Crypto markets reel after $1.7B wipeout: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin struggle to recover

  • Bitcoin steadies near $112,574 after flash crash wipes $1.7B in leverage.
  • Ethereum trades at $4,198, struggling to recover momentum.
  • Macro worries, Fed policy, and liquidations keep traders cautious.

Cryptocurrencies continue to be defensive this Tuesday, September 23, as investors lick their wounds from the carnage that hit markets barely 24 hours ago.

After a high-stakes selloff erased over $1.7 billion in leverage overnight, even the biggest digital coins haven’t found their footing.

The mood? Anxious, with traders bracing for more bumps ahead as macro jitters and regulatory headlines swirl.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and friends: Cautious trade after the crash

The fallout from Monday’s sharp drop is still echoing across exchanges. Bitcoin, still the market’s north star, is trying to pick itself up after dropping under $112,000.

As of this morning, it’s hovering around $112,574, just a fractional move higher that does little to erase the pain of the previous session.

Ethereum, too, is feeling the weight. The second-largest crypto by market cap changed hands at $4,198, a modest but underwhelming move after Monday’s slide to below $4,100.

Solana is faring no better, sitting at $219 while technical analysts debate whether buyers will step in or a further drop is in store.

XRP slipped to $2.84 as well, breaking a weeks-long upswing.

Meanwhile, Dogecoin is trading at $0.24, down 3.79%, offering little consolation to holders who have already seen the token shed more than 14% since its last peak.

The culprit? Monday’s flash crash was driven by a perfect storm: technical breakdowns, surging Treasury yields in the US, ongoing macroeconomic worries, and a rush of forced liquidations that left hundreds of thousands of traders on the wrong side of the trade.

There’s little appetite for bold bets as risk aversion lingers and volumes thin out.

Beyond prices: Policy shifts and broader market moves

It’s not all about the charts, though. In the background, the Fed’s rate outlook is shaping sentiment across risk assets.

The central bank’s slightly softer stance has analysts speculating about when relief could flow back into crypto, but for now, most remain cautious.

Meanwhile, Google’s ongoing push into blockchain infrastructure and a key crypto, blockchain, and AI conference kicking off in Zurich give the sector something to cheer about even in a tough week.

As September draws to a close, nobody is resting easy. Volatility is the only constant, and with both policy and sentiment in flux, everyone’s watching for either a relief bounce or another unforgiving leg down.

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Pump.fun, dogwifhat and Pepe plummet as top memecoins crash

  • Pump.fun, dogwifhat and Pepe prices fell sharply on Monday.
  • The downturn for the memecoins came as Bitcoin dropped to near $112k.
  • Headwinds for risk assets could see PUMP, WIF, and PEPE register more pain.

Pump.fun, dogwifhat and Pepe plummeted as memecoins crashed amid fresh turbulence for cryptocurrencies.

Memecoins have come under sharp pressure as Bitcoin’s momentum cools following its surge to fresh highs above $117,000 last week.

The benchmark cryptocurrency has since slipped back toward $112,000, a retreat that has dampened broader market sentiment and triggered profit-taking across altcoins.

Memecoins are some of the big underperformers in the past 24 hours.

PUMP, WIF, and PEPE prices dump 10% or more

While Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and Bonk are among the top losers, the downturn has been particularly acute for PUMP and WIF.

Pump.fun (PUMP) reached an all-time high of $0.01214 in July.

However, with profit taking and overall downturn, the token has fallen to lows of $0.0060 following the bearish flip around $0.0089 on Sept. 14.

With a price decline of over 16% in the past 24 hours, Pump.fun mirrors the losses of Pi Network and Conflux among the 100 largest coins by market cap.

The PUMP price is down 25% in the past week, while panic selling has increased trading volume up 24% to over $598 million.

Dogwifhat (WIF), the Solana-based meme, has fared no better.

WIF has tumbled to $0.8010, down 11% in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, its trading volume has spiked 102% to over $256 million amid the broader altcoin weakness.

Whale sell-offs have aided bears, with the price 83% off its all-time high of $4.85.

Pepe (PEPE), the Ethereum frog-themed memecoin, also continues its slide into bearish territory.

The memecoin is consolidating near $0.0000097 after plummeting 10% over the past day.

Large sellers have pushed daily volume up by 133% to $889 million.

What’s next for memecoins?

Is the crypto market crashing a sign of more pain ahead of Uptober? Analysts say this is likely.

In the short term, the memecoin rout is symptomatic of a larger crypto market contraction, where total capitalisation has dipped below $4 trillion amid Bitcoin and Ethereum’s price crash.

A confluence of several factors is at play as stocks also shed gains on Monday.

Headwinds impacting the risk asset markets include macroeconomic factors such as Fed policy, trade and inflation dynamics.

The upcoming data release on Friday will be key, as will be the anticipated ETF approvals in the coming weeks.

A market where BTC again rallies will open up a path for memecoins amid crypto’s cyclical outlook.

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AgriFORCE to rebrand as AVAX One in $550M bet on Avalanche Network

  • The firm will become AVAX One and focus on accumulating Avalanche tokens.
  • AgriFORCE aims to become the first publicly listed AVAX-centred entity.
  • Institutional interest signals confidence in Avalanche’s future.

Nasdaq-listed AgriFORCE Growing System has announced a historic pivot into the blockchain sector.

According to Monday’s press release, the firm will change its name to AVAX One and raise roughly $550 million to fund Avalanche accumulation.

AVAX One plans to hold Avalanche tokens worth over $700 million, becoming the first publicly listed company dedicated to purchasing AVAX.

The move has gained attention as it marks AgriFORCE’s significant departure from the agriculture sector.

It reflects the firm’s confidence in blockchain as a disruptive force across various industries.

Commenting on this new development, AgriFORCE’s CEO Jolie Khan says:

For the first time, our company provides public market investors with a professionally-managed vehicle to invest directly in this transformation. Our mission is to maximize our ownership of this foundational technology, AVAX, on a per-share basis, delivering direct value to our shareholders as this new economy grows.

Avalanche grabs institutional interest

The Layer 1 has gained traction as a top platform for institutions interested in blockchain.

Avalanche boasts security with over $6.2 billion in staked assets.

Also, leading firms such as Apollo, JPMorgan Chase, and KKR are already using the AVAX network to launch custom blockchain solutions and tokenized products.

Avalanche boasts faster transaction speeds, low costs, and high scalability, features that are crucial for RWA tokenization and DeFi.

Such perks have increased the blockchain’s institutional appeal.

The $550 million bet

The firm plans a massive capital raise led by Hivemine Capital and participation from more than 50 investors, including Cypher Capital, Republic Digital, Kraken, Digital Currency Group, ParaFi, and Galaxy Digital.

The raise will include $250 million in equity-linked financing and $300 million PIPE (subject to stakeholder approval).

Hivemind Capital founder Matt Zhang said the firm plans a short- and long-term approach:

Our near-term active strategy will focus on disciplined asset accumulation and, in the long run, acquiring and onboarding cash-flowing fintech businesses onto the Avalanche network. This creates a powerful growth flywheel and sustained NAV premium that differentiates ourselves from all other digital asset treasury companies and ETFs.

AVAX One will use the raised capital to support its goal of owning AVAX worth more than $700 million.

AVAX price outlook

Avalanche’s native token maintained a bearish outlook today.

It is trading at $31.43 after losing over 4% of its value in the past 24 hours.

AVAX remains bullish after gaining 10% and 20% in the past week and month.

The altcoin trades within the key breakout level between $30 and $31.

Reclaiming $36 could support short-term rallies to $42 and flip AVAX’s near-term trajectory to bullish.

However, losing the foothold at $28 might postpone the imminent rally.

Broad market sentiments will determine Avalanche’s price actions in the coming sessions.

Meanwhile, emerging institutional interest positions the AVAX project for massive growth in the coming times.

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South Korea sees record surge in suspicious crypto transactions in 2025

  • 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.

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Shiba Inu price drops 6% as governance and DeFi plans advance

  • DAO participation highlights investor engagement in decisions.
  • Whale activity drives volatility with accumulation and distribution.
  • Shibarium growth supports DeFi expansion amid rising competition.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has slipped 6% in the past 24 hours, trading at $0.00001209. The decline comes as the ecosystem prepares for a series of structural changes, including decentralised governance, token burns, and DeFi expansion.

While short-term sentiment reflects volatility, developers and investors are looking to 2025 as a year of transition.

Technical indicators present a mixed outlook, with scenarios ranging from further consolidation to sharp rallies.

At the same time, whale activity, broader crypto market conditions, and ongoing network growth continue to play a major role in determining SHIB’s price path, especially as competition intensifies across the meme coin sector.

Shiba Inu price
Source: CoinMarketCap

Shiba Inu expands governance with community elections

Shiba Inu’s developers are introducing governance reforms to move beyond its meme coin origins.

Lead developer Shytoshi Kusama recently unveiled the SHIB State presidential election, a community-driven process designed to formalise decision-making.

The election follows recent decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) votes, which showed strong participation among investors.

By allowing token holders to shape proposals and strategic directions, SHIB is attempting to embed governance into its core ecosystem.

This shift reflects an effort to strengthen Shiba Inu’s long-term stability and increase investor engagement, with the team hoping to align community input more closely with development priorities.

Technical forecasts show both upside and downside

The latest price drop highlights SHIB’s volatility, but analysts see several possible technical paths.

The token is currently trading below near-term support levels, with projections indicating possible stabilisation around $0.0000191 if liquidity holds.

Bullish scenarios suggest a rally could push SHIB toward $0.0000315, while longer-term forecasts see potential highs at $0.00006392.

More cautious views suggest the token could trade in a range between $0.000022 and $0.000034 through late 2025 and into 2026.

If negative sentiment or weak liquidity dominates, however, SHIB could slide closer to $0.0000201, underscoring the balance of risk in the current environment and the importance of sustained investor confidence.

Whale activity adds to volatility

On-chain data shows that large holders remain influential in shaping SHIB’s price action.

Recent whale transactions have coincided with increased volatility, suggesting that accumulation or distribution by these players can spark major swings.

Analysts tracking whale wallets note that such movements often precede short-term breakouts or corrections.

Combined with ongoing token burns and governance reforms, whale participation is expected to remain a decisive factor in Shiba Inu’s performance over the coming months, keeping smaller investors highly attentive to wallet monitoring platforms.

Shibarium growth and competition from new tokens

Shiba Inu’s layer-2 solution, Shibarium, is central to its DeFi strategy.

The network is seeing growing activity in decentralised applications (dApps), alongside continuous token burns designed to reduce supply.

These efforts could support gradual long-term price stability. However, Shiba Inu faces competition from newer tokens such as Little Pepe, which are drawing attention for faster short-term gains.

While SHIB’s ecosystem is expanding, its ability to maintain momentum depends on adoption, community governance, and the effectiveness of its DeFi initiatives in 2025, especially as rival meme coins attempt to capture similar market share with more aggressive campaigns.

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