Cryptocurrencies

AI model forecasts Bitcoin to fall below $100,000

Bitcoin has slipped below $110,000, and according to Finbold’s use of ChatGPT-5, a further drop could occur in the coming weeks. The model outlined technical resistance and seasonal factors pointing to September weakness.

Key levels around $112,000 and $106,000 are under pressure, with the AI projecting a sharp decline toward $98,000 if support breaks. Historically, September has been one of Bitcoin’s worst-performing months, adding to the bearish outlook.

Despite the short-term caution, demand from ETFs and long-term holders may offer support between $95,000 and $98,000. Longer-term technicals remain intact, with the 200-day average sitting near $95,000.

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Silicon Valley moves to influence AI policy

Silicon Valley insiders are preparing to pour over $100 million into next year’s US midterm elections to influence AI policy. The super-PAC Leading the Future, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Greg Brockman, seeks to impact AI policy and limit strict regulation.

Leading the Future targets battleground states such as California, New York, Illinois, and Ohio. The PAC intends to fund campaigns, run extensive social media ads, and focus on politicians who support innovation-friendly ‘guardrails’ rather than heavy-handed regulation.

The initiative draws inspiration from the crypto industry’s political playbook, which successfully backed candidates aligned with its interests.

The group’s structure combines federal and state PACs with a 501(c)(4) organisation, offering flexibility and influence over both major parties. High-profile backers include Marc Andreessen, Greg Brockman, Joe Lonsdale, and Ron Conway.

Their collective goal is to ensure AI development continues without regulatory barriers that could slow American innovation and job creation.

Silicon Valley’s strategy highlights the increasing role of tech money in politics, reflecting a shift in donor priorities. The PAC’s influence may become a decisive factor in shaping AI legislation, with potential implications for the industry and broader US policy debates.

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CZ outlines vision for crypto and AI integration

Binance founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao shared his vision for crypto’s future, connecting digital assets with AI and recent policy changes. At WebX in Tokyo, CZ praised US crypto policy under Trump, highlighting stablecoin legislation and the Genius Act while opposing central bank digital currencies.

He argued that embracing innovation is crucial to remaining competitive globally.

CZ predicted that crypto will become the natural medium of exchange for AI, bypassing traditional fiat, banks, and credit cards. He envisaged hundreds or thousands of AI agents per person, generating a surge of microtransactions via programmable blockchain networks.

According to CZ, blockchains’ APIs are better suited than banks for interfacing with AI-driven economic activity.

Since stepping down from Binance, CZ has focused on education and advisory work. His Giggle Academy already serves 50,000 children, aiming to digitise 18 years of schooling at a fraction of government costs.

He advises at least 12 governments on crypto regulation and adoption. He also plans to mentor founders and back early-stage projects through his investment firm EZ Labs, emphasising ethical practices and long-term value creation.

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Bitcoin price drops after whale sell-off while Ethereum holds

Bitcoin price weakened sharply after a $2.7 billion whale sell-off sparked automated liquidations, pushing the cryptocurrency toward key support near $110,500. Over $846 million in liquidations doubled the total crypto capitalisation to about $3.83 trillion.

Indicators suggest short-term volatility and choppy price action.

Technical metrics highlight the divergence between Bitcoin and Ethereum. Bitcoin’s ADX at 16 and RSI near 42 signal low trend conviction and growing selling pressure, while the Squeeze Momentum Indicator points to potential volatility ahead.

Ethereum remains comparatively resilient, with an ADX around 41, a bullish 50–200 EMA spread, and RSI near 59, supporting continued positive momentum.

Traders are advised to emphasise risk management amid elevated uncertainty. Key Bitcoin support levels sit at $110,500 and $107,000–$107,600, with resistance at $116,000 and $120,000. Ethereum support ranges from $4,194 to $4,400, while immediate resistance reaches $4,954.

Tightening stop-losses, reducing leverage, and waiting for confirmed volatility resolution are recommended before initiating new positions.

The recent whale-induced volatility demonstrates how a large order can swiftly impact market dynamics. While Bitcoin shows fragile trend conditions, Ethereum’s technical strength provides a measure of stability.

Monitoring indicators and key levels remains essential for navigating the current environment.

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UAE emerges as major Bitcoin holder through mining operations

The UAE has emerged as a major player in the global crypto landscape, with recent data revealing Bitcoin holdings worth $700 million linked to Citadel’s mining operations. Citadel, owned mainly by the UAE Royal Group via IHC, has boosted the country’s influence in digital assets.

These holdings reflect the UAE’s strategic efforts to establish a robust crypto ecosystem, particularly in Dubai.

Enforcement actions against fraudulent investment schemes and high-profile Ponzi operations have helped the UAE accumulate approximately 420,000 BTC. Governments worldwide own roughly 463,000 BTC, equivalent to around 2.3% of Bitcoin’s total supply.

While some nations maintain secrecy over their holdings, others openly report their Bitcoin accumulation.

Several countries have obtained BTC through mining initiatives. El Salvador continues to expand its reserve with daily purchases under the ‘1 Bitcoin per day’ programme. At the same time, Bhutan has used hydroelectric resources to mine between 12,000 and 13,000 BTC, representing up to 40% of its economy.

Iran has recognised Bitcoin mining as a government-controlled enterprise, requiring licensed miners to sell directly to the Central Bank.

Other nations have acquired BTC primarily through seizures. The US leads with nearly 200,000 BTC from high-profile cases like Silk Road and ransomware takedowns.

China, the UK, and Bulgaria also hold significant amounts from fraud and cybercrime investigations, while smaller nations such as Finland, Georgia, and Venezuela maintain modest reserves.

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INTERPOL reports over 1,200 arrests in Africa-wide cybercrime operation

INTERPOL has announced that a continent-wide law enforcement initiative targeting cybercrime and fraud networks led to more than 1,200 arrests between June and August 2025. The operation, known as Serengeti 2.0, was carried out across multiple African states and focused on ransomware, online fraud, and business email compromise schemes. Authorities reported the recovery of approximately USD 97.4 million, allegedly stolen from more than 88,000 victims worldwide.

In Angola, police closed 25 unauthorised cryptocurrency mining sites, reportedly operated by 60 Chinese nationals. In Zambia, authorities dismantled a large-scale fraudulent investment scheme involving cryptocurrency platforms, which is estimated to have defrauded around 65,000 individuals of roughly USD 300 million. Fifteen suspects were detained, and assets, including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts, were seized.

In a separate raid in Lusaka, police disrupted a suspected human trafficking network and confiscated hundreds of forged passports from seven different countries.

INTERPOL has previously noted that Africa’s rapid uptake of digital technologies, particularly in finance and e-commerce, has increased the scope for cybercriminal activity. At the same time, comparatively weak cybersecurity frameworks have left financial institutions and government systems exposed to data breaches, economic losses, and disruption to trade.

Separately, in June, a Nigerian court sentenced nine Chinese nationals to prison for running an online fraud syndicate that recruited young Nigerians. Following the verdict, China’s ambassador to Nigeria proposed the creation of a joint working group to investigate cybercrime involving Chinese nationals in the region.

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Corporate ETH holdings surpass 10 billion dollars

Entities holding Ethereum treasuries now collectively control over $10 billion worth of ETH. Data from the Strategic ETH Reserve shows 64 organisations hold 2.73 million ETH, accounting for 2.27% of the total supply, highlighting the growing corporate adoption of Ethereum.

Leading the accumulation are Bitmine Immersion Tech, Sharplink Gaming, and The Ether Machine, together holding more than 1.3 million ETH. Most of these acquisitions occurred in under three months, with Bitmine alone now holding over $2 billion worth of ETH.

Public companies continue to plan further purchases, though they are taking a measured approach to limit risks.

Ethereum’s price has steadied around $3,700–$3,800, stalling short of the $4,000 mark investors had hoped to see on the token’s 10th anniversary. Despite this, on-chain activity remains strong, with over 680,000 active wallets and ETH showing significant gains independent of Bitcoin.

DeFi protocols, crypto-native organisations, and even governments also feature among the largest ETH holders. The Ethereum Foundation ranks fourth with 234,600 ETH, while the US government, Michigan State, and Bhutan maintain reserves, demonstrating Ethereum’s broad adoption across sectors.

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Visa expands stablecoin settlement to new assets and blockchains

Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities by supporting new digital assets and blockchains. The payments giant will now include Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Circle’s euro-backed EURC.

Settlement will extend to Stellar and Avalanche, broadening its support beyond Ethereum and Bitcoin. A new Paxos partnership aims to improve settlement speed and cut cross-border costs.

Visa executives said stablecoins could help fix inefficiencies in emerging markets. They also argued that trusted, scalable, interoperable assets can transform cross-border payments.

Visa is also pushing into new regions, with plans to expand settlement across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Recent Yellow Card and Bridge deals will enable stablecoin cards for daily use.

The firm stressed that a stablecoin strategy will become essential for institutions moving money globally.

According to Visa, the expansion will improve liquidity management, lower settlement costs, and provide 365-day transaction support. The network has processed over $225 million in stablecoin settlements, cementing its lead in digital payments.

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Celebrity Instagram hack fuels Solana meme coin scam

The Instagram accounts of Adele, Future, Tyla, and Michael Jackson were hacked late Thursday to promote an unauthorised meme coin. Posts showed an AI image of the Future with a ‘FREEBANDZ’ coin, falsely suggesting ties to the rapper.

The token, launched on the Solana platform Pump.fun, surged briefly to nearly $900,000 in market value before collapsing by 98% after its creator dumped 700 million tokens. The scheme netted more than $49,000 in Solana for the perpetrator, suspected of being behind the account hijackings.

None of the affected celebrities has issued a statement, while Future’s Instagram account remains deactivated. The hack continues a trend of using celebrity accounts for crypto pump-and-dump schemes. Previous cases involved the UFC, Barack Obama, and Elon Musk.

Such scams are becoming increasingly common, with attackers exploiting the visibility of major social media accounts to drive short-lived token gains before leaving investors with losses.

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Luxembourg tightens crypto reporting rules for CASPs

Luxembourg introduced draft Law 8592 outlining registration, due diligence, and reporting duties for crypto-asset service providers. Mandatory reporting starts on 1 January 2026, covering crypto-assets, life insurance income, cross-border rulings, and expanded automatic tax data exchange.

The law applies to a broad range of crypto-asset activities, including portfolio management, custody, and exchange platforms. It also covers crypto-to-fund or crypto-to-crypto transactions and client order execution.

Luxembourg’s definition of crypto-assets aligns with EU MiCAR rules but includes all assets used for payment or investment purposes. Tax authorities will share reported data with the user’s country of residence by 30 September of the following year, starting with 2026.

CASPs must register with Luxembourg tax authorities by 30 June each year for reporting the previous year’s data. MiCAR-authorised operators are exempt from active registration. Penalties range from €5,000 for missed registrations to €250,000 for failing due diligence or reporting obligations.

The law also requires CASPs to verify user information through reasonable due-diligence procedures.

Law 8592 further updates rules on cross-border arrangements, online platform reporting, the Common Reporting Standard, and country-by-country reporting. DAC6 amendments now follow EU Court rulings, keeping lawyers’ client notifications while removing wider intermediary duties.

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