NextBlock invests $3M in Soda Labs to expand blockchain privacy

  • NextBlock invests $3M in Soda Labs’ seed funding round.
  • Soda Labs expands its privacy infrastructure across major blockchains.
  • Soda plans to scale adoption, validators, and financial integrations.

NextBlock has invested $3 million in Soda Labs’ seed round, funding the entire closed round as the blockchain infrastructure company expands its programmable privacy technology for financial activity on public blockchains.

The investment comes as Soda Labs moves from its existing gcEVM privacy layer toward Soda Bubble, a chain-agnostic coprocessor designed to enable private computation across different blockchain networks.

Soda Labs has spent the past two and a half years developing a cryptographic privacy solution based on garbled circuits and multiparty computation (GC-MPC).

The company said its system uses established cryptographic standards including AES and SHA256 and can operate on standard cloud CPUs without requiring specialised hardware.

“What attracted us to Soda was not only the underlying cryptography, but the practicality of the technology for the financial workloads we believe will matter most onchain,” said Pieter van Poecke, Founder and General Partner of NextBlock.

Van Poecke added that Soda already had a working product and paying customers, while its technical intellectual property, technical founding team and commercial capabilities provided a foundation for its next phase.

Soda Labs expands privacy infrastructure

Soda’s technology has processed more than 100 million transactions on the COTI network. Its deployed applications include tokenisation platform Zoniqx and perpetuals exchange PriveX.

According to the company, PriveX has processed more than $20 billion in trading volume, while Zoniqx is onboarding issuers across multiple asset classes and jurisdictions.

Soda’s existing gcEVM privacy layer remains live on COTI. The company is now expanding its architecture through Soda Bubble, which is designed to process developer-defined workloads from different blockchains without exposing private data publicly or to Soda Labs itself.

The Bubble Validator Network allows participants to mathematically verify that computations involving private data have been performed correctly.

Soda Labs is expanding Bubble across major EVM ecosystems, including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum and Base. It is also working on expansion to non-EVM networks, including Solana.

Company targets commercial adoption

The new funding will give Soda Labs room to focus on scaling commercial adoption and execution over the next 12 to 18 months.

The company plans to use the capital for its go-to-market strategy, validator network expansion, broader blockchain coverage, team growth and integrations with banks, payment companies, tokenisation platforms and other financial infrastructure providers.

Soda Labs is also working with financial and infrastructure organisations on several undisclosed pilots, with the aim of converting them into production deployments.

The company expects to publish updated performance benchmarks in the coming weeks. Soda said its latest testing on Arbitrum measured the complete transaction lifecycle on the live network, including encryption, MPC computation, consensus and settlement.

The company reported a five- to tenfold improvement over its previous benchmark, although the new results have not yet been publicly released. Soda also said its GC-MPC architecture can provide approximately 10 to 100 times greater throughput and 100 to 1,000 times lower transaction costs than currently available alternatives.

“Public blockchains already have the liquidity, users and financial applications. What they lack is a way for regulated money to move without showing everyone everything,” said Avishay Yanai, Co-Founder and CEO of Soda Labs.

Yanai said Bubble is designed to provide banks, payment companies and tokenisation platforms with privacy and controlled disclosure while using the blockchain networks they already rely on.

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Pi Network dips 1% as falling Open Interest leaves $0.0801 support at risk

Key takeaways

  • The token traded near $0.0823, recovering modestly from support at $0.0801.
  • Futures open interest fell to $8.94 million from $10.38 million, a decline of approximately 14%.
  • PI faces resistance at $0.0827 and $0.0902, while a break below $0.0801 could expose $0.0704.

Pi Network is trading lower on Thursday, offering a modest pause in its recent selloff as weakening derivatives activity and bearish momentum continued to cloud the recovery outlook.

PI traded around $0.0823, down by 1%, after seven consecutive bearish daily closes. The rebound followed a 7% decline the previous day and came as the token approached its July 31 low near $0.0801.

Despite the bounce, PI remained below key moving averages, leaving buyers with several technical barriers to overcome.

PI futures Open Interest falls approximately 14%

CoinAnk data showed Pi Network futures open interest declining to $8.94 million from $10.38 million the previous day.

The $1.44 million reduction represents a drop of approximately 14% in the notional value of outstanding positions.

Lower dollar-denominated open interest can reflect falling prices, closed positions, liquidations, or a combination of those factors. The figures alone do not establish how much of the decline came from traders exiting the market.

Nevertheless, the contraction suggests the rebound is occurring against a weaker derivatives backdrop rather than a clear expansion in speculative participation.

Santiment data showed PI’s social dominance at 0.13%, following a rise to 0.14% the previous day.

The readings indicate continued discussion about the token despite its recent losses.

However, social attention does not necessarily translate into purchases. Elevated conversation alongside falling open interest presents a mixed picture: PI remains visible to market participants, but that attention has yet to demonstrate a sustained improvement in demand.

Pi Network faces resistance near $0.0827

PI’s recovery began near $0.0801, but the token continued to trade below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.0827, measured between $0.1341 and $0.0704.

Reclaiming $0.0827 would be an initial step toward strengthening the rebound. A sustained move above it could bring the 50-day exponential moving average at $0.0902 into focus.

The 200-day EMA stands considerably higher at $0.1247. Trading beneath both averages keeps the broader technical structure bearish despite Thursday’s gain.

PI/USD Daily Chart

The daily Relative Strength Index hovered around 38, indicating weak momentum without reaching the conventional oversold threshold.

Meanwhile, the MACD line moved below its signal line in negative territory, reinforcing the bearish momentum reading.

Immediate structural support remains at $0.0801. A sustained break below that level would expose the Fibonacci anchor around $0.0704, where buyers could attempt to establish a firmer base.

For now, Thursday’s bounce remains tentative. Holding $0.0801 and reclaiming $0.0827 would improve the near-term setup, while continued weakness would increase the risk of another leg lower.

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XRP extends losses as negative funding and rising yields weigh on sentiment

Key takeaways 

  • XRP extended its corrections Thursday after three consecutive days of losses.
  • CoinGlass showed negative funding rates for XRP, while its long-to-short ratios offered mixed signals.
  • Reports of preparations for possible U.S. strikes against Iran introduced further uncertainty.

XRP remained under pressure Thursday as weaker derivatives signals and difficult macroeconomic conditions limited buying interest.

The asset extended its corrections following three consecutive losing sessions. XRP traded around $1.422, bringing its weekly decline to more than 6%.

Negative funding rates pointed to bearish pressure in perpetual futures, while elevated U.S. Treasury yields, dollar strength, and geopolitical concerns weighed on broader sentiment.

XRP derivatives show mixed positioning

CoinGlass’ XRP long-to-short ratio stood at 0.88 Thursday, indicating a slight tilt toward short positioning within the tracked dataset.

Funding rates were more consistently negative. After flipping below zero Wednesday, XRP’s rate stood at -0.0022% on Thursday.

Negative funding means shorts pay longs and can indicate stronger demand for bearish perpetual positions. However, neither funding rates nor positioning ratios guarantee the direction of the next price move.

The U.S. Dollar Index stabilized around 102.24 Thursday after reaching an intraday high of 102.53 Monday, its strongest level since early April 2025, according to the report.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield held near 5.30% after touching approximately 5.35% Monday, described as a fresh two-decade high.

Higher yields increase the appeal of interest-bearing investments and can make conditions less supportive for speculative assets such as XRP and XLM.

Minutes from the September 15–16 Federal Open Market Committee meeting showed unanimous support for raising the federal funds rate target range, according to the supplied account.

Most officials also expected another increase would likely be appropriate before year-end to address persistent inflation. That outlook reinforced the pressure from elevated yields and a firm dollar.

Iran strike reports add geopolitical uncertainty

The report also cited preparations for potential renewed U.S. military operations against Iran.

The Pentagon reportedly instructed U.S. Central Command to complete preparations while President Donald Trump considered the timing of possible strikes.

These reports describe potential action rather than confirming that an attack has occurred. Nevertheless, uncertainty surrounding an escalation could encourage defensive positioning, support demand for the dollar, and reduce appetite for cryptocurrencies.

XRP price outlook: $1.400 support faces a test

Despite its weekly decline, XRP remained above its key daily exponential moving averages.

The 50-day EMA near $1.400 provides immediate support, closely followed by the 200-day EMA at $1.389. Below that cluster, the 100-day EMA stands at $1.336.

Holding these levels would preserve part of XRP’s constructive technical structure. Momentum, however, remained weak: the RSI hovered near 45, while the MACD was below zero.

A sustained break beneath nearby moving-average support would bring $1.336 and horizontal support at $1.300 into focus. The report identifies $1.000 as a more distant downside reference.

On the upside, the analysis places notable resistance at $1.671. A sustained break above that barrier would bring $1.900 into view.

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Crypto.com adds pro-grade trading tools in new Insilico Terminal partnership

  • Crypto.com adds Insilico tools for spot and derivatives trading access.

  • Users get low-latency execution without subscription fees or custody.

  • Integration supports advanced orders, hotkeys and multi-exchange trading

Crypto.com Exchange has announced a strategic partnership with Insilico Terminal, giving users access to professional trading tools while continuing to trade spot and derivatives through Crypto.com.

The integration allows Crypto.com Exchange accounts to connect directly with Insilico’s trading platform, which is designed for active crypto traders seeking faster execution and more advanced order management.

Through the partnership, users can access Insilico’s execution tools without paying subscription fees, while keeping their funds on Crypto.com Exchange.

Advanced trading tools added for Crypto.com users

Crypto.com users will be able to use a range of professional execution features through Insilico Terminal.

These include Chase, Swarm, TWAP, Scale orders, Depth of Market, programmable hotkeys, automated sizing and one-click strategies.

The tools are intended to support more complex trading approaches across both spot and derivatives markets.

The integration also allows users to monitor and trade their Crypto.com accounts alongside accounts from other exchanges within a single customisable workspace.

Insilico said its platform is built for low-latency performance, with fast and reliable execution designed for volatile crypto markets.

The connection is API-only and includes support for two-factor authentication. Insilico does not take custody of user funds or store sensitive account data.

The terminal integration is also free for Crypto.com users, with no subscriptions or hidden fees charged by Insilico.

Users can therefore access advanced execution features, monitor multiple exchange accounts from one customisable workspace and trade directly on Crypto.com there without Insilico charging subscription fees or taking custody of their funds.

Partnership targets active and high-volume traders

The companies said the collaboration is aimed at serving a wide range of users, from high-volume futures traders to active spot traders, by providing access to institutional-grade trading tools.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the needs of our advanced trading community,” said Iskandar Vanblarcum, Managing Director of Crypto.com Exchange.

By integrating with Insilico Terminal, we are making it even easier for users to engage with our markets using professional-grade, low-latency execution tools at the speed and scale they require.

Crypto.com said the partnership strengthens the trading infrastructure available to its community by giving users direct access to Insilico’s tools while continuing to trade through the exchange.

The companies said the setup is designed to combine Crypto.com’s market access with Insilico’s execution technology, offering users a more advanced trading environment without changing where their funds are held.

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Bitcoin slips below $84,000 ahead of FOMC minutes

Key takeaways

  • Bitcoin briefly fell below $84,000 during Wednesday’s Asian session.
  • Rising oil prices added inflation concerns ahead of the FOMC minutes, keeping interest-rate expectations in focus.
  • BTC’s immediate support lies around 80,000–82,000, while a sustained break above $87,000 could put $100,000 in focus.

Bitcoin weakened Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes and assessed renewed inflation risks from rising oil prices.

Bitcoin slipped below $84,000 during Asian trading despite a return to inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. 

The moves highlight uncertainty over monetary policy. Although expectations for an October rate increase have eased, the analysis indicates that investors continue to anticipate a significant possibility of further tightening by December.

ETF inflows return, but Bitcoin struggles to advance

U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $118.8 million in net inflows on October 6, following $89.8 million in outflows on October 5, according to Farside figures cited in the report.

The reversal offered a supportive demand signal, but it did not prevent Bitcoin from falling below $84,000 the following morning.

The uneven flows suggest that investment demand has yet to provide consistent backing for a sustained advance. Continued inflows would strengthen the recovery case, particularly if accompanied by firmer spot buying.

The FOMC minutes could influence expectations for the Fed’s next policy steps. A stronger preference for additional rate increases could pressure both assets. Higher interest rates raise the appeal of interest-bearing investments and increase the opportunity cost of holding gold or Bitcoin.

A more patient policy tone could provide support, but rising energy prices complicate that outlook.

Oil advanced Wednesday as a storm approaching the Gulf of Mexico and attacks in the Middle East raised concerns about supply disruptions. If higher energy costs sustain inflation, expectations for further monetary tightening could strengthen.

Bitcoin price outlook: $80,000 support remains crucial

Bitcoin’s daily chart shows consolidation within an ascending broadening wedge, with immediate support around $80,000–$82,000.

Holding that zone would preserve the constructive near-term scenario outlined in the analysis. A sustained move above $87,000 could then put the $100,000 level in focus.

A break below $80,000 would weaken that setup and expose the 70,000–75,000 range. Further losses below $70,000 could bring support around $65,000 into view.

On the weekly chart, analysts identify a longer-term support zone between $50,000 and $60,000 and a potential cup formation within an ascending channel.

A future breakout above $100,000 could support an extension toward $150,000 under that bullish scenario. Those levels remain conditional technical projections rather than assured outcomes.

BTC/USD Daily Chart

Bitcoin’s renewed ETF inflows provide encouragement, but stronger and more persistent demand would be needed to absorb selling and sustain a breakout.

The immediate technical focus remains on defending $80,000–$82,000 and overcoming $87,000 resistance. 

Meanwhile, the FOMC minutes and energy-driven inflation concerns could influence both Bitcoin and gold through changes in rate expectations.

Failure to hold Bitcoin’s nearby support would instead increase the risk of a deeper correction.

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