Kategorie: Crypto Markets

• Hwanchigi remittances remain the largest driver of suspicious cases.
• Stablecoins, especially Tether, are used in cross-border laundering schemes.
• Lawmakers push for tighter monitoring and global cooperation.

South Korea has reported a dramatic rise in suspicious cryptocurrency transactions in 2025, signalling deepening concerns over money laundering and cross-border crime.

According to data from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), domestic exchanges filed 36,684 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) between January and August. This already surpasses the combined totals of the previous two years.

Authorities say much of the increase stems from illegal foreign remittance activities, known locally as “hwanchigi”, where digital assets are used to bypass capital controls and funnel money abroad.

The surge highlights how crypto crime has rapidly evolved into a systemic issue for regulators.

Suspicious transactions hit historic highs

The growth in flagged transactions has accelerated in recent years. In 2021, only 199 cases were reported. By 2022, this surged to nearly 18,000, followed by 16,076 in 2023.

The 2024 total doubled that figure, but the 2025 data for August has already set a new record.

The Korea Customs Service (KCS) referred ₩9.56 trillion ($7.1 billion) in crypto-linked crimes to prosecutors between 2021 and August 2025.

More than 90% of these cases were tied to hwanchigi-related laundering activities, where crypto is used as an intermediary to disguise and reroute funds.

Officials note that exchanges are filing STRs at unprecedented levels, showing both increased surveillance and higher levels of suspicious activity.

Stablecoins linked to global transfers

Regulators have increasingly flagged stablecoins as a key tool in illicit cross-border transactions. Stablecoins are designed to mirror fiat currencies and are often used for faster settlement. However, their role in foreign exchange crimes has become more visible.

In May 2025, customs officials exposed a case involving ₩57.1 billion ($42 million) moved between South Korea and Russia using Tether (USDT).

The investigation found two Russian nationals had completed more than 6,000 illegal transfers between 2023 and 2024. Such cases show how stablecoins can be exploited to sidestep financial restrictions, including sanctions and capital controls.

Experts highlighted this risk, pointing to the growing use of stablecoins in the real economy and their vulnerability to criminal misuse.

The South Korean parliament has urged agencies to scale up monitoring to prevent disguised remittances and to trace criminal funds more effectively.

Lawmakers demand stronger measures

South Korean lawmakers have pressed for tougher enforcement mechanisms, particularly against new types of foreign exchange crimes linked to crypto.

Calls have been made for the FIU and KCS to expand coordination, enhance transaction monitoring, and tighten compliance requirements for exchanges.

Authorities are also exploring ways to strengthen cooperation with international regulators. With hwanchigi cases often involving foreign intermediaries and platforms, officials stress the need for global partnerships to limit cross-border laundering.

Discussions focus on enhancing information sharing and creating stricter frameworks for reporting suspicious stablecoin transactions.

A global regulatory challenge

The scale of South Korea’s STR filings mirrors similar concerns elsewhere. The European Union has introduced its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which sets limits on stablecoin transaction volumes and mandates compliance checks to prevent financial crime.

Meanwhile, central banks in the UK and Europe have considered introducing transaction caps on digital currencies to reduce illicit flows.

South Korea’s data underscores how regulators worldwide are grappling with the same issue: how to balance innovation in digital payments with financial integrity.

With crypto adoption rising, the challenge for policymakers remains preventing misuse without stifling legitimate use of the technology.

The post South Korea sees record surge in suspicious crypto transactions in 2025 appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Avantis (AVNT) rebounds from $2.16 dip as buyers regain control above support.
• Recent exchange listings and airdrops fueled volatility and profit-taking.
• Holding $2.40 may open the path to $2.55–$2.68 for Avantis.

Avantis (AVNT) has staged a notable rebound after a brief sell-off that followed a rapid climb from its early-September lows to a new all-time high (ATH) in hours.

However, prices remain volatile, although signs of renewed buying pressure are emerging as investors and traders reposition.

A quick rebound after the dip

AVNT experienced a sharp downturn after intense profit-taking, with prices slipping to around $2.16.

The decline came only days after the token touched its all-time high of $2.64, marking a steep but short-lived correction.

Within hours, however, buyers returned to the market and lifted the token back above $2.18, where it found immediate support.

The quick recovery is notable because it suggests that demand for the token has not faded even after such an aggressive rally.

At the time of writing, AVNT was trading at $2.21, supported by a market capitalisation of over $570 million and a 24-hour trading volume of more than $6.8 billion.

Such elevated turnover highlights just how actively the token is being traded, and reinforces the view that Avantis has become one of the busiest names on both centralised and decentralised platforms.

The market structure is setting up for a retest of higher resistance levels, with short-term targets now sitting at $2.55 and $2.68.

If bulls can push through these zones, the rally could regain momentum.

Conversely, $2.10 remains the key support, and holding that floor is vital for keeping bullish momentum intact.

Listings and airdrops stoke volatility

Exchange listings have been a critical catalyst for Avantis over the past two weeks.

The multiple listings, including the Binance listing on September 15, triggered a wave of excitement, sending the token surging by 67% in a single day.

The listings were accompanied by extraordinary activity, with more than half a million trades executed in the first hour of listing. Daily trading volume spiked nearly 95% to over $7 billion, confirming that speculative flows had entered in force.

Yet this level of excitement often invites a “buy the rumour, sell the news” effect.

Shortly after the initial pump, traders began taking profits, and the price gave back a portion of its gains.

Compounding this, Binance also distributed 10 million AVNT tokens through its HODLer airdrop on September 16, increasing the circulating supply.

Airdrops frequently create short-term selling pressure as recipients lock in quick profits, and this event was no exception.

Other exchanges, including MEXC, also completed promotional airdrop campaigns in mid-September, adding more liquidity to the market and amplifying volatility.

This mix of heightened visibility from listings and sudden supply from airdrops created an unstable near-term trading environment.

While such dynamics can unsettle investors, they are also a natural feature of early-stage markets where growth and speculation collide.

AVNT price analysis shows overbought choppiness

On the technical front, Avantis had been flashing warning signs even before the correction.

Its seven-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) recently climbed to 92, an extremely overbought reading that usually signals exhaustion in momentum-driven rallies.

Historically, readings above 70 suggest a market ripe for a pause or a pullback. That AVNT climbed above 90 underscored just how stretched the market had become after its rapid ascent from under $0.20 on September 9.

And sure to the RSI’s oversold hint, the token had to let off some pressure by pulling back.

But despite this, AVNT continues to trade above its seven-day simple moving average of $1.34, which indicates that the broader uptrend is still intact.

Traders are now focused on whether the token can maintain higher lows and consolidate before attempting another breakout.

The $2.09 pivot level is especially significant. A decisive break below that threshold could unleash further selling pressure, while stability above it would reassure buyers and strengthen the case for another push higher.

Traders should also monitor the RSI to see if it cools toward more sustainable levels below 70.

Such a move would indicate that the token has shaken off the froth of its parabolic run and could be ready for steadier, healthier growth in the sessions ahead.

The post Avantis price forecast: bullish momentum builds after recent sell-offs dip appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Ethena price hovered near $0.70 amid overall crypto market wobbles on Friday.
• Mega Matrix announced it acquired $6 million of ENA for its treasury strategy.
• Analysts see scope for ENA to approach the $1 mark in the coming weeks as bulls regain control.

Digital asset treasury moves have been the talk of Wall Street for a while now, and the latest cryptocurrency to attract notable investment is Ethena (ENA).

On Friday, Singapore-based short-video streaming operator Mega Matrix announced its institutional foray into the DAT ecosystem with a $6 million scoop of ENA tokens.

While the news came amid an overall crypto downturn, ENA price remained near a key level of $0.70.

Mega Matrix buys $6 million ENA for treasury

Mega Matrix announced in a press release that it has completed a $6 million purchase of ENA tokens.

The company said the move reflects its commitment to a diversified treasury approach focused on stablecoin governance assets, with the Ethena token positioned as a central element of its “DAT Strategy.”

“Following our launch of MPU’s Stablecoin Governance Token Treasury Reserve (DAT) strategy, we have further expanded our holdings of $ENA and will continue executing weekly accumulations based on market conditions, strengthening our commitment to building the premier treasury reserve for stablecoin governance tokens,” Mega Matrix management said in a statement.

According to the announcement, the purchase was executed over several weeks through open-market transactions on major exchanges, allowing Mega Matrix to build its position without disrupting market dynamics.

Mega Matrix said it has acquired a total of 8.46 million ENA tokens at an average purchase price of $0.7165 per token.

The company noted that holding ENA provides potential governance influence along with exposure to staking rewards and protocol fees, aligning with the broader objectives of its DAT strategy to optimise treasury yields in digital asset markets.

ENA price forecast: Why else is Ethena bullish?

With a market capitalization of $4.6 billion, Ethena now ranks among the top 50 cryptocurrencies.

Backed by endorsements from established entities, the token is drawing attention similar to other leading altcoins such as BNB, XRP and Solana — a trend that could support further adoption of Ethena and similar projects.

Other than the crypto treasury bets spree, Ethena’s bullish outlook stems from several interlocking factors, including a leading role in the stablecoin market.

Ethena’s USDe stablecoin has surged to more than $14 billion in circulating supply, underscoring strong demand from investors seeking dollar-denominated returns via DeFi strategies such as delta-hedging and staking.

Broader market dynamics, including improving regulatory clarity and ETF approvals, are also contributing to the bullish outlook.

At the same time, Ethena’s open-market ENA buybacks and whale accumulations are reinforcing sentiment.

With momentum building, analysts see scope for ENA to approach the $1 mark in the coming weeks as bulls regain control.

The post Ethena looks to gain as Mega Matrix scoops $6m ENA for treasury strategy appeared first on CoinJournal.

• New US ETFs for Dogecoin and XRP debut with $54.7M trading volume.

• XRP ETF leads with $37.7M, biggest day-one of any 2025 ETF launch.

• Dogecoin ETF hits $17M, far above initial forecasts of $2.5M.

The first US-listed exchange-traded funds tied to Dogecoin and XRP debuted Thursday with far heavier demand than expected, posting a combined $54.7 million in trading volume.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted that most new ETFs average about $1 million in first-day activity.

“No slouch,” he wrote on X, calling the funds’ debut “a good sign for the onslaught” of pending crypto ETFs awaiting regulatory approval.

Issuers have submitted multiple applications for crypto ETFs, including those linked to speculative altcoins and products incorporating mechanisms such as staking.

XRP ETF posts record opening

The REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR) saw $37.7 million in volume, according to Cboe data, marking the biggest first day for any ETF launch in 2025.

Within its first 90 minutes of trading, XRPR had already taken in $24 million.

$XRPR traded $37.7m on Day One, which edges out $IVES for the biggest day one (natural) $ volume of any 2025 launch. $DOJE is no slouch at $17m, which would be Top 5 for year.. out of 710 launches. Good sign for the onslaught of 33 Act ETFs coming soon.. pic.twitter.com/JaQP9ekFIq

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) September 18, 2025

“That is way more than I would have thought,” Balchunas said, noting it was five times higher than the debut volume of XRP futures ETFs.

Dogecoin ETF beats forecasts

The REX-Osprey DOGE ETF (DOJE) also surprised, finishing the session with $17 million in trades.

Balchunas had initially expected only $2.5 million in volume, a level he said would have been “respectable but nothing too special.”

Instead, DOJE’s performance put it among the top five ETF debuts of more than 700 launches this year.

Regulatory structure and outlook

Both funds were launched under the Investment Company Act of 1940, rather than the Securities Act of 1933, used by last year’s Bitcoin and Ether ETFs.

The “40 Act” framework allows for faster approval — 75 days compared to 240 — but imposes restrictions on holdings.

XRPR and DOJE do not directly own crypto.

Instead, they invest in a Cayman Islands subsidiary that holds digital assets, along with stakes in European and Canadian exchange-traded products that track the coins’ prices.

The strong start comes as issuers await approval for dozens of other crypto ETFs, including altcoin-focused products and funds tied to staking.

The Securities and Exchange Commission this week approved new ETF listing standards that could accelerate the pipeline.

The post Dogecoin and XRP ETFs draw massive volume on first day of trading appeared first on CoinJournal.

• XRP price jumped amid the REX-Osprey ETF launch before falling slightly.
• Analysts have noted the impressive $37.7 million volume as a potential signal for more gains.
• If the upside momentum holds, XRP could eye the $5 to $10 range next.

The cryptocurrency market witnessed a significant milestone on September 18, 2025, as the REX-Osprey XRPR ETF, the first US-listed spot ETF for XRP, debuted with an impressive $37.7 million in trading volume.

This development has sparked renewed interest among investors and analysts, raising questions about the future trajectory of XRP’s price amid growing institutional adoption.

XRP price rose slightly amid the launch, jumping to highs of $3.13 before paring gains to around $3.02.

REX-Osprey XRP ETF hits $37.7 million in volume

The launch of the REX-Osprey XRPR ETF marked a historic moment for the cryptocurrency sector, offering investors regulated exposure to XRP through a traditional exchange-traded fund structure.

According to data shared by Eric Balchunas, a prominent ETF analyst, the XRPR ETF recorded a staggering $37.7 million in turnover on its first day of trading.

It’s a mark that surpasses the debut performance of the $IVES ETF and sets a new benchmark for 2025 ETF launches.

$XRPR traded $37.7m on Day One, which edges out $IVES for the biggest day one (natural) $ volume of any 2025 launch. $DOJE is no slouch at $17m, which would be Top 5 for year.. out of 710 launches. Good sign for the onslaught of 33 Act ETFs coming soon.. pic.twitter.com/JaQP9ekFIq

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) September 18, 2025

Balchunas’ shared data reflects a volume of 1,462,622 shares traded at a last price of $25.728.

The strong initial performance outpaced the $17 million debut of the REX-Osprey DOJE ETF for Dogecoin, signalling robust demand for XRP exposure within the regulated investment landscape.

Balchunas noted that this success bodes well for the anticipated wave of 33 Act ETFs, suggesting a potential shift toward mainstream acceptance of altcoin-based financial products.

Ripple price prediction: is XRP about to explode?

The impressive debut of the XRPR ETF has fueled optimistic sentiments across the XRP community, with many speculating that this could be a catalyst for a significant price surge.

Analysts and enthusiasts have pointed to the ETF’s $37.7 million volume as evidence of growing institutional interest, which could drive substantial inflows in the coming months.

Some predict that if XRP sustains its current support levels around $3.00, the price could climb toward $5 or higher.

In particular, ETF-related buying pressure could intensify when the SEC gives a nod to the many “Act 33” filings before it.

From a technical perspective, the Ripple token’s price hovers within a key support zone between $2.75 and $3.12.

A breakout from a descending channel means XRP keeps its bullish outlook, with the RSI and MACD on the daily chart offering an upper hand to bulls.

If the upside momentum holds, XRP could eye the $5 to $10 range next.

ETF momentum and Ripple’s expansion in global payment networks, including with RLUSD, will be key.

Regulatory developments and macroeconomic conditions, such as if the Fed cut interest rates further in 2025, will buoy bulls.

The post XRP price outlook as REX-Osprey XRPR ETF notches $37.7m in day one volume appeared first on CoinJournal.