As we observe the crypto landscape, several key trends emerge. The first is the increasing institutional interest in altcoins, as evidenced by the rising odds of XRP hitting a record high of $4. This is largely attributed to positive developments such as the launch of the first ETF with exposure to XRP and the potential approval of more XRP ETFs. The shift in sentiment towards Bitcoin's dominance, expected to decrease, further underscores the growing recognition of altcoins. This trend could be linked to the SEC's creation of new generic listing requirements for crypto ETFs, suggesting a broader spectrum of assets might soon have exchange-traded products available.
The regulatory landscape continues to be a critical factor, with Senator Elizabeth Warren voicing concerns over the DOJ's handling of the Binance 2023 settlement. The lack of clarity and cooperation from the DOJ in this matter raises questions about the enforcement of compliance measures and the implications for other crypto platforms under similar scrutiny.
Coinbase's launch of Base, an Ethereum layer-2 network, signals a strategic move towards improving transaction efficiency and scalability. This development is particularly notable given Coinbase's position as a leading crypto exchange and its potential to influence broader adoption trends.
The collaboration between Sora Ventures and the Consortium for Diplomacy and Global Action (CDGA) at Teachers College, Columbia University, highlights the increasing intersection of crypto and education. This partnership could pave the way for more informed policy discussions and regulatory decisions around blockchain and decentralized systems.
Lastly, Ethereum's staking exit queue issue underscores the inherent tension between security and convenience in blockchain networks. While some may view the extended exit period as a drawback, it's essential to remember that such measures are designed to safeguard the network against potential attacks.
In conclusion, as the crypto ecosystem continues to evolve, it's crucial for legal and financial professionals to stay informed about these developments. Understanding these trends can provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making, risk management, and compliance in the Web3 space.
The following article summaries have been sourced from Decrypt, CryptoSlate, NewsBTC, and Crypto Briefing. Each summary includes a direct link to the original source.
Predictors on Myriad, a product of Decrypt's parent company, DASTAN, are anticipating a rise in the price of XRP to a record $4, rather than a retrace to $2. Despite never having traded above $3.65, the odds currently favor a $4 price point, a significant shift from a month ago when a more bearish $2 move was predicted. This change in sentiment is attributed to recent positive developments for XRP, such as the launch of the first ETF with exposure to spot XRP and the potential approval of more XRP ETFs. A modest price gain of 3.6% in the last month has also bolstered predictions of a move to $4. Decisions on delayed XRP ETF applications are expected by mid-October.
Meanwhile, odds have flipped regarding Bitcoin's dominance in the market, with predictors now expecting it to fall before rising. Bitcoin dominance measures the percentage of the total crypto market cap that belongs to Bitcoin. A decrease in this percentage typically indicates gains in altcoins as Bitcoin remains steady or dips. Predictors currently favor a drop in dominance to 53%, a significant shift from less than two weeks ago when a rise in dominance was expected. This change in sentiment may be linked to the SEC's creation of new generic listing requirements for crypto ETFs, suggesting that many assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum might soon have exchange-traded products available.
Finally, predictors on Myriad are also expecting the popular NFT marketplace OpenSea to launch its native ecosystem token before December. Despite a lack of official details about the rollout, the odds of a token launch before December currently sit at 63%. However, speculation remains about the timeline of the token's launch, with full tokenomic details expected to be announced by early October.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has expressed her dissatisfaction with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over its handling of the Binance 2023 settlement and the company's ties to the Trump administration. Warren's concerns stem from the DOJ's lack of response to previous inquiries about Binance's compliance with the settlement, potential pardon for founder Changpeng Zhao, and connections to Trump-affiliated crypto platforms. Her concerns have been further heightened by recent reports that Binance is looking to terminate its obligation to collaborate with an external compliance monitor.
In May, Warren and other senators asked the DOJ about its enforcement of Binance's settlement agreement, which includes the company's exit from the U.S. market. The DOJ's response was vague, stating only that Binance was required to meet certain obligations but did not provide updates on whether these obligations were being met or the status of Binance's U.S. exit. Warren also asked about potential conversations between the DOJ and Binance regarding a pardon for Zhao, who pleaded guilty to criminal money laundering charges in 2023. The DOJ did not respond to these questions, nor did it address questions about Binance's relationship with the Trump family's crypto platform, World Liberty Financial. Warren has once again urged the DOJ to answer her questions, especially in light of reports that Binance is in discussions with the DOJ to abandon its obligation to cooperate with an external compliance monitor.
Coinbase, a leading American crypto exchange, has launched Base, an Ethereum layer-2 network, with the aim of onboarding billions of users to the cryptoeconomy. Since its inception in 2023, Base has evolved into a significant player in the Ethereum layer-2 networks, housing Coinbase's existing on-chain products and providing an ecosystem for new decentralized apps. The network uses optimistic rollups, a technology that batches transactions together, making transactions on Base significantly cheaper and faster than those on the Ethereum mainnet, while maintaining the security of the layer-1 blockchain.
Base does not have a native token and uses Ethereum as the gas token to facilitate transactions. Despite speculation that Base may eventually have its own token, Coinbase has maintained that it has no plans to launch one. However, in September 2025, the company stated that it was exploring the possibility of a network token, but reiterated that it had no definitive plans to do so. Base provides grants and funding opportunities to those developing on the chain, even though it does not offer native token rewards.
Base hosts a variety of apps and protocols supporting on-chain activities across gaming, social, and DeFi sectors. It is home to 617 DeFi protocols and more than $5.1 billion in total-value-locked (TVL). The network also has a robust gaming ecosystem and hosts an array of consumer applications ranging from community art to restaurant loyalty programs. According to data from DefiLlama, Coinbase’s scaling network is the largest layer-2 network in the cryptoeconomy today, hosting nearly $1.6 billion more in TVL than Arbitrum, the next largest layer-2 network. In terms of daily active addresses over the last year, Base ranks seventh among all blockchains, including layer-1 networks like Solana and Ethereum.
Sora Ventures, an Asia-based venture capital firm, has joined the advisory board of the Consortium for Diplomacy and Global Action (CDGA) at Teachers College, Columbia University. The firm is supporting the integration of web3 and other emerging technologies into global education and policy discussions. Sora Ventures has also made a philanthropic donation to CDGA, which will be used to fund research and educational programs focused on web3 and digital innovation. The firm's co-founder and managing partner, Jason Fang, has been appointed to the advisory board to provide guidance on digital financial systems and other transformative technologies.
The collaboration between Sora Ventures and CDGA aligns with broader UN priorities, including the Pact for the Future and the UN’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. These initiatives emphasize responsible innovation and global cooperation. Fang believes that this partnership will help policymakers, students, and practitioners better understand the potential impact of blockchain and decentralized systems on international finance. He also spoke about the role of digital assets in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals at a recent conference. Sora Ventures, founded in 2018, focuses on early-stage projects that combine technological innovation and financial infrastructure. The firm is known for supporting projects that connect digital asset development with mainstream financial adoption.
Ethereum co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, has responded to concerns over the network's staking exit queue, which has now extended to more than six weeks. In a recent post, Buterin described the process as a deliberate design choice, comparing it to the discipline of military service. He argued that staking is a commitment to defend the network, and exit delays act as safeguards. Buterin acknowledged that the current design isn't perfect but warned that reducing the constants could make the chain less trustworthy.
Sreeram Kannan, founder of restaking protocol EigenLayer, also defended Ethereum's prolonged exit period, describing it as a vital security measure. Kannan explained that the wait time protects against worst-case scenarios, such as coordinated validator attacks. He warned that unstaking cannot be instantaneous and shortening the process could expose Ethereum to attacks that drain its security assumptions. The longer window allows for detecting and punishing malicious behavior. Current data shows that the unstaking backlog now spans 43 days, with over 2.48 million ETH, valued at approximately $11.3 billion, awaiting withdrawal.
Versan Aljarrah, also known as Black Swan Capitalist, recently made a prediction that Ripple's XRP could reach a value of $100, outlining a roadmap on social media for how the cryptocurrency could scale from its current price of around $3. Aljarrah believes that the first step towards this goal would be accumulation by major players in the market. Recent market trends have shown an increase in this accumulation, particularly as institutional investors anticipate the launch of a Spot XRP ETF. Banks, financial institutions, and long-term investors are reportedly quietly accumulating XRP, creating conditions for a potential supply shock.
Aljarrah also highlighted the growing adoption of XRP in cross-border settlements and liquidity transfers as a strong base for demand. If supply decreases while utility increases, the price could escalate quickly, setting the stage for the token to reach $100. However, to move beyond $100 and reach $1,000, XRP would need to be widely integrated into the global financial system. This would involve a shift from retail speculation to deep integration into the financial system, becoming the preferred digital collateral and settlement layer. In this scenario, banks, stablecoin issuers, and tokenization platforms would rely on XRP for large-scale liquidity management and high-value settlements, pushing its valuation to $1,000.
Aljarrah's predictions align with other bold forecasts from the XRP community, all of which link XRP's price potential to its ability to absorb global liquidity. While these predictions vary in their timelines and assumptions, they converge on the idea that XRP could even reach as high as $10,000 under full-scale utility and infinite scalability. However, at the time of writing, XRP is still a long way from these projected price targets, currently trading at $3.10.
Crypto analyst Pumpius has highlighted the potential for Ripple and its token, XRP, to surpass other digital assets in the market, terming this the "XRP Endgame." He points to the shifting global regulations and banking standards that are now favoring Ripple. Pumpius emphasizes that Ripple's win against the SEC is a turning point, providing XRP with the most robust legal clarity among cryptocurrencies in the U.S.
Pumpius also draws attention to Ripple's launch of RLUSD, an enterprise stablecoin backed by reserves at BNY Mellon. This move is significant as BNY Mellon is a custodian of trillions in assets for global giants like BlackRock and the U.S. Treasury. By linking a stablecoin to XRP's payment rails, Ripple has created a "stable reserve army," enhancing trust in its network. Furthermore, Ripple is not only licensed as a money service business but has also applied for the challenging New York banking charter and a Federal Reserve master account. If approved, Ripple could effectively operate as a bank, positioning XRP at the heart of financial settlements.
Nearly 20 XRP spot ETFs are awaiting approval, which, if granted, could attract trillions of dollars from institutional investors, catapulting XRP into Wall Street's asset ranks. Ripple is also prepared for the migration to ISO 20022, a global messaging standard that major banks must comply with by November. This readiness allows RippleNet to easily connect with traditional banking rails once the change is implemented. Additionally, XRP is part of the liquidity tokenization plan of DTCC, the world's largest settlement utility. The DNA Protocol is also developing biometric and genomic identity tools on the XRP Ledger, which could revolutionize Know Your Customer checks. Pumpius concludes by noting the rise of a pro-crypto political environment that aligns with Ripple's long-term strategy, setting the stage for XRP's "endgame."
MoneyGram is making its foray into the digital custody space with a new app designed to hold traditional fiat currencies and stablecoins. The app is set to undergo a trial run in Colombia, a strategic decision given that the majority of remittances in the country are received from abroad, predominantly in USD. The underlying blockchain technology is powered by Stellar and Crossmint, with customer balances held in Circle’s USDC. However, the app's support for other cryptocurrencies is limited, making it more of a cross-border remittance tool that uses USDC as the main currency, akin to Ripple's operation for large banks.
In comparison, Best Wallet, a mobile-first crypto app, is more versatile, supporting a wide range of crypto assets across multiple blockchains. Best Wallet aims to be the only crypto wallet users need, allowing them to manage their entire crypto portfolio from a single, user-friendly mobile interface. It simplifies the management, buying, and selling of crypto within a single ecosystem, enabling cross-chain swaps between platforms like Solana and BNB. Best Wallet also offers a marketplace full of vetted presales, all of which integrate directly with the app. The wallet is protected by Fireblocks MPC-CMP technology, ensuring the safety of assets even if the user's phone is lost.
Best Wallet also features its own unique utility token, $BEST, which can be used to reduce transaction fees when swapping crypto across the Best Wallet network. $BEST holders gain exclusive access to some presales before they become available to the wider market and have the right to participate in the Best Wallet DAO, influencing the future of the project. The $BEST token is currently in the presale phase, with an end-of-year release planned. The token has already raised nearly $16M in sales, with the price currently standing at $0.025655.
Robinhood, the popular trading app, has announced plans to list the Curve DAO Token (CRV) on its U.S. platform. This move will expand the range of digital assets available to its users. CRV is the governance token for Curve Finance, a significant decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that specializes in stablecoin trading.
The listing of CRV on Robinhood's platform will provide its users with the opportunity to trade the token that currently powers one of the largest DeFi platforms focused on stablecoin trading. This addition to Robinhood's crypto offerings underscores the platform's commitment to broadening its digital asset portfolio and catering to the diverse trading needs of its users.
Crypto Briefing reports that analysts are predicting a 70% chance that Bitcoin will reach new all-time highs. This prediction is based on strong institutional demand and technical signals. The world's largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization has shown consistent patterns of consolidation followed by significant price movements. Technical analysis points to key resistance levels around $117,000 to $118,000.
Bitcoin often experiences volatility around major resistance levels, with oversold indicators like RSI signaling potential reversals. Large entities' weekly purchases have contributed to sustained bullish momentum. In previous market cycles, Bitcoin typically reached peak prices in the fourth quarter following halving events. The 2021 cycle saw prices hit around $69,000, while current predictions point to potential tops between $150,000 and $200,000 by the end of 2025.
CryptoQuant, a leading crypto analytics firm, has reported a record-breaking week for Bitcoin accumulation, with long-term holders adding 29,685 BTC to their wallets. This surge is one of the largest single-week inflows into wallets that are typically held for over a year. The transaction, which took place over-the-counter (OTC) just hours before the Federal Reserve's rate decision, was valued at approximately $3.4 billion. This makes it the second-largest single-day inflow into accumulation addresses in 2025.
With this recent addition, the total amount of Bitcoin held in accumulation wallets has risen to 2.84 million BTC. The average realized cost basis now stands at $72,437 per coin. This trend highlights the continued confidence among long-term investors, despite the prevailing macroeconomic uncertainty. The significant inflow into Bitcoin accumulation addresses indicates a robust belief in the cryptocurrency's long-term value and potential.
