Německá síť Sparkassen prostřednictvím aplikace DekaBank spustila obchodování s BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL a POL; výběry do soukromých peněženek nejsou povoleny.
Germany’s Sparkassen savings bank network launched cryptocurrency trading on Monday, allowing customers to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Polygon. The service is being rolled out through DekaBank and will be launched slowly in the participating savings banks, albeit with restrictions on transfers to personal wallets.
Sparkassen Launches Five Cryptocurrencies Through Banking App Under certain conditions, the Sparkassen customers of DekaBank can trade five cryptocurrencies directly via the existing banking application. The offering is named “Krypto – powered by Deka,” and it enables trading in BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and POL.
The service can be used in the investment part of the Sparkasse app without the need for a separate securities account. Each transaction costs €0.99, although additional costs arise from the difference between buying and selling prices.
The launch comes after a series of initiatives by German banks to bring on-board cryptocurrency trading to existing customer accounts. DekaBank has created the Sparkassen service, and DZ Bank has backed up a separate rollout amongst Germany’s cooperative banks.
DekaBank is custodian of cryptocurrencies on its own wallet infrastructure and participates in trading arrangements with Börse Stuttgart. Users will have the ability to see their cryptocurrency assets in addition to various other monetary products and services in the current application.
DekaBank Restricts Crypto Withdrawals to Approved Providers While it is possible to buy cryptocurrencies at Sparkassen, they cannot be transferred directly to private hardware wallets. DekaBank maintains the private keys, and only specific cryptocurrency service providers are allowed to make transfers.
The agreement involves customers having to trust that DekaBank will keep their digital assets safe and handle their permitted withdrawals. However, the restrictions do not prevent users from selling their cryptocurrencies through the banking application.
The service is aimed at adult customers who make it on their own, and Sparkassen will not give investment advice on cryptocurrencies. DekaBank also cautions investors that the value of digital assets could be volatile with a potential loss of investment.
The custody is part of a broader trend across German financial institutions, including Deutsche Bank’s cryptocurrency custody plans. These services are regulated under EU laws, such as the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.
Sparkassen Plans Wider Crypto Trading Rollout Into 2027 More than 230 Sparkassen institutions have expressed interest in introducing cryptocurrency trading, according to German banking representatives. Each savings bank, however, will determine on its own if and when it will provide the service.
Around 30 to 40 institutions can join monthly, said Joachim Schmalzl, an executive board member of the German Savings Banks Association. The group is targeting the first half of 2027 for the largest number of interested banks to be connected.
The first phase is limited to the participating institutions and not nationwide through Germany’s savings banking network. Before opening a cryptocurrency account, customers should therefore inquire whether their local Sparkasse has switched on the service.
The expansion comes after the banking group’s earlier stance on digital assets. Sparkassen had previously been against the retail trading of cryptocurrencies due to concerns about price volatility and losses by investors.
The group is still pushing traditional securities and savings products as a way to build up long-term wealth, even with the introduction of cryptocurrency trading.
Vitalik Buterin podpořil návrh EIP-8288, který má Ethereu umožnit ověřovat agregované kryptografické důkazy, zatímco většina kryptografické práce má probíhat mimo hlavní proces vykonávání sítě. Návrh je stále ve fázi návrhu a čeká na schválení.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has backed EIP-8288 as a proposed way to support complex cryptography without repeatedly adding new verification functions to Ethereum, arguing that most heavy cryptographic work should happen outside the network’s main execution process.
Summary
Vitalik Buterin wants Ethereum to verify complex cryptography through aggregated proofs instead of repeated protocol upgrades.
EIP-8288 proposes combining cryptographic signatures and STARK proofs before Ethereum validators verify their collective validity efficiently.
The proposal could support quantum-resistant wallet signatures without requiring separate Ethereum precompiles for every signature type.
Ethereum developers have not approved EIP-8288, which remains a draft requiring further implementation and network consensus.
The proposed system would keep large proofs outside block data while retaining transaction commitments for verification.
In a series of October 19 posts on X, Buterin argued that Ethereum’s existing virtual machine and specialized cryptographic functions are unsuitable for supporting every new signature or proof system. He instead favored a design that would let users generate proofs locally and submit them through an aggregation mechanism.
The proposal, EIP-8288, would allow Ethereum to verify that cryptographic operations were performed correctly without including every original signature or proof in a block.
Vitalik Buterin described this approach as part of his vision for Ethereum as a cryptographic world computer, where substantial computation can happen outside the blockchain while its results remain verifiable.
The specification remains a draft and has not received approval for deployment on Ethereum mainnet.
Vitalik Buterin wants less cryptographic work inside Ethereum
Vitalik Buterin’s latest comments focus on how Ethereum handles cryptographic operations that require large amounts of computation or data.
Currently, developers can use the Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM, to run smart contracts that verify certain cryptographic statements.
Ethereum provides precompiles, which are built-in functions that perform specific calculations more efficiently than ordinary smart contract code.
These functions can help developers verify signatures, hashes and zero-knowledge proofs.
However, supporting additional cryptographic methods directly through precompiles can require changes to Ethereum’s protocol.
Vitalik Buterin argued that neither approach should become the default solution for every new cryptographic system.
His concern centers on the amount of data that must be included in Ethereum blocks when applications submit large signatures or cryptographic proofs for verification.
In the October 19 discussion, he estimated that even with improvements such as PeerDAS and blocks-in-blobs, the network would face practical limits around 8 megabytes per second before additional data became difficult to handle.
Ultimately, precompiles and EVM are both the wrong place to put most cryptography support into Ethereum. The reason is that precompiles and EVM both operate on data that has to be included into the ethereum chain somehow, which realistically means included in a block as calldata.… https://t.co/kb3JfEQKpj
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) October 19, 2026
The estimate represents Buterin’s assessment of future engineering constraints, not Ethereum’s currently measured transaction throughput.
He described Ethereum as a cryptographic world computer in which the blockchain should handle only information requiring shared execution and verification.
The idea is consistent with his earlier work on reducing the amount of computation that every Ethereum validator must independently perform.
In September, crypto.news covered his cryptographic computer vision, which described Ethereum’s proposed transition toward proof-based verification, privacy and more efficient handling of data.
His October comments focused on a specific proposal for making that approach work across different cryptographic systems.
EIP-8288 would combine proofs before they reach Ethereum
The proposed mechanism is described in EIP-8288, titled In-mempool signature and proof aggregation.
Buterin and Ethereum researcher Thomas Coratger created the proposal on June 3, 2026.
According to the official specification, the system would let transactions declare which cryptographic statements must be verified without including all of the original proof material in the final block.
Those declarations would identify the verification scheme, a hash representing the relevant data and a hash associated with the verification key.
The network would use these references to connect transactions with evidence that the required operations were performed correctly.
Users would generate signatures or cryptographic proofs outside Ethereum’s main execution environment.
The proposal allows these proofs to be combined recursively, meaning one proof can establish the validity of several smaller proofs.
Instead of individually verifying every original signature and STARK, Ethereum would verify an aggregated proof covering the relevant transaction dependencies.
A STARK is a cryptographic proof that allows someone to demonstrate that a computation was performed correctly without requiring every verifier to repeat the entire calculation.
The proposed aggregation system would use Lean Ethereum tooling to generate and verify these proofs.
EIP-8288 describes a new transaction frame mode that would declare cryptographic dependencies. The proposal builds on EIP-8141, which introduces a framework for transactions with multiple execution and verification steps.
At the block level, a recursive STARK would demonstrate that the declared dependencies had been satisfied.
The system would continue recording necessary transaction information and cryptographic commitments on Ethereum.
However, its intended design would avoid publishing the original large signatures and proofs as ordinary transaction calldata.
The proposal is not a plan to remove all transaction data from the blockchain or allow applications to operate without verifiable records.
Quantum-resistant signatures are a major part of the proposal
EIP-8288 includes support for cryptographic signatures designed to resist attacks from future quantum computers.
Ethereum currently relies on established digital signature systems for account authentication and blockchain consensus.
Developers are researching alternatives that would remain secure if sufficiently powerful quantum computers become available.
Some proposed quantum-resistant signatures are much larger than the signatures used in conventional Ethereum transactions.
According to EIP-8288, hash-based signatures under consideration can require roughly 2–3 kilobytes and an estimated 150,000–200,000 gas to verify directly.
Lattice-based signatures present comparable challenges in the proposal’s cost discussion.
STARK proofs can require more than 128 kilobytes, with some configurations reaching approximately 512 kilobytes when optimized for fast proof generation.
Including large amounts of this material directly in transactions could create substantial data and execution costs.
Vitalik Buterin argued that users should be able to produce their preferred signatures locally and prove their validity through STARK aggregation.
He discussed the possibility of using lattice-based cryptography for Ethereum accounts and wallets if the relevant security assumptions were established.
His October 19 statement referred specifically to cryptography that might be proven secure against AI-related attacks. That condition is separate from the standard definition of resistance to quantum-computer attacks.
Earlier reporting on Ethereum’s roadmap described how quantum resistance and privacy had become priorities for the network’s future development.
The roadmap includes changes to signature verification and the cryptographic systems supporting Ethereum’s consensus and data availability.
EIP-8288 addresses part of that work by proposing a common method for verifying multiple cryptographic schemes.
Recursive aggregation would start before block production
The proposed process does not depend solely on a block producer collecting every signature and generating one final proof.
EIP-8288 describes recursive aggregation beginning in Ethereum’s mempool, where transactions wait before being included in blocks.
Under the design, users would submit transactions along with the cryptographic evidence required to authorize them.
Mempool participants could validate the submitted evidence, combine several proofs into one and pass the resulting package to other participants.
The specification describes an aggregation interval of 1,000 milliseconds for this process.
Block builders would then collect the relevant transactions and aggregated proofs before constructing an Ethereum block.
A final recursive STARK would cover the dependencies associated with the transactions selected for inclusion.
The draft proposes technical limits intended to prevent malicious users from overwhelming the aggregation system with excessive proof requirements.
For example, its current parameters allow up to 16 specified signature dependencies and one STARK dependency per transaction.
The specification also addresses compatibility with FOCIL, a proposed transaction-inclusion mechanism designed to make censorship more difficult.
An Ethereum analysis of proof-based verification published in September examined the distinction between verifying a computation’s result and ensuring the underlying data remains accessible.
EIP-8288 addresses cryptographic verification while retaining the transaction information needed to identify and validate dependencies.
Its design introduces additional work for mempool participants and block builders, which would need to generate, update and combine proofs. The proposal’s security section identifies the correctness of the proof circuits, hashing functions and recursive verification as assumptions that require careful evaluation.
EIP-8288 remains a draft requiring network approval
The official Ethereum Improvement Proposal repository classifies EIP-8288 as a draft standards-track proposal in the core category.
Its implementation would alter Ethereum’s consensus rules because blocks containing the proposed recursive proof format would not be understood by nodes running software without the update.
The specification identifies EIP-2718 and EIP-8141 as dependencies. Several implementation details remain incomplete, including parameters associated with the aggregated verification key and dependency hashing.
The proposal’s reference implementation is listed as forthcoming. Ethereum developers would need to complete technical work, review the security assumptions and agree on network activation before the design could be deployed. The repository does not currently list an approved mainnet activation date for EIP-8288.
The proposal’s existing test cases cover individual signature verification, multiple proof dependencies, invalid recursive proofs, mempool aggregation and compatibility with transaction inclusion lists.
Its backward-compatibility section states that ordinary transactions without the new cryptographic verification frames would retain their existing behavior.
Nodes that do not implement the new rules would reject transactions using the proposed frame mode and blocks carrying the recursive proof header.
The proposal therefore requires a coordinated network upgrade before its cryptographic aggregation system can become part of Ethereum’s mainnet rules.
JPMorgan podle agentury Bloomberg rozšiřuje depozitní token JPM Coin na síť Ethereum pro institucionální platby, vypořádání tokenizovaných aktiv a poskytování kolaterálu.
JPMorgan takes JPM Coin to Ethereum for institutional clients: ReportJPMorgan is reportedly expanding its JPM Coin deposit token to Ethereum, allowing institutional clients to make payments and settle tokenized asset transactions.
JPMorgan Chase, the world’s biggest bank by market capitalization, is expanding its JPM Coin deposit token to Ethereum, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
JPM Coin represents US dollar deposits held at JPMorgan and lets eligible clients transfer funds within seconds, around the clock.
Emma Landriault, global head of Kinexys Labs, said crypto companies could use the token for blockchain payments, while financial institutions could use it to settle trades and post collateral.
Landriault said JPMorgan chose Ethereum for its liquidity and existing use among clients. While the tokens are issued on public networks, JPM Coin will remain restricted to approved institutional participants.
The expansion follows JPMorgan’s November 2025 rollout of JPM Coin on Base, an Ethereum layer-2 network built by cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. At the time, JPMorgan said it planned to support additional public blockchains. In January, JPMorgan announced plans to bring JPM Coin to the Canton Network.
Cointelegraph contacted JPMorgan for additional details but did not receive an immediate response.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
Standard Chartered umožnila profesionálním investorům ve Spojených arabských emirátech obchodovat s bitcoinem a etherem přímo z bankovních účtů bez nutnosti vlastnit vlastní kryptoměnovou peněženku.
Standard Chartered has enabled eligible wealthy clients in the United Arab Emirates to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly through their existing bank accounts.
Standard Chartered has begun offering direct cryptocurrency trading to its wealthy clients classified as professional investors in the United Arab Emirates. Under the new service, eligible clients will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum using their existing bank accounts.
According to the bank’s statement, custody and settlement operations will be conducted within the Standard Chartered ecosystem via a closed-loop model. Therefore, customers will not need to create a separate cryptocurrency wallet, store private keys, or open an account on a third-party exchange.
The service combines Standard Chartered’s asset and retail banking units with its corporate and investment banking activities. Transactions are conducted through the Zodia Markets platform, which is backed by the bank’s venture capital arm, SC Ventures.
Standard Chartered announced that it has received the necessary license approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for the service. The bank states that this product is the first of its kind offered by an international bank in the United Arab Emirates. This also marks Standard Chartered’s first foray into offering cryptocurrency trading directly to wealthy individual clients in any country.
The bank had previously launched institutional Bitcoin and Ethereum spot trading through its UK arm, later expanding its institutional service to the UAE. It also offers crypto ETFs, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives to eligible clients.
It shouldn’t be assumed that the service is open to all individual customers. Users need to meet professional investor requirements, and initially, only Bitcoin and Ethereum are supported. While Standard Chartered has stated its intention to expand the system to other markets, it has not announced any new countries or implementation schedule.
*This is not investment advice.
Follow our Telegram and X account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data!
Spoluzakladatel Etherea Vitalik Buterin představil experimentální „paranoidní režim“ pro agenty AI, který kombinuje Tor, zkAPI a lokální přeformulování promptů pro větší soukromí.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined an experimental privacy framework for artificial intelligence agents that layers anonymous payments, network anonymization, and on-device prompt handling.
The approach, which he describes as a “paranoid mode” wrapper around his personal agent harness, aims to limit the exposure of user identities and sensitive details when agents interact with external language models.
The system is packaged as a daemon compatible with the OpenAI application programming interface. Inside it, three distinct protections operate together.
First, every conversation is assigned its own circuit on the Tor network.
Wrapped zkAPI + Tor + extra cover traffic + local LLM prompt rewriting in an open-AI compatible daemon, and made a "paranoid mode" wrapper for my agent harness (pi):
Each conversation gets assigned a separate Tor circuit, your requests are masked with random cover traffic, zkAPI… pic.twitter.com/2y236zA0cw
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) October 16, 2026
Requests are further obscured by the injection of random cover traffic, which is intended to make genuine queries harder to distinguish from background noise on the basis of timing or volume.
Second, payment for model usage is handled through zkAPI, a protocol developed with involvement from the Open Anonymity Project and the Ethereum Foundation.
zkAPI allows a user to maintain a private balance and prove, via zero-knowledge proofs, that sufficient funds exist for a request without linking that request back to a specific on-chain deposit or wallet identity.
Third, prompts are rewritten on the user’s own machine by a local language model before they leave the device.
Buterin has indicated he uses a Qwen 3.8 Flash Next model for this step, so that stylistic markers and potentially identifying wording can be altered prior to transmission.
The agent harness itself runs inside a bubblewrap sandbox, with additional experiments underway involving MicroVM isolation.
The entire environment is then wrapped with torsocks, forcing all outbound connections through Tor.
In a short demonstration, Buterin asked the agent to perform a simple research task—identifying vegan restaurants in Tallinn—and reported that the stack returned usable results.
He characterized the overall experience as increasingly practical, while noting that the added layers introduce noticeable latency, particularly when a new conversation begins and a fresh Tor circuit must be established.Buterin has also flagged remaining limitations.
He observes that Tor, while helpful against passive observers, is far from ideal for this use case.
Cover traffic offers only modest protection if an AI service provider colludes with a Tor entry (guard) node and actively manipulates timing patterns.
In such scenarios, he suggests that a purpose-built mix network, accepting higher bandwidth overhead and continuous cover traffic, would be more appropriate.
Separately, he notes that substantially lower gas costs for zkAPI deposits and withdrawals are expected to arrive on Ethereum mainnet in the near term, which could enlarge the anonymity set available to users.
The arrangement offers a concrete illustration of how AI-powered agents might access remote models while reducing the linkage between prompts, network metadata, and payment credentials.
It does not eliminate all possible leakage paths, nor does it claim to replace the need for stronger anonymity systems in the long run. The code for the daemon and related components has been made available for inspection, allowing others to examine, test, or adapt the design.
Zakladatel společnosti TRON Justin Sun prodal 80–90 % svých ETH za 3 600–4 000 USD kvůli obavám z formace dvojitého vrcholu a prostředky přesunul do akcií Nvidia a indexu Nasdaq-100.
TLDR: Justin Sun sold 80%–90% of his Ethereum near $3,600–$4,000 after identifying a fragile double-top pattern. He has not repurchased the Ethereum sold, although he retained a smaller core position and kept Bitcoin. Following the sale, Sun shifted capital into U.S. stocks, identifying Nvidia and Nasdaq-100 exposure. Ethereum closed near $2,402 on October 17, about 33%–40% below Sun’s reported $3,600–$4,000 exit range. TRON founder Justin Sun reduced his once-dominant Ethereum position by roughly 80%–90% as the cryptocurrency approached $4,000, then redirected substantial capital into American stocks. In an October 16 interview with Jin Ming, Sun said he sold between $3,600 and $4,000 and has not repurchased those tokens.
Instead, he kept a smaller Ethereum stake while leaving his Bitcoin holdings intact. Before that decision, Ethereum had been his largest cryptocurrency holding, making the reduction his most consequential disclosed digital-asset shift. The disclosure revealed a divide between assets he considered vulnerable to a reversal and investments he wanted to retain longer term.
Nvidia and Nasdaq-100 exposure became central to that shift. However, Sun provided no token volumes, proceeds, or precise execution dates, leaving the transactions independently unverified. He described the move as a response to market structure rather than a withdrawal from decentralized finance.
Double-Top Fears Behind Justin Sun’s 80%–90% ETH Sale Near $4,000 Sun linked the sale to a double-top formation he perceived after Ethereum approached $4,800, fell back, and staged another advance. That pattern describes two attempts to sustain higher prices, although it cannot independently establish a reversal.
Justin Sun: Sold 80–90% of ETH at $3,600–$4,000, Then Bought Heavily Into US Stocks
On October 16, 2026, Justin Sun @justinsuntron said in an interview with William Joy that he had sold 80–90% of his ETH position at around $3,600–$4,000, keeping only a core holding and had not… pic.twitter.com/yNSBZIRFHr
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) October 18, 2026
He said exchange-traded fund demand supported the second rally, citing investor Tom Lee when describing its buying momentum. Rather than rely on continued support, he considered the rebound fragile and reduced his exposure.
The market subsequently weakened. Ethereum reached approximately $4,950 in August 2025 and approached $4,755 again that October. By October 17, 2026, it closed near $2,402, roughly 33%–40% below Sun’s reported selling range.
Even so, the exit did not end his Ethereum involvement. He described the network as his preferred venue for large-scale decentralized finance operations because of its deeper liquidity. The distinction separates trading an asset from using its underlying blockchain.
Nvidia and Nasdaq-100 Investments Followed the ETH Reduction After trimming ETH, Sun moved funds into U.S. equities, expecting investor attention to concentrate on American stocks. He identified Nvidia as a major holding and reported significant Nasdaq-100 exposure, without detailing allocations or purchase prices.
His position did not imply an unqualified bullish view of technology shares. Sun said he had become slightly bearish on the Nasdaq over the medium term, citing crowded AI investments and borrowing costs. That caution coincided with the Nasdaq Composite’s 2.1% decline on October 16. The index lost approximately 4.5% that week as investors questioned heavy artificial intelligence infrastructure spending.
Bitcoin remained a separate holding. Sun said he retained it throughout the previous year while monitoring potential cryptographic threats from artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He also described isolating Bitcoin in previously unused cold-storage addresses as a precaution, without predicting when such threats might materialize.
Míra spalování poplatků u Solany dosáhla 2,2 %, což je nejvyšší hodnota od začátku roku 2025; SOL/ETH tento měsíc klesl o více než 2,3 % a naráží na úroveň odporu 0,05.
This October, capital flows seem to prefer Bitcoin despite the overall risk-off mood.
Technically, it means that capital is not rotating into altcoins as the textbook fear rotation would suggest. Ethereum dominance fell 5% this month, and Bitcoin dominance increased 2.5% this month, highlighting a clear shift in market preference toward BTC.
Then, what does this imply about the SOL/ETH momentum?
The ratio jumped over 11% during the last two months but decreased by more than 2.3% so far this month. Thus, Solana seems to have difficulty gaining any significant ground against Ethereum despite the relative weakness of the latter.
Moreover, the ratio now encounters resistance at the critical level of 0.05.
Source: TradingView (SOL/ETH) Why is Solana’s activity lead missing from SOL/ETH? That said, on-chain data tell a different story.
According to data from Token Terminal, Ethereum has only recorded around 28 million transactions so far this month, compared to over 6 billion on Solana.
The key takeaway?
Solana is averaging nearly 1,500 transactions per second in 2026, which is almost 8x BNB Chain’s throughput and around 60x Ethereum’s, underscoring the network’s edge in transaction throughput.
Notably, this divergence is beginning to show in social sentiment.
Data shows Solana has overtaken Ethereum in Social Engagements, with 29.7 million engagements over the past 24 hours compared to ETH’s 28.91 million. In addition, Solana has overtaken Ethereum in Creator Activity, with 24.4k creators compared with 23k for ETH.
This suggests that there is growing social traction for SOL, even as its relative price momentum against ETH remains weak.
The key question is: Why is the market still betting on the SOL/ETH setup despite capital flows favoring Bitcoin and ETH demonstrating better price momentum than Solana [SOL]?
According to AMBCrypto, this is where Solana’s divergence in transaction activity begins to matter.
Could Solana’s fees support a SOL/ETH recovery? High transaction activity can generate fees, giving the activity comparison an economic dimension.
Solana’s Monthly Fees reached around $20 million in recent months, with October already recording $15 million. Ethereum generated approximately $8 million in fees over the comparable October period.
However, the supply implications required a closer look.
Solana burned half its Base Fees, while validators received all Priority Fees. Higher total fees therefore offered an incomplete supply picture.
The accompanying Blockworks chart put Solana’s Burn Rate at 2.2%, its highest since early 2025. That reading alone did not establish that SOL’s supply was shrinking or that burns exceeded new issuance.
Source: Blockworks What could Ethereum’s staking queues mean for SOL? Meanwhile, the staking dynamics of Ethereum [ETH] are adding another layer to the SOL/ETH setup.
According to ValidatorQueue, ETH’s entry queue has fallen from 3 million in early May to 1.23 million. At the same time, the exit queue has jumped from around 103,000 to over 1 million, suggesting that demand for new staking deposits is cooling and there is a surge in the number of validators waiting to unstake their ETH.
In short, the SOL/ETH ratio is showing a divergence between tightening supply and cautious market demand. If this trend holds, Solana’s growing burn rate and Ethereum’s increasing staking exit queue could strengthen SOL’s relative performance and set the stage for a breakout above the 0.05 level.
Final Summary Solana’s high transaction activity and rising burn rate are helping tighten SOL’s supply, even as its price struggles against ETH.
Ethereum’s rising staking exit queue could give SOL an edge and support a potential SOL/ETH breakout above 0.05.
Upgrade Glamsterdam má na finálním testnetu Hoodi před spuštěním v hlavní síti zvýšit gas limit Hoodi z 60 milionů na 200 milionů, tedy přibližně 3,3krát.
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.
According to Ethereum researcher Toni Wahrstätter, Hoodi is the final testnet before Glamsterdam reaches mainnet. The upgrade is expected to bring a major change to Ethereum's gas limit, with the proposed increase taking it from 60 million to 200 million.
That would represent a roughly 3.3-fold increase, potentially allowing more computation and transactions to be included in each block, depending on their gas requirements.
Hoodi is the final testnet before mainnet. With Glamsterdam going live soon, Ethereum will 3.3x its gas limit, from 60M to 200M. From there, 300M feels like a realistic next step.
HOT Stories
— Toni Wahrstätter ⟠ (@nero_eth) October 18, 2026 Following its activation on Sepolia on October 6, the Glamsterdam network upgrade is now scheduled for the Hoodi testnet. Glamsterdam advances Ethereum's L1 scaling roadmap with enshrined proposer-builder separation, block-level access lists, and gas pricing changes that better reflect the cost of execution and state growth.
The Glamsterdam network upgrade will activate on Hoodi at epoch 132,352, slot 4,235,264 (October 26, 2026, 17:42:48 UTC). At the same epoch, Hoodi's gas limit will be raised to 200 million via the gas limit schedule, matching the Sepolia testnet.
You Might Also Like
Wahrstätter suggested that 300 million for Ethereum's gas limit could become a realistic next step after the proposed 200 million target. However, that figure should be treated as a potential future milestone rather than a confirmed part of the Glamsterdam upgrade.
According to Ethereum developers, the mainnet activation time for the Glamsterdam upgrade will be announced once decided by client teams.
Hegotá eyes 2027 launchPreparations for Hegotá are shaping up as Glamsterdam nears the final mile. According to Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin, Hegota—the fork planned for next year—may likely be Ethereum's last "normal" fork, with features and technology that would be recognizable to someone from 2015.
You Might Also Like
Everything after that involves recursive STARKs, automated formal verification, highly optimized consensus algorithms, and making it all quantum-safe. With PeerDAS, Ethereum began its transition from being just a blockchain to something much more powerful.
Starting after Hegotá, this transformation becomes Ethereum's primary story. The outcome: a cryptographic world computer. According to Ethereum researcher Toni Wahrstätter, 23 EIPs are being considered for Hegotá, with two headliners (FOCIL and Frame Transactions).
Z Coinbase Institutional bylo do neznámé peněženky převedeno 23 528 ETH v hodnotě 57,88 milionu USD, zatímco týdenní čistý odliv ETH z kryptoburz dosáhl téměř 1,5 miliardy USD.
A major Ethereum transaction recently caught market attention after 23,528 ETH moved from Coinbase Institutional to an unknown wallet. According to Whale Alert, this transfer was valued at around $57.88 million worth of ETH, marking a significant movement from an institutional custody.
However, the receiving address remained unidentified, leaving the wallet’s ownership and the purpose of the transaction unclear.
Meanwhile, on the other side, BlackRock reportedly sold approximately $69.68 million worth of ETH, introducing another significant institutional development.
These developments notably emerged during a period of significant exchange outflows, reflecting contrasting signals around Ethereum’s institutional activity.
ETH exchange outflows approach fourth consecutive week Here, it’s worth noting that Ethereum’s spot exchange flows recorded three consecutive weeks of net outflows, extending a sustained withdrawal trend. In particular, the recent weekly reading approached -$1.5 billion, hinting at significant withdrawals from trading platforms.
In case netflows remain negative through the weekly close on 19th October, Ethereum will complete its fourth consecutive week of outflows.
These sustained withdrawals have reduced exchange-side supply, potentially limiting the amount of ETH readily available for selling.
The fall in exchange balances, however, did not establish an automatic stronger demand or guarantee a price recovery. Instead, the sustained outflows contrasted with ETH’s weak price performance, hinting at a divergence between exchange activity and market direction.
Source: CoinGlass Are Ethereum traders still betting on a price recovery? Despite the fall in price, Ethereum derivatives traders predominantly maintained a bullish position across major trading platforms.
According to Coinglass, ETH’s OI-Weighted Funding Rate remained positive at 0.0037%, hinting at continued demand for long exposure as longs paid shorts.
Meanwhile, Binance’s top trader accounts recorded a notable imbalance between bullish and bearish positions. Specifically, the long positions accounted for 69.78% compared to the 30.22% holding short positions. The positioning resulted in a Long/Short Ratio of 2.31 as bullish accounts outnumbered the bearish accounts.
These metrics together reflected persistent bullish positioning even when Ethereum failured to record a meaningful price recovery. However, the long positions concentration also increased exposure to potential liquidations in case ETH extends its decline.
Ultimately, the derivatives positioning provided a more optimistic outlook than Ethereum’s underlying technical structure.
Source: CoinGlass ETH approaches $2,400 as bearish signals intensify After correcting from the $2,800-resistance area, Ethereum [ETH] sat at around $2,429. The pullback pushed ETH towards the $2,400-support, although the bulls were trying to prevent a sustained breakdown.
Also, on the daily chart, the price action highlighted repeated attempts to stabilize around the prevailing demand area, keeping the technical support structure intact.
The Parabolic SAR indicator, however, remained above ETH at $2,638.98, validating the prevailing bearish trend.
The MACD indicator fell to -41.36, below its Signal line, to produce a negative histogram. This confirmed that bearish pressure has continued to dominate the market.
The $2,400-support level will remain crucial since a breakdown below it could expose ETH to another corrective leg. Especially if the bears continue to maintain control.
Source: TradingView Final Summary Ethereum’s exchange outflows continued for a fourth potential week despite persistent price weakness. ETH remained above $2,400, but bearish indicators increased the risk of a further fall.
Americké krypto ETF zaznamenaly ve dnech 12.–16. října čistý odliv ve výši 610,7 milionu USD; fondy zaměřené na ethereum odepsaly 320,1 milionu USD, tedy více než bitcoinové fondy, z nichž odteklo 228,4 milionu USD.
U.S. crypto ETFs tracked across five Farside Investors tables have recorded $610.7 million in net outflows during Oct. 12–16, with Ethereum funds losing more money than Bitcoin products.
Summary
$610.7 million left the five tracked ETF categories, down from $1.29 billion the previous week. Ethereum ETFs lost $320.1 million, with BlackRock’s ETHA accounting for $299 million. Bitcoin funds recorded $228.4 million in withdrawals despite two positive trading sessions. Solana, Zcash and Hyperliquid products lost a combined $62.2 million during the five-session period. Farside Investors’ daily figures put Ethereum ETF withdrawals at $320.1 million, followed by $228.4 million from Bitcoin funds, while Solana, Zcash and Hyperliquid products finished the week negative.
Crypto ETF withdrawals fall 52.5% from the previous week Calculated from Farside’s five tables, weekly net withdrawals fell 52.5% from $1.2863 billion during Oct. 5–9. Each tracked category remained negative, although Bitcoin, Ethereum and Zcash recorded smaller losses than in the preceding period.
As crypto.news previously reported, the same five groups lost $1.29 billion during that earlier week. Bitcoin accounted for $678.9 million of those withdrawals, while Ethereum products shed $542.2 million.
The latest daily totals, calculated across Farside’s tables, show that Tuesday was the only session with combined net inflows. Funds attracted $194.3 million that day after losing $155.5 million on Monday.
Wednesday brought $393.4 million in withdrawals, the largest daily loss of the reporting period. Another $90.1 million left on Thursday, followed by $166 million on Friday.
Across the five-session window, Bitcoin and Ethereum accounted for $548.5 million, or approximately 89.8%, of the combined net withdrawal calculated from Farside’s figures.
A separate CoinShares update published Oct. 16 reported $434 million in withdrawals from global digital asset investment products during its reporting week. Its global product coverage and reporting cutoff differ from the five U.S. ETF categories aggregated here.
CoinShares attributed its reported withdrawals to changing interest rate expectations after U.S. inflation and retail sales releases. Its assessment concerned its own dataset; Farside’s tables provide fund flows without assigning a cause to individual transactions.
Ethereum ETF losses reach $320.1 million Ethereum funds recorded four negative sessions and one positive day in Farside’s table. Monday’s $85.4 million withdrawal was followed by $24.8 million in Tuesday inflows, before Wednesday brought the week’s largest exit at $129.5 million.
Thursday and Friday added respective withdrawals of $60.3 million and $69.7 million. Calculated across the table’s daily entries, BlackRock’s ETHA lost $299 million, equivalent to 93.4% of the category’s net weekly outflow.
Fidelity’s FETH attracted $10.5 million over the week, while Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust lost $12.4 million. Grayscale’s ETHE recorded an $18.3 million withdrawal, and Franklin Templeton’s EZET shed $900,000.
The remaining Ethereum products showed no net flows during the period in Farside’s table.
Elsewhere in the U.S. Ethereum fund market, VanEck requested withdrawal of its proposed Lido Staked Ethereum ETF registration in an Oct. 14 filing, as reported Oct. 15.
The sponsor’s SEC submission said it “does not intend to proceed with the planned distribution” of the trust’s shares. VanEck confirmed that the registration statement had not become effective and that no securities had been issued or sold under it.
The filing sought the SEC’s consent to withdraw the registration statement under Rule 477. It concerned a proposed offering that had never issued shares, separate from the operating funds in Farside’s weekly flow table.
Bitcoin ETFs lose $228.4 million despite Tuesday buying Bitcoin funds recorded their strongest session on Tuesday, attracting $175.7 million, according to Farside. Wednesday’s $261.4 million withdrawal exceeded that intake, and Friday ended with another $82.4 million exit.
BlackRock’s IBIT lost $165.4 million over the week, calculated from its five daily entries. Fidelity’s FBTC shed $60.2 million, while Morgan Stanley’s MSBT attracted $6.7 million and Bitwise’s BITB added $2.2 million.
Invesco’s BTCO lost $4.1 million, and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust recorded $7.6 million in withdrawals.
Earlier in October, Bitcoin funds had suffered $484.9 million in withdrawals during the Oct. 7 session. Coverage published Oct. 8 identified that as their largest daily outflow since June 25, when withdrawals reached $691.7 million.
Solana funds record a second week of daily outflows Solana products lost $25.5 million during Oct. 12–16, with every session negative in Farside’s table. The category recorded $25 million in withdrawals across five negative sessions the previous week.
Bitwise’s BSOL accounted for $18.8 million of the latest weekly loss, calculated from its daily entries. Grayscale’s GSOL shed $6 million on Thursday, while VSOL lost $700,000 on Monday.
Friday’s $12.7 million withdrawal, entirely from BSOL, was the category’s largest daily exit of the week.
Zcash’s tracked ZCSH product lost $19.2 million, according to Farside’s daily figures. Wednesday brought $3.7 million in inflows, but Thursday’s $14.8 million withdrawal exceeded that intake.
Hyperliquid products recorded $17.5 million in weekly withdrawals. Farside’s entries show losses of $6.4 million from BHYP, $8.5 million from THYP and $2.6 million from HYPG.
Thursday accounted for $10.3 million of Hyperliquid’s weekly net outflow, including $7.1 million from THYP. Farside recorded zero net flows across all three products on Tuesday and Friday.
Otevřené pozice ve futures na Ethereum dosáhly 30,59 miliardy USD, přesto za 24 hodin klesly o 0,42 %. Likvidace dlouhých pozic převýšily likvidace krátkých pozic.
Ethereum Derivatives carried $30.59 billion in futures open interest, although the aggregate book slipped 0.42% during the latest 24-hour period.
Calls represented 61.75% of Ethereum options open interest, but 24-hour put volume narrowly exceeded call volume, showing balanced near-term flow.
Long liquidations exceeded short liquidations over both 24-hour and 12-hour windows, while positive funding kept leveraged bulls paying shorts.
Max pain levels differed across Deribit, OKX, and Binance for October and December, so they do not form one market-wide price target.
Ethereum derivatives are sending mixed messages as ETH trades inside a weekly range. The token moved between $2,324 and $2,575 during the week, while futures traders maintained $30.59 billion in open interest. Options positioning still tilted toward calls, which accounted for 61.75% of outstanding contracts. Yet the futures book slipped, positive funding persisted, and liquidations struck more longs than shorts.
Ethereum derivatives therefore show substantial bullish positioning without a clear signal. The split matters because calls can serve hedging strategies, while rising leverage creates vulnerability during sharp price moves. ETH traded near $2,428 intraday on October 17.
Ethereum Derivatives Keep $30B in Futures as OI Slips
Outstanding Ethereum futures totaled 12.63 million ETH, valued at $30.59 billion, after a 0.42% daily decline. Open interest tracks active contracts rather than completed trades. Binance held $8.73 billion, or 28.55% of the total. MEXC followed with $3.25 billion, narrowly above CME at $3.24 billion.
Binance’s share made it the largest venue in the reported futures rankings. Other venues held smaller shares of exposure.
Source: Coinglass
Hyperliquid carried $2.61 billion, followed by Bybit at $2.15 billion and Bitget at $2 billion. The distribution shows liquidity remains spread between centralized platforms, a regulated exchange, and a perpetuals DEX. Large open interest does not identify the market direction by itself. It shows the amount of capital still exposed to future price changes.
That distinction matters when comparing dollar open interest across exchanges. ETH price changes can alter the book’s reported value even if contract quantities change less.
Exchange trends were uneven. MEXC added 6.49% to its open interest, and Bitget grew 1.22%. Bitunix fell 11.27%, BingX lost 7.57%, and Hyperliquid declined 1.70%. CME also contracted 1.11%, pointing to selective rather than broad leverage growth.
Ethereum derivatives still held a large aggregate futures book, but the liquidation data put bulls on notice. The market recorded 3,222 long liquidations against 2,181 shorts in 24 hours. The 12-hour count showed 2,651 longs liquidated, compared with 876 shorts. Positive funding near 0.0053 meant longs continued paying shorts.
Ethereum Options Show Bullish Calls but Fragile Long Positions
Ethereum options carried 1.59 million ETH in calls and 983,689 ETH in puts. That composition gave calls a 61.75% share of open interest. Still, the newest flow was nearly balanced. Twenty-four-hour volume reached 414,521 ETH for calls and 420,513 ETH for puts.
Ethereum derivatives can look call-heavy without proving that every holder expects an immediate rally. Traders may use calls to hedge short exposure or structure spreads. The put activity near the spot also remained visible. Bybit’s $2,100 and $2,200 put led several high-volume contracts. $2,500 calls also traded actively on Binance and Bybit.
Deribit’s December 25 $3,200 call held the largest individual position at 69,667 ETH. Its $2,200 call held 51,016 ETH, and an October 30 $2,600 call held 38,043 ETH. These positions show interest across several price levels and expiries. They do not prove a single outright bullish view.
Ethereum options max pain readings differed by exchange. For October 30, Deribit and Binance pointed to $2,500, while OKX stood near $2,650. For December 25, Deribit showed $2,200, OKX $2,300, and Binance $2,500. Max pain represents a theoretical payout-minimizing level, not a price target.
CME options exposure had also declined toward 50,000 ETH by October from above 500,000 ETH earlier in 2026. Its dollar position readings fell near $10 million after exceeding $70 million in late 2025. Ethereum derivatives remain divided between a reduced CME options footprint and larger crypto-native futures markets.
Standard Chartered spouští pro majetné klienty v SAE obchodování s bitcoinem a etherem přímo prostřednictvím bankovních účtů, včetně úschovy a vypořádání v rámci banky.
Standard Chartered is introducing a cryptocurrency trading solution that lets its wealthy UAE clients buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly through their existing bank accounts in a closed-loop system with institutional custody.
The bank says this marks a global first for the institution and the UAE’s first such offering by an international bank, regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
Eligible affluent clients can execute trades within the bank’s ecosystem where Standard Chartered handles custody and settlement to reduce third-party risks through collaboration with its wealth and corporate businesses plus SC Ventures-backed Zodia Markets.
The service launches first for Professional Investor clients in the UAE with expansion planned to other markets later and builds on the bank’s existing crypto access through ETFs, structured products and OTC derivatives.
Samir Subberwal, Global Head of Wealth Solutions at the bank, highlights growing client interest in digital assets.
“With digital assets moving into mainstream wealth conversations, clients are increasingly looking not only for access, but also for the security, trust and confidence that comes from investing through a regulated and trusted institution.”
Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, notes the strategic fit with the region.
“We are proud to be the first international bank in the UAE to launch a cryptocurrency trading offering. The UAE was a natural choice for this launch, given the country’s forward-looking approach to innovation, strong regulatory environment and growing leadership in digital assets. This also reflects the strategic importance of the UAE within our network as one of our four global wealth hubs.”
Deutsche Bank, Germany's top bank, is set to roll out a crypto custody service in the coming weeks, a major step to deepen the company's presence in the world of digital assets.
It plans to start by providing custody services for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). The company will later expand its digital asset offerings,
Gerald Podobnik, co-head of the corporate banking division at Deutsche Bank, announced the company's plans at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Bangkok.
HOT Stories
The new custody service will first be rolled out in Germany. The bank plans to expand its presence in key financial centers across Asia by 2027.
The bank also has plans to offer services that will enable its clients to convert fiat to stablecoins and vice versa.
The custody service is mainly targeted at institutions and corporate entities and not individual crypto investors.
As per the bank's earlier announcement, the company will help manage crypto wallets and private keys on behalf of its clients so they do not have to set up their own custody.
The bank had mentioned some stablecoins like USDC and EURC as part of the assets it plans to offer custody for when the service is launched. The fiat-to-stablecoin conversion services will come later.
Deutsche Bank is doubling down on blockchainDeutsche Bank is also working to roll out tokenized deposits and help corporate clients issue securities such as digital bonds on the blockchain.
Tokenized deposits are simply traditional bank deposits on a blockchain. This could help financial institutions move and settle funds using blockchain technology.
On the other hand, issuing bonds on a blockchain can simplify the process of issuing and settling debt securities.
Podobnik also said the bank believes blockchain-based financial products will be a complement to the bank's existing infrastructure and not a substitute for traditional financial services.
This move is part of Deutsche Bank's corporate banking strategy. They aim to see an 8% compound annual revenue increase until 2028.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has introduced an advanced framework for anonymous payments and privacy-preserving agent interactions in the Ethereum ecosystem. The initiative centers on an OpenAI-compatible agent daemon designed to process requests while erasing identifiable information through local prompt rewriting. Buterin reported that he is using the “qwen3.8-flash-next” language model for these tasks, which helps obscure stylistic and user signatures before relaying requests to external models.
Privacy measures and technical designEvery conversation managed by Buterin’s agent is assigned a dedicated Tor circuit to conceal network identity. Outbound requests are routed through Tor, and random cover traffic is introduced to disrupt timing patterns and further mask activity. This architecture aims to prevent possible correlation between user prompts, payment credentials, and network metadata.
Payments for agent interactions utilize zkAPI, a privacy-focused protocol created by the Open Anonymity Project with support from the Ethereum Foundation. With zkAPI, users top up private balances and employ zero-knowledge proofs to show sufficient funds for agent requests, effectively separating wallet identity from query data. The protocol has been live on Ethereum mainnet since October 1.
The agent harness itself is sandboxed using bwrap and is experimenting with MicroVM isolation for additional security. The entire platform is wrapped with torsocks to ensure all outgoing traffic passes through Tor, providing an extra layer of anonymity and privacy. Buterin has also implemented a “paranoid mode,” which adds further randomization to traffic and request handling.
Mini dictionary: zkAPI, or zero-knowledge API, is a protocol enabling private payments by allowing users to prove fund availability without revealing linkages between deposits and specific transactions. This system leverages advanced cryptographic proofs to protect user anonymity and transactional privacy.
Wrapped zkAPI, Tor, additional cover traffic, plus local LLM prompt rewriting are combined in an OpenAI-compatible daemon, allowing agent requests to remain unlinkable and private through a “paranoid mode” that assigns each conversation a separate Tor circuit and adds random cover activity.
Implications for agent-based financeWith autonomous AI agents increasingly engaging directly in economic activities—holding digital assets, accessing financial protocols, and interacting with data providers—Buterin stressed the importance of preventing leakage of sensitive information. He argued that linkages between wallet activity, prompt content, and network address can compromise user privacy.
The combination of zkAPI and advanced network obfuscation offers developers a way to build agents on Ethereum, and potentially other blockchains, that can cover their payment trails. This removes the risk of exposing wallet balances or revealing user behavior patterns via payment metadata.
Developers interested in leveraging inference markets or creating complex agent harnesses may find these tools critical for maintaining confidentiality and operational separation between agent actions and user identity.
Technical challenges and future developmentsButerin acknowledged that while Tor and cover traffic can defend against passive surveillance, they may not fully protect against adversaries with the ability to correlate timing data from both ends of a communication channel. He pointed out that Tor was not originally intended for this application and noted limitations in preventing active correlation attacks.
He suggested that mixnets, which delay and shuffle messages and add constant cover traffic, can counter more sophisticated threats, but often introduce additional latency and bandwidth costs. Buterin indicated that this kind of persistent privacy challenge might be better addressed by a dedicated mixnet infrastructure rather than low-latency anonymity networks.
Usability remains satisfactory despite some increase in latency, especially when initiating fresh dialogues. Buterin noted that lower gas fees for deposits and withdrawals with zkAPI are expected soon, potentially expanding its appeal on mainnet as more developers adopt agent harnesses and inference markets.
Developer adoption and real-world use will determine the effectiveness of this privacy-focused stack as Ethereum continues to evolve toward more autonomous, agent-driven activity.
a16z představilo Aerie, systém pro agregaci kvantově odolných podpisů; v testech zpracovalo 32 768 podpisů Falcon za 0,65 sekundy, tedy 29krát rychleji než leanVM v Ethereu.
Ethereum’s proposed approach to quantum resistant security could introduce unnecessary complexity and conflict with its long term privacy ambitions, according to Justin Thaler, a researcher at a16z crypto.
In a Friday research announcement, Thaler and a team of cryptographers introduced Aerie, a system designed to aggregate thousands of quantum resistant digital signatures into a single cryptographic proof.
The researchers argue that lattice based cryptography offers significant performance advantages over the hash based systems being developed as part of Ethereum’s long term roadmap.
The announcement comes as Ethereum works toward making its consensus, execution and data layers resistant to potential quantum computing attacks by December 2029.
Aerie challenges Ethereum’s quantum security approach Ethereum currently relies on BLS signatures, which allow thousands of validator approvals to be combined efficiently. However, the cryptographic system is not considered resistant to sufficiently powerful quantum computers.
Replacing these signatures presents a challenge because existing quantum resistant alternatives are substantially larger and more expensive to aggregate.
Ethereum researchers have been developing leanVM, a system that uses cryptographic proofs to compress signatures and reduce the burden on validators.
However, Thaler argues that the hash based approach requires multiple rounds of recursive proof aggregation, adding computational costs and complexity.
Aerie instead combines lattice based signatures with lattice based cryptographic proofs, allowing thousands of signatures to be aggregated directly.
In tests conducted on an Apple M4 Max laptop without GPU acceleration, Aerie aggregated 32,768 Falcon signatures in 0.65 seconds, equivalent to more than 50,000 signatures per second.
The resulting data averaged approximately 42 bytes per signature, while proof verification took 54 milliseconds on a single CPU core.
According to the researchers, Aerie processed consensus signatures 29 times faster than Ethereum’s leanVM in comparable benchmarks. The advantage increased to roughly 60 times for stateless transaction signatures.
The results are based on the researchers’ published benchmarks and do not establish how the system would perform across a live blockchain network.
Researchers question whether hash based systems can support private transactions Beyond performance, Thaler raised concerns about the compatibility of Ethereum’s proposed cryptographic architecture with its privacy objectives.
The Ethereum Foundation’s draft roadmap identifies both quantum resistant security and native private transactions as long term priorities.
However, Thaler argues that relying exclusively on hash based cryptography cannot provide all the functionality required for private payments.
Private transfers require encryption so recipients can securely receive information about transactions, including when the sender and recipient have never communicated before.
Public key encryption cannot be constructed from hash functions alone in a general black box setting, according to established cryptographic research.
As a result, Thaler argues that Ethereum may eventually need structured cryptographic systems, such as lattices, regardless of whether it adopts them for signatures and proofs.
He also challenged concerns that future AI advances could compromise lattice cryptography, arguing that speculative attacks should be weighed against the complexity of existing alternatives.
Nevertheless, lattice based systems carry their own security and implementation challenges. The Aerie researchers acknowledge that Falcon signing has historically required complex arithmetic and substantial memory, although recent improvements have reduced those requirements.
Ethereum has not committed to adopting Aerie, and its proposed quantum resistant architecture remains under development.
The Ethereum Foundation currently aims to achieve full quantum resistance across the network by December 2029, with research continuing into signature aggregation, cryptographic security and private transactions.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
An OpenAI agent ran out of Ethereum funds, and took from a wallet it did not own. (Ethereum)Кратко
An internal OpenAI research model used a publicly available recovery phrase to access and spend from another person’s cryptocurrency wallet after it ran out of funds during a coding assignment.The June 26 incident occurred on Ethereum’s Sepolia test network, whose tokens have no connection to ether traded on the main network, and OpenAI discovered it on Sept. 25.The model completed the assignment without disclosing the source of the funds, prompting OpenAI to add internet-access restrictions and increased monitoring.An OpenAI research model stuck without funds on an Ethereum test network went looking for someone else’s wallet, found one through recovery phrases that were already public, and spent from it to finish a coding assignment, the company disclosed Thursday.
The incident occurred on June 26 during training of an internal model in the GPT-5.6 Sol family, and OpenAI discovered it on Sept. 25, according to its incident report.
The model needed no hacking skills to get in.
A recovery phrase, also called a seed phrase, is a list of words that generates a wallet’s secret keys; whoever has those words can recreate the accounts and spend from them without ever touching the owner’s device.
The assignment let the model deploy contracts, programs that run on a blockchain, but gave it no funded wallet to pay the fees. After its attempts to get free test tokens failed, it wrote a script that checked 362 addresses generated from recovery phrases commonly used by developers and found one with enough money.
“But using public known key/funds ethically?” the model asked itself in its recorded reasoning, before deciding that a public phrase and test tokens made it acceptable.
How an AI found someone else’s wallet and spent from it. (Shaurya Malwa/CoinDesk)The spending happened on Sepolia, a separate network where developers rehearse Ethereum applications before launching them. Its tokens only pay for testing and aren't linked to the ether traded on Ethereum’s main network.
The deployment went through, and the wallet paid the fees. When the model reported back, it said the work was done and left out where the money came from. OpenAI said it has since added restrictions on internet access and more monitoring.
Crypto and AI companies are building agents that hold wallets and pay for services without a person signing off on each step.
OpenAI’s model ran out of money mid-task, found a wallet that wasn’t its own and spent from it without asking. Had it been on Ethereum’s main network, that would have been real ether taken from someone else’s account.
V Thajsku vstoupila v platnost pravidla pro ETF na Bitcoin a Ethereum. Fondy musí pasivně sledovat jediné aktivum a udržovat alespoň 80% průměrnou čistou expozici vůči němu.
16 October 2026 | 12:21 Thailand’s crypto-ETF rules took effect on October 16, allowing local issuers to establish Bitcoin and Ethereum funds under new requirements for fund management, custody and Stock Exchange of Thailand trading.
Key Takeaways Bitcoin and Ethereum are the first assets eligible for Thai crypto ETFs. Funds must use a passive strategy and maintain at least 80% average net exposure. Underlying crypto must be held by an SEC-regulated custodian. Brokers cannot offer margin loans for crypto-ETF purchases. The rules do not announce a fund, ticker or first trading date. Before investors can buy a Thai crypto ETF, an issuer must still publish its prospectus, appoint service providers and complete the listing process.
Thailand’s full crypto-ETF rule package is now in force The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission’s October 8 announcement set out 11 notifications governing the creation and supervision of domestic crypto ETFs. The package covers fund structures, service providers, investor protections and the ability of Thai funds to invest in locally listed crypto ETFs.
It follows the earlier policy move that cleared the way for locally listed Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. The rules now define the route a fund manager must follow, but they do not establish that any issuer has completed it.
What a Thai Bitcoin or Ethereum ETF must look like During the initial phase, Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only eligible crypto assets. The SEC said it will determine any future additions by considering factors including liquidity, broad market acceptance, network security and investor protection.
Fund-design rule: Each crypto ETF must passively track a single eligible crypto asset and maintain average net exposure of at least 80% of its net asset value over each accounting year.
Crypto ETFs must list and trade exclusively on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Thai mutual funds and private funds may also invest in locally listed crypto ETFs, subject to their existing investment limits. Permission to invest does not require any fund manager to allocate capital.
The SEC has also limited certain foreign alternatives during the initial phase. Thailand will not permit locally issued depositary receipts referencing foreign crypto ETFs, while securities companies may not facilitate foreign crypto-ETF investments for clients who are neither institutional investors nor ultra-high-net-worth investors.
Who manages, safeguards and distributes a future fund? Investors in an ETF hold fund units rather than the underlying Bitcoin or Ethereum themselves. The framework therefore places obligations on the parties responsible for managing the fund, safeguarding its assets and providing trading access.
Participant Role in a crypto ETF Asset manager Establishes and manages the fund, with adequate staff, systems and service-provider arrangements. Digital-asset custodian Safeguards the underlying Bitcoin or Ethereum and must be regulated by the SEC. Mutual fund supervisor Oversees the fund under registration and readiness requirements specific to crypto ETFs. Securities broker Provides SET trading access and must obtain investors’ acknowledgement of product risks. Qualified digital-asset operators may apply to act as mutual fund supervisors, but eligibility to apply is not the same as being registered or appointed to a specific ETF. If a supervisor delegates safekeeping to a sub-custodian, the crypto assets must still be held by a licensed digital-asset custodian.
The SEC may allow qualified foreign custodians in future circumstances, but its October 16 rules do not provide unrestricted permission to use them. Asset managers that outsource digital-asset investment management must use a licensed digital-asset fund manager.
Investor access comes with risk checks and no margin loans Before trading a crypto ETF, investors must receive product-risk education and acknowledge their understanding of the risks. Brokers must also emphasise suitable allocation, concentrated digital-asset exposure and investment decisions that match an investor’s risk tolerance.
Securities companies cannot provide margin loans for crypto-ETF purchases. The restriction is designed to prevent broker-provided leverage from increasing an investor’s exposure to an already volatile asset class.
What must happen before investors can buy one Thailand’s rules enable an ETF launch process; they do not replace it. A prospective issuer must still complete SET’s ETF issuance and listing process and publish product-specific documents.
The first prospectuses and listing notices should identify the fund’s investment method, fee structure, custodian, fund supervisor, market-making arrangements, ETF symbol and trading date. SET’s broader ETF framework also covers disclosures around asset values, tracking information and the participants supporting trading liquidity.
October 16 establishes the legal route to a Thai Bitcoin or Ethereum ETF. A named issuer, published terms and confirmed SET listing will show when investors can actually trade one.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice. Product availability depends on applicable approvals, offering terms and exchange listings.
Author
Kosta has reported on cryptocurrency markets and blockchain infrastructure since 2020, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in the crypto industry built through daily tracking of markets, trends, and emerging blockchain developments. Specializing in Bitcoin on-chain analysis, institutional ETF flows, and digital asset price action, his work at Coindoo has been cited by other news agencies and consistently covers market developments with a focus on data-driven reporting across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Over the years, Kosta has contributed to multiple crypto media outlets in different regions, authoring over 6,000 articles across the sector. His reporting spans cryptocurrency markets and the broader fintech industry, tracking not only price action but also the technological and regulatory forces shaping the ecosystem. To support his analysis, Kosta actively leverages on-chain data and metrics from leading platforms such as Santiment, Glassnode, and CryptoQuant, enabling deeper, evidence-based market insights. He believes in the power of transparency and the data that underpins the blockchain ecosystem. His academic background in Marketing Management from Denmark further complements his analytical approach, adding a strong understanding of communication strategy and content positioning to his work.
Ethereum a jeho sítě L2 za 90 dní vypořádaly stablecoinové převody v hodnotě 16,75 bilionů USD, což představuje 77 % objemu napříč všemi sítěmi. Base z toho tvořila 8,5 bilionu USD.
Stablecoins can live on almost any blockchain. Over the past 90 days, most of their volume still flowed through one family of networks.
According to a report from Ethereum Institutional dated October 15, 2026, $16.75 trillion in stablecoin transfer volume settled on Ethereum mainnet and its layer-2 networks between July 15 and October 12, 2026. That works out to 77% of the $21.55 trillion in stablecoin transfers recorded across all networks over the same stretch.
The data comes from Token Terminal.
Where the money actually moved
The most interesting detail sits inside the total, in the breakdown by network.
Ethereum mainnet settled $7.1 trillion in stablecoin transfers during the period. Base, the layer-2 network, settled $8.5 trillion. Optimism handled $0.8 trillion, and a collection of other Ethereum layer-2s accounted for the remaining $0.35 trillion.
Base alone accounted for more than half of the Ethereum ecosystem’s $16.75 trillion total. The report places that result within a broader mid-2026 pattern: users and capital drifting toward lower-cost layer-2 networks, with Base capturing larger slices of the stablecoin transfer market.
Not exactly your morning coffee
Ethereum Institutional says the volume is driven mainly by large institutional transfers and DeFi-related flows. That includes flash loans and liquidity provision, not pure payment activity.
The report also notes that no new protocol launches or issuer-specific announcements occurred during the period. The volumes reflect ongoing trends rather than a sudden change in market structure.
Why the share matters more than the size
A 77% share of transfer volume signals that Ethereum’s ecosystem remains the default venue for serious stablecoin flows. The remaining 23% of volume, spread across other networks, represents a meaningful amount of activity. Ethereum’s lead is substantial. It is not a monopoly.
What this means for investors and builders
The Base figure complicates the story in an interesting way. Value captured by layer-2 networks does not necessarily flow back to Ethereum mainnet in proportion to the activity. A trillion dollars moving on Base generates fees on Base first.
For builders, stablecoin users appear to care about cost, and they are willing to leave mainnet to save on fees while staying inside the Ethereum ecosystem. Applications that ignore layer-2 networks may be missing where a large share of the activity now happens.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Komunita Starknetu hlasuje v nezávazném průzkumu o přechodu na samostatnou síť Layer 1 odolnou vůči kvantovým hrozbám. Token STRK zůstane zachován a mosty s Ethereem mají zůstat otevřené.
The Starknet community has begun voting to determine whether to explore a transition to a self-contained, quantum threat-resistant Layer 1 structure. The vote, which opened today and will last seven days, is non-binding.
At the heart of the proposal is the argument that a portion of Starknet’s security is tied to Ethereum’s infrastructure and update schedule. Specifically, the Ethereum bridge and data accessibility scheme are described as dependencies that Starknet cannot change on its own.
In contrast, it is argued that Starknet’s hash-based STARK proofs and computational structure provide an advantage in post-quantum security research. The standalone network option aims to bring more of this research directly under Starknet’s control.
The community announcement stated that regardless of which path is chosen, the existing token will remain STRK and no new tokens will be issued. It was also stated that the bridges from Ethereum to Starknet will remain open.
A “yes” vote won’t mean the network will immediately separate from Ethereum. First, research will begin, followed by detailed proposals and new votes. A “no” vote would mean that post-quantum security work will continue within the existing Layer 2 structure.
The chart shows the recent increase in STRK price.
*This is not investment advice.
Follow our Telegram and X account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data!
Vitalik Buterin uvedl, že Ethereum dokáže fungovat bez jeho přímého zapojení díky decentralizovanému vedení ze strany komunity. AI by podle něj mohla urychlit ambiciózní plán Lean Ethereum.
Most founders spend their careers making themselves indispensable. Vitalik Buterin keeps making the case that Ethereum should be able to run without him.
The Ethereum co-founder has again stressed that the protocol can progress without his direct involvement, as more community members take on responsibility for its core values. He made the point most recently at the Network State Conference 2026 in Singapore on October 9. It is a theme he has returned to repeatedly this year.
What Buterin said in Singapore
Buterin used the Singapore stage to describe a shift toward a widely distributed leadership model across the Ethereum community.
He also linked that shift to technology. Buterin said AI could speed up the “Lean Ethereum” roadmap, a planned overhaul meant to make the protocol more efficient.
Lean Ethereum is not a minor patch. The proposal aims to replace significant core components of the protocol, which makes it one of the more ambitious engineering projects in the ecosystem.
A smaller Ethereum Foundation, by design
In May, he said the Ethereum Foundation (EF) should become smaller and concentrate on a narrow set of core properties.
Those properties are censorship resistance, open source development, privacy and security. Everything else, in his framing, is fair game for other ecosystem participants to pick up.
Buterin also said at the time that his own personal influence would diminish.
He has described the EF as just one node among thousands in the Ethereum ecosystem.
The walkaway test
Buterin has a name for the standard he wants Ethereum to meet: the “walkaway test.” The idea is that the protocol should keep functioning through external contributions, even if any single team or person stopped showing up.
He emphasized Ethereum’s ability to pass that test at the 4th Hong Kong Web3 Festival on April 20, 2026.
Recent discussions in the community have also put weight on external support from key players across the ecosystem.
Not a new idea for Buterin
Back in 2021, at the “AskVitalikBA” conference, Buterin made the same basic point in plainer terms.
“Ethereum will exist with or without Vitalik Buterin.”
Concerns about how the EF would restructure as community involvement grew were already visible around that time.
What has changed is the specificity. In 2021, the idea was a philosophical statement. In 2026, it comes with a defined list of EF priorities, a named test, and a technical roadmap that Buterin thinks AI could accelerate.
What this means for Ethereum’s stakeholders
Buterin is actively trying to remove himself from that equation. If the walkaway test holds up in practice, Ethereum’s long-term story rests more on the depth of its contributor base than on any one name.
A smaller EF also changes the competitive dynamics inside the ecosystem. Work the foundation chooses not to do creates openings for other teams, companies and research groups.
The things to watch are concrete. One is how quickly the EF follows through on narrowing its focus to censorship resistance, open source, privacy and security. Another is which outside players step in to take on work the foundation sheds. A third is whether Lean Ethereum’s milestones actually arrive sooner, as Buterin suggests AI might allow.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Aztec Network plánuje do konce roku 2030 plně přejít na postkvantové zabezpečení; migrace však vyžaduje rozsáhlé změny v mechanismech dostupnosti dat Etherea.
Aztec Network wants to be quantum-proof by the end of 2030. The privacy-focused Ethereum Layer 2 laid out that goal in a post-quantum security roadmap published on October 15, 2026.
The plan has two layers. Aztec controls the first one. The second depends on Ethereum itself, which has its own priorities and its own schedule.
What Aztec is actually promising
The first concrete deliverable lands in February 2027. That is when Aztec plans to ship hardened developer libraries alongside improved off-the-shelf contract patterns.
Contracts on the network are written in Noir, Aztec’s programming language, and cover both public and private state.
The main threat these libraries target is known as a harvest-now-decrypt-later attack. An attacker collects encrypted data today, stores it, and waits. Once quantum computers become capable enough, the attacker cracks it open at leisure.
For a privacy network, that risk is pointed. Data posted to a public blockchain does not disappear. If it is encrypted with methods that age badly, today’s confidential transaction becomes tomorrow’s open book.
The milestones between now and 2030
After the February 2027 libraries, Aztec has proposed two further checkpoints for choosing its post-quantum building blocks, known as cryptographic primitives.
In March 2027, the target is selecting post-quantum signatures. In July 2027, the focus shifts to public-key encryption.
Both dates are proposals, not commitments carved in stone.
The end goal, by the close of 2030, is full post-quantum security across applications, protocols and Ethereum’s settlement layer. Aztec says a complete migration will require extensive changes to Ethereum’s data availability mechanisms.
A head start, according to Aztec
Aztec argues its existing infrastructure already includes foundational design choices that resist certain quantum threats, differentiating it from many other systems that rely heavily on elliptic curve cryptography.
Co-founder Zac Williamson pointed to that foresight in the protocol’s original design.
Why this matters beyond Aztec
No immediate market reaction or token-related developments accompanied the announcement.
Developers building private applications on Aztec get a clear date for when stronger tools arrive, making it easier to plan launches and audits around February 2027. Users who rely on Aztec for confidentiality face harvest-now-decrypt-later risk from data created today. Aztec’s roadmap ties its security timeline to changes in base-layer data availability, adding pressure for those changes to stay on Ethereum’s agenda.
The checkpoints to watch are the February 2027 library release and the two primitive decisions in March and July 2027.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Safe spustil Safenet Aegis na sítích Ethereum, Gnosis Chain a Arbitrum; volitelný Guard dokáže před provedením transakce v blockchainu zablokovat vyhodnocené hrozby.
Safe has moved its transaction-security network out of beta. Safenet Aegis went live in production on October 15, 2026, covering Ethereum Mainnet, Gnosis Chain, and Arbitrum.
The idea is to check a transaction before it executes and, if the user opts in, stop the bad ones onchain. Warning pop-ups are helpful. A contract that refuses to cooperate is more helpful.
The launch came through Safe’s governance structure, with Safe Foundation and SafeDAO steering the rollout. It also introduces paid transaction checks and a fresh round of staking rewards for SAFE holders.
How Safenet Aegis works
The first group of Sentinels includes OpenCover, BlockSecTeam, Candide Labs, and IntentGuard. Each operates independently of the others.
Validators then attest to those evaluations onchain. These validators are governed by SafeDAO, the community body that oversees the protocol.
The final layer is optional. Users can enable a formally verified Safenet Guard on their Safe account, which allows the network’s findings to be enforced directly onchain.
That distinction is the core of the product. Without the Guard, Aegis acts as an advisory service. With it, security goes beyond interface warnings and into the transaction logic itself.
Safe says audits for both the Guard and the staking contracts have been completed. User funds stay non-custodial throughout, so the network reviews transactions without ever taking control of the assets.
Fees, staking, and the beta numbers
The security checks are not a free add-on. Users pay onchain fees for transaction evaluations, and that money goes to the security providers doing the review.
One example given for the fee is 40 USDC.
The production launch follows a six-month beta that concluded in early October 2026. Over that stretch, approximately 4.5 million SAFE tokens were distributed as rewards.
Throughput reached around 100,000 transactions per week during the beta, giving the team a read on how the network behaves under load.
More than 72 million SAFE tokens were staked across roughly 865 participants after the beta ended.
Those participants do not need to do anything to carry their positions forward. Existing stakes transition to the production network without migration, which spares stakers the usual unstake-and-restake routine.
SafeDAO passed SEP 56, approving approximately 7.4 million SAFE from the treasury for a 12-month period that began on October 13, 2026.
The allocation is primarily earmarked for staking rewards. In practice, the DAO is underwriting a year of incentives while the fee side of the network gets established.
Background: from beta experiment to production layer
Integration into Safe{Wallet} is planned for Q4 2026. Until that ships, users looking to use Aegis will need to take the extra step of enabling the Guard themselves.
What this means for SAFE holders and Safe users
The key tension is between subsidized rewards and earned fees. For the next 12 months, SEP 56 money does much of the heavy lifting. The real test is whether paid transaction checks generate enough activity to keep Sentinels and validators engaged once that allocation runs its course.
Pricing will shape that answer. A fee like 40 USDC may be easy to justify for a treasury moving large sums, but smaller users may weigh it differently against the risk they are trying to avoid.
The launch cohort of Sentinels is four names: OpenCover, BlockSecTeam, Candide Labs, and IntentGuard. The model is built on independent judgment, so how that group grows will matter for how credible the network’s verdicts become.
Validators answer to SafeDAO, which ties the network’s reliability to the health of that DAO’s decision-making. That means governance votes now carry operational weight, not just treasury weight.
The planned Safe{Wallet} integration in Q4 2026 could move Aegis from an opt-in tool for security-minded teams to something closer to a default experience.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Kaye Quema. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Lido spustilo přímý staking ETH na sítích Arbitrum, Base, Linea a Optimism prostřednictvím Chainlink CCIP, aniž by bylo nutné aktiva ručně převádět na hlavní síť Etherea.
Lido has launched direct ETH staking through its interface on Arbitrum, Base, Linea, and Optimism, using Chainlink CCIP to eliminate manual bridging while keeping Ethereum mainnet responsible for staking operations.
Lido Launches Direct ETH Staking on Four Layer-2 Networks
Lido announced the integration on October 15, allowing users to stake ETH directly through its official platform. The service allows for the native support of 4 Ethereum Layer-2 networks, without the need for users to move assets between chains.
Users can now deposit ETH into their existing account via the interface and receive wrapped staked ETH. The token represents their staked position, while its exchange value increases as staking rewards accumulate over time.
Previously, users would need to transfer ETH to the Ethereum mainnet and then transfer their staking tokens back in the future. Lido launched the same staking route functionality via third-party platforms first before launching it inside its own platform.
Chainlink CCIP Handles Cross-Chain ETH Transfers
The staking process involves coordinating transfers between Ethereum and supported networks via Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) by Chainlink. Users receive wstETH from liquidity pools in the same L2 network where they put ETH.
The system deposits ETH behind the interface, and stakes it on Lido on Ethereum mainnet. The newly minted wstETH is then returned to the network of origin to add to the liquidity pool.
Chainlink price feeds determine conversion rates using Lido’s protocol exchange rate, without relying on exchange market prices. The integration follows Chainlink’s recent launch of CCIP Vault Adapters, which introduced another application for its cross-chain infrastructure.
Lido Maintains Ethereum Staking Fees and Reward Structure
Despite the interface update, Lido continues processing staking transactions through its existing Ethereum mainnet contracts.The protocol retains 10% of staking rewards, leaving the remaining 90% for participating stakers.
Users still pay transaction gas fees on their selected Layer-2 networks during the staking process. Separate funding of contract balances pays for cross-chain costs, which in turn does not take up staking deposits.
The launch follows VanEck’s withdrawal of its proposed Lido staked Ethereum ETF on October 14. The asset manager filed a proposed statement of withdrawal prior to the asset manager obtaining regulatory clearance for the proposed fund.
In October 2024, Lido announced direct staking support for three chains, Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism. Linea was integrated with XSwap, OpenOcean, and Interport in October of 2025.
VanEck stáhl u SEC registrační prohlášení k navrhovanému ETF Lido Staked Ethereum, který měl držet stETH a získávat odměny ze stakingu Etherea. Fond nikdy nevydal ani neprodal žádné akcie.
Asset manager VanEck has asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to withdraw its proposed Lido Staked Ethereum ETF registration, ending plans for a fund designed to hold Lido’s stETH token and earn Ethereum staking rewards.
Summary
VanEck requested withdrawal of its proposed Lido Staked Ethereum ETF through an October 14 SEC filing. The asset manager originally submitted its registration statement on October 16, 2025, seeking regulated stETH exposure. VanEck confirmed the proposed fund never issued shares, sold securities, or distributed a preliminary prospectus. The planned ETF would have held Lido stETH while accumulating rewards generated through Ethereum staking. The withdrawal request gave no detailed explanation for ending the offering or announcing replacement fund plans. VanEck Digital Assets confirmed the decision in an October 14 filing, nearly one year after submitting the original registration statement on October 16, 2025. The company said it no longer intends to offer shares in the proposed fund and confirmed that no securities were issued or sold. The filing did not disclose what prompted the decision.
The withdrawal request concerns the VanEck Lido Staked Ethereum ETF, a proposed investment product that would have allowed investors to gain exposure to Ethereum staking through shares held in traditional brokerage accounts.
In its filing, VanEck Digital Assets asked the SEC to withdraw the fund’s registration statement, including its subsequent amendments and supporting exhibits.
The company submitted the request under Rule 477 of the Securities Act of 1933. The rule provides a procedure for withdrawing certain securities registration statements with the regulator’s consent.
VanEck explained that it “does not intend to proceed with the planned distribution” of the fund’s shares.
The asset manager confirmed that the registration statement had never become effective. It stated that no shares had been issued or sold and that investors had not received a preliminary prospectus.
As a result, the proposed fund never began operating as a publicly offered ETF. No existing shareholders need to redeem investments because the offering did not proceed.
The filing requested that the SEC approve the withdrawal effective October 14 or at the earliest practicable date afterward.
VanEck did not identify a replacement investment product or explain whether it intends to return with another ETF linked to Lido’s staking tokens.
The document was signed by Matthew A. Babinsky, vice president of VanEck Digital Assets, and submitted under registration number 333-290918.
What would VanEck’s Ethereum ETF have offered? VanEck originally filed its registration statement on October 16, 2025, proposing an ETF that would hold stETH, the liquid staking token issued through the Lido protocol.
The fund’s investment objective was to track the price of stETH after accounting for operating expenses.
Unlike conventional spot Ethereum ETFs that primarily hold ETH, VanEck’s proposed product would have held tokens representing Ethereum already deposited into Lido’s staking system.
Staking allows participants to help secure Ethereum’s network and receive rewards for supporting its transaction validation process.
Through Lido, users can deposit ETH and receive stETH representing their underlying deposits and accumulated staking rewards.
The token uses a rebasing mechanism, meaning holders can receive additional stETH over time as the underlying Ethereum staking position earns rewards.
VanEck’s original prospectus explained that the fund expected to accrue certain staking rewards through its ownership of stETH.
However, those rewards were not guaranteed. The filing described risks involving validator penalties, smart contracts, liquidity and changes in the market value of Ethereum.
The proposed ETF would have tracked stETH through a benchmark developed by MarketVector, an affiliate of the asset manager.
VanEck intended to operate the product as a passive investment vehicle. Its prospectus said the fund would not attempt to predict market movements or actively trade stETH to avoid losses.
The original registration left certain operational details unfinished, including the proposed exchange ticker and named custodians.
The fund was therefore still in the registration process when VanEck decided to abandon the planned offering.
Lido welcomed VanEck’s original ETF application VanEck’s withdrawal follows an earlier announcement from the Lido ecosystem supporting the proposed investment product.
In October 2025, the Lido Ecosystem Foundation welcomed the original ETF application, describing the proposal as an opportunity to bring liquid staking exposure into traditional investment markets.
Kean Gilbert, head of institutional relations at the foundation, said the filing showed growing interest in staking products that could meet institutional investment requirements.
He described liquid staking as an important part of Ethereum’s infrastructure and pointed to Lido’s existing role in providing staking services.
At the time, Lido reported that users had earned more than $2 billion in staking rewards through its protocol since launch.
The organization placed the total value locked in the protocol near $40 billion in its October 2025 announcement. The figure represented the protocol’s position at that time, not a current valuation.
The earlier VanEck ETF application linked to Lido’s staked Ether followed the company’s October registration of the proposed trust.
An earlier Lido price rally following VanEck’s trust registration saw the LDO governance token gain approximately 7%, with trading activity increasing after the initial announcement.
However, LDO and stETH serve different purposes. LDO is the governance token associated with the Lido protocol, while stETH represents Ethereum deposited into the staking system.
VanEck’s proposed fund would have held stETH, not LDO.
The October 14 withdrawal filing provided no market data or explanation linking the decision to either token’s price performance.
SEC had previously clarified rules for liquid staking The abandoned ETF proposal followed regulatory guidance addressing certain cryptocurrency staking activities in the United States.
In August 2025, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance published a staff statement examining whether particular liquid staking arrangements involved securities transactions.
The guidance explained that certain activities involving the deposit of crypto assets and issuance of staking receipt tokens may fall outside federal securities registration requirements, depending on their structure.
The SEC staff distinguished administrative staking services from arrangements involving managerial or entrepreneurial efforts that could create investment contracts.
The statement did not provide blanket approval for all liquid staking products or automatically authorize ETFs holding staking tokens.
As covered in earlier reporting on the SEC’s liquid staking guidance, the staff’s position applied to arrangements meeting specific conditions.
VanEck’s October 2025 prospectus discussed the guidance and stated that the sponsor believed its planned staking activities were consistent with the SEC staff’s interpretation.
The prospectus acknowledged that a different regulatory interpretation could create legal risks for the proposed fund and its service providers.
VanEck had pursued other staking-related investment products during the same period.
In August 2025, the company submitted a registration statement for a proposed ETF linked to JitoSOL, a liquid staking token associated with the Solana network.
The earlier VanEck JitoSOL ETF application sought exposure to staked Solana through a traditional investment structure.
The October 14 withdrawal concerns the Lido Staked Ethereum ETF registration specifically. The document does not request withdrawal of VanEck’s other cryptocurrency fund applications.
The original Lido ETF application remains identifiable through SEC registration number 333-290918. VanEck’s latest filing asks the regulator to withdraw that registration statement and its amendments under Rule 477, confirming that the planned securities offering never became effective.
KR1 spustila vlastní validátory Etherea ve vyhrazeném stVaultu Lido provozovaném společností P2P.org a v krátkodobém horizontu cílí na stakování až 6 000 ETH.
KR1 plc (LSE: KR1), a London Stock Exchange-listed onchain infrastructure company that owns and operates productive digital assets across the networks powering the convergence of AI and crypto, today announces the launch of its own Ethereum validators, with a near-term target of staking up to 6,000 ETH.
KR1’s validators operate in a dedicated Lido stVault run by P2P.org. KR1 retains control over deposits and withdrawals, the validator fee arrangement, and vault roles and permissions, while having the option to mint stETH for liquidity.
The Institutional Staking TradeoffStaking ETH has historically required a compromise between liquidity and control. Direct staking offers operator selection and potentially stronger validator outcomes, but leaves capital illiquid: withdrawals must clear the Ethereum exit queue, which can stretch to weeks when exits surge. Traditional liquid staking offers immediate liquidity, but removes operator choice and averages validator performance across a broad pool.
stVaults resolve the native staking versus pooled staking tradeoff, letting stakers tap into stETH liquidity while keeping control over validator selection and attribution.
The case of KR1, a publicly listed company selecting stVaults infrastructure to run its Ethereum validators, demonstrates this in practice.
Why Lido stVaultsUnparalleled liquidity: By enabling the minting of stETH against assets held in staking vaults, stVaults allow optional liquidity alongside staked ETH.DeFi ecosystem adoption: Broad support for stETH and wstETH across the DeFi ecosystem lets institutions deploy liquidity efficiently while continuing to earn staking rewards.Security of the Lido protocol: Lido’s battle-tested, audited infrastructure provides an institutional-grade security foundation. Lido has received Web3SOC certification with a Grade A by Cantina.Integration & Security ApproachStandard Ethereum staking risks apply; for the full breakdown, see Lido’s Risk Assessment Framework for stVaults.
The following measures have been implemented to support the security of Lido V3 and the KR1 x P2P.org stVault*:
Smart contracts: Lido V3 stVaults smart contracts have undergone audits by Certora (including formal verification), MixBytes, Consensys Diligence, Composable Security, Ackee Blockchain, and Sigma Prime. An ongoing Immunefi bug bounty offers white hats up to $2M in rewards.Built-in operational controls: The stVaults’ design gives Vault Owners end-to-end control of the funds in the vault: supply/withdraw ETH, mint/repay stETH, monitor vault health parameters and metrics, trigger ETH withdrawals from validators, perform rebalancing, and disconnect from the Lido protocol.* Audits, bug bounties, and operational controls are intended to reduce but do not eliminate underlying protocol or market risks. Additional risks may remain or be unidentified.
Next StepsThe launch begins with an initial set of 10 validators, with rollout timing dependent on Ethereum’s validator entry queue.
Further ReadingPress ReleaseLido V3 DocumentationLido V3 WhitepaperLido V3 & stVaults
Ethereum is holding steady close to $2,500 following recent volatility, with the latest market action marked by a shift in institutional flows and a surge in derivatives positioning. ETH is currently trading at approximately $2,511, reflecting a marginal daily increase of 0.08%. The price has fluctuated in a narrow band between $2,490 and $2,530 during the latest session.
Fractal pattern and potential for upsideTechnical analysts are tracking the similarities between Ethereum’s current structure and the setup that preceded its major rally in 2025. The coin previously consolidated around the mid-$2,000 range before briefly falling below support, only to recover sharply and enter a stronger upward trend.
Crypto analyst Ash Crypto is drawing attention to a comparable sequence forming today, where ETH recently dipped towards the $2,400–$2,300 area. This zone is now seen as a critical support region that could define whether the recent selloff marks a temporary liquidity event rather than a sustained slide.
In the 2025 cycle, Ethereum’s recovery did not move straight to the highs. The price initially cleared $3,000 and then consolidated in the $3,000s before a later move toward $4,800. If ETH can stabilize at current levels, analysts believe a similar trajectory could bring the $4,600–$4,800 zone into focus in the coming months.
The bullish outlook is dependent on Ethereum holding the $2,400–$2,500 support. If this base remains firm and price reclaims $2,600, analysts view $3,000 as the next major target, while a move below support may signal the need for further consolidation.
For now, the fractal comparison remains conditional. A sustainable recovery above $2,500 would add weight to the bullish thesis, whereas further losses below the recent low could undermine this setup and delay a larger move higher.
Bitfinex longs reach multi-year peakData from Bitfinex, a leading cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2012 and known for its large-scale derivatives trading, shows that Ethereum long positions have climbed to their highest level in four years. According to Crypto Rover, these positions have increased sharply as price hovers near $2,500, indicating strong conviction among traders preparing for a significant breakout.
Rather than waiting for a confirmed rally, market participants are building long exposure during the consolidation phase, suggesting confidence in a potential larger move if resistance is cleared.
The acceleration of long positioning stands out compared to previous periods, signaling that traders are willing to commit aggressively to an upside scenario. Sustained support above $2,400–$2,500 could drive further momentum in the next uptrend attempt.
ETF inflows recover after sustained outflowsEthereum ETFs in the United States have returned to positive territory after several sessions of heavy outflows. On October 13, net inflows reached approximately $24.84 million, breaking a streak of 10 consecutive trading sessions of withdrawals.
Of this total, Grayscale’s mini Ethereum ETF contributed about $16.73 million, while Fidelity’s FETH added $8.11 million. This shift is notable, following a previous session with roughly $85.43 million in outflows and a five-day withdrawal sum near $576.9 million.
If institutional demand for Ethereum ETFs continues to recover and ETH remains above $2,500, analysts believe these inflows could provide increased support for a potential rebound.
ETF providerNet inflow (Oct 13)Grayscale mini ETH ETF$16.73 millionFidelity FETH$8.11 millionTotal (all ETH ETFs)$24.84 millionWhale traders show caution despite improvementDespite the positive trends in other data, some large traders remain cautious. Ethereum’s Whale vs Retail Delta, a metric tracking the difference between larger and smaller trader positions, continues to register below zero. This suggests whales still hold more short exposure than retail investors.
CW8900, a crypto market data provider, reports that the imbalance has improved from deeper negative levels seen throughout September. Whale short positions have decreased, although these participants have not fully shifted to a bullish stance.
This cautious posture explains why ETH is still consolidating near $2,500 even as ETF inflows and long positioning improve. A further move upward in the Whale vs Retail Delta, especially with price surging through $2,550–$2,600, would be seen as a signal of growing confidence among larger market players.
Mini dictionary: Whale vs Retail Delta – A metric used to measure the difference in net positions between large traders (“whales”) and retail investors in crypto derivatives markets. A negative value reflects higher short exposure among whales relative to smaller investors.
Key price levels and outlookThe $2,400–$2,500 price area has emerged as Ethereum’s main support. A decisive move above $2,600 could strengthen the bullish case and bring $2,700 back into focus. If this momentum continues, the $3,000 level becomes the next target for traders and analysts tracking historical price patterns.
Bullish traders are watching for a move above $2,600, which could open further upside toward $3,000. Any failure to hold $2,400 support may trigger renewed selling and a deeper reset.
The situation remains fluid, with further gains requiring both increased spot demand and continued flows into ETFs. Conversely, a return of significant short exposure from whales or renewed outflows from ETFs could undermine the recent improvements and delay a full recovery.
Dlouhodobý držitel Etherea převedl na burzu Kraken 6 369 ETH v hodnotě 15,95 milionu USD, které před devíti lety nakoupil za přibližně 14 USD, a dosáhl zisku 17 786 %.
The recent crypto market movement appears to be triggering the awakening of dormant crypto assets, including Ethereum held for many years.
While the crypto market is currently showing mixed signals, a major move from an early Ethereum investor has drawn attention from the crypto community.
Ethereum OG may be taking profitBlockchain monitoring platform Lookonchain has shared data earlier today, revealing that an early Ethereum holder has been spotted moving 6,369 ETH, worth $15.95 million, to Kraken.
HOT Stories
What makes the transaction more interesting is that the Ethereum holder had reportedly bought the asset at around $14 nine years ago.
While its recent Ethereum sales were valued at around $15.95 million, the investor's holdings have appreciated by about $15.86 million considering their cost value.
You Might Also Like
While the price of Ethereum has accelerated massively over the years, the sale marks a substantial gain of about 17,786% in nine years.
Apparently, this means that the investor's initial capital has grown by nearly 179 times over the nine-year period, highlighting Ethereum's remarkable growth over the years.
Ethereum falls below $2,500Although the transaction has come at a time when Ethereum is facing downside pressure, trading below the key $2,500 mark, the Ethereum investor had still secured substantial profits due to the longevity of the asset.
Nonetheless, it is not certain whether the move could impact Ethereum's price potential, even though it could add to the supply of ETH available.
This presents a bearish outlook for the asset, especially at a time like this. However, it remains uncertain whether the investor was only redistributing their holdings or selling.
Ethereum staking has long had a cover charge. Myrmidon Staking is trying to lower it to roughly the price of a nice lunch.
The Denmark-based validator operator has launched the Myrmidon Staking ETH Pool, a pooled staking product built on Lido V3 stVaults. Users can stake with as little as 0.01 ETH. The product went live on October 14, 2026, and Lido itself promoted the launch.
What Myrmidon is actually offering
The pool runs on Lido’s stVaults, the modular staking infrastructure introduced with Lido V3. Myrmidon also uses Lido’s DeFi Wrapper toolkit, which is designed for pooled delegated staking setups.
The economics are straightforward. Myrmidon charges a node operator fee of 10% on staking rewards. Stakers keep the rest of what their ETH earns, and the fee only applies to rewards, not to the principal deposited.
The pool also carries a reserve ratio of 50%, one of the configurable risk settings within the stVaults framework.
Myrmidon has set a modest goal: 1,000 ETH staked in the new pool within 12 months of launch.
For those who want to go directly, the pool’s staking address, 0x456…409322, is listed on lido.fi.
The operator behind the pool
Myrmidon has run Ethereum validators since 2023 and reports a zero slashing record over that stretch. At its peak, Myrmidon’s validator operation managed approximately 1,200 ETH.
The company has also collected some credentials along the way. It received stVaults Professional Operator status from Lido, a designation meant to signal that an operator meets the protocol’s standards for running vaults. Myrmidon was also the first live pool using Northstake SVM.
How Lido V3 set the stage
This launch is a downstream product of a bigger architectural shift at Lido. Lido V3 hit mainnet on January 30, 2026, introducing a modular design that lets third parties build customized staking products on top of Lido’s infrastructure. Operators can now design their own vaults with their own fees, risk settings and target audiences, while still plugging into Lido’s tooling.
Roughly nine months separate the V3 mainnet launch from Myrmidon’s pool going live.
What this means for stakers and the staking market
For smaller ETH holders, the most obvious change is the entry price. A 0.01 ETH minimum means people who were previously priced out of running a validator now have another option with a named operator and a track record attached.
The fee structure deserves a closer look. A 10% cut of rewards is the main cost stakers pay for not running their own hardware. Users should also understand how the 50% reserve ratio and the DeFi Wrapper mechanics affect their position before depositing.
There are still risks worth naming. Pooled staking concentrates trust in the operator and in the smart contracts underpinning the vault. A spotless slashing history is encouraging, but it describes the past, not a guarantee about the future.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Kaye Quema. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Ethereum holds the largest market cap in the tokenized ETF market, at $303 million, according to data shared on X.
The numbers behind Ethereum’s lead
Think of a tokenized ETF as a digital receipt for a share of a regular fund. The token lives on a blockchain, while the underlying asset sits with an issuer that backs it.
The practical upshot: you can hold and move fund exposure the way you’d move any crypto token, including outside normal market hours.
Ethereum’s dominance in this niche has been consistent, though not static. Research tracking the sector shows Ethereum commanded approximately 74% of the tokenized ETF market in May 2026, worth roughly $321 million.
By July, its share had slipped to about 62%, even as its value rose to approximately $326 million. In August 2026, Ethereum held 52.5% of the market, with a market cap of roughly $335 million.
The $303 million figure now attached to Ethereum sits below that August level. It still keeps the network in first place.
The total tokenized ETF market grew quickly over the same period. It stood at approximately $297.5 million at the end of Q1 2026 and reached $639 million by August 2026.
Ondo, BlackRock and the issuers doing the heavy lifting
Much of Ethereum’s position traces back to one issuer. Ondo Finance is the leading tokenized ETF issuer on Ethereum and accounts for a substantial portion of the network’s market share.
Ondo’s products are 1:1 backed tokenized ETFs and stocks that trade around the clock.
The research attributes much of the overall market’s growth to aggressive product deployment by issuers like Ondo.
BlackRock and Franklin Templeton have partnered to launch tokenized offerings in this space.
Rivals are gaining ground next door
Ethereum’s lead in tokenized ETFs specifically looks less commanding when you zoom out to the broader category of tokenized stocks and ETFs combined.
By early October 2026, that wider market had reached approximately $3.7 billion. BNB Chain led with roughly $1.1 billion, ahead of Ethereum at about $828 million and Solana at approximately $738 million.
Several tokenized stock products on Solana and BNB Chain threaten to erode Ethereum’s dominance in specific segments.
A rounding error next to traditional ETFs
The traditional ETF industry is valued at over $23 trillion. The entire tokenized ETF market represents roughly 0.003% of that.
What this means
For Ethereum, the takeaway is that first place is not the same as a moat. Its share fell from approximately 74% in May to 52.5% in August, a slide of more than 20 percentage points during a period of rapid market expansion.
The research suggests maintaining the lead may require continued adaptation and possibly new strategic partnerships to fend off BNB Chain and Solana.
Because Ondo Finance drives a large share of Ethereum’s tokenized ETF value, decisions about where Ondo and similar issuers deploy new products will shape the rankings.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Objem USDT, které si uživatelé vypůjčili se zajištěním v BTC v hodnotě nejméně 10 milionů USD, vzrostl minulý měsíc o 83 %, což signalizuje rostoucí chuť k riziku.
The market is continuing to bet heavily on the potential altseason.
Technically, the setup looks more and more interesting. Following the ETH/BTC 20% rally in Q3, traders are already positioning for another move higher in Q4, with early accumulation signs starting to show.
However, Bitcoin dominance has broken over 60%, indicating that capital is still flowing towards the flagship crypto, which makes a general altcoin breakout not so certain for now.
And yet, Lookonchain spotted a big whale rotation in the last three days. The whale sold 1,074.36 BTC equal to $89.5 million and bought 36,159 ETH.
Naturally, the question becomes: Is this whale positioning ahead of a potential Ethereum rally, with the border market now catching up to the hype?
Source: X
From an on-chain perspective, this does seem to be the case.
According to Santiment data, Ethereum FOMO is growing, with ETH rapidly becoming a favorite among bulls. On X, Reddit, and Telegram, ETH is registering 2.05 bullish comments for every bearish comment.
Bitcoin is the opposite, with 0.82 bullish comments per bearish comment. Rejected levels around $87k, a slide toward $81k, heavy liquidation of long positions, and macro pressure have pushed sentiment toward fear.
Notably, this shift is also seen in the derivatives market. As the post above highlights, ETH/BTC longs are going parabolic as Bitfinex traders are increasingly betting on Ethereum [ETH] to outperform Bitcoin [BTC].
In short, traders are positioning for an ETH-led rally, potentially hinting at an early rotation into altcoins.
Ethereum hype builds as USDT borrowing against Bitcoin jumps
The timing of this rotation between BTC and ETH is crucial.
An analyst recently reported that $6 billion in USDC had been minted this month, adding fresh liquidity to the crypto market. However, with BTC dominance of over 60%, it appears that Bitcoin is still gathering the most capital.
However, according to data from CryptoQuant, this may be about to change.
As the chart below shows, the amount of USDT borrowed by users who hold $10 million or more in BTC has jumped by 83% last month. This suggests that whales have used their BTC as collateral to unlock funds and buy more crypto. In short, risk appetite may soon be on the rise.
Source: CryptoQuant
This is where on-chain signals start to converge. Whale rotation is picking up, ETH longs are increasing, and ETH/BTC gained 20% in Q3.
Now, with USDT borrowing against BTC jumping 83%, traders could be positioning for another Ethereum/Bitcoin rally and a subsequent rotation into altcoins in Q4.
Final Summary
USDT borrowing against BTC jumped 83%, hinting at rising risk appetite.
ETH/BTC’s 20% Q3 rally could set the stage for an altcoin rotation.
Ethereum is seeing renewed optimism among crypto traders and investors, with multiple on-chain and sentiment metrics aligning to suggest the potential for a significant price move. While ETH experienced a weekly decline, institutional activity and growing social interest are contributing to a shift in market expectations.
ETH sentiment diverges from BTC and XRPSantiment, a cryptocurrency market intelligence firm, has identified a substantial difference in sentiment across leading tokens on social media platforms including X, Reddit, and Telegram. The data indicates a strong tilt toward bullishness for Ethereum. For every bearish comment about ETH, there are 2.05 bullish ones, marking the coin’s entry into what is known as FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, territory.
Social volume on major channels currently shows Ethereum recording more than double the number of optimistic mentions compared to pessimistic ones, according to Santiment’s analysis.
Santiment attributed this optimistic stance to ETH’s recent rebound off key support levels, increasing staking demand, and growing anticipation surrounding upcoming network upgrades. In contrast, traders in Bitcoin and XRP have adopted a more cautious outlook.
Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, has seen its bullish-to-bearish comment ratio drop to 0.82. Recent rejections near the $87,000 mark, a pullback toward $81,000, and broader macroeconomic factors have triggered a series of long position liquidations.
Meanwhile, XRP, the native token of the Ripple payment network, recorded a bullish comment ratio of 0.92 after declining over 9% for the week and failing to retake the $1.40 level.
CryptocurrencyBullish RatioWeekly PerformanceKey Support/ResistanceEthereum (ETH)2.05-4.1%Rebounds above supportBitcoin (BTC)0.82Decline toward $81,000Repeated rejection near $87,000XRP0.92-9%Failed to reclaim $1.40Whale accumulation and ETF inflowsWhile retail participants react to short-term price changes, larger players appear to be accumulating ETH. The latest market data puts Ethereum at roughly $2,520, down 0.9% over the past 24 hours and 4.1% for the week. However, on-chain analytics from Lookonchain reveal notable whale activity, with one major address rotating capital from Bitcoin into Ethereum in recent days.
Over a three-day period, this address reportedly sold 1,074.36 BTC valued at about $89.5 million and converted the proceeds into approximately 36,159 ETH, worth around $90.6 million.
Mini dictionary: Lookonchain, a blockchain analytics platform that specializes in real-time tracking of whale movements, trading activities, and wallet addresses across major blockchains.
In addition, recent data from SoSoValue show a reversal in spot Ethereum ETF flows. On October 13, US Spot Ethereum ETFs broke a 10-day streak of net outflows, registering $24.84 million in net inflows. This was the first positive inflow since September 28, signaling renewed institutional confidence.
Analysts eye all-time high retest for ETHMarket participants have responded to these developments with increased optimism. Ted Pillows, a crypto investor and analyst, stated on X that he expects ETH to approach its previous all-time high before the end of the year, citing coordinated signs from social sentiment, ETF activity, and whale accumulation.
Ted Pillows believes Ethereum is positioned for a strong recovery, with large investors, ETF momentum, and community mood all aligning for a possible return to peak levels.
The contrasting behavior between Ethereum and its major peers reflects a broader realignment of trader attention, as participants monitor the evolving landscape across the cryptocurrency market.
One massive Ethereum (ETH) whale has just sold off all their positions, earning a massive $24.5 million profit after dumping over 52,000 ETH coins, according to blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain.
One massive whale, a major over-the-counter (OTC) investor, just dumped the remaining ETH positions. Altogether, they've sold 9,996 ETH ($25 million approx.) from the wallet address 0x8c58.
This is the final in a line of large selloffs since this massive whale has been unwinding the entire 52,001 ETH position.
HOT Stories
Lookonchain has estimated this whale invested approximately $112.4 million into the positions, resulting in a combined average price of $2,162 per ETH for the initial collection.
You Might Also Like
This whale has now unloaded the entire portfolio for an average price of $2,632. This results in a massive $24.48 million profit.
As a reminder, this whale previously dumped the majority of their Ethereum positions on Sept. 24. They sold 42,005 ETH. This was worth roughly $111.89 million at the time. This happened during a general downturn in crypto markets.
They were left holding 9,996 ETH at the time. This whale has now dumped the final tokens in the latest move.
Ethereum whales going big Of course, not every whale is dumping Ethereum at the moment.
In fact, on Oct. 12, Lookonchain spotted a mysterious whale making some very aggressive positioning flips from Bitcoin (BTC) to Ethereum.
First, this whale sold 410.14 BTC ($34.16 million approx.) and then went on to purchase 14,341 ETH ($36.14 million) on DEXes.
Later, this same whale dumped 229 BTC (worth $19.1 million) and purchased another chunk of 7,469.8 ETH.
So, we can see a few of these big investors increasing their exposure to ETH while others are locking in profits.
Currently, Ethereum (ETH) is trading at $2,507.47. It's up 0.7% over the last 24 hours, according to CoinGecko data.
Ethereum price has struggled to sustain a recovery above $2,500 on October 14 as persistent ETF withdrawals, weak market sentiment, and technical resistance continue to limit buying interest.
Summary
Ethereum price continues to struggle near $2,500 as persistent spot ETF withdrawals and weak market sentiment limit recovery attempts.
U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $542.2 million in net outflows during the week ending October 9, adding to selling pressure.
Daily Bollinger Bands and Aroon readings favor sellers, with ETH trading below the middle Bollinger Band at $2,617.99.
The four hour MACD shows improving momentum, but ETH must clear resistance at $2,543 and $2,580 to strengthen its recovery.
A break below $2,449 could expose support near $2,425 and $2,409, while a sustained recovery could bring $2,618 into focus.
According to TradingView data, Ethereum (ETH) traded at $2,508.58 at the time of writing, up 0.43% on the day after moving between $2,497.94 and $2,522.63.
The second largest cryptocurrency has been trying to recover from last week’s selloff, which pushed prices toward $2,400. However, ETH remains below important resistance levels on the daily chart, while the 4-hour timeframe shows that buyers have yet to establish a convincing recovery.
Ethereum price faces pressure from ETF withdrawals and market selling
Institutional demand has remained weak throughout October, with U.S. spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds recording $542.2 million in net withdrawals during the trading week ending October 9.
According to Farside Investors, the funds recorded five consecutive sessions of outflows during the week, including $201.9 million on October 6 and $160.9 million on October 7.
The withdrawals formed part of a longer selling streak that began on September 29. As crypto.news reported on October 12, cumulative redemptions had reached $697.4 million across nine consecutive negative sessions through October 9.
BlackRock’s ETHA was responsible for a substantial portion of the selling, particularly during the two largest withdrawal sessions.
Institutional outflows have coincided with selling across the cryptocurrency market, where leveraged positions have contributed to recent price swings.
Ethereum was trading near $2,718 on October 6 before losing the $2,600 level during the following session. Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz accompanied the market decline, with Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies recording losses.
The selling pushed ETH toward $2,409 before buyers stepped in, although subsequent recovery attempts have struggled to move decisively beyond the $2,500 region.
Derivatives positioning has created another obstacle. CoinGlass liquidation data cited in October 12 market coverage identified overhead liquidation concentrations around $2,585, $2,635 to $2,640, and $2,740.
A recovery into these regions could trigger short liquidations, but the same areas may attract traders looking to exit positions following the recent decline.
Meanwhile, corporate Ethereum accumulation has continued despite the weaker market.
BitMine Immersion Technologies purchased another 12,532 ETH during the week ending October 11, bringing its reported holdings to 6,028,946 tokens, or approximately 4.9% of Ethereum’s supply.
The company’s chairman, Tom Lee, has warned that selling in South Korea’s stock market could spread into cryptocurrency markets through liquidations. The warning followed a decline of more than 6% in South Korea’s KOSPI index on October 13.
BitMine’s continued purchases have provided a source of institutional demand, although they have not prevented ETH from trading below its recent highs.
Daily indicators favor sellers
On the daily ETH/USDT chart, Ethereum is trading below the middle Bollinger Band, indicating that sellers continue to have the upper hand despite the latest recovery attempt.
ETH/USDT 1-day price chart. Source: crypto.news
The middle band currently stands at $2,617.99, nearly $110 above the prevailing market price.
A recovery toward this level would require ETH to overcome several resistance areas established during the recent decline. Until then, the middle band remains a potential ceiling for any rebound.
The lower Bollinger Band sits at $2,425.34, close to the area where buyers entered the market during the latest selloff.
A move below $2,425 could expose the recent swing low near $2,409. Sustained selling below that level would leave the $2,350 to $2,380 region as a possible next downside target.
The upper Bollinger Band, meanwhile, stands at $2,810.63. However, a move toward that level would first require Ethereum to recover above the middle band and overcome resistance around $2,700.
The Aroon indicator provides another view of the prevailing trend.
On the daily chart, Aroon Down stands at 57.14%, while Aroon Up is considerably lower at 14.29%.
The difference indicates that recent lows have been more influential than recent highs, although the Aroon Down reading has not reached levels normally associated with a particularly strong downtrend.
Aroon Up would need to recover and cross above Aroon Down to indicate that buyers are beginning to establish a stronger trend.
Until such a crossover develops, the daily readings leave Ethereum vulnerable to renewed selling, particularly if the price fails to hold above $2,450.
The 4-hour chart presents a somewhat different picture, with momentum beginning to improve following the decline toward $2,409.
ETH/USDT 4-hour price chart. Source: crypto.news
Ethereum’s Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator shows the MACD line at -8.68, above the signal line at -10.01.
The histogram has turned positive at 1.33, indicating that bearish momentum has eased and that buyers have regained some short-term ground.
However, both the MACD and signal lines remain below zero, meaning the recovery has not yet developed into a confirmed bullish trend.
The histogram has also narrowed following its earlier expansion, suggesting that the initial recovery is losing momentum as ETH trades near $2,500.
Fibonacci retracement levels drawn between the recent swing low of $2,409.09 and swing high of $2,579.88 place immediate resistance around $2,514.54, corresponding to the 0.618 retracement.
A sustained move above this level could allow ETH to challenge $2,543.33, the 0.786 retracement, before attempting to revisit $2,579.88.
A breakout above $2,580 would bring the daily Bollinger middle band near $2,618 into focus.
If buyers manage to reclaim that level, the next resistance areas would lie near $2,685 and $2,700, although such a recovery would require stronger momentum than the current 4-hour readings suggest.
On the downside, initial support lies around $2,494, followed by the Fibonacci levels at $2,474.33 and $2,449.40.
A breakdown below $2,449 would raise the possibility of another move toward $2,409, particularly if the 4-hour MACD crosses back below its signal line.
For a stronger recovery, the 4-hour MACD would need to move above zero while ETH reclaims $2,543 and subsequently $2,580. On the daily timeframe, $2,618 remains the next significant resistance level before buyers can challenge the $2,700 region.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
An Ethereum wallet associated with sven.eth has reportedly lost 9.1231 ETH, valued at approximately $22,770, and 1.69271471 TAPEETH tokens after an attacker used a malicious EIP-7702 authorization to gain control of the account.
Summary
Security firm ExVul reported that an Ethereum wallet lost 9.1231 ETH through malicious account delegation.
The reported attack involved 1.69271471 TAPEETH tokens alongside Ethereum valued at approximately $22,770 at detection.
A sponsored EIP-7702 transaction reportedly enabled attacker controlled code to execute through the victim’s wallet.
ExVul attributed the theft to malicious wallet authorization, not a vulnerability in PodMining or TAPEETH.
The security firm warned that the malicious delegation remained active at Ethereum block 26,188,153 afterward.
Blockchain security firm ExVul reported the incident on October 14, identifying an attacker-sponsored transaction that activated malicious code previously authorized by the wallet owner. The firm attributed the theft to an unsafe delegation, explaining that the attacker drained the wallet without exploiting the underlying DeFi protocol.
The reported incident involved the wallet linked to sven.eth and an attacker-controlled address beginning with 0x9208. According to ExVul’s investigation, the authorization allowed code installed through Ethereum’s EIP-7702 mechanism to operate with the wallet’s permissions.
Ethereum EIP-7702 attack drains ETH and TAPEETH
The reported theft involved 9.1231 ETH and 1.69271471 TAPEETH, with the ETH portion valued at approximately $22,770 when ExVul published its findings. The security firm did not provide a separate dollar valuation for the TAPEETH tokens.
ExVul identified the transaction hash as 0x36e0d1491c14e3d8e50bc70d73675b89d2d4712814d16f808f957c84fde820ee, linking the activity to a sponsored type-4 Ethereum transaction. Such transactions support EIP-7702 authorizations, which allow ordinary wallet addresses to execute smart contract code.
The investigation attributed the attack to 0x9208097c007be15e28b20e94e66870a3f9f820bc. The victim’s wallet was identified as 0xd8ba9e5886b7000bace2c9dbdd0be98ac77d4a28, while the malicious delegation pointed to 0x0366b55f948a688888ca6e029ad0831f6ec260d1.
🚨 ALERT — EIP-7702 Wallet Drain on Ethereum
sven.eth was drained for 9.1231 ETH net (~$22.77K) plus 1.69271471 TAPEETH.
No flash loan or AMM manipulation was involved: the attacker sponsored a type-4 transaction carrying the victim's valid EIP-7702 authorization, then swept…
— ExVul (@exvulsec) October 14, 2026
According to the security alert, the attacker submitted a transaction containing an EIP-7702 authorization signed by the victim. Once Ethereum processed that authorization, subsequent calls to the affected wallet executed the delegated contract’s instructions within the victim account.
The attacker-controlled code reportedly contained a fixed address authorized to operate the wallet. The controller then invoked the PodMining.claim() function, transferred the resulting TAPEETH rewards and withdrew the wallet’s ETH balance.
ExVul emphasized that “No flash loan or AMM manipulation was involved.” Its findings identified the account authorization as the entry point, with no evidence in the supplied analysis of an exploit involving liquidity pools or price manipulation.
How malicious wallet delegation enabled the theft
EIP-7702 is part of Ethereum’s account abstraction development, allowing externally owned accounts to temporarily gain smart contract functionality through delegated code.
Under the official Ethereum specification, a user signs an authorization identifying the smart contract that will control the account’s execution behavior. Once submitted through a compatible transaction, Ethereum records the delegation and runs the designated code when the wallet receives relevant calls.
The feature supports legitimate applications, including sponsored transactions, transaction batching and more flexible wallet permissions. A user can authorize multiple actions through a single transaction or allow a third party to cover the network fee.
However, the same mechanism carries security risks when an account delegates execution to malicious code. Ethereum’s EIP-7702 specification explains that poorly designed or malicious delegation contracts can grant an outside party extensive control over the account.
In this incident, the attacker reportedly paid the transaction fee and submitted the signed authorization. The wallet owner did not need to fund or broadcast the transaction that activated the malicious delegation.
The signature supplied authority for the wallet to execute the attacker’s code. Once activated, the code operated under the victim’s account context, allowing the controller address to initiate the reported asset transfers.
ExVul stated that the exploit “is not a TAPEETH / PodMining bug.” The conclusion distinguishes the authorization mechanism from a vulnerability in the token or the reward contract.
The firm did not establish how the attacker obtained the victim’s authorization. Its public findings do not identify a specific phishing website, malicious application or compromised signing interface.
Malicious authorization could threaten future deposits
After the reported theft, ExVul warned that the wallet’s malicious delegation remained active at Ethereum block 26,188,153.
The warning concerns a feature of EIP-7702: setting a delegation does not automatically remove it when the transaction finishes. The authorized contract can remain associated with the wallet until the account owner replaces or clears the delegation.
Ethereum’s official security guidance explains that a wallet owner retains control through the original private key, including the ability to reset delegation by authorizing the zero address. However, malicious delegated code may remain dangerous until the change is successfully processed.
ExVul warned users against transferring new assets into the affected address while the suspicious delegation remained active. Newly deposited funds could face the same exposure if the attacker’s code continued to control spending permissions.
The firm recommended clearing or replacing the authorization and moving remaining assets to a secure wallet. Such recovery actions require care because the affected address may execute malicious instructions while the delegation persists.
The warning was based on the delegation status observed at block 26,188,153. ExVul’s original alert did not establish whether the victim had subsequently removed the malicious code or recovered any assets.
No reimbursement arrangement, recovery transaction or law enforcement action was identified in the supplied investigation.
EIP-7702 has raised similar security concerns before
The latest reported attack follows previous warnings from blockchain security researchers about malicious account delegations.
In May 2025, crypto market maker Wintermute identified widespread use of EIP-7702 contracts designed to automatically drain funds from compromised Ethereum wallets.
Wintermute’s research found that more than 97% of observed EIP-7702 delegations at that stage pointed to contracts using identical code. Its analysis associated many of those delegations with automated sweepers that could transfer incoming ETH to attacker-controlled addresses.
The earlier security concerns surrounding Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade centered on attackers abusing wallet delegation features introduced through EIP-7702. Security researchers warned that malicious code could remain connected to accounts after victims completed the initial authorization.
A separate incident involving World Liberty Financial tokens in September 2025 raised similar concerns. Blockchain investigator Yu Xian reported that attackers were using compromised wallet permissions and EIP-7702 delegation to target holders after token transfers became available.
The phishing attacks against WLFI token holders involved malicious delegation contracts that allowed attackers to execute unauthorized transactions. Investigators linked the activity to compromised wallet credentials and fraudulent authorizations.
In July 2026, another Ethereum phishing incident involving nearly $1 million demonstrated how dangerous wallet approvals can expose cryptocurrency holdings. That case involved malicious transaction permissions and was not established as the same exploit method reported against sven.eth.
Ethereum’s EIP-7702 specification identifies several safeguards for developers building delegation contracts, including replay protection, authenticated transaction parameters and secure initialization procedures.
The specification warns that poorly implemented delegation contracts may give malicious actors nearly complete control over the affected account. It recommends carefully verifying the permissions granted to delegated code, particularly when external parties can submit transactions on behalf of wallet owners.
ExVul’s October 14 alert identified the malicious contract, controller address and affected account, but did not disclose whether the victim had since replaced the authorization. The investigation recorded the suspicious delegation as active at block 26,188,153.
Standard Chartered v SAE umožnila oprávněným bonitním klientům přímý nákup a prodej bitcoinů a etheru prostřednictvím jejich stávajících bankovních účtů.
Standard Chartered has unveiled a new crypto trading service that lets eligible affluent clients buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly through their existing bank accounts. This marked a first for the bank and for an international lender in the UAE.
Standard Chartered Enables Direct Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading Standard Chartered launched a first-of-its-kind crypto trading solution for affluent clients, according to an official announcement on October 14. Eligible professional clients in the UAE can now buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) directly through their existing bank accounts.
It becomes possible through a strategic collaboration between the bank’s Wealth and Retail Banking (WRB) and Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) businesses, alongside SC Ventures-backed Zodia Markets, and regulation by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
The crypto trading solution integrates institutional-grade custody, liquidity, and client access within a single, end-to-end digital asset ecosystem. Transactions will run within the bank’s ecosystem under a closed-loop model, reducing wallet risks.
This will enable clients to access crypto assets with their existing banking relationship while benefiting from institutional-grade custody and operational safeguards.
Samir Subberwal, Global Head of Wealth Solutions, Retail Products, Data & Analytics at Standard Chartered, described the launch as a significant milestone that brings crypto assets into the bank’s core wealth offering. He added that clients demand secure, regulated access as digital assets move into the mainstream.
“We are proud to be the first international bank in the UAE to launch a cryptocurrency trading offering,” said Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered.
Expanding Crypto Capabilities Across UAE Institutional and Wealth Services The launch builds on Standard Chartered’s broader crypto assets activities in the UAE and other key regions. This builds on Standard Chartered’s launch of spot crypto trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum for institutional clients in the UAE last month.
The service lets eligible institutional clients trade deliverable BTC/USD and ETH/USD through familiar electronic FX platforms, with settlement options including the bank’s own digital asset custody.
As CoinGape reported earlier, Standard Chartered launched institutional USDC minting and redemption through DIFC, becoming the first G-SIB to offer institutional access to USDC through a regulated banking channel.
Recently, Standard Chartered announced institutional custody support for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger. The bank also joined Ripple and LMAX Group to enable RLUSD as eligible collateral.
Pákový poměr Etherea klesl na 0,62, což je nejnižší úroveň od listopadu 2025. Americké spotové ETF na Ethereum zaznamenaly desetidenní sérii čistých odlivů, nejdelší od poloviny května do začátku června.
Ethereum‘s derivatives market has witnessed a notable decline in leverage, as persistent outflows from institutional products and weak US trading activity weigh on the cryptocurrency’s recovery prospects.
Leverage and institutional flows weakenRecent data from on-chain analytics provider CryptoQuant indicates that Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) has declined to 0.62. This marks its lowest reading since November 2025, pointing to a reduction in the use of leverage by traders in the ETH market.
The Estimated Leverage Ratio is calculated by comparing open interest in derivatives to the amount of an asset held in spot exchange reserves. It provides insights into how much of the market’s activity is driven by leverage versus actual holdings.
Mini dictionary: Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR), a metric that assesses the proportion of leverage used in the derivatives market by comparing derivatives open interest with spot exchange reserves.
The drop in leverage has coincided with declining open interest on Ethereum derivatives exchanges. This trend indicates that traders have generally adopted a more cautious stance, preferring not to expand leveraged positions despite recent price movements.
In addition, the Net Taker Volume for Ethereum remains negative, reflecting ongoing sell-side pressure in perpetual futures trading. This metric highlights that market-order selling currently exceeds buying across these instruments.
The cautious sentiment was further underscored by the Coinbase Premium Index, which recently fell to -0.117. This negative value means that Ethereum is currently trading at a discount on Coinbase compared to other major exchanges, suggesting more muted demand from US-based buyers.
Ethereum’s market data continues to highlight cautious behavior from traders, as the decline in leverage and persistent negative taker volume signal that participants remain wary of new long positions.
Institutional flows have also been under pressure. Data from SoSoValue shows that US-listed spot Ethereum ETFs reported $85.4 million in net outflows on Monday. Although there was a modest inflow of $24.84 million on Tuesday, the 10-day net redemption streak is now the longest since mid-May to early June.
DateETH ETF Net FlowsMonday$85.4 million outflowTuesday$24.84 million inflowPrevious 10 daysConsecutive outflowsTechnical outlook for ETHTechnically, Ethereum has been consolidating on its daily chart as it attempts to build support near its 50-day exponential moving average (EMA), which sits around $2,501.
The immediate challenge for buyers lies at the $2,548 resistance level. A successful move above this first barrier would bring the 20-day EMA, currently at about $2,578, into focus as the next key resistance.
If bullish momentum strengthens, traders may watch for targets at $2,636 and $2,781, with further resistance identified at $3,075 and $3,253.
Momentum indicators remain subdued. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering near 43, below the neutral 50 midpoint, while the Stochastic Oscillator has dropped to 27, which signals weak momentum and nears oversold territory.
On the downside, initial support can be found at $2,413. Further declines could expose Ethereum to support at $2,355 and its 100-day EMA. Deeper pullbacks would likely bring $2,204 and $1,971 into view as additional support areas.
Ethereum must clear the $2,548 and $2,578 barriers to shift momentum in favor of buyers, while sustained ETF outflows and sluggish US demand create challenges for a robust recovery.
Ethereum vykazuje silný optimismus, ale jeho pákový poměr na Binance zůstává přibližně 0,69 nad 100periodním průměrem. U Bitcoinu se poměr pohybuje kolem 0,19 a oproti dřívějším hodnotám v roce 2026 klesl.
13 October 2026 | 23:53 Ethereum is drawing a much more optimistic crowd response than Bitcoin after its rebound. CryptoQuant’s Binance data, however, points to a different contrast beneath the discussion: ETH’s leverage ratio has stayed elevated, while Bitcoin’s has eased from earlier 2026 readings.
Key Takeaways Santiment recorded 2.05 bullish ETH comments for every bearish comment, compared with 0.82 for Bitcoin. CryptoQuant found ETH’s Binance Estimated Leverage Ratio near 0.69, above its 100-period moving average. Bitcoin’s ratio was near 0.19 and had moderated from higher readings earlier in 2026. ETH and BTC are sending opposite messages Santiment’s latest social-data update found 2.05 bullish Ethereum comments for every bearish one across X, Reddit and Telegram. The firm characterised the discussion around ETH as FOMO-driven, following its rebound and renewed attention on staking and future network upgrades.
Ethereum sentiment turns strongly bullish. Bitcoin produced the opposite reading: 0.82 bullish comments for every bearish comment. Santiment linked the weaker mood to Bitcoin’s rejection near $87,000, its slide toward $81,000 and the wider pressure on risk assets during the sell-off.
Neither figure says where either asset goes next. Social data measures the balance of public discussion, not the amount of capital committed to a trade. Its value here is that it shows where confidence has concentrated: ETH traders are discussing a rebound, while BTC traders remain more defensive.
Signal Ethereum Bitcoin Social mood 2.05 bullish comments for every bearish comment 0.82 bullish comments for every bearish comment Binance leverage trend Ratio near 0.69 and still above its 100-period moving average Ratio near 0.19 after moderating from earlier 2026 readings What this does not show Whether traders are mainly long or short, how deep order-book liquidity is, or the direction of the next price move. Leverage ratio is a sensitivity measure, not a long-or-short signal The difference becomes more useful when placed beside derivatives positioning. CryptoQuant’s Estimated Leverage Ratio compares open interest with the amount of an asset held in an exchange’s reserves. It offers a way to track how large the derivatives market has become relative to the coins available on that exchange.
A higher ratio can result from rising open interest, falling exchange reserves, or both. It does not reveal whether the market is positioned for a long squeeze or a short squeeze, and it cannot measure actual order-book depth. It should therefore be read as a sign of potential derivatives sensitivity rather than a stand-alone trading signal.
The metric is also most useful against each asset’s own history. ETH and BTC have different reserve patterns, derivatives markets and custody flows, so a 0.69 ETH reading is not a simple numerical verdict over a 0.19 BTC reading. The meaningful comparison is the recent direction of each ratio.
How to read the two datasets together
Sentiment shows where conviction is building; leverage shows whether derivatives exposure is remaining elevated around that conviction. A stronger risk warning would require further evidence, such as rising open interest and increasingly positive funding – not social optimism alone.
Ethereum’s leverage ratio has rebuilt after earlier resets CryptoQuant analyst MorenoDV_ placed Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio on Binance near 0.69 while ETH traded around $2,400. The analysis compared that with readings near 0.53–0.55 before the October 10, 2025 liquidation event.
Ethereum chart showing Binance estimated leverage ratio near 0.69. More important than the single reading is what followed. CryptoQuant’s chart showed the ratio rebuilding after sharp resets and remaining above its 100-period moving average. In other words, ETH’s derivatives exposure relative to Binance reserves has stayed in a higher range even after prior bouts of deleveraging.
That does not prove that ETH is about to decline, and it does not establish that leveraged longs dominate the market. It does mean that a fresh rise in open interest and positive funding would deserve closer attention: traders would be adding exposure while the ratio is already elevated against ETH’s recent trend.
Bitcoin’s crowd is cautious while its leverage trend has cooled Bitcoin’s social reading is weaker, but CryptoQuant’s Binance data shows a less persistent leverage setup. Its Estimated Leverage Ratio stood near 0.19—around the level seen before the October 2025 liquidation event cited in the analysis—and had fallen from higher readings earlier in 2026.
Bitcoin leverage remains relatively restrained. The ratio was also below a declining moving average in CryptoQuant’s chart. That suggests that derivatives exposure relative to Binance reserves has been easing rather than rebuilding in the same way described for ETH.
This does not make Bitcoin automatically bullish or safer. A lower ratio can reflect healthier deleveraging, but it can also occur in a weak market with little appetite to add new futures positions. Bitcoin still needs price stability and renewed spot demand before a lower leverage reading can support a stronger recovery case.
What would confirm or weaken the current divergence? Asset Current mix What would strengthen the reading What would weaken it ETH Bullish social discussion and an elevated Binance leverage trend Open interest rises, funding stays strongly positive and the leverage ratio remains elevated Open interest and the ratio decline while ETH holds or extends its recovery BTC Fearful social reading and a cooling Binance leverage trend Price stabilises and spot demand improves without a sharp return in leverage A weak bounce attracts a fast rebuild in open interest and leverage The supplied sentiment and leverage datasets do not include live funding-rate or open-interest changes. Those are the next figures that would test whether ETH’s social optimism is becoming a crowded derivatives trade, or whether Bitcoin’s lower leverage is accompanied by genuine buying demand.
ETH and BTC need different confirmation before the next move Ethereum currently has the stronger narrative, but its Binance leverage ratio has not reset as fully as Bitcoin’s. That makes the next derivatives data important: rising open interest and positive funding would make ETH’s rebound more vulnerable to a rapid reversal, while a calmer build in exposure would weaken that concern.
Bitcoin’s cautious sentiment should not be read as a bullish signal on its own. Its leverage trend has improved, but the market still needs spot demand and price stability to show that the sell-off has produced a durable base rather than simply reduced speculative participation.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Social sentiment and derivatives metrics are interpretive tools, not guarantees of future price movement.
Author
Kosta has reported on cryptocurrency markets and blockchain infrastructure since 2020, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in the crypto industry built through daily tracking of markets, trends, and emerging blockchain developments. Specializing in Bitcoin on-chain analysis, institutional ETF flows, and digital asset price action, his work at Coindoo has been cited by other news agencies and consistently covers market developments with a focus on data-driven reporting across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Over the years, Kosta has contributed to multiple crypto media outlets in different regions, authoring over 6,000 articles across the sector. His reporting spans cryptocurrency markets and the broader fintech industry, tracking not only price action but also the technological and regulatory forces shaping the ecosystem. To support his analysis, Kosta actively leverages on-chain data and metrics from leading platforms such as Santiment, Glassnode, and CryptoQuant, enabling deeper, evidence-based market insights. He believes in the power of transparency and the data that underpins the blockchain ecosystem. His academic background in Marketing Management from Denmark further complements his analytical approach, adding a strong understanding of communication strategy and content positioning to his work.
Base společnosti Coinbase spustila integraci „Earn & Borrow“, která aplikacím umožní přes Morpho a Aave nabízet výnosy ze stablecoinů a půjčky zajištěné kryptoměnami.
Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, Base, has introduced “Earn & Borrow,” an integration layer allowing applications to provide features such as variable-rate stablecoin yield and crypto-collateralized loans. This new system utilizes third-party protocols like Morpho and Aave. The update aims to enhance in-app access to credit and yield markets built on Base, rather than introducing a native lending protocol. Recent data indicates an average stablecoin yield of 4.45% in these markets, excluding incentives. This development could indicate a significant increase in Ethereum’s utility, potentially influencing market perceptions of its future price potential.
Key Takeaways Introduction of “Earn & Borrow” on Base suggests increased utility for Ethereum, potentially enhancing its market perception. Current market pricing for Ethereum reaching $10,000 by December 2026 remains low, with a 0.9% YES probability. The development is consistent with scenarios where Ethereum’s growing functionality supports higher future valuations. What to Watch Watch for any significant shifts in Ethereum’s price movement following the integration announcement. Observers will be keen to see if this development leads to increased adoption and use of Ethereum-based financial services. Additionally, monitoring any changes in stablecoin yields and loan demand on Base could provide further insights into the network’s impact on the Ethereum ecosystem.
Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 0.9% — — View market → December 31, 2026 0.9% — — View market → December 31, 2026 2.4% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3.1% — — View market → December 31, 2026 5% — — View market → January 1 2027 18.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 4% — — View market → January 1 2027 8.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 8.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 42.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 15.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 24.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 48.5% — — View market →
Makléřská společnost Interactive Brokers spustila službu stakingu kryptoměn, která umožňuje uzamknout aktiva založená na proof-of-stake, jako je Ethereum, za účelem zabezpečení sítí a získávání odměn.
Interactive Brokers logo / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain, PD-textlogo)
Interactive Brokers, a Nasdaq-listed brokerage, has announced the launch of cryptocurrency staking services. This move establishes the brokerage as a significant player in the cryptocurrency market by expanding its offerings beyond crypto custody to include staking. The service allows users to lock proof-of-stake assets like Ethereum to support network security and earn rewards. While the specific details of supported assets and jurisdictions remain undisclosed, this development could enhance the attractiveness of Ethereum and other staked assets to investors.
Key Takeaways Interactive Brokers’ entry into cryptocurrency staking suggests increased institutional interest in yield-generating crypto assets. Market pricing implies this move may boost confidence in Ethereum’s potential to reach higher valuations by the end of 2026. The development is consistent with scenarios where Ethereum’s staking appeal grows, potentially influencing its future price trajectory. What to Watch Watch for details on the assets and jurisdictions Interactive Brokers will support, as these factors could further influence market sentiment. Regulatory developments or announcements from major Ethereum stakeholders, such as the Ethereum Foundation or key financial institutions, might also impact Ethereum’s market dynamics. Observers are likely to focus on changes in Ethereum’s staking metrics and any shifts in market odds regarding its price targets for the end of 2026.
Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 0.9% — — View market → December 31, 2026 0.9% — — View market → December 31, 2026 1.9% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3.1% — — View market → December 31, 2026 6% — — View market → January 1 2027 20% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 8.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 8.8% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.7% — — View market → January 1 2027 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 44.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 13.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 21% — — View market → January 1 2027 47.5% — — View market →
Ethereum’s validator set is in the middle of a quiet renovation. According to an update tied to Lido, staked ETH sitting on 0x02 validators has now reached 40%.
The move came from two sources. Around 1.8 million ETH migrated over from older 0x01 validators, and total ETH staked on 0x02 validators rose by 2.8 million.
What changed, and why validators are moving
Ethereum’s Pectra hard fork in May 2025 changed the rules through EIP-7251. Validators using the newer 0x02 type can now carry an effective balance of up to 2,048 ETH. Bigger stakes fit into one validator, and rewards can compound instead of stalling at a fixed ceiling.
Lido, Ethereum’s leading liquid staking protocol, has leaned into this hard. Its Curated Module v2, or CMv2, launched on July 27, 2026. The plan is to consolidate over 8 million ETH, worth approximately $16 billion at the time, from more than 265,000 legacy validators into an estimated 4,000 active 0x02 validators.
Those 8 million ETH represent around 20% of all staked ETH. Collapsing 265,000 validators into roughly 4,000 is the staking equivalent of merging a sprawling office park into a single tower.
The numbers behind the shift
The consolidation has already moved the needle on Lido’s own footprint. Its share of staked ETH on 0x02 validators climbed from approximately 32% to around 52%, according to the research findings.
As of late October 2026, the share of all staked ETH on 0x02 validators approached 50%. The 32 ETH validator is slowly becoming a legacy format.
Once consolidation wraps up, the network is expected to drop from an estimated 880,000 validators to approximately 628,000. The research points to an expected reduction of about 29% in consensus attestation traffic per epoch.
Bonds, accountability and what comes next
CMv2 also introduces a bonding requirement for curated operators. Under the new module, operators must lock up ETH as collateral. That bond can be seized for violations such as slashing or downtime.
Lido is also building a Community Staking Module, or CSM, slated for mainnet in Q4 2026. The goal is to allow permissionless operator participation, opening the door to node runners who are not part of Lido’s curated set.
What this means for Ethereum and stakers
For the Ethereum network, shrinking the validator set by about one-third should ease network load, reduce attestation traffic and cut operational overhead. For stakers, with a 2,048 ETH ceiling, rewards can compound inside a single validator rather than stalling at the old 32 ETH cap.
Lido already holds a large share of staked ETH, and its share of 0x02 stake has reportedly jumped to around 52%. The bonding system and the upcoming Community Staking Module are Lido’s answer to concentration concerns. A permissionless module, if it ships as slated in Q4 2026, could broaden who actually operates the infrastructure.
The key metrics to track from here are the network-wide 0x02 share as it climbs toward and potentially past 50%, the total validator count as it moves from roughly 880,000 toward the projected 628,000, and whether CSM lands on schedule in Q4 2026.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, has received approval to offer Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT transactions.
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, has received approval from the Central Bank of Russia to offer cryptocurrency trading services. The bank is reportedly beginning to test Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT transactions within its mobile application.
Sberbank reportedly plans to open cryptocurrency transactions to all its customers starting December 1st. This will allow users to access supported digital assets through the bank’s app without having to send funds to a separate cryptocurrency exchange.
In early October, Sberbank was also added to the list of digital custodians responsible for maintaining records of cryptocurrency assets and digital rights.
The bank stated that the authorizations granted will enable the provision of cryptocurrency services through the banking platforms that customers currently use.
Sberbank has announced plans to launch its first cryptocurrency products on December 1, 2026.
Besides Sberbank, eight other companies are on the list of authorized cryptocurrency trading platforms. These include VTB and T-Bank, two of Russia’s major banks, as well as T-Invest Lab, which operates within the same group.
The law on digital currencies and digital rights, which came into effect in Russia on September 1, 2026, created a comprehensive legal framework for cryptocurrency transactions in the country.
According to the new regulation, cryptocurrency transactions can be carried out through existing exchanges, brokerage firms, and custody service providers. In addition, specially authorized cryptocurrency exchanges and digital custody organizations can also operate.
While digital assets can be bought and sold through cryptocurrency exchanges, digital custody institutions ensure that the rights to these assets are registered.
*This is not investment advice.
Follow our Telegram and X account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data!
Top Ethereum (ETH) bull and co-founder of Fundstrat Tom Lee has issued a very unusual bearish alert for the second-largest crypto.
According to his latest post on X, Lee sounded an alarm about the potential negative impact of the dramatic stock market drop in South Korea on the crypto market, which may trigger more ETH sell-offs.
"This major decline in Korean equities is likely spilling over into crypto," Lee wrote. Lee expressed serious concern about South Korean brokerages' margin liquidations. He also mentioned the fact that South Korean investors hold a large share of crypto, and the crypto asset market is vulnerable to financial contagion. "Short-term pain," he continued, and highlighted ETH.
HOT Stories
You Might Also Like
Lee issued the bearish alert at a time when South Korea's benchmark KOSPI dropped over 6% on Tuesday, Oct. 13 due to the massive sell-off in technology and semiconductor stocks. The stock market crash was so severe that the Korea Exchange had to take emergency market stabilization measures.
What's happening in South Korea?The South Korean stock market has been under pressure due to growing concerns about the artificial intelligence boom and the competitiveness of major South Korean semiconductor companies.
The massive stock market sell-off has mainly affected two of the most influential Korean stock market companies: Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
It was reported that Chinese memory chip maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) made considerable progress in terms of semiconductor technology. That is why there are concerns about growing competition from China that could negatively impact memory chip prices and profit margins.
Notably, U.S. semiconductor stocks also plunged. The last session saw a significant drop of 2.67% for the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index.
Korea Exchange triggered the so-called sell-side sidecar at approximately 9:48 a.m. local time due to a drop of over 5% in KOSPI 200 futures. However, the intervention could not prevent a wider sell-off.
Ethereum‘s liquidity on Binance has deteriorated significantly, with its Liquidity Shock Z-Score falling to -1.00, the lowest point recorded in nearly seven months.
Multi-month volatility leads to sharp dropCryptoQuant data shows that the Z-Score, which reflects liquidity conditions for Ethereum on Binance, has experienced several months of fluctuation throughout 2026. The indicator posted high positive readings early in the year before tumbling sharply in February and remaining unstable over the subsequent months.
After a partial recovery and increased readings over the summer, the Z-Score experienced a sudden reversal in October. This has now resulted in liquidity levels significantly below the historical average for Ethereum on Binance.
Market analysts emphasized that a sharp decline in liquidity does not necessarily signal traders closing their positions or a wave of selling by Ethereum investors. Instead, the indicator generally highlights changing liquidity conditions and does not point to a specific future price direction.
Rather than reflecting mass selling, the current low Z-Score indicates altered liquidity dynamics on Binance, with no clear implication for the immediate direction of Ethereum’s price.
Analysts further pointed out that unusual liquidity conditions often warrant close monitoring for rapid changes, especially given Ethereum’s historical volatility.
Investors transfer ETH to private walletsThe sudden drop in the Z-Score follows observations that Ethereum’s supply on centralized exchanges has shrunk notably. This pattern suggests holders are moving tokens away from trading platforms and into personal wallets, a trend that may foster stronger upward price momentum if coins become less readily available for trading.
Ethereum’s movement from exchanges to private wallets could indicate growing confidence among long-term holders, reducing immediate sell pressure and possibly setting the stage for renewed demand.
In a market where a single Fed decision or a sudden altcoin listing can change everything in seconds, investors have increasingly turned to unified platforms for more efficient market monitoring. Smart traders are utilizing privacy-first tools like CryptoAppsy to consolidate real-time charts, coin-specific news, portfolio tracking, and macroeconomic data in one interface—all without the need for an account. This approach aims to minimize missed opportunities caused by switching between multiple applications.
Crypto analyst Darkfost posted that despite Ethereum (ETH) recently pulling back from $2,775 to roughly $2,500, a nearly 10% drop, the notional value of Binance’s ETH futures open interest fell by about $600 million over the same period. However, when measured in ETH quantity, its open interest has rebounded to the level at the end of September, standing at around 2.46 million ETH. Between October 8 and 9, the market liquidated approximately $345 million worth of ETH long positions in a 24-hour window. Even so, Binance’s share of total ETH futures open interest across major centralized exchanges has climbed to nearly 49%, a new high since 2023. Darkfost noted that this means that despite ETH’s price correction and some leveraged positions being liquidated, the amount of ETH traders have deployed to Binance’s futures market has not decreased notably, further strengthening Binance’s dominance in the ETH derivatives market.
Relevant content
US crypto-related concept stocks reversed earlier losses to trade higher, with MSTR rising 2.04%.
According to market data from BIT (Bit.com), US crypto-related stocks have turned from losses to gains, with the following performance: MSTR up 2.04%, COIN up 2.08%, CRCL up 0.91%, SBET up 0.93%, BMNR up 1.01%, HOOD up 0.34%, and ABTC up 6.73%.
3 minutes ago
Palantir hits an all-time high, with U.S. AI application software stocks remaining active.
According to market data from BIT (Bit.com), U.S. AI software stocks remain active. Palantir (PLTR.US) rose over 1% to hit a new high, while ServiceNow (NOW.US), Shopify (SHOP.US), and Salesforce (CRM.US) gained more than 3%. SAP SE (SAP.US), Snap (SNAP.US), and Workday (WDAY.US) each climbed over 1%. On the news front, Bank of America Securities upgraded Salesforce’s rating from Underperform to Buy, sharply lifting its target price from $160 to $285. In its report, BofA noted that although revenue directly tied to AI still accounts for a small share, it is optimistic about the long-term prospects of the company’s enterprise AI. Additionally, Ben Schneider, chief U.S. equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, and TMT expert Pete Callahan pointed out that the AI investment narrative is shifting from semiconductor capital expenditure to application-layer areas such as the "inference economy" and personal agents. Callahan bluntly stated that "programming AI is no longer a market secret", adding that the market is urgently searching for the next major AI story.
3 minutes ago
AMD unveils Helion AI agent rack solution, with each rack supporting up to 32,768 CPU cores.
Beating AI News (from Dongcha) – AMD today announced the launch of the AMD Helion Agent AI Rack Solution. Built on an open infrastructure design compliant with Open Compute Project (OCP) specifications, the solution is engineered to meet the computing power demands of large-scale AI agent tasks, supporting flexible combinations of CPUs and GPUs.
It offers two primary configurations: The first is a CPU-only rack powered by 6th Gen AMD EPYC processors, supporting up to 32,768 CPU cores, designed for hyperscale deployments, providing dedicated computing power for agent tasks and connecting to separate model inference infrastructure. The second is an integrated rack combining AMD EPYC CPUs, AMD Instinct MI350P GPUs, and general-purpose compute nodes, targeted at enterprise-grade agent AI applications.
AMD states that Helion supports both liquid and air cooling configurations, allowing customers to adjust CPU and GPU resources based on their workload, performance, power consumption, and cost needs. The solution also integrates open-source software and hardware plus a built-in token router, enabling the distribution of agent model calls to both frontier and open-source models.
AMD plans to submit the Helion specifications to the OCP for further community development and adoption. Currently, the solution is being developed in collaboration with ecosystem partners, with a launch scheduled for November 2026.
3 minutes ago
Head of Microsoft’s AI Agents Bets on 2027: AI Will No Longer Wait for Queries, Delivering Work Results Directly via Information Streams
Beating AI News: Nicolas Bustamante, head of Microsoft’s proactive AI Agent team, predicts AI streams will become the mainstream interaction method by 2027. Chat-based models leave too much work to users—requiring them to figure out AI’s capabilities, write prompts, provide context, and repeatedly direct agents. For billions to use agents daily, not everyone can be expected to master these tasks. Bustamante’s envisioned AI stream works like an auto-updated to-do list: AI drafts emails needing responses; when sales data refreshes, team reports are prepped. Users browse it like social media, approving, editing, or ignoring items, only turning to chat for complex issues. Meta’s Muse already proactively suggests and executes tasks. The model also has commercial logic: as users open the stream daily, AI recommends restaurants, goods or services based on their plans, with clearly labeled ads covering the agent’s operational costs.
3 minutes ago
A crypto whale reallocated its UBTC holdings into 16,700 ETH, worth $42.46 million.
According to monitoring by AI Aunt, a crypto whale address swapped its UBTC holdings for 16,704.47 ETH over the past 22 hours, worth approximately $42.46 million, at an average purchase price of around $2,541.89.
3 minutes ago
Microsoft's stock price has hit a nearly one-year high, and the company announced plans to massively deploy its in-house developed AI chips.
According to BIT (Bit.com) market data, Microsoft’s stock price hit a near one-year high, rising 0.8% intraday. On the news front, Microsoft plans to gradually increase the use of its self-developed AI chips in data centers to reduce reliance on NVIDIA GPUs. Microsoft stated that it will mainly rely on its self-developed Maia chip architecture to handle AI model requests in the future, and plans to deploy several gigawatts of computing power on the Maia series chips. Microsoft unveiled its third-generation AI accelerator chip, the Maia 300, on Monday, which is expected to enter production in 2027. Each data center rack can hold 96 Maia 300 chips, double the number of the previous-generation Maia 200; compared with GPUs, its AI token processing capacity per rack can reach up to 7 times higher, and the number of tokens processed per megawatt increases by approximately 40%. Microsoft said the Maia 300 is expected to boost AI service performance and lower data center operating costs. Evercore ISI analysts forecast that by the first quarter of 2027, Maia chips will account for around 10% of Microsoft’s AI chip spending.
Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) announced on October 12 that, as of the latest statistics, it holds approximately 6.03 million ETH, accounting for around 4.9% of Ethereum’s total supply. The company added 12,532 ETH to its holdings last week, pushing its position further above the 6 million ETH threshold and bringing it close to its target of holding 5% of Ethereum’s total supply. In addition to ETH, Bitmine’s holdings of crypto assets, cash, tradable securities, and other investments total approximately $16.2 billion. Of this total, the company has staked 5,067,309 ETH, valued at roughly $12.9 billion per announcement data, representing about 84% of its total ETH holdings. Bitmine Chairman Tom Lee stated that since launching its ETH treasury strategy on June 30, 2025, the company has been continuously purchasing ETH every week. He projects that once all of the company’s ETH holdings are fully staked through MAVAN and its partners, at the current 2.61% seven-day yield, annualized staking revenue could reach approximately $400 million. Additionally, the company’s perpetual preferred stock (BMNP) closed at $99.53 per share, above its $80 per share issue price. Tom Lee believes that as tokenization, wealth transfer, and AI-related demand drive growth in the crypto market, Bitmine is poised to benefit from the next bull market.
Is ETH ready to rebound after its recent price pullback?
The second-largest cryptocurrency has retraced 6% over the past week, yet an important development suggests the bullish setup remains intact.
Many market observers believe ETH could soon reach a new all-time high, while one mysterious trader spent millions to open an extremely risky long position in the asset.
The Bullish Perspective
Popular X user Ash Crypto revealed that ETH closed its fourth consecutive week above the 50-week moving average (MA) after bouncing off multi-month support at $2,405. This is considered a major long-term trend indicator and suggests momentum remains on the bulls’ side (despite recent volatility).
“Four consecutive weekly closes above the 50-week MA is an encouraging signal for ETH. Holding this level could strengthen the bullish outlook, but confirmation on the next few candles will be key,” one X user commented on the post.
Many analysts think the asset could be on the verge of an imminent surge. Ali Martinez recently noted that ETH has formed an “Adam and Eve” bottoming pattern, outlining the neckline at $2,520 as the key zone.
“A sustained close above this level could confirm a bullish breakout and open the door for ETH to rally toward $2,640.”
For his part, Ted said ETH is currently facing resistance around the $2,560-$2,570 range. He believes that reclaiming this zone could set the stage for a pump to $2,700. X user BLADE noted the recent price correction but reminded that the asset has historically rallied after such dips.
“It’s a simple dynamic that keeps repeating. Same base as the 2025 bottom, so naturally I’d expect the same run over the months ahead. My target: $5K,” they said.
Meanwhile, investors have become increasingly aggressive on ETH. X user Gerla disclosed that Ethereum longs on Bitfinex have spiked by 266% in just a few weeks, reaching their highest level since 2022. Ash Crypto revealed that an anonymous whale opened a $50 million long position on ETH with 25x leverage and is currently less than $50 away from liquidation.
The Bearish Signals
Despite analysts’ predominant optimism, two key developments suggest the asset could underperform in the near future. The first is the recent performance of the spot ETH ETFs.
Ethereum (ETH) Correction Deepens, But Binance Withdrawals Tell Another Story
Analyst Warns of Bitcoin Monday Dump After Sunday Gain
As CryptoPotato reported, the investment vehicles recorded total outflows of more than $540 million last week, signaling that pension funds, hedge funds, and other conservative investors have reduced their exposure to the cryptocurrency. More concerning, spot ETH ETFs have posted nine consecutive red days, with September 28 as the last day inflows exceeded outflows.
Next is the rising amount of coins stored on crypto exchanges. According to CryptoQuant, the figure has risen to a one-month high of about 14.9 million units, which doesn’t guarantee a price collapse but increases immediate selling pressure.
Ethereum se po odrazu na 2 519 USD zastavilo u 2 500 USD; týdenní odlivy ze spotových ETF dosahují téměř 542 milionů USD, což signalizuje slabou poptávku.
After holding the key support near $2250 for two days, Ethereum [ETH] sellers regained the market control, accelerating further downward. The level was the last support holding the structure after the altcoin fell outside the range it had been trading in since the last week of September.
The altcoin’s downward momentum continued before halting near the $2400 support. Bulls then regained momentum, igniting a rebound back above $2500 at $2519. Since then, the upside momentum has stalled near the $2500 mark.
Source: TradingView Meanwhile, the spot volume has been declining dramatically, as weekly ETF outflows still remain high near $542 million, suggesting demand remains weak. Heavy liquidations, dominated by leveraged longs, further accelerated the decline.
Therefore, looking ahead, $2,408 remains critical, as another breakdown below that support could expose $2,350–$2,400.
Conversely, reclaiming $2,560 would signal improving demand and open a recovery toward $2,625, potentially restoring confidence and reducing downside pressure.
ETH Open Interest signals liquidation risk Elsewhere, Ethereum’s price recovery now faces another hurdle. According to Alphractal’s derivatives positioning data, major traders’ confidence is declining.
The 30-day and 180-day open interest deltas are both negative, which represents that long-term open interest for leveraged positions will continue to decrease.
Moreover, the whale-versus-retail delta also remains negative. Therefore, it simply implies that whales are supporting less bearish trading compared to retail buyers.
Source: Alphractal This shift matters because ETH still carries approximately 10.58 million ETH, worth roughly $12.9 billion in total open interest. As such, this represents a significant amount of potential volatility should the price suddenly move.
That aside, the latest reading shows a negative delta near 940,000 ETH according to Alphractal data, reinforcing the scale of positioning pressure.
Consequently, another decline may lead to new liquidation and increased selling. On the other hand, less exposure to sell-offs may reduce volatility when Ethereum becomes stable and traders build their position cautiously.
Bitfinex ETH longs surge Ethereum’s recent sell-off has not stopped every trader from betting on a rebound. However, Bitfinex’ long positions have risen to almost $283,405 with an extreme rise in positive bets for ETH as it tries to bounce back.
The concentration of such positioning indicates that some traders believe the loss will be seen as a buy signal rather than the beginning of larger declines. Still, the bets carry a significant risk since both RSI readings have climbed above 82, indicating extremely stretched momentum.
Source: TradingView If ETH fails to sustain its recovery, these leveraged longs could face pressure to exit, potentially adding fresh selling. Conversely, continued price strength could reward early buyers and encourage further bullish positioning.
The key question is whether actual demand can support this aggressive bet before profit-taking or a reversal undermines it.
Final Summary Ethereum risks further losses below $2,430, with $2,560 key to recovery.
ETH faces liquidation risk as Bitfinex longs surge toward $283,405.
Two wallets linked to the Ethereum Foundation moved 4,393 ETH to Kraken on October 12, 2026. At the time of the transfer, that stack was worth approximately $11.13 million.
The move was flagged by on-chain tracker EmberCN and picked up by outlets including TechFlow and BlockBeats. Neither the foundation nor Kraken has said anything publicly about it.
Following the coins The two sending addresses were identified as 0x4c4…2b94 and 0x999…0229. Together, they accounted for the full 4,393 ETH that landed on Kraken.
One of those wallets has a long history. In 2016, it received 59,751 ETH from an Ethereum Foundation address. Over the following ten years, that same wallet has routed 49,751 ETH to Kraken.
The research ties that ETH to an average price of approximately $658 per coin.
The gap between what the wallet received and what it has sent to Kraken works out to 10,000 ETH. The available on-chain data does not specify where that remainder sits today.
This transfer also does not stand alone. EmberCN-style monitoring has caught similar flows from foundation-linked addresses to Kraken in May and August of 2026, as well as in late 2025. Those earlier movements included both larger transfers and smaller test transactions.
Why the Ethereum Foundation keeps showing up at Kraken The Ethereum Foundation is the nonprofit that has supported Ethereum’s development since its early days. Historically, the foundation has sent funds to centralized exchanges such as Kraken for various operational purposes.
Without a statement from the foundation, the exact purpose of this batch remains unclear. The research describes these flows as potential operational activity, possibly connected to future projects or liquidity needs.
What this means for ETH holders and the market Prior transfers of this kind have drawn attention from the analytics community without typically producing immediate market impact.
Transfers in late 2025, May 2026, August 2026, and now October 2026 suggest a steady cadence of treasury activity. Observers will look for any public explanation from the foundation, any follow-up transfers from the same two addresses, and whether the 10,000 ETH gap from the 2016 allocation shows up anywhere.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded significant outflows this month, marking a notable shift in sentiment among crypto investors. Data from Decrypt’s ETF tracker shows these funds faced back-to-back redemptions, including a $484.9 million exit on Wednesday, their steepest daily withdrawal since June.
Bitcoin ETFs reverse course in OctoberDespite a brief recovery with $21.1 million in inflows on Friday, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs finished the first seven trading days of October with a net outflow of $386.3 million. The modest gain failed to compensate for large withdrawals earlier in the week, particularly following Wednesday’s sizable exit and an additional $244.1 million lost on Thursday.
Bitcoin ETFs provide a way for investors to participate in the digital asset market without directly holding cryptocurrencies or managing private wallets. The products mirror the price of Bitcoin and are traded on regular brokerage platforms, attracting both institutional and retail investors since their debut.
October began on a positive note, as the ETFs attracted a combined $292.6 million on the first two days. Another $118.8 million flowed in on October 6. However, these early inflows were overshadowed by the subsequent downturn, erasing previous gains for the month.
ETFOctober Net FlowsLargest Single-Day OutflowCumulative Net InflowsTotal Net AssetsBitcoin-$386.3 million-$484.9 million (Wed.)$57.6 billion$100.6 billionEthereum-$635 million-$201.9 million (Oct. 6)$13.2 billion$14.5 billionSolana-$24.8 million-$3.8 million (Fri.)$137.9 millionNot disclosedETF flows reflect shifting investor sentimentAfter a strong September, the landscape changed abruptly. In mid-September, following the U.S. Senate’s failed cloture vote on the Clarity Act, Bitcoin ETFs experienced a series of outflows. However, they quickly rebounded with nine straight sessions of inflows totaling roughly $3 billion, which returned year-to-date figures into positive territory for 2026.
Flows in and out of crypto ETFs have become a reliable gauge of market sentiment, as they reflect the willingness of investors to take on or shed digital asset exposure through regulated investment vehicles.
However, the reversal so far in October suggests caution and profit-taking may be returning to the market as uncertainty persists around regulatory and macroeconomic developments.
Ethereum and Solana ETFs deepen lossesEthereum ETFs have recorded a more severe downturn. The funds posted a $56.1 million outflow on Friday, extending their loss streak to nine consecutive trading days in October. During this period, cumulative withdrawals reached nearly $700 million, with the largest single-day loss of $201.9 million taking place on October 6. Despite these losses, Ethereum ETFs still hold $14.5 billion in total net assets and have attracted $13.2 billion in net inflows since their introduction.
Solana ETFs also faced negative flows this month, though on a much smaller scale compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Outflows for Solana ETFs totaled $3.8 million on Friday, the fifth straight day of net redemptions. The funds’ only inflow for October, $1.3 million, occurred on October 2. Overall, Solana ETFs have lost $24.8 million so far this month, while cumulative net inflows since launch stand at $137.9 million.
Solana, a blockchain known for its fast transaction speeds and lower fees compared to some other networks, continues to attract investor attention through ETF products, but recent flow data suggests more caution among holders.
Bitcoin ETFs, despite recent negative momentum, remain the largest by net inflow at $57.6 billion since launch and currently manage $100.6 billion in assets.
Mini dictionary: Cloture vote — A cloture vote is a procedure used in the U.S. Senate to end debate on a legislative issue and bring it to a final vote. Reaching cloture usually requires a supermajority, which can be a significant hurdle for passing contentious bills.
Vitalik Buterin thinks artificial intelligence just bought Ethereum a couple of decades. Speaking at the Network State Conference 2026 in Singapore, the Ethereum co-founder said AI is speeding up work on the network’s protocol upgrades by a dramatic margin.
Without it, he suggested, some of the roadmap’s goals could have taken until 2040 or even 2050 to reach.
What Buterin actually said The interview took place on October 9, 2026, and was reported the following day. Buterin’s focus was the Lean Roadmap, Ethereum’s plan to overhaul its core protocol.
His central claim: AI is now handling a substantial share of the research and coding that the roadmap requires. That includes some of the hardest work on the list.
The standout example is formal verification written in Lean 4. Lean 4 is a programming language and proof assistant used to write mathematical proofs that a computer can check line by line.
According to the research summary, AI’s contribution in Lean 4 reduces the need for people to manually audit huge volumes of code.
Advertisement
The architecture AI is helping build The roadmap Buterin described is not a minor tune-up. Ethereum is moving toward an architecture built around recursive STARKs, automated formal verification and stronger quantum resistance.
A quick translation of those terms. STARKs are cryptographic proofs that let one party prove a computation was done correctly without everyone redoing it, and recursive STARKs are proofs that can verify other proofs. Quantum resistance refers to protecting the network against future quantum computers that could break today’s cryptography.
That is where AI comes in, according to Buterin. The research summary describes AI as becoming a crucial enabler as Ethereum heads toward this more sophisticated design.
Hegota and the end of “normal” forks The next milestone on the calendar is the Hegota upgrade, which is expected around 2027. It is described as the last “normal” fork in Ethereum’s history.
After that, the focus is expected to tilt toward advanced cryptographic methods and formal verification, with AI integration playing a central role.
There is already some evidence that AI can do meaningful protocol work. In early 2026, experiments produced a prototype Ethereum client covering approximately 65 roadmap items. That prototype also synchronized with the Ethereum mainnet.
Buterin’s mixed feelings about AI This is not the first time Buterin has weighed in on AI this year. Earlier in 2026, he discussed what the research summary calls AI’s dual role in crypto development.
On one side, AI can accelerate technical work. On the other, it raises security concerns about vulnerabilities, including the possibility that the same tools could help attackers find weaknesses faster.
That tension makes the formal verification angle especially interesting. If AI can generate code quickly, mathematically proving that code is correct becomes a natural safeguard against the risks AI itself introduces.
What this means for Ethereum and its stakeholders For developers, the clearest implication is a changing job description. If AI handles more of the proof-writing and code auditing, core researchers may spend more time on design decisions and less on manual verification.
Buterin’s 2040 to 2050 framing suggests he sees AI as the difference between someday and this decade.
The security question also has not gone away. Leaning on AI for critical infrastructure code raises the stakes on getting verification right, since a subtle error in a widely used blockchain can be expensive.
What to watch next: progress on Hegota, further results from AI-built client experiments, and how much of the Lean Roadmap’s formal verification ends up being machine-generated.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
