Market Signal Briefing

Fast-casual chains provide fresh food on the go. But these days, they also have to provide value for cost-conscious consumers.

SummaryAlthough most of the US banking sector traded down in September, the Big Four banks bucked the trend, propping up the market-cap weighted index.Each of the four US banks with more than $1 trillion in total assets as of June 30 posted positive total returns in September.Banks between $50 billion and $100 billion in assets fared a bit better. aimintang/iStock via Getty Images

Although most of the US banking sector traded down in September, the Big Four banks bucked the trend, propping up the market-cap weighted index.

Each of the four US banks with more than $1 trillion in

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Poolbeg Pharma PLC (AIM:POLB, OTC:POLBF) CEO Jeremy Skillington talked with Proactive about the company’s interim results and key clinical milestones.

Skillington highlighted that Poolbeg ended June with £10.0 million in cash, supported by an upsized and oversubscribed £4.87 million fundraise earlier in the year. He said this extends the company’s cash runway into 2027, providing a strong foundation for advancing upcoming trials.

One of the company’s main focuses is POLB001, which is being developed to prevent cytokine release syndrome in patients undergoing cancer immunotherapies. “We expect to have interim data in the summer of 2026 that we can start sharing with our pharma colleagues,” Skillington noted. The trial will take place at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust under Dr Emma Searle, with support from Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT).

Skillington also discussed Poolbeg’s oral GLP-1 program, developed in partnership with AnaBio Technologies. This program uses an encapsulation technology to allow oral delivery of GLP-1, currently given mostly by injection. A rapid proof-of-concept trial is planned under Prof Carel le Roux at the University of Ulster, with data expected in the first half of 2026.

Looking ahead, Skillington said Poolbeg is entering a “catalyst-rich period” with multiple updates expected that could attract pharmaceutical partners.

Proactive: Jeremy great to speak with you again. You're out with your interim results this morning. Could you share some of the key highlights, please?

Jeremy Skillington: Busy year for Poolbeg, busy half a year. We ended June with £10.0 million in cash, including an oversubscribed fundraise of £4.87 million earlier in the year. This extends our cash runway into 2027. That supports our key clinical milestones, including preparations for a Phase 2a clinical trial with POLB001. We secured access to an approved bispecific antibody for the trial at no cost, and we have partnered with a specialist blood cancer organisation to conduct it. We also received orphan drug designation from the US FDA.

Proactive: You mentioned that major update last week for POLB001. For those who missed it, could you quickly remind us about it?

Jeremy Skillington: POLB001 is moving into a Phase 2a trial in relapsed remitting multiple myeloma patients. We secured access to an approved bispecific antibody free of charge and partnered with Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) to run the study. The trial will be led by Dr Emma Searle at the NHS Christie Foundation Trust in Manchester. It will be a single-arm, open-label trial, providing clinical data quickly. Interim data is expected in summer 2026. POLB001 aims to prevent cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a significant issue in cancer immunotherapy. We believe it is an excellent candidate.

Proactive: What kind of impact could POLB001 make for cancer patients, health systems, and the company?

Jeremy Skillington: Preventing CRS could transform treatment. Patients currently need to stay in specialist cancer clinics. Preventing CRS would allow treatment in community hospitals or even GP settings, easing pressure on healthcare systems. Around 70% of patients receiving bispecific antibodies develop CRS, so addressing this is critical. Pharma companies would benefit from wider patient access, increasing revenues, and POLB001 itself has a market opportunity estimated at more than $10.00 billion.

Proactive: Talking about another large marketplace, you mentioned your oral GLP-1 program. How is that progressing?

Jeremy Skillington: We entered the oral GLP-1 space just as the field grew rapidly. These drugs benefit diabetes, obesity, and related conditions but are mostly injected. We are working with AnaBio Technologies on an encapsulation technology for oral delivery. The trial will be led by Prof Carel le Roux at the University of Ulster. Around 20 subjects will be enrolled, and data is expected in the first half of 2026. Oral delivery should increase compliance and convenience. The technology could also be applied to other metabolic conditions.

Proactive: Looking ahead, what should investors be excited about?

Jeremy Skillington: With £10.0 million in cash extending our runway into 2027, we are well capitalised. We expect multiple milestones, updates, and news flow to impact positively. We have an experienced team and are working in attractive areas such as oncology and GLP-1. We are looking forward to data readouts from both POLB001 and the oral GLP-1 trial next year.

Proactive: Jeremy, thank you for your time today.

Hoka parent Deckers takes the prize for returns on invested capital, Citi says.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of TQQQ, QQQ, NVDA, AMZN, GOOG, AAPL, META, TSLA either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of DECK either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Realty Income pays a very bankable dividend.

Earning passive income can be a life-changing endeavor. The more passive income you can make, the less time you'll need to spend working in the future. Collecting passive income can also help with easing financial stresses, since you'll know you still have some income coming in if you ever lose your job.

If you want to start earning steady passive income this October, buying shares of Realty Income (O 0.53%) is an ideal starting point. The real estate investment trust (REIT) provides a high-yielding monthly dividend, which it has consistently increased for decades. Realty Income's proven record of dividend growth provides confidence, making it an ideal dividend stock to consider buying this month to generate recurring passive income in the years to come.

A dependable dividend stock
Realty Income is one of the largest REITs in the world. It owns over 15,600 properties across the U.S. and Europe. Its portfolio spans retail, industrial, gaming, and other properties that are secured by long-term net leases with many of the world's leading companies. That combination of diversification and lease structure -- tenants cover all property operating costs -- enables Realty Income to collect very stable rental income.

The company's high-quality real estate portfolio provides a very strong foundation for its monthly dividend, which currently yields 5.4%. Realty Income pays out roughly 75% of its adjusted funds from operations (FFO) in dividends. FFO is a metric REITs use to approximate their available free cash flow for dividend payments. That conservative dividend payout ratio provides Realty Income with a significant cushion to weather any future financial crisis, while allowing it to retain a substantial amount of cash flow each year to invest in additional income-producing properties (over $760 million expected in 2025).

Realty Income also has one of the 10 best balance sheets in the REIT sector. That enables it to access low-cost funding to support its continued growth.

The REIT's combination of stable income and conservative financial profile has enabled it to pay a very dependable dividend over the decades. Realty Income has paid 663 consecutive monthly dividends throughout its history. It has raised its payment 132 times since its public market listing in 1994, including the past 112 quarters in a row. The landlord has grown its dividend at a 4.2% compound annual rate over its more than three decades as a public company. That has made it one of the most reliable dividend growers in the industry.

Image source: Getty Images.

Plenty of room to continue growing
Realty Income currently owns about $61 billion of real estate in nine countries, making it the sixth-largest REIT. That's a small fraction of the estimated $14 trillion opportunity it sees ahead to invest in global net-lease properties.

The opportunity is so vast that Realty Income can be highly selective, only moving forward with the best new investment opportunities. For example, Realty Income sourced $43 billion of potential deals in the second quarter. However, it only closed $1.2 billion of transactions, or 2.7% of its sourced volume, as it stayed very disciplined.

Realty Income's increasingly diversified platform enables it to cast a wide net and find the best investment opportunities. The company has steadily added new investment verticals over the years, expanding its total addressable market opportunity. It has recently started investing in U.S. gaming properties (a $400 million investment opportunity) and U.S. data centers (a $500 million market opportunity). Realty Income has also expanded into additional European markets and launched a credit investment platform to enhance its long-term growth potential.

The company has the financial capacity to invest billions of dollars each year ($5 billion investment volume expected in 2025). These new property investments will steadily increase Realty Income's FFO per share, which should enable it to continue raising its dividend payments.

A foundational income stock
Realty Income is an ideal stock to buy and hold for passive income. With its dividend currently yielding around 5.4%, every $1,000 invested in the REIT can generate about $54 of annual passive income, which should steadily rise as the landlord increases its dividend. The prospect of collecting a steadily rising payout is why you can buy Realty Income this month and never look back.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Realty Income. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

It isn't easy for a huge company to grow, but if any can continue to do so, it's this one.

No, it's not your imagination. Stocks are expensive these days. Factors such as the continued rise in the U.S. economy, thin interest rates, and the ease of owning equities have driven the market ever skyward, for the most part.

So it pays to be choosy, and it especially pays to select only the finest stocks that can stand the test of time. One of these beauties, in my opinion, is Walmart (WMT 0.45%). Read on for my No. 1 reason for being bullish on this company.

Now, that's a winning streak
Of the many impressive feats Walmart management has accomplished, for me the most spectacular is the retailer's near-unbelievable track record in growing revenue. Since it went public in 1970, with a mere one exception (2015), the company has upped its top line every single year, topping out at nearly $681 billion in fiscal 2024.

How did it get the job done? There are many chapters in Walmart's success story, but boil it down to two simple elements -- effective, low-margin pricing that attracted masses of customers, and aggressive footprint expansion. At the end of fiscal 1980 it operated 276 stores in the U.S. only.

Fast-forward to July 2025, and that total had ballooned to 10,797 (including 600 of its Sam's Club outlets). And more than half of that total consisted of international locations.

Great expectations
Walmart doesn't only deliver near-perfect annual revenue growth; it's very adept at squeezing out healthy profits despite those skinny margins (thanks to clever efficiency measures that help manage the sprawl). Since 2021, headline net income has ranged from $11.7 billion to last year's $19.4 billion. Those sorts of numbers are higher than many companies' total revenue in a year.

Analysts tracking the stock are fully expecting that top-line growth streak to continue. On average, they're modeling a 4% improvement this fiscal year to $701.7 billion, with a further 5% rise in 2026 to $736.5 billion.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

SoFi shareholders haven't had anything to complain about in 2025.

SoFi Technologies (SOFI -2.85%) is making a name for itself in the competitive financial services industry. While investors might correctly view the market as being dominated by powerful mega-banks, this company has successfully found its place. It's an up-and-coming player that deserves attention from investors.

Should you buy this fintech stock, which has been hitting new all-time highs in recent months, while its price is below $30?

Shares aren't so cheap anymore
In the past six months, SoFi stock is up a whopping 132% (as of Sept. 29). The market is demonstrating just how bullish it has become on the digital banking powerhouse. SoFi's market cap sits at $33 billion. This makes the business more valuable than well-known companies like Estée Lauder, United Airlines, and Kraft Heinz. It's hard to believe SoFi isn't even 20 years old yet.

But the stock's huge run-up presents a possible issue for value investors. Shares trade at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 50.8. That multiple, which many investors use to gauge a stock's valuation, has expanded in the past six months. This won't present too enticing of a proposition for Warren Buffett-style investors, who care about buying at cheap prices. But there are reasons to remain optimistic about SoFi.

Members' needs are always first
It's such a basic principle. But businesses in any industry would benefit from obsessing over their customers. This is the simple playbook that has transformed Amazon into one of the world's most dominant and valuable businesses. And I believe SoFi operates with a similar DNA.

After adding 846,000 net new customers, which management calls members, to the mix in Q2 (ended June 30), SoFi now has over 11.7 million people on its platform. That's a nearly tenfold bigger user base than the figure exactly five years ago in the second quarter of 2020.

If a company is growing its customer count in a jaw-dropping manner like this, it's clearly succeeding. This growth has come in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, rapidly rising interest rates, tariff uncertainty, and now shifting monetary policy.

SoFi operates a digital-first model. By prioritizing the use of technology, which is one very obvious reason SoFi is winning over customers, it is able to provide a wonderful user experience. This isn't what you'd expect from a banking entity.

Innovation is also part of management's growth strategy. SoFi seems to always introduce new products and services to cater to its customers' needs. For instance, the company plans to enable cryptocurrency trading this year. And it's partnering with payments firm Lightspark to offer fast and cheap cross-border money transfers that utilize the Bitcoin network. This is a very forward-thinking move.

Pay attention to SoFi's earnings trajectory
In the short term, changes to valuation can have a profound impact on stock returns. However, over longer periods of time, what really matters is how much a company's earnings grow. SoFi's thriving in this regard.

The company finally generated positive generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net income for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2023. Since then, the bottom line has expanded at an impressive rate. SoFi reported adjusted net income of $227 million in 2024. And this year, executives believe that figure will reach $370 million. Should this trend continue, it makes the current valuation looks more compelling.

Wall Street analysts think SoFi's earnings per share will increase 138% between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2027. This seems like a wildly bullish outlook at first glance. However, when you consider the earnings trajectory SoFi has been on, it's not a crazy view to have. SoFi is showing that its digital model can scale up in a very profitable way.

It's a smart move for investors who can take on a higher degree of risk and have a long time horizon to buy SoFi below $30 per share.

Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Bitcoin. The Motley Fool recommends Kraft Heinz. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

MADRID, Oct. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dangbei, a leading innovator in smart projection technology, will join Amazon Spain’s Prime Big Deal Days from October 4 to 10, 2025. Shoppers can enjoy savings of up to €300 on Dangbei’s best-selling projectors, ranging from flagship 4K home cinema models to portable and affordable entry-level solutions.

Biggest Savings

Dangbei DBOX02 – 4K ALPD laser projector with 2450 ISO lumens, delivering bright daytime images, Google TV, and licensed Netflix.
Now €1,199 (save €300, down from €1,499).
Bonus gift: a free stand (€89) with purchase; limited quantities.

Flagship Home Cinema Projectors

Dangbei DBOX02 Pro – 4K laser projector with HDR10+, 2000 ISO lumens，enhanced tone mapping, and a built-in gimbal stand for flexible setup.
Now €1,019 (save €280, down from €1,299).

Dangbei MP1 Max – Next-gen Tri-Laser + LED 4K projector offering 3100 ISO lumens, 110% BT.2020 color coverage, and ΔE<1 accuracy,Google TV with licensed Netflix.A perfect choice for cinephiles.
Now €1,699 (save €200, down from €1,899).

Lightweight & Portable Options

Dangbei Atom – Ultra-slim laser projector with 1200 ISO lumens and Google TV built in. Compact, lightweight, and powerful, delivering sharp Full HD with HDR10.
Now €629 (save €110, down from €739).

Dangbei Freedo– Battery-ready portable projector with 450 ISO lumens, a 165° gimbal stand, and licensed Netflix. Perfect for outdoor movie nights.
Now €419 (save €80, down from €499).

Dangbei N2-White– A minimalist entry-level projector with 400 ISO lumens, designed for first-time users.
Now €179 (save €70, down from €249).

Dangbei N2 mini– Native 1080p projector with a 190° tilt stand and built-in Netflix. Compact and easy for wall or ceiling projection.
Now €185 (save €34, down from €219).

All offers are available exclusively at the Dangbei Store on Amazon.es.
About Dangbei
Dangbei is a premium smart entertainment provider specializing in projectors. Trusted by over 200 million users worldwide, Dangbei combines advanced technology with user-friendly design, delivering stunning visuals and immersive sound for both home and mobile entertainment. For more information, please visit https://us.dangbei.com.

Press Contact:
Dangbei PR team
Email: [email protected]
Website: us.dangbei.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa8f5db2-ec64-4532-925d-dc0b99f3a988

PARIS, Oct. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dangbei, a leading innovator in smart projection technology, will take part in Amazon France’s Prime Big Deal Days from October 4 to 10, 2025. For one week only, shoppers can enjoy substantial savings of up to €300 across a wide range of Dangbei projectors, from premium 4K home cinema models to versatile portable devices.

Biggest Savings

Dangbei DBOX02 – 4K ALPD laser projector with 2450 ISO lumens, Google TV, and licensed Netflix.
Now €1,199, save €300 (down from €1,499).
Bonus gift: a free stand (€89) with purchase; limited quantities, while supplies last.

Flagship Home Cinema Projectors

Dangbei DBOX02 Pro – 4K laser projector with 2000 ISO lumens, HDR10+, refined tone mapping, and a flexible gimbal stand.
Now €1,019, save €280 (down from €1,299).

Dangbei MP1 Max – Advanced Tri-Laser + LED 4K projector with 3100 ISO lumens, 110% BT.2020 color, ΔE<1 accuracy, and Google TV with Netflix. A top choice for home cinema enthusiasts.
Now €1,699, save €200 (down from €1,899).

Portable & Everyday Options

Dangbei Atom – Ultra-slim laser projector with 1200 ISO lumens, Google TV, and HDR10 support. Compact yet powerful for everyday use.
Now €629, save €110 (down from €739).

Dangbei Freedo – Battery-ready portable projector with 450 ISO lumens, a 165° gimbal stand, and licensed Netflix. Ideal for outdoor movie nights and flexible wall-to-ceiling projection.
Now €419, save €80 (down from €499).

Dangbei N2-White – A compact entry-level projector with 400 ISO lumens brightness in a minimalist design, ideal for first-time buyers.
Now €179, save €70 (down from €249).

Dangbei N2 mini – Native 1080p projector with a 190° tilt stand and built-in Netflix. A compact choice for home use, making ceiling or wall projection easy in seconds.
Now €185, save €34 (down from €219).

These special offers are available exclusively through the Dangbei Store on Amazon.fr during Prime Big Deal Days from October 4–10, 2025.

About Dangbei

Dangbei is a premium provider of smart entertainment solutions, specializing in home and portable projectors. Trusted by more than 200 million users worldwide, Dangbei combines advanced technology with intuitive design to deliver immersive viewing and outstanding sound for every home theater experience.

For more information, please visit https://us.dangbei.com/.

Press Contact:
Dangbei PR team
Email: [email protected]
Website: us.dangbei.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/204175c1-09fa-483a-a517-c6329b7c1c7f

3 mins mins

Key Points:

USDC circulation surpasses 75 billion, making it 24.9% of USD stablecoins.Reflects strong demand for stablecoins in global finance.The growth may influence liquidity in DeFi and blockchain sectors.
Circle’s US dollar stablecoin USDC has surpassed a circulation of 75 billion, marking a new historical high, according to an official statement released on social media.

This milestone underscores USDC’s growing influence within the stablecoin sector, driving liquidity and stability in decentralized finance protocols and various blockchain platforms.

USDC’s $75 Billion Milestone and Market Dominance
Circle’s significant achievement involves surpassing a $75 billion issuance for USDC, accounting for nearly one-quarter of the total market share of USD-pegged stablecoins. The milestone was officially communicated by Circle on social media. Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, has emphasized the stablecoin’s role in promoting financial stability and innovation.

The rise in USDC’s issuance emphasizes its growing importance within the ecosystem. It not only enhances liquidity in DeFi protocols but also strengthens associated blockchain networks, including Ethereum. This circulation surge coincides with Circle’s strategic measures, such as the recent IPO and expansion into blockchain services.

“Regulatory clarity allows us to innovate and grow at a pace necessary for global finance.” — Jeremy Allaire, CEO of CircleMarket participants have responded positively to USDC’s growth, recognizing its enhanced role in securing stable liquidity across crypto markets. Regulatory frameworks, like the GENIUS Act, have further supported USDC’s position. While specific figures did not directly address the milestone, community sentiment remains optimistic regarding USDC’s adoption.

Historical Context and Regulatory Impact on USDC
Did you know? USDC’s recent market cap of over $75 billion is a substantial leap from its previous figures, highlighting its consistent growth and adoption in an increasingly competitive stablecoin market.

Recent data from CoinMarketCap indicates USDC maintains its peg at $1 with a market cap of $75.40 billion, representing 1.80% market dominance. Over the past quarter, its price slightly decreased by 2.58%, reflecting stable trading activity. With a 24-hour volume of $20.35 billion, USDC’s extensive use indicates continued demand, showing slight shifts predominantly aligned with market strategies.

USDC(USDC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 05:24 UTC on October 4, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

Reports by the Coincu research team highlight potential impactful outcomes from USDC’s growth. They emphasize increased stabilization within DeFi spaces and potential advances in regulatory alignment. Further market expansion and a robust partnership network underscore USDC’s promise as a stable financial instrument.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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FLOKI secures European ETP listing, boosting legitimacy for meme coinsPrice climbs 16.6%, nearing key $0.0001 psychological resistance levelAnalysts see ETP launch bridging meme tokens and institutional financeMeme coin FLOKI has entered the European financial mainstream with its first exchange-traded product (ETP), which debuted on Sweden’s Spotlight Stock Market in the last month. The product makes FLOKI the second-ever meme coin to achieve an ETP listing on a regulated European exchange.

The launch is seen as a milestone for digital assets long dismissed as speculative. By giving both institutional and retail investors access to FLOKI through brokerage accounts, the ETP introduces the meme-driven token to a market more familiar with stocks, bonds, and commodities.

Sponsored

Valour’s FLOKI SEK Debuts With 16 Billion Token BackingThe product, named Valour Floki SEK, was developed by Valour, the digital asset unit of DeFi Technologies. It allows investors to track FLOKI’s price performance without handling the token directly.

According to Valour, the structure provides “secure and transparent access to one of the most engaged crypto communities in the world.”

FLOKI’s community has played a direct role in supporting the rollout. Earlier this year, the Floki DAO approved the use of over 16 billion tokens from its treasury as liquidity backing.

That decision ensured on-chain transparency and helped establish credibility with regulators and market participants.

A Valour spokesperson noted that the listing “expands the reach of meme tokens into traditional finance” while aligning with the company’s broader strategy of offering investors regulated access to digital assets.

Sponsored

Valour, which previously launched a Dogecoin ETP in October 2024, already manages nearly 100 crypto-linked products across Europe, including ETPs tied to IOTA and Optimism.

THE FIRST FLOKI ETP GOES LIVE IN EUROPE

The first $FLOKI ETP is now live in Europe, making Floki the first and only BNB chain project to secure an ETP listing besides $BNB itself — a big feat, especially as it coincides with BNB season.

The product, named Valour Floki (FLOKI)… pic.twitter.com/LkTc1DaIBG

— FLOKI (@FLOKI) October 3, 2025
Analysts Call ETP a ‘Turning Point’ for Meme CoinsAnalysts say FLOKI’s regulated debut could shift perceptions of meme coins. By bridging the gap between on-chain culture and traditional finance, the listing is expected to attract a broader range of investors who previously avoided the sector.

Market watchers also note that FLOKI’s arrival coincides with rising interest in crypto-linked financial products. In the United States, regulators recently approved the first multi-asset digital fund, underscoring the trend of integrating cryptocurrencies into conventional markets.

Sponsored

With BNB Chain activity climbing and institutional appetite broadening, FLOKI’s ETP may serve as a bellwether for how quickly meme-driven assets can claim legitimacy within regulated finance.

FLOKI Price Jumps More Than 30%FLOKI jumped to $0.000112, marking a 31% gain today. The move pushes the token closer to the psychological barrier of $0.0001. 

The meme coin’s market cap has also soared above $1 billion, with daily trading volume exploding 270%.

Sponsored

FLOKI Price Chart. Source: BeInCryptoCrypto analyst Unipcs issued a bullish outlook in a recent post on X. He argued the token’s rally is tied to the current BNB Chain momentum. The analyst pointed to both historical patterns and recent institutional adoption as key catalysts.

“FLOKI is the biggest, most liquid, most mainstream, and most easily accessible BNB chain memecoin. It just got an ETP on a regulated stock exchange in Europe, giving institutions and funds a new way to invest during the BNB hype.”

$FLOKI going for it 👀

those who have been here for longer than a while now know that no $BNB season is complete without FLOKI rallying aggressively

it was the case last cycle (2021)

it was the case again last year when FLOKI became the only memecoin from last cycle to hit ATH… https://t.co/e9y8UzH8V2 pic.twitter.com/fmftHVoMdr

— Unipcs (aka 'Bonk Guy') 🎒 (@theunipcs) October 3, 2025
Analysts say the rally shows strong demand but also warn of risks. A clear break above $0.00015 could trigger more buying, while a retracement might test investor confidence as Q4 2025 progresses.

Disclaimer

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.

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Data shows the Bitcoin Open Interest has shot up to a new all-time high (ATH), implying speculative interest around BTC has surged.

Bitcoin Open Interest Has Risen Alongside Price Rally
As explained by CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn in a new post on X, the Bitcoin Open Interest has seen a sharp surge recently. The “Open Interest” here refers to an indicator that keeps track of the total amount of BTC-related positions that are currently on all derivatives exchanges.

When the value of the metric rises, it means the investors are opening fresh positions related to the asset. Generally, more positions come up with more leverage for the sector, so the cryptocurrency’s price can become more volatile following an Open Interest jump.

On the other hand, the indicator going down implies traders are either closing positions of their own volition or getting forcibly liquidated by their platform. This kind of trend can clear out leverage, which can naturally make the asset more stable.

Now, here is a chart that shows the trend in the Bitcoin Open Interest over the last few months:

The value of the metric appears to have sharply been going up in recent days | Source: @JA_Maartun on X
As is visible in the above graph, the Bitcoin Open Interest has witnessed a strong increase alongside the asset’s run toward the all-time high (ATH) during the last few days.

This suggests speculative interest in the coin has gone up. The trend isn’t anything unusual, as rallies tend to attract a lot of attention, and with attention naturally comes repositioning on the derivatives market.

The scale of the rise this time, however, is definitely something worth taking note of. Rapid increases in the indicator alongside a rally can sometimes destabilize it.

Following the latest jump, the Bitcoin Open Interest has touched $45.3 billion, which is a new ATH. “That’s the highest level of leverage the market has EVER seen,” notes the analyst. It now remains to be seen whether the bullish momentum will continue regardless of the intense speculation, or if it will prove to be a warning sign.

In some other news, the BTC rally has also been accompanied by growth in the Coinbase Premium Gap, an indicator that measures the difference between the BTC prices listed on cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase (USD pair) and Binance (USDT pair).

As the below chart shared by Maartunn in another X post shows, the metric’s value is floating around a positive value of $108 right now.

Looks like the indicator has grown over the last few days | Source: @JA_Maartun on X
This notable positive value implies Coinbase traders are currently participating in a higher amount of buying than Binance users, which is why Bitcoin is going for a higher rate there.

BTC Price
Bitcoin has pushed back toward its ATH as the latest continuation to its recovery run has taken its price to $122,300.

The trend in the price of the coin over the last five days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView
Featured image from Dall-E, CryptoQuant.com, chart from TradingView.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

In line with the broader cryptocurrency market’s recent upswing, the XRP price has captured attention with one of its largest weekly candles of the year, soaring over 14% in the past week and pushing the altcoin just above the $3 mark. 

This performance positions XRP just 15% shy of its all-time high, making it one of the standout performers in the crypto space, trailing only Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), and Solana (SOL), which saw price increases of 16%, 23%, and 21%, respectively over the same time frame.

XRP Price Analysis
Back in July of this year, the XRP price reached its peak of $3.66, but subsequent market corrections saw the token drop to as low as $2.70. Since then, attempts to recover have faced challenges, particularly with a key resistance level at $3.10 that has thwarted upward movements since August. 

This struggle has led to the formation of a falling wedge pattern on XRP’s daily chart, signaling a potential shift as selling pressure wanes and buying interest rises. 

XRP’s falling wedge pattern on the daily chart. Source: Lark Davis on X
Market expert Lark Davis recently shared his insights on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that if the XRP price can maintain momentum, it could target around $4, indicating a potential rally of approximately 33%. 

However, this bullish outlook hinges on XRP’s ability to consolidate above the $3 threshold, which would serve as confirmation of a breakout from the bullish pattern and pave the way for further price recoveries.

Will ETF Approvals Propel Prices Higher?
Contrasting Davis’ optimistic view, market analyst Ali Martinez expressed skepticism, arguing that while a breakout may occur, it might only lead to a price target of $3.60, essentially retesting previous highs rather than achieving new records. 

Despite differing opinions, the general sentiment leans towards potential upside, bolstered by the anticipation of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that may soon gain approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investing in XRP.

Leading analyst Crypto King highlighted the involvement of prominent names in the industry, with fund sizes ranging from $200 million to $1.5 trillion. He posited that the approval of even a single ETF could usher in a wave of institutional investment into XRP, significantly affecting its price trajectory.

While the prospect of institutional money entering the XRP market is enticing, it remains to be seen whether these funds will have a substantial impact on the XRP price, particularly given the precedent set by similar investments in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum in 2024 following their own regulatory approvals. 

The 1D chart shows XRP’s price recovery. Source: XRPUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

The Teucrium XRP ETF became active not because the Securities and Exchange Commission approved it, but because the agency let the clock run out during a shutdown. This happened as the SEC announced that:-

“Effective October 1 and until further notice, the agency will have a very limited number of staff members available. The SEC has staff available to respond to emergency situations with a focus on the market integrity and investor protection components of our mission.”

That notice meant that ETF filings would move forward or stall depending on the law, not on active review. Crypto strategist Chad Steingraber captured the point clearly when he posted:-

“The Teucrium XRP ETF was not approved by the SEC directly. They reached the deadline and the SEC didn’t ‘approve or deny’ the listing. So it was automatically allowed. ‘Silence is compliance.’”

SEC leaves futures-style ETFs running while shutdown freezes spot crypto funds
Financial journalist Eleanor Terrett explained why this happened. Teucrium’s product holds Treasuries, cash, and swap receivables and was filed under the 40 Act, which means the SEC didn’t need to approve it actively.

Eleanor added that the Commission typically lets futures-style ETFs go effective after the statutory waiting period passes. By contrast, spot crypto ETFs are filed under the 33 Act as commodity trusts and need explicit approval before trading, which will not happen until the shutdown ends and the agency returns to full capacity.

That breakdown shows the dividing line. Futures-style ETFs can run on autopilot after the statutory time limit, but spot products like XRP under the 33 Act can’t trade until SEC staff review and declare the registration effective. Because the agency is on limited operations, those S‑1s are not being processed.

Meanwhile, the SEC’s own notice said all non-excepted employees are subject to furlough, official travel is canceled or postponed, training during the appropriations lapse must be canceled or postponed, and paid leave is voided.

Any employee excepted must report for duty, but if they are sick their status would be furloughed. The agency emphasized that employees who have not been designated as excepted may not volunteer to work without pay, saying that such voluntary services “are a violation of the Antideficiency Act and will not be permitted under any circumstances.”

Crypto issuers file dozens of ETFs while SEC stays frozen
Despite the freeze, filings keep piling up. More than 30 crypto ETF applications hit the SEC this week. REX-Osprey filed prospectuses for 21 crypto funds on October 3, and Defiance lodged six more the same day.

Bloomberg’s James Seyffart posted about the filings on X, saying that REX-Osprey’s lineup covers single-asset strategies tied to AAVE, ADA, ATOM, and ENA, some with staking features. Defiance’s submissions included six leveraged funds.

Three were long on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, and three offered short exposure. All six aim for 3x leverage. Seyffart commented that “3x isn’t really allowed by the new leveraged ETP rules,” saying the issuer appears to be “targeting” 3x through options to get around the standard 2x cap.

This is all coming after the SEC approved generic listing standards for crypto-related exchange-traded products on September 17 across Cboe, Nasdaq, and NYSE Arca, as Cryptopolitan reported. Those rules were meant to speed up spot crypto listings by removing 19b‑4 approvals and moving the bottleneck to the S‑1 filings.

Fellow Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas wrote on September 29 that altcoin ETF approvals are “really 100% now,” because the old 19b‑4 “clock” is moot and S‑1s just need Corp Fin’s green light. But now, as Eric put it, “everything is on ice… it’s like a rain delay,” and issuers must wait until the agency reopens.

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Despite the broader crypto market consolidation, ASTER token is outperforming with 14% gains in the last 24 hours, shooting past $2 and eyeing fresh all-time highs. This is a strong bounce-back for the DEX altcoin after hitting the lows of $1.5 on October 1. Market analysts are hopeful that the altcoin rally can continue further, all the way to $3.

ASTER Token Shows Breakout From Bull-Flag Pattern
Crypto analyst Lark Davis says the ASTER token is currently breaking out of a bull-flag pattern, a technical setup that often precedes further upside. Davis identified $2.40 as the first key resistance to watch; if ASTER price clears that level, he sees the next Fibonacci target around $2.96.

Source: Lark Davis
Furthermore, the Aster blockchain’s native token continues to draw strong institutional interest. A large investor has purchased 2.74 million ASTER tokens for approximately $5 million USDT at an average price of $1.825 over the past 24 hours.

The whale still holds $1 million USDT on Aster DEX, suggesting possible further accumulation. Following the latest purchase, the investor’s total holdings have reached 3.07 million ASTER, currently valued at $5.86 million.

Source: Nansen AI
This strong whale demand shows that big players have continued with ASTER accumulation amid recent rumors of a possible Binance listing. Any such development could provide a major liquidity boost, thereby driving the ASTER price higher to fresh all-time highs.

Leading Perpetual Protocol Trading Volume Topping $1 Trillion in September
Perpetual Protocol recorded its highest-ever monthly trading volume in September, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time. Total activity for the month reached $1.226 trillion, with ASTER emerging as the leading contributor, posting $493.61 billion in trading volume.

The BNB Chain-focused ASTER, backed by YZi Labs, rapidly climbed to the top position in Perpetual swap trading, registering more than $420 billion in trading activity. Meanwhile, long-standing Layer 1 platform Hyperliquid slipped to second place with $282.5 billion in volume, dropping by  29% from August’s $398 billion.

In a related development, Aster announced plans to launch its own ZK-based Layer 1 network, dubbed Aster Chain, to further support its growing Perpetual trading ecosystem. This could further contribute to the ASTER token price surge moving ahead.

On the other hand, the broader crypto market has entered consolidation after a strong upside earlier this week. BTC price has now approached closer to its all-time highs at $124,000, while Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL), are all flat.

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.

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Major cryptocurrency Solana (SOL) is striking a bullish tone once again as the altcoin market heats up after posting some gains in the last 48 hours, with SOL rising above $230 in the process. The 6th-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was under pressure from downward forces during the second half of last month, when it tested the $200 price level. 

Now, as the right conditions present themselves, SOL bulls are likely to be back in action after a short lapse. The programmable blockchain remains the platform of choice for many upcoming blockchain-based startups, and its popularity is expected to increase as the bull run continues.

Solana Headed For $300+
According to popular crypto analyst Ali on X, Solana is looking strongly positioned to make a confident move above $300. He tweeted:

“With the bullish retest complete, Solana $SOL could now be ready for $320–$360”

The bullish retest in question refers to Ali’s prediction from mid-September, in which he correctly predicted that SOL would retest the $210 support level before embarking on the next bull phase. 

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Here is SOL’s price action during the last week:

Image Source: TradingView
The SOL/USDT price action of the previous 7 days shows that bulls are quickly setting the stage for an explosive October. There are numerous factors indicating that SOL is undervalued at the moment, given its extensive use by crypto developers. While some critics claim that the network is primarily used for notorious short-term pump-and-dump meme coins, it is also possible for startups of all backgrounds, many of which are in the crypto business for the long term.

According to one user who replied to Ali’s tweet:

“Fits perfectly with the bigger trend: ETF approvals are bringing real institutional money into crypto, and Solana’s now front and center. If SOL gets the green light, it could shift how fast altcoins go mainstream. Anyone else see this as a test case for the next wave?”

The Future
The importance of Solana in the altcoin market has never been more pronounced than it is right now. Historically, the secondary crypto market has responded to Ethereum’s price trend, magnifying it considerably.

However, this time around, a bulk of the activity has established a correlation with SOL instead, with the smaller crypto taking the lead and becoming a new market maker. Therefore, if SOL rises, we can expect significant price action in altcoins, which may later spill over to smaller market cap coins as well.

Journalist

Posted: October 4, 2025

Key Takeaways
Why is XRP up today?
Smart money whales added +300 million XRP at $2.80–$2.82, triggering a 7% pop and reinforcing strong support zones.

What’s next for Ripple?
Key resistance sits at $3.50–$3.60; with structural resilience, strategic accumulation, and HODLer conviction, XRP could be positioning for a June–July style 75% Q4 rally.

Ripple [XRP] is testing how strong its HODLers really are. 

Technically, XRP wrapped up Q3 with the lowest ROI among the top 5 altcoins (just 27%), while even Dogecoin [DOGE] managed a 41% pop. From a portfolio POV, any reshuffling could put Ripple’s Q4 upside at risk. 

That said, smart money is moving. XRP’s biggest whale cohort (100 million – 1 billion) added +300 million to their bags in October, pushing their total holdings to 9.48 billion, backing the 7% pop off $2.8.

Source: Santiment

Meanwhile, XRP’s cost-basis heatmap is backing these flows.

On-chain data shows nearly 2 billion XRP stacked in the $2.80–$2.82 band, making it the densest supply cluster on the chart. This concentration signals strong support in that range, creating a natural “dip-buy” zone.

In short, XRP’s 7% rally isn’t random. That said, Ripple is still lagging behind its high-cap peers. According to AMBCrypto, a clean breakout above key resistance levels will now be critical for XRP to maintain FOMO.

XRP’s technical edge poised to shape its Q4 momentum
Ripple’s daily chart shows it holding a clear technical edge over its peers.

September was dominated by FUD. Ethereum [ETH], for example, broke key support twice and retraced to early-August levels around $4,100. XRP, however, demonstrated structural resilience throughout.

The $2.80 level has held firm, marking the third validation of this support since mid-July. Historically, this pattern has acted as a springboard for breakout runs in risk-on conditions.

Source: TradingView (XRP/USDT)

Smart money is clearly lining up with this setup. 

The recent whale stacking synced with XRP’s 1.16% dip at $2.80, and before a deeper correction could hit, a supply squeeze triggered a 7% pop above $3. Naturally, the next key resistance is around $3.50. 

However, with strategic accumulation, solid structural support, and strong HODLer conviction, it looks like whales are front-running a strong Q4 setup, potentially setting Ripple up for a June–July style 75% rally.

Ritika Gupta is a Financial Journalist and Geopolitical Analyst at AMBCrypto, specializing in the critical intersection of world politics, economic policy, and the cryptocurrency markets. Her analysis is informed by her distinguished background, which includes professional experience at major news network.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Psychology from Gargi College, University of Delhi. This academic training provides her with a sophisticated framework for dissecting complex issues such as international regulations, government fiscal policies, and the geopolitical forces that directly influence asset valuations.
At AMBCrypto, Ritika applies this expert lens to synthesize macroeconomic data and political developments, offering readers a deeper context for market movements. She excels at explaining not just what is happening in the market, but why it is happening. Her work is dedicated to providing strategic insights that empower readers to understand the complex relationship between global events and their digital assets.

8h15 ▪
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min read ▪ by
Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Amid a budget deadlock in the United States, the crypto market shows an opposite trajectory. In one week, bitcoin appreciated by 14 % and approaches its highest historic levels. Meanwhile, the total crypto market capitalization exceeds 4,210 billion dollars. This renewed strength, decoupled from political tensions in Washington, reignites the debate on the growing autonomy of these assets against traditional cycles.

In short

Bitcoin jumps 14 % in one week and approaches $124,000, nearing a new all-time high.
The crypto market capitalization exceeds 4,210 billion dollars, driven by increased demand in the United States.
American investors pay more on Coinbase, a sign of strong local interest, confirmed by sustained on-chain activity.
The U.S. government shutdown and the Fed’s more flexible stance nurture a favorable climate for cryptos.

A bullish impulse driven by American crypto demand
The current bitcoin surge is no accident. It is based on a solid market dynamic, supported by clearly identifiable flows, with an obvious epicenter: the United States.

Over the week, BTC rose by +14 %, going from $108,600 to nearly $124,000. This rally is strongly correlated with increased demand from American investors, a phenomenon confirmed by several technical and on-chain indicators.

Here are the most significant signals noted:

The “Coinbase Premium Gap” reached $91.86, the difference between the BTC prices on Coinbase (US platform) and Binance. According to analyst Burak Kesmeci, this means that “American investors pay nearly 92 dollars more per bitcoin on Coinbase”;

A volume of purchases exceeding 1.6 billion dollars in one hour was recorded, according to Maartunn, indicating exceptional pressure;

Since the start of the U.S. government shutdown, bitcoin has risen 8%, with investors seeming to turn to cryptos in the absence of clear political direction;

Constant inflows into Bitcoin ETFs continue to provide structural support to the bullish trend.

Strong American demand, combined with an uncertain political context, pushes the market to its highest levels. The overall economic climate also creates a favorable environment for risky assets.

According to Bitfinex analysts, this rise appears “truly natural”, and could even be strengthened by the proposal mentioned by Donald Trump for a new stimulus check financed by tariffs.

A critical step towards price discovery
Beyond this bullish impulse, the market now enters a much more uncertain technical phase. If the $125,500 threshold is crossed, bitcoin could enter a true price discovery phase, marking a break from its previous highs.

Trader Jelle points out that “120,000 dollars are being turned into support today. If this level holds over the weekend, I expect price discovery to resume as early as next week”.

This analysis fits into an overall reading of the current bullish cycle. Rekt Capital believes we have entered “phase 3”, the breakout phase, where “new highs are forming”.

Furthermore, analyst Skew points out the existence of strong sell zones around $130,000, constituting a critical resistance level. He also notes the concentration of speculative positions on Binance and institutional buying volume on Coinbase, which could create extreme short-term volatility.

This technical and political configuration could foreshadow an explosive end of year for cryptos. If flows to ETFs continue to explode and American monetary policy remains accommodative, bitcoin could exceed its previous ceilings. Conversely, a sudden change in the macroeconomic climate or a major political disappointment could reverse the trend.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019.
Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

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

XRP is leading the cryptocurrency market rally, outperforming the top ten largest cryptos in the last 72 hours with a 12% gain.

Amid its strong uptrend, XRP has broken past $3.

Market intelligence platform Santiment says the recent gains have triggered bullish narratives. As the sentiment shifts, traders are starting to pile up on XRP, anticipating that further gains could be on the horizon.

The recent rebound comes as whales and other large holders with more than 100,000 XRP coins in their wallets continue to accumulate. Santiment noted that these whales had massively accumulated XRP since August last year.

XRP whale addresses holding over 100,000 XRP currently control 51.59 billion XRP tokens, which Santiment notes are equivalent to approximately 85% of the entire XRP supply. The coins held by these wallets are presently at an 11-month high.

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Is XRP Headed To An All-Time High?
Some traders believe that XRP could reach an all-time high this cycle, as bulls appear to be in full gear. Analyst @Amonyx stated that XRP’s price pattern indicates the coin will not only surpass the record high of $3.84 set in 2018, but also reach $16 by 2026.

While supporting this bullish take, analyst @MikybullCrypto on X noted that the XRP price would likely head towards its 2017 highs. The analyst wrote that the crypto’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) was following a similar pattern to 2017, and it was now poised for an explosive rally.

XRP’s RSI currently stands at 70, having increased steadily since early this week. The positive movement of the RSI line alongside the price indicates that the upward momentum is continuing to grow and could be sustained.

Trader @DefendDark on X notes that XRP has broken the mid-level resistance of $3 after the recent rally, with the next fundamental level for the coin being $3.5. Breaking such levels will pave the way for a further uptrend.

Analyst Crypto Michael on X also sees tailwinds in XRP’s price action, suggesting XRP could make a historic breakout. 

“In all my years of trading crypto I have NEVER seen a 7-year-long bull pennant. We might be about to witness one of the most significant breakouts in crypto history,” he stated.

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MARA Holdings Inc. – a US-based cryptocurrency mining firm – increased its Bitcoin (BTC) reserves by 373 BTC in September, pushing its total holdings to 52,850 from 52,477 BTC. Following today’s update, MARA remains the second-largest public company with BTC reserves, trailing Michael Saylor’s Strategy.

According to an official announcement earlier today, MARA Holdings’ BTC reserves rose by 373 coins in September. The firm’s total BTC holdings are valued at approximately $6.4 billion, according to prevailing market prices.

Notably, MARA Holdings mined a total of 736 BTC in September, valued at approximately $88.6 million. In comparison, the company had mined 704 BTC in August 2025, representing a 4.4% increase over the previous month.

MARA Holdings’ amount of BTC mined in September represents roughly 5.2% of all miner rewards. This includes the transaction fees generated during the month. Unsurprisingly, MARA Holdings continues to be the largest public BTC miner in terms of BTC held.

That said, it is worth highlighting that MARA Holdings’ Bitcoin stack consists of BTC that is loaned, actively managed, or used as collateral. Fred Thiel, Chairman and CEO, MARA Holdings, noted:

In September, we produced 218 blocks, a 5% increase over August, demonstrating the continued strength and resilience of our operations even as global hashrate grew 9% month-over-month to an average of 1,031 EH/s. This growth in production underscores our ability to execute consistently, even as mining becomes more difficult.

As mentioned earlier, MARA Holdings follows Strategy, the leading public company with the largest stack of BTC on its balance sheet. Strategy continued to increase its BTC stack, purchasing another $22 million worth of BTC earlier this week, propelling its total holdings to a mammoth 640,031 BTC, worth around $77 billion.

Other public firms that feature among the top BTC holders include the likes of Twenty One (43,514 BTC), Japan-based Metaplanet (30,823 BTC), and Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company (30,021 BTC).

In addition, well-known firms like Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., Galaxy Digital Holdings, Coinbase Global, Tesla, and Jack Dorsey-backed Block rank among the top 15 public companies with the largest BTC reserves.

Companies Preferring Altcoins For Corporate Treasury
While Bitcoin still reigns supreme in terms of being the most influential cryptocurrency with the highest adoption, altcoins such as Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Avalanche (AVAX) are emerging as viable competition to BTC.

For instance, NASDAQ-listed VisionSys AI recently announced that it plans to launch a Solana-based treasury program, valued at up to $2 billion. Similarly, a newly-created Avalanche-based treasury firm is expected to buy $1 billion worth of AVAX tokens in 2026.

Meanwhile, Ethereum treasury firm BitMine bought 46,225 ETH in September, increasing its total ETH stack to more than 2.1 million ETH. At press time, BTC trades at $121,791, up 1.7% in the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin trades at $121,791 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image from Unsplash.com, chart from TradingView.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Why Trust CoinGape

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.

MetaMask, Consensys’ Web3 wallet, is set to introduce a reward points system for on-chain activities. Many investors suggest the points may also be linked to future MASK token airdrops.

MetaMask Rewards Program Nears Launch
In a fresh development, a new rewards page quietly went live on the MetaMask dashboard this week. This signals that a loyalty-style points system is close to launch. 

Metamask Rewards Are Coming Soon! 🔥

The @MetaMask rewards page is live (well, almost).

🔗 https://t.co/h2PLVDgflx

Right now, the page opens but immediately redirects to the dashboard. That means rewards are coming soon but are not available yet.

What’s clear now is that… pic.twitter.com/LpZQqxndU8

— Pranjal Bora 🧭 (@Crypto_Pranjal) October 3, 2025

Users will soon be able to earn points for activities like swapping tokens and bridging between different blockchains, although this feature is not yet active. They can later exchange these points for token rewards, partner incentives, or special perks. This shows the wallet’s effort to increase user engagement before the release of the MASK token.

According to the company, the rewards initiative is scheduled for October 2025. This marks the wallet’s formal entry into the growing Web3 loyalty and rewards trend. 

Joseph Lubin, who also co-founded Ethereum, confirmed in September that the MASK token is on the way and could debut sooner than the market expects. While eligibility details remain under wraps, speculation is swirling across the community.

Experts suggest active participants in MetaMask Swaps, the MetaMask Bridge, and Linea could be prime candidates for rewards. Multi-chain users and long-term wallet owners might also be eligible.  However, the crypto wallet hasn’t yet verified snapshot dates, claim requirements, or whether KYC and other regulatory requirements will be applied.

Expanding Beyond Wallet Services
The upcoming MASK token and rewards system follow a series of strategic product rollouts by the wallet. In September, the company unveiled the MetaMask Card. Both digital and physical versions of this payment product are available.  Travel rewards, increased yields, waived fees, and special discounts are among the tiers of benefits that users can access.

More recently, the wallet introduced its own stablecoin, mUSD, issued in partnership with Bridge, a Stripe-owned company, and powered by M0’s decentralized stablecoin framework. Launching on Ethereum and Linea, mUSD marks the crypto wallet as the first self-custodial wallet provider to release a native dollar-pegged token.

In addition, GitHub documents reveal that the wallet is preparing to integrate Hyperliquid’s perpetuals trading directly into its platform. This upgrade will enable users to deposit USDC and trade perpetual contracts directly within the wallet.

These developments highlight the current efforts from the wallet to expand its ecosystem. There are no official details yet, but this hasn’t stopped the community from guessing about the MASK airdrop. Wallet trackers are checking on-chain activity to figure out who might benefit from it. Many believe that regular use of swaps, bridging, and interaction with Linea will be important.

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.

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Following a significant exploit that compromised its Shibarium bridge, developers behind Shiba Inu (SHIB) have released a detailed update outlining their response to the incident. 

Shibarium Team Implements New Security Measures
According to a post-mortem report, the malicious attack involved a perpetrator submitting three fraudulent checkpoints to Shibarium’s Ethereum mainnet contracts, disrupting the continuity between Heimdall’s local state and the on-chain state. 

After the attack was detected, Shibarium’s Kaal Dhairya announced on social media platform X (previously twitter) that authorities had been alerted, while also expressing a willingness to negotiate with the attacker in exchange for the return of the stolen funds. 

However, no agreement was reached, and the attacker has since moved the stolen assets, leaving the Shibarium team to focus on recovery and security enhancements for the platform.

In light of this, Heimdall intentionally halted operations, pausing legitimate checkpoint submissions to prevent further damage. They also described the attacker’s method, which included a short-lived stake amplification strategy through a 4.6 million BONE delegation. 

This tactic allowed the attacker to cross operational thresholds and attempt to gain unauthorized control over the system. To address these issues, the Shibarium team organized their response into multiple overlapping workstreams, functioning around the clock in collaboration with Hexens.io, an independent reviewer. 

Their approach included daily stand-ups, continuous monitoring of changes, and strict separation of duties among team members responsible for infrastructure, contracts, validator operations, and testnets. 

This aimed to eliminate any single points of failure, employing hardware custody for keys and ensuring every critical change was rehearsed off-chain or on testnets prior to implementation.

Shiba Inu Dev’s Strategy To Compensate Affected Users 
As part of their actions, Shiba Inu devs introduced a rescue method in the StakeManager to recover at-risk BONE tokens. They executed the AdminConsumeLegacyBound function to clean up legacy unbond states associated with the attacker’s contract. 

This response verified that the staking ledger updates were successful, ultimately rescuing the 4.6 million BONE and removing the malicious delegation. Looking ahead, Shiba Inu developers detailed their plans for the near future, which include implementing blacklisting measures in the Plasma Bridge. 

These controls aim to prevent malicious actors from initiating or completing bridge transactions. Once these measures are in place and thoroughly verified, the team intends to restore full bridge functionality.

In addition to these technical updates, Shiba Inu developers are designing a comprehensive plan to ensure that affected users are made whole. 

This plan will incorporate gating, phased limits, and coordination with partners to facilitate safe bridging and withdrawals. Specific details will be communicated only when it is deemed secure to do so.

The daily chart shows SHIB’s price trending upwards. Source: SHIBUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

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While Bitcoin’s four-year cycle may not play out exactly as it has in the past, that doesn’t mean the concept is entirely dead, according to a crypto executive.

“I think when it comes to the four-year cycle, the reality is that it’s very likely that we’ll continue to see some form of a cycle,” crypto exchange Gemini’s head of APAC region, Saad Ahmed, told Cointelegraph during a sit-down interview at Token2049 in Singapore.

“It ultimately stems from people get really excited and overextend themselves, and then you kind of see a crash, and then it kind of corrects to an equilibrium,” Ahmed said.

Saad Ahmed spoke to Cointelegraph at Token2049 in Singapore. Source: CointelegraphHowever, Ahmed said growing institutional involvement in the crypto industry could help the market absorb some of the volatility. “You’ll see kind of some of the volatility, kind of a flag off, but you’ll still see some sort of a cycle, because ultimately, it’s driven by, you know, by human emotion,” Ahmed said.

The debate over whether the four-year cycle is relevant to Bitcoin has been ongoing within the crypto industry recently.

On Aug. 21, crypto analytics company Glassnode said Bitcoin’s recent price action may still be tracking its historic four-year halving cycle.

October may mark Bitcoin’s cycle peak if patterns repeatHowever, the deadline for Bitcoin’s cycle peak may fall this month if past patterns hold, according to crypto analyst Rekt Capital. 

In July, he said that if the cycle mirrors 2020, the market would likely peak in October, approximately 550 days after the April 2024 halving.

“We have a very small sliver of time and price expansion left,” Rekt said.

It comes as Bitcoin (BTC) surged 11.5% over the past week, climbing to $123,850, just short of its $124,100 all-time high set on Aug. 14, according to CoinMarketCap.

Bitwise’s Matt Hougan recently said he doesn’t expect Bitcoin’s price to follow the cycle as it has in the past.

“I bet 2026 is an up year,” Hougan said on July 26. “I broadly think we’re in for a good few years,” Hougan added.

Oct. 1 marked the beginning of Q4, historically Bitcoin’s strongest quarter since 2013, with an average return of 79.39%, according to CoinGlass.

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