🏦 European banks, reversible USDC transactions, auctioned data

This week is flying by, but don’t worry—we’ve got your nonstop rundown to keep you plugged into the latest in crypto, AI, blockchain, and more.

Today’s highlights include a major push in Europe as ING, UniCredit, Danske Bank, and six other giants join forces on a euro-denominated stablecoin under MiCA rules, Circle’s exploration of reversible USDC transactions to boost fraud protection, and news that the Rhysida hacking collective is auctioning stolen Maryland Department of Transportation data for BTC. And that’s just the start—scroll down for the fully story and for other news!

Latest News 

‘South Park’ Tackles Prediction Markets in New Episode—Traders Bet on What Gets Said

Wednesday’s South Park episode, titled “Conflict of Interest,” centered on prediction markets and their rising influence among youth, and sparked bets across crypto-backed platforms like Myriad and Polymarket. With odds placed on whether the episode will mention real platforms, crypto, or controversial words, the satire ignited real-world financial speculation mirroring its own plot. Read more →

Thumzup Approves $10M Share Buyback as It Eyes Dogecoin Mining Play

Digital ad firm Thumzup Media (TZUP) has greenlit a $10 million share repurchase plan through the end of 2026, on top of a prior $1 million program, signaling confidence in its growth trajectory. The move comes as the firm holds ~19.1 BTC and ~7.5 million DOGE and seeks shareholder approval to acquire DogeHash Technologies—a Dogecoin mining company with 2,500 rigs already deployed. Read more →

76ers Name Crypto.com Official Jersey Patch Partner in Landmark NBA Deal

The Philadelphia 76ers have partnered with Crypto.com, making it their official jersey patch sponsor and launching the team’s first-ever NFTs through the platform. The multi-year deal includes jersey branding, in-arena signage, digital promotions, fan rewards, and educational initiatives on crypto. Read more →

Senate Finance Committee to Examine Digital Asset Taxation on Oct. 1

Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) announced a Senate Finance Committee hearing titled “Examining the Taxation of Digital Assets,” scheduled for October 1 at 10:00 AM ET. Witnesses include policy and tax experts from Coin Center, Coinbase, AICPA, and ASKramer Law, with the session streamed live on the committee website and Crapo's X account. Read more ➝

Athena Bitcoin Sued for Alleged Source Code Theft and Faces D.C. Fraud Probe

Illinois-based AML Software is suing Bitcoin ATM operator Athena Bitcoin, accusing it of copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and unlawfully acquiring its ATM source code via a third-party scheme involving Taproot Acquisition and its CEO Jordan Mirch. The lawsuit claims Athena knowingly obtained AML’s copyrighted software as part of a $9 million settlement for 2,800 ATMs, while also facing a separate lawsuit from D.C.'s attorney general over predatory practices and hidden fees. Read more ➝

Ethereum Layer‑2 Rollups Misprice Small Transactions, Study Warns

A recent study found that many Ethereum rollups improperly price small transactions by collapsing multiple resource costs—computation, data availability, and settlement—into a single formula, creating vulnerabilities to denial‑of‑service attacks and unfair cost burdens. The authors urge adoption of “multidimensional” fee models to better align charges with actual resource usage. Read more →

Hackers Auction Maryland Transit Data for Millions in Bitcoin

The Rhysida hacking collective is reportedly selling stolen personal records and transit system data from Maryland’s Department of Transportation for 30 BTC (~$3.4 million). The state has confirmed a data breach and is working with authorities to investigate and mitigate the damage. Read more →

GSR Launches ETF Targeting Firms With Crypto Treasuries

GSR has filed to launch the Digital Asset Treasury Companies ETF, which will invest in publicly traded companies holding significant amounts of digital assets like Bitcoin in their treasuries. The actively managed fund won't hold crypto directly but instead seeks exposure through firms such as MicroStrategy and DeFi Development Corp. Read more →

Australia Proposes Stricter Regulation for Digital Asset Platforms

Australia’s draft legislation would subject crypto exchanges and token custody services to financial services licensing and compliance standards under the Corporations Act. The bill aims to bolster consumer protections, regulate staking, wrapped tokens, and mandate minimum operational standards for platforms. Read more →

Coders Lean on AI, But Trust Remains Elusive — Google Study Finds

Google Cloud's 2025 DORA Report shows many software developers now use AI tools to write code, yet widespread distrust lingers due to accuracy, reliability, and explainability concerns. The findings highlight a growing tension between adoption of AI for productivity and the need for assurance, review, and oversight. Read more →

Fusaka Prioritizes Safety as It Pioneers Scalable Blockchain Storage

Vitalik Buterin emphasized that Fusaka’s core innovation, PeerDAS, enables a blockchain where no single node needs to download the full data by using probabilistic chunk verification and erasure coding. Though initial broadcasting and partial reconstructions still require full data availability, these roles are untrusted and distributed—paving the way for scalable, secure Layer 2 and eventually Layer 1 solutions.

Peaq Launches Tokenized Robo‑Farm in Hong Kong

Peaq, in partnership with DualMint and agritech firm KanayaAI, unveiled what it calls the world’s first tokenized robotic vertical farm, linking real-world farming profits to NFTs that share revenue with holders. The autonomous farm is expected to run up to 12 crop cycles per year, use one‑tenth the water of conventional farms, and launch in Q4 2025. Read more →

FalconX Debuts Institutional Ethereum Staking Yield Derivatives

FalconX has launched the first forward rate agreement (FRA) market tied to Ethereum staking yields, enabling institutions to hedge or gain exposure to ETH yield fluctuations. Contracts reference the Treehouse Ethereum Staking Rate (TESR), offering a new tool for staking yield risk management. Read more →

Griffin AI (GAIN) Plunges Over 90% After Massive Mint and Dump Event

Griffin AI's token (GAIN), which just launched on Binance Alpha, briefly crashed over 90% after an address minted 5 billion GAIN from the null address and dumped 147.5 million tokens on PancakeSwap. The attacker profited at least 2,955 BNB, which was subsequently bridged out using deBridge.

Upbit Lists Plasma (XPL) for Trading in KRW, BTC, and USDT Markets

Upbit has announced new trading support for Plasma (XPL) starting Sept. 25, with a minimum sell price set at 1,274 KRW, 0.00000797 BTC, and 0.88 USDT. Plasma is a Layer-1 blockchain optimized for stablecoin payments, using its PlasmaBFT consensus and allowing gas fees in multiple tokens. Read more →

Hashdex ETF Expands Crypto Holdings Beyond BTC and ETH

Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ) announced it will now include additional crypto assets—SOL, XLM, and XRP—beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, under Nasdaq’s new generic listing standards. This update aligns the ETF with the Nasdaq Crypto US Settlement Price™ Index and allows for quarterly rebalancing. Read more →

Naver to Acquire Dunamu, Upbit's Operator, for Stablecoin Ecosystem

Naver plans to acquire Dunamu, operator of Upbit, aiming to merge its Naver Pay platform with Upbit’s crypto infrastructure to build a South Korean stablecoin ecosystem. The move could position Naver as a global fintech competitor and reduce governance risks at Dunamu. Read more →

Philippines Launches Blockchain for Government Transparency After Protests

In response to mass protests over alleged corruption in flood-control projects, the Philippines has implemented "Integrity Chain," a blockchain platform developed by BayaniChain to track public spending in the Department of Public Works. The system logs contracts and project milestones on Polygon’s blockchain, aiming to enhance civic oversight and prevent manipulation through cryptographically verified records. Read more →

Bitcoin ETFs See $241M Inflows, While Ethereum ETFs Suffer Losses

On September 24, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $241 million in net inflows, with BlackRock’s IBIT leading at $129 million. In contrast, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs experienced $79.36 million in net outflows, continuing a three-day losing streak.

Crypto Slips as U.S. Shutdown Fears Rise

Ether dropped to $4,004 and BTC fell below $112K amid rising fears of a U.S. government shutdown, with Polymarket odds hitting 77%. The White House is preparing for job cuts as Congress scrambles to pass a funding bill before the end of September. Read more →

Ohio Approves Crypto for State Payments in Major Digital Finance Push

Ohio will begin accepting cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, for state fees and services after the State Board of Deposit approved a vendor to process crypto payments. This move, led by Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Treasurer Robert Sprague, follows broader legislative efforts like the Ohio Blockchain Basics Act and proposed crypto reserve bills aimed at cementing the state’s leadership in digital asset adoption. Read more →

Gate Launches Gate Layer and GT Ecosystem Upgrade for Scalable Web3 Future

Gate has launched Gate Layer, a high-performance Layer 2 network built on OP Stack and secured by GateChain, offering fast, low-cost, and EVM-compatible blockchain services. Alongside, it unveiled a major GT ecosystem upgrade, introducing flagship products (Perp, Gate Fun, Meme Go), expanding GT utility as the exclusive gas token, and strengthening deflationary mechanisms to drive Web3 adoption and sustainable value. Read more →

Nine European Banks Collaborate on MiCA-Compliant Euro Stablecoin

ING, UniCredit, Danske Bank, and six other major European banks have teamed up to launch a euro-denominated stablecoin regulated under the EU’s MiCA framework. The new digital payment instrument aims to offer a low-cost, real-time, and programmable alternative to U.S. stablecoins, with issuance expected by H2 2026. Read more →

Circle Considers Reversible USDC Transactions, Stirring Debate

Circle is exploring reversible USDC transactions to enhance fraud protection and align with traditional finance, according to President Heath Tarbert. While this could boost institutional trust, critics argue it undermines crypto's core ethos of immutable, decentralized transactions. Read more →

Etherealize CEO Eyes Ethereum for $16 Trillion Mortgage Market Tokenization

Vivek Raman, CEO of Ethereum advocacy group Etherealize, is pushing to tokenize mortgage securities and related structured products using Ethereum’s blockchain. He argues the stablecoin law passing this year and institutional momentum give Ethereum a shot at converting huge traditional asset classes, especially U.S. housing debt, into on-chain instruments. Read more →

M2 Capital Backs Ethena With $20M to Expand Synthetic Dollar Use in Middle East

M2 Capital (UAE) invested $20 million into Ethena’s governance token as part of a push to integrate synthetic dollar products—like USDe and yield‑bearing sUSDe—into regulated wealth platforms in the Middle East. Ethena’s protocol already boasts over $14B in TVL, and this deal aims to bring DeFi dollar yields to institutions in a compliant framework. Read more →

RedotPay Hits Unicorn Status With $47M Round Led by Coinbase Ventures

Crypto payments firm RedotPay raised $47 million, pushing its valuation above $1 billion. Backed by Coinbase Ventures, Galaxy Ventures, and others, the firm offers stablecoin cards and wallets, serves over 5 million users, and plans global expansion while focusing on compliance. Read more →

Plasma Layer 1 Launches With XPL Token and Zero-Fee USDT Transfers

Stablecoin-focused blockchain Plasma has launched its mainnet and XPL token, offering fee-free USDT transfers and over 100 DeFi integrations. With $2B in TVL and support from major platforms like Aave and Ethena, Plasma aims to revolutionize global money movement via its custom PlasmaBFT consensus and stablecoin-native app, Plasma One. Read more →

$442M Liquidated as Crypto Markets Dip Amid ETH, BTC, and SOL Drops

Crypto markets shed over $442 million in liquidations, with Ethereum leading at $180M, followed by Bitcoin ($63M) and Solana ($35M), as prices dropped across the board. Despite temporary geopolitical optimism from President Trump's UN speech, broader macroeconomic concerns and rate policy remain the dominant drivers for investor sentiment. Read more →

SharpLink to Tokenize SEC-Registered Equity on Ethereum via Superstate Partnership

SharpLink Gaming (Nasdaq: SBET) will become the first public company to natively issue SEC-registered equity on Ethereum, partnering with Superstate’s Opening Bell platform. The initiative aims to enable compliant trading of tokenized shares on DeFi protocols, pushing Ethereum toward becoming the foundation of future capital markets. Read more →

South Korea Moves to Tighten Grip on Stablecoins and Crypto Oversight

South Korea's ruling People Power Party has established a new task force focused on boosting regulatory oversight of stablecoins and crypto-related activities, signaling a stronger push toward market supervision following recent incidents involving digital assets. The task force aims to coordinate with financial regulators and the central bank to implement a more robust framework addressing both investor protection and systemic risks tied to stablecoins and crypto platforms. Read more →

U.S. Economic Data Beats Forecasts Across Jobs, GDP, and Inflation Metrics

Initial jobless claims fell to 218,000 for the week ending September 20, undershooting expectations and signaling continued labor market resilience. Meanwhile, the final Q2 GDP growth was revised upward to 3.8%, and the core PCE prices rate ticked slightly higher to 2.6%, both exceeding prior estimates and reflecting persistent economic strength.

Cipher Mining Lands $3B AI Hosting Deal Backed by Google Parent’s Capital Arm

Cipher Mining has secured a $3 billion hosting agreement to support artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking a major pivot from its core Bitcoin mining business into AI-focused data center services. The deal, backed by Google parent Alphabet’s investment arm, underscores rising institutional interest in repurposing mining capabilities for high-demand AI workloads. Read more →

CIFT/USD Price Chart

Binance to Delist Several Spot Trading Pairs Including Major Altcoins

Binance has announced the upcoming removal of multiple spot trading pairs—including APT/FDUSD, DOT/TUSD, and MATIC/TUSD—effective September 27, 2025, citing factors such as poor liquidity and low trading volume. The delisting will not affect users’ ability to trade the base assets on other supported pairs, and Binance emphasized its continued monitoring to maintain a healthy trading environment. Read more →

BOS Unveils Protocol Aimed at Activating Idle Institutional Bitcoin Holdings

Blockchain Operating System (BOS) has launched a new protocol designed to make dormant institutional Bitcoin productive by enabling it to participate in on-chain financial activities without compromising custody. The initiative targets large Bitcoin holders such as ETFs and custodians, offering tools to deploy assets into DeFi-like applications while preserving regulatory compliance and security. Read more →

Interpol Seizes $97M in Crypto Amid Global Cybercrime Sweep

Interpol has frozen $97 million in crypto assets as part of a broader $439 million seizure during a multinational crackdown on cyber-enabled crimes, including fraud, phishing, and money laundering across 40 countries. The operation also led to the arrest of 45 suspects in a major Portuguese fraud ring and the freezing of nearly 400 crypto wallets. Read more →

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