While bitcoin demand among large investors is picking up as time passes, smaller market players are lagging.
According to a CryptoQuant report, the holdings of retail bitcoin investors are growing at a historically slow pace, even as this cohort of players gradually returns to the market amid BTC’s ascent to the $70,000 level.
Retail Investor Holdings Slowly Growing
In the past 30 days, retail bitcoin holdings have increased by just 1,000 BTC. The total assets by this group of market participants have also risen by 18,000 BTC since July 3, when it recorded a local bottom. At the time of writing, retail investors held 1.753 million BTC, slightly lower than the 1.765 million record at the end of 2023.
Since May 2023, when retail holdings grew by 27,000, the balances of these

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has shared insights into Ethereum’s next upgrade on its technical roadmap – The Scourge.
It aims to fix issues involving centralization concerns in Ethereum’s staking and block production. Buterin has proposed several fixes to these shortcomings the layer-1 blockchain faces.
Ethereum’s Scourge to Reduce PoS Centralization
Following Ethereum’s Merge upgrade in late 2022, the smart contract blockchain transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a proof-of-stake (PoS) model. This allowed ETH holders to stake their holdings for additional rewards, block production, and network security.
While this feature has profited the ecosystem, Buterin highlighted that staking centralization presents “one of the biggest risks” to the

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested an individual responsible for posting a fake tweet announcing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) earlier this year.
According to a press release by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, authorities have charged the 25-year-old Eric Council with conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud.
FBI Arrests Man Behind Fake SEC Tweet
While the crypto community heavily anticipated the SEC’s approval of the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 9, Council got hold of the agency’s X account and posted a fake announcement that the products had been approved for trading.
The news caused bitcoin’s

Historical data shows bitcoin (BTC) performing well in the fourth quarters of previous bull cycles, especially in halving years. Current on-chain data indicates that the leading cryptocurrency is following previous patterns and is on track to another remarkable Q4.
A report by the market analytics platform CryptoQuant revealed that bitcoin’s price rally in the coming weeks could be sustainable because demand for the asset is recovering and growing at the fastest monthly pace since April.
Bitcoin in Positive Seasonal Performance
During bitcoin’s seasonal performance in the halving years of 2012, 2016, and 2020, the cryptocurrency increased by 9%, 59%, and 171%, respectively, in their fourth quarters. CryptoQuant analysts found that BTC is behaving very similarly to patterns

The stablecoin market is growing, increasing liquidity and stabilizing the crypto space. This growth can be seen in the two largest stablecoins, Tether USD (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which are now responsible for a large portion of the crypto market’s transaction volume.
A tweet by the decentralized finance analysis platform IntoTheBlock revealed that USDT and USDC now represent roughly 50% of the total transaction volume among major cryptocurrencies. IntoTheBlock’s analysts said this growth highlights the crucial role of stablecoins in the crypto ecosystem.
Stablecoins Are Growing
Since the beginning of the year, stablecoins have achieved several milestones. In August, their total market capitalization hit a new all-time high of nearly $170 billion, reflecting the

Sui Foundation, the non-profit organization behind the layer-1 blockchain and ecosystem, has debunked allegations of insiders selling $400 million worth of the network’s native token, SUI since the asset began its remarkable rally.
According to a tweet from the foundation, the wallet address involved in the sales likely belongs to an infrastructure partner, and the token releases align with Sui’s lockup schedule.
$400M SUI Insider Trading Allegations
On October 14, pseudonymous crypto trader and analyst Lightcrypto took to X to outline a “baffling” occurrence they had noticed in the last few weeks: the dramatic rally of SUI. Lightcrypto questioned the basis for the surge from a risk-reward perspective, insisting that the belief that SUI can follow in Solana’s (SOL)

Stablecoin dynamics are flashing positive, reaching record highs and boosting liquidity within the crypto market. As historical data shows, this is good news for bitcoin (BTC) and the entire crypto industry because more liquidity often correlates with higher prices.
A recent CryptoQuant report revealed that the total market capitalization of major USD-backed stablecoins now stands at $169 billion, representing a 31% or $40 billion increase since the beginning of the year. This growth caused liquidity in the crypto market, as measured by stablecoin value, to reach a record high in late September.
Stablecoin Liquidity is Increasing
The increasing liquidity can be seen in higher stablecoin balances on centralized exchanges. Tether USD (USDT), which continues to dominate the

The market intelligence platform Santiment has outlined a few crypto assets currently trending due to multiple mentions on social media. According to analysts at the firm, these include bitcoin (BTC), Chiliz (CHZ), and Nubcat (NUB).
Topics causing BTC, CHZ, and NUB to trend across social media revolve around trading activities, price fluctuations, upcoming airdrops, and controversies. Notably, market participants express both bullish and bearish sentiments toward them.
Controversies Surrounding Bitcoin
Santiment said BTC is the top trending cryptocurrency according to social media mention frequency. The cryptocurrency has been the subject of multiple predictions regarding future price movements, especially with notable macroeconomic factors currently at play.
The upcoming

The Open Network (TON), a layer-1 blockchain linked to the social platform Telegram, has attained a new milestone in its history.
According to data from a CryptoQuant analyst, the L1 blockchain reached 100 million unique wallet addresses with non-zero balances. This marks a 95% surge in active users since the start of the year, which was “only” 4.3 million.
What’s Behind TON’s Growth?
TON’s surge in active users stems from its ties with Telegram. Although the social messaging platform initially created the TON blockchain under the name Telegram Open Network, plans to integrate it into its ecosystem fell through, forcing the abandonment of the blockchain project. A new team of developers picked up from where it left off.
Telegram revived its interest in TON in September

On September 27, bitcoin (BTC) reclaimed a trading price of $66,500 for the first time since late July. This surge was accompanied by bullish sentiments from many investors.
Instead of going higher, the leading crypto asset has tanked below $64,000 at press time. Blockchain market intelligence platform Santiment shares insight into a possible reason behind bitcoin’s failure to unlock higher prices.
What Could Drive Bitcoin’s New ATH?
The chart below shows the rapid surge in positive commentary towards BTC after the asset unlocked a local high of $66,500. Santiment’s research showed that there were 1.8 bullish BTC posts for every 1 bearish. Most of these bullish comments leaned on the possibility of bitcoin reaching the $70,000 price mark.

If you’re awaiting Bitcoin’s

In one of the latest collaborations between public and private entities, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, announced that it helped Indian authorities bust a purported legitimate online gaming app that defrauded users of more than Rs 400 crore ($47.6 million).
According to a blog post, the Binance Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) provided critical aid that enabled India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) to trace the funds siphoned by the operators of the gaming app Fiewin and uncover the network.
Binance Helps ED in Fraud Case
Fiewin operators marketed the app as a project that allows users to earn money by playing mini-games. Participants could create accounts and engage in the app’s activities by topping up their balances through various payment

An analysis by market intelligence platform IntoTheBlock has discovered the number of daily active addresses for major cryptocurrencies. This metric offers insights into the intensity of user activity on these networks.
According to data gathered by IntoTheBlock, these crypto assets include large-cap altcoins like Solana (SOL), meme coins like Dogecoin (DOGE), and the largest of the bunch Bitcoin (BTC).
Solana Tops the List
Atop the list is Solana, with a daily active address count of $3.04 million. Its network has been the subject of numerous discussions and trends this year, particularly the meme coin mania, which has led to an influx of more users. The blockchain has seen the launch of new protocols, like Pump.Fun, which has taken meme coin trading on the network to new

The United States spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) market is seeing a new wave of trading alternatives, including the availability of options. This latest move could attract liquidity and longer-term investors to the Bitcoin ecosystem, but it has a downside.
According to a CryptoQuant report, the availability of options for spot Bitcoin ETFs could increase the paper supply of BTC, allowing investors to gain exposure to the leading digital asset without investing through the spot market.
The Approval of Spot ETF Options
CryptoQuant disclosed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved the listing and trading of asset manager BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the largest spot Bitcoin ETF in the market.
Options are financial

LINK, the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum-based decentralized blockchain oracle network Chainlink, has witnessed a price breakout fueled by strong on-chain activity and increasing investor confidence.
An analysis by blockchain intelligence platform Santiment revealed that technical indicators for LINK suggest there is a potential for continued price gains and that the asset’s long-term outlook remains positive.
Positive Sentiment Around Chainlink
According to Santiment, the Chainlink community considers the network a pivotal player in the altcoin market due to its decentralized oracle technology. Community members view the project as one that could drive innovation in the blockchain space and bridge the gap between on-chain smart contracts and off-chain data sources.

Ethereum (ETH), the second largest cryptocurrency, has failed to reclaim the $3,000 price mark since early August. However, things could begin looking positive for the asset once again.
An analyst from the blockchain analytics platform CryptoQuant has shared a chart explaining how a continued cash inflow into the Ethereum futures market could elevate the biggest altcoin.
Source: CryptoQuantFunding Rates to Drive ETH’s Price Rebound
According to the analyst, the perpetual futures market contributes to the price movement of underlying digital assets. More buy actions in the futures market indicate investors’ interest in the crypto asset, hence projecting its value to higher prices. Conversely, more sell actions are subsequently accompanied by a price decrease.
The chart

Sources familiar with the living arrangements of the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn have revealed interesting facts about two popular inmates. The recently arrested American rapper and celebrity Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy, is in the same cell with Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the convicted founder of the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX.
According to a New York Times report, Combs and SBF live in the same unit with other high-profile inmates, including Mexico’s former secretary of public security, García Luna, and former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández.
Combs in Cell With SBF
SBF has been at the MDC since August 2023 after a judge revoked his bail after he attempted to tamper with witnesses. Earlier this year, he was sentenced to 25 years

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price is currently on an upward momentum, and there is a chance the crypto asset could surge higher, according to on-chain data.
A report from the pseudonymous CryptoQuant analyst Avocado revealed that several on-chain support levels suggest a positive turning point for BTC in the long term, indicating that the cryptocurrency is still in its bull season.
Positive Outlook for Bitcoin
Avocado said these on-chain data points have reached their average support levels, and coupled with recent price movements, these metrics signal positive sentiment from a long-term standpoint.
One of the metrics is the seven-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) of Bitcoin’s Fund Flow Ratio, which suggests that BTC investors have begun to trade on exchanges again. The metric has

While several central banks across the globe are actively exploring the feasibility of launching a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), a recent survey has revealed that cash will not be going away anytime soon as a majority of consumers are not enthusiastic about using those products.
The survey, conducted by Deutsche Bank, Germany’s leading investment bank, polled 4,850 respondents from Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A majority of the respondents stated that they prefer conventional payment methods like cash and debit or credit cards.
Cash Reigns Supreme
According to the study, 59% of the respondents believe cash will always be useful, with 44% stating that they would prefer using cash for payments rather than CBDCs. Only a small percentage of

The Wrapped Bitcoin market is seeing the emergence of new players, like Coinbase, the largest American crypto exchange. Analysts believe the market’s current condition presents an opportunity for higher user engagement, enhanced cross-chain liquidity, and significant growth in the coming years.
However, observations made in the latest CryptoQuant report suggest the race may not be smooth, and investors may be reluctant to use some tokens because of the mechanisms used by the custodians.
The Emergence of New Wrapped Bitcoin Tokens
Wrapped Bitcoin tokens enable holders to use other networks and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications that are not on the Bitcoin network without selling their BTC. They are backed 1:1 with BTC and are mostly found on Ethereum. The first of

German authorities have shut down 47 cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the country for allegedly facilitating large-scale money laundering operations for cybercriminals.
According to an official statement by the Frankfurt main prosecutor’s office, the German office for combating Internet crime, and the federal criminal police office, these exchanges deliberately allowed their users to bypass Know You Customer (KYC) policies.
The KYC policy is a verification process that requires platform users to submit their basic identification details. However, since these exchanges allowed users to complete transactions without this verification, they created a conducive environment for cyber criminals to launder the proceeds of their illegal activities with little to no risk of

Terraform Labs, the company behind TerraUSD (UST) and Luna, has secured court approval to wind down operations in bankruptcy after settling with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
According to a Reuters report, the wind-down plan was approved by US Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon, who called it a “welcome alternative” to further litigation over investors’ losses. The approval marks the final step in Terraform’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Terraform Legal Woes
The development comes three months after Terraform and co-founder Do Kwon reached a $4.47 billion agreement with the SEC to settle fraud charges related to the collapse of the Terra ecosystem.
The agency accused Terraform and the co-founder of deceiving investors about the stability of TerraUSD,

The Open Network (TON) has continued to record outstanding growth as the protocol recently saw its active addresses outperform leading blockchains in the industry.
According to data from the market intelligence platform IntoTheBlock, the number of daily active TON addresses surged to 3 million in the first week of September.
Per the data, this figure exceeded the number of active addresses recorded on major Layer 1 networks, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. TON’s popularity over the past few months has attracted increasing attention from developers, investors, and users alike, further solidifying its position as a rising contender in the blockchain space.
USDT Trading Volume on TON Surges
In addition to the growing number of active addresses, TON has experienced an increase

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of the New York-based investment firm SkyBridge Capital, has revealed that he is working with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris to draft crypto policies for her campaign.
According to a CNBC report, Scaramucci made the revelation at the annual TOKEN2049 crypto conference on Thursday. He told a panel during the conference that several crypto advocates are currently in talks with Harris to draft industry-friendly policies ahead of the elections in November. Scaramucci stated that Harris will be engaging in some of these crypto-related discussions later this week.
The SkyBridge founder pointed out that the crypto advocates are working to distance the Democrats from Senator Elizabeth Warren and SEC chairman Gary Gensler, who are both

A key metric that indicates US investors’ interest in bitcoin turned negative on Friday.
Experts, however, believe that this flip could positively affect BTC’s price.
Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Records Negative Value
According to a report by a CryptoQuant analyst, the Coinbase Premium recently recorded a significant negative value. The Coinbase Premium Index is an indicator that measures the percentage difference between the price of bitcoin on Coinbase Pro and Binance.
Coinbase Pro is popular among crypto traders in the United States as well as several institutional investors while Binance, the largest crypto exchange by trading volume, caters to a more global audience. Thus, the index provides insight into the trading behaviors of users on both platforms.
Historically,

Despite a slowdown in Bitcoin (BTC) whale accumulation, the weekly net flows among these large holders (addresses with at least 1,000 BTC) have remained positive for nearly four months.
Positive net flows indicate that more BTC is entering these wallets than leaving, suggesting potential buying pressure, while negative net flows mean more BTC is flowing out of these entities.
Whales See Consistent Inflow
According to data from IntoTheBlock, the weekly net inflow peaked at 27K BTC (worth approximately $1.7 billion in current prices) in June. Subsequently, whales experienced a weekly inflow of 19K BTC ($1.2 billion) in July, 18K BTC ($1.13 billion) in August, and 9K BTC ($556.9 million) in September.
The last time these wallets experienced negative net flows was in May,

While bitcoin (BTC) faces local resistance levels, the crypto asset is experiencing a rally driven by aggressive spot market activity.
According to a Bitfinex Alpha report, on-chain metrics suggest bitcoin’s momentum is currently bullish. This outlook is also reinforced by rising inflows into the United States spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), signaling growing confidence among retail and institutional investors.
Spot Activity Drives Bullish Momentum
Bitcoin’s bullish momentum is seen in the Spot Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) data. This metric measures the net volume from spot market orders across exchanges by subtracting the volume of sell orders from buy orders. The asset’s spot CVD has driven its price upward since the plunge below $53,000 in early September.

The crypto staking landscape is constantly evolving, with new and remarkable shifts coming to light every now and then. A feature that was once primarily attributed to networks with proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms like Ethereum, developers have now brought staking and restaking to the Bitcoin blockchain.
A report by the non-custodial staking services provider P2P.org outlined some major staking trends seen in the market over the past month.
Trends in Ethereum Staking
The Ethereum network has seen steady validator growth despite the current crypto market uncertainty, volatility, and lower rewards. P2P.org discovered that the blockchain witnessed a 1.49% growth in the number of validators and staked amounts of ether (ETH).
“While this growth is consistent with previous

The price of bitcoin (BTC) has entered a bearish phase, stemming from the asset’s constant decline and range-bound movement. As a result, the largest cryptocurrency has decoupled from gold.
According to CryptoQuant analysts, bitcoin’s price has been declining while the yellow metal has rallied to new record highs, causing their correlation to turn negative.
Bitcoin Decouples From Gold
The negative correlation between bitcoin and gold reflects a risk-averse environment where investors prefer traditional safe-haven assets over speculative ones like cryptocurrencies. While BTC is decoupling from the metal, the crypto asset has been moving in the same direction with lower United States stock markets. Analysts said this is a sign that macro headwinds are affecting BTC.
Since

The Solana network is experiencing an increased influx of users and a “break-through moment,” thanks to the introduction of liquid staking on the blockchain.
A new report by the leading cryptocurrency exchange, Bybit, stated that Solana’s liquid staking model, especially the exchange-launched liquid-staked SOL, would mobilize masses and accelerate the onboarding of retail users in the ecosystem.
The State of Liquid Staking on Solana
As a proof-of-stake network, staking is crucial to the security of the Solana ecosystem. While the process involves users delegating their SOL to one or more validators, which participate in network consensus and validate transactions for rewards, liquid staking offers much more.
Liquid staking provides flexibility, liquidity, and potential for

The number of addresses holding Tron’s native token TRX for the long term has skyrocketed over the past 12 months, according to data from the blockchain intelligence firm IntoTheBlock.
A tweet from the market analytics platform revealed that the Tron network currently has nearly 90 million long-term holder addresses, representing a 237% increase in the past year.
TRX Long-term Holders Are Increasing
IntoTheBlock said the increase in TRX’s long-term holder addresses shows strong confidence in the network’s future, as more investors are willing to hold the cryptocurrency for a prolonged period.
The address spike also reflects significant growth and high activity on the Tron network. Over the past few weeks, TRX has been among the top-performing crypto assets in the market.