Vitalik Buterin suggests combining ZK proofs with other tech for enhanced security

Crypto Prices Today: BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, ADA

Asian crypto markets today kicked off with some steady moves. Bitcoin is hovering around $104,500, showing cautious optimism after institutional inflows. Ethereum is holding firm near $3,900, buoyed by anticipation around the Ethereum Foundation’s AI-focused 2026 roadmap. XRP is grabbing attention after the SEC cleared the Canary XRP ETF, climbing 2% to $1.12. Solana and Cardano are at $185 and $1.50, respectively. Among the standouts, Uniswap surged 6%, driven by governance news that traders are excited about.

UNI’s Governance Upgrade Sparks Buzz

Speaking of Uniswap, the token’s jump makes sense. The Foundation and Labs proposed activating protocol fees, introducing a usage-based burn, and creating a Growth Budget to fund ecosystem projects. They’re even consolidating Foundation functions into Labs. Traders see this as a long-term positive, less supply, more structure, and a bigger war chest for growth. UNI holders are clearly taking notice.

Monad ICO: Market Transparency in Action

Meanwhile, Monad’s ICO is making waves for transparency. MF Services (BVI) disclosed all its market makers and loan agreements upfront—a first for a large-scale token sale. CyantArb, Auros, Galaxy, GSR, and Wintermute together borrowed 160 million MON tokens for periods from one month to a year. Plus, a tiny fraction of MON will seed DEX liquidity to stabilize early trading. This kind of openness is turning heads in Asia and beyond.

Ethereum & AI: Building the Future

Not far behind, Ethereum is quietly positioning itself as the settlement layer for AI. The EF dAI Team is working on a 2026 roadmap to let autonomous agents interact over identity, assets, and data fully auditable and decentralized. The rise of ERC-8004 and x402 standards could make “agentic commerce” a reality. It’s fascinating to see Ethereum becoming more than a blockchain, moving into an AI-enabled coordination network.

XRP ETF Finally Clears Hurdles

And speaking of major moves, XRP just got a huge green light. Canary filed the final Form 8-A with the SEC, and the Nasdaq-approved ETF (ticker: XRPC) could start trading any day now. Institutional investors are watching closely—this ETF could finally make XRP more accessible and liquid than ever.

Stablecoins and Banking Innovations in Asia

Brazil’s central bank is classifying stablecoin payments as FX operations from February 2026. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Standard Chartered launched DeCard—a credit card letting users pay with stablecoins in real-world stores. On the institutional side, DBS and J.P. Morgan are linking tokenized deposits across blockchains. This means a JPM client could pay a DBS client in real time, anywhere. It’s a glimpse of how tokenized finance could redefine cross-border payments.

India Steps Into Regulated DeFi

Polygon and Anq met with India’s PM Modi’s economic advisor to discuss tokenization and government-backed stablecoins. If approved, this could bring regulated DeFi into India’s mainstream financial system showing that Asia isn’t just adopting crypto, it’s shaping how it’s used.

U.S. Policy & Market Implications

Back in the U.S., the new Senate draft bill is turning heads. It gives the CFTC authority over digital commodities, protects developers, and adds a retail protection office. This is arguably the most pro-crypto policy draft in years, creating a narrative of regulatory clarity that could encourage institutional inflows.

Whales, ETFs, and Market Dynamics

Bitcoin whales are still cashing out since $100K, but ETF inflows and MicroStrategy buys have offset selling pressure for now. Heavy selling persists, but for those with confidence in macro conditions, dips remain an opportunity.

Vitalik on Security & Privacy

On the tech front, Vitalik reminded the community that ZK proofs alone aren’t enough for coercion-resistant voting. Combining them with MPC, FHE, or TEE is necessary for truly secure, privacy-preserving protocols. A layered approach, he says, is the way forward.

Crypto Security Flash

Finally, tensions remain high: China’s CVERC accused the U.S. of seizing 127,000 BTC ($13B) from a 2020 hack linked to a Chinese mining pool. The operation allegedly involved a state-level hacking organization, underscoring ongoing cybersecurity and geopolitical risks in crypto.

Key takeaways:

• XRP’s cup-and-handle breakout setup points to a potential rally toward $5 by year’s end.

• On-chain data mirrors June’s 75% surge amid rising ETF optimism.

XRP’s price may reach $5 by year’s end, according to a “mega breakout” setup shared by one chart analyst.

Cup-and-handle sees XRP price doubling next

Analyst Milkybull shared a chart on Tuesday showing a cup-and-handle pattern, a classic bullish setup that often forms during major market bottoms.

The crypto market is never quiet for long and Bitcoin is once again at a turning point. After slipping below $100,000, on-chain data from CryptoQuant shows that major holders, or whales, are offloading billions in BTC. 

With institutional demand cooling, investors are now wondering: is this just a pause before the next leg up, or the first sign that the bull run is losing steam?

Whales Offload Billions After $100K Drop

In a tweet post, CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju explained that large Bitcoin holders, often called “whales,” have sold off billions worth of BTC since prices crossed the $100,000 mark. 

Such activity has created a supply overhang, meaning there’s more Bitcoin available on the market than buyers are ready to absorb. This typically adds downward pressure on prices and marks the “distribution phase” in market cycles.

Earlier this year, Ju warned that the 2024–2025 bull run might have already peaked. However, strong spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and continued buying by MicroStrategy helped stabilize the market and delay a deeper pullback. 

These factors served as key supports, preventing the market from slipping into bearish territory.

Warning Signs Are Reappearing

Now, Ju believes the continuation of ETF inflows is crucial. As inflows begin to slow and MicroStrategy’s buying pace eases, the market could face renewed selling pressure. He cautioned that if these supports fade, “sellers will dominate again.”

On-chain data appears to back this up, showing increased whale transactions and a drop in stablecoin inflows, both typical signs of a market cooldown.

At the same time, JAN3 CEO Samson Mow said the latest pullback is also driven by short-term investors taking profits after earning 20–30% gains, a normal correction phase in any bull cycle.

$111,700 Becomes Key Level to Watch

Over the coming weeks, Bitcoin’s next move will be crucial. Analysts believe the $111,700 zone is the key level to watch, a decisive point that could determine whether BTC climbs higher or enters a longer correction.

As of now, Bitcoin is trading around $105,448, down slightly on the day but with trading volume up slightly, showing that the battle between buyers and sellers is just getting started.

FAQs

Major holders are offloading Bitcoin after the $100K drop, creating market supply pressure and signaling a distribution phase.

Not necessarily. Strong ETF inflows and institutional buying are stabilizing prices, but caution is needed as selling pressure rises.

Data like whale transactions and stablecoin inflows reveal buying/selling activity, helping gauge market momentum and risk.

Profit-taking, slowed institutional demand, and whale activity are causing short-term swings in price and trading volume.

KuCoin has launched KuCoin Institutional, a new division aimed at professional investors, brokers, and strategic partners. The development follows KuCoin’s retail-focused initiatives, including KuCoin Pay, which allows merchants to accept crypto payments via QR codes and POS.

Institutional Platform Integrates Liquidity and Compliance

The company said the expansion reflects its goal of delivering secure, compliant, and high-performance infrastructure for digital asset markets. It aligns with KuCoin’s strategy to strengthen market trust and connect traditional finance with the digital economy.

Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25

KuCoin Institutional integrates infrastructure, liquidity, and compliance frameworks for institutions, quantitative traders, and brokers. The platform focuses on three areas: institutional and VIP product enhancement, financial and wealth management services, and technological infrastructure and compliance.

Platform Expands into Crypto-as-a-Service

The platform offers enhanced liquidity, VIP programs, customized trading interfaces, and asset management solutions. Institutional users have access to ultra-low-latency trading and 24/7 technical and client support.

KuCoin also provides diversified collateral management, improved capital efficiency, and Off-Exchange Settlement through strategic partnerships.

KuCoin Institutional is expanding into Crypto-as-a-Service, allowing partners to integrate KuCoin’s technology and liquidity into their operations. The platform is also pursuing tokenized real-world assets to connect blockchain markets with traditional finance.

KuCoin Launches Tokenized U.S. Equities Platform

Meanwhile, KuCoin has launched xStocks, offering tokenized U.S. equities including Tesla, NVIDIA, and the S&P 500 ETF, denominated in USDT. The tokens, issued by Swiss firm Backed and backed 1:1 with real stocks in regulated custodians, run on the Solana blockchain.

Following Kraken and Bybit, the product allows global investors to access U.S. equities and trade both stocks and cryptocurrencies within a single platform.

A massive Bitcoin mystery from 2020 has resurfaced, but this time, it’s not just about hackers and stolen crypto. China is accusing the United States of secretly taking control of 127,000 stolen Bitcoins, worth around $13 billion, in what may become one of the most controversial crypto disputes ever. The allegation has added fresh strain to the already tense relationship between the world’s two biggest powers.

China Claims U.S. Involved in a Major Crypto Hack

According to China’s cybersecurity authority, the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC), the Bitcoin in question was stolen back in 2020, during a hack targeting the LuBian mining pool, a Chinese-based crypto mining operation.

CVERC says the attack was sophisticated and used advanced hacking tools, the kind that only “a state-level hacking organization” could manage. Chinese state media suggests that the same group that hacked the Bitcoin may be linked to the U.S. government.

China claims that rather than returning the Bitcoin or acknowledging the hack, U.S. officials seized the funds as part of an undercover operation.

U.S. Rejects the Accusations

The U.S. government strongly disputes China’s claims. According to U.S. officials, the Bitcoin was seized legally as criminal evidence as part of a law enforcement case involving Chen Zhi, a Cambodian business figure accused of running crypto-related fraud. American agencies argue that Bitcoin was part of a money laundering and fraud investigation, and insist there was no hacking involved by the U.S.

Wallet Movements Spark Suspicion

For almost four years after the hack, the stolen Bitcoin sat untouched. Then suddenly, in mid-2024, the coins began moving. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence later labeled the new wallet addresses as belonging to the U.S. government. This is where China challenges the U.S. explanation.

CVERC claims the timing and movement of funds do not match a normal law enforcement seizure. Instead, they believe these movements suggest that the U.S. may have controlled Bitcoin earlier than admitted, possibly playing a direct role in the original hacking operation.

Moreover, the accusation comes at a time of rising friction between the U.S. and China over technology, trade, and cybersecurity. To China, this case is more than just crypto; it’s about digital power and control. To the U.S., this is a legal seizure of stolen crypto tied to crime.

Crypto Reaction

Crypto influencers are reacting sharply to the China–U.S. bitcoin dispute, warning that the stakes have now escalated from just a hack to a geopolitical battle. According to Money Ape, the involvement of $13 billion worth of bitcoin is massive and could shake market stability. Another crypto influencer adds that China’s accusations of the U.S. highlight the real political risk surrounding Bitcoin. With 127K BTC possibly moving under government control, he warns that this could trigger sudden volatility and impact overall market liquidity and sentiment. 

Both stress that traders need to stay alert. This situation could create huge opportunities, but only for those who stay level-headed instead of panicking.

FAQs

The dispute involves 127,000 Bitcoins worth approximately $13 billion. These coins were allegedly stolen from a Chinese mining pool in 2020 and remained dormant until movements were detected in 2024.

China claims the U.S. used sophisticated state-level hacking tools to steal Bitcoin from the LuBian mining pool in 2020, then secretly seized the funds instead of returning them or acknowledging involvement in the operation.

The U.S. maintains the Bitcoin was legally seized as criminal evidence in a law enforcement investigation involving fraud and money laundering, specifically related to a Cambodian businessman named Chen Zhi.

The Bitcoin sat untouched for nearly four years after the 2020 hack, then suddenly moved in mid-2024. China questions this timing, suggesting it indicates U.S. control earlier than officially acknowledged, contradicting the legal seizure narrative.

Dogecoin is attempting to stabilize after a sharp shakeout, and one technician argues the market just telegraphed its line in the sand. In a weekly chart shared on X, independent analyst Kevin (@Kev_Capital_TA) highlights a “solid bounce” from the weekly 200-EMA and a swift move back into the year’s dominant trading range. At press time on the chart, price sits near $0.1828, with the blue 200-week moving average rising just beneath the market around the $0.16 handle.

Is This The Local Dogecoin Bottom?

Kevin’s framework is straightforward and level-driven. He points to $0.202 as the immediate pivot on a three-day closing basis. Reclaiming $0.202, he says, would put DOGE back above the macro 0.5 Fibonacci retracement and simultaneously back over the 3D 200 EMA/SMA, creating the conditions for “upward momentum” if Bitcoin also holds its own above $106,800.

The weekly 200 EMA has preserved Dogecoin’s bullish structure six separate times since last summer. It’s still rising and, for now, remains the bulls’ final line of defense. Above that, the primary framework is a tight, upward-tilting channel bounded by two yellow rails, with multiple circled touches validating both support and resistance along the way.Price printed a long downside wick into the lower rail, then bounced, effectively defending the channel and the 200-week average in the $0.16 area.

That reaction returned DOGE into the previously mapped range whose key horizontal levels are stacked in close succession: $0.24, $0.26, $0.285, and $0.305 overhead. These coincide with prior weekly turning points marked on the chart, as well as repeated taps of the rising upper trendline during the summer and early autumn.

Below, the chart calls out a sequence of backstops that matter if the bounce fades. The green horizontal sits around $0.14, with deeper weekly shelves marked at $0.09 and $0.05. That ladder of support is reinforced by remnants of an older, broader down-sloping trendline whose underside now tracks just under the recent wick; those legacy trendlines are still drawn and intersect beneath current price, explaining the aggressive bid that appeared on the weekly flush.

The upside roadmap remains equally explicit. A sustained reclaim of $0.202 on three-day closes is the trigger Kevin is watching; above that, the market confronts layered supply across $0.21–$0.24, then the more consequential range highs into $0.285 and $0.305.

Higher-timeframe Fibonacci bands and historical weekly levels continue at $0.42, $0.54, and $0.74, all plotted on the right-hand scale for context, but Kevin’s emphasis is squarely on the near-term reclaim and the moving-average confluence around $0.202.

In short, the weekly bounce off the 200-EMA (~$0.16) kept DOGE inside its year-long channel and preserved a constructive pattern of higher lows. Whether that bounce evolves into trend continuation now hinges on the $0.202 reclaim on the three-day chart—Kevin’s chosen confirmation level—and, in his view, on Bitcoin maintaining strength above $106,800.

Until then, DOGE remains range-bound, with buyers defending the lower trend line and sellers repeatedly prevailing at the upper trend line.

Via X, Kevin wrote: “Solid bounce for Dogecoin off of the weekly 200 ema back into our weekly range that we have traded in for most of the year. Along with BTC reclaiming 106.8K you want to see DOGE reclaim the .202 level on 3D closes which would get you above the macro 0.5 Fib and the 3D 200 ema/sma. For BTC and Doge that could create some upward momentum if done.”

At press time, DOGE traded at $0.17678.