TheNewsCrypto

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, October 6th, 2026, Chainwire
ASICID Inc. has released its IDMINER Series, a new lineup of cryptocurrency mining systems designed for Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin mining.
The series includes the IDMINER HomeRack, IDMINER 2 and IDMINER 1, with configurations ranging from 1,150 TH/s to 9,600 TH/s of Bitcoin hashrate and from 350 GH/s to 3,200 GH/s of Litecoin and Dogecoin hashrate.
The three models are designed for different mining setups, from individual and home miners to professional and larger-scale operators.
IDMINER Series Specifications
IDMINER HomeRack
Bitcoin hashrate: 9,600 TH/s
Litecoin/Dogecoin hashrate: 3,200 GH/s
Power configuration: 4 × 1,300W
Estimated monthly mining revenue: up to $25,590*
IDMINER 2
Bitcoin hashrate: 2,400 TH/s
Litecoin/Dogecoin hashrate: 800 GH/s
Power consumption: 1,300W
Estimated monthly mining revenue: up to $6,390*
IDMINER 1
Bitcoin hashrate: 1,150 TH/s
Litecoin/Dogecoin hashrate: 350 GH/s
Power consumption: 700W
Estimated monthly mining revenue: up to $2,790*
*The revenue figures are estimates based on network conditions, cryptocurrency prices, and mining difficulty at the time of publication.
Designed for Simpler Deployment
The IDMINER systems are delivered pre-configured and tested before shipment. Users can connect the miner to power, connect via WiFi or Ethernet, enter their preferred mining pool information, and begin mining.
The systems support major mining pools and also provide access to ASICID’s Zero-Fee Mining Pool option.
Other features include thermal management and hardware testing before shipment.
Built for Bitcoin, Litecoin and Dogecoin Mining
ASICID develops and manufactures its mining hardware through an integrated production process that includes research and development, hardware engineering, assembly, thermal testing, and quality assurance.
The company is headquartered in Hong Kong with additional operations in the United States and serves individual miners, professional mining businesses, and institutional operators.
With the IDMINER Series, ASICID is targeting miners looking for high-hashrate hardware with straightforward deployment and power requirements suited to ongoing mining operations.
For more information about the IDMINER Series, users can visit www.asicid.com.
Contact
Peter Lammedia@asicid.com

BitGo and HashKey Cloud signed a strategic agreement covering staking, trading, custody and RWA tokenization.
BitGo CEO Mike Belshe wants prime brokerage to become the company’s core business, expanding its trading, lending and settlement services.
BitGo and HashKey Cloud have signed a strategic partnership agreement covering staking, institutional trading, custody and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization as the two companies expand their work with institutional clients in Asia.
The agreement was signed in Singapore during TOKEN2049 week and expands a staking collaboration the companies began in July. Under the new partnership, HashKey Cloud will become a validator partner on the BitGo platform, initially supporting Ethereum and Solana staking for BitGo’s eligible institutional clients.
The companies will also work together on institutional trading flows. BitGo will provide custody solutions to HashKey Capital and its associated funds, subject to onboarding and applicable agreements. In addition, BitGo will serve as a custody partner for HashKey’s RWA tokenization initiatives, giving the partnership coverage across several parts of the digital asset market.
The agreement was signed by Abel Seow, Managing Director and Head of APAC Sales at BitGo, and Leo Li, CEO of HashKey OnChain BG. Both companies said the services will be available only to eligible clients and where permitted under local regulations.
BitGo Targets Prime Brokerage for Growth
The partnership comes while BitGo CEO Mike Belshe outlines a broader shift in the company’s business strategy. In an interview with Bloomberg in Singapore on Oct. 6, Belshe said BitGo wants prime brokerage to become the main engine of its business as the company expands trading, lending and settlement services.
Belshe said he would “ultimately like prime brokerage to account for 100% of BitGo’s revenue,” arguing that the company can create more value by helping clients trade and finance digital assets rather than relying mainly on custody fees.
BitGo has already been building that infrastructure. Its BitGo Prime platform combines trading, financing and collateral management, while its custody and settlement businesses remain part of the broader institutional offering. The company also launched BitGo Link in August to help institutions manage capital across BitGo and connected exchanges for trading and financing workflows.
The HashKey agreement therefore adds another institutional relationship to BitGo’s expanding network, while Belshe’s comments show where the company wants its business to go next.

Ethereum is set to activate Glamsterdam on Sepolia today with a 200M gas-limit test.
Glamsterdam introduces enshrined proposer-builder separation and block-level access lists to improve Ethereum’s block production and validation.
Ethereum is preparing to test a 200 million gas limit on the Sepolia testnet as the Glamsterdam upgrade moves to its next testing stage today. The latest change comes from Prysm v7.2.1, released by Offchain Labs on October 5, which adds the Sepolia gas-limit schedule and makes 200 million the default gas limit for validators after the Gloas fork.
The new Prysm release also changes how data columns are handled, enabling partial data columns by default. Under the change, nodes can gossip individual cells instead of entire data columns. Prysm also added configuration options for Gloas builders, including builder URLs, minimum bids and builder bid timeouts.
The 200 million gas setting is more than three times Sepolia’s previous 60 million gas configuration. Prysm’s latest release says the new schedule takes effect at epoch 353,024, matching the Sepolia configuration published for the Gloas fork. Validators using Prysm v7.2.1 do not need to manually set the 200 million limit, although operators can choose another limit through proposer settings or the keymanager API.
Glamsterdam Reaches Sepolia Today
Ethereum’s Glamsterdam upgrade is scheduled to activate on Sepolia at 13:53:36 UTC on October 6, corresponding to epoch 353,024 and slot 11,296,768. The upgrade combines the Amsterdam execution-layer changes with the Gloas consensus-layer changes.
Among its main changes are enshrined proposer-builder separation (ePBS) and Block-Level Access Lists (BALs). BALs are designed to record the accounts and storage locations accessed during a block, allowing clients to perform more state reads and transaction validation work in parallel. Glamsterdam also changes gas accounting for state creation, state access, calldata and access lists.
The 200 million gas test is limited to Sepolia and does not set a new gas limit for Ethereum mainnet. The Ethereum Foundation has not yet announced activation dates for Hoodi or mainnet.
Meanwhile, ETH is trading around $2,714, according to CoinMarketCap, with a market cap of about $331 billion and 24-hour trading volume above $10.2 billion. ETH is down about 0.8% over the past 24 hours.
ETH closed at $2,710.42 on October 5, after reaching a recent September high of $2,785 on September 23, according to historical data.
From a short-term price perspective, $2,700 is the immediate level to watch, while recent market analysis places resistance around $2,780-2,800. A move above $2,800 would clear the recent resistance area, while a drop below $2,650 could bring the $2,570-$2,470 zone into focus.

FinCEN has dropped its 2020 proposal that would have introduced additional reporting and recordkeeping requirements for transactions involving unhosted crypto wallets.
A second proposal targeting crypto mixers was also withdrawn, removing plans to classify convertible virtual currency mixing as a primary money laundering concern.
The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has withdrawn a 2020 proposed rule that would have imposed significant reporting and recordkeeping requirements on transactions involving unhosted crypto wallets. FinCEN confirmed it will take no further action on the proposal. It effectively ended a rule that had been hanging over the crypto industry for nearly five years.
A second proposal has also been pulled. That one would have designated convertible virtual currency mixing as a class of transactions of primary money laundering concern. Significantly, that classification would have triggered a special measure under the Bank Secrecy Act.
In addition, both withdrawals were announced as part of the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda. It is a stated goal to ensure digital asset regulations are fit for purpose.
What the Original Rule Would Have Done?
The 2020 proposal, published on December 23 of that year, would have required banks and money services businesses to file reports with FinCEN on any customer transaction exceeding $10,000 involving an unhosted wallet, or multiple transactions aggregating above that threshold within 24 hours. Identity verification of the customer would have been mandatory in those cases.
Transactions above $3,000 would have triggered a separate recordkeeping requirement, again tied to counterparty use of an unhosted wallet. The rule also extended to wallets held at financial institutions located in foreign jurisdictions. On the other hand, it is identified by FinCEN as non-compliant with the Bank Secrecy Act.
An unhosted wallet under the proposal was defined as one where a financial institution is not required to conduct transactions from the wallet. Moreover, it covers the self-custody tools that a large portion of the crypto community relies on daily.
Why It Was Pulled?
FinCEN cited public comments received in response to both proposals and the broader deregulatory direction set by Executive Order 14178, “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” issued by President Trump. The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets specifically flagged both proposals as candidates for withdrawal as part of the effort to align crypto regulation with practical market realities.
Also, the crypto mixing proposal, which would have treated mixing services as a primary money laundering concern. This imposed special measures on financial institutions handling such transactions, has been dropped entirely alongside the wallet rule.
Furthermore, the unhosted wallet rule had drawn sustained opposition from across the crypto industry since its publication. Critics argue it would have imposed compliance burdens on ordinary users and businesses without meaningfully addressing illicit finance.
Crypto Market Highlights
Binance Users in Brazil Face New Transfer Requirements Under Central Bank Rules

Solana Foundation launched an open-source DvP program for financial institutions.
J.P. Morgan provided input on institutional settlement practices and requirements.
The Solana Foundation has launched Solana DvP, an open-source settlement program designed to help financial institutions settle tokenized assets and payments on the Solana blockchain. The Foundation announced the program on October 6, 2026, describing it as a “reusable” standard for delivery-versus-payment settlement.
Solana DvP is built around atomic settlement, meaning the asset and payment sides of a transaction settle together. If the conditions for both sides are not met, the transaction does not complete. The Foundation said this can provide finality in seconds instead of the one to two days often associated with traditional settlement processes involving clearinghouses, depositories and custodians.
The program is released under the MIT open-source license and uses isolated escrow accounts with settlement deadlines. Solana said institutional trades conducted on-chain have typically relied on individual, custom-built smart contracts. DvP is intended to provide one standard settlement rail instead.
Solana DvP Supports Institutional Tokenized Assets
The program supports both SPL Token and Token-2022, including token features such as permanent delegates, pausable tokens and transfer hooks. Two counterparties can use Solana DvP with a settlement agent such as a bank, custodian or exchange.
J.P. Morgan contributed input on institutional settlement practices and requirements during the program’s development. Rhodel D’souza, the bank’s Head of Markets Digital Assets, said the bank contributed its settlement expertise. The announcement confirms that J.P. Morgan did not develop or operate Solana DvP.
Meanwhile, Solana DvP has undergone external security audits and is available for use with real funds. The blockchain also plans to add privacy features so institutional settlement transactions can be made private and confidential. The Foundation is currently seeking design partners and early participants ahead of the production release.
This is nothing new. The launch follows J.P. Morgan’s earlier activity on Solana. In December 2025, the bank arranged a $50 million U.S. commercial paper issuance for Galaxy Digital on the blockchain and facilitated delivery-versus-payment settlement for the transaction.

Singapore, Singapore, October 6th, 2026, Chainwire

Multi-chain stablecoin wallet combines simpler transfers, flexible gas-fee options, security features, and practical use cases with one ambition: to become the world’s easiest stablecoin wallet.
Changer+ today announced the launch of its self-custodial stablecoin wallet, built to make holding, moving and using stablecoins simpler.
Changer+ supports major stablecoins including USDT and USDC across Ethereum, TRON, BNB Chain and Solana, with more networks and stablecoins planned.
To celebrate its launch, Changer+ is offering new users three free transactions per device on each chain – Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain from October 6 to November 6, 2026.
Changer+ is built around a simple belief: people should not need to understand every blockchain, gas token, or transaction mechanic just to use the stablecoins they already have.
Stablecoins Should Just Work
Using stablecoins can still mean figuring out which network a token is on, choosing the right transfer route, sourcing a separate gas token, and navigating unfamiliar transaction steps. Changer+ is designed to move more of that complexity into the background.
“People should not have to become blockchain experts just to use stablecoins,” said Leon Gao, CEO of Changer+, with over a decade of experience in product development in the fintech and payment industry
“The technology underneath can stay sophisticated. What users see should feel simple, clear and dependable.”
Simplicity Without Giving Up Control
Making stablecoins easier to use should not mean taking control away from the user.
Changer+ is self-custodial, meaning users retain control of their private keys and authorize their own transactions.
For Yun Han Wong, CGO of Changer+, who has spent years working in Web3, preserving that principle is fundamental to trust.
“Trust is everything in Web3,” Yun Han said. “The early crypto idea of ‘being your own bank’ was really about ownership — having control over your own assets instead of simply handing that control to another intermediary.”
“We want to preserve that ethos while making stablecoins much easier to use. Convenience should not mean giving up control.”
Technology and Security Built around the User
Changer+ is designed to remove common friction from everyday stablecoin use.
On supported transactions, Changer+ lets users cover network-related transaction costs without first having to acquire the blockchain’s native gas token.
For example, a user holding stablecoins does not necessarily need to separately acquire ETH, TRX, BNB, or SOL before completing a supported transaction.
Changer+ has also completed an independent security audit, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing (VAPT) conducted by Echo Pulse, a CREST-accredited and Singapore-licensed cybersecurity service provider.
These capabilities are led by Zack Chen, CTO of Changer+, an NUS-trained technopreneur with years of software development experience overseeing Changer+’s multi-chain architecture and security development.
“Good engineering should reduce the complexity users have to manage while keeping the experience clear and reliable,” Zack said.
Making Stablecoins More Useful
Changer+ goes beyond holding and transferring stablecoins by giving users more ways to put them to practical use.
Current capabilities include global eSIM data plans, a lifestyle ticket marketplace, and security risk signals that help users identify suspicious activity and potentially unsafe addresses, with more use cases planned.
“Our ambition is not to build another wallet people download and forget,” Leon said. “We want to make the whole stablecoin experience easier — from holding and transferring to actually using them.”
As stablecoins increasingly move beyond crypto trading into payments, remittances and everyday digital commerce, the experience of using them remains fragmented across networks and wallets.
Changer+ was built to close that usability gap.
Backed by a private family office, Changer+ is taking a long-term approach to building the product. Rather than centering the platform around a project token or speculative rewards, the company is focused on usability, self-custody, security, and practical stablecoin utility.
“Stablecoins should just work,” Yun Han added. “Fewer unnecessary crypto steps, more useful things you can do with them, and the user stays in control.”
Changer+ is available on iOS and Android.
Download IOS app：https://apps.apple.com/us/app/changer-stablecoin-wallet/id6744874111
Download Android app：https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=plus.changer.app&hl=en
Learn more: www.changer.plus
Join communities: https://linktr.ee/ChangerPlus
Contact: pr@changer.plus
Launch Special
Enjoy three free transactions on each chain – Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain from October 6 to November 6, 2026.*
Available only to new users who install the Changer+ app and register during the campaign period. Network fees are covered for three eligible transactions per device. Terms and conditions apply. Changer+ reserves the right to amend or withdraw the offer.
About Changer+
Changer+ is a Singapore-incorporated, self-custodial stablecoin wallet built to make stablecoins easier to use.
With multi-chain stablecoin support across major blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain and TRON, Changer+ brings together simpler transfers, flexible gas-fee options, security risk signals and practical use cases — while users remain in control of their private keys.
Backed by a private family office, Changer+ combines payments experience, Web3 expertise and security-led engineering with one ambition: to become the world’s easiest stablecoin wallet.

Contact
Changer+pr@changer.plus

Binance users in Brazil must provide the transfer purpose and confirm counterparty details before cross-border crypto transactions can be processed from November 1, 2026.
The changes align Binance with Brazil’s Resolution BCB No. 521/2025, which brings international virtual asset transfers under the country’s formal foreign exchange framework.
Starting November 1, 2026, Binance users in Brazil will need to provide the purpose of their transfer and confirm counterparty details before any cross-border crypto transaction can be processed. The change comes as Binance adapts to Resolution BCB No. 521/2025, Brazil’s Central Bank framework. It brings international virtual asset transfers under the country’s formal foreign exchange rules.
The rule is: if someone is sending crypto to or receiving crypto from anyone outside Brazil on Binance, there is a need to declare why. Also, to confirm who the other party is. Binance will then report these transactions monthly to Brazil’s Central Bank.
In addition, transfers between Brazilian residents are entirely unaffected. If moving crypto to a Brazilian exchange or another person based in Brazil, nothing changes.
The withdrawals simply will not go through until the required information is completed; there’s no bypass. Deposits may sit pending or, in some cases, be returned if the counterparty details are missing.
How the Classification Works
For transfers up to $50,000, users select from a list of 10 purpose categories. Above that threshold, the complete list of 96 classifications applies, and there’s no generic other option available for larger transfers. A search field and help texts are provided to assist with the selection.
One additional limit to note: transfers to counterparties not authorised in Brazil‘s foreign exchange market are capped at $100,000 per transaction under current Central Bank rules. This limit may be raised to $500,000 in the near future.
Two Special Cases
Sending to someone’s own account on a foreign exchange is handled cleanly: select that sending to yourself, the purpose comes pre-filled as transfer between accounts of the same person, and the counterparty information fills in automatically. There is only a need to confirm and accept the declaration.
Transfers to one’s own self-hosted wallet are treated differently again; no purpose declaration is required, but you must confirm wallet ownership. These are still reported to the Central Bank under a separate category.
The Travel Rule, a separate compliance requirement, is being implemented on its own timeline. It has phased rollouts for domestic and international transactions in 2027 and 2028, respectively. The November 1 changes apply exclusively to the Central Bank’s foreign exchange rules for virtual assets.
Crypto Market Highlights
OKXICE Targets U.S. Tokenised Securities Market With SEC Innovation Exemption Filing

Zcash activated NU7 on testnet at block 4,465,026.
NU7 cuts target block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds.
Zcash has activated its NU7 network upgrade on public testnet, moving the protocol closer to a planned mainnet rollout in November. The upgrade went live at block 4,465,026 on October 4, ahead of the previously expected October 6 activation.
(Source: ZecBlock)
NU7 reduces Zcash’s target block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. The change is designed to cut the average wait for a first confirmation to about 25 seconds, while the amount of ZEC issued each day remains unchanged. The per-block reward is adjusted to preserve the existing issuance schedule and halving timetable.
(Source: ZecBlock)
The upgrade also introduces the Network Sustainability Mechanism (NSM). Under the new system, 60% of transaction fees are placed into a reserve, while miners receive the remaining 40%. Part of the reserve can later be reissued as block rewards. The 21 million ZEC supply cap remains unchanged.
NU7 Changes Shielded Transactions as ZEC Recovers
NU7 also introduces limits on shielded activity to manage network and wallet workloads as blocks become more frequent. It sets limits of 330 Orchard or Ironwood actions and 300 Sapling inputs and outputs, alongside a shared 330-action budget.
The upgrade also makes version 4 transactions invalid. Because the older Sprout privacy system relies on version 4 transactions, ZEC remaining in the Sprout pool after NU7 reaches mainnet would become unspendable unless moved beforehand. Version 5 and version 6 transactions remain valid.
Zcash developers are expected to review the testnet results on October 20 before setting the mainnet activation height. The current target for NU7 mainnet activation is November 5, subject to that review.
Meanwhile, following the NU7 testnet activation, ZEC is trading around $1,335, up about 2.9% over 24 hours, with roughly $625 million in 24-hour trading volume and a market cap of about $22.48 billion. Still, ZEC remains down about 15.6% over the past seven days. Its current 24-hour range is approximately $1,308 to $1,362.
The price action puts $1,350-1,462 near-term resistance on the chart, while $1,284 is the immediate downside level from the current 24-hour range.

OKXICE has filed with the SEC under the agency’s new Innovation Exemption to launch a Tokenised Securities Venue in the United States.
The filing puts OKXICE among the first firms to formally seek approval under the exemption.
OKXICE LLC, a joint venture between crypto exchange OKX and Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, filed with the SEC under the agency’s new Innovation Exemption to launch a Tokenised Securities Venue in the United States.
The filing makes OKXICE one of the first firms to formally pursue approval under the exemption, which the SEC introduced after comprehensive crypto legislation backed by President Trump failed to advance in the Senate. The exemption clears the way for blockchain-based securities to trade on U.S. crypto venues under specific conditions.
Moreover, ICE took a stake in OKX in March in a deal that valued the crypto firm at $25 billion. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, co-chair of OKXICE, announced the filing on X, describing it as a landmark step toward a genuinely global, 24/7 Wall Street.
What the Filing Actually Covers?
The initial lineup targets tokenised shares of 63 NYSE-listed companies, with issuers given 30 days to opt out before trading in their stock can begin. The platform is designed for round-the-clock trading and faster on-chain settlement, with dividend and voting rights preserved, a requirement under the SEC’s new framework. Also, no shareholder benefits are stripped in the process.
Furthermore, the timing of the platform’s launch depends on completing that opt-out period and meeting remaining regulatory requirements.
The Shifting Competitive Landscape
Global exchanges including the NYSE, Nasdaq, and the London Stock Exchange are all preparing to launch round-the-clock trading in the coming months. Prediction markets have also been pushing into U.S. stock trading, a move that has already drawn regulatory scrutiny.
The SEC’s Innovation Exemption has effectively fired a starting gun. Different models are now competing for market share, with some firms working directly with public companies to bring tokenised shares to crypto markets, and others offering tokens created by third parties without issuer involvement. OKXICE sits firmly in the first camp, with NYSE‘s own parent company as a partner.
For traditional exchanges, this represents a structural challenge, not just a new product category. In addition, the crypto venue offering 24/7 access to U.S. equities with on-chain settlement directly competes with the operating hours and settlement timelines that have defined Wall Street for decades.
Tokenised U.S. stocks trading on crypto infrastructure around the clock reframes what an exchange can be. The first venues to go live under this exemption gain a first-mover position in a market that traditional finance is only beginning to enter.
Crypto Market Highlights
SEC Approves 3x Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in Major Expansion of Crypto Market Access

Payward and SGB launched 24/7 settlement for institutional digital asset markets.
The service initially supports USD transactions for select clients.
Payward, the financial infrastructure company behind Kraken, has partnered with Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) to provide 24/7 settlement for institutional digital asset markets, according to an announcement on October 5, 2026.
Under the partnership, Payward has integrated SGB Net, SGB’s real-time, multi-currency clearing network. The tie allows eligible institutional clients of both companies to settle transactions instantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Markets run 24/7. Settlement should too. Payward has integrated SGB Net from @SGB_app, a real-time clearing network, so institutional clients can settle instantly, 24/7. Read the full announcement: https://t.co/pFPBOwqtEf
— Payward (@Payward) October 5, 2026
The initial service covers U.S. dollar transactions and is available to a select number of institutional clients in supported jurisdictions across Asia and the Gulf region. Payward and SGB said they plan to extend the service to additional clients and currencies over time, although no specific time was given.
The arrangement allows an SGB client to deposit funds with Payward and make those funds available for use immediately, including outside traditional banking hours. This addresses the timing difference between digital asset markets, which operate continuously, and conventional banking systems that often rely on fixed processing windows.
SGB Adds Kraken Prime for Digital Asset Liquidity
The partnership also includes Kraken Prime, Payward’s institutional prime brokerage platform. SGB will use Kraken Prime as an additional source of digital asset liquidity and plans to draw on Payward’s markets to price trades for its customers in the coming months.
SGB launched SGB Net in 2025 to provide real-time clearing for businesses operating in digital assets and says the network now processes more than $20 billion in fiat transactions each month. The bank is backed by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, and Singapore-based Whampoa Group.
SGB is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. The bank provides multi-currency accounts, international payments and digital asset services to eligible businesses and individuals.
For Payward, the agreement forms part of its broader Payward Banking infrastructure, which covers cash movement across deposits, payments, cards, custody and lending. The company has also expanded its banking relationships this year, including a September partnership with SoFi for 24/7 U.S. dollar settlement.

Community Banks sued the OCC over national trust bank charters for crypto firms, arguing the regulator exceeded its authority under the National Bank Act.
The lawsuit challenges the OCC’s March 2026 rule and Protego’s charter.
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) has sued the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) over its decision to allow cryptocurrency companies to obtain national trust bank charters.
The banking group filed the lawsuit on October 2 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. ICBA is challenging an OCC rule issued in March 2026, along with Interpretive Letter No. 1176, arguing that the regulator exceeded the authority granted to it under the National Bank Act.
Source: Source: ICBA
The dispute centers on national trust banks that do not take traditional deposits but can provide services such as digital-asset custody and payment settlement. Unlike insured banks, these institutions are not subject to FDIC insurance requirements, and they do not operate under the same capital, liquidity and Community Reinvestment Act requirements that apply to insured depository institutions.
The OCC, however, said in its February 2026 final rule that it was clarifying the existing authority of national banks limited to trust-company operations to conduct non-fiduciary activities. The agency said the rule does not expand or reduce its statutory authority to charter national banks. The rule became effective on April 1.
ICBA Challenges Crypto Trust Bank Approvals
ICBA argues that the expanded use of national trust charters creates a regulatory difference between crypto firms and traditional community banks. The group said consumers could also assume that assets held with a federally chartered crypto trust company receive the same federal protections as deposits at an insured bank.
The lawsuit specifically asks the court to invalidate the OCC’s rule and related guidance. It also seeks to overturn the conditional approval of a national trust bank charter for Protego Holdings Corp., a digital-asset company.
The OCC has granted or conditionally approved several national trust bank applications involving digital-asset companies. In December 2025, the agency announced conditional approvals for firms including Ripple National Trust Bank, First National Digital Currency Bank, BitGo Bank & Trust, Fidelity Digital Assets and Paxos Trust Company.
The OCC declined to comment on the new lawsuit, according to Reuters.

Bitpanda co-CEO Christian Trummer says European users have more faith in MiCA-regulated crypto firms.
EU regulators are tightening enforcement against firms serving European customers without MiCA authorization.
European crypto users are showing greater trust in regulated platforms following the rollout of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, according to Bitpanda co-CEO Christian Trummer.
Speaking on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction, Trummer said users now have “more faith” in regulated market participants. He also argued that the wider crypto market can look different from the community often seen on Crypto Twitter, where self-custody remains a major focus.
Trummer said ordinary users are generally more comfortable using regulated providers rather than managing private keys themselves. However, his comments are based on his observations and were not accompanied by a specific survey or percentage measuring a rise in consumer trust.
MiCA has also moved into a stricter enforcement phase across the bloc. Under the regulation’s transitional rules, existing crypto-asset service providers could continue operating until July 1, 2026 at the latest, or until their authorization was granted or refused. ESMA said firms without a MiCA license after the transition period must stop providing crypto-asset services to EU clients.
MiCA Enforcement Puts Unlicensed Firms Under Pressure
Trummer also called for stronger enforcement against companies that continue serving European customers without the required authorization. His comments come as EU regulators are examining Binance’s continued services in the region and its reliance on MiCA’s “reverse solicitation” exemption. ESMA has said the exemption is narrowly defined and should not be used to bypass the licensing requirements.
Bitpanda itself is operating under the European regulatory framework, while Trummer became co-CEO in September alongside Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, who is expected to step down in the first quarter of 2027.
The comments come as MiCA moves from its transition period into a phase where regulators are increasingly focused on whether crypto firms serving European customers are properly authorized.

The SEC approved the listing and trading of the 3x Bitcoin ETF and 3x Ether ETF, alongside four other 3x commodity-linked products under the VS Trust.
The approval expands access to leveraged crypto exposure through US-listed ETFs.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first-ever 3x leveraged Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs for listing and trading in the United States, a decision that marks one of the most significant shifts in crypto regulatory history since the spot Bitcoin ETF approval in January 2024.
The approval covers six products under the VS Trust managed by Volatility Shares: the 3x Bitcoin ETF, 3x Ether ETF, 3x Gold ETF, 3x Silver ETF, 3x Crude Oil ETF, and 3x Natural Gas ETF. Cboe BZX Exchange filed the proposed rule change on August 10, 2026; the SEC published it in the Federal Register on August 19 for public comment, and the order granting approval followed shortly after.
Also, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas called it a big win for Volatility Shares. ETF Store President Nate Geraci noted the speed of the shift; under three years ago, the SEC was still litigating against Grayscale over a plain-vanilla spot Bitcoin ETF. Now it has approved products that deliver three times the daily performance of the underlying assets.
How Do These Products Actually Work?
The Bitcoin and Ether ETFs use CME futures contracts and other instruments to seek returns equal to three times the daily performance of their respective indexes, before fees and expenses. That structure requires issuers to rebalance positions every single day, creating predictable buying and selling pressure that can amplify intraday price movements in both spot and futures markets.
That daily rebalancing also introduces a structural complexity that matters. In volatile, range-bound markets, returns can erode even when traders correctly anticipate the underlying asset’s direction. Moreover, it makes these products better suited to short-term tactical trading than long-term holding.
What This Means for BTC, ETH, and the Broader Market?
The leveraged ETPs targeting crypto assets bring a new class of traders and institutions into the market. In addition, those with shorter time horizons and higher risk tolerance who previously had no regulated vehicle for this kind of exposure.
For BTC and ETH specifically, daily rebalancing from these products will create consistent and predictable buying pressure on up days and selling pressure on down days, amplifying intraday moves in both directions. Volatility is likely to increase around market open and close as issuers adjust positions.
The approval also signals something larger: the SEC’s posture toward complex crypto investment vehicles has fundamentally shifted. Furthermore, spot ETFs were the first step, and the leveraged ETFs are the next. The regulatory door that once seemed permanently closed is now opening faster than expected.
Crypto Market Highlights
Binance Faces Fresh EU Scrutiny Over MiCA Reverse Solicitation

Las Vegas, NV, October 1st, 2026, Chainwire
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs announced the launch of more than 400 cryptocurrency ATMs across the United States. The machines allow customers to purchase Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and USDC with cash at a stated flat 5% fee. Customers can also pre-register online before visiting an ATM.
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs, a new nationwide low-fee Bitcoin ATM operator, launched today with an initial rollout of more than 400 Bitcoin ATMs across the United States, a footprint that places it amongst the largest Bitcoin ATM operators in the country on its first day. It also launched with a name that does most of the marketing department’s job for it. The brand charges a flat 5% Bitcoin ATM fee to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT or USDC with cash, displays the fee and exchange rate on screen before the customer confirms, and, as of today, lets first-time customers register online in about two minutes so they can skip onboarding at the machine entirely.
400+ Bitcoin ATM locations on day one
Most Bitcoin ATM operators in the U.S. run a few dozen machines. Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs opens with more than 400 Bitcoin ATM locations in the convenience stores, gas stations and shopping centers people already visit, with machines in Florida, California, Arizona and Texas among other states, as the first phase of a larger rollout.
“Four hundred machines is not a pilot. It’s a network,” said Quincy Mathis, Operations Manager at Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs. “We wanted to be one of the biggest Bitcoin ATM operators in the country on the day we opened, because a low fee only matters if there’s a machine near you. This is phase one.”
Buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and USDC with cash: coins, limits and one fee
Every Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATM sells Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) for cash, all at the same 5% fee, all sent directly to the customer’s own wallet. No bank account or credit card is needed. The machines are non-custodial: the company never holds customer funds.
Bitcoin ATM daily limits are set by verification tier:
Tier 1, phone number only: up to $2,000 per day
Tier 2, government ID and Tax ID: up to $50,000 per day
Bitcoin ATM fees compared: what $1,000 buys
The typical Bitcoin ATM in the United States charges roughly 12% to 15% to buy, and some of the largest national brands charge 20% or more. Here is what that looks like when a customer walks up with $1,000 in cash:
Illustrative, based on posted percentage fees only and before exchange rate. Many operators add an exchange-rate markup on top of the posted fee; Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs shows both the fee and the rate on screen before a transaction is confirmed. Industry figures reflect publicly reported U.S. Bitcoin ATM fee ranges. See how the Bitcoin ATM fees compare.
At a 20% machine, one dollar in every five never becomes crypto. At Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs, it’s one in twenty. The name is not subtle; neither is a 20% fee.
“We wanted a rate people can look at on the receipt and feel good about, not one they have to make peace with,” said Quincy Mathis. “Five percent, shown up front, with the exchange rate right next to it. That’s the whole pitch.”
Stablecoin ATMs are becoming the way people send money overseas
A growing share of customers are using the machines as USDT and USDC ATMs, buying dollar pegged stable coins to send money to family and friends overseas and to pay suppliers and contractors abroad. A customer inserts cash, the stable coins arrive in the recipient’s wallet within minutes, and the recipient holds dollars they can keep or cash out locally. No wire counter, no multi-day wait, and no bank account needed to send.
That makes the fee gap matter more, not less. Someone sending $1,000 home once a month pays about $600 a year in fees at a 5% machine, $1,440 to $1,800 at a typical machine, and $2,400 at a 20% machine. The difference is real money to the people who can least afford to lose it, which is why low fees matter most to remittance customers.
“The people using stable coins to support family abroad are exactly the people who shouldn’t be paying 20% for the privilege,” said Quincy Mathis.
How to use a Bitcoin ATM: four steps, under two minutes, now with online pre-registration
New with today’s launch is online Bitcoin ATM pre-registration. First-time customers can pre-register online before they ever visit a machine, so the first visit is as fast as the tenth. At any of the 400+ machines, they simply enter their phone number.
Register online, once. About two minutes on a phone.
Walk up and enter your phone number. The machine recognizes you. No paperwork at the kiosk.
Pick a coin, scan your wallet, insert cash. Scan your wallet’s QR code and feed in the bills.
Check the screen and confirm. The fee and exchange rate are displayed before you press anything. Crypto lands in your wallet within minutes.
Customers who would rather register at the machine still can. It just takes a little longer, and the company would like to gently point out that it no longer has to. A full walkthrough of how a Bitcoin ATM works is on the company’s website.
Compliance, briefly
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs is a FinCEN-registered money services business, and every machine operates in compliance with federal and state regulations. Customer data is encrypted, and transactions are non-custodial and irreversible. No government agency, bank, utility or tech-support line will ever ask anyone to pay them at a Bitcoin ATM; if someone does, it is a scam. Common questions are answered in the company’s Bitcoin ATM FAQ.
Find a low-fee Bitcoin ATM near you
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs are live now at 400+ locations across the United States, with further phases of the rollout to follow. Customers can find a Bitcoin ATM near them and pre-register at lowestfeebitcoinatms.com. New customers can use code LOWEST at the machine for 20% off the transaction fee, which brings the fee on that $1,000 transaction down to $40.
About Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs is a nationwide low-fee Bitcoin ATM operator whose initial network of more than 400 machines ranks among the largest in the United States. Customers can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and USDC with cash for a flat 5% fee, with the fee and exchange rate displayed on screen before every transaction. The company is a FinCEN-registered money services business. Users can learn more at lowestfeebitcoinatms.com.
Contact
Marketing DirectorBrian S. SmithLowest Fee Bitcoin ATMssupport@lowestfeebitcoinatms.com

EU regulators are examining Binance’s use of MiCA’s reverse solicitation exemption to determine whether its current approach complies with the framework.
The review follows Binance’s failure to secure a MiCA license, raising questions over its continued EU operations after the July 1 transition deadline.
Binance is facing regulatory scrutiny across Europe over its use of MiCA’s reverse solicitation exemption, a legal provision that allows non-EU companies to serve European clients, but only when those clients independently seek out the relationship without any solicitation or marketing from the firm.
The European Securities and Markets Authority, alongside national regulators in France, Germany, and Greece, is now examining whether Binance’s current service model genuinely meets those conditions.
Significantly, the review follows Binance’s failure to secure a MiCA license this summer. A setback that should have required the exchange to wind down its EU operations from July 1. It limits the activity to help existing customers transfer or sell their holdings.
What Reverse Solicitation Actually Means, and Why It Matters
Reverse solicitation became prominent in Europe after Brexit, when UK-based firms tried to use it to continue serving EU clients without separate licensing. The provision is narrow by design. ESMA said the exemption should be regarded as the exception and not be used to circumvent MiCA requirements. Moreover, crypto firms cannot simply claim it; clear requirements and guidelines must be met.
Binance’s position is that it operates under reverse solicitation in EU countries where it holds no local licence, with customers onboarding of their own volition. Its Abu Dhabi-regulated entity, active since December 2025, serves traders outside countries where local licences previously existed.
Local licences in France, Spain, and Poland have since lapsed under the MiCA regime. In addition, Binance said it complies with applicable regulatory requirements and is actively working toward MiCA authorisation. That process is still ongoing.
What Enforcement Could Look Like?
If regulators conclude that Binance’s use of the exemption doesn’t hold up, enforcement action, including fines, could result. Binance is not the only firm under review; smaller platforms are also being examined.
This is not Binance’s first significant regulatory confrontation. The exchange paid a record $4.3 billion fine in the US in 2023. Also pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to money laundering and breaching international financial sanctions.
For the broader crypto market, this probe adds another layer of regulatory uncertainty in one of the world’s largest trading regions. If enforcement action follows and Binance faces restrictions on EU operations, liquidity and trading volume across European markets could take a meaningful hit. Particularly for retail traders who rely on Binance as their primary platform.
Crypto Market Highlights
MetaMask Staking Begins Lido Validator Exit After Security Incident

OFAC sanctioned seven TRON addresses linked to an alleged Tren de Aragua money-laundering network.
The seven addresses received about $6.1M in crypto inflows since March 2022, according to TRM Labs.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned seven TRON blockchain addresses linked to an alleged ATM jackpotting and money-laundering operation connected to Tren de Aragua (TdA).
The action, announced on September 30, designated eight individuals and two Mexico-based companies tied to the alleged scheme, while also targeting TdA leader Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez, known as “Juancho.” The seven TRON addresses were added to OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
According to Treasury, the operation used malware to force U.S. ATMs and interactive teller machines to dispense cash without charging a customer account. The stolen money was then moved between TdA members and associates to hide its origin, including through cryptocurrency transactions.
Treasury said reported losses from alleged TdA jackpotting attacks in the U.S. reached $40.73 million across more than 1,500 attacks as of August 2025. The Justice Department has also indicted 98 people since October 21, 2025 for alleged involvement in ATM jackpotting schemes.
Seven TRON Addresses Received $6.1M Since 2022
Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs found that the seven sanctioned TRON addresses received about $6.1 million in total inflows since March 2022. The largest share, around $2.1 million, went to an address attributed to Eric Gabriel Cardenas Arzola.
TRM said all seven addresses were deposit addresses hosted by a centralized cryptocurrency exchange. The addresses received funds from multiple sources and later transferred money to other addresses associated with TdA. TRM also cautioned that the full $6.1 million cannot necessarily be attributed to the alleged ATM jackpotting operation.
(Source: TRM Labs)
The seven addresses subsequently sent funds to other TdA-linked addresses, which in turn transferred about $35 million to a network U.S. authorities have associated with Venezuelan national Jorge Figueira, who has been charged with laundering about $1 billion. Figueira has not been convicted, and those charges remain allegations.
OFAC’s action blocks property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons. The designation also means U.S. persons generally cannot conduct transactions involving the blocked property unless authorized by OFAC.

DogeOS has opened its public testnet, bringing EVM-compatible smart contracts to the Dogecoin ecosystem.
DOGE will power transaction fees, while developers can build DeFi, trading, stablecoin, and gaming applications on DogeOS.
DogeOS has opened its public Chikyū testnet, bringing an EVM-compatible smart contract layer to the Dogecoin ecosystem through a zero-knowledge rollup.
The testnet went live on September 30, giving developers a place to build and test applications on top of Dogecoin without changing the network’s underlying Layer 1. DOGE is used as the native token for transaction fees on DogeOS.
The launch gives Dogecoin developers access to Ethereum-compatible smart contract infrastructure. Developers can use familiar tools including Hardhat, Foundry and Remix, while the Chikyū testnet currently operates with chain ID 6281971.
DogeOS Brings DeFi and Other Applications to Dogecoin
DogeOS is designed to support applications that are not available directly on Dogecoin’s base layer, including decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, perpetual trading, stablecoins, prediction markets and games. Several projects are already building on the testnet, including Barkswap, Superposition Finance, Derps, Split Markets and USDoge.
The network targets about 300 transactions per second, compared with roughly 30 transactions per second on Dogecoin’s Layer 1. DogeOS also uses a separate application layer so that smart contract activity can run without requiring changes to Dogecoin’s core network.
The zero-knowledge rollup is designed to settle its state to Dogecoin. However, Dogecoin does not currently verify DogeOS’s zero-knowledge proofs directly. The testnet instead uses a trusted execution environment, validators and a permissioned sequencer, with bridge state transitions requiring valid proofs along with validator and TEE signatures.
DogeOS has previously proposed a Dogecoin Core upgrade that would allow the base network to verify ZK proofs directly, but that upgrade has not yet been implemented.
For DOGE, the immediate change is therefore on the application side rather than the base blockchain. The cryptocurrency can be used to pay fees for smart contract activity, while developers get an EVM-compatible environment for building applications around Dogecoin.
DogeOS has not announced a mainnet launch date. The current public testnet is being used to allow developers to build and test applications before the project moves toward mainnet.
DOGE was trading around $0.0976 on October 1, up about 2.5% over the previous 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap data at the time of writing.

MetaMask Staking has started exiting its Ethereum validators from Lido following a security incident affecting part of MetaMask’s infrastructure.
The final validators are expected to complete their exit by October 7, 2026, according to Lido.
MetaMask is responding to a security incident affecting part of its infrastructure, and while the wallet provider has been clear that no immediate threat to user wallets has been identified, the precautionary steps it’s taking are significant enough to pay attention to.
As a direct response to the incident, MetaMask Staking, formerly known as Consensys Staking, has begun exiting its Ethereum validators from the Lido protocol. The exit process is being carried out in coordination with clients, partners, and external security advisors. Lido confirmed the exits began this week, with the final validators expected to complete their exit by October 7, 2026.
The nature of the incident, its cause, and the full scope of affected infrastructure have not been disclosed. In addition, MetaMask has confirmed it is actively remediating the issue internally while working alongside external partners.
What Happens to the ETH?
The Ethereum withdrawn from MetaMask Staking’s validators will not disappear. It will likely return to the Lido protocol gradually as each validator completes the exit, withdrawal, and re-entry cycle. According to Lido Finance developer Will Shannon, that process could take up to 45 days due to an extended entry queue currently affecting the network.
Furthermore, Lido has been clear that no action is required from stETH holders. The protocol’s diverse Node Operator set, combined with its ad hoc reserve fund holding over 6,750 stETH, is designed to absorb and contain exactly this type of disruption without impacting normal protocol operations.
One important clarification MetaMask has made, its staking operations are non-custodial. Moreover, the company does not manage withdrawal keys for staked ETH on behalf of clients. The exit process is a protective measure rather than a fund recovery operation.
The Implication
A security incident at MetaMask’s infrastructure level, even one where no direct wallet threat has been confirmed, carries weight. MetaMask is one of the most widely used Ethereum wallets in the world. Any compromise of its backend infrastructure raises questions about how attackers gained access and what data or systems were exposed.
The validator exit from Lido also means foregone staking rewards and possible downtime penalties if validators are taken offline quickly to reduce network penalty risk, a financial cost the company is absorbing to protect client assets. Also, the investigation is ongoing, and the next update will matter significantly for how the market and the broader Ethereum staking community respond.
Crypto Market Highlights
HSBC RedCoin Takes Shape With Phased Stablecoin Rollout in Hong Kong

Rodolfo Andragnes discusses Bitcoin’s evolution, growing institutional participation, self-custody, stablecoins, regulation and how digital-asset adoption is developing across Latin America.
Bitcoin has changed significantly since Rodolfo Andragnes, co-founder of ONG Bitcoin Argentina and founder of LABITCONF, first became involved with it in 2011. What was once a small community outside the traditional financial system has grown into a global market, with Bitcoin ETFs, institutional investors and governments now part of the conversation.
For Andragnes, however, Bitcoin’s importance goes beyond its price or its growing presence in traditional finance. The LABITCONF founder has spent more than a decade advocating for Bitcoin in Argentina, building communities and taking part in discussions around its use and regulation.
In an exclusive interview with TheNewsCrypto, Andragnes spoke about Bitcoin’s early years, the rise of institutional adoption, why he continues to see self-custody as important, and where he believes regulators still misunderstand the technology. He also discussed stablecoins, financial privacy, the U.S. crypto regulatory debate and what years of bringing the industry together through LABITCONF have taught him.
TheNewsCrypto (TNC): Can you tell us about your journey in Bitcoin and what initially convinced you that it could become important?
Rodolfo Andragnes (RA): Back in 1997 I’d already started a project with the same name and owned the domain bitcoins.com and I first got involved with it in 2011. What made me realize this mattered was how it reshaped the way I understood Money, Power and where value, Trust and its role really come from. They’re simple concepts on the surface, but we rarely stop to consider how powerful they are, or how an entirely new kind of society could be built around them.
TNC: You entered the Bitcoin ecosystem more than a decade ago, when it was still largely outside the mainstream. Looking back, what has changed most in the way people understand Bitcoin, and what misunderstanding still remains?
RA: People still struggle to see this as more than an investment – to grasp that it’s really about recognizing that the monetary and power system is broken, and that Bitcoin is a key part of the solution. What’s easier now, at least, is finding clear, digestible information in multiple languages to help people start down that path of discovery.
TNC: Right now, Bitcoin ETFs and institutional adoption have become two of the biggest trends in the market. Do you think this institutionalization is changing what Bitcoin represents, or simply creating new ways to access it?
RA: Not at all. Bitcoin is free for anyone to adopt. Some people adopting it that way doesn’t stop others from adopting it directly or self-custodying it themselves. It’s simply another entry point for people who aren’t quite confident to take that step, or for companies that have no other way to do it. That said, it’s obviously not the same as holding your own Bitcoin.
TNC: As more financial institutions enter the market, how important is it to preserve the ideas of self-custody, decentralization and financial independence that originally attracted people to Bitcoin?
RA: As important as ever, maybe more so. Bitcoin is the only asset in the world, and the only sound money, with guaranteed scarcity, and that awareness keeps spreading. Why would anyone hand that over to a third party and have to ask permission to use it? Real ownership only exists through self-custody.
TNC: You’ve been involved in Bitcoin advocacy in Argentina for more than a decade, including discussions with regulators. What is one thing policymakers still misunderstand about Bitcoin today?
RA: Almost everything. For starters, they assume Bitcoin and crypto are the same thing, that blockchain is inherently secure, that it’s just another financial asset, just to name a few. These are all fundamental misunderstandings. There’s no such thing as “the blockchain” – there are many different networks, each with its own risks and problems.
And unlike nearly everything else out there, Bitcoin isn’t a promise or a claim on something, the way a financial asset, a stablecoin or a tokenized instrument is – or the way yield-bearing tokens, infinitely issued coins, or entity-controlled cryptocurrencies are. So the basic concepts they work with are simply wrong, and no law or regulation to date has actually drawn that distinction.
TNC: With the CLARITY Act becoming an important part of the U.S. crypto regulatory debate, how do you think it could affect the broader crypto industry?
RA: The U.S wields enormous power globally, which can shape the decisions and regulations of other countries. The CLARITY Act would have brought more clarity to the crypto world as a whole, even though it doesn’t affect Bitcoin at all. I think it could have given a potential boost for developing projects operating under clear, favorable regulatory frameworks in the US. Stille, the CLARITY Act is just one of several steps the current US administration is trying to take in that direction.
TNC: From your experience working with regulators in Argentina, where do you think regulation can help the crypto industry, and where can it create problems?
RA: Regulation helps companies understand and define the legal and operational boundaries they need to work within, while also giving them legitimacy as recognized players and better access to relationships with banks and other institutions. That doesn’t mean regulation is automatically positive. Often, the requirements are so strict or impractical that smaller projects can’t survive them, or companies simply choose to leave the market instead.
TNC: At the same time, stablecoins have become one of the most widely used parts of the digital-asset ecosystem, particularly in emerging markets. From what you have observed in Latin America, what problems are stablecoins solving that Bitcoin alone has not solved as effectively?
RA: That’s comparing apples and oranges, as my math teacher used to say. Stablecoins are essentially a version of the dollar, gaining blockchain’s traceability, global reach and speed, but also taking on greater execution risks, control, state abuse or system failures. Bitcoin, on the other hand, definitely doesn’t try to be a dollar. It’s something fundamentally different: the only asset in the world with certainty of scarcity that’s also divisible, transferable, unforgeable and portable, all hallmarks of sound money, while also being digital and programmable. No other asset has managed to combine all of that.
TNC: You have also raised concerns about digital currencies that could give governments greater visibility or control over financial transactions. As payments become increasingly digital, how do you see the balance between financial regulation and individual privacy?
RA: Well, that path is already mapped out, and it ties into my previous answer. CBDCs and stablecoins represent that scenario, though it’s hardly unfamiliar territory, since the whole world already runs on financial transactions that can be, and often are, traced or blocked. Stablecoins and CBDCs simply take that control even further. Bitcoin, by contrast, can’t be frozen or blocked unilaterally: it’s a pseudonymous system, and it’s entirely up to each person whether to reveal their identity to states or companies.
TNC: Looking across Latin America today, which differences between countries do you think are most important for understanding how crypto adoption will develop in the region?
RA: Every country is its own world, honestly, but a few key factors stand out: how much people trust and have adopted the financial system, past experiences with inflation, the level of international payments, how heavy the tax burden is, and so on. Together, these shape how willing citizens are to use cryptocurrencies, treat Bitcoin as a store of value, or embrace circular economies.
TNC: You have spent years building communities and bringing people together through LABITCONF. Beyond the conference itself, what have you observed from watching developers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers interact in the same room that you would not necessarily see from following the industry online?
RA: That’s the big difference: going into meatspace – meaning meeting in person, flesh and blood – not only allows you to understand what’s happening but also builds relationships that let you find partners, save time, debate and dig deeper live on the topics you care about with others who share the same interests.
TNC: Finally, after more than a decade in Bitcoin, what do you think is the biggest question the Bitcoin and digital-asset industry still needs to answer?
RA: I´m not sure it needs an answer. I think it’s mostly a matter of time before society fully recognizes Bitcoin as the best asset for storing value, thanks to its unique qualities as money, especially heading into an AI-driven future built on abundance. As for crypto more broadly, I expect it will keep gaining ground, gradually being adopted for more and more solutions and control.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this interview article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, investment advice, financial guidance, or a recommendation to make any specific decisions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research.

Standard Chartered predicts Ethena’s ENA to reach $2 by the end of 2028, with targets of $0.42 for 2026 and $1.10 for 2027.
ENA is trading above $0.25 after a strong September rally.
Around 1.4B ENA tokens will unlock on October 5, adding selling pressure.
The leading global bank, Standard Chartered has made a first research coverage of Ethena’s ENA token and set a $2 price target for the end of 2028, putting the bank’s forecast at roughly seven times ENA’s current market price. The report, published on September 30, focuses on Ethena’s position across yield-bearing stablecoins, perpetual futures and tokenized real-world assets. The bank also forecasts ENA to reach $0.42 by the end of 2026 and $1.10 by the end of 2027.
The bank’s case is built largely around USDe, Ethena’s synthetic dollar stablecoin. Standard Chartered expects USDe supply to reach about $40 billion worth by the end of 2028. Right now Ethena issued USDe value stands at $4.98B, meaning the bank’s projection is about 8x higher.
Standard Chartered has initiated research coverage of Ethena. They forecast potential USDe growth of ~8x in the next 2 years as the convergence of DeFi and TradFi accelerates. Unclear why they are so bearish, but worth a read regardless: pic.twitter.com/JlzXqrqc07
— Ethena (@ethena) September 30, 2026
This comes as the bank expects real-world assets deployed on blockchains to expand from around $40 billion currently to $2 trillion over the same period, creating a larger market for Ethena’s tokenized-asset and yield strategies.
Ethena initially generated USDe’s yield mainly through the crypto basis trade, holding spot assets while shorting perpetual futures to hedge price exposure. The protocol has since expanded into institutional credit, tokenized U.S. equities and equity perpetual futures.
As well as, its latest equity strategy uses Binance bStocks as tokenized spot exposure and stock perpetuals as the hedge. Since then, open interest in Binance’s equity perpetuals had surpassed $2.9 billion, while the reported six-month annualized basis return averaged 3.56%.
The ENA token’s economics are another part of Standard Chartered’s valuation argument. Ethena’s approved revenue-allocation framework links future ENA buybacks to USDe supply milestones. The first threshold is $7.5 billion in USDe supply. At that level, 5% of eligible net revenue is allocated to buybacks, rising to 10% at $10 billion, 15% at $15 billion and 20% at $20 billion.
ENA Regains Key Support as 1.4B Token Unlock Approaches
ENA is trading at around $0.2586 at the time of writing, according to CoinMarketCap. The daily chart indicates that ENA has pulled back after a sharp September advance, nearly to $0.3. Binance historical data shows ENA closed to $0.2566 on Sep, 28 and $0.2484 on Sep. 29. The Sep. 30 session has so far traded between $0.2441 and $0.2633.
Technical readings also hint that the short-term trend has slightly weakened. In the 4-hours EN/USDT snapshot, ENA is trading around $0.2586, a modest recovery after finding support near the $0.24-0.250 area.
Zooming in, the recent candles indicate that buyers have returned, with ENA moving back above its 9-day MA at $0.2514. Still, the token is trading just below the 21-day MA at $0.2603, making that level an important near-term resistance.
(Source: TradingView)
That puts RSI at 54.55, moving back above the neutral 50 level. This suggests that buying momentum has improved, but the indicator is still well below the 70 overbought zone, leaving room for further movement if buyers remain active.
So, a sustained move above $0.2603 would strengthen the short-term setup and bring the next resistance around $0.2675 into focus. A break above that level could open the way toward the $0.275-$0.280 region, while the recent September high near $0.3 remains a larger resistance area.
But there is also a major supply event ahead. Around 1.4 billion ENA is expected to be released on October 5, bringing a large amount of previously locked tokens into circulation.
Due to that, if ENA price faces rejection, $0.2514 is the first support to watch, as it currently aligns with the 9-day MA. If ENA falls below that level, attention would shift toward the $0.245-$0.250 zone, where the latest rebound began. A clear break below that area would weaken the current recovery structure.