blockchain systems. It gives the opportunity to deploy decentralized applications without having any issues with various blockchain ecosystems.

This BCCC membership follows several strategic changes by Bifrost in the Japanese market. Earlier this year, the company joined the Fintech Association of Japan, bringing together Fintech powerhouses such as PayPal, SBI Holdings, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho Financial Group. Additionally, Bifrost has collaborated with Japan Open Chain, a fully Ethereum-compatible public blockchain that operates by Japanese enterprises. Specifically, it announced a groundbreaking collaboration with SBI Digital Finance to expedite institutional Bitcoin adoption across Japan.

Implications for Bitcoin Finance in Japan The timing for Bifrost’s membership in the BCCC could not be more optimal. The cryptocurrency acceptance in Japan is on a downward spiral, and Tokyo is considering the redefinition of Bitcoin as a digital payment, but rather as an investment. The advantages of this shift in regulation are immense to the companies such as Bifrost that provide Bitcoin staking services and implementation of Bitcoin backed stablecoins such as BtcUSD.

The Japan Cryptocurrency Exchange association stated that as of April 2024, cryptocurrency accounts in Japan had more than 10 million subscribers, indicating that retailers are interested in digital assets. The interest in Bitcoin finance solutions by institutional players is increasing, which is a promising area in the cross-chain technology and Bitcoin infrastructure services provided by Bifrost.

Members of the consortium include financial institutions who desire to utilize blockchain solutions and technology firms to create innovative applications. It also includes policy leaders who can help provide fertile environments for future regulations. Bifrost can engage in collaborative efforts and share technical expertise. In addition, Bifrost can participate in efforts to generate industry standards to further facilitate the increased adoption of blockchain technology throughout Japan’s corporate ecosystem

Conclusion Bifrost Network is a member of the Blockchain Collaborative Consortium in Japan, a strategic alliance in the Japanese Fintech sector. Bifrost is attempting to adapt to the mission of BCCC to promote blockchain technology education and collaboration, demonstrating its desire to establish a secure Bitcoin finance system. With Japan becoming a hub of blockchain, the interest of Bifrost is in the first line, and by 2025, it is possible to believe that it may become important to finance Bitcoin in Japan.

AUTHOR

Farhan Karim is a technology writer and content strategist with 15+ years of experience writing thousands of articles, blogs, whitepapers, and ebooks on Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and other tech niches. His expertise in content strategy, SEO, and a keen eye on the ever-evolving tech space have led him to work with companies like Pepsi, Huawei, Arab News, and now Blockchain Reporter.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

A years-long race to de-anonymize Satoshi Nakamoto appears to have reached an ideological dead end, one that has paradoxically benefited the industry. Against the backdrop of the film "Finding Satoshi," leaders of major crypto companies have voiced a synchronized thesis: Nakamoto's identity has definitively become a historical artifact rather than a market factor.

Phong Le, CEO of MicroStrategy, commenting on the film, emphasized that Bitcoin has earned an approach grounded in humility and recognition of contributions, rather than attempts at exposure. He was supported by Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, who stated that Bitcoin's code and economic model now "stand on their own," regardless of who held the pen in 2008.

Who Satoshi is no longer matters for Bitcoin. That said, I agree this is the most thoughtful piece I've seen on the topic. It stands in contrast to prior self-indulgent exposés, approaching the topic with humility and kindness - qualities Satoshi and Bitcoin have earned. https://t.co/atGPtw6Pe6

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— Phong Le (@phongle) April 22, 2026 Who is Satoshi?An interesting angle is that the Finding Satoshi version suggesting a duo of Hal Finney and Len Sassaman is the most "market-neutral." Unlike past theories involving Peter Todd or Adam Back, this version implies that the "keys to paradise" are physically inaccessible, as both presumed creators are deceased - Finney since 2014 and Sassaman since 2011.

This removes the long-standing "black swan" risk of a sudden release of 1.1 million BTC from Satoshi-linked wallets. Moreover, acknowledgment from their widows of the plausibility of this theory puts a cap on speculation, transforming Satoshi from a mysterious manipulator into a tragic genius.

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The numbers confirm that Bitcoin has outgrown its creator. Today, MicroStrategy holds 815,000 BTC and BlackRock holds 806,000 BTC, effectively becoming a collective "Satoshi" of the present era. Their combined holdings balance the founder's share.

Whether this makes the network more decentralized and resilient to any individual reputational risks remains an open question.

When Gary Gensler left the US Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2025, Bitcoin was trending higher, and many expected a more favorable regulatory backdrop to drive further upside. Instead, BTC has fallen sharply to a zone that complicates a once-popular narrative that regulation, or Gensler specifically, was the primary force holding the market back.

Bitcoin’s Price May Be Saying More About Markets Than Regulators The market reaction to regulatory change hasn’t played out the way many expected. Analyst Benjamin Cowen has mentioned on X that when Gary Gensler stepped down from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2025, Bitcoin was trading around $109,000. Today, it sits closer to $75,000.

Cowen argues that one major reason the crypto markets have suffered is that market participants started to lose faith in the industry itself. After Gensler left, it essentially just opened the floodgates to the grift age of crypto. 

During the period, the influencers and politicians were launching memecoins and rug-pulling their followers every day, without fear of any repercussions. This led to a massive misallocation of capital, with liquidity flowing into speculative assets instead of strengthening the broader ecosystem.

While people celebrated Gensler’s exit, it marked a turning point in the industry, with BTC only marginally going higher before entering a bear market. According to Cowen, now that some people are celebrating Jerome Powell’s removal as chair of the Federal Reserve, it is a sign that history could repeat itself. They celebrated it in the short term, which will mark a turning point in credibility for the Fed in a few years.

If the Fed becomes another cabinet within the executive branch, it may lead to a lack of trust in the institution. In a few years, participants will realize that markets were better off with Powell than without him.

Liquidity Sweeps Into FOMC Are Becoming A Familiar Setup Bitcoin has shown a consistent pattern around Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, and it’s not bullish in the short term. A crypto trader known as Max Trades highlighted that following the last seven FOMC meetings, BTC dropped sharply after each decision.

What makes the current setup notable is how closely it mirrors the conditions seen before the March meeting. Back then, price rallied into the event, repeatedly sweeping local highs while building a large pool of liquidity below. That structure marked the local top, followed by a 13% correction that erased most of the prior move.

Source: Chart from Max Trades on X Heading into the current interest rate decision, these factors are in place, with BTC price trading just below a major higher-timeframe resistance level, adding another layer of confluence to the downside scenario. However, if this same scenario plays out similarly, the BTC price could point to the formation of another local top around this event.

BTC trading at $76,071 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

Top 5 Crypto Airdrops to Watch for the Last Week of January

RockTree Capital, a leading crypto-native fund and merchant bank headquartered in Beijing, announces the launch of its immersive website, showcasing a futuristic film-noir concept: the Cyberpunk Crypto City.

The website’s cutting-edge interactive cityscape represents RockTree’s vision where Web3 has become pervasive, fusing technology, finance, and culture. The site, set in the future near the 11th halving of bitcoin, builds on the ideas of the cypherpunk movement, through advocating for the widespread use of decentralization and privacy-enhancing technologies as a route to self sovereignty and freedom for human beings everywhere. 

As an early-stage investor and bespoke accelerator in Asia for its portfolio companies, RockTree Capital has been instrumental in geometrically accelerating its investee projects’ go-to-market cycle. Through its ultra-localized strategies and grassroots community building initiatives, RockTree has empowered emerging founders and projects to thrive in both East and West markets.

Leveraging deep regional relationships with leading crypto institutions, capital collaborators, and Web3 partners, RockTree invests in and accelerates the trajectory of projects from Infrastructure, DeFi, Cross-chain, and the Bitcoin Ecosystem.

Founded by visionary investor Omer Ozden and headquartered in Beijing, China, RockTree Capital operates at the nexus of the East & West with a crypto native team that bridges the human, cultural, capital and media gap across these markets. RockTree embodies a truly grassroots approach that unites Eastern and Western crypto markets and benefits its portfolio investments, which include amongst others; dYdX, The Graph, Chainlink, Fantom, Pocket, Maple, Covalent, Axelar, Eclipse, and BEVM.

“RockTree focuses on the human aspects of Web3. In addition to unifying the collaboration of top people in Eastern and Western crypto markets, our core strength is identifying the human hallmarks of success for Founders and Team,” says Omer Ozden, Founder and Chairman of RockTree Capital.

“We utilize advanced behavioral neuroscience methods to determine Founders’ emotional intelligence, execution capabilities and integrity. We prioritize not only technological innovation, but also the individuals behind that innovation, their psychology and levels of consciousness. And we invite those projects into our trusted international ecosystem and methodology, so they can scale rapidly in foreign markets, instead of trying to figure it out organically through trial and error,” said Ozden. 

The Cyberpunk Crypto City website represents RockTree’s forward-looking vision decades in the future, where Web3 technology and digital assets penetrate all peoples’ daily lives, and decentralized finance becomes a pervasive consumer product, like soft drinks or chewing gum, allowing true democratization of finance. Visitors to the Cyberpunk Crypto City website will immerse themselves in a retro film-noir homage, with captivating visuals of a cybernetic metropolis of replicants, that is bilingual in English and Chinese, and powered by blockchain technology.

Experience the future of finance at RockTree Capital’s Cyberpunk Crypto City and join us in shaping the next chapter of Web3 innovation.

About RockTree Capital RockTree Capital is an early stage crypto-native fund and merchant bank based in Beijing, China. Our portfolio companies experience geometric scale in Asian markets through the RockTree Acceleration Program by combining our ultra-localized go-to-market strategies and grassroots long-term community building. RockTree invests into top-tier crypto projects and helps build Decacorns in the areas of Infrastructure, DeFi, Cross-chain and Bitcoin Ecosystem

Website | Twitter

As the cryptocurrency world continues to experience volatile price movements, attention turns to analysts’ comments and which cryptocurrencies they focus on. During the period when Bitcoin fell from $70,000 to $58,500 and then recovered slightly, a famous market follower predicted a rise for an altcoin while painting a pessimistic picture for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Analyst’s Altcoin EmphasisAn analyst closely followed in the cryptocurrency world made statements suggesting that a low-volume artificial intelligence (AI) token could rise. Cryptocurrency analyst Michaël van de Poppe made significant statements on X.

He indicated that there could be a rise for Covalent (CQT), which ranks 346th in market value and is lagging in market volume.

CQT has returned to November 2023 levels. There has been a sharp correction since the peak in February. We expect Covalent’s price to rise significantly since its latest updates.

CQT is trading at $0.1549 after a 3.83% drop at the time of writing. CQT’s market cap is $124 million, while its trading volume remains below $1 million after a 21% drop in the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin (BTC) was also reviewed by Van de Poppe, who suggested a possible drop before a rise in the leading cryptocurrency.

This will likely be the case for Bitcoin. Preferably, we scan the $60,000 region where the bullish divergence started. A reversal could occur from next week with the approach of the Ethereum ETF (exchange-traded fund) listing.

BTC experienced a 1.8% drop in the last hour and is now finding buyers at $60,695. The market cap has fallen below $1.2 billion, while the 24-hour trading volume is at $23.4 billion after a 3% rise.

How Much is Ethereum?Lastly, the analyst reviewed Ethereum (ETH) and suggested that ETH could move upward against BTC (ETH/BTC).

Technically, ETH is holding a very important level for support. I think we will continue to drift upward from here. If it can reach 0.06 BTC ($3,690), then I assume we will see a major breakout and Altcoin strength for the rest of the year.

ETF is continuing to find buyers at $3,379 after a 2.11% drop in the last 24 hours.

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.

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Bitcoin (BTC) stands at $60,000, and markets fluctuated significantly in the last 24 hours. Investor appetite quickly declined. Positive news about altcoins also became less impactful. The recent announcement by AGLD serves as a good example. So, what are the details of the good news provided by Adventure Gold DAO?

Altcoins Breaking NewsAdventure Gold DAO announced a new layer2 network. In crypto, this has been a new trend for a long time, and protocols and networks are trying to reach more users with their sub-networks. The targeted launch of sub-networks is also extremely popular. The second layer network, named Adventure Layer, will be fully optimized for on-chain games. This means another game-focused network will be added.

The recent announcement, which is not much concerned with the price, can still contribute to the token in the medium and long term. It is normal for such long-term goal-focused steps not to yield results in the short term, as market risk appetite is undermined. For example, AVAX is still lingering below $25 despite two major announcements.

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.

Investors Rotate Into DUSK After Missing XMR and DASH Rallies, but Data Raises Warnings

Build on Bitcoin’s native token, BOB, went live on November 20, 2025, following its highly anticipated Token Generation Event (TGE) at 12:00 UTC. This event followed a community sale that raised $4.2 million and distributed tokens to early participants. 

Before the TGE, the hybrid Layer 2 blockchain network has recorded over $300 million in total value locked, 1 million wallets, and 545,000 unique users since its mainnet launch 18 months prior. Backed by investors such as Coinbase Ventures, Castle Island VC, and Ledger, the project has raised $23.7 million across seed, strategic, and public rounds.

Build on Bitcoin at a GlanceBuild on Bitcoin is a hybrid zero-knowledge rollup built on the OP Stack, offering Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility for smart contracts. It uses zero-knowledge proofs to achieve security comparable to Ethereum while integrating Bitcoin finality via staked BTC. A key component is the native BTC bridge powered by BitVM, which enables trustless, non-custodial BTC transfers without wrappers. This bridge is currently on testnet, with partnerships including Anchorage and RockawayX, and a full production launch planned for early 2026.

The BOB Gateway supports one-click BTC deposits and withdrawals across more than 11 chains, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Unichain. It provides SDK integration for over 15,000 decentralized applications and facilitates cross-chain swaps. The network has established integrations with entities like Uniswap, Chainlink, Fireblocks, Lombard, Euler, Solv, and Babylon. Grants from Optimism and Uniswap have supported development. The roadmap includes expanding to additional chains and enhancing BTC-native earning products.

BOB At a Glance | SourceBitcoin holds a market capitalization of $2.2 trillion, but only 0.3 percent of it participates in decentralized finance, compared to 30 percent for Ethereum. Build on Bitcoin seeks to address this disparity by enabling Bitcoin's use in DeFi, potentially increasing Bitcoin DeFi's total value locked to $700 billion if adoption patterns follow those of Ethereum.

BOB Token Details and TokenomicsThe BOB token serves as the utility, governance, and staking token for the Build on Bitcoin hybrid chain. It is an ERC-20 token minted on the BOB network with a fixed total supply of 10,000,000,000 tokens. No further tokens will be minted after this cap. The full supply unlocks 48 months after launch.

BOB Token DistributionToken Distribution BreakdownTotal Community and Ecosystem Allocation
Token distribution allocates 50.91 percent to community and ecosystem purposes.

Division of Community and Ecosystem Allocation
This is divided into initial claims at 4.15 percent, community sale at 2.00 percent, and ongoing ecosystem and community initiatives at 44.76 percent.

Initial Circulating Supply at Launch
At launch, the initial circulating supply stands at 22.20 percent.

Components of Initial Circulating Supply
This includes 0.51 billion tokens, or 5.1 percent, in community hands via initial claims and the community sale; 1.46 billion tokens, or 14.6 percent, for ecosystem and community; and 0.25 billion tokens, or 2.5 percent, for the BOB Foundation.

Locked Tokens and Vesting SchedulesTokens for core contributors and early backers remain locked at launch, with vesting schedules over two to three years. In total, 77.8 percent of the supply is locked on day one. Foundation and ecosystem allocations vest over 48 months. Locked tokens cannot be staked to prevent initial reward concentration among team members and backers.Ecosystem and Community Allocation DetailsThe ecosystem and community allocation of 44.76 percent reserves about one-third, or 14.6 percent of the total supply, unlocked at the token generation event, with the rest unlocking linearly over 48 months. 

This supports growth initiatives managed by the BOB Foundation and DAO through onchain governance. Uses include community, builder, and DeFi initiatives, as well as staking rewards. Five percent is pre-allocated for early DeFi, liquidity, and ecosystem growth.

Initial Claims and Staking BonusesInitial claims and staking bonuses total 4.15 percent, or 415 million tokens. Of this, 2.15 percent goes to initial claims for Fusion users, content creators, and campaign participants. Strategic liquidity providers are excluded from the Spice system to avoid dilution and face a 12-month lockup. Some campaign allocations have pre-agreed lockups. The remaining 2.00 percent funds staking bonuses, available upon staking and timelocking for set periods.Community Sale DetailsThe community sale of 2 percent, or 200 million tokens, occurred from November 10 to 16, 2025, raising $4.2 million. Proven community members, including top Spice holders in Fusion and the top 2,000 Cookie snappers, participated at a discounted valuation. Tokens are 50 percent unlocked at the token generation event, with the remaining 50 percent vesting linearly over three months.

Allocations to BOB Foundation, Core Contributors, and Early BackersThe BOB Foundation receives 10.00 percent to fund research, development, and initiatives. Of this, 2.5 percent unlocks at launch, with the remaining 7.5 percent unlocking linearly over 4 years. 

Core contributors get 19.00 percent, vesting linearly over 36 months with a 12-month cliff. 

Early backers receive 20.09 percent, with terms varying: strategic and seed at 18.71 percent over 36 months with a 12-month cliff; angels at 0.62 percent over 36 months from launch; and strategic partners at 0.77 percent with a 12-month lockup followed by 12 months linear vesting.

Token Generation Event and Exchange ListingsThe TGE took place on November 20, 2025, after a community sale from November 10 to 13, with fully diluted valuations ranging from $165 million for community tranches to $230 million for the public. 

Bids ranged from $50 USDT to $250,000, allocated pro rata in USDC or USDT. The public tranche unlocks 20 percent at the event, with linear vesting over 12 months; the community tranche vests fully linearly over 12 months.

The token is listed on exchanges, including Gate, Kucoin, and Kraken. The token is also expected to go live on Coinbase. 

Spot trading for BOB (BOBBOB) will go live on 20 November 2025. The opening of our BOBBOB-USD trading pair will begin later today if liquidity conditions are met, in regions where trading is supported. pic.twitter.com/CoyUm1Gghj

— Coinbase Markets 🛡️ (@CoinbaseMarkets) November 20, 2025 Airdrop Details and Claiming ProcessThe airdrop distributes 415 million tokens, or 4.15 percent of the supply, to reward early supporters. 

Eligibility covers about 17,000 core supporters and 200,000 wider community members based on Spice harvested in Fusion Seasons 1-3, with Season 1 weighted 50 percent higher; onchain activity like BTCFi participation; social engagement; quests; and NFT mints such as Cookie Snappers. 

Wallets require healthy onchain contributions; inactive ones disqualify. Exclusions include AML flags via TRM Labs, known criminal behavior, and core contributors. Strategic liquidity providers face a 12-month lockup.

Here’s the breakdown: 

The snapshot occurred on November 6, 2025, at 14:00 UTC. Allocation splits into 215 million for initial claims and 200 million for staking bonuses. Claims opened at 12:00 UTC on November 20 via the official BOB claim page. Unclaimed tokens after 45 days return to the ecosystem treasury. KYC is recommended for sale participants but not required for airdrop claims.Claiming requires a small amount of ETH on the BOB network for gas fees. Users check eligibility by pasting their wallet address, connect if eligible, accept terms, and claim. ConclusionThe launch of the BOB token on November 20, 2025, establishes it as the core asset for staking, governance, and utility in the Build on Bitcoin network. With a fixed supply of 10 billion tokens and allocations prioritizing community at over 50 percent, the tokenomics support long-term network security through vesting and lockups.

The airdrop and staking mechanisms distribute tokens to early participants, while exchange listings provide immediate liquidity. Overall, this structure positions the token to facilitate Bitcoin's role in decentralized finance, emphasizing community involvement and technical integration. 

Sources:

What is Build on BOB: https://docs.gobob.xyz/docs/quick-start/what-is-bob Build on BOB X Announcement: https://x.com/build_on_bob/status/1991478732272595223?s=20 Documentation: https://docs.gobob.xyz/ 

Energi (NRG) has been one of the biggest movers in the cryptocurrency space over the last couple of days - catapulting into the top 100.

At its core, the NRG blockchain is trying to take distributed ledger technology to the masses and achieve widespread adoption. Energi wants to build a secure, user-friendly platform that is trusted and globally accepted.

However, are these ambitions too lofty? What makes this project so valuable to investors now?

In this Energi review, I will attempt to answer that. I will also look at the use cases and potential for their native NRG coin.

Like most other cryptocurrencies, Energi is decentralized and blockchain based. Its focus is on decentralized applications and smart contracts, and it has a good method of governance along with a self-funding treasury model intended to assist in making it the largest, most popular blockchain platform in the world.

The Energi project began in the summer of 2017 as a fork of the Dash blockchain. At the time it used a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism, with an ASIC resistant algorithm called Energi hash that is similar to Ethereum’s Ethash.

Since then it has transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake consensus with a network of masternodes. These masternodes provide usability and some of the notable features of Energi.

Masternodes ❓: If you are uncertain as to what masternodes are and how they work you can read our comprehensive Masternode guide.

Although Energi is a fork of Dash, it has been highly modified and has enhanced privacy, lower fees and higher scalability when compared with Dash.

The self-funding treasury system of Energi and on-chain governance system was enacted to ensure the long-term development of the project and serves as a means to attract contributors and developers.

Energi FeaturesEnergi has the same basic features you will find with nearly any blockchain project; decentralization, an on-chain governance model, its own HD wallet, and trustless transactions.

It has also put a spin on some common features to make them more useful.

Self-Funding TreasuryA self-funding treasury isn’t an unusual feature in a masternode blockchain, but Energi has one of the largest percentage allocations to the treasury of any masternode blockchain. A full 40% of the released NRG goes to the treasury.

The Treasury Cycle at Energi. Image via Whitepaper

Since there are 1 million NRG released every month, and there’s no cap on the total coin supply, this gives the treasury 400,000 NRG every month to be used for marketing and development of the project. This is meant to ensure longevity for the project, providing funds to improve technology, grow the community, and to compensate developers.

Because there is no supply limit Energi has allocated this large percentage to the treasury to improve the decentralization of the blockchain, and to maintain the performance of the network.

Built-in GovernanceLike many of the other more recent blockchain projects, Energi has included a community-based governance model. In the Energi model, any stakeholder can submit a proposal for open consideration by the community.

Then, once done, the masternode owners then vote on the proposals to determine whether they will be implemented or not. This governance model was chosen because it not only encourages adoption by giving users a voice, it also helps with scalability and increases the stability of the network.

Masternode BenefitsAs a fork of Dash, the Energi network includes both the Instant Send and Private Send transaction features, but the masternodes of Energi allow this with improved transaction speed and with lower fees.

Masternode returns for Energi blockchain. Image via whitepaper

Because Energi has a 2 Mb block size and 1 minute block time users benefit with minuscule fees and quick transactions. Scalability is also improved by using masternodes, with the scalability of the network growing as the number of active masternodes grows.

DApps and Smart ContractsThe planned network of dApps will give the Energi network usability that will help it realize its goal of global adoption. And the addition of smart contracts will increase trustlessness, security, speed, efficiency and transparency for the entire Energi ecosystem.

Smart contracts will also help promote development, which in turn will bring in new users and investors to increase the value of NRG as it becomes increasingly valuable as a currency for developing and powering dApps, as well as the base currency in the planned Energi X exchange.

MasternodesAnyone is able to host a masternode by staking 10,000 NRG. At current prices, this amounts to an investment of $86,100 as of July 5, 2019.

The masternodes provide several of Energi’s features, including the Private Send and Instant Send functionality, as well as self-funding and self-governance and increased scalability and security for the network.

Masternode owners are rewarded for securing the network with NRG. 40% of the NRG generated is allocated to masternodes. This is roughly 400,000 NRG per month. Currently, there are 798 masternodes, which means each masternode is receiving around 500 NRG per month, which is equivalent to just over $4,300. That’s $51,600 annually or an annual return of 60%.

Setting up a masternode is not extremely straightforward and you need a bit of command line experience to do it. The Energi team have tried to make it as easy as possible with this pretty intuitive guide.

Alternatives ❓: Those who have less than 10,000 NRG can also stake their coins and receive staking return. The minimum required to stake a coin is only 1 NRG and it is also that much easier to set up and configure.

The Energi TeamThe Energi team consists of 18 dedicated and knowledgeable individuals, all of whom are committed to blockchain technology and the creation of a decentralized network that is self-funding and community governed. They come from a wide variety of disciplines, including development, operations, marketing, and of course entrepreneurship.

The CEO and founder of Energi is Tommy, also known as TommyWorldPower from his Twitter and YouTube accounts. He is a well-known blockchain evangelist and educator within the blockchain space. His understanding of how blockchain functions and its prospective uses were the inspiration and foundation of the Energi platform.

Some Energi Team Members. From Left: Tommy, Ryan Lucchese & Andrey Galkin

The president of Energi is Ryan Lucchese who oversees the day-to-day operations. He has a strong background in software development which is no doubt an asset for the Energi project. Prior to starting at Energi, he was an engineer at Hyland Software and NCH Software.

In the lead developer seat is a guy called Andrey Galkin. His linkedin does not list his experience on Energi but perhaps that is an omission. Andrey has a long engineering background and has held numerous roles in both Enterprise and startup environment.

These are only some of the team members but you can view the rest of their credentials over on their team page.

When a cryptocurrency launches with no ICO or premine, it does not have I large marketing budget to spread awareness of the coin. This is where a strong and engaged community can help.

To that end, Energi has a pretty sizable community behind it.

For example, they have a large member count in their Telegram channel with over 14k members. I decided to jump into the channel to get a better sense of the ongoing conversation.

Energi Telegram Channel

As you can see, the Admins are quite helpful to the community member and the conversation above. There is also a distinct lack of your typical "moon boys" in this channel which is a good sign.

Apart from their telegram channel, they also have a Discord server which could be an attractive alternative for those users who prefer this platform.

On the social media front, Energi has a pretty decent following on Twitter with over 30k followers. They regularly keep their users up to date here with the latest developments. There is decent engagement with these tweets.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that Energi also has an official blog that they contribute to regularly. This helps to keep the broader cryptocurrency community informed.

The NRG TokenNRG began as a Proof-of-Work coin with no ICO and no pre-mine. The mainnet launch was announced and mining began fairly.

The first listing for NRG on CoinMarketCap was August 24, 2018, with an opening price of $0.264592. Price jumped higher by around $0.10 immediately and spent several months trading between the all-time low of $0.244958 and roughly $0.40.

In October 2018 the coin began trending higher after masternode payments began, and reached levels over $1 as November began. This rally is much earlier than the Bitcoin rally and the end of the crypto bear market for the broader cryptocurrency space.

NRG Coin Price Performance. Image via CMC.

Price dipped in January and February 2019, but never below $0.54 and by March NRG was trading above $1 again. It remained between $1 and $2 in April 2019, then moved to a range of $2 to $3 in May 2019.

The real rally began in June 2019, with NRG reaching an all-time high of $9.90 on June 25, 2019. Since then it has pulled back somewhat and trades at $8.61 as of July 5, 2019.

For those interested, the Energi team has been conducting airdrops of the coin and there is one final round of 1 million NRG to be airdropped. Details can be found here once the airdrop round begins.

Trading & Storage of NRGIf you would like to buy or trade your NRG, then there are a limited number of exchanges that you can use. These include the likes of Digifinex, Kucoin and Cryptobridge.

Digifinex has the bulk of the volume though and turnover rates appear to be on the lower end for a coin with such a large market cap. This means that liquidity could provide a challenge for those traders who are trying to execute large block orders.

Once you have got your NRG tokens, you are going to want to move them off of the exchanges. We are all too aware of the risks that come from a large centralised exchange hacks.

If you are looking to merely send / receive the coins and "hodl" them for price appreciation then you can use the Coinomi wallet. This is a third party wallet that has support for an additional 500+ cryptocurrencies. It is available on mobile and desktop across multiple operating systems.

Unfortunately, the Coinomi wallet cannot be used to stake coins. If you would like to do this then you will have to download and install their core wallet. There are also a whole host of more advanced functions that the core wallet can execute.

Energi DevelopmentI consider project development progress as a critical metric that one should track. This can give you an idea of just how much work is actually being done on a daily basis.

Although some developers may work in private, those projects that are open source should use a public code repository. Thankfully, Energi has a public GitHub that allows us to dig into their code.

Below are the GitHub commits for the main core Energi Protocol repository:

Commits for Energi over the past 12 months

As you can see, the developers have been quite busy sending coding updates to their core protocol. Its also worth noting that there are a further 14 repositories in their GitHub although only 4 have any code commits over the past year.

Comparing the coding commits for the core repository with that of the rest of the cryptocurrency complex, it is reasonably positioned. For example, they are ranked at 134 on this site which is just between Bytom and the Request Network.

Indeed, this coding activity could make more sense when you take a look at the broader roadmap. The Energi team has been meeting a number of key milestones and there are some really interesting updates that are planned...

Energi RoadmapI include this section because I feel it’s relevant to know what the team has planned for the future. The reason this is relevant is that Energi depends on a dApp platform and smart contract functionality, but so far it has neither of these. Currently, the project is little more than another masternode blockchain with its own cryptocurrency.

The Energi roadmap is complete and gives good details of the development plans for the coming 18-24 months.

The most important item on the roadmap now is the launch of Energi 3.0 in the fourth quarter of 2019. This will include smart contracts and will allow for the migration of Ethereum dApps and is the first real step towards the goal of global adoption.

Worth Considering?Energi has rocketed into many traders awareness as it has come from over 200th in market cap to 58th as of July 5, 2019. Its listing on the popular DigiFinex and KuCoin platforms is certainly positive too.

Considering the rally in NRG began back in October it may not follow the lead of Bitcoin. It could also pullback leading up to the launch of Energi 3.0, which I would expect will spark a new rally as smart contract and dApp functionality are core features of the platform.

You might wonder why this coin has gained 300% in June when right now it’s little more than a PoS masternode coin. There’s been no earth-shattering news from the project and no major developments. Does that mean this has been a manipulated pump of the coin? There’s no way to tell for sure, but if that’s true these gains will quickly evaporate.

Energi - Yay or Nay?

Consider too that even though Energi says their launch was fair, there was actually no public announcement of the mainnet until block height 171897. That’s hardly fair, and with the treasury getting 40% of rewards and the founders receiving 10% of rewards there’s no reason for this type of trickery.

The runup in price has made it more expensive to run a masternode, but the return is still quite good. That might not continue to be the case as new investors setup masternodes to take advantage of the 60% annual returns being generated.

Energi says they want to be the leading global cryptocurrency, but nearly all blockchain projects have that goal. Energi has certainly made great strides recently, but what makes the project different or unique?

There will be more possibilities with the introduction of smart contracts and dApps, but Energi still won’t be unique. And they’ve already pushed back the launch of these features from Q3 2019 to Q4 2019.

So, you will have to decide whether NRG are still attractive at these levels or whether a retracement is imminent - which could present additional opportunities.

After the events of last week, news from China keeps on coming. After China’s president, Xi Jinping, urged the country to increase its usage of blockchain technology, crypto prices have gone through the roof. The overall cryptocurrency market experienced a significant uptick initially, but that wasn’t enough for Chinese projects, as some have continued to surge by the hour.

Chinese Crypto Projects to the Moon Friday was a day filled with optimism in the crypto market. The president of China made an announcement that appears to have had a huge impact on the industry. According to Xi Jinping, the country should invest more in blockchain tech in light of its “critical role in technology innovations and industrial revolutions”.

The community was quick to react, and gains were had all over the place, especially for China-based projects. While most altcoins are surging against the USD but falling against Bitcoin, NEO, Ontology, Qtum, Bytom, GXChain are all skyrocketing at the moment.

Bytom’s rise is the most notable one as of now, having increased more than 75% against BTC and 85% against the US dollar.

BTM/BTC Bittrex. Source: TradingView Ontology has risen 40% against BTC and 45.5% against the dollar.

ONT/BTC Binance. Source: TradingView NEO is trading at $11.71, having risen 35% against the dollar and 27% against BTC.

NEO/BTC Binance. Source: TradingView As impressive as these surges are, these projects’ all time highs are even higher. Bytom’s current price ($0.143) is down 85% from its ATH of $1.17. Similarly, ONT is down 90% from $10 to $0.95, and NEO has fallen 94% from its ATH of $196.

You may also like: Trump Heads to Beijing for High-Stakes Xi Summit: What It Means for Bitcoin Why Has Bitcoin Dumped 50% When Global Liquidity Has Increased? Chinese-Language Laundering Networks Now Dominate a Fifth of Global Illicit Crypto Flows Chinese Interest Picks Up Xi’s announcement regarding blockchain has had a significant impact in other areas as well. It’s still hard to say if that was the only reason for the substantial price surge, but it’s safe to assume that it played a role.

CryptoPotato reported earlier today on increased interest in blockchain and Bitcoin among the Chinese public. The China-based multi-purpose app WeChat showed a 1,200% increase for blockchain-related searches on the 25th of October. Also, a new cryptocurrency law is set to become active in the country starting next year.

Interestingly, the CEO of US-based Facebook last week urged his own country to invest more in blockchain, lest it fall behind other countries such as China.

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It’s safe to say that the last few days have been nothing short of turbulent for Bitcoin. After trading in a close range for a few weeks with rather low volatility, the cryptocurrency last week recorded its largest daily price increase since 2011. In a span of about 24 hours, it surged by more than 40%, rising as high as $10,350.

Predictably, a correction soon followed. Bitcoin shed about $1,000, as its price fell to around $9,400. Bitcoin’s dominance rate also increased notably. Prior to the latest surge, Bitcoin’s share of the overall crypto market was around 65.5%, and it rose as high as 68.6% before pulling back to 67.9%.

BTC/USD. Source: TradingView Altcoins also saw substantial gains following Bitcoin’s price surge. This was especially true for Chinese projects, many of which saw massive increases. That’s perhaps to be expected, given that one of the potential reasons for the overall market increase was China’s President Xi Jinping urging the country to streamline the usage of blockchain technology.

Total market capitalization: $248 billion | BTC market capitalization: $168 billion | BTC Dominance Index: 67.9%

Major Cryptocurrency Headlines Mark Zuckerberg Is Right About China: President Xi Jinping Urges Investment in Blockchain. The president of China, Xi Jinping, urged the country to increase the development and implementation of blockchain-based technology, praising its qualities and usage in various industries. Interestingly enough, this came just a couple of days after Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, said that “China is moving quickly” in this regard and that the US could fall behind if it fails to speed up.

Bitcoin’s Price Touches $10,350, Records Largest Daily Percentage Increase Since 2011. Immediately after President Xi Jinping’s speech, Bitcoin recorded its largest daily increase in percentage terms since 2011. The cryptocurrency went parabolic, spiking more than 40%. The move was sudden, and the price subsequently cooled off a bit, retracing to $9,400.

WeChat Searches For “Blockchain” Spiked 1,200% Following News of New Chinese Cryptocurrency Law. It goes without saying that regulations have a lot to do with adoption and awareness in the field of cryptocurrency. WeChat, a Chinese multi-purpose application, saw a substantial surge in searches for blockchain-related terms. The development followed not only the president’s statement but also some reported changes in the country’s cryptocurrency laws.

You may also like: Saylor Should Stop Buying Bitcoin, Says CryptoQuant Strengthening Dollar and OG Selling Pressure Keep Bitcoin Bears in Control  Analyst Warns: Strategy Will Have to Sell Over 50,000 BTC by 2028 The Biggest Winners and Losers Bytom (+84.91%) Bytom, being a China-based cryptocurrency project, is among the biggest winners of the top 100. BTM has surged upwards of 86% in the past 24 hours, bringing its price to around $0.144 at the time of this writing. Trading against Bitcoin, BTM is up around 85%. It currently possesses a market cap of around $144 million and has also seen a notable increase in trading volume. Over the past day, its trading volume has exceeded $152 million.

Ontology (+33.19%) Ontology has also managed to capitalize on the latest market movement. Its price increased by about 33%, and ONT is currently trading at around $0.973. Its market cap is approximately $541 million. Interestingly enough, the cryptocurrency also made substantial gains against Bitcoin, as it’s trading around 31% higher against the leading cryptocurrency. Its trading volume is also massive – more than $709 million in the past 24 hours alone.

Nexo (-9.66%) Unfortunately, not all projects managed to catch Bitcoin’s latest wave. In the past 24 hours, Nexo has declined by about 10% against the US dollar and 11% against BTC, making it the biggest loser among the top 100 coins. Its current market capitalization is around $53 million, and its trading volume is a little more than $10 million.

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China is abuzz with all things blockchain. Since Thursday, when Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his ringing endorsement of digital ledger technology, China has seen an abundance of new initiatives, positive sentiment and surges across cryptocurrencies and blockchain related stocks. 

In late 2017, in a bid to protect retail investors burned by the ICO craze, China adopted a tough stance on cryptocurrencies, while continuing to champion blockchain, the underlying technology. The global effect wasn’t instantaneous, but many analysts saw its attitude to cryptocurrencies as a harbinger of the fall in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies over the following months.

Xi’s calls last week for China to “take the leading position” in blockchain, as a “core technology,” and for industry investment and support, have resulted in what many are calling a new boom for the industry.

Here’s how that’s playing out in China and beyond. 

1. Crypto boom timeBitcoin (BTC) surged 24% in the 24 hours following Xi’s comments, reaching $10,350 in its biggest two-day leap since late 2017. Other major cryptocurrencies including Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple's XRP also saw big gains. Pundits took to Twitter to proclaim that the president’s comments had sparked a crypto boom, though not everyone was in agreement.

$BTC has moved +42% today

- 4th largest gain in history and largest since May/10/2011 (if comparing against daily returns).

- 15th largest two-day gain in history, Nov/18/2013.

Thank you China.

President Xi is the true Crypto Dad.

— Alex Krüger (@krugermacro) October 26, 2019

2. Soaring blockchain based stocks Government support of preferred Chinese industries translates to billions of dollars in cheap financing and other subsidies, with investors alert for any sign of favoritism towards a certain sector. 

As a result of Xi’s pronouncement, Chinese investors have been snapping up shares in blockchain-related businesses. More than 85 stocks hit the 10 per cent upside limit that halts trading in Shenzhen and Shanghai, the Financial Times reported today. Even businesses only marginally related to blockchain benefited, including an index of blockchain-related equities compiled by data provider Wind which saw an 8.9 percent rise to its highest level since April. In Hong Kong, Pantronics Holdings, which was acquired by crypto exchange Huobi, soared as much as 62 per cent.

“It’s all because of Xi,” Pan Shaochang, an equity analyst at financial services startup Dongwu Securities, told the FT. He added that many of these businesses were still at an early stage, but that “the growth potential is huge.” 

3. Chinese crypto renaissanceChinese cryptocurrencies have emerged from the doldrums to take centre stage. Home-grown cryptocurrencies NEO, Ontology (ONT), Quantum (QTUM), VeChain (VET) and others saw gains of more than 50%. Bytom (BTM), saw an increase of 459%, as per reports on China’s Huobi exchange. Such staggering gains caused commentators to ridicule the influence on the market of crypto startups such as Bitcoin futures exchange Bakkt or Facebook’s Libra coin. 

Ahahahahahhaha, now on Chinese CT

" Fuck ETF, fuck Bakkt, fuck Libra, none of these BS will pump, only we Chinese pump with real money, the only way to pump"

(excuse me for the F word... try my best to translate from very Chinese slang)

— Dovey 以德服人 Wan 🗝 🦖 (@DoveyWan) October 28, 2019

Chinese research agency CCID today poured oil on these claims with its update of global project rankings. EOS retrained its pole position, but Swiss-headquartered Ethereum gave way to China-based Tron. While the CCID’s methodology has been questioned by some, it’s also gained credence after Xi’s comments. 

4. Surging interest across Chinese mediaBlockchain has been all over the Chinese media since Xi’s remarks, with @cnledger, a Twitter account for China's crypto industry, noting that it’s been reported on “intensively” across national TV channels and newspaper headlines. 

Search volumes for keywords related to blockchain also spiked on Chinese search engine Baidu and messaging app WeChat after the presidential speech. China-based Google searches rose significantly, suggesting that Xi’s remarks had encouraged intense interest in cryptocurrencies, said Reuters.  

"There have definitely been more conversations since the weekend," Anthony Wong of Hong Kong-based crypto investment firm Orichal Partners told the New York Times.

5. China’s national digital currency is imminentIn recent months, China has stepped up plans to launch its own national digitial currency, with the People’s Bank of China hiring experts to join its Digital Currency Research Institute (DCRI). Huang Qifan, vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), predicted in an interview with tech news site Pandaily that China would be first off the mark with a national currency. Many believe that the FOMO (fear of missing out) generated by Facebook’s efforts to get its cryptocurrency Libra off the ground has led Beijing to accelerate its efforts. While no date has yet been set, Li Wei, head of the People’s Bank of China’s technology department, today told a Shanghai forum that, in preparation, commercial banks should step up their application of blockchain technology and embrace digital finance.

6. China’s blockchain ecosystem is expandingChina’s blockchain industry is in rude health. The Chinese government requires blockchain projects to register with its Cyberspace Administration, and more than 500 blockchain projects have done so since March, run by state-owned banks, courts and tax offices, as well as commercial tech conglomerates. China’s most popular app, Xuexi Qiangguo, has launched government-run courses in Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

And China looks set to expand its focus on blockchain education; in his speech, Xi called for the creation of new initiatives such as “Blockchain+,” a platform for “personal development” in areas such as education, employment and health. China’s Communist Party is even urging patriots to “seize the opportunity” created by the technology, and swear their allegiance via blockchain.

7. China has introduced its first cryptography lawChina’s national congress on Saturday passed a new law designed to encourage research and development on commercial cryptography technologies. It also aims to build up standardized regulations for the industry, in preparation for the upcoming challenges the nascent sector will face. On Twitter, it sparked comparisons with the approach taken by the U.S.

A pal sent me this from Vegas. If the US regulators don’t allow for fintech innovation, the Chinese will eat our lunch. Xi’s comments on Friday were significant. Crypto and blockchain will be part of the financial and consumer infrastructure in the future. Buy the dip. $btc pic.twitter.com/prM9VvjT3x

— Michael Novogratz (@novogratz) October 26, 2019

But what of Bitcoin? Will developments in China continue to fuel the recent meteoric rise of the original cryptocurrency? Sentiment is, broadly speaking, bullish: “The positive comments from the Chinese leader will continue to support the broader crypto prices to maintain at current levels,” Andy Cheung, head of operations at Malta-based OKEx, an exchange popular among Chinese users, told Reuters.

Cheung’s not alone in his thinking. “It’s likely that momentum, perhaps partly driven by FOMO, will now pick-up pace again in the cryptocurrency sector,” Nigel Green, CEO of financial advisory deVere Group, told Decrypt. 

Chinese websites have pointed out that blockchain is not the same as interest in bitcoin, of course. But the country’s newfound enthusiasm for blockchain seems just as extreme as its previous erstwhile ban on crypto, with @cnledger even claiming that “Articles saying blockchain technology is a scam are now BANNED.”

3/ Articles saying blockchain technology is a scam are now BANNED.

Who still remember the days when posts promoting blockchain getting deleted real fast? pic.twitter.com/W5iRJ3PDYS

— cnLedger (@cnLedger) October 28, 2019

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Bitcoin went on one of its most impressive runs ever last week, surging over 42% in just a day. Not only did this make last week the best one Bitcoin has had since May, it also brought positive sentiment back to the market, which had previously been fairly bearish. 

However, Bitcoin has since retraced and is currently trading at around $9,200. Interestingly enough, BTC flash crashed to slightly above $9,000 earlier today, but it managed to recover fairly quickly. At the time of this writing, Bitcoin is down about 2% on the day. 

BTC/USD. Source: TradingView We also saw a very slight decrease in Bitcoin’s dominance rate, suggesting that altcoins have managed to capitalize somewhat on the flash crash. Indeed, all of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap are trading in the green against BTC, having marked slight increases. ETH is up about 2%, the same as XRP. Bitcoin Cash is up about 3.6%, and all others have seen minor gains in the range of 0.5% – 1.5%. 

Total Market Capitalization: $247 Billion | BTC Market Capitalization: $166 Billion | BTC Dominance Index: 67.2%

Major Cryptocurrency Headlines Bitcoin Cash Spikes 10% as Jihan Wu Resumes Control of Bitmain. Jihan Wu, who stepped away from Bitmain’s operations at the beginning of this year, has since resumed control over the company, ousting the CEO, Ketuan Zhan. In an email to staff, Wu directed employees to not take any orders from Zhan or participate in meetings organized by him. Bitcoin Cash’s price rose by 10% on the news. Wu has previously expressed his support for the cryptocurrency, as Bitmain spent around 70% of its 2017 operating cash flow to buy BCH. 

China’s CCIEE Chair: We Will Be the First to Launch Central Bank Digital Currency. The vice-chairman of China’s Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), Huang Qifan, maintained that the country will be the first to launch a blockchain-based central bank digital currency. He also said that he doesn’t believe in Facebook and its potential cryptocurrency, Libra. However, he feels that digital currencies of the kind are needed because conventional payment methods are outdated. 

NEO and Other Made-in-China Cryptocurrencies See Huge Price Gains. The news from China sparked a rally throughout the cryptocurrency market. However, China-based projects saw particularly impressive gains. Bytom, NEO, Ontology, Qtum, and GXChain were among the more notable gainers.

You may also like: Bitcoin Price Crashes Below $60K as Strategy’s MSTR Plunges 10% Mining Profits Dry Up Across Bitcoin, DOGE, LTC, and BCH Bitcoin’s Network Is Booming Even as Prices Remain Below Record Highs The Biggest Winners and Losers NoahCoin (+1177%) NoahCoin rallied hard, surging upwards of 1,100% in less than a day. The project recently announced that users could swap their tokens for native ones. Given that this update was made around a month ago, however, there is no apparent reason for the recent surge. In any case, NoahCoin is currently trading at around $0.004, which is a staggering increase compared to its price a day ago when it was only $0.00028. 

IOST (+31%) IOST is another project which saw significant gains over the past 24 hours despite the seemingly stalling cryptocurrency market. Having increased by upwards of 30%, IOST is currently trading at around $0.0075. Interestingly enough, it surged even more against Bitcoin, gaining more than 35%. The project’s total market cap is now over $90 million. 

Bytom (-10%) Bytom was one of the biggest gainers during last week’s rally, as mentioned above. The coin surged about 80% following the news out of China, but it has since cooled off and is actually down over the past 24 hours. BTM marked a decrease of around 10% and its price is currently around $0.11, though its total market cap remains well above $113 million. The cryptocurrency is also down around 7.5% against BTC.  

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A further $6 billion has been added to total crypto market capitalization over the past 24 hours and it is altcoins that are leading the gains. A big dose of Chinese FOMO boosted home grown projects there and Stellar’s coin burn is igniting them this morning, but are they destined to dump again?

Crypto Cap and Volume Rising Total market cap reached $253 billion a few hours ago which is the highest it has been for a week. The bigger picture shows more range bound trading but altcoins appear to be driving momentum at the moment.

Total market cap 24 hours – Coinmarketcap.com The chart also indicates that daily volume has climbed almost 30% since the beginning of the week as everything looks green at the moment. Trader ‘Paddy Stash’ has noted the increase in altcoin dominance over the past week as BTC failed to top 70% and has started to decline in terms of market share.

“Altcoin dominance has continued to climb back upwards since the big $Btc spike from $7.4 to over $10k last week.”

https://twitter.com/paddystash/status/1191346509331206150

While the ‘China effect’ heavily influenced the prices of NEO, Tron, Qtum, VeChain, Bytom and other local blockchain platforms last week, others are getting a lift today.

ParallelCoin Pump and Dump Something called ParallelCoin is looking very spurious at the moment as CMC is reporting a 7,000% surge for DUO tokens. ‘Crypto Bitlord’ has called it a dangerous pump and dump scheme which should be avoided.

https://twitter.com/Crypto_Bitlord/status/1191584425886269442

Another altcoin having a serious pump at the moment is Stellar as the Foundation just burnt 55 billion uncirculated XLM tokens. The crypto community is skeptical however and the 25% price pump has already started to fall off.

Stellar is currently priced at just over $0.08 and has knocked Tron back out of the top ten with a market cap of $1.6 billion. Ripple’s XRP got a related pump at the same time of just over 4% which takes the token back over $0.30 where it faces heavy resistance. This week’s Swell event could help XRP to break through that though.

Ethereum has made a small 2.5% move to hold above $185 at the moment while BCH remains flat at $290. Litecoin has made a solid 6% to break above $60 while EOS adds a similar amount to reach $3.45.

BSV and Cardano have gained over 5% a piece in the past few hours and Cosmos has cranked 12% as it reaches $3.80. The two Chinese altcoins VeChain and Qtum are also going strong today with 7% gained.

Bitcoin has made minor gains to reach resistance at $9,400 again but until it surges back into five figures the altcoins are unlikely to climb any higher. It is still likely that a dump will follow whatever gains altcoins have made today as altseason is still a long way away.

Image from Shutterstock

Bitcoin in 2025: Strategic Reserves, Corporate Bets, and What’s Still Unwritten

The Great Convergence: Is TradFi Ready for On-Chain Finance?

The narrative around Bitcoin has fundamentally changed. Once dismissed as a niche, speculative asset, it now stands at the cross-section of global macroeconomics and mainstream finance.

Following a period of volatile but structurally significant price action, even through dramatic drawdowns, the question is no longer if Bitcoin will matter, but how it will be integrated into the global financial architecture. 

The new price roadmap is being drawn by three dominant forces: macroeconomic upheaval, the institutional floodgates opened by Spot ETFs, and a deepening utility that goes beyond mere price speculation.

The Macro Forces Shaping the Next 18 Months For seasoned investors, the days of viewing Bitcoin in isolation are over. Its price trajectory is now intrinsically linked to the great shifts in global monetary and political landscapes. The consensus among market leaders is clear: global liquidity and central bank policy remain the prime movers.

Beyond the mechanics of interest rates and liquidity, a grander theme is at play, one of geopolitical and currency upheaval. As Monty C. M. Metzger, CEO & Founder at LCX.com and and TOTO Total Tokenization, succinctly puts it:

“As the global currency war intensifies and the U.S. debt crisis deepens, the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency is being challenged. Bitcoin is emerging as a digital alternative — a neutral global reserve asset for the new financial era. Institutional adoption within regulated markets will accelerate this transition.”

This narrative of Bitcoin as a non-sovereign hedge against macro and geopolitical uncertainty further solidifies the long-term bullish case, providing a structural tailwind independent of the short-term Fed cycle.

However, the analysis of liquidity is not confined to the US. Griffin Ardern, Head of BloFin Research and Options Desk, introduces a crucial nuance, the fluctuation in the scale of offshore liquidity. Ardern argues that as a “digital gold,” Bitcoin is a US-offshore asset, meaning its price is less tied to the US dollar than dollar-pegged altcoins.

Therefore, the policies of not just the Fed, but also the ECB and the Bank of Japan (BOJ), significantly impact Bitcoin’s performance by driving the fluctuation and redistribution of this offshore liquidity.

Ardern’s take suggests a current environment of “marginal decline” in the supply increment of offshore liquidity, which, combined with the strong competitiveness of precious metals like gold, is gradually causing Bitcoin’s price to approach a temporary ceiling.

This analytical layer compels investors to look beyond domestic US policy and monitor the global coordinated (or uncoordinated) efforts of major central banks.

Gate’s CBO, Kevin Lee, highlights the paramount role of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, projecting it as the single most significant macro driver through 2026.

Lee notes:

“The September 2025 rate cut has already demonstrated Bitcoin’s sensitivity to liquidity conditions.”

This sensitivity is the market’s response to the Fed’s stance—a hawkish pivot due to renewed inflationary pressures (perhaps triggered by aggressive tariff policies) could be detrimental, while a strengthened dovish trajectory supports strong upside projections.. Tariff easing remains the key catalyst to revive risk sentiment, likely stabilizing Bitcoin around $120K–$125K and potentially propelling it past $130K by year-end, with total crypto market cap nearing $4 trillion as altcoins lag in recovery.

The analysis deepens with Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget, who sees the most significant driver as the convergence of the global monetary policy cycle and the structural absorption of institutional capital.

Usi Zade explains:

“When the Fed signals a definitive pivot towards quantitative easing or significant rate cuts, the resulting surge in global liquidity will invariably seek a hedge against fiat devaluation. Bitcoin, now fundamentally anchored by Spot ETF demand, is the primary beneficiary.”

“The macro thesis now acts as the trigger for mandated capital inflows. We see this convergence—liquidity providing the fuel, and institutional mandate providing the structure—as the defining price driver.”

This view is echoed by Patrick Murphy, Managing Director for UK & EU at Eightcap, who sees monetary policy and liquidity conditions as the most significant drivers over the medium term. Murphy argues:

“The next move by the Fed or even other major central banks could trigger a substantial wave of inflows—or outflows—from digital assets.”

He stresses that Bitcoin’s price is acutely sensitive to global liquidity flows, positioning it to act as ‘digital gold’ when risk appetite and liquidity conditions are favorable, attracting reallocations from traditional stores of value.

In sum, the most significant macro driver over the next 12-18 months is the interplay between tightening/easing global liquidity conditions (dictated by the Fed, ECB, and BOJ) and Bitcoin’s accelerating acceptance as a non-sovereign digital reserve asset in an era of currency debasement.

The ETF Effect: Re-Anchoring Capital and Validation The approval and launch of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in major markets, particularly the U.S., has been repeatedly hailed as the most significant structural change for Bitcoin’s market dynamic. The impact is profound, reaching far beyond simple price pump and fundamentally altering the type of capital entering the market.

Sebastien Gilquin, Head of BD & Partnerships at Trezor, encapsulates the core impact:

“ETFs will attract long-term capital, but their real value is validation—they make Bitcoin part of traditional portfolios and replicable to other Top MC like ETH or SOL.”

This is not just about bringing in institutional money; it’s about making Bitcoin a palatable, regulatory-compliant asset that financial advisors and traditional asset managers can seamlessly include in standard client portfolios.

Markus Levin, Co-Founder from XYO, adds:

“The spot ETF has already changed the market profile of Bitcoin investors. It opened the door for pension funds, family offices, and institutional allocators that previously could not hold Bitcoin directly. Over time, that will normalize Bitcoin as part of diversified portfolios. The immediate price effect is less important than the long-term shift in who holds it and how it is perceived.”

Vugar Usi Zade elaborates on the nature of this new capital, stating that the ETF has led to the arrival of “patient, high-quality, long-term capital” from RIAs and wealth managers acting on behalf of generational wealth.

“This capital views Bitcoin not as a trade, but as an essential strategic asset allocation,” Usi Zade says. He highlights two key impacts: Lower Velocity (it doesn’t panic-sell) and Increased Predictability (the market depth is dramatically increased). “The ETF isn’t the finish line; it’s the on-ramp for the largest, most stable pools of capital.”

Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer & Head of BingX Labs, strongly supports this view, noting that the ETF launch has already proven to be a game-changer. She says:

“It’s not just about price; ETFs make Bitcoin accessible through familiar financial rails, bridging a massive trust gap for traditional investors.”

This integration creates more stability in market participation and deepens liquidity across exchanges, structurally broadening Bitcoin’s investor base.

The quantitative evidence is staggering. Kevin Lee of Gate highlights that the institutional infrastructure has already “fundamentally changed Bitcoin’s macro response profile,” with over 1.29 million BTC held in spot ETFs and massive weekly inflows into major products like BlackRock’s.

This new infrastructure means Bitcoin now responds more predictably to traditional macro factors rather than being driven by isolated crypto-specific news cycles.

However, a crucial note of caution comes from Federico Variola, CEO of Phemex. While acknowledging that ETFs have introduced more institutional capital and structural anchoring, he warns that they “do not immunize crypto from macro shocks or forced liquidation cascades.” He views ETFs as a “long-term stabilizing factor, but not a daily safeguard against volatility.”

Variola’s perspective is vital for managing investor expectations. In bullish phases, ETF flows provide stable demand; in downturns, that stability is tested. His focus shifts to the role of exchanges, stating that the real test will be standing by users during “stress periods,” not just on the upside.

The winners will be the most reliable exchanges during liquidity stress, a testament to the fact that the underlying infrastructure must adapt to the new reality of institutional flows.

In essence, the ETF effect has not eliminated volatility, but it has fundamentally upgraded the quality of capital, shifting the market’s composition from primarily speculative retail and short-term traders to stable, long-term, structurally mandated institutional investors. This change acts as a powerful demand anchor, providing a robust floor that was absent in previous market cycles.

Beyond the Chart: The True Signals of Utility and Adoption While the price chart captures daily headlines, the true long-term health and utility of Bitcoin are reflected in metrics that have nothing to do with its dollar valuation. These non-price signals suggest a profound, fundamental shift in Bitcoin’s real-world usefulness.

The most frequently cited and powerful non-price metrics are the growth of Lightning Network (LN) and the uptake of institutional custody solutions and self-custody.

Sebastien Gilquin at Trezor states that while price tells one story, the “real signal is in self-custody and Lightning growth. That’s where Bitcoin’s next chapter begins.”

This view emphasizes that Bitcoin’s true strength lies in its original promise: a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. The Lightning Network, as a Layer 2 scaling solution, is the engine making this a reality, enabling near-instant, low-cost micro-transactions globally. This is the pathway for Bitcoin to evolve beyond a mere ‘store of value’ into a viable medium of exchange.

Vivien Lin of BingX Labs confirms this, pointing to the growth in Lightning Network, institutional custody solutions, and on-chain activity as reflections of rising utility and confidence. She specifically mentions seeing more cross-border payment pilots and treasury integrations that treat Bitcoin as a functional asset.

Lin says:

“These developments show that Bitcoin is evolving beyond its store-of-value narrative into a usable, trusted component of the global financial infrastructure.”

Metrics like network health, active addresses, and long-term holder ratios all reinforce this fundamental shift, she added.

Vugar Usi Zade of Bitget adds a crucial dimension to the non-price metrics by focusing on the signals relevant to a major global exchange: security, institutional trust, and market maturity.

“The key signals for a fundamental shift in adoption and utility are: Growth in Regulated Custody and, critically, Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) Transparency,” Usi Zade states.

“The increasing demand for and adoption of rigorous PoR mechanisms by exchanges is a crucial utility metric. It signifies a fundamental shift toward greater transparency and accountability, which is essential for bridging the trust gap between CeFi and the institutional world.”

The increasing focus on institutional custody uptake (highlighted by Metzger) signifies the maturation of the market’s plumbing. When global financial behemoths build secure, regulated systems to hold Bitcoin, it’s a commitment to the asset that far outweighs any short-term trading signal.

This, coupled with the renewed focus on self-custody by hardware wallet makers like Trezor, shows a healthy duality: institutional ease of access for the masses, and a deepening understanding of the core permissionless nature of Bitcoin for the discerning user.

These non-price metrics, the expansion of the LN for utility, and the maturation of custody for security, collectively paint a picture of Bitcoin moving from a speculative asset to an essential technology and a regulated financial product, capable of underpinning the next generation of global financial infrastructure.

The Most Misunderstood Risk: Complacency in the Face of Centralization In an asset class defined by risk and volatility, one would expect the primary concerns to be regulatory bans or massive network hacks. Yet, the most critical, and perhaps most misunderstood, risk currently facing Bitcoin is an internal one: the erosion of its core principles through complacency and poor user experience (UX).

The consensus among industry experts points to a risk that underpins Bitcoin’s value proposition, the subtle loss of decentralization and accessibility.

Sebastien Gilquin at Trezor identifies the risk not as an external attack, but a self-inflicted wound:

“Decentralization doesn’t make Bitcoin untouchable. If we stop improving usability and ignore regulation, we risk limiting access: self-custody and good UX are what keep Bitcoin truly free.” This is a profound warning. As the ETF structure brings ease-of-use and institutional custody, it risks creating a generation of ‘Bitcoin investors’ who do not understand or utilize the core technology of self-custody.”

“The risk is that over-reliance on trusted third parties (like custodians or exchanges) centralizes control, weakening the network’s ultimate immunity to seizure or censorship.

Vugar Usi Zade of Bitget crystallizes this concept for the retail investor:

“The single most misunderstood risk currently associated with Bitcoin… is operational security and the risks associated with poor custodial choices.”

He warns that retail investors often focus only on price risk while underestimating the ‘non-market’ risks.

This idea is reinforced by Vivien Lin of BingX Labs:

“One of the biggest misunderstood risks is assuming that Bitcoin’s price automatically reflects its long-term strength. Short-term movements can be noisy, but that doesn’t always tell the full story of adoption, utility, or security. Retail investors should pay closer attention to liquidity concentration, regulatory shifts, and the quality of their custodial choices.”

“The infrastructure around Bitcoin is evolving rapidly, making it equally important to understand where and how you hold your assets as it is to watch the chart.”

Conclusion: The Structural Maturation of a Digital Reserve The Bitcoin price roadmap over the next 12-18 months is far more nuanced than a simple supply-shock narrative. The path ahead for Bitcoin is one of increasing integration, growing stability, and profound utility. The market’s response to liquidity shifts will dictate the short-term price, but the unstoppable, structural inflows from the ETF rails and the deepening utility from the Lightning Network will determine its ultimate status as the neutral global reserve asset for the new financial era.