Market Signal Briefing

The price of Ethereum appears to be recovering nicely over the weekend after a period of investor uncertainty. The “king of altcoins”, following what looked like an aggressive return above the $4,200 level earlier this week, is now lagging under the psychological $4,000 mark.

While the Ethereum price has been building some positive momentum over the past day, the shadows of the October 10 downturn still seem to be weighing on investor sentiment. A market phenomenon known as the “Kimchi Premium” suggests a few tedious weeks ahead for the second-largest cryptocurrency.

What Happened Last Time Kimchi Premium Saw A Similar Surge
In a recent post on the social media platform X, market analyst CryptoOnchain revealed that the Kimchi Premium has been on the rise over the past weeks. This observation is based on the movement of the on-chain indicator Korea Premium Index, which measures the price difference between South Korean exchanges and other global exchanges.

This metric, or the “Kimchi Premium,” shows how much extra Korean traders are willing to pay for a particular cryptocurrency (Ethereum, in this case). When the index is positive, it means that Korean retailers are willing to pay a premium for the crypto assets. Meanwhile, a negative Korean Premium Index signals that the retailers are only willing to buy the cryptocurrency at a discount.

According to CryptoOnchain, the Korea Premium Index for Ethereum recently saw a notable surge to around 8.2%, its second-highest level this year. The market analyst noted that this level of Kimchi Premium is a troubling sign, as it historically suggests extreme retail FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and a potential price top.

Source: @CryptoOnchain on X
Typically, whales tend to take advantage of the price gap by selling on Korean exchanges when the Korea Premium Index is on the rise. Due to increased selling pressure, the Ethereum price now faces a greater risk of correction.

For instance, the last time ETH saw a Kimchi Premium this high was in January, coinciding with the price fall to around $1,500. With this in mind, investors might want to tread with caution, as the odds of a sustained downward trend are significantly higher.

Ethereum Price At A Glance
As of this writing, the price of ETH stands at around $3,875, reflecting no significant change in the past 24 hours. In what was expected to be a bullish period for the cryptocurrency market, “Uptober” has not particularly lived up to the expectations of investors. After a positive start to the month, the Ethereum price is currently down by almost 10%.

The price of ETH on the daily timeframe | Source: ETHUSDT chart on TradingView
Featured image from DelishGlobe, chart from TradingView

U.S. government seizes record $14B Bitcoin connected to Chen Zhi’s massive human-trafficking and cryptocurrency fraud network.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to take control of about 127,000 BTC, worth around $14.2 billion.

The Bitcoin fortune is tied to LuBian and Cambodia-based businessman Chen Zhi, who is the chairman of Prince Group.

Record $14B Bitcoin Seizure
Arkham shared via X that Zhi ran large-scale human-trafficking and pig-butchering schemes across Asia. This type of exploit involves victims being tricked into fake online relationships and then convinced to invest in phony cryptocurrency platforms. Once they deposit money, the scammers take their assets and disappear.

Prince Group’s investment scams have led to billions of dollars in losses and suffering for victims worldwide, including in New York. Zhi remains at large, facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that the illicit proceeds were used to purchase luxury yachts, private jets, artwork, and vacation properties.

On the other hand, LuBian was one of the biggest Chinese mining pools with facilities in China and Iran. The platform had been subject to the largest crypto heist ever in 2020, with hackers looting Bitcoin worth around $3.5 billion at the time.

According to the DOJ’s filing, LuBian was allegedly funded and operated using profits from criminal activities such as scams, human trafficking, and pig butchering schemes.

The blockchain analytics platform has confirmed that the stolen digital assets are now in the custody of the U.S. government, marking one of the biggest additions to the U.S. crypto reserves since their establishment in March under President Donald Trump’s executive order.

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DOJ Filing Sparks Questions Over Forfeited Bitcoin
The DOJ’s filing does not clarify how the Bitcoin came into U.S. custody, leaving open the question of whether the keys were hacked, voluntarily surrendered, or if the 2020 incident was actually a secret U.S. operation.

Meanwhile, on-chain investigator ZachXBT shared that wallet addresses listed in the government’s $14 billion seizure had been flagged in a Milky Sad report about two years ago for having exposed private keys. He pointed out that it now claims to have control of those wallets, suggesting that either a third party hacked them on behalf of the U.S. or the authorities did it themselves.

Additionally, the document details that the cryptocurrency was moved again between June and July 2024. It also mentions an incident involving a finance staff member who reportedly fled with funds and attempted to hide, an event that may be linked to the Bitcoin transfers during that time.

Avalanche price has moved into a bear market this month after plunging by 45% from its highest point in September, and this retreat may continue ahead of a big token unlock. 

Summary

Avalanche price has crashed in the past few weeks.
The network will unlock tokens worth almost $35 million this week.
Technical analysis points to further downward as transactions fall. 

Avalanche (AVAX) token dropped to the psychological point at $20, down sharply from the September high of $36. It is hovering at its lowest point on Oct. 11.

The primary catalyst for the AVAX price this week will be an upcoming lock on Oct. 24. It will unlock 1.67 million tokens currently valued at almost $35 million.

Avalanche has now unlocked about 60% of all its tokens, and the process will go on until at least 2030. Token unlocks are often seen as being bearish, as they increase the number of those in circulation. 

AVAX price has also retreated as data shows that the ecosystem growth has pulled back. According to Nansen, the number of transactions in the network dropped by 18% in the last seven days to 11.1 million. 

This crash has affected the money the network is making in fees. Its fees dropped by 61% in the last seven days to $345,000. On the positive side, Avalanche’s monthly fees have jumped to 120% to $2.14 million. 

Avalanche’s fees have an impact on the token because the network burns all of them. As a result, the latest data shows that the burn rate has jumped, with the cumulative total crossing the critical milestone at 4.87 million. 

Avalanche price has other potential catalysts that may help to offset the impact of the upcoming unlock. For example, it has become a major player in the stablecoin industry, where the circulating supply has jumped to $1.7 billion.

Avalanche has emerged as one of the leading blockchains for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, now hosting more than $740 million in tokenized assets and ranking among the top five RWA networks.

Major financial institutions such as SkyBridge Capital and Grove Finance have contributed to that growth by tokenizing hedge funds and credit products worth over $550 million on the platform.

Recently, Wyoming launched FRNT, the first U.S. state-issued stablecoin, on Avalanche—marking a regulatory and operational milestone for government payments conducted on-chain.

Avalanche price technical analysis
AVAX price chart | Source: crypto.news
The daily timeframe chart shows that the AVAX price has come under pressure in the past few weeks. It crashed from a high of $36 on September 23 to a low of $17 as the crypto market crashed.

Its lowest point this month was notable as it coincided with the lowest swings in April, June, and October. It has also moved below the 50-day and 200-day Weighted Moving Averages. 

Further declines may put it at risk of forming the death cross pattern, which often leads to more downside. Therefore, the most likely scenario is where the coin dropped to the October low of $17. A break below that level will point to more downside, potentially to $15.

Analyst Doctor Profit is warning of a 10-year fractal pointing to a new bear phase possibly lasting until 2026.

Bitcoiners are calling on the encrypted messaging app Signal to integrate Bitcoin payments. The campaign, known as “Bitcoin for Signal,” is led by Bitcoin developer Cashu and has gained support from high-profile figures, including Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Block.

Key NotesSolana-based DEX Predict and Pump (PnP) integrates DeFiLlama data feeds to enable decentralized, on-chain prediction markets.The integration allows users to trade on live DeFi metrics like TVL, revenue, and market cap directly on Solana.Solana price remains under pressure below $190 as short-traders dominate derivatives markets despite broader altcoin recovery.
Predict and Pump (PnP), a Solana-native decentralized exchange (DEX), has integrated DeFiLlama data feeds to enable fully on-chain prediction markets. The announcement was made on Saturday via PnP’s official X account, stating that users can now convert real-time DeFi metrics into tradable prediction contracts.

We just integrated @DefiLlama into PNP.

You can now create prediction markets on live DeFi data – tvl, market cap, and outflows.

It means anyone can turn on-chain metrics into tradable markets.
– will Lido cross 50B tvl this year?
– will Pendle hit 2B by december?
– will… pic.twitter.com/jVaOIp3PtD

— PNP Exchange | Prediction Market DEX (@predictandpump) October 18, 2025

DeFiLlama provides a wide range of blockchain analytics data, including total value locked (TVL), market capitalization, protocol revenues, and fee volumes across multiple chains. Through this integration, PnP users can create and trade markets directly on live on-chain metrics sourced from DeFiLlama’s data feed.

PnP Disintermediates Prediction Markets with DeFiLlama Integration
Unlike existing centralized prediction platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket, which require permissioned approval for new listings, PnP’s DeFiLlama integration removes intermediaries entirely. It enables an open marketplace where users can speculate on any on-chain metric without custodial oversight or listing restrictions.

The feature will allow anyone to open new markets based on protocol performance, liquidity movements, or token flows. Traders will also earn fees when others participate in the markets they create.

The global prediction markets sector continues to gain traction in October. Earlier in the month, NYSE Parent, Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE), took a $2 billion stake in Polymarket. The deal valued the platform at $9 billion post-money, making 27-year-old founder and CEO Shayne Coplan the youngest self-made billionaire.

On Friday,  major derivatives exchange operator CME Group also announced a partnership with FanDuel, aiming at launching a new prediction market platform to rival existing players.

Solana’s official X page amplified the news, sharing PnP’s announcement with its 3.5 million followers.

Solana Price Stalls Below $190 as Derivatives Data Suggests Bull Trap
As institutional Gold markets and US equities closed trading on Friday, major altcoins saw increased inflows, but Solana’s native token (SOL) struggled to sustain momentum. On Saturday, Ethereum (ETH), BNB, and XRP posted roughly 3% gains, while Solana underperformed with the weakest price uptick of 1.3%, among the top 5 ranked layer-1 assets.

Market data from Coinglass shows that SOL underperformance is linked to intense bearish pressure from futures traders.

Solana Derivatives Market Analysis | Source: Coinglass

As seen above, SOL futures trading volumes dropped 56.02% to $14.4 billion, while open interest fell 6.37% to $8.51 billion.

The long-to-short ratio also remains negative at 0.96, signaling bearish dominance. Solana traders’ reluctance to back up the 1.3% intraday gains with new futures positions poses a “bull trap,” signal. Failure to hold out for a close above $185 could see SOL price slide towards the next major supply cluster at $18.

Maxi Doge Presale Tops $3.7M as Solana Traders Weigh Options
With Solana price struggling below the $190 mark, traders are rotating into high-upside early-stage projects like Maxi Doge (MAXI). The meme-powered leverage platform offers up to 1000x leverage with zero stop-loss restrictions, attracting traders with a high-risk appetite.

Maxi Doge Presale

The Maxi Doge presale has now surpassed $3.7 million out of its $3.9 million target. MAXI tokens are currently priced at $0.00026 per token, with the next tier set to activate in approximately 48 hours. Prospective investors can visit the official Maxi Doge presale website to earn early-joiner benefits before public listings.

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.

Market 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

XRP price prediction: Options data shows bullish rotation from BTC and ETH into XRP and SOL. XRP consolidates near $2.40 as traders eye a breakout above $2.72.

Journalist

Posted: October 19, 2025

Key Takeaways
What’s next for altcoins like SOL, ETH?
They have bottomed out, but uncertainty on BTC direction could derail recovery. 

Why are analysts divided on BTC’s short-term outlook?
It has broken key supports, and $100K could be the next battle for bulls. 

Despite the market’s cautious tone, leading altcoins like Ethereum [ETH] and Solana [SOL] may have printed a local bottom. 

According to John Bollinger, a renowned Financial Analyst and Developer of the Bollinger Bands technical indicator, SOL and ETH may be ready to recover. However, BTC’s rebound remains uncertain. 

“Potential ‘W’ bottoms in Bollinger Band terms in $ETHUSD and $SOLUSD, but not in $BTCUSD. Gonna be time to pay attention soon, I think.”

For perspective, the “W” shape patterns are common triggers for a recovery. For SOL, the $180 was defended as support while ETH secured $3600.  

Will the recent leverage flush improve recovery?
Besides, the recent $19 billion de-leveraging cleared much market froth that could allow a much more sustainable recovery. 

In fact, the CoinGlass Derivatives Risk Index (CDRI) flashed an “overheated” and “high risk” level for liquidations in early October.

This coincided with Bitcoin [BTC] surging to a record high above $126K and traders chased the rally with leverage. 

Source: CoinGlass

At press time, the CDRI reverted to “neutral” reading. This meant a balanced, reduced leverage but unclear direction that calls for flexibility to capitalize on whatever direction the market takes. 

In other words, the condition was good for an altcoin rebound, but uncertainty still lurks. In fact, the overall market sentiment was at “fear” levels last seen during the Trump tariffs in early 2025. 

Altcoin panic as analysts split on Bitcoin’s next move
Unsurprisingly, altcoins have embodied the fear more than BTC. This week alone, Altcoin Exchange Inflow spiked to a year high, underscoring panic sell-off before and after the 10th of October de-leveraging event. 

Source: CryptoQuant 

The spikes also tend to coincide with BTC local tops. So if BTC forms a bottom and recovers, altcoins, like SOL and ETH, may follow suit. 

Unfortunately, analysts have elicited mixed views for BTC’s outlook in the short term. Ansem, for example, said that he is not bullish unless BTC reclaims $112K. 

“I see an end of momentum and price dropping over. ETHBTC has already pumped as it does at the end of every cycle. The only way for me to change my mind is if we get back above $112k.”

The bearish sentiment was shared by Chris Burniske, former Ark Invest Crypto Lead and Partner at VC Placeholder.

Burniske noted that he would be interested in BTC if it fell to $75K, adding $100K as a key support in the short-term. 

Source: X

In brief
Bitcoin's energy consumption remains large, at an estimated 138TWh as of 2025.
Recent academic research explores the broader environmental cost of Bitcoin mining, adding in carbon dioxide, water, e-waste, and land impacts.
Policy pressure is rising as governments focus on what kind of power Bitcoin mining uses, where it is sited, and what externalities apply.
Professor Andrew Urquhart is Professor of Finance and Financial Technology and Head of the Department of Finance at Birmingham Business School (BBS).

This is the ninth installment of the Professor Coin column, in which I bring important insights from published academic literature on cryptocurrencies to the Decrypt readership. In this article, I discuss Bitcoin energy usage, and the future for sustainable cryptos.

When you hear the words “Bitcoin mining,” you might picture giant warehouses packed with whirring computers, gobbling up electricity like there’s no tomorrow. That image isn’t far from reality.

Since Bitcoin launched in 2009, its proof-of-work (PoW) system has been both its greatest strength and its biggest controversy. It keeps the network secure and decentralized, but it also ties digital finance to very real energy and environmental costs.

How big is Bitcoin’s energy footprint?The go-to benchmark is the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (CBECI), which estimates that Bitcoin mining consumes electricity on the scale of mid-sized countries. But here’s the catch: Bitcoin’s energy use doesn’t rise smoothly. Instead, it follows market cycles. When Bitcoin's price surges, miners switch on more rigs, pushing up hashrate, difficulty, and electricity demand. When prices dip, older or less efficient machines go dark.

Stoll, Klaaßen and Gallersdörfer (2019) pegged annual consumption around 46 TWh back then, with ~22 megatons of CO₂ emissions More recently, new data suggests that consumption has grown substantially.

According to the 2025 Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report, Bitcoin’s annual electricity usage is now estimated at 138 TWh, with network-wide emissions of approximately 39.8 Mt CO₂e. The same report also notes that 52.4 % of the energy used by miners comes from sustainable sources (renewables + nuclear) as of 2025.

These updated figures help us see that while Bitcoin’s environmental footprint remains significant, the composition of its energy mix is also shifting—offering a more nuanced narrative for 2025.

Beyond carbon: the full footprintNew research asks a broader question: what’s the total environmental cost? A 2023 paper by Chamanara et al. (2023) estimates Bitcoin mining at ~173 TWh, adding in CO₂, water, and land impacts.

Meanwhile, the UN University warned that mining draws heavily on freshwater in regions with scarce supply. And it’s not just the running of machines: de Vries (2021) estimated tens of kilotons of e-waste annually from discarded ASIC rigs, since miners churn through hardware every couple of years. This holistic picture means Bitcoin’s footprint is now seen as multi-dimensional: electricity, emissions, water, land, and waste.

Proof-of-work vs Proof-of-stakeHere’s where the story gets interesting. Not every blockchain guzzles energy like Bitcoin. In September 2022, Ethereum’s Merge replaced PoW with proof-of-stake (PoS). Overnight, its energy use dropped by ~99.9%. Same user experience, radically different environmental profile. This one move showed the world that crypto doesn’t have to be a climate villain.

Ethereum’s success has raised uncomfortable questions for Bitcoin. If another major chain can deliver security and functionality without the same energy burn, should Bitcoin follow?

Purists say no: PoW is what gives Bitcoin its incorruptible, apolitical security. Critics counter that clinging to PoW risks political backlash, carbon taxes, or even outright bans in certain jurisdictions.

Can mining go green?Not all miners are environmental bad actors. Some argue they are part of the solution, not the problem. In Texas, mining farms strike deals with grid operators, curtailing power when demand spikes. In Iceland and Canada, miners plug into cheap hydropower. Recent engineering research even explores using mining to monetize excess methane from landfills or stranded renewables that would otherwise be wasted.

The optimistic narrative goes like this: Bitcoin mining could act as a “buyer of last resort” for surplus green energy, smoothing out variability in solar and wind production. Studies like Hossain & Steigner (2024) and others suggest that, under the right conditions, mining could become an economic driver for renewable projects.

But the jury is still out—whether miners truly accelerate the green transition or just opportunistically chase cheap power depends on location, incentives, and regulation.

The road aheadSo where does that leave us in 2025? Here are the big takeaways:

Bitcoin’s footprint is real and significant. We’re not just talking electricity, but also carbon, water, land, and e-waste.
Design matters. Ethereum’s Merge proved that PoS can slash energy costs without breaking a network. Bitcoin, by contrast, has doubled down on PoW.
Nuance is needed. Not all mining is equal—coal-based rigs in Kazakhstan are very different from hydro-powered farms in Quebec.
Policy pressure is rising. Expect governments to ask not just “how much power?” but “what kind of power, where, and with what externalities?”
Bitcoin will always carry the energy question with it. Whether it becomes a climate villain or an unlikely green ally depends on choices made by miners, policymakers, and communities in the next few years.

For now, one truth is clear: in crypto, the invisible isn’t weightless. The future of digital money is tied, quite literally, to the power grid.

References

Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, 2025. Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report 2025. Cambridge Judge Business School.
Chamanara, N., Pereira, A.O., Dsouza, C., Pauliuk, S. and Hertwich, E.G., 2023. The environmental footprint of bitcoin mining across the globe. Earth’s Future, 11(11), e2023EF003871.
de Vries, A., 2021. Bitcoin boom: What rising prices mean for the network’s energy consumption. Joule, 5(3), pp.509–513
Stoll, C., Klaaßen, L. and Gallersdörfer, U., 2019. The carbon footprint of bitcoin. Joule, 3(7), pp.1647–1661.
Hossain, M. & Steigner, T., 2024. Balancing Innovation and Sustainability: Addressing the Environmental Impact of Bitcoin Mining. 10.48550/arXiv.2411.08908.
de Vries-Gao, A. & Stoll, C., 2021. Bitcoin's growing e-waste problem. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 175. 105901. 10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105901.
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Ethereum faces a critical liquidity test after $536M BTC ETF outflows. Can ETH defend the $3,800 support and sustain its bullish breakout above $3,930?

The Ethereum Foundation has announced that Ethereum remains the number one ecosystem for new developers in 2025. This means it is still far ahead of other blockchains like Solana and Bitcoin.

Dogecoin (DOGE) is showing critical price action this week as it retests the lower boundary of an ascending channel on the 12-hour chart. According to analyst Ali Martinez, this support line, situated around $0.19, is mission-critical.

Andreessen Horowitz's crypto arm, known as a16z Crypto, has made a major move in the Solana ecosystem. The venture capital firm announced a $50 million investment in Jito, a Solana-based protocol that improves how the blockchain runs.

20h05 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Li Lin, founder of Huobi, partners with influential Asian investors to launch a billion-dollar Ethereum trust. Supported by major names in Asian investment, the project aims to structure the accumulation of ETH within a regulated framework. While attention remains focused on Bitcoin and its ETFs, Ethereum is gaining ground as a treasury asset. This operation marks a step in the institutional rise of the network.

In brief

Li Lin, founder of Huobi, launches a billion-dollar Ethereum trust with the support of influential Asian investors.
The trust aims to offer regulated exposure to ETH, via a structure potentially listed on Nasdaq.
Among the partners: Shen Bo (Fenbushi Capital), Xiao Feng (HashKey Group), and Cai Wensheng (Meitu Inc.), all historic Ethereum players.
This project could reposition Ethereum as a strategic treasury asset, beyond its role in DeFi.

A historic fundraising for a strategic Ethereum trust
While Robert Kiyosaki bet on Ethereum and silver to protect himself from the weakness of the dollar, Li Lin, founder of Huobi and current chairman of Avenir Capital, partnered with several historic figures of Asian crypto to launch an asset trust exclusively focused on Ethereum this October 18.

https://twitter.com/scottmelker/status/1979313975738126776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1979313975738126776%7Ctwgr%5E2e56889fc8ad96bc3f74c973024e326319531cdd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcryptonews.com%2Fnews%2Fhuobi-founder-li-lin-raises-1b-with-partners-to-accumulate-ethereum%2F

The goal is to create a regulated investment structure to capture growing demand from financial institutions wishing to gain exposure to ETH. The group plans to structure the Ethereum trust through a company listed on Nasdaq.

This ambitious project by the founder of Huobi relies on already secured funding amounting to $1 billion. Here are the key points to remember regarding this fundraising:

$500 million come from HongShan Capital Group, formerly known as Sequoia China;
$200 million were contributed by Avenir Capital, the fund founded by Li Lin in Hong Kong;
The rest of the funds would be completed by other private investors;
Among the trust’s co-founders are Shen Bo (Fenbushi Capital), Xiao Feng (HashKey Group), and Cai Wensheng (Meitu Inc.), all early investors in Ethereum since 2015;
The trust aims to offer regulated institutional exposure to ETH, in a legally structured format, potentially attractive to American and Asian markets.

This operation reflects a desire to structure investment products adapted to the standards of traditional financial markets, while capitalizing on the favorable momentum for Ethereum.

Towards an institutional normalization of Ethereum investment?
Beyond the financial operation, the announcement of the Ethereum trust fits into a context of transformation of Ethereum’s role in global finance. During the Digital Assets Summit (DAS) held in London this year, several industry figures highlighted Ethereum’s structural rise as an infrastructure platform for institutional finance.

During a panel, Joseph Lubin, CEO of Consensys, stated that Ethereum is attracting renewed confidence from institutions thanks to its advances in scalability and compliance. On his side, Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of SharpLink and former BlackRock executive, affirmed that despite recent market turmoil, Ethereum remains a cornerstone of upcoming tokenized financial solutions.

The speakers highlighted several catalysts for Ethereum’s institutional adoption, including on-chain fund issuances, tokenization of real assets, and the interoperability of decentralized systems with current regulatory standards.

These are precisely the elements that justify, according to observers, a massive renewed interest in regulated exposure to ETH. In this context, the strategy of the trust led by Li Lin and his partners appears as a long-term anticipation of a major financial shift.

This initiative could help redefine the competitive landscape between bitcoin and Ethereum in the institutional space. While bitcoin establishes itself as a store of value with 172 holding companies, Ethereum, through this trust, positions itself as programmable financial infrastructure. If the launch scheduled in the coming weeks meets its promises, it could catalyze other initiatives of the same type, thus reinforcing the trend toward the financialization of blockchains.

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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.

The global crypto market rose 1.6% despite a volatile week, ending just under $3.8 trillion in market cap. Bitcoin, which started the week near $114,000, plunged below $103,600 on Oct. 17, then rebounded to close above $108,000.

Investors might have a hard time finding any negative qualities about this business.

Digital bank Nu Holdings (NU 2.00%) has a market capitalization of $72 billion -- and that makes it a sizable business. However, many American investors might not know that much about the company because it operates in Latin America and has no U.S. presence.

Here's a perfect example of why it's important to understand that there are investment opportunities in international markets. This fintech stock might prove that point. Should you buy Nu Holdings while it's trading below $16? Here's why that might be a smart decision.

Image source: Getty Images.

Customer additions and revenue growth are through the roof
The market loves a good growth story -- and Nu Holdings is exactly that. The company's customer base went from 65 million at the end of Q2 2022 to 123 million as of June 30. In Nu's home country of Brazil, the business counts 60% of the adult population as its customers. Newer markets of Mexico and Colombia are registering remarkable success, even though Nu's penetration is still in the early stages in these countries.

Nu is benefiting from some notable tailwinds. It helps that internet and smartphone penetration in Latin America continue to grow. This provides a favorable backdrop for a digital-only bank like Nu to find broader adoption.

Essentially, Nu is riding the wave of the Latin American economy's development. Given that a large portion of the population here is still unbanked or underbanked, Nu still has lots of potential for growth.

The company's revenue increased 29% year over year in Q2. Wall Street consensus sell-side analyst estimates believe the top line will rise by 67% between 2025 and 2027. That outlook should make shareholders excited.

Nu's focus on product innovation should help it reach more customers. Management has also hinted at entering new countries in the future, basically replicating strategies that have worked so well in its existing markets.

This is an extremely profitable enterprise
Companies that have access to cheap capital usually care about growth more than anything else when it comes to strategic priorities. That's why over the past decade or so, some businesses have put up huge gains, adding customers and increasing sales rapidly. The issue, however, is that these companies don't care about profits.

Nu bucks this trend and stands out. It's an extremely profitable enterprise, which might be a surprise to many. Nu registered $1.2 billion in net income through the first six months of 2025. That translated to a phenomenal net profit margin of 17.4%. The margin has generally increased in recent years, which underscores the company's ability to scale up in a lucrative manner.

Investors should pay attention to the unit economics. It cost the company $0.80 per month in Q2 to serve the average customer. But on the flip side, the average revenue per active customer came in at $12.20. After viewing these two figures, it makes sense why the leadership team is trying to grow so quickly.

Nu also has the advantage of not running any physical bank branches. A brick-and-mortar retail strategy like this would entail sizable operating expenses. Nu avoids this, which can help drive higher margins over time.

This fintech stock trades at a reasonable valuation
In the past three years, Nu's shares have skyrocketed 262% (as of Oct. 16), thanks to incredible fundamental performs that has caught the market's attention. After such a phenomenal gain, investors might be questioning the stock's appeal. The last thing you'd want to do is overpay.

That's certainly not the case here. The valuation still looks very compelling. Investors can buy the stock at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.7. At under $16 per share, there is sizable upside over the next five years from the possibility of both higher earnings and valuation expansion.

Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) between May 6, 2025 and June 19, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important November 18, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased KBR securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the KBR class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=42136 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 18, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) despite the knowledge that the U.S. Department of Defense’s Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) had, for months, had material concerns with HomeSafe’s ability to fulfill the Global Household Goods Contract, defendants claimed that the partnership was without issue, and would ramp up in future quarters; and (2) as a result, defendants’ statements about KBR’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the KBR class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=42136 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Freshpet, Inc. (“Freshpet” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: FRPT) for violations of the securities laws.

The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Freshpet suffered a downgrade by Bank of America on October 8, 2025. Along with cutting its rating on the Company’s shares from Buy to Neutral, Bank of America also cut its price target from $81 to $60. According to analysts, pet adoption rates are falling and consumer demand for fresh pet food has weakened. Based on these facts, shares of Freshpet fell by more than 6.3% on the same day.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

The battle for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy rages on.

The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) in early 2023 caused a paradigm shift in the tech landscape, minting more than a few winners. Over the past year, information technology (IT) specialist and cloud provider Oracle (ORCL -6.72%) has joined the fray in earnest. The stock has risen roughly 68% over the past year and 259% since early 2023, as its cloud and AI strategy begins to take hold. The company's robust results have driven its market cap to roughly $828 billion (as of this writing).

Despite Oracle's impressive performance, I believe Palantir (PLTR 0.11%) -- with a current value of $422 billion -- will be worth more than Oracle by 2030.

Image source: Getty Images.

A battle of the AI titans
Oracle has been on fire recently, and it's easy to see why. While revenue is growing by low double-digits, the future looks bright. Its remaining performance obligation (RPO) -- commonly called backlog -- surged 359% to a record $455 billion. Furthermore, management predicted that revenue from Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) -- the company's cloud segment -- will grow 77% this year to $18 billion and sevenfold to $144 billion by 2030.

For its part, Palantir has generated eight successive quarters of accelerating revenue growth and shows no signs of slowing. In the second quarter, revenue grew 48% year over year and 14% quarter over quarter, surpassing $1 billion for the first time. Palantir reported a record-setting $2.27 billion in total contract value (TCV), up 140%, and U.S. commercial TCV that soared 222% to $843 million.

This shows there are reasons to like both stocks.

There can be only one...
Wall Street expects Oracle to generate revenue of $67 billion in its fiscal 2026 (which began June 1), resulting in a forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of about 13. Furthermore, the company is expected to grow revenue by 28.7% annually over the next five years, bringing its estimated annual sales to about $156 billion by 2030. If its P/S remains constant, Oracle's market cap will climb to roughly $2 trillion.

Oracle isn't the only one whose AI expertise has sparked a growth spurt. Wall Street expects Palantir to generate revenue of $4.16 billion in 2025, resulting in a forward P/S ratio of 101. Analysts expect Palantir's annual revenue growth to be 38.8% over the next five years. At this rate, its yearly sales would grow to $21 billion by 2030. If its P/S remains constant, Palantir's market cap will be about $2 trillion.

This suggests that both companies are on track to reach a $2 trillion market cap by 2030. Here's the thing: I believe investors are underestimating Palantir's accelerating revenue growth, which I predict will continue to accelerate. Using Palantir's recent 48% growth rate over the next five years shows how it could easily surpass Oracle's market cap by 2030.

The obvious downside to this prediction is that Palantir is wildly overvalued right now, selling for 210 times next year's expected earnings. With a valuation of that magnitude, any failure to deliver -- real or imagined -- could send Palantir stock careening lower, causing investors to reassess Palantir's lofty multiple.

That caveat aside, I believe Palantir will continue its upward trajectory and outpace Oracle by 2030.

Danny Vena has positions in Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Oracle and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

These blue chip Dow Jones dividend stocks are built to last.

American Express (AXP 7.27%) and Coca-Cola (KO 1.27%) are two foundational holdings in Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A 0.77%) (BRK.B 0.78%) public equity portfolio. Not only has Berkshire held these stocks for decades, but they are also sizable positions.

American Express is Berkshire's second-largest holding behind Apple, with Berkshire owning 21.8% of the company. Berkshire owns 9.3% of Coke, which is its fourth-largest holding.

Here are some key similarities and differences between the two dividend stocks to help you determine which one is the better buy for you.

Image source: Getty Images.

American Express is showing no signs of slowing down
Over the last decade, American Express has produced a total return (dividends included) of 228% compared to Coke's 55% total return and 106% for the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.53%). Without accounting for dividends, Coke's stock price is up just 35% over the last decade.

When American Express is at the top of its game, its business model is arguably better than Visa (V 1.94%) and Mastercard (MA 2.08%) because it acts as both the card issuer and payment processor. Visa and Mastercard, on the other hand, function as payment processors that collaborate with banks and financial institutions to issue cards. As the card issuer, American Express bears the risk of customers not paying their balances, but it has a track record of impeccable risk management as measured by its low net write-off rate (what American Express wasn't able to recover from a consumer or small business).

American Express is like the Costco Wholesale of the financial sector. It charges relatively high annual fees for its cards, but rewards cardholders with generous perks and points. That transparency is a win-win for American Express and its cardholders. Interestingly enough, American Express spends about twice as much on cardholder rewards as it collects in card fees. But it makes up for that deficit by charging merchants relatively high processing fees. In this vein, American Express cardholders are truly getting a good deal, so they are incentivized to use their cards for as many purchases as possible, which again benefits American Express with higher transaction fee revenue.

All told, American Express is arguably one of the best companies in the world. And despite beating the S&P 500 over the last decade, the stock is still a great value.

Coke is embracing changing consumer preferences
Coke's underperformance relative to American Express and the S&P 500 over the past decade makes sense considering the broader market gains have been driven by tech-focused growth stocks and cyclical companies that benefit from economic expansion -- like financials. However, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Coke.

The consumer staples sector has been crushed by weak demand as consumers pull back on spending due to cost-of-living increases. But Coke has maintained its high operating margins and is generating decent volume and earnings growth, even as many other beverage, food, and restaurant companies are experiencing negative earnings growth.

Like American Express, Coke has arguably the best business model of its peer group. The company's network of bottling partners manufacture, package, merchandise, and distribute its branded beverages to customers and vending partners. These relationships reduce risk and make Coke flexible to changes in demand, trade policy, and cost inflation. The strategy is so effective that an activist investor is pushing PepsiCo to adopt Coke's capital-light model.

Coke has done a masterful job expanding its beverage portfolio through acquisitions and organic growth by branching outside of traditional soda to include low or zero-sugar sodas, coffee, tea, juice, energy drinks, and sparkling water. Coke is also moving to include cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup as the primary sweetener in its Trademark Coca-Cola product range in the U.S.

Despite these efforts, Coke is still relying on its flagship product. In 2023, drinks made with the Coca-Cola label made up 44% of North American unit case volumes.

Coke isn't going away, but it wouldn't be surprising if its non-soda beverages outperform soda if wellness and health-conscious consumer trends persist. So investors should pay close attention to how Coke grows its international non-soda sales in the coming years.

Returning capital to shareholders
American Express and Coke are both great values and reward their shareholders with growing dividends and stock buybacks.

American Express has roughly doubled its dividend over the last five years. Its most recent increase was a 17% bump (announced in March).

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola is a Dividend King with 63 consecutive years of boosting its payout. Coke's longer track record of dividend raises and yield of 3.1% compared to 1% for American Express gives Coke the edge when it comes to dividend quality and quantity.

In Berkshire's annual letters, Buffett has written about the advantages of holding shares in companies that regularly use excess earnings to buy back their stock. Stock buybacks are arguably a better use of capital than dividends for growing companies because they reduce the outstanding share count and boost earnings per share. So over time, Berkshire has come to own a higher stake in both American Express and Coke without even buying more shares.

The better buy for you
American Express and Coke are both excellent stocks for long-term investors to buy now. American Express is the better buy for investors looking for more growth potential, while Coke is the better passive income play.

American Express is benefiting from relative strength from affluent consumers and businesses, which make up the bulk of its customer base, whereas Coke is getting hit harder by the overall pullback in consumer spending. So, it wouldn't be surprising to see American Express continue to outperform Coke if these economic conditions persist.

American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Listen on the go! A daily podcast of Wall Street Breakfast will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Seeking Alpha, iTunes, Spotify.

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Wall Street will gear up for a busy week, with the third quarter earnings season picking up steam. Market participants deprived of economic data due to the ongoing government shutdown will also have something to look forward to in the consumer inflation report for September.

Streaming giant Netflix (NFLX) is set to report results on Tuesday and electric vehicle maker Tesla (TSLA) on Wednesday. The two companies headline a packed week, which also includes other major names such as Coca-Cola (KO), General Motors (GM), and 3M (MMM).

Turning to economic data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release consumer price index (CPI) figures for September on Friday. The agency has been minimally staffed due to the government shutdown.

Investors will also be keeping a close eye on trade developments between the U.S. and China, as the world's two largest economies spar over the Asian nation's strict rare earth export controls.

Earnings spotlight: Monday, Oct 20: Steel Dynamics (STLD), Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF), Preferred Bank (PFBC). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday, Oct 21: Netflix (NFLX), Coca-Cola (KO), Philip Morris (PM), 3M (MMM), Lockheed Martin (LMT), General Motors (GM). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday, Oct 22: Tesla (TSLA), IBM (IBM), AT&T (T). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday, Oct 23: T-Mobile US (TMUS), Blackstone (BX), Intel (INTC), Honeywell (HON). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Friday, Oct 24: Procter & Gamble (PG). See the full earnings calendar.

Ahan Vashi, founder of The Quantamental Investor (TQI) in 2022, brings deep experience in equity research, private equity, and software engineering. TQI empowers investors to pursue financial freedom through bold, active investing and proactive risk management. Members gain exclusive access to premium equity research, risk-optimized model portfolios, proprietary tools, and a vibrant, collaborative community.

Here are TQI’s latest calls to action:

"With the US government embroiled in an extended shutdown and a recent escalation in tariff wars with China, the 'goldilocks' macroeconomic backdrop of strong GDP growth, low inflation, and low unemployment could rapidly deteriorate in the weeks ahead. Consequently, the unabated rally that has carried broad equity market indices to the highest trading multiples since the dot-com bubble peak could get challenged as we head into the year-end."

"To navigate this highly uncertain environment, at TQI, we are pursuing 'bold, active investing with proactive risk management.' Within equities, we are focusing our investments on secular growth trends that are immune to near-term macro headwinds. One such trend is artificial intelligence, wherein we have recently increased our stake in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), with the semiconductor giant finally set to experience much-awaited, AI-powered hypergrowth. Additionally, we are finding incredible value in SaaS names like monday.com (MNDY) that have experienced sharp year-to-date corrections due to the threat of AI disruption but are in fact AI beneficiaries."

"Furthermore, we are proactively guarding our model portfolio strategies against tail risks of deflation and stagflation using option-based tactical hedges."

If you’ve enjoyed this read and want to explore more actionable investing insights, join The Quantamental Investor (TQI) today and get full access to Ahan's research, portfolios, and community. TQI is currently running a special offer - your first month is just $5!

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WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $INCY #ESMO25--Incyte Announces Phase 1 Results for its TGFβR2×PD-1 Bispecific Antibody in Advanced CRC and KRAS G12D Inhibitor in Advanced PDAC.

With Q4 2025 unfolding, the stock market has generally been on a bullish run. However, there are still several cheaply priced opportunities under $10 for investors to consider, offering potentially attractive entry points from a valuation perspective.

Despite their modest share prices, these companies boast solid fundamentals and could deliver strong upside potential if market sentiment turns risk-on in the coming months.

To identify promising opportunities, Finbold turned to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which highlighted two standout stocks trading below $10 that are worth watching closely:

Ambev S.A. (NYSE: ABEV)
Ambev (NYSE: ABEV) , the Latin American brewing giant behind popular beer brands such as Skol, has emerged as a defensive favorite in a volatile global economy. 

Trading around $2 per share, Ambev’s fundamentals remain solid, supported by steady profit margins and a debt-light balance sheet.

Recently, the company reported a 7.5% rise in quarterly profit, even as overall volumes slipped due to currency headwinds and cost pressures. 

Analysts tracking the stock estimate it’s trading roughly 25% to 30% below fair value, with profit margins and cash flow metrics outpacing many global beverage peers.

According to ChatGPT, ABEV remains a low-risk play in a high-risk market, emphasizing the company’s consistent returns on capital and dominance in emerging markets like Brazil and Argentina.

At the close of the last trading session, ABEV was up 0.90% at $2.25, extending its year-to-date gain to 21%

ABEV YTD stock price chart. Source: Google Finance
Snap (NYSE: SNAP)
By contrast, ChatGPT also picked a more speculative rebound story in Snap (NYSE: SNAP), the social media company currently trading just under $10. 

The stock has struggled since its post-pandemic highs, but management’s renewed focus on monetization and AI-driven ad tools is starting to show results.

In its most recent quarter, Snap reported $1.3 billion in revenue, marking a 16% increase year-over-year, while narrowing its losses thanks to aggressive cost-cutting measures.

According to the AI model, Snap’s Monthly Active Users reached 932 million, a valuable asset that could support revenue growth, especially if advertisers ramp up spending during the upcoming holiday season.

Year-to-date, SNAP stock has plunged almost 30%, trading at $7.65, but the improving fundamentals may present a turnaround opportunity for patient investors.

SNAP YTD stock price chart. Soure: Finbold
In summary, ChatGPT cautioned that while most sub-$10 stocks struggle with weak balance sheets or fading relevance, Ambev and Snap represent rare exceptions, one a resilient cash generator, the other a potential disruptor.

Featured image via Shutterstock

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of LBRDP 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.

Swiss drugmaker Novartis said on Sunday its targeted radiotherapy treatment Pluvicto reduced the risk of progression or death in patients with prostate cancer by 28%.