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Crypto update: Bitcoin and Ethereum are stable as market’s focus shifts to US inflation data

  • Crypto markets have entered a holding pattern, with Bitcoin near $108,164.
  • Traders are awaiting a key US inflation (CPI) report due out on Friday.
  • Hopes are rising for a de-escalation in the US-China trade war.

Cryptocurrency markets have entered a midweek holding pattern, with prices for Bitcoin and other major digital assets remaining relatively flat as traders brace for a pivotal US inflation report and look for signs of a de-escalation in the US-China trade dispute.

Bitcoin is trading around $108,164, up slightly from Monday but still down 2% for the week. Ether is changing hands near $3,815.

The stabilization reflects what the analytics firm QCP Capital has described as a “narrow-range equilibrium,” a period of calm before a potential storm.

A singular focus on the US inflation report

The market’s primary focus is now firmly on Friday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the only major US economic data release not delayed by the ongoing government shutdown.

In a recent note, QCP said the CPI is the “singular anchor” for policy expectations and broader risk sentiment.

A softer-than-expected reading, the firm noted, could “re-anchor the soft-landing trade” and provide support for Bitcoin as expectations for looser monetary policy improve.

Hopes are rising for a US-China détente

Adding to the market’s complex picture are the shifting dynamics of the US-China trade war.

Sentiment has improved after a weekend of whiplash, in which President Trump first threatened a massive new wave of tariffs only to later soften his stance, stating that “the USA wants to help China, not hurt it.” 

This has led prediction markets to re-evaluate the risks. Traders on Polymarket now assign a 77% probability that a tariff agreement will be reached by November 10, while the odds of Trump’s threatened 100% tariffs taking effect have fallen to just 16 percent.

A cleaner slate after a brutal liquidation flush

This fragile calm comes just days after a brutal market-wide sell-off that saw nearly $20 billion in leveraged positions liquidated.

That massive flush has reset the market, creating a cleaner slate for macro traders as they head into the crucial CPI event.

The key question now is whether the “soft landing” narrative will be confirmed by Friday’s inflation data, or if the volatility that has defined the market in recent weeks will be reignited.

What to watch in the markets

For Bitcoin, analysts at Standard Chartered have noted that while sellers are limiting any immediate breakout potential, a dip below $100,000 could represent a “last chance to buy” before the next major leg higher.

For Ethereum, the picture is more divided.

A recent $650 million transfer by the Ethereum Foundation triggered a wave of profit-taking and liquidations, leaving analysts split between a potential breakout toward $5,000 and a possible slide toward $2,850 if the key support level at $3,470 fails to hold.

The post Crypto update: Bitcoin and Ethereum are stable as market’s focus shifts to US inflation data appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Mantle (MNT) kicks off 5-month global hackathon with $150K in rewards

  • The event is open to everyone, from startup teams to solo creators.
  • The hackathon runs until February 7, 2026.
  • Winning participants will enjoy a $150,000 prize pool.

Blockchain network Mantle has officially opened its first-ever global hackathon, inviting creators and developers to build innovative blockchain solutions in a five-month online competition.

The event has started today, October 22, and will run until February 7 next year, and offers up to $150,000 in incentives to winning projects.

The hackathon is open to all enthusiasts globally, with renowned developer ecosystems HackQuest and OpenBuild offering tools, exposure to new projects, and mentorship.

The event offers builders an opportunity to create practical innovations, and not hype-driven trends.

Building to solve real-world problems

Mantle has highlighted what it expects from participants of its hackathon: relevant products that tackle real user issues.

Meanwhile, the evaluation procedure will prioritize five primary pillars, including scalability, product design, technical execution, Mante integration, and market potential.

The Mantle team emphasized that successful entries should focus on market utility and not flashy demos.

Indeed, this hackathon is a platform for serious builders and not short-term speculators. They said:

Build what lasts, not just what trends. Focus on execution, usability, and real-world relevance. Most importantly, solve what users need.

Meanwhile, participants have adequate time to design and shape their innovative projects.

Registration and building start this month, with the winner announcement scheduled for February.

Creators have the time to plan, test, and polish ideas before presenting their projects to the broader cryptocurrency community and judges.

For context, the hackathon boasts a diverse judging panel comprising renowned figures in the blockchain world.

The comprehensive list includes 0x Todd, Trustless State, Notaciccap, and multiple others with experience spanning venture capital, DeFi innovation, and product development.

The massive judging team adds credibility to the event.

Moreover, their experience signals high expectations as the panel boasts expertise in evaluating projects with real-world impact and creative innovations.

Mantle and Bybit prioritize real-world solutions

The five-month hackathon coincides with Mantle’s current alliance with centralized exchange Bybit, aimed at merging liquidity providers, real-world assets, and developers.

The duo seeks to democratize the trillion-dollar industry of on-chain finance.

The initiative reflects Mantle’s mission to expand beyond a blockchain network and create an international developer community to accelerate financial innovation.

MNT price outlook

Mantle’s native token mirrored broader sentiments today.

MNT lost nearly 10% of its value over the past 24 hours to $1.64.

The faded daily trading volumes indicate trader disinterest in the tokens, as bears rattle the cryptocurrency landscape.

The value of all digital tokens plunged by 5% the past 24 hours to $3.65 trillion due to factors like tariff tensions.

Nevertheless, analysts remain confident, predicting massive rebounds in Q4 and into 2026.

Meanwhile, the ongoing hackathon could boost MNT’s utility and volumes in the coming times, which could catalyze stable price performances.

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Crypto firm Xeltox fined record C$177M by Canadian AML regulator

  • Xeltox/Cryptomus fined C$177M for failing to report 1,000+ suspicious crypto transactions.
  • Violations involved child abuse, fraud, ransomware, and sanctions-related transactions.
  • Firm previously faced BC Securities Commission action over unrecognized exchange operations.

Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (Fintrac) has imposed the largest penalty on record against Xeltox Enterprises Ltd., operating as Cryptomus, after the firm allegedly failed to comply with anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations.

The Vancouver-based cryptocurrency services provider was fined C$177 million ($126 million) for multiple violations involving suspicious transactions, according to a statement released Wednesday.

Widespread reporting failures

Fintrac’s investigation determined that Cryptomus failed to report thousands of transactions in a single month, raising serious compliance concerns.

The agency noted that the company neglected to submit reports on more than 1,000 transactions in July 2024 that raised reasonable suspicion of connections to money laundering, including proceeds linked to child sexual abuse material, fraud, ransomware payments, and sanctions evasion.

Additionally, the regulator found that Cryptomus failed to report over 1,500 transactions in which clients transferred virtual currency of C$10,000 or more in a single transaction during the same period.

These reporting lapses triggered Fintrac to take what it described as “unprecedented enforcement action,” reflecting the severity of the potential financial crime risks involved.

Fintrac CEO Sarah Paquet emphasized that the scale and nature of the violations compelled the agency to act decisively, citing the firm’s repeated failures to meet AML obligations.

Prior regulatory scrutiny on Cryptomus

Cryptomus, formerly known as Certa Payments Ltd., provides a range of cryptocurrency services including trading, payments, wallets, and a peer-to-peer exchange.

The firm has previously drawn regulatory attention in Canada.

In May, the BC Securities Commission accused Cryptomus of potentially operating as an unrecognized exchange.

The provincial regulator issued a temporary order suspending the firm from trading securities or derivatives until June, underscoring ongoing concerns about its compliance with financial regulations.

Cryptomus’s operations in Canada and its previous enforcement history highlight the challenges regulators face in overseeing cryptocurrency platforms, particularly when transactions may intersect with illicit activity.

The latest fine represents a major escalation in enforcement, signaling the Canadian authorities’ intent to hold crypto firms accountable for strict adherence to AML rules.

Implications for the cryptocurrency sector

The record-setting penalty against Xeltox and Cryptomus sends a clear signal to cryptocurrency businesses operating in Canada: compliance with anti-money-laundering regulations is mandatory, and failures carry substantial financial and operational risks.

The firm’s alleged lapses illustrate the risks posed by platforms that handle high volumes of unmonitored digital transactions.

Fintrac’s decision underscores that cryptocurrency platforms must treat regulatory compliance as a central operational priority, not an afterthought, to avoid similar penalties in the future.

The C$177 million fine represents the largest enforcement action in Fintrac’s history and sets a new benchmark for regulatory consequences in Canada’s growing digital asset industry.

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