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  • Babylon Labs Proposes Native Bitcoin Collateral for Aave V4

    Babylon Labs Proposes Native Bitcoin Collateral for Aave V4

    Babylon Labs is advancing a proposal for Aave V4 that would enable users to borrow assets by using Bitcoin as collateral, without requiring the Bitcoin to leave the Bitcoin network. This approach aims to circumvent the need for wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) and maintain self-custody for users.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: Babylon Labs is developing a protocol (Trustless Bitcoin Vaults – TBV) that allows users to borrow assets on Aave V4 by using Bitcoin as collateral, with the Bitcoin remaining on the Bitcoin network in self-custodial Taproot UTXOs. Risk parameters still need to be set.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: Bitcoin has always had an awkward relationship with DeFi. It’s the largest crypto asset, yet using it in lending markets has usually meant wrapping it and trusting someone to hold the real coins.

    Trustless Bitcoin Vaults Protocol

    The proposal is built on Babylon’s Trustless Bitcoin Vaults (TBV) protocol. TBV locks Bitcoin in self-custodial Taproot UTXOs directly on the Bitcoin network. The system utilizes Taproot scripts and zero-knowledge proofs to enforce borrowing rules and manage collateral, with cryptography effectively replacing the role of a traditional custodian. This means no third party ever holds the private keys to the locked Bitcoin.

    Aave V4 Integration

    Aave V4’s modular architecture, which organizes markets into components called spokes, will accommodate this integration. Babylon’s plan introduces two new spokes: the Babylon Core Lending Spoke, where borrowers would deposit their vault-backed Bitcoin and take out assets like USDC, USDT, and WBTC, and the BTC Vault Swap Spoke, designed to manage liquidations.

    Liquidations, a critical component of lending markets, are handled by the BTC Vault Swap Spoke. When a loan’s collateral value falls below a certain threshold, liquidators step in to repay the debt and claim the collateral at a discount. Babylon’s solution involves settling these liquidations in WBTC. This provides liquidators with an immediately usable asset on Ethereum, while the underlying Bitcoin collateral remains secured on its native network. This design aims to keep liquidations permissionless, allowing anyone to act as a liquidator.

    Control over risk parameters, such as loan-to-value ratios and liquidation thresholds, remains with the Aave Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Babylon builds the technical infrastructure, but the Aave DAO tokenholders will ultimately decide on these crucial settings.

    Development Timeline and Context

    The partnership between Babylon Labs and Aave was first announced on December 3, 2025. A DAO temperature check, an initial gauge of community interest, began on May 25, 2026. A public testnet deployment for native BTC-backed borrowing was active by October 2026. Additionally, HashKey Cloud reported its integration of TBV for institutional clients on October 7, 2026.

    This development addresses a long-standing challenge in Decentralized Finance (DeFi): integrating Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, into lending markets without compromising user custody. Historically, this has often required wrapping Bitcoin into tokens on other blockchains, a process that many Bitcoin holders, particularly those adhering to the “not your keys, not your coins” principle, find unappealing. Babylon’s model seeks to eliminate this objection by allowing users to borrow against their Bitcoin while retaining full control over their private keys.

    Furthermore, the integration could potentially increase the utilization of WBTC within Aave’s existing pools. Aave holds a significant supply of WBTC, but borrow demand for it has historically lagged. By facilitating WBTC payouts to liquidators and allowing borrowers to take out WBTC, the proposal might put more of this idle supply to work.

    Next Steps and Uncertainties

    However, the proposal is still navigating the Aave DAO governance process. Further votes, including the ARFC (Aave Request for Comment) and AIP (Aave Improvement Proposal) stages, are required before the integration can go live on the mainnet. The specific risk parameters set by the Aave DAO will be crucial in determining the adoption and success of this feature. Additionally, the robustness of the WBTC settlement mechanism under market stress and the competition from existing wrapped Bitcoin products will be key factors to monitor.

  • BlackRock Crypto ETF Assets Surge 63% to $80 Billion in Q3

    BlackRock Crypto ETF Assets Surge 63% to $80 Billion in Q3

    BlackRock’s Digital Assets Division Sees Significant Growth in Q3 2026

    BlackRock’s cryptocurrency business experienced a robust third quarter in 2026, with its digital assets division growing to approximately $79.6 billion to $80 billion in assets under management. This represents a substantial increase of roughly 63% from the $48.8 billion recorded at the close of the previous quarter. However, the division has yet to reach the peak performance it achieved last year.

    Third-Quarter Results and Key Drivers

    The world’s largest asset manager announced its third-quarter earnings on October 14, 2026. The digital assets segment’s performance was primarily propelled by two flagship funds: the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA).

    Net inflows into BlackRock’s digital asset exchange-traded products totaled $7.9 billion for the quarter, marking the strongest quarterly inflow since the third quarter of 2025.

    Price Appreciation Contributes to Growth

    Beyond new capital, price appreciation played a significant role in the surge of assets under management. Bitcoin’s value climbed by over 42% during the quarter, rising from approximately $58,564 to around $84,000. Ethereum also saw notable gains over the same period.

    On-chain data from Arkham Intelligence corroborates this trend, tracking BlackRock-linked crypto holdings at approximately $77.1 billion, an increase of about 62%. The majority of these holdings are attributed to IBIT’s Bitcoin exposure.

    Broader Business Context

    For perspective, BlackRock’s overall business is immense. The firm reported total net inflows of $205 billion for the quarter, pushing its firm-wide assets under management to a record $15.5 trillion. Within this vast portfolio, the digital assets category contributed approximately $8 billion to the firm’s total ETF flows of $135 billion.

    Recovering from Previous Peaks

    The digital assets category had previously reached a high of around $104 billion in September 2025. Despite the impressive 63% quarterly growth, the division still falls short of this previous peak. Assets stood at $48.8 billion at the beginning of the third quarter of 2026, less than half of their value a year prior.

    IBIT Leads the Way, Sensitivity to Price Remains

    IBIT continues to be the primary driver of the digital assets business. Arkham’s data indicates that Bitcoin exposure through IBIT constitutes the largest portion of BlackRock’s crypto holdings, with ETHA playing a secondary role.

    The $7.9 billion in net inflows is a critical figure, signifying active investor commitment rather than solely relying on market appreciation. While price gains can inflate assets under management, these inflows demonstrate investors’ deliberate decision to allocate fresh capital.

    Given that a substantial portion of the AUM increase is linked to Bitcoin’s rally, BlackRock’s crypto figures remain highly susceptible to price fluctuations. A market downturn could quickly diminish the reported asset values, even if investor positions remain unchanged.

    The $104 billion peak from September 2025 now serves as a clear benchmark. Reaching this level again will likely require a combination of sustained investor inflows and continued price appreciation in the digital asset market.

  • Injective Eyes Wall Street with INJC Staking ETF Proposal

    Injective Eyes Wall Street with INJC Staking ETF Proposal

    Proposed ETF Could Bring Injective Token to Mainstream Brokerages

    Injective’s native token, INJ, may soon trade under a ticker symbol familiar to traditional investors: INJC. Canary Capital is behind the proposed Staked INJ Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), having submitted an amended registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 24, 2026. The fund aims to provide investors with exposure to INJ without the need for a cryptocurrency wallet, with plans to stake the majority of its holdings to generate additional yield.

    Injective, a Layer 1 blockchain designed for finance and tokenization, is now part of a growing wave of digital asset-related ETF applications. The company’s CEO believes regulators might act more swiftly than the market anticipates.

    The INJC ETF would directly hold INJ tokens, offering investors spot exposure to the asset’s price fluctuations. Furthermore, the fund’s structure is designed to stake approximately 90% of its assets. Staking involves locking up tokens to support the security of a blockchain network, with participants receiving rewards in return.

    BitGo is slated to act as the custodian, responsible for holding the fund’s tokens. The ETF is intended for listing on the Cboe BZX exchange. An S-1 filing is the registration document companies or funds submit to the SEC before offering securities to the public. Amendments to these filings typically follow feedback or updates, suggesting the application process is progressing rather than stalled.

    Canary Capital is not the sole entity pursuing an INJ-related ETF. At least three such applications are currently pending with the SEC. Alongside Canary’s INJC proposal, filings from 21Shares and REX-Osprey are also in review.

    Injective CEO Eric Chen has indicated that the timeline for approval could be sooner than some expect. In an interview on October 5, 2026, he suggested that a 2027 launch for U.S. INJ-linked ETFs might be overly conservative. With multiple active applications underway, Chen posited that U.S. INJ ETFs could potentially launch before 2027.

    In early October 2026, the Injective Foundation introduced its Trench Treasury program. This initiative aims to fund smaller projects being developed on the Injective blockchain and to reward community contributors. The initial funding round is targeting projects such as Sprout and RunUp.

    The inclusion of staking within an ETF structure introduces a yield component, positioning it more as an income-generating investment rather than solely a bet on price appreciation. However, staked tokens can be less liquid, requiring a fund that stakes a significant portion of its holdings to manage redemptions carefully. Maintaining a portion of assets in an unstaked state is one method to address this.

    If approved, the INJC ETF could attract investors who might otherwise avoid setting up cryptocurrency exchange accounts. The presence of three distinct INJ ETF applications suggests that issuers perceive significant investor demand.

    Regulatory approval timelines can be subject to delays, and Chen’s projection of a pre-2027 launch remains an outlook, not a certainty. Staking also presents its own technical and liquidity considerations that traditional ETF investors may not be accustomed to evaluating.

    Key developments to monitor include further amendments to Canary’s S-1 filing, any progress on the 21Shares and REX-Osprey proposals, and signals from the SEC regarding its comfort level with staking mechanisms within an exchange-traded fund structure. On the Injective ecosystem front, the progress of Sprout, RunUp, and other Trench Treasury recipients will be indicative of whether the blockchain’s on-chain activity can align with its ambitions in the traditional financial markets.

  • Ripple Targets Traditional Stock Markets

    Ripple Targets Traditional Stock Markets

    DriveWealth Taps Ripple for Stablecoin Integration and Global Expansion

    DriveWealth, a provider of global brokerage infrastructure, has announced a strategic partnership with Ripple to integrate stablecoin settlement, cross-border payments, and digital asset custody into its existing framework. The initial phase of this collaboration will focus on settlement capabilities within Europe, with subsequent expansion planned for the United States market.

    The integration will leverage Ripple’s robust stablecoin infrastructure, including its native stablecoin, RLUSD, which operates on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This will be complemented by Ripple’s established mint and burn functionalities. The overarching goal is to enable DriveWealth’s clients to efficiently fund and manage collateral accounts using stablecoins, with the ability to convert these assets into cash in near real-time.

    The partnership encompasses four key areas: stablecoin settlement, cross-border payments, digital asset custody, and equity financing.

    DriveWealth is implementing Ripple Payments to streamline cross-border transfers from its international partners. Concurrently, the company is working with Ripple to establish digital asset custody services in Europe, with ambitions to extend these offerings to additional markets.

    In a separate initiative, DriveWealth and Ripple Prime are exploring equity financing opportunities. This exploration will utilize Ripple Prime’s Delta One business, which specializes in providing institutional services for U.S. equities and equity derivatives.

    The companies also intend to connect DriveWealth’s treasury and custody infrastructure with Ripple’s systems. This integration aims to provide clients with a more unified platform for managing dollars, stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies.

    The current settlement cycle for U.S. equities is T+1, meaning trades settle one business day after execution. Cross-border money transfers can often take significantly longer. This disparity can lead to increased funding requirements and tie up capital when financial institutions most need it.

    The new integration is designed to assist international clients in moving funds without being solely reliant on traditional banking transfer windows and cutoff times. DriveWealth already facilitates 24/5 trading and anticipates that the enhanced funding capabilities will better synchronize money transfers with its trading services.

    “Our partnership with Ripple empowers us to extend the same funding and custody experience our clients already rely on to stablecoins and digital assets,” stated Naureen Hassan, CEO of DriveWealth.

    Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, commented that the partnership’s scope extends beyond cross-border settlement to encompass trading, custody, and settlement infrastructure.

    DriveWealth serves as a brokerage infrastructure provider to over 100 global partners, including fintech companies, digital wallets, and financial institutions seeking access to U.S. markets.

    In related news, Ripple has also entered into a partnership with South Korea’s Meritz Securities to explore digital asset custody and tokenization opportunities within the Korean capital markets. This agreement marks Ripple’s inaugural collaboration with a South Korean securities firm and its fourth institutional partnership in the country for 2026, following previous agreements with Kyobo Life Insurance, Kbank, and Jeonbuk Bank.

    Separately, Evernorth has selected Ripple, Kraken, Coinbase, and BitGo as partners for its XRP treasury strategy, which involves approximately $648 million in XRP holdings. These developments underscore Ripple’s growing institutional footprint across digital asset custody, tokenization, payments, and XRP-based financial services.

    Ripple and DriveWealth are scheduled to discuss their partnership during a fireside chat at the Ripple Swell event, taking place on October 28 in New York City.

  • Saylor’s Bitcoin Cost Basis: A $75,000 Watchpoint

    Saylor’s Bitcoin Cost Basis: A $75,000 Watchpoint

    Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $80,000 Amidst ETF Outflows and Reduced Corporate Buying

    Despite significant outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs and a notable reduction in purchases by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, Bitcoin has maintained its position above the $80,000 mark for an entire week. An analyst has been examining the data to identify the underlying forces supporting the cryptocurrency’s price.

    Bitcoin’s Current Standing

    Bitcoin faced resistance on Monday, peaking at $84,352 before declining to approximately $81,000 overnight. It has since rebounded to trade above $83,000. The cryptocurrency’s low for the past week, recorded on October 8, was $80,393. Bitcoin is currently down about 4% from its starting point at the beginning of the week. Last week, spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced outflows totaling $679 million, equivalent to roughly 8,000 BTC at current valuations.

    Since their inception in January 2024, these ETFs have seen net inflows of $57 billion. Consequently, last week’s outflows represent only about 1.2% of this cumulative total. Rising bond yields may be a contributing factor to the selling pressure. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield closed at 5.31% last Monday, its highest point of the year, presenting investors with a more secure alternative.

    The analyst drew a comparison to a more challenging period earlier this year. Between mid-May and early July, the ETFs endured eight consecutive weeks of outflows, amounting to approximately $8.3 billion – more than twelve times the figure from last week. During that time, Bitcoin’s price plummeted from around $80,700 to below $59,000, a decline exceeding 25%. The analyst noted that ETFs have recorded outflows on roughly half of all trading days this year, which he considers a normal occurrence.

    Strategy Shifts Focus from Bitcoin to Stock Buybacks

    Between October 5 and 11, Strategy purchased only 250 BTC for $21.5 million, marking its smallest Bitcoin acquisition of 2026. In the same week, the company allocated $192.4 million to repurchasing its own STRC preferred shares, nearly nine times the amount invested in Bitcoin.

    The company currently holds 848,250 BTC, acquired at an average cost of $75,444.

    Identifying the Sellers

    A significant portion of the selling pressure appears to have originated from leveraged traders. On the Binance exchange, open interest in Bitcoin futures decreased from approximately 97,400 BTC to around 92,400 BTC over the week, a drop of roughly 5%. Funding rates have fallen to near zero, indicating that excess leverage has been unwound from the market.

    However, not all data points to a clear sell-off. Approximately 25,000 BTC was moved onto exchanges on October 6 alone, with an additional net inflow of 5,300 BTC between October 8 and 11. The movement of coins to exchanges can often signal that holders are preparing to sell.

    Who is Still Buying?

    The analyst identified two primary forces sustaining Bitcoin’s price. The first is the activity of spot buyers. On Binance, the proportion of trading volume attributed to aggressive buyers was around 49% on October 7 and 8. From October 9 onwards, this figure shifted, reaching 55.6%, then 52.7%, and subsequently 56.3%. Buyers entered the market shortly after the weekly low, primarily in the spot market rather than through futures.

    The second, and arguably more crucial, factor is the behavior of long-term holders. Approximately 63% of all Bitcoin has remained unmoved for over a year. “Those coins are not for sale at $83K, and they were not for sale at $80K either,” the analyst stated. When ETFs sell 8,000 BTC into a market where the majority of supply is held by these long-term investors, the impact on price is consequently limited.

    The analyst also highlighted the “true market mean,” which represents the average cost basis of active investors, at approximately $79,250. Last week’s low briefly dipped below this level before buyers stepped in.

    Future Price Outlook

    The analyst foresees two potential price trajectories, which he considers to be of roughly equal probability.

    A decisive break above the $86,600 level would strengthen the likelihood of a bullish scenario.

    The Significance of the $75,000 Level

    The analyst’s identified support zone extends from $63,326 to $74,840. He emphasized that this is not a price target but rather a safety net. The upper boundary of this zone closely aligns with two key cost basis levels.

    At this juncture, both the largest corporate Bitcoin holder and the average new buyer would reach their breakeven point. Whether these entities choose to hold or begin selling at this level could be a decisive factor in Bitcoin’s next significant price movement. The analyst indicated that should a deeper correction occur, the area around $75,000 would be where he would likely initiate new purchases.

  • Qivalis Secures Dutch Central Bank Authorization for Euro Stablecoin Plans

    Qivalis Secures Dutch Central Bank Authorization for Euro Stablecoin Plans

    Qivalis, a European banking consortium, has received Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorization from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), the Dutch central bank. This regulatory approval is a significant step towards the company’s goal of launching a euro-denominated stablecoin.

    The authorization, announced Wednesday, permits Qivalis to issue euro-denominated electronic money tokens and subjects the consortium to ongoing supervision by the DNB. However, the actual issuance of a stablecoin is contingent upon meeting additional requirements under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and the publication of Qivalis’s white paper.

    Qivalis aims to introduce a stablecoin denominated in euros into a market currently dominated by US dollar-based stablecoins. According to DefiLlama, Tether USDt (USDT) holds a market capitalization of $183 billion, representing over 60% of the total stablecoin market, which is valued at $303 billion.

    “We believe Europe should have a euro-denominated on-chain settlement asset issued under European law and subject to European regulatory standards,” said Jan-Oliver Sell, CEO of Qivalis. This strategic intent aims to provide a regulated, European-law compliant alternative in the stablecoin space.

    In May, Qivalis expanded its backing, adding 25 new banks across 15 countries, bringing its total institutional support to 37 institutions. The timeline for the stablecoin’s launch remains subject to further regulatory developments and the completion of Qivalis’s internal documentation, including its white paper, with issuance anticipated in the coming months, pending these conditions. The market reception and competitive impact of this new euro-denominated stablecoin are yet to be determined.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: Qivalis, a European banking consortium, received Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorization from the Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). Exact timing of stablecoin issuance is subject to additional MiCA requirements and white paper publication.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: Qivalis is looking to introduce a euro-denominated stablecoin into a market largely dominated by US dollar-based stablecoins.

  • Coins.ph License Unaffected by Central Bank Revocation Claims

    Coins.ph License Unaffected by Central Bank Revocation Claims

    Coins.ph Reaffirms Central Bank License Amid Offshore Gambling Probe

    MANILA – Digital wallet and cryptocurrency exchange Coins.ph has stated that its license from the Philippine central bank remains valid, despite reports suggesting a potential revocation due to alleged transactions with offshore gambling operators.

    Coins.ph, a prominent player in the Philippine crypto market with a reported 24-hour spot trading volume of approximately $52 million on Wednesday, according to CoinGecko, is facing scrutiny. The reported risk to its license follows restrictions imposed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on incoming InstaPay and PESONet transfers linked to DCPay Philippines, the entity responsible for Coins.ph’s peso e-wallet services.

    “Coins.ph firmly denies any claim that it knowingly serves offshore gaming or gambling operators,” the company said in an official statement provided to Cointelegraph. “Our users’ funds are safe; we continue to operate as a BSP-licensed institution.”

    While Coins.ph denied knowingly facilitating transactions for offshore gambling entities, it did not directly confirm or deny whether such operators had utilized its platform. When pressed on whether it processed transactions involving these operators irrespective of its awareness, a company spokesperson indicated that internal clarification would be sought but offered no further details at that time.

    In a prior advisory, Coins.ph had indicated that the BSP had directed it to enhance its internal controls. The company noted that its cash-in services and QRPh collections were temporarily suspended, while crypto trading, cash-outs, bill payments, and merchant QRPh payments remained operational. QRPh payments refer to the central bank’s national QR standard.

    Local media outlet BitPinas reported that the restrictions were enacted under BSP Monetary Board Resolution No. 839. DCPay holds an electronic money issuer license, and Betur Inc. manages the exchange’s crypto asset services under a separate virtual asset service provider license. The reported restrictions appear to target DCPay’s payment operations rather than Betur’s cryptocurrency services.

    In 2025, the central bank had previously mandated supervised financial institutions to remove links providing access to gambling websites from their payment applications. However, the BSP has not publicly connected this directive to the current restrictions affecting Coins.ph.

    Cointelegraph also reached out to the BSP for confirmation and comment. A representative from the central bank stated they would investigate the inquiry but had not provided further remarks by the time of publication.

  • Bitcoin Whales Buy Again After Months of Selling

    Bitcoin Whales Buy Again After Months of Selling

    Bitcoin Whales Resume Accumulation After Months of Selling

    Large holders of Bitcoin (BTC) have begun accumulating the cryptocurrency again after a period of selling, according to an analysis by CryptoQuant. This shift in behavior coincides with Bitcoin’s recovery from lows near $62,000 to highs around $87,000, surpassing its 365-day moving average.

    Other market and on-chain indicators also suggest an improvement in market conditions. CryptoQuant’s Bull Score Index, which aggregates ten market and on-chain metrics, has risen significantly from 20 in late July to 90 on September 26. The index currently stands at 80, a level the firm interprets as signaling the early stages of a potential bull cycle.

    Analysis of whale wallets, excluding those associated with exchanges and mining pools, reveals that these entities now hold 3.03 million BTC. This represents their highest combined balance since November 21, 2025. Furthermore, their monthly accumulation rate has accelerated to its fastest pace since February 11, 2026.

    Long-term data also indicates a notable change in whale behavior. After holdings began to contract in September 2025, the annual change in whale balances has now returned close to zero and moved above its 365-day moving average, suggesting a strengthening trend of accumulation.

    Flows into Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) offer another sign of renewed demand. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded net inflows of approximately 2,300 BTC year-to-date in 2026, valued at around $1.5 billion. This follows earlier outflows totaling 83,000 BTC, worth approximately $5.1 billion.

    Data from the crypto lending platform CoinRabbit further illustrates evolving activity among large holders. In September, borrowers with BTC-backed loans exceeding $10 million increased their total USDT borrowing by 83%, a reversal from a 9% decline in July. Their average loan size also saw a 33% increase, following an 8% decrease in August.

    In contrast, smaller borrowers exhibited a different pattern. Retail customers with loans under $100,000 reduced their total borrowing by 17% in September. However, their average loan size increased, highlighting distinct borrowing behaviors between large and small-scale customers.

    Collectively, these figures suggest that some large holders may be leveraging their Bitcoin holdings for liquidity through borrowing, rather than selling. While the data does not definitively confirm their intentions, these developments align with CryptoQuant’s broader assessment of improving market conditions.

  • Binance to Discontinue Bitcoin Mining Pool Services in 2026, Shifts Focus to AI and TradFi

    Binance to Discontinue Bitcoin Mining Pool Services in 2026, Shifts Focus to AI and TradFi

    Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, will cease operations of its Bitcoin mining pool and related services, including Pool Savings, Cloud Mining, and Transaction Accelerator, effective November 10, 2026, at 07:00 UTC. This strategic move signals a significant redirection of the company’s focus towards artificial intelligence (AI) tools and traditional finance (TradFi) offerings.

    Miners currently using Binance Pool are required to migrate their operations to other mining pools before the November 10, 2026, deadline. Following this date, Binance Pool will no longer accept or process hashrate submissions or mining shares. User transaction history will remain accessible until November 24, 2026. Binance has not yet specified an automatic payout timetable or the precise mechanics for final settlements of outstanding rewards or refunds.

    The discontinuation impacts a range of services, including Stratum connections, mining-pool APIs, and associated email and Telegram alerts. Users are advised to close their Pool Savings accounts and complete all necessary transitions before the services are terminated. Any eligible outstanding rewards or refunds will be processed according to applicable product terms and compliance checks.

    Binance has characterized the closure as part of a broader product review, but has not detailed the specific financial reasons behind the decision. Binance Pool commenced operations in April 2020.

    This exit from Bitcoin mining aligns with Binance’s growing investments in other strategic areas. The exchange launched a free AI market assistant on October 12, following a beta test with approximately 150,000 users, which offers market guidance rather than autonomous trading. In parallel, Binance has expanded its traditional finance footprint, including its involvement with Nest Trading Limited for US equities and plans for physically settled options on over 1,000 US stocks and ETFs. This expansion is reflected in Binance’s TradFi perpetual-futures volume, which surged from $29.5 billion in January to $433.4 billion in August.

    Against this backdrop of operational shifts, Binance Coin (BNB) is trading around $740 as of October 14, with a market capitalization of approximately $98.57 billion and a daily trading volume of about $555.82 million. BNB is currently trading below its all-time high of $1,369.99, indicating recent selling pressure. Analysts suggest near-term support for BNB may lie in the $736–$718 region, with resistance expected around $746 and $775. A sustained move above these resistance levels could signal strengthening momentum, while a fall below support might increase downside risks. The performance of BNB is also influenced by broader cryptocurrency market sentiment and activity on the BNB Chain, where ecosystem adoption could potentially bolster demand.

    Binance has not elaborated on the financial rationale for discontinuing its mining operations or provided a specific timeline for final settlements. While the exchange’s expansion into AI and traditional finance provides context for its evolving product mix, it does not directly explain the decision to exit Bitcoin mining. Market observers are monitoring Bitcoin for broader market direction signals.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: Binance will discontinue Binance Pool and associated services, including Pool Savings, Cloud Mining, and Transaction Accelerator, on November 10, 2026, at 07:00 UTC. The financial reasons for the closure of Binance Pool.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: Binance is developing AI tools and traditional-asset trading.

  • Standard Chartered Offers Direct Bitcoin, Ether Trading to Affluent UAE Clients

    Standard Chartered Offers Direct Bitcoin, Ether Trading to Affluent UAE Clients

    Standard Chartered has launched direct trading services for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) for its affluent clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), effective October 14, 2026. The new offering enables clients to trade these cryptocurrencies directly through their existing bank accounts, utilizing a closed-loop system that keeps assets within the bank’s infrastructure.

    Regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the service aligns with the UAE’s objective to become a regulated hub for virtual assets. This initiative by Standard Chartered is viewed as a significant step in integrating digital assets into traditional banking frameworks.

    Standard Chartered describes the service as moving cryptocurrency from the periphery of a client’s financial life into the same application used for managing other banking products. The closed-loop model ensures that both fiat currency and digital assets remain within the bank’s system, supported by institutional-grade custody and settlement processes, rather than being transferred to third-party platforms.

    Clients must meet professional investor criteria to access this service. The offering includes spreads of up to 2% per trade, a factor Standard Chartered has flagged as a trade-off for the convenience and security of the integrated system. Consequently, some clients may still prefer dedicated exchanges for more active trading strategies.

    This launch marks a progression in Standard Chartered’s digital asset strategy. The bank established its digital-asset custody business in September 2024, initially serving institutional clients. In July 2025, Standard Chartered became the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer deliverable spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether in the UK. This was followed by the rollout of institutional spot trading in BTC and ETH through its Dubai International Financial Centre entity on September 3, 2026.

    The bank has flagged this latest offering for affluent clients in the UAE as a logical next step following its previous expansions into custody and institutional trading. The move aligns with the broader trend of increasing regulatory maturity in the virtual asset space, as indicated by major international banks operating under frameworks like VARA’s rules.

    While the service offers direct access to digital assets within a regulated environment, potential uncertainties remain regarding the future reach of the service beyond professional investors, the possibility of expanding to other digital assets, and broader expansion plans. The current offering focuses on Bitcoin and Ether for affluent clients, with a cost structure that includes spreads of up to 2%.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: Standard Chartered has enabled affluent clients in the UAE to trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) directly through their existing bank accounts, utilizing a closed-loop system that keeps assets within the bank’s infrastructure. How far beyond professional investors the service might eventually reach.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: Standard Chartered’s digital-asset custody business was established in September 2024, initially serving institutional clients.