Kategorie: Ethereum News

Ethereum news about the ETH blockchain and its crypto ecosystem.

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Bitcoin’s institutional surge widens trillion-dollar gap with altcoins

  • A trillion-dollar valuation gap now separates Bitcoin from other tokens.
  • Altcoin market capitalisation could be $800 billion higher, data shows.
  • A US-China trade selloff erased $380 billion from crypto markets.

Bitcoin’s growing dominance in institutional portfolios has created a near-trillion-dollar gap between the world’s largest cryptocurrency and its altcoin peers, according to new data shared by 10x Research.

The report attributes this widening divide to a structural shift in investor behaviour, particularly among retail traders in South Korea, who have redirected funds from altcoins to crypto-linked equities and exchange-listed vehicles that hold tokens.

Retail shift weakens altcoin liquidity

10x Research found that altcoin market capitalisation could be about $800 billion higher if retail investors—especially in South Korea—had not channelled their funds into crypto-related stocks and other equity markets.

Altcoins, which typically rely on retail liquidity to sustain upward momentum, have failed to attract enough new capital in this cycle.

Historically, South Korean traders have been a major force behind the altcoin boom.

Local exchanges have seen altcoins account for more than 80% of total trading activity, a stark contrast to global platforms where Bitcoin and Ether dominate 50% or more of daily volume.

But that pattern has shifted sharply this year, leading to a liquidity shortfall for smaller digital assets.

South Korea’s trading activity declines

From 5 November through 28 November 2024, the daily average trading volume on South Korean crypto exchanges stood at $9.4 billion, surpassing the $7 billion traded on the Kospi stock market during the same period, according to data from CCData and the Korea Exchange.

However, since then, 10x Research noted a steep decline in crypto activity, suggesting that retail participation has cooled significantly.

The report highlights that South Korea’s declining appetite for riskier altcoins has been instrumental in their recent underperformance.

Retail investors who once drove speculative rallies in coins such as XRP, Cardano, and Solana have turned instead to listed blockchain firms and exchange-traded vehicles offering indirect crypto exposure.

This shift has contributed to the overall weakness in altcoin prices.

Market losses deepen amid trade tensions

A recent selloff in the broader cryptocurrency market, triggered by escalating US-China trade tensions, exacerbated the situation.

The correction wiped out about $380 billion from total market value, with roughly $131 billion concentrated in altcoins, according to 10x Research’s data.

While Bitcoin and altcoins both suffered declines, smaller coins bore the brunt as investors sought safety in the more established and liquid assets.

Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge within the crypto ecosystem has strengthened, reinforcing its dominance during market stress.

The selloff underscores a changing market structure where altcoins are increasingly viewed as speculative instruments, while Bitcoin’s perceived institutional legitimacy provides it with greater resilience during downturns.

As capital concentrates around Bitcoin and select equities, the broader altcoin market faces challenges in regaining lost momentum.

The post Bitcoin’s institutional surge widens trillion-dollar gap with altcoins appeared first on CoinJournal.

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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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Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin applauds Polygon for pioneering ZK technology

  • He has praised Polygon and founder Nailwal for their contribution to Ethereum’s scalability.
  • Buterin highlighted Polygon’s early leadership in zero-knowledge technology.
  • Nailwal has participated in various humanitarian acts, including funding Balvi’s pandemic research.

The cryptocurrency market remains weak as Bitcoin’s fundamentals continue to weaken.

Amid the uncertainty, Vitalik Buterin has taken it to X to publicly praise Polygon and its founder, Sandeep Nailwal, for their remarkable contributions to scaling Ethereum.

Buterin commented on Polygon’s technical breakthroughs, especially its early investment in zero-knowledge EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) development.

He further respected Nailwal’s humanitarian efforts that merged health initiatives with blockchain development.

I really appreciate both Sandeep Nailwal’s personal contributions and Polygon’s immensely valuable role in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Polygon’s influence on Ethereum’s growth

Buterin’s post emphasized Polygon as a cornerstone of Ethereum’s scalability, crediting the blockchain for hosting innovative applications.

For instance, Polymarket has seen remarkable traction as a non-monetary blockchain offering real-world value.

Moreover, Polygon has hosted multiple high-throughput.

It has also prioritized ZK-EVM development and research.

Vitalik applauded the project’s early collaboration with Jording Bayliba’s team, who helped the Ethereum ZK ecosystem thrive during its experimental phase.

Polygon put a lot of resources into ZK-EVM proving early on, both by bringing in Jordi Baylina’s team and through other efforts, and greatly helped in moving the space forward.

The Ethereum co-founder also praised Polygon for creating AggLayer, which aids proof aggregation.

Buterin believes these efforts reflect Polygon’s dedication to building innovative tools that strengthen the Ethereum ecosystem.

Nailwal’s humanitarian efforts

Besides Polygon’s technical success, Buterin also spotlighted Sandeep Nailwal’s humanitarian drive and personal integrity.

For instance, his CryptoRelief initiative donated crypto assets to support India’s biomedical infrastructure.

In a gesture that demonstrated Nailwal’s integrity, the Polygon co-founder refunded SHIB tokens worth $190 million that Buterin had sent to the relief fund.

Buterin later channeled these funds to launch Balvi, an anti-pandemic project focused on indoor air safety and refining global health.

He voluntarily returned $190M of the proceeds from the SHIB token that I donated, which made the whole Balvi open-source anti-airborne-disease biotech program possible and possibly accelerated our understanding of important anti-pandemic topics like clean indoor air by years.

ZK technology and what’s next

Besides his appreciation, Buterin reflected on Polygon’s current advancement crossroads.

While the POL ecosystem pioneered ZK tech, the landscape has matured.

For instance, ZK-centric teams like Risc Zero, Brevis, and Succinct Labs now work independently from L2 networks.

Buterin trusts that such separations boost specialization as each team showcases its full capabilities.

Furthermore, Buterin urged Polygon to adopt “off-the-shelf ZK tech for enhanced security within its proof-of-security chain to align with Ethereum’s vision for L2 scalability.

Indeed, ZK has adopted a user-friendly approach, with each transaction costing $0.0001 to prove.

Altcoins Ethereum and Polygon’s POL underperformed today as selling activities dominate the broader cryptocurrency landscape, losing up to 5% of their value in the past day.

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Cosmos Health expands Ethereum holdings to $1.8M under $300M digital assets facility

  • Cosmos Health boosts Ethereum investment to $1.8M under $300M digital asset plan.
  • CEO Greg Siokas says firm remains committed to accelerating crypto acquisitions.
  • Stock up 200% in six months as Cosmos expands in healthcare and digital finance.

Cosmos Health Inc. (NASDAQ: COSM) has strengthened its position in digital assets with a fresh $300,000 purchase of Ethereum (ETH), bringing the healthcare group’s total investment in the cryptocurrency to $1.8 million.

The move, announced Monday, forms part of the company’s broader $300 million digital assets facility aimed at portfolio diversification and long-term growth.

The Chicago-based company, which operates across pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, and telehealth, has been increasingly active in the digital asset space over recent months.

Cosmos Health’s stock has surged nearly 200% over the past six months.

Strategic expansion through digital assets

Cosmos Health’s latest Ethereum acquisition underscores its commitment to integrating digital assets into its broader financial strategy.

“We have continued to increase our Ethereum holdings following last week’s purchase, bringing our total investment in ETH to $1.8 million,” said Chief Executive Officer Greg Siokas.

“We remain committed to accelerating our acquisition program under our $300 million financing facility,” he added, highlighting the company’s intention to expand its exposure to blockchain-based assets.

The purchase follows a series of previous cryptocurrency investments made under the same program, which was first announced earlier this year.

The initiative reflects Cosmos Health’s diversification approach — balancing its core healthcare operations with emerging opportunities in digital finance and technology.

Founded in 2009 and incorporated in Nevada, Cosmos Health operates across several key healthcare sectors, including nutraceuticals, branded pharmaceuticals, and healthcare distribution.

Its operations span Greece and the UK, with major distribution centers located in Thessaloniki, Athens, and Harlow.

Broader strategic developments

Beyond digital assets, Cosmos Health has been actively pursuing corporate and operational initiatives to expand its global footprint.

The company recently announced the appointment of Theodoros C. Karkantzos to its board of directors.

Karkantzos brings over 15 years of experience in investment and business development and will serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Additionally, Cosmos Health expanded its Sky Premium Life brand into Kuwait through an exclusive distribution agreement with Diyar United.

Under the deal, Diyar United will market and distribute the company’s nutraceutical products across the Kuwaiti market, further strengthening Cosmos Health’s international presence.

At its most recent annual shareholder meeting, the company also secured approval to increase its authorized shares to 1.5 billion common shares and 300 million preferred shares, a move intended to provide greater financial flexibility.

A diversified path forward

Cosmos Health’s growing engagement with digital assets — particularly Ethereum — highlights a trend of traditional companies exploring blockchain integration and crypto investments as part of their financial diversification strategies.

While the company’s core focus remains in healthcare and wellness, its foray into digital assets and partnerships suggests a forward-looking approach toward technology-driven financial management.

With its Ethereum investment now totaling $1.8 million and a $300 million facility available for further expansion, Cosmos Health appears positioned to continue balancing innovation in both healthcare and financial markets as it seeks sustainable long-term growth.

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Crypto Black Friday explained: How $19.5 billion vanished in hours

  • Bitcoin plunged 8.4% as liquidity collapsed across exchanges.
  • Oracle glitches triggered cross-liquidations and temporary de-pegs.
  • The crash exposed major vulnerabilities in crypto infrastructure.

On 10–11 October 2025, the cryptocurrency market experienced one of its sharpest collapses in years — an event the community has dubbed Crypto Black Friday.

In just a few hours, more than $19.5 billion in leveraged positions were wiped out, sending Bitcoin down by 8.4% and shaking investor confidence worldwide.

What began as a reaction to the US’s 100% tariff announcement on Chinese goods quickly revealed much deeper cracks in the system — showing how automated trading, thin liquidity, and structural weaknesses combined to trigger a chain reaction across exchanges.

What triggered the sell-off?

The first signs of the crash appeared after President Trump confirmed steep new tariffs on Chinese imports, fuelling fears of higher inflation and tighter Federal Reserve policy.

Traders rushed to unwind risky positions, leading to rapid liquidations in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Wrapped Beacon ETH (WBETH), and Binance-Smart-based Solana (BNSOL).

But geopolitical panic alone doesn’t explain how billions disappeared so quickly. Analysts say technical and structural factors amplified the event.

Liquidity across exchanges was unusually low, and some Binance users reported frozen accounts during the sell-off.

High-leverage looped loans and a temporary de-pegging of the USDE stablecoin made matters worse, creating a cascade of forced sales. Binance later confirmed system issues and offered compensation to affected users.

How technical flaws magnified the collapse

According to a BeinCrypto report, during the sell-off, CoinGlass — a popular analytics site — faced a sophisticated proxy attack that briefly disabled access to its data and services.

This interruption added to market confusion just as traders were scrambling for real-time information.

At the same time, a series of unusually large transactions occurred moments before several oracle updates.

These oracles — the systems that feed real-world prices into blockchain smart contracts — briefly mispriced certain assets, triggering automatic liquidations across multiple trading pairs.

The mispricing also caused some stablecoins to lose their peg temporarily, creating brief windows where arbitrage bots and high-frequency traders could profit.

Within minutes, millions of dollars moved between exchanges as automated systems responded to the volatility, deepening the market crash.

Was it a coordinated attack?

Not everyone believes this was an organic crash. Some analysts argue that the patterns of trades and timing of oracle updates suggest deliberate manipulation.

Data showed that the most extreme de-pegs affected pairs with known update schedules, while large-scale short positions were placed just before liquidation cascades began.

This has led to speculation that certain market actors may have exploited the structure of the crypto market itself — using automated systems and leverage mechanisms to engineer volatility.

The idea is that, rather than hacking wallets or stealing funds, attackers could manipulate the market by exploiting predictable behaviours in oracles, exchanges, and algorithms.

Still, other experts maintain that this was simply an overleveraged market reacting to stress.

When traders take on too much debt and sentiment shifts suddenly, cascading liquidations can happen without any external interference.

The synchronised nature of the event across multiple exchanges, however, continues to fuel debate.

What the crash revealed about crypto markets

Crypto Black Friday has exposed how fragile the digital asset ecosystem remains despite its growing size.

With $19.5 billion wiped out in hours, the event showed how quickly risk can spread when systems rely heavily on leverage, automated trading, and opaque liquidity pools.

Exchanges such as Binance have since launched internal audits and pledged to improve transparency, but experts warn that these are short-term fixes.

The real challenge lies in redesigning core systems — including how leverage is managed, how oracles feed data, and how liquidity is distributed across markets.

The incident has renewed calls for better on-chain oversight and global standards for crypto risk management.

For a trillion-dollar market to mature, analysts say it must balance innovation with stronger safeguards against both systemic shocks and sophisticated manipulation.

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