CoinShares expands US push with Bastion acquisition and planned listing

  • CoinShares to buy Bastion Asset Management, expanding US crypto investment products.
  • Deal boosts CoinShares’ push into active crypto ETFs amid rising institutional demand.
  • Firm targets $1.2B US listing as SEC streamlines approval process for crypto ETFs.

European digital asset manager CoinShares is moving deeper into the US market with a new strategic acquisition and plans for a public listing.

The firm announced Wednesday that it will acquire London-based Bastion Asset Management, marking a significant step in its effort to broaden crypto investment products in the United States.

The acquisition, which remains subject to approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), will see Bastion’s trading capabilities, systematic strategies, and team fully integrated into the CoinShares platform.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A CoinShares spokesperson described the move as a way to combine Bastion’s expertise with the company’s US registration to develop more sophisticated investment products.

“By combining Bastion’s systematic trading expertise with our 1940 Act registration, we can develop actively managed products for the US market that go beyond simple directional exposure to cryptocurrencies,” the spokesperson said.

Active ETFs gain ground

CoinShares is positioning itself to take advantage of a growing shift in investor appetite toward actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Unlike passive ETFs, which track an index or asset, active ETFs rely on managers to select investments and aim to outperform the market.

“Most crypto asset managers in the US focus exclusively on passive products that simply track cryptocurrency prices,” the CoinShares spokesperson said in a Cointelegraph report, noting a growing institutional demand for more complex solutions.

The company holds registered investment adviser status under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, which allows it to offer actively managed investment products, including ETFs.

However, these require advanced quantitative and systematic trading expertise—capabilities CoinShares expects to gain from Bastion.

Bastion’s team brings more than 17 years of experience in systematic, alpha-generating strategies developed at major hedge funds including BlueCrest Capital, Systematica Investments, Rokos Capital, and GAM Systematic.

Their approach, which uses academically supported signals to generate returns independent of market direction, aligns with CoinShares’ aim to provide differentiated strategies.

The timing coincides with a broader rise in active crypto ETFs.

While passive products such as spot Bitcoin and Ether funds have historically dominated the market, the number of active ETFs overtook index-tracking funds in July.

Industry data show active funds more than doubled over the past five years, signaling a structural shift in investor preferences.

Building a US presence

CoinShares’ acquisition comes alongside its plan for a US public listing through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), valuing the firm at $1.2 billion pre-money.

A US exchange listing is expected to deepen access to capital markets and increase visibility among American institutional investors.

“The US remains the world’s deepest capital market for digital assets, and we’re building the infrastructure, team, and product suite to become a leading institutional player in that market,” CoinShares said.

The announcement follows recent regulatory developments in the US.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved rule changes allowing securities exchanges to adopt generic listing standards for new crypto funds.

The change is expected to streamline the process for ETF approvals, cutting the timeline from as long as 240 days to a maximum of 75 days.

With Bastion’s quantitative trading team onboard and the US listing on the horizon, CoinShares is preparing to position itself as a leading provider of both directional and alpha-generating crypto investment products in the world’s largest capital market.

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Aptos eyes $4.70 despite altcoins decline; Check forecast

Key takeaways

  • Aptos is up nearly 4% in the last 24 hours, making it the second-best performer in the top 50 behind Pump.fun.
  • APT could rally to the $4.70 resistance level soon.

APT closes in on $4.5

The cryptocurrency market has been volatile since the start of the week, with prices of altcoins swinging in both directions. Bitcoin is trading above $114k while most altcoins are currently underperforming.

However, APT, the native coin of the Aptos blockchain, is up 4% in the last 24 hours, making it the second-best performer among the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap. At press time, APT is trading at $4.44 and could rally higher in the near term. 

The rally comes as Aptos announced earlier today that World Liberty Finance’s USD1 is coming to Aptos. USD1 will have day one support from across the Aptos ecosystem on Monday, October 6. The support includes Aptos DeFi protocols such as Thala, Panora, Echelon, and Tapp Exchange.

APT targets the $4.7 resistance

The APT/USD 4-hour chart remains bearish and efficient despite Aptos adding 4% to its value in the last 24 hours. However, the momentum indicators have switched bullish, suggesting that buyers are regaining control of the market.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 69 is above the neutral 50, indicating a bullish bias. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) lines are also within the positive territory, flashing a buy signal for the cryptocurrency.

APT/USD 4H Chart

If the bullish trend on the lower timeframe continues, APT could rally towards the next major resistance level at $4.75 over the next few hours or days. An extended bullish run would allow the cryptocurrency to target the $5.14 high for the first time since August 14.

However, if Aptos undergoes a correction, it could retest the Sunday low of $4.05. The support level at $3.88 could be a tough one for the bears to beat in the near term. 

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Bitcoin’s rare September gains defy history: Data predicts a 50% Q4 rally to 170,000 dollars

  • Bitcoin is on track to close September with a rare positive gain of 4.5 percent.
  • Historically, a green September has preceded an average Q4 rally of over 50 percent.
  • If the pattern holds, Bitcoin could be eyeing the 170,000 dollar region by year-end.

In a powerful and rare defiance of its own grim history, Bitcoin is on the verge of closing the books on a positive September.

This is no small feat. The month has long been the cruelest on the crypto calendar, a consistent sea of red that has earned it the ominous nickname “Red September.”

But this year, a 4.5 percent gain has flipped the script, and in doing so, it may have just lit the fuse for an explosive rally into the final quarter of the year.

A prophecy written in the charts

History doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes. And in the world of Bitcoin, the rhyme of a green September is a powerful and bullish prophecy.

According to historical data, on the rare occasions that Bitcoin has managed to close September in positive territory—in 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024—the final quarter of the year has produced spectacular results, with average returns soaring to more than 53 percent.

In those instances, the fourth quarter returns have ranged from a powerful 45 percent to a stunning 66 percent.

If that historical pattern were to play out again this year, Bitcoin could be eyeing the 170,000 dollar region before the calendar flips to 2026.

The data shows that October typically acts as the launchpad for these powerful moves, with an average gain of 21.8 percent, while November continues the ascent.

This seasonal effect has been particularly profitable in the years following a Bitcoin halving, as a potent cocktail of capital inflows and bullish market positioning combine to push the asset into a fresh phase of price discovery.

The view from the blockchain: a bullish tide is turning

This bullish seasonal setup is not just a statistical anomaly; it is being actively confirmed by the deep undercurrents of the blockchain itself.

Key on-chain metrics are now flashing green, signaling a fundamental and powerful shift in market momentum.

The Spot Taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD), a crucial indicator that tracks the difference between market buy and market sell volumes, has flipped positive on a 90-day basis for the first time since mid-July.

This is a clear and direct signal that a “Taker Buy Dominant Phase” is underway, a period where buying pressure is now decisively outweighing selling activity.

At the same time, the Coinbase premium index has been highlighting consistent and aggressive accumulation by US investors throughout the third quarter.

The powerful alignment of these two key on-chain metrics reinforces the view that a new wave of buying momentum is not just coming—it’s already here.

The stage is set, the signals are aligning, and the final quarter of the year could once again prove to be a decisive and explosive one for the world’s leading digital asset.

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Poland new crypto law triggers strong criticism from industry participants

  • Poland’s new crypto law imposes strict KNF licensing and heavy penalties.
  • Industry warns rules could stifle innovation and push firms abroad.
  • The president’s decision may determine Poland’s crypto market future.

Poland has moved closer to enacting one of Europe’s strictest cryptocurrency laws, drawing sharp criticism from industry leaders and sparking a heated political debate.

The legislation, framed as an interpretation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, aims to strengthen oversight and protect investors but has raised concerns that it could stifle innovation and drive businesses abroad.

Stricter rules take centre stage

The Polish lower house, the Sejm, approved the Crypto-Asset Market Act (Bill 1424) on September 26, with 230 votes in favour, 196 against, and no abstentions.

The bill now awaits review by the Senate. If passed, it would position Poland as a jurisdiction with one of the most tightly regulated crypto markets in the EU.

Under the new framework, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) will serve as the primary regulator for all crypto-asset service providers, including exchanges, issuers, and custodians, whether domestic or foreign.

Operators will need to secure a KNF license and demonstrate strong capital reserves, robust compliance systems, risk management protocols, and anti-money laundering procedures.

A six-month transition period will allow companies to align with the new rules, but violations could result in fines of up to 10 million zlotys ($2.8 million) or prison sentences of up to two years.

Supporters of the legislation, led by Civic Coalition rapporteur Krystyna Skowrońska, argue that the law is necessary to protect investors, stabilise the rapidly growing digital asset market, and ensure alignment with EU standards.

Proponents say it will bring legitimacy to a sector often criticised for opacity while shielding Poland from systemic financial risks.

Industry voices warn of exodus

Critics, however, warn that Poland’s approach goes far beyond what the EU’s MiCA regulation requires.

Przemysław Kral, CEO of the European crypto exchange Zondacrypto, called the legislation “a major step backwards,” arguing that it treats crypto as a threat rather than an opportunity.

He noted that the new rules could criminalise basic activities such as smart contract development, discouraging talent and investment in the country.

Industry insiders fear that the strict licensing and regulatory requirements, combined with KNF’s notoriously slow approval process, averaging 30 months, will drive startups and smaller operators abroad.

Kral highlighted Zondacrypto’s own experience: despite being founded in Poland, the company is regulated in Estonia, where it pays more than €6 million in VAT annually.

Such relocations could deprive Poland of jobs, tax revenue, and the chance to cultivate a thriving digital economy.

Prominent Bitcoin advocate Dominik Fel echoed these concerns, warning that Poland risks becoming a “museum of innovation” if the legislation takes effect.

Opposition politicians, including Confederation MP Krzysztof Rzońca, have urged President Karol Nawrocki to veto the bill, arguing that it could dismantle the domestic cryptocurrency market.

Poland’s political divide shapes the debate

The vote has exposed deep political divisions.

The Civic Coalition, Poland 2050-TD, PSL-TD, the Left, and Together supported the law, while the Law and Justice party (PiS), Confederation, and the Republicans opposed it.

PiS has announced plans to draft a lighter alternative modelled on other EU frameworks, which it intends to present at its congress in late October.

Analysts suggest that President Nawrocki’s decision will be pivotal for Poland’s future in digital assets.

While he does not personally hold cryptocurrencies, libertarian and pro-Bitcoin groups that supported his election are lobbying for a lighter regulatory approach.

The president’s choice could determine whether Poland positions itself as a leader in cautious but investor-friendly oversight or risks stifling innovation and losing its emerging digital economy to friendlier jurisdictions.

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SEC explores blockchain-registered stocks as tokenization momentum builds: report

  • SEC eyes plan to allow blockchain-based stock trading on approved crypto platforms.
  • Nasdaq, Coinbase, and others push for tokenized equities as adoption accelerates.
  • Tokenized stock market could hit $1.3T if 1% of global equities move to blockchain.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly developing a proposal to allow blockchain-registered versions of stocks to trade on cryptocurrency exchanges, signaling a potential breakthrough in the integration of digital asset technology into traditional markets.

The move, if approved, would permit investors to buy and sell tokenized shares of publicly traded companies on regulated crypto platforms, according to The Information.

While the plan remains in its early stages, it underscores the growing regulatory openness toward tokenization — the process of creating blockchain-based tokens that mirror ownership of conventional assets.

Regulators signal openness to innovation

SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently described tokenization as an “innovation” the agency should promote rather than restrict.

“We should be focused on how do we advance innovation in the marketplace,” Atkins said, suggesting that tokenized assets could enhance accessibility to financial markets while lowering costs.

The initiative comes amid increasing industry momentum.

Nasdaq has filed for SEC approval of a rule change that would allow it to list tokenized securities, while Coinbase is reportedly seeking regulatory clearance to offer tokenized equities on its platform.

Retail platforms such as Robinhood and Kraken have already begun rolling out tokenized stock products to users.

These developments highlight a broader shift among regulators and market operators toward embracing blockchain technology in securities markets.

However, significant questions remain about market structure, investor protections, and oversight as tokenization moves closer to the mainstream.

Pushback from traditional finance

The SEC’s apparent willingness to explore tokenized equities has drawn criticism from established financial institutions.

In a July letter to the agency’s Crypto Task Force, Citadel Securities urged regulators to ensure that tokenized securities create genuine value for markets rather than benefiting from regulatory loopholes.

“Tokenized securities must achieve success by delivering real innovation and efficiency to market participants, rather than through self-serving regulatory arbitrage,” the firm cautioned.

This skepticism reflects a broader tension between traditional finance and the emerging digital asset sector.

While tokenization promises faster settlement, greater transparency, and lower costs, critics warn of potential risks if the technology advances without clear safeguards.

Stock tokenization gains momentum

Despite concerns, tokenized equities are gaining traction.

According to industry data, more than $31 billion in assets have been tokenized, though stocks represent only about 2% of that total.

Still, the value of tokenized equities has nearly doubled in the past 100 days, suggesting accelerating adoption.

A recent report from Binance Research compared the rise of tokenized stocks to the early growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) in 2020 and 2021.

The report suggested that tokenized equities could soon reach an “inflection point” in the broader shift toward hybrid finance, where blockchain technology coexists with traditional markets.

Binance estimates the market for tokenized stocks could eventually surpass $1.3 trillion if just 1% of global equities migrate onto blockchain networks.

As regulators weigh next steps, the SEC’s forthcoming proposal will be closely watched by market participants.

Its outcome could shape whether tokenized stocks remain a niche product or evolve into a transformative force in global equity markets.

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