In the world of crypto, the strategic moves of institutional players continue to shape the landscape. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin's integration into Securitize's platform, backed by asset managers BlackRock and VanEck, is a notable development. This move not only expands the utility of the XRPL ecosystem but also provides an additional off-ramp for tokenized money market funds, offering instant liquidity to users.
Meanwhile, the performance of altcoins Mantle, Avalanche, and Aster, despite a general market downturn, signals the potential of strategic partnerships and robust exchange platforms. Mantle's partnership with centralized exchange Bybit, for instance, offers superior leverage rates and loan terms for institutional investors, a key factor in its market cap surge.
On the regulatory front, the SEC's plan to introduce an 'innovation exemption' for crypto firms marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape. This move could stimulate industry growth by providing relief from stringent regulations, allowing crypto firms more leeway to introduce innovative products.
Finally, the strategic partnership between Morgan Stanley and Zerohash to offer crypto trading services to E*Trade clients is a clear sign of the growing institutional adoption of crypto. This move, facilitated by Morgan Stanley's acquisition of E*Trade, is part of a broader trend of bridging the gap between traditional finance and blockchain services.
As we navigate the ever-evolving crypto landscape, these strategic moves and regulatory shifts provide valuable insights into the direction of the market and the potential opportunities for legal and financial professionals 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.
Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has been integrated into Securitize's platform, a move that allows users to exchange shares in tokenized money market funds for the dollar-pegged asset. The integration was enabled through a smart contract, providing another off-ramp for products offered by asset managers BlackRock and VanEck. The feature operates continuously, offering users instant liquidity. Despite being smaller than alternatives provided by Tether and Circle, RLUSD has grown to a market capitalization of $740 million within the past year.
Securitize had previously integrated Circle's USDC into its platform nearly a year ago to reduce investment costs and streamline the subscription process for investing in BlackRock's USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL). BUIDL, worth $2 billion, is held by around 90 qualified investors and is tokenized on several blockchains. The VanEck Treasury Fund (VBILL), also exchangeable for RLUSD on Securitize's platform, is worth $74 million. Shares in BUIDL and VBILL are represented by tokens that trade at $1, but unlike most stablecoins, they offer investors a yield. Securitize plans to expand access and bring new utility to the XRPL ecosystem through its own initiatives.
Despite a general downturn in the crypto market, a few altcoins have managed to post significant gains. Among the top 100 cryptocurrencies, Mantle and Avalanche are the only tokens to have recorded double-digit gains. Mantle, an Ethereum layer-2 network, saw a 12.1% increase, raising its market cap to $5.9 billion. This surge follows Mantle's partnership with centralized exchange Bybit, which offers superior leverage rates and loan terms for institutional investors. Avalanche, on the other hand, rose by 10.7% and 12% over the past week, reaching a market cap of $14.5 billion. This increase came after a Bitcoin mining firm rebranded to AVAX One and purchased $550 million worth of the token, leading to a 200% jump in its stock.
Another altcoin, Aster, a new perpetual futures decentralized exchange on the Binance Smart Chain, also posted significant gains. Its ASTER token increased by 7% in the past 24 hours, raising its market cap to $2.8 billion. This surge seems to be linked to the exchange's total value locked, which jumped from $378 million last week to $1.46 billion at the time of writing. Aster also reported hitting $6 billion in perp trading volume on Monday. Meanwhile, Bitcoin and Ethereum have traded flat, following a tumultuous start to the week that saw $1.6 billion worth of liquidations across the crypto market on Monday.
Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a significant outflow of $439.1 million on Monday, with Bitcoin funds losing $363.1 million and Ethereum products shedding $76 million. This comes as investors adjust their positions in response to the Federal Reserve's rate cut and upcoming inflation data. The outflows were led by Fidelity's FBTC and ARK 21Shares' ARKB for Bitcoin, and Fidelity’s FETH, Bitwise’s ETHW, and BlackRock's ETHA for Ethereum. Analysts suggest that these redemptions were largely driven by short-term positioning.
Last week, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs attracted $977 million and $772 million respectively, indicating a phase of profit-taking and de-leveraging rather than a bear market, according to Dean Chen, an analyst at Bitunix. Chen suggests that if ETF flows turn positive within the next few days, Bitcoin could rebound above $113,000 and Ethereum could rise towards $4,200. However, if outflows persist, Bitcoin may retest $108,000 and Ethereum could slip to $3,900. Investors are advised to closely monitor ETF flows and derivatives leverage, which are key signals for any sustained reversal. Despite the current market turbulence, the macro environment for digital assets remains bullish, according to Ruchir Gupta, co-founder of Gyld Finance.
Decentralized exchange platform Hyperliquid is considering a significant proposal that could drastically alter its tokenomics. The plan, introduced by DBA investment manager Jon Charbonneau and researcher Hasu, suggests a 45% reduction in the total supply of HYPE. The proponents argue that the current setup of Hyperliquid distorts valuation metrics, putting the protocol at a disadvantage compared to its peers. They believe that by adjusting the balance sheet, the market can more accurately evaluate Hyperliquid's fundamentals, enabling investors to make more informed decisions.
The proposal comes at a time when the crypto community is concerned about a potential $12 billion HYPE token unlock. To alleviate these concerns and stabilize its market position, the proposal suggests key changes to Hyperliquid’s HYPE token supply. Central to the proposal is the recommendation to revoke and burn over 450 million tokens initially allocated for the Future Emissions and Community Rewards (FECR) fund and the Assistance Fund (AF). Charbonneau and Hasu argue that this excess authorized supply has led the market to unfairly penalize the token. They believe that these large reserves create downward pressure by skewing expectations of future distribution. The proposal also controversially suggests scrapping Hyperliquid’s fixed cap of one billion HYPE tokens, arguing that unlike Bitcoin, many leading blockchains adjust their issuance policies without fixed caps, relying instead on community consensus.
The article from CryptoSlate discusses the evolution of Bitcoin and DeFi from niche experiments to financial instruments that are now compared against established benchmarks in traditional finance. The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S last year marked a significant point in this evolution, providing the world's largest asset managers with regulated access to Bitcoin. This institutionalization has set the stage for a broader comparison of Bitcoin's size, reach, and trading structure against systems that have long defined modern markets. This includes comparing the number of crypto owners to bank card holders, the AUM of Bitcoin ETFs to equity and gold funds, and the notional size of Bitcoin futures to S&P contracts.
The same comparative approach applies to DeFi, with total value locked and stablecoin float being compared to hedge fund AUM or money market fund balances. Decentralized trading venues can also be measured against centralized exchanges and compared to Wall Street exchange volumes. The article emphasizes that the purpose of these comparisons is not to claim that crypto has caught up to traditional systems, as the gap remains significant in many areas. Instead, it aims to highlight how far Bitcoin and DeFi have come, where the parallels with traditional systems are strongest, and where the differences are most pronounced. This comparative approach is crucial for investors deciding on allocations, traders evaluating liquidity, and payments executives considering future payment rails.
In an ironic twist of events, a hacker who previously exploited UXLINK, an AI-powered Web3 social platform, has fallen victim to a crypto scam himself. The hacker lost approximately 542 million UXLINK tokens, equivalent to over $50 million, to a phishing scheme. Yu Xian, co-founder of SlowMist, suggested that the scam bore the characteristics of Inferno Drainer, a notorious "draining-as-a-service" provider known for selling phishing kits and fake websites. Inferno Drainer has previously stolen several million dollars from unsuspecting crypto users across multiple chains. Xian pointed out the irony of the hacker falling for basic authorization traps similar to those he had used against UXLINK.
The original UXLINK breach occurred on September 22, when the hacker executed a delegateCall function to strip admin privileges and add themselves as an owner to the platform’s smart contract. This allowed the theft of $4 million in USDT, $500,000 in USDC, 3.7 wrapped Bitcoin, and 25 ETH. The stolen stablecoins were quickly converted into DAI, while funds were transferred across the Ethereum and Arbitrum networks. By September 23, the hacker had minted 2 billion UXLINK tokens and sold large amounts across bEXs and centralized exchanges, netting 6,732 ETH, roughly $28 million. In response, UXLINK confirmed the exploit and took steps to limit the damage, including working with exchanges to freeze stolen assets and enlisting the help of blockchain security firm PeckShield.
The return of a well-known developer, Harry Harald, has sparked renewed speculation about a potential price increase for XRP. Harald, who is closely followed within the XRP community, posted about the cryptocurrency over the weekend, his first message since May. His post prompted immediate reactions from other influential voices in the space, leading some to suggest that a move to $4 is possible. Despite opening the week lower at $2.77, XRP has since recovered to about $2.82. Influencers like Alex Cobb have amplified Harald's comments, sparking fresh optimism among traders. If XRP were to reach $4, this would represent a roughly 42% rise from its current quote, pushing it above its long-held ceiling. XRP has not traded above $3.80 since 2018.
Technical indicators also suggest a potential recovery for XRP. Several chart analysts have highlighted signals that support the bullish case. Ali Martinez reported a TD Sequential buy on the four-hour chart, an indicator used by some traders to time entries after a series of lower closes. XRP's market cap currently stands at $171 billion. Supporters point to historical backtests showing about 60–70% accuracy on higher timeframes, and note that three out of four two-week buy signals since 2022 were followed by major rallies. Traders also highlight that XRP has broken a downtrend after bottoming at $2.65 on September 1, and that it is holding above the 50% Fibonacci retracement and the 50-day moving average — both seen as bullish indicators.
In addition to technical factors, legal and regulatory developments are influencing sentiment around XRP. Reports have revealed that Ripple initially put a $125 million fine into escrow after Judge Torres issued her final judgment. The SEC agreed earlier this year to reduce the penalty to $50 million in a settlement, but the judge rejected requests to cut the original $125 million order. Both parties later withdrew appeals in the US Second Circuit in August, and the exact status of the escrowed funds has not been widely explained. Speculation that the SEC might approve an XRP ETF next month has added another layer of bullish expectation, with some supporters suggesting that billions might flow in if an ETF wins the regulator’s approval.
Ostium Research's latest weekly note has warned of a potential Bitcoin price crash to $99,000. This follows a swift selloff that saw Bitcoin's price drop to as low as $111,761 after being rejected near resistance in the mid-$117,000s. Ostium's team views this drawdown as part of a previously flagged "window of weakness" that could extend into early October. However, they also stress that the higher-timeframe uptrend remains intact unless key weekly levels fail. The report, published on September 22, 2025, provides a technical map and event calendar that could influence Bitcoin's price trajectory over the next several sessions.
On a weekly chart, Ostium notes last week's consolidation around the August open and a wick into key resistance at $117.5k, followed by a close slightly below the open. Early-week price action then pushed the price beneath reclaimed support into the $111k range, leading to over $1.6 billion in longs being liquidated. Ostium identifies two structural inflection zones that anchor the bearish risk. If Bitcoin closes below $107k on a weekly basis, it could trigger more downside into $99k. On the flip side, if Bitcoin revisits the weekly high at $115.3k later in the week, it could signal a bullish trend.
On the daily timeframe, Ostium suggests that the market must reclaim the August open at $115.7k to reassert momentum. The immediate battleground is the prior all-time high at $112k. A reclaim of $112k as support would tilt probabilities toward a higher low and force shorts to cover into a move back through $115.7k. However, Ostium's base case is for additional chop between $112k-$115k before a second push lower below the day's low. This will determine whether the market undercuts the June swing at $107k or marks out a bottom sooner. Ostium's house view remains probabilistic. If $107k fails on a weekly close, the weakness window could extend into $99k; if it holds—and especially if the market can flip $115.7k into support—the higher-low narrative stays alive.
The article primarily focuses on the professional journey and personal life of Christian, a seasoned crypto journalist at NewsBTC. Christian's passion for storytelling began in his college years, which later led him to work in various journalistic roles in Canada, South Korea, and his hometown in the Philippines. His interest in the complex world of cryptocurrency led him to NewsBTC, where he simplifies intricate crypto concepts for the readers. His work is not just limited to his professional life; he dedicates his off-hours to understanding and analyzing the crypto market.
Christian's personal life is as vibrant as his professional one. He is a motorbike enthusiast who loves to tinker with his Yamaha R3 and enjoys leisurely rides along the coast. He also has a soft spot for his pets - two cats and a dog, whose company helps him write better. Christian believes in the power of a good meal and coffee to fuel his workday, and he unwinds with rum and slapstick movies. He foresees a promising future with NewsBTC, appreciating the opportunity to share his expertise with a community he holds in high regard.
Morgan Stanley, a leading investment bank, has teamed up with Chicago-based crypto infrastructure startup Zerohash to provide cryptocurrency trading services to its E*Trade brokerage platform clients. This partnership will allow E*Trade users to trade digital assets, including stablecoins, utilizing Zerohash's crypto infrastructure. Morgan Stanley's acquisition of the online brokerage E*Trade in 2020 has facilitated this move.
Zerohash, which raised $104 million in funding from investors including Morgan Stanley in 2025, is part of a growing trend of investments in crypto backend technologies that aim to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain services. This collaboration is in line with Morgan Stanley's gradual expansion into the crypto sector, which previously saw the bank offering Bitcoin ETF products to its clients in 2024. The partnership also reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption following regulatory approvals for spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly planning to introduce an 'innovation exemption' for cryptocurrency firms by the end of 2025, as per a report by Bloomberg. This move is designed to stimulate industry growth by offering relief from stringent regulations, thereby allowing crypto firms more leeway to introduce innovative products. The initiative marks a departure from the SEC's previous enforcement-centric approach, where crypto firms often faced legal action over unregistered securities.
The proposed exemption aligns with former President Trump's objective of establishing the U.S. as a global leader in the cryptocurrency sector. The new framework is intended to lower barriers for compliant firms, while simultaneously providing legal clarity as new comprehensive rules are developed. This shift towards more innovation-friendly policies indicates a change in the SEC's regulatory approach, as it seeks to balance the need for oversight with the potential for industry growth.
SegaSwap, a decentralized automated market maker operating on Solana and Sonic SVM, has successfully closed a seed funding round, achieving a valuation of $10 million. The round was led by Sonic SVM and 10K Ventures. The newly acquired capital will be used to expand liquidity on Sonic SVM, introduce new pool types, improve analytics for traders, increase incentives for liquidity providers, and develop tools for asset launch teams.
The protocol has recently launched SegaSOL, a liquid-staked SOL that allows the same capital to be used in swaps, liquidity pools, and farms on the Solana mainnet while maintaining staking yield. SegaSwap is planning to introduce a two-tier pool structure on Sonic SVM, with Main Pools for established assets and Attention Pools for newer, higher-volatility assets. The progression from Attention to Main status will be determined by a public leaderboard that tracks trading volume and Total Value Locked (TVL). The funding will also be used to accelerate the development of deeper routing, expand the use cases of SegaSOL, sustain liquidity provider incentives, and simplify pool creation.
