Market Signal Briefing

Solana (SOL), the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, continues to attract institutional attention and regulatory momentum, yet its price performance remains restrained. While SOL's fundamentals indicate strong structural growth, the token is struggling to break above crucial resistance levels, signaling that a significant rally may still be some time away.

Strategy (formerly MicroStartegy) has slowed its Bitcoin purchases to the lowest level since 2020, dropping from tens of thousands of BTC per week.The slowdown stems from tighter financial conditions and a collapse in its equity premium, which has made raising capital for new buys difficult.Despite this, Michael Saylor continues to hint at another large-scale Bitcoin acquisition, reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the asset.Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy), the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, is acquiring the top crypto at its slowest pace in recent memory.

Yet its executive chairman, Michael Saylor, continues to hint that another large-scale purchase may be on the horizon.

Sponsored

Strategy’s Bitcoin Buying Spree Significantly SlowsOn October 26, CryptoQuant analyst J. Maartunn reported a sharp decline in Strategy’s weekly Bitcoin acquisitions.

According to him, the company’s purchases have fallen from tens of thousands of BTC per week in late 2024 to roughly 200 BTC in recent weeks.

For context, the company was buying more than 10,000 BTC in a single week, including a record surge of 55,500 BTC at its peak.

Strategy’s Bitcoin Purchases. Source: CryptoQuantHowever, that figure has dwindled to a few hundred coins, the same level seen five years ago when the company was still testing its dollar-cost-averaging strategy.

Sponsored

Meanwhile, this slowdown signals not waning conviction, but tighter financial conditions that have constrained new capital deployment.

Strategy’s equity issuance premium, the gap between its share price and the book value of its Bitcoin holdings, has plunged from 208% to 4%.

That collapse has made new stock offerings a far less efficient way to raise capital for additional Bitcoin buys.

Startegy’s MSTR Premium. Source: CryptoQuantAt the same time, the company’s stock price has fallen roughly 50% from its record high, while Bitcoin trades about 16% below its $126,000 all-time peak, hovering near $111,000 as of press time.

Sponsored

These lower market valuations and thinner financing options have inadvertently forced Strategy to moderate its buying pace.

Saylor Hints at ‘Orange Dot Day’Despite the slowdown, Saylor continues to signal that Bitcoin remains central to the company’s treasury strategy.

On X, he posted a screenshot of Strategy’s Bitcoin tracker alongside the phrase “It’s Orange Dot Day.” This is a cryptic cue he has used repeatedly ahead of official purchase announcements.

Sponsored

Notably, such posts often precede formal filings, suggesting that another buy could arrive soon.

However, even with reduced frequency, Strategy remains one of the most aggressive institutional accumulators in the market. The firm has spent roughly $19.5 billion on Bitcoin in 2025 alone, trailing only its $21.7 billion total from 2024.

Strategy’s Yearly USD Investments in Bitcoin. Source: CryptoQuantThese purchases have helped push Strategy holdings to 640,418 BTC, which equates to around 3.2% of all Bitcoin in circulation.

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In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Just ten days after a 2.73% difficulty dip, Bitcoin's gears are revving back up. If miners keep cranking out blocks at this pace, the next difficulty epoch could deliver a hefty climb. Roughly 81% of the 2,016 blocks have already been mined, setting the stage for the change expected on Oct. 29, 2025.

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CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

Ethereum’s fundamentals continue to strengthen as major investors and analysts signal renewed confidence in the asset. Institutional investors like SharpLink Gaming are moving millions in ETH. In addition, analysts and on-chain data confirm the network’s growing dominance in decentralized finance.

SharpLink $78 Million ETH Move Supports Supercycle Outlook
On-chain data showed SharpLink Gaming moving $78.3 million worth of ETH from FalconX. The transfer, revealed by analyst Ted Pillows, reflects growing accumulation among institutional players buying into the recent market dip. A recent surge in large ETH purchases by BitMine and SharpLink reinforce the ongoing accumulation narrative.

SharpLink Gaming withdrew $78,300,000 in $ETH today.

Smart money is buying the dip. pic.twitter.com/Nwe7KGc4Nc

— Ted (@TedPillows) October 26, 2025

The transaction came just hours after Fundstrat’s Tom Lee reaffirmed that Ethereum remains in what he calls a “supercycle.” According to Lee, Ethereum’s fundamentals are now leading its price rather than following it.

He noted that stablecoin demand is surging, and Ethereum’s daily transaction count has reached new all-time highs. This shift, he explained, indicates a phase where fundamentals begin to push price action higher rather than simply react to it.

This perspective echoes recent technical insights from John Bollinger, who identified a potential “W bottom” pattern in Ethereum price structure. This setup that often precedes major bullish reversals

Data posted by Token Terminal (TT) confirms the optimism by Lee. The platform disclosed that the volume of stablecoin supply on Ethereum and the amount of transactions completed on the network per day are increasing at a massive rate.

All these are indicators of good network usage even when its price isn’t rising as expected. In the chart by TT, Ethereum is still on an upward trend when it comes to stablecoin demand.

Moreover, daily transactions are moving towards levels that are not seen in previous cycles. The trend asserts its position as the building blocks of big DeFi and institutions builds the reinforced applications.

Ethereum Layer-1 Matures as Price Rises Above $4,000
In another update, Token Terminal noted that Ethereum Layer-1 has now become the platform of high-value financial activity. The total value locked (TVLs) on the network have steadily increased, but contract deployments (an indicator of developer experimentation) are down.

This indicates that Ethereum now caters for proven financial protocols and less of experimental or early-stage projects. According to Token Terminal, enabling innovation on the main chain of Ethereum again could have a tenfold to a hundredfold rise in total value locked.

In the meantime, market performance for Ethereum shows a sign of rising optimism. Per Tradingview data, ETH price is trading at $4,078 rising by 3.12% in 24 hours.

It is by almost 5% this week. In the last 6 months, ETH has risen 126%. This exemplifies its excellent performance despite broader market conditions.

Ethereum price surge past $4,000, reflecting growing investor confidence supported by strong on-chain fundamentals.

Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.

Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

On October 26, Ethereum hovered around $4,070 per unit, testing a crucial resistance level. The digital asset fluctuated within a daily range from $3,926 to $4,081.90, amassing a trading volume of $16.27 billion and maintaining a market cap of $489 billion.

Circle, the issuer behind the popular stablecoin USDC, has minted an impressive $750 million on the Solana blockchain this month, further boosting liquidity and adoption across the network. This move highlights growing confidence in Solana as a platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoin transactions, as well as Circle's commitment to expanding the use of USDC in high-speed blockchain environments.

A recent estimate from Fidelity found that as much of 42% of Bitcoin's supply could be considered illiquid by 2032, if current trends hold.

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A sign marks the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., June 16, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SummaryCompaniesDeal to expand rare disease treatmentsAvidity to separate early-stage cardiology programs into new companyAcquisition to help Novartis gain stronger foothold in USOct 26 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis

(NOVN.S), opens new tab on Sunday said it agreed to acquire U.S. biotech firm Avidity Biosciences for about $12 billion in cash, as the company looks to bolster its portfolio of treatments for rare muscle disorders.

As per the terms of the deal, Avidity stockholders will receive $72 per share in cash, representing a premium of 46% to the company's closing on Friday. Bloomberg News reported on the deal earlier, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Sign up here.

Novartis has been proactively striking deals this year to address the impending patent cliff for some of its blockbuster drugs, including Entresto for heart failure, Xolair for asthma and Cosentyx for autoimmune diseases.

Under the terms of the deal, Avidity will separate its early-stage precision cardiology programs into a new company called Spinco, which is expected to be a publicly traded company, Avidity said in a separate release.

RARE DISEASESWith this acquisition, Novartis is expanding into areas with limited treatment options, while strengthening its presence in the rare disease landscape.

San Diego, California-based Avidity, a clinical-stage company, is developing treatments for various muscle disorders and advancing several first-in-class drug candidates.

Its lead drug, Del-zota, is in early-to-mid-stage development as a potential treatment for a rare form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while the company is also working on two other drugs for serious muscle diseases.

Avidity, which has a market cap of nearly $6.7 billion, is working on three experimental drug candidates aimed at treating rare neuromuscular disorders. These candidates, expected to seek approval by 2026, use a special technology designed to deliver RNA therapeutics directly to muscle tissue.

Kathleen Gallagher, currently Avidity's chief program officer, will take the helm at Spinco after the spin-off, Avidity said.

The deal helps Novartis to establish a stronger foothold in the U.S. market amid a potential hefty pharmaceutical tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump.

In response to the tariff proposals put forward by the Trump administration, major pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson

(JNJ.N), opens new tab, Roche

(ROG.S), opens new tab and Sanofi

(SASY.PA), opens new tab have pledged several billion dollars in U.S. investments as they look to navigate uncertain trade policies.

CONSISTENT WITH OTHER ACQUISITIONSThe Trump administration imposed 39% tariffs on Switzerland in August, triggering a sharp drop in Swiss exports to the United States that month. Pharmaceutical companies were, however, exempted from the initial U.S. duties.

Analysts point out that Novartis' plan to acquire Avidity Biosciences is consistent with its November 2024 acquisition of Kate Therapeutics, a company developing gene therapies for similar neuromuscular diseases.

The deal follows Novartis' $3.1 billion acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics in February to enhance cardiovascular offerings and the $1.7 billion deal with Regulus Therapeutics in April for a kidney disorder therapy.

Last month, Novartis also partnered with Matchpoint Therapeutics in a collaboration valued at up to $1 billion to develop oral medicines for inflammatory diseases.

Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan and Angela Christy in Bengaluru; Editing by Ros Russell

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

The space-tech specialist's stock is still up 249% year to date despite a recent sell-off.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS +2.76%) stock lost ground over the last week of trading even though the broader market saw bullish momentum. The satellite communications company's share price ended the week's session down 11.7% from the previous week's market close. Over the same stretch, the S&P 500 gained 1.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.3%.

On Oct. 21, AST announced that it was considering raising funds through a new private stock sale. The threat of stock dilution and new debt sent the company's share price tumbling.

Image source: Getty Images.

AST stock sinks on dilution concerns
AST published a press release last Tuesday announcing plans to sell $850 million in convertible senior notes to raise new funding. The notes would come due in 2036 and would be redeemable for shares of the company's common stock. Additionally, AST said that the proposed deal would allow the group of initial convertible note purchasers to buy an extra $150 million in notes within 13 days after the first round of the notes being issued.

AST then confirmed it was moving forward with the fundraising move. While a new injection of capital would help the company fund its operations and growth bets, some existing shareholders understandably weren't thrilled about the potential for a combination of new debt and share dilution.

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What's next for AST SpaceMobile?
AST SpaceMobile has a promising position in the commercialization of space and has seen explosive valuation growth this year as excitement around the trend has skyrocketed. Despite a valuation drawdown over the last week of trading, AST's share price is up 249% across 2025's trading.

With new use cases for the private sector, military applications, and other public-sector use cases, AST could have a very strong growth trajectory over the long term. On the other hand, the stock is already valued at approximately 336.5 times this year's expected sales and comes with a high degree of risk.

Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) have surged to an all-time high as the company continues to benefit from its role in the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

St. Louis-area machinists have been on strike since early August.

On Friday, Pennsylvania-based Conestoga Capital Advisors disclosed selling 855,435 shares of Vertex (VERX +0.51%), an estimated $24.8 million transaction based on average prices in the third quarter.

What HappenedAccording to an SEC filing released Friday, Conestoga Capital Advisors reduced its position in Vertex by 855,435 shares during the quarter ended September 30. The estimated value of the shares sold was approximately $24.8 million, calculated using the average closing price from July 1 to September 30. At the end of the quarter, the fund reported holding 2.5 million shares of Vertex.

What Else to KnowThis was a reduction, not a full exit; Vertex now represents 1.0% of Conestoga’s 13F reportable AUM.

Top holdings after the quarter:

NASDAQ:CWST: $272.9 million (4.4% of AUM)NASDAQ:ROAD: $270.8 million (4.3% of AUM)NASDAQ:DSGX: $248.3 million (4% of AUM)NYSE:RBC: $244.3 million (3.9% of AUM)NASDAQ:FSV: $233 million (3.7% of AUM)As of Friday's market close, Vertex shares were priced at $25.41, down 39.5% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500's nearly 17% gain over the same period.

Company OverviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$710.5 millionNet Income (TTM)($50.4 million)Market Capitalization$4.1 billionPrice (as of market close Friday)$25.41Company SnapshotVertex provides tax technology solutions, including tax determination, compliance and reporting, tax data management, and industry-specific software for corporations.The company generates revenue primarily through software licenses, software-as-a-service subscriptions, and related implementation, training, and outsourcing services.It targets enterprise clients in retail, communications, leasing, and manufacturing sectors across the United States and international markets.Vertex provides tax technology software and services for corporations. The company leverages a combination of software licensing and cloud-based subscription models to deliver scalable tax compliance solutions. Its focus on automation and integration positions Vertex as a strategic partner for organizations seeking to streamline complex tax processes in multiple industries.

Foolish TakeConestoga’s decision to pare back its Vertex stake reflects a broader retreat from underperforming software names that weighed on the fund’s returns last quarter. The Pennsylvania-based growth manager sold roughly 855,000 shares—a $24.8 million trade—leaving Vertex at just 1% of its reportable assets. In its third-quarter investor letter, Conestoga singled out Vertex as one of its “biggest detractors,” noting the tax software provider struggled with revenue growth amid elongated enterprise sales cycles.

That weakness showed up in the company’s latest earnings: Vertex’s second-quarter revenue rose 15% year over year to $184.6 million, but the company posted a net loss of $961,000, compared to a $5.2 million profit one year prior.

Conestoga, which manages about $7.5 billion in assets, remains heavily weighted toward quality-growth holdings such as Casella Waste and Descartes Systems. For long-term investors, the Vertex pullback likely reflects short-term performance management, not a rejection of its business model. The company’s recurring revenue and deep enterprise footprint still give it a durable growth runway if margins stabilize.

Glossary13F reportable assets under management (AUM): The value of securities a fund manager must disclose quarterly to the SEC on Form 13F.
Reduction (in position): When an investor decreases, but does not fully sell, their holdings in a particular security.
Top holdings: The largest investments held by a fund, ranked by their value as a percentage of total assets.
Transaction value: The total dollar amount received or paid in a specific trade, often based on average share price.
Form 13F: A quarterly SEC filing by institutional investment managers listing their equity holdings.
Software-as-a-service (SaaS): A software delivery model where applications are accessed online by subscription, rather than purchased and installed.
Implementation services: Assistance provided to help clients set up and integrate new software or systems.
Outsourcing services: Contracting external providers to handle certain business functions or processes.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Tax determination: The process of calculating the correct tax amount for transactions based on current laws and regulations.
Tax compliance: Ensuring all tax filings and payments meet legal requirements.
Industry-specific software: Technology solutions tailored to the unique needs of particular business sectors.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Descartes Systems Group. The Motley Fool recommends FirstService. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Quantum computing might be the next big technology megatrend.

Technology is one of the most exciting (and lucrative) sectors in the stock market because of its disruptive potential and scalability. Most recently, hype from generative artificial intelligence (AI) seems to have bled into another subset of computer science called quantum computing -- a technology that promises to dramatically expand computers' problem-solving capabilities.

With shares up by an eye-watering 3,000% over the last 12 months, Rigetti Computing (RGTI 1.91%) is a clear winner in this hype cycle. That said, with a potentially transformational technology like quantum computing, investors should be looking at the long-term story instead of short-term fluctuations.

Let's dig deeper into Rigetti's fundamentals to see how it might hold up over the next decade and beyond.

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What is Rigetti Computing?
Analysts at McKinsey & Company don't think scalable, useful quantum computers will be available until 2040, if not longer. But that extended timeline isn't stopping early movers like Rigetti from diving headfirst into the opportunity. Since its founding in 2013, the company has focused on building the infrastructure needed to support the future industry.

Rigetti runs a full-stack strategy, where it designs and fabricates quantum processing units (QPUs), which are used to create upgradable devices. The company has even made its own programming language called QUIL, designed to help developers write algorithms and interact with its systems through traditional computer hardware via the cloud. Its systems are already available through mainstream cloud computing providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

Rigetti's picks-and-shovels business model will give it exposure to the quantum industry's expansion while avoiding the risks associated with consumer-facing applications. And so far, things seem to be moving in the right direction. In September, the company announced purchase orders for two of its Novera quantum computing systems in a deal worth roughly $5.7 million, with delivery expected in the first half of 2026.

However, these sales are likely experimental. And investors shouldn't take this as a sign that the quantum industry is ready for mainstream adoption. In the meantime, Rigetti's operational health remains lackluster.

Rigetti is burning through cash

Image source: Getty Images.

Rigetti will need much more than a few one-off sales to generate real value for its shareholders. Top-line growth remains choppy to nonexistent, with second-quarter sales actually dropping 42% year over year to $1.8 million. Meanwhile, operating losses are growing consistently (driven by rising research and development costs) and now stand at $19.9 million.

The good news is that with $425.7 million in cash and short-term investments, Rigetti can sustain its losses for years into the future. Furthermore, the stock's recent rally has given it a market cap of $13 billion, which will give management the opportunity to sell more stock at these unusually high prices, reducing the level of equity dilution relative to the amount of cash raised. Rigetti's most recent capital raise was in June and netted the company a whopping $350 million.

What does the next 10 years have in store?
Investors who want to bet on quantum computing should have a 10-to-20-year time frame because the technology is still very far from mainstream acceptance. That timeline puts Rigetti Computing's stock in a challenging position because of its significant and growing operational losses.

Current investors will likely experience immense equity dilution as Rigetti uses the current hype as an opportunity to maximize the cash on its balance sheet. Fundamentals-focused investors should remain patient and wait for the dust to settle before considering a long-term position.

Will Ebiefung has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

CoreWeave is still down 25% from its all-time high.

Nvidia (NVDA +2.26%) has been one of the undisputed winners of the artificial intelligence (AI) investing trend. It's a critical supplier of high-powered computing software, and it knows where the money is flowing in the AI race. So, if Nvidia takes a stake in a company, investors should pay attention.

According to Nvidia's latest 13-F filing, it only holds shares of six stocks. Its largest investment by far is CoreWeave (CRWV +7.47%). Nvidia's stake in CoreWeave totals over 24 million shares, worth over $3 billion. CoreWeave's stock has more than tripled since going public earlier this year, but is still about 25% off its all-time high set in July.

With CoreWeave being backed by one of the most successful companies in the world, is it worth buying right now?

Image source: Getty Images.

CoreWeave is an AI-first cloud computing business
Not every company competing in the artificial intelligence race has the capabilities to build a giant data center filled with the most cutting-edge chips from Nvidia. They need to rent compute from another company that does. This isn't a new business model; cloud computing companies have been doing this for years. However, only CoreWeave's platform is specifically marketed and designed to fulfill AI needs.

This has caused rapid growth in CoreWeave's business. In Q2, revenue rose 207% year over year to $1.2 billion, with its revenue backlog (deals that it has signed and has yet to realize revenue on) rising 86% year over year to a jaw-dropping $30.1 billion. Few companies have that level of revenue visibility, but CoreWeave has already locked up several years' worth of business.

CRWV Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts.

After seeing numbers like that, it's no wonder the stock has been popular with investors and that Nvidia is a major investor in this business.

At the same time, why is CoreWeave's stock down from its high if it's seeing that kind of success? It all comes down to CoreWeave's profits (or lack thereof).

CoreWeave is operating at a loss
CoreWeave isn't producing any net income. Most of the time, I'm OK with emerging and growing businesses operating at a loss as they capture market share. However, it doesn't make as much sense for CoreWeave to do so.

Graphics processing units (GPUs) from Nvidia have a relatively short lifespan. There are some estimates that GPUs last in Google Cloud's cloud platform for anywhere from one to three years. With that short a lifespan, CoreWeave will need to swap out GPUs quite often. As a result, it's not going to be a business that benefits from scale. A significant portion of its expenses will recur every couple of years when its computing units burn out.

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The question becomes: If CoreWeave can't become profitable, now during the massive wave of AI spending, when will it ever be profitable? This is investors' primary concern, and it could also explain why CoreWeave has signed massive deals with AI hyperscalers like Meta Platforms. Although Meta is building out a lot of its own AI infrastructure, if CoreWeave is willing to put up a data center, equip it with short-lived GPUs, and run it at a loss, it likely makes financial sense for Meta to rent from it.

Given all this, I'm going to steer clear of investing in CoreWeave until it can prove that it's a feasible business model. There are plenty of examples of successful cloud computing businesses, so CoreWeave isn't trying to pioneer a new business model. It just needs to use what has already been proven out, and it could transform into a successful company. But the way it is being run now is concerning.

I think investors should buy the GPU supplier, Nvidia, instead, as it's slated to continue selling a massive number of GPUs for years to come.

On Thursday, B&D White Capital Company, LLC, disclosed it sold out its entire stake in the Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF (GPIQ +0.81%) for an estimated $17.5 million.

What HappenedAccording to a filing disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, Texas-based B&D White Capital Company, which does business as Coyle Capital, sold its entire holding of 351,699 shares in the Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF (GPIQ +0.81%). The estimated transaction value based on average quarterly pricing was $17.5 million. The fund reported no remaining shares in GPIQ as of September 30.

What Else to KnowTop holdings after the filing:

NASDAQ:AMZN: $136 million (17.4% of AUM)NYSEMKT:AVUS: $60.2 million (7.7% of AUM)NYSEMKT:ILCG: $50.7 million (6.5% of AUM)NYSEMKT:VTI: $38.5 million (4.9% of AUM)NYSEMKT:IWF: $35.2 million (4.5% of AUM)As of Friday's market close, GPIQ shares were priced at $53.32, up 10.5% over the past year.

ETF OverviewMetricValueAUM$1.9 billionDividend Yield (TTM)9.6%Price (as of market close Friday)$53.321-Year Total Return21.8%ETF SnapshotGPIQ invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities from the Nasdaq-100 Index.The fund's underlying holdings seek to maintain style, capitalization, and industry characteristics similar to the Nasdaq-100, while maintaining a non-diversified portfolio structure.It delivers attractive distributions to investors through a high dividend yield.The Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF (GPIQ) offers investors targeted exposure to the Nasdaq-100 Index. With a dividend yield of 9.6%, GPIQ provides scale and liquidity for institutional portfolios. The fund delivers attractive distributions to investors.

Foolish TakeB&D White Capital’s full exit from the Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF seemingly signals a decisive shift away from high-yield, options-based equity strategies that dominated flows in early 2025. The move came alongside a similar liquidation of its stake in GPIX, Goldman’s S&P 500 Premium Income ETF, suggesting a broader pullback from covered-call funds after strong short-term gains.

Coyle’s disciplined, evidence-based philosophy emphasizes market efficiency and long-term diversification, discouraging market timing or yield chasing. Given GPIQ’s 9.6% trailing distribution rate, the exit likely reflects portfolio rebalancing rather than a bearish view on the ETF itself. GPIQ remains a relatively new fund—launched in October 2023—with assets nearing $1.9 billion and exposure to top Nasdaq names like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple.

For long-term investors, the shift highlights a key takeaway from Coyle’s playbook: favoring steady global diversification and avoiding overreliance on income-driven products that may lag in rising markets.

GlossaryETF (Exchange-Traded Fund): An investment fund traded on stock exchanges, holding a basket of assets like stocks or bonds.

13F reportable assets: Assets that institutional investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC if above a certain threshold.

AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or firm on behalf of clients.

Dividend yield: The annual dividend income expressed as a percentage of the investment's current price.

Premium Income ETF: An ETF strategy focused on generating income by selling options or similar techniques, often boosting yield.

Fully exited: When an investor sells all shares of a particular investment, leaving no remaining position.

Non-diversified portfolio: A portfolio that invests in fewer securities, increasing exposure to specific sectors or companies.

Underlying holdings: The individual securities or assets that make up a fund or ETF.

Distribution: Payments made by a fund to investors, typically from income or capital gains.

TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

Institutional portfolios: Investment portfolios managed on behalf of organizations such as pension funds, endowments, or large asset managers.

Nasdaq-100 Index: A stock market index of 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

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Expanded cohort reiterates strong adherence rate of over 90% for Shield blood-based colorectal cancer screening testSurvey findings show eligible individuals prefer a blood test for colorectal cancer and lung cancer compared with traditional screening methods
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced the company and its research collaborators will present data showing the critical role of blood-based testing in increasing cancer screening adherence at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2025 Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona taking place Friday, October 24 – Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Building off findings from Guardant Health’s 2023 ACG abstract, a study of an expanded cohort of 20,000 patients confirmed findings from earlier reports on the effectiveness of the Shield blood-based screening test in improving adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Shield is the first and only blood test to receive FDA approval as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults aged 45 and older. The findings demonstrated an over 90% adherence rate for Shield, tracking well above average screening adherence for overall CRC testing which ranges from 28-71%. 1-4

A separate study led by researchers at Cedars Sinai found that individuals prefer a blood test for colorectal cancer and lung cancer over other methods, showing the potential for an innovative blood test like Shield to increase the overall screening rate in lung cancer screening. The survey found that more screening-eligible individuals (43.9%) prefer to do a blood test for colorectal cancer and lung cancer compared to traditional screenings.

“Today’s research reinforces what Guardant has long believed: blood-based cancer screening is the future,” said Dr. Craig Eagle, Chief Medical Officer at Guardant Health. “These studies highlight the power of a simple blood test in addressing today’s gaps in colorectal cancer screening adherence and potential to expand to an even broader population looking for a more pleasant option for their regular lung cancer screening. We’re eager to present these findings along with our research collaborators at the ACG meeting and proud to offer Shield, an FDA-approved test, as an accessible and convenient alternative to traditional screening methods.”

Guardant Health and collaborator presentations at ACG 2025

Presentation

Title

Time / Location

Sunday, October 26

P0302

Implementation of Blood-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Demonstrates High Adherence: Real-World Clinical Experience

3:30-7:00pm PDT / Exhibit Hall

P1515

Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Blood-Based Testing in High-Risk Individuals

3:00-3:30pm PDT / Exhibit Hall

Tuesday, October 28

P4744

Assessing Patient Preferences for Blood-Based Lung Cancer and Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests: Insights from a Conjoint Analysis with over 1,700 People in the US

10:30am-4:00pm ET / Exhibit Hall

The full abstracts for Guardant Health and a list of all abstracts being presented at the ACG Annual Meeting can be found here.

About Shield

Shield is a non-invasive, blood-based screening test that detects alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the blood. It is intended as a screening test for individuals at average risk for the disease, age 45 or older, and is not intended for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer. The Shield test can be considered in a manner similar to guideline-recommended non-invasive CRC screening options and can be completed during any healthcare visit. A positive Shield result raises concern for the presence of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma and the patient should be referred for colonoscopy evaluation.

About Guardant Health

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Founded in 2012, Guardant is transforming patient care and accelerating new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data and AI analytics. Guardant tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care, including screening to find cancer early, monitoring for recurrence in early-stage cancer, and treatment selection for patients with advanced cancer. For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Guardant Health Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding the potential utilities, values, benefits and advantages of Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy tests or assays, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors. These and additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Guardant Health’s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” and elsewhere in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Guardant Health as of the date hereof, and Guardant Health disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Guardant Health’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

1 Denberg TD, Melhado TV, Coombes JM, et al. Predictors of nonadherence to screening colonoscopy. J Gen Intern Med. 2005;20(11):989-995.

2 Gellad ZF, Stechuchak KM, Fisher DA, et al. Longitudinal adherence to fecal occult blood testing impacts colorectal cancer screening quality. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(6):1125-1134.

3 Inadomi JM, Vijan S, Janz NK, et al. Adherence to colorectal cancer screening: a randomized clinical trial of competing strategies. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(7):575-582.

4 Exact Sciences. Third quarter 2019 webcast and conference call. Updated October 29, 2019. https:/ investor.exactsciences.com/investor-relations/events-and-presentations/event-details/2019/Third-Quarter-2019-Webcast-Conference-Call/default.aspx

More News From Guardant Health, Inc.

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FRIENDSWOOD, Texas, Oct. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care, today announced new data demonstrating that its TissueCypher® Barrett’s Esophagus test can provide risk insights beyond pathology alone, influencing clinical management to support earlier intervention for those at higher risk of progression to esophageal cancer and potentially reducing unnecessary procedures for those at lower risk. The research will be presented in three posters at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, taking place Oct. 27–29, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, including one selected for a Presidential Poster Award.

“Our findings being presented at ACG highlight how difficult it can be to accurately assess progression risk in patients with Barrett’s esophagus when relying on pathology alone,” said Edward Horvath, M.D., board-certified gastroenterologist at Gastro Health West Boynton in Boynton Beach, Florida. “By identifying patients at higher risk who may otherwise be missed, the TissueCypher test provides objective, individualized risk information that supports more personalized decisions around surveillance and intervention, helping clinicians act sooner to potentially reduce the risk of progression to esophageal cancer.”

More than 6,400 scientific abstracts will be presented during ACG 2025. Only a small percentage of these received a Presidential Poster Award, recognizing high quality, novel, unique or interesting research, including the abstract by Horvath et al. highlighted below.* Two additional posters on TissueCypher will also be presented (all times Pacific Daylight Time).

P0689: The Tissue Systems Pathology Test (TSP-9) Informs Management of Patients That Are Indefinite for Dysplasia to Predict Missed Prevalent Neoplasia

Presenting Author: Ronen Arai, M.D., Gastro Health North Broward, Coral Springs, FloridaDate: Sunday, Oct. 26Time: 3:30-7:00 p.m.; author available to answer questions from 5:15-6:30 p.m.Summary: Pathologists may issue a finding of indefinite for dysplasia (IND) when active inflammation makes it unclear whether dysplasia or early neoplasia is present. Although guidelines recommend repeat endoscopy in three to six months after high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, patients with IND remain at increased risk of progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). New data from two case studies show that TissueCypher returned high-risk results corresponding to five-year probabilities of progression to HGD/EAC of 34% and 62%, respectively, exceeding the published rates of progression from HGD to EAC (33% over five years). These results prompted the use of advanced imaging and/or earlier follow-up, leading to detection of HGD in one patient and HGD and intramucosal cancer in another, enabling timely and more aggressive intervention. These findings illustrate how TissueCypher can deliver clinically valuable insights that support more risk-aligned management of patients with IND to reduce the risk of mortality from EAC. ACG Presidential Poster Award Winner*
P4977: High-risk Tissue Systems Pathology Test (TSP-9) Results Enable Risk-aligned Management of Patients With Presumed Clinically Low-Risk Non-Dysplastic Barrett’s Esophagus

Presenting Author: Edward Horvath, M.D., Gastro Health West Boynton, Boynton Beach, FloridaDate: Tuesday, Oct. 28Time: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; author available to answer questions from 1-2:15 p.m.Summary: Patients with non-dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (NDBE) are considered at low risk for progression to HGD/EAC under current guidelines, which recommend surveillance every three to five years. Despite this classification, patients with NDBE can still progress to HGD or EAC within that interval. New data from two case studies show that TissueCypher identified patients with NDBE at high-risk of progression to HGD/EAC, with five-year probabilities of 43% and 45%, respectively, exceeding the published rates of progression from HGD to EAC (33% over five years). Guided by these results, clinicians recommended earlier intervention with endoscopic eradication therapy, and both patients were subsequently confirmed to have progressed to low grade dysplasia (LGD). These findings support the role of TissueCypher in providing individualized risk stratification to help inform more risk-aligned decision making and potentially earlier interventions to help prevent disease progression at an early, treatable stage. P4930: Impact of Spatialomics Utilization on the Management of Non-Dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus in a Rural Community

Presenting Author: Stephen Thai, M.S., Texas Medical Center, The Colony, TexasDate: Tuesday, Oct. 28Time: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; author available to answer questions from 1-2:15 p.m.Summary: In a rural Texas study of 114 patients with NDBE, TissueCypher stratified patients into low, intermediate and high-risk groups. Seven patients identified as intermediate- or high-risk by the TissueCypher test received ablation therapy, while 99 low-risk patients had their surveillance interval safely extended from two to three years to five years. Overall, the test influenced clinical management in 93% of cases, supporting its potential to help ensure timely intervention for higher-risk patients while reducing unnecessary procedures and burden for lower-risk patients. All posters are available on the ACG 2025 website and in an online issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology. For more information on TissueCypher, visit Castle at booth 358.

About TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus Test
The TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus test is Castle’s precision medicine test designed to predict future development of HGD and/or EAC in patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE). The TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus test is indicated for use in patients with endoscopic biopsy confirmed BE that is graded NDBE, IND, or LGD; its clinical performance has been supported by 14 peer-reviewed publications of BE progressor patients with leading clinical centers around the world. The test received Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Test (ADLT) status from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in March 2022.

About Castle Biosciences
Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL) is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.

Castle’s current portfolio consists of tests for skin cancers, Barrett’s esophagus and uveal melanoma. Additionally, the Company has active research and development programs for tests in these and other diseases with high clinical need, including its test in development to help guide treatment decisions for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. To learn more, please visit www.CastleBiosciences.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. 

DecisionDx-Melanoma, DecisionDx-CMSeq, i31-SLNB, i31-ROR, DecisionDx-SCC, MyPath Melanoma, TissueCypher, DecisionDx-UM, DecisionDx-PRAME and DecisionDx-UMSeq are trademarks of Castle Biosciences, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: TissueCypher’s ability to provide risk insights beyond pathology alone and enable more personalized surveillance and treatment strategies for BE patients that may help prevent cancer including , supporting earlier intervention for those at higher risk for progression to esophageal cancer, reducing unnecessary procedures for those at lower risk of progression, and supporting risk-aligned management of patients with a finding of indefinite for dysplasia. The words “believe,” “can” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: subsequent study or trial results and findings may contradict earlier study or trial results and findings or may not support the results obtained in these studies, including with respect to the discussion of our tests in this press release; actual application of our tests may not provide the aforementioned benefits to patients; and the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, each as filed with the SEC, and in our other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact:
Camilla Zuckero
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Allison Marshall
[email protected]

Source: Castle Biosciences, Inc.

UPS offers a very enticing dividend yield.

Shares of UPS (UPS +0.20%) have been on a downward spiral, losing nearly a third of their value in the last year and over 60% from their early 2022 peak. The sharp decline has driven up its dividend yield to 7.5%, far above the S&P 500's 1.2% and rival FedEx's 2.4%.

Here's a look at whether UPS's alluring payout is a dividend yield trap or an unbelievable income opportunity.

Image source: Getty Images.

A look at what's driving the downdraft in UPS' stock price
UPS has been battling a couple of notable headwinds over the past few years. It's dealing with a challenging global economic environment due to ever-evolving trade policies. Tariffs are increasing international shipping costs, impacting the company's volumes. Additionally, the company is scaling back its relationship with its top customer, Amazon, to focus on more profitable business segments. The e-commerce giant provided 11% of the company's revenue in 2024 and around a quarter of its volumes. UPS wants to reduce its Amazon-related shipping volumes by more than 50% by the second half of next year.

These headwinds have weakened UPS's recent financial performance. Second-quarter revenue fell by nearly 3% to $21.2 billion, while adjusted earnings dropped 13% to $1.55 per share. This hit its cash flow. UPS generated $2.7 billion in cash flow from operations and $742 million in free cash flow in the first half of this year, both notably lower than last year's figures ($5.3 billion in operating cash flows and nearly $3.4 billion in free cash flow).

Today's Change

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The drop in free cash flow threatens the sustainability of the dividend. UPS has paid $2.7 billion in dividends in the first six months of this year, $2 billion more than its free cash flow over the period. The company also repurchased $1 billion of stock earlier this year. It made up for the shortfall by taking on additional debt. Long-term debt and finance leases rose from $19.5 billion at last year's end to $23.8 billion. While the company has a more than $6 billion cash balance and strong A2/A bond ratings, funding the dividend with debt is unsustainable over the long term.

The turnaround plan
UPS has launched a two-pronged strategy to reconfigure its business to better align with its future Amazon volumes while growing higher-margin operations, such as healthcare logistics. As part of that plan, UPS aims to deliver $3.5 billion of annual cost savings by the end of this year. It has closed several buildings, reduced its headcount, and launched other cost-saving initiatives. The company expects to achieve the bulk of those cost savings during the second half of this year, positioning it to produce stronger earnings and cash flow in 2026.

Additionally, the company is investing capital to grow its higher-margin operations, notably healthcare logistics. UPS has accelerated the expansion of this platform through acquisitions. Last year, it acquired Frigo-Trans and BPL to bolster its cold-chain logistics capabilities in Europe. Meanwhile, it agreed to buy Andlauer Healthcare Group earlier this year for $1.6 billion to bolster its North American healthcare logistics platform.

These moves to reduce costs and grow its higher-margin businesses position UPS to become a more profitable company in the future. That would seemingly enhance its ability to continue paying the dividend.

What does all this mean for the dividend?
The key concern is whether UPS can maintain its current dividend during its ongoing transformation. On the one hand, the company has regularly reaffirmed its commitment to the dividend. Its most recent quarterly dividend announcement press release, UPS stated: "Commitment to the dividend is one of UPS's core principles and a hallmark of the company's financial strength. UPS has either maintained or increased its dividend each year since going public in 1999." It further reinforced its commitment to the payout earlier this year by increasing the quarterly payment by $0.01 per share to $1.64 per share.

However, relying on the balance sheet to fund dividends is not a viable long-term solution. If UPS's turnaround plan drags on or is less effective than expected, management may need to reduce the dividend to align the payout with available free cash flow and protect the company's financial health. This makes the current dividend vulnerable if the company doesn't show financial improvements soon.

The dividend might be too good to be true
UPS continues to prioritize its dividend while navigating operational challenges. While its strong balance sheet allows it to do so, the wide gap between free cash flow and its dividend outlay poses a considerable risk. If its turnaround efforts fail to deliver, a dividend cut becomes increasingly likely. Given this risk, income-focused investors should view the current yield with caution, as the payout may not be sustainable throughout the company's turnaround. The stock is best suited for those comfortable with more risk, given the uncertainty surrounding the dividend.

The stock is up more than 300% this year -- and it may still be worth buying.

With Applied Digital's (APLD +0.15%) stock having surged  326% so far this year as of market close Oct. 21, does it make sense to invest in it now? I think the answer can be yes for some of us -- but not for all.

After all, each of us is in a different situation, with different investing horizons and risk tolerances. And the stock doesn't exactly look cheap. Its price-to-sales ratio was around 5 in 2024, and now it's 45.

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What Applied Digital does will explain why its stock has seen such demand from investors, driving up its share price. It's in the business of designing, building, and even operating data centers "for artificial intelligence, cloud, networking, and blockchain workloads." Between AI, cloud computing, and other technologies, data centers are booming. Research from McKinsey suggests that demand for data center capacity could more than triple worldwide by 2030.

Image source: Getty Images.

That's not just theoretical, either. Applied Digital has been inking deals to build data centers, including some $11 billion worth for CoreWeave to provide hundreds of megawatts worth of data center capacity over 15 years.

Considering that Applied Digital's market value was recently about $9 billion, you might ask yourself whether you see that value being higher in five or 10 years. If so, then buying seemingly costly shares now may prove to be a smart move. Do note, though, that the company isn't profitable yet, and it does carry a lot of debt. So weigh the pros and cons.

It's reasonable to pass on the stock now, if you're not comfortable with it due to its price or some other reason, but you might still add it to your watch list, as I have, hoping for a pullback.

Selena Maranjian has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Gold "doesn't seem like it has any chance of slowing down," says Will Rhind. He points a likely run-up to several factors, from a weakening dollar, to persistent inflation, to central banks around the global loading up on the rare metal.

Ripple's annual Swell conference has taken on an unprecedented level of significance this year after it was revealed that a senior Tether White House representative will be among the featured speakers. The event, set for November 4–5, 2025, in New York City, is expected to attract attention from global policymakers, institutional investors, and blockchain innovators eager to explore the evolving landscape of digital assets.

Key NotesBitcoin's price rose 10% over 10 days, reclaiming the $113,800 level as investor sentiment improved.Gold’s rally paused at $4,400, prompting $200 million in new Bitcoin deposits across DeFi platforms.Investors are rotating from Gold to yield-bearing BTC positions amid ongoing U.S.–China trade tussle.
Bitcoin price opened trading at $111,200 on Sunday, October before moving up 2% to hit $113,800. Since Gold’s historic price discovery phase paused at $4,380 on October 18, Bitcoin-Defi protocols have seen $400 million in fresh TVL deposits. Increased long-term exposure to BTC suggests investors are now rotating towards yield-bearing BTC positions.

Bitcoin Recovers as Trump Meets Xi Jinping
Bitcoin recovered to 10-day peaks near $114,000 on Sunday, as President Trump prepares to meet China’s Xi Jinping in Korea to discuss trade relations. The meeting is scheduled as the climax to Trump’s week-long visit to Asia, which included stops in Japan and Malaysia, where he oversaw peace pact signing between Cambodia and Thailand, stirring optimism across global markets over the weekend.

In the past ten days, Bitcoin has clawed back nearly 10% of its mid-October losses, rising from $103,500 on October 17 to $113,800 at press time on Sunday, October 26.

Meanwhile, Gold, which hit a record high of $4,381 per ounce on October 18, has experienced a 6% decline from its peak, trading at $4,103 at press time.

Bitcoin price action and correlation to Gold (XAU), October 26, 2025 | Source: TradingView

Bitcoin’s weekend recovery follows a period of intense volatility in mid-October. The crypto market was rattled by President Trump’s now-deferred tariff call on China on October 10 and the prolonged U.S. government shutdown that began on October 1.

Together, these events triggered a sharp capital flight toward traditional safe-haven assets, leading to a $19.4 billion liquidation wave in cryptocurrency derivatives markets — the largest single-day blowout on record.

Between October 10 and October 17, Bitcoin fell 16% from $123,800 to lows of $103,500, while Gold rallied 12% from $3,900 to $4,381 per ounce. According to TradingView data, Bitcoin’s correlation with Gold sank to -0.84, its lowest level since February 2025, when tensions surrounding Trump’s tariffs on its North American neighbors, Mexico and Canada, disrupted global market stability.

BTC TVL Rises $400M in 10 Days: Is Gold Ceding Ground to Bitcoin?
Since Gold’s record-breaking rally stalled on October 17, investors have begun reallocating capital toward Bitcoin and other yield-generating digital assets. On-chain data shows that the total value of Bitcoin locked (TVL) in decentralized finance protocols climbed from $7.8 billion to $8.2 billion between October 17 and October 26,  an increase of roughly $400 million in ten days.

Bitcoin TVL rises $400 million from $7.8 billion to $8.2 billion between Oct 17 – Oct 26 | Source: Artemis

When investors move BTC into staking and lending protocols to capture on-chain yields, it signals renewed long-term confidence in Bitcoin, particularly as Gold’s rally shows signs of exhaustion.

LYN ALDEN: "Bitcoin is gold combined with a tech stock." pic.twitter.com/fF7zEYmgN8

— Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) October 25, 2025

Meanwhile, prominent macro analyst Lyn Alden played down the influence on Gold on Bitcoin’s near-term price outlook, during an interview with Youtuber David Lin. When quizzed on both assets’ prospects, Alden noted that Bitcoin is now competing more directly with equities than with Gold

Alden added that Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted yield potential and its adjacency to tech make it more attractive to portfolio managers than static hedging instruments like Gold.

Bitcoin Price Outlook: Markets Await Trump–Xi Meeting and Fed Policy Decision
Looking ahead, global markets remain tense as the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week with little political resolution in sight. Investor sentiment is likely to hinge on two key events this week: the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on October 29 and the Trump–Xi Jinping summit scheduled for October 30.

US Fed Rate probabilities for October 29, FOMC meeting | Source: CME Fedwatch

Investors are currently pricing in a 96.2% chance of another rate cut of 375 to 400 basis points, according to CME FedWatch.

If the talks yield positive trade signals or the Fed’s decision leans dovish as widely expected, Bitcoin could extend its upward trajectory toward the $115,000 to $118,000 range. However, renewed geopolitical friction or hawkish monetary tightening could trigger a near-term pullback toward $109,000 support.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Bitcoin News, Cryptocurrency News, News

Ibrahim Ajibade is a seasoned research analyst with a background in supporting various Web3 startups and financial organizations. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and is currently studying for a Master’s in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies at the University of Malta.

Ibrahim Ajibade on LinkedIn

Wall Street is discreetly gearing up for a significant alteration in the Federal Reserve’s $6.6 trillion balance sheet, coinciding with a sudden rise in Bitcoin‘s (CRYPTO: BTC) price.

According to a report, Bitcoin’s price has recovered from a recent “flash crash,” soaring nearly 10% and surpassing $111,000.

This development occurs as the Wall Street heavyweights prepare for the Federal Reserve to halt the reduction of its $6.6 trillion balance sheet, a process known as quantitative tightening, reports Forbes.

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of crypto derivatives pioneer BitMex, foresees a spike in money printing from the United States starting next year. He has predicted that it will trigger an increase in asset appreciation, with Bitcoin potentially hitting a $1 million price.

Launched in 2022, the Federal Reserve's quantitative tightening program has trimmed its balance sheet from around $9 trillion to $6.6 trillion, draining liquidity from the financial system and putting pressure on risk assets such as Bitcoin.

Also Read: Elon Musk’s SpaceX Shakes Up Bitcoin Market With $133 Million Transfer

Analysts from JPMorgan and Bank of America anticipate the Fed will stop the contraction of its $6.6 trillion balance sheet this month. This action is projected to stimulate risk assets like Bitcoin as cash circulates more freely, reports the outlet.

Over the past year, Bitcoin’s price has mirrored gold’s rally, with traders gravitating towards hard assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin as safeguards against money printing and inflation that erode the dollar’s purchasing power.

The anticipated halt in the Federal Reserve’s quantitative tightening could have significant implications for Bitcoin and other risk assets.

If the Fed ceases to reduce its balance sheet, it could lead to an increase in liquidity and stimulate the appreciation of these assets. Furthermore, the potential surge in money printing predicted by Arthur Hayes could further boost Bitcoin’s price, potentially reaching unprecedented levels.

This comes as traders increasingly turn to hard assets as a hedge against inflation and the diminishing purchasing power of the dollar.

Read Next

Bitcoin’s Odds Of Dipping Below $100,000 This Month Stand At 52%, Says Polymarket

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Jake Molter, the founder of Molt Media, has become the latest prominent figure in the XRP community to express unwavering confidence in the cryptocurrency's long-term potential. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Molter made his stance crystal clear, declaring that there is “no way” he will sell his XRP holdings for less than $100 per token.