A drop toward the $2 support level is possible in the coming days, as bulls pin their hopes on a rebound.
Ripple is reportedly planning to raise $1 billion to purchase XRP (XRP) for its own digital asset treasury. This move could make it the world’s largest corporate holder of this top-five cryptocurrency.
However, XRP bulls largely ignored the news on Friday, with the price falling 8.75% after the Oct. 17 announcement, while continuing its prevailing downtrend, as shown below.
Can XRP break out of its prevailing downtrend in October?
XRP price eyes recovery after testing $2 support
Looking broadly, XRP has been fluctuating within a falling wedge pattern after last week’s crypto market rout, which liquidated a record $20 billion or more in positions.
The price could still dip toward the $2 support level, coinciding with the wedge’s lower boundary and serving as a potential reversal zone.
XRP/USDT four-hour chart. Source: TradingView
A breakout above the wedge’s upper trendline could trigger an upside toward the $2.36–$2.75 range, up 5-20% from current price levels, in October.
Potential short liquidations at these levels could add momentum toward $3, a psychological resistance target further aligning with the upper boundary of XRP’s descending triangle pattern.
XRP/USDT weekly chart. Source: TradingView
Conversely, a close below $2 would invalidate the wedge setup, inviting further downside pressure toward $1.65, the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level, by month’s end.
Longer term: XRP still on track for a breakout
On longer-term charts, XRP is maintaining its ascending triangle breakout scenario despite plunging 60% during last week’s “black Friday.”
As of Friday, the cryptocurrency was holding above the triangle’s lower trendline near $2.25 while eyeing a rebound toward the upper trendline near $3.55.
XRP/USDT weekly price chart. Source: TradingView
A breakout above $3.55 with significant volumes could send the price to as high as $7.75, representing a 250% increase from current levels, by early 2026.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
The UK tax authority has ramped up its scrutiny of crypto investors, doubling the number of warning letters sent to those suspected of underreporting or evading taxes on digital asset gains.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) issued nearly 65,000 letters in the 2024–25 tax year, up from 27,700 the year before, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
The letters, known as “nudge letters,” are designed to prompt investors to voluntarily correct their tax filings before formal investigations are launched.
The sharp increase reflects HMRC’s growing focus on crypto-related tax compliance. Over the past four years, the agency has sent more than 100,000 such letters, with activity accelerating as crypto adoption and asset prices surged.
Example of a previous nudge letter sent in 2024. Source: kc-usercontent
The Financial Conduct Authority estimates that seven million UK adults now hold crypto, up from around 10% (5 million) in 2022 or 4.4% (2.2 million) in 2021, showing the growing interest.
“The tax rules surrounding crypto are quite complex and there’s now a volume of people who are trading in crypto and not understanding that even if they move from one coin to another it triggers capital gains tax,” Neela Chauhan, a partner at UHY Hacker Young, which submitted the FOI request, told the FT.
HMRC’s visibility into the market has improved dramatically. The agency now receives transaction data directly from major crypto exchanges and will gain automatic access to global exchange data from 2026 under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Crypto-Assets Reporting Framework (CARF).
US senators are exploring updates to crypto tax policy, including exempting small transactions from taxation and clarifying how staking rewards are treated.
During a Senate Finance Committee hearing earlier this month, lawmakers debated whether everyday crypto payments should trigger capital gains tax and how to fairly classify income generated from staking services. Coinbase’s vice president of tax, Lawrence Zlatkin, urged Congress to adopt a de minimis exemption for crypto transactions under $300.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) has also intensified its crackdown on crypto tax evasion, warning that even assets stored in cold wallets will be seized if linked to unpaid taxes.
XTZ price slides 2.9% to $0.58, approaching critical Bollinger Band support as technical indicators flash bearish signals following recent market volatility.
Quick Take
• XTZ trading at $0.58 (down 2.9% in 24h) • Price testing lower Bollinger Band support after recent volatility • RSI at 35.80 suggests oversold conditions developing • Following broader crypto weakness with Bitcoin correlation intact
Market Events Driving Tezos Price Movement
Trading on technical factors in absence of major catalysts, XTZ price action reflects the recent market volatility patterns established over the past week. The October 14 market downturn that saw Tezos decline 4.99% to $0.625 continues to weigh on sentiment, despite the brief recovery attempt on October 15 that pushed XTZ to $0.6077.
The correlation with Bitcoin remains strong, as evidenced by XTZ’s synchronized movements with BTC during the recent market swings. With Bitcoin experiencing downward pressure today, Tezos is following the broader cryptocurrency market trend, indicating that macro crypto sentiment rather than Tezos-specific fundamentals is driving current price action.
No significant protocol updates, partnership announcements, or regulatory developments have emerged in the past 48 hours to provide directional catalysts for XTZ price movement.
XTZ price is currently trading near its lower Bollinger Band at $0.56, with the current price of $0.58 representing just a 3.6% buffer above this technical support level. The positioning below all major moving averages signals continued bearish momentum, with the 7-day SMA at $0.61 acting as immediate resistance.
The 24-hour trading range of $0.56-$0.61 demonstrates compressed volatility, typical of consolidation phases. Binance spot volume of $1.46 million reflects moderate institutional interest, suggesting market participants are waiting for clearer directional signals.
Key Technical Indicators
The RSI reading of 35.80 indicates XTZ is approaching oversold conditions, historically a level where short-term bounces often occur. However, the MACD remains in bearish territory at -0.0332, with the histogram showing continued negative momentum divergence.
The Bollinger Band %B position of 0.0866 confirms XTZ is trading in the lower 10% of its recent range, a technical condition that often precedes either support bounces or breakdown accelerations.
Critical Price Levels for Tezos Traders
Immediate Levels (24-48 hours)
• Resistance: $0.61 (7-day SMA and recent trading range high) • Support: $0.56 (lower Bollinger Band and 24-hour low)
Breakout/Breakdown Scenarios
A break below $0.56 support could trigger selling toward the $0.43 level, representing both immediate and strong support confluence. Conversely, reclaiming $0.61 resistance would target the $0.66 middle Bollinger Band, coinciding with the 20-day SMA.
XTZ Correlation Analysis
• Bitcoin: XTZ maintaining high positive correlation, following BTC’s directional moves with minimal divergence • Traditional markets: Limited direct correlation to S&P 500 movements during the recent period • Sector peers: Trading in line with mid-cap altcoins, showing no relative strength or weakness
Trading Outlook: Tezos Near-Term Prospects
Bullish Case
A successful defense of $0.56 support combined with RSI oversold conditions could spark a relief rally toward $0.61-$0.63. Bitcoin stabilization above key levels would provide the macro backdrop needed for XTZ technical bounce.
Bearish Case
Failure to hold lower Bollinger Band support opens the path to $0.49 (52-week low retest) or the stronger support zone at $0.43. Continued Bitcoin weakness would likely accelerate any XTZ breakdown.
Risk Management
Conservative traders should consider stop-losses below $0.55 to limit exposure to breakdown scenarios. Given the current ATR of $0.05, position sizing should account for potential 8-10% daily volatility swings.
Dankrad Feist, a longtime Ethereum developer and researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, announced Friday that he’s joining Tempo, a layer-1 blockchain for payments and stablecoins built by Stripe and Paradigm.
Feist said he will remain as a “research adviser” at the Ethereum Foundation to provide input on scaling the layer-1 network, improving user experience (UX), and blobs, a feature of the Ethereum network that frees up blockspace by temporarily storing data. He added:
“Tempo’s open-source technology can easily integrate back into Ethereum, benefiting the entire ecosystem. Ethereum and Tempo are strongly aligned, as they are built with the same permissionless ideals in mind.
I am looking forward to staying involved with the community and continuing to push Ethereum forward,” he said. Cointelegraph reached out to Feist but was unable to receive a response by the time of publication.
The announcement drew mixed reactions from the Ethereum community, with some sending messages of support and others seeing it as a loss of one of the Ethereum ecosystem’s most significant contributors during a year of significant change for the ecosystem.
Crypto community divided on Stripe’s Tempo blockchain
The crypto community also remains divided regarding the Tempo blockchain and whether a payments-focused, dedicated stablecoin blockchain network is even needed.
“No one wants another chain,” Joe Petrich, head of engineering at non-fungible token (NFT) platform Courtyard, said in response to Stripe CEO Patrick Collison’s Tempo announcement, adding that there is “no need for yet another chain.”
Ethereum Foundation researcher Devansh Mehta also questioned the decision to launch Tempo as a purpose-built blockchain instead of just becoming an Ethereum layer-2 scaling network.
App-specific layer-1 chains that must build out their own validator set suffer from centralization issues and could face increased legal liability, Mehta said.
The debate comes amid a time of tension between Ethereum and its many layer-2 scaling solutions, which some have characterized as cannibalizing Ethereum’s base layer revenue and a downward force on Ether’s (ETH) price despite bringing user traffic to the ecosystem.
Bitcoin is finding buying support below the $107,000 level, but the relief rally is likely to be sold into.
Several altcoins have reached strong support levels, but the lack of a solid rebound suggests the downward pressure may continue for a while.
Bitcoin (BTC) remains under pressure as bears attempt to maintain the price below the strong $107,000 support level. The fall indicates a negative sentiment, with dip buyers staying away due to credit concerns in US regional banks.
However, Bitwise analysts said in their weekly crypto market compass report that the massive liquidations on Oct. 10 indicate selling exhaustion, limiting further downside. The analysts added that the fall in their in-house intraday Cryptoasset Sentiment Index to early August 2024 levels signals a “contrarian buying opportunity.”
In contrast, Glassnode took a cautious view. It said in a recent report that the markets were in a reset phase and required fresh demand to confirm recovery. The report highlighted that the Long-Term Holder supply dropped by about 0.3 million BTC since July 2025, indicating profit booking by mature investors. Glassnode anticipates the market to “enter a consolidation phase.”
What are the critical support levels to watch out for in BTC and the major altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC continued its downward move and plummeted below the $107,000 support on Friday, but the long tail on the candlestick shows buying at lower levels.
A close below $107,000 will complete a double-top pattern. The BTC/USDT pair could then skid to the psychological support at $100,000. Buyers are expected to defend the $100,000 level with all their might because a break below it opens the doors for a collapse to the pattern target of $89,526.
This negative view will be invalidated in the near term if the Bitcoin price turns up and breaks above the moving averages. That suggests the break below the $107,000 level may have been a bear trap.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) is witnessing a tough battle between the bulls and the bears at the support line of the descending channel pattern.
Any recovery attempt is expected to face selling at the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) ($4,159). If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, it increases the possibility of a break below the support line. If that happens, the ETH/USDT pair could plunge to $3,350.
Buyers will have to push the Ether price above the moving averages to signal that the pair may remain inside the descending channel for a while longer. A new uptrend could begin after buyers thrust the price above the resistance line.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) closed below the 20-day EMA ($1,144) on Thursday and extended its decline to the 50-day SMA ($1,017) on Friday.
Buyers will try to defend the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) with all their might as the failure to do so could accelerate selling. The BNB/USDT pair may then retest the Oct. 10 panic low of $860. Such a move suggests that the BNB price may have topped out in the near term.
Any rebound from the 50-day SMA is expected to face significant selling at the 20-day EMA. Buyers will have to overcome the barrier at the 20-day EMA to indicate that the corrective phase may be over.
XRP price prediction
Sellers pulled XRP (XRP) below the immediate support at $2.30, but the bulls are trying to reclaim the level.
If the price rises from the current level, the bears will strive to halt the recovery at the 20-day EMA ($2.63). If that happens, it signals a negative sentiment. That increases the likelihood of a drop below $2.30. The XRP price may then tumble to $2.
Contrarily, if buyers push the XRP/USDT pair above the 20-day EMA, the relief rally could extend to the downtrend line. This is a critical level for the bears to defend, as a break above it signals that the bulls are back in the game. The pair could then rally toward $3.38.
Solana price prediction
Solana (SOL) has been falling inside a descending channel pattern, signaling a series of lower highs and lower lows.
The bears are attempting to pull the price to the support line, where buyers are expected to enter. A bounce off the support line is likely to face selling at the 20-day EMA ($205). If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the bears will again attempt to sink the SOL/USDT pair below the support line. If they manage to do that, the Solana price could dive to $155.
Buyers will have to push the price above the 20-day EMA to suggest that the pair may remain inside the channel for a while longer. A new uptrend could begin after buyers drive the price above the resistance line.
Dogecoin price prediction
The failure of the bulls to sustain Dogecoin (DOGE) above $0.21 renewed selling, pulling the price near the strong support level at $0.18.
The downsloping 20-day EMA ($0.22) and the RSI in the negative territory suggest that the path of least resistance is to the downside. If the price closes below $0.18, the DOGE/USDT pair could slide to $0.16 and eventually to $0.14.
Buyers will have to swiftly push the price above the 20-day EMA to signal strength. The Dogecoin price could then climb to the 50-day SMA ($0.23) and later to the stiff overhead resistance at $0.29.
Cardano price prediction
Cardano (ADA) fell below the nearby support at $0.61, indicating that the bears have maintained their selling pressure.
If the price closes below the $0.61 level, the ADA/USDT pair could extend its decline to the solid support at $0.50. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the $0.50 support, as a break below it increases the risk of a fall toward $0.30.
To prevent the downside, the bulls will have to push the Cardano price above the 20-day EMA ($0.74). The pair could then rally to the downtrend line, which is likely to attract sellers. Buyers will have to pierce the downtrend line to signal the start of a new up move toward $1.02.
If the price turns up from the current level, it is expected to encounter selling at the neckline and then at the 20-day EMA ($42.25). If the price turns down from the overhead resistance zone, the bears will again attempt to pull the HYPE/USDT pair below $35.50. If they can pull it off, the Hyperliquid price could descend to $30.50.
Conversely, a break and close above the 20-day EMA suggests that the selling pressure is reducing. The pair may then ascend to the 50-day SMA ($47.15) and later to $52.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) fell below the support line of the descending channel pattern, indicating increased selling pressure.
The bulls are trying to arrest the decline at the $15.43 support but are likely to face selling on any minor rise. If the Chainlink price turns down and breaks below $15.43, the LINK/USDT pair could fall to $12.
The bulls will have to quickly push the Chainlink price above the 20-day EMA ($19.93) to suggest that the bearish momentum has weakened. Buyers will be back in the driver’s seat after they propel the pair above the resistance line.
Stellar price prediction
Stellar (XLM) continued lower and slipped below the $0.31 support, signaling that the bears are in command.
Sellers will try to strengthen their position by pulling the Stellar price to $0.25 and subsequently to $0.22.
Buyers have an uphill task ahead of them. They will have to push and maintain the price above the moving averages to suggest that the selling pressure is reducing. The XLM/USDT pair could then rise to the downtrend line. Sellers will try to halt the recovery at the downtrend line, but if the bulls prevail, the pair may jump toward $0.47.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Unlike Bitcoin, many altcoins have low liquidity and limited oversight, making them prone to price manipulation and insider exploitation.
Sudden spikes in trading volume, large whale transfers to exchanges, token unlocks or social media hype often precede sharp declines.
Platforms such as Nansen, DEXTools and LunarCrush help detect abnormal wallet activity, fake liquidity and sentiment manipulation.
Researching fundamentals, diversifying portfolios, setting stop-losses and avoiding hype-driven channels are key to protecting your funds.
The altcoin market offers immense opportunities for those looking to invest in cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin (BTC). However, it’s also a hunting ground for manipulators who leave unsuspecting retail investors waiting for profits that never come, while they make off with the funds. Recognizing these tactics is essential for self-preservation.
This article explains the tactics and objectives of market manipulators. It helps you recognize warning signs of potential altcoin crashes, identify manipulative activities and understand how to protect your funds.
Market manipulation: Tactics, goals and risks
Market manipulation in crypto trading involves coordinated efforts to artificially influence prices and mislead traders about a token’s true value or demand. These strategies exploit the high volatility and limited oversight of altcoin markets. The main objectives include securing profits for insiders or providing exit opportunities for early investors.
Common manipulation tactics used in altcoins include:
Pump-and-dump schemes: Insiders coordinate to artificially inflate a token’s price, often through social media hype. When the price peaks, they sell their holdings, triggering a sharp decline and leaving late entrants with heavy losses.
Wash trading: Traders repeatedly buy and sell the same token to generate artificial trading activity. This creates a false impression of robust market demand and liquidity, luring others to buy the token at elevated prices.
Spoofing and layering: Traders submit large buy or sell orders with no intention of executing them. These deceptive orders distort market perception, suggesting stronger demand or supply than actually exists and misleading others into making poor trades.
Insider trading: Individuals with access to confidential information, such as planned exchange listings or token releases, trade before these announcements become public. This allows them to profit unfairly from price movements that others cannot anticipate.
Whale manipulation: Major holders, known as “whales,” trade substantial amounts of a token to trigger market reactions. Large purchases can fuel fear of missing out (FOMO), while sudden sales often cause panic, allowing whales to buy back at lower prices.
Five warning signs of altcoin market manipulation
Identifying red flags of market manipulation can help altcoin investors avoid sudden losses. Onchain and market data often provide early signals before a downturn. Here are some warning signs to watch for:
Sudden increases in trading volume: A rapid surge in activity without a clear reason could indicate coordinated buying intended to attract additional investors.
Whales transferring funds to exchanges: Large transfers from crypto wallets to exchanges, typically by whales, often suggest that major sell-offs could be on the way. This may indicate that insiders are preparing to liquidate.
Sharp price fluctuations in low-liquidity markets: Large price swings in tokens with limited trading volume may indicate deliberate manipulation by small groups or individual actors.
Upcoming token unlocks or vesting schedules: Upcoming token distributions increase the available supply and may be used by early investors or project teams to sell their holdings.
Questionable surges in social media activity: Fake hype, repetitive hashtags or sudden endorsements from influencers could signal coordinated promotional campaigns.
Did you know? Many “trending” coins on X or Telegram gain traction through automated bot activity rather than genuine investor interest.
Tools and techniques to detect market manipulation in altcoins
Detecting market manipulation in altcoins requires attentiveness and the right mix of analytical tools. From blockchain forensics to market scanners and social sentiment trackers, these tools help traders identify unusual patterns and deceptive behavior before losses occur:
Onchain analytics: Platforms such as Nansen, Glassnode and Arkham Intelligence monitor wallet transactions. They track significant fund movements to identify coordinated manipulation or insider activity.
Market scanners: Tools like CoinMarketCap’s liquidity metrics, DEXTools and CoinGecko alerts track real-time trading activity. They flag unusual trading volumes, sudden liquidity changes or price discrepancies across exchanges — all potential signs of fake volume or coordinated manipulation.
Social sentiment tools: Services such as LunarCrush and Santiment analyze public sentiment, keyword frequency and influencer mentions to detect artificial hype, coordinated campaigns or FOMO-driven market behavior.
Chart indicators: Technical indicators such as Relative Strength Index (RSI) divergence, sudden volume spikes and rising whale ratios can highlight abnormal buying or selling pressure, often signaling potential manipulation or coordinated activity.
Did you know? Telegram “pump-and-dump” groups often run like secret clubs, with paid entry tiers and “early alerts” for insiders.
Behavioral clues on social media
Manipulators often use social media to push their agenda and generate hype. Monitoring activity patterns on platforms such as X, Telegram or Reddit can help traders spot suspicious trends before they affect altcoin prices. Here are some behavioral clues to identify altcoin manipulation on social media:
Hype without substance: Repeated empty claims like “to the moon” or “next 100x” with no real evidence of project progress.
Anonymous influencer accounts: Promoting low-cap or obscure tokens while concealing the identity of those behind them.
Coordinated posts: A sudden wave of identical social media posts, threads or Telegram messages appearing just before sharp price movements.
Promote and delete: Some social media accounts flood platforms with false claims, then delete the posts later to boost visibility and erase evidence.
Case studies: When ignoring signals led to crashes
Throughout altcoin history, several early warning signs have been ignored, leading to severe losses. These red flags often included excessive social hype, large wallet movements or opaque token mechanics. Here are a few examples of such cases:
Example 1: LIBRA failure — In February 2025, Argentine President Javier Milei promoted a new memecoin that surged in value minutes after his post. However, within hours, several wallets dumped their holdings, crashing the price and causing heavy losses for retail investors. The promotional post was later deleted.
Example 2: Terra — In May 2022, the project collapsed when its algorithmic stablecoin, TerraUSD (UST), failed to maintain its dollar peg. The system depended on an arbitrage mechanism linking UST and LUNA. As confidence eroded, UST lost its peg (falling toward $0.30 and below). Mass redemptions, reduced liquidity and a cascading death spiral led to the collapse of both UST and LUNA.
These cases reinforce how hype and manipulated token mechanics eventually result in dumping.
Did you know? Some developers now fake audits or use AI-generated team photos to appear credible before vanishing.
How to protect yourself as an investor
In the crypto market, vigilance and due diligence are your best safeguards against manipulation and deceit. Sound financial habits can reduce your exposure to fraud. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself as an investor:
Verify project fundamentals: Always review the team, tokenomics and development roadmap before investing.
Avoid chasing parabolic price moves: Sudden surges often signal coordinated price inflation rather than organic growth based on the project’s fundamentals.
Diversify your portfolio: Spread your holdings across multiple assets to reduce the impact of any single token’s decline.
Set stop-loss and take-profit limits: Use these tools to lock in profits and minimize potential losses during market volatility.
Follow credible sources: Rely on trusted news outlets, data analytics platforms and verified discussion forums.
Ignore FOMO-driven chatter: Avoid Telegram or X groups promoting “next 100x gems” without credible evidence or transparency.
Regulatory and industry efforts to curb altcoins manipulation
Regulators and crypto exchanges are strengthening oversight worldwide to curb market manipulation. Leading exchanges have implemented advanced monitoring systems to detect wash trading, spoofing and coordinated order tampering. Coinbase, for example, uses AI- and machine learning-powered trade surveillance and real-time monitoring to identify front-running and similar activities.
On the regulatory front, frameworks such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) law and the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement actions have introduced greater order to the crypto market. The Financial Action Task Force has also established clearer standards for transparency and accountability.
These stricter regulations are pushing projects and exchanges to adopt robust Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and internal transaction checks. Such measures by regulators and exchanges have strengthened investor protections and fostered greater confidence in the market.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
The crypto market’s Fear & Greed Index flipped sharply to “fear” this week, falling to levels last seen in April, as a market sell-off erased over $230 billion in a single day.
On Friday, CoinMarketCap’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which tracks volatility, market momentum, social media trends and dominance metrics, fell to a low of 28, which is within the “fear” category and is inching closer to “extreme fear.”
CoinMarketCap data showed that on Friday, the total crypto market capitalization dropped to about $3.54 trillion, a 6% drop from $3.78 trillion the previous day. This wiped out over $230 billion in value from the sector, marking one of the sharpest single-day declines in months.
The Fear & Greed Index for traditional assets also fell to 22, signaling extreme fear in the market, following US stocks closing lower on Thursday as the credit market turmoil, regional banks’ exposure to bad loans and US-China trade tensions spread jitters on Wall Street.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index chart. Source: CoinMarketCap
Top crypto assets continue to bleed
Data shows that major crypto assets extended their declines in the last 24 hours as the broader market correction deepened.
Bitcoin (BTC) fell nearly 6% to about $105,000, while Ether (ETH) dropped almost 8% to about $3,700. Among large-cap altcoins, BNB (BNB) led losses with a nearly 12% decline, followed by Chainlink (LINK) with an 11% drop and Cardano (ADA), which dropped 9%.
Solana (SOL) and XRP (XRP) also tumbled by over 7%, extending a week-long decline that erased double-digit gains accumulated earlier this month.
On average, the largest non-stablecoin crypto assets declined by about 8%–9% over the last 24 hours.
Crypto market cap and volume. Source: CoinMarketCap
On Friday, data from CoinGlass showed that about $556 million worth of leveraged positions were wiped out across exchanges, a tiny fraction of last week’s figure.
From this amount, about $451 million came from long positions, while $105 million came from short liquidations.
Total liquidation amounts per exchange. Source: CoinGlass
Apart from top cryptocurrencies, other assets like memecoins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were also affected by the recent crash.
Memecoins, which showed small signs of recovery this week, dropped 33% in 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap. Top memecoin assets experienced declines of 9%–11% over the last 24 hours, while trading volumes remained relatively high, at nearly $10 billion.
The NFT sector, which also rebounded from a $1.2 billion wipeout last week, erased its gains and dropped below a $5 billion valuation, a level last seen in July. CoinGecko data showed that a majority of blue-chip collections dropped double-digit percentages in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs reacted to the crash. On Thursday, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded outflows of over $536 million, while spot Ether ETFs showed daily net outflows of more than $56 million.
Update (Oct. 17, 2025, at 11:00 am UTC): This article has been updated to add commentary by a Binance spokesperson.
France’s banking regulator is conducting additional Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks on Binance and other cryptocurrency exchanges, as Paris lobbies for more authority over Europe’s crypto industry under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
According to a Friday Bloomberg report, the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) is checking the Anti-Money Laundering compliance of Binance and “dozens of exchanges.” The report cited anonymous sources who noted that the checks started last year and are confidential.
The ACPR reportedly instructed Binance, in particular, to strengthen its risk controls last year. A Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph that “engagement with the ACPR is an ongoing component of operating as an AML-registered company.”
The company representative added that “reviews are are routine part of the ACPR’s regulatory oversight.” The spokesperson also highlighted that — as stated in the reports — “the ACPR is conducting these checks across dozens of exchanges.”
These inspections are reportedly supposed to verify that institutions comply with regulations, with a focus on AML and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT). As a result of last year’s checks, Binance was reportedly asked to strengthen its compliance and risk controls.
Companies are typically given several months to address deficiencies, often by hiring additional compliance or information technology staff to strengthen risk and cybersecurity systems.
The renewed scrutiny comes as France signals a tougher stance on the crypto industry and a desire to play a larger role in European regulation. In mid-September, France warned it may try to block cryptocurrency companies operating locally under licenses obtained in other European countries.
At the time, the French securities regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), said it was concerned about potential regulatory enforcement gaps introduced by unequal standards across the European Union. This would undermine the regulatory passporting introduced by Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, or MiCA.
AMF chair Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani admitted that the move would represent a serious breach of trust in European markets. Still, she said that “it’s still a possibility we hold in reserve.”
Earlier this month, the Bank of France called on the European Union to grant the Paris-based European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) control over the cryptocurrency industry. The central bank’s governor, François Villeroy de Galhau, warned against fragmented oversight.
Galhau claimed that relying on national regulators may lead to uneven enforcement across the EU. The need to enforce rules consistently is particularly dire as the crypto industry is experiencing rapid growth in the region.
As Ethereum continues to scale, block explorers have become essential tools for users tracking ETH, tokens, NFTs and smart contracts.
Etherscan, founded in Malaysia, excels at contract verification, token tracking and gas fee estimation, though it lacks portfolio management features.
Based in Thailand, Ethplorer specializes in token-centric data. It offers portfolio tracking and a developer-friendly API, making it a strong choice for DeFi and NFT users.
Supporting multiple blockchains, Blockchair provides advanced filters and exportable data sets. While powerful for researchers and analysts, its complex interface may be overwhelming for beginners.
Anyone using Ether (ETH) or ERC-20 tokens benefits from a reliable block explorer. These tools make it easier to verify decentralized finance (DeFi) transactions, follow non-fungible token (NFT) mints and inspect smart contract activity, offering a transparent view of what’s happening on the Ethereum network.
But how do you choose the right tool for the job? This article takes a look at the top five Ethereum block explorers of 2025, comparing them based on data depth, features and user experience.
Etherscan
Founded by: Matthew Tan (launched in August 2015)
Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Etherscan is a blockchain explorer designed for the Ethereum ecosystem. It’s widely used by individuals, developers and institutions to verify transactions, monitor smart contracts and analyze token activity. Its reliability and extensive onchain data make it one of the most trusted tools for tracking Ethereum network activity.
Unique features
Advanced tools for contract verification, enabling developers to publish and review smart contract code
Token tracking for ERC-20, ERC-721 (NFTs) and ERC-1155 multi-token standards
Gas tracker provides real-time fee estimates to optimize transaction costs.
Pros
Cons
Did you know? Block explorers are often called the “Google of blockchains.” They let anyone look up transactions, wallet addresses, smart contracts and tokens, providing transparent, searchable access to Ethereum’s public ledger.
Ethplorer
Founded by: Alexi Lane in 2016
Headquarters: Thailand
Ethplorer has established a distinct role within the Ethereum ecosystem by focusing on token-centric data. It provides a clear view of token transactions and wallet activity, making it especially useful for DeFi users and NFT collectors.
Unique features
Detailed token analytics offering comprehensive insights into ERC-20 and ERC-721 activity
Developer-friendly API for easy integration
Portfolio tracking to monitor multiple wallets within a single interface.
Pros
Clean, user-friendly interface tailored for token-focused users
Ideal for DeFi and NFT traders who need to track token movements efficiently
Offers a free tier with useful tools for everyday users.
Cons
Did you know? Etherscan’s Gas Tracker gained popularity during the DeFi boom. By displaying real-time transaction fees, it helped users plan their swaps and NFT mints more strategically to avoid overpaying.
Blockchair
Founded by: Nikita Zhavoronkov in 2016
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Blockchair is a multichain blockchain explorer that goes beyond Ethereum. It offers support for major networks such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin and more. Its advanced filtering and data export tools make it especially useful for researchers, analysts and organizations that need detailed blockchain insights.
Unique features
A multichain explorer supporting major blockchains such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, Dogecoin and several others
Equipped with advanced filtering and search tools that allow detailed and precise blockchain data analysis
Emphasizes privacy-first design, enabling users to export large data sets for external research and offline analysis.
Pros
Ideal for advanced users, researchers and data analysts
Enables cross-chain comparisons and research across multiple blockchain networks
Provides downloadable data sets suitable for academic, institutional or research use.
Cons
OKLink
OKLink is a professional-grade, multichain blockchain explorer developed under the OKG Technology Group. It supports major blockchains such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, offering robust tools for transaction tracking, stablecoin monitoring and onchain risk analysis. Known for its strong compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) features, OKLink is widely used by analysts, compliance teams and institutions that require deeper blockchain visibility beyond basic transaction searches.
Unique features
A multichain explorer with strong Ethereum integration and support for major blockchains
Equipped with specialized compliance and AML tools for risk monitoring
Provides advanced token and stablecoin tracking with onchain intelligence features for enhanced risk assessment.
Pros
Offers high-quality analytics tailored for enterprises, regulators and compliance teams
Enables real-time transaction tracking with compliance-focused filters to identify suspicious activity
Supports multiple blockchains and languages, making it suitable for a global user base.
Cons
Geared more toward professionals and institutions than everyday retail users
Advanced analytics and onchain intelligence features are accessible through paid subscription plans.
Did you know? Block explorers often reveal dormant wallets holding forgotten ETH and tokens. Some have remained untouched since Ethereum’s earliest days, sparking speculation that these fortunes may be lost forever.
TokenView
Founded by: Shi Jin, Jessica Fowler and Kevin in 2017
Headquarters: Hong Kong (China)
TokenView is a versatile multichain blockchain explorer that covers several networks beyond Ethereum. It offers a unified interface to track transactions, wallet balances, token data and contract activity. This makes it especially useful for users active in DeFi, NFTs and cross-chain operations.
Unique features
Enables real-time tracking of wallet balances and assets across multiple blockchains
Integrates onchain data with token price information, offering a unified view for faster and more efficient analysis.
Pros
Ideal for users across multiple blockchain ecosystems
Provides an integrated interface to monitor transactions, balances and token/market data
Supports a broad variety of networks and features, making it usable by both casual and more advanced users.
Cons
How the top five Ethereum block explorers compare
The top Ethereum block explorers offer a range of features designed for different user needs, with their own strengths and limitations.
Here is a table comparing the top five Ethereum block explorers:
Match Ethereum block explorers to your needs
With Ethereum’s activity surging in 2025, block explorers have become more important than ever. Each of the top five platforms — Etherscan, Ethplorer, Blockchair, OKLink and TokenView — serves a different purpose for different users.
Etherscan is known for reliable onchain data, contract verification tools and a beginner-friendly interface. Ethplorer focuses on token activity, offering portfolio tracking and analytics for DeFi and NFT users. Blockchair appeals to researchers with multichain support, advanced filters and exportable data sets. OKLink targets institutions with compliance tools, real-time monitoring and professional analytics. TokenView provides wide multichain coverage, combining transaction, balance and token data across several networks.
Together, these explorers capture Ethereum’s expanding ecosystem, supporting everything from basic transactions to institutional compliance. Whether you’re a trader, developer, researcher or enterprise, block explorers remain vital for navigating Ethereum’s transparency and innovation in 2025.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
As Ethereum continues to scale, block explorers have become essential tools for users tracking ETH, tokens, NFTs and smart contracts.
Etherscan, founded in Malaysia, excels at contract verification, token tracking and gas fee estimation, though it lacks portfolio management features.
Based in Thailand, Ethplorer specializes in token-centric data. It offers portfolio tracking and a developer-friendly API, making it a strong choice for DeFi and NFT users.
Supporting multiple blockchains, Blockchair provides advanced filters and exportable data sets. While powerful for researchers and analysts, its complex interface may be overwhelming for beginners.
Anyone using Ether (ETH) or ERC-20 tokens benefits from a reliable block explorer. These tools make it easier to verify decentralized finance (DeFi) transactions, follow non-fungible token (NFT) mints and inspect smart contract activity, offering a transparent view of what’s happening on the Ethereum network.
But how do you choose the right tool for the job? This article takes a look at the top five Ethereum block explorers of 2025, comparing them based on data depth, features and user experience.
Etherscan
Founded by: Matthew Tan (launched in August 2015)
Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Etherscan is a blockchain explorer designed for the Ethereum ecosystem. It’s widely used by individuals, developers and institutions to verify transactions, monitor smart contracts and analyze token activity. Its reliability and extensive onchain data make it one of the most trusted tools for tracking Ethereum network activity.
Unique features
Advanced tools for contract verification, enabling developers to publish and review smart contract code
Token tracking for ERC-20, ERC-721 (NFTs) and ERC-1155 multi-token standards
Gas tracker provides real-time fee estimates to optimize transaction costs.
Pros
Cons
Did you know? Block explorers are often called the “Google of blockchains.” They let anyone look up transactions, wallet addresses, smart contracts and tokens, providing transparent, searchable access to Ethereum’s public ledger.
Ethplorer
Founded by: Alexi Lane in 2016
Headquarters: Thailand
Ethplorer has established a distinct role within the Ethereum ecosystem by focusing on token-centric data. It provides a clear view of token transactions and wallet activity, making it especially useful for DeFi users and NFT collectors.
Unique features
Detailed token analytics offering comprehensive insights into ERC-20 and ERC-721 activity
Developer-friendly API for easy integration
Portfolio tracking to monitor multiple wallets within a single interface.
Pros
Clean, user-friendly interface tailored for token-focused users
Ideal for DeFi and NFT traders who need to track token movements efficiently
Offers a free tier with useful tools for everyday users.
Cons
Did you know? Etherscan’s Gas Tracker gained popularity during the DeFi boom. By displaying real-time transaction fees, it helped users plan their swaps and NFT mints more strategically to avoid overpaying.
Blockchair
Founded by: Nikita Zhavoronkov in 2016
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Blockchair is a multichain blockchain explorer that goes beyond Ethereum. It offers support for major networks such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin and more. Its advanced filtering and data export tools make it especially useful for researchers, analysts and organizations that need detailed blockchain insights.
Unique features
A multichain explorer supporting major blockchains such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, Dogecoin and several others
Equipped with advanced filtering and search tools that allow detailed and precise blockchain data analysis
Emphasizes privacy-first design, enabling users to export large data sets for external research and offline analysis.
Pros
Ideal for advanced users, researchers and data analysts
Enables cross-chain comparisons and research across multiple blockchain networks
Provides downloadable data sets suitable for academic, institutional or research use.
Cons
OKLink
OKLink is a professional-grade, multichain blockchain explorer developed under the OKG Technology Group. It supports major blockchains such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, offering robust tools for transaction tracking, stablecoin monitoring and onchain risk analysis. Known for its strong compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) features, OKLink is widely used by analysts, compliance teams and institutions that require deeper blockchain visibility beyond basic transaction searches.
Unique features
A multichain explorer with strong Ethereum integration and support for major blockchains
Equipped with specialized compliance and AML tools for risk monitoring
Provides advanced token and stablecoin tracking with onchain intelligence features for enhanced risk assessment.
Pros
Offers high-quality analytics tailored for enterprises, regulators and compliance teams
Enables real-time transaction tracking with compliance-focused filters to identify suspicious activity
Supports multiple blockchains and languages, making it suitable for a global user base.
Cons
Geared more toward professionals and institutions than everyday retail users
Advanced analytics and onchain intelligence features are accessible through paid subscription plans.
Did you know? Block explorers often reveal dormant wallets holding forgotten ETH and tokens. Some have remained untouched since Ethereum’s earliest days, sparking speculation that these fortunes may be lost forever.
TokenView
Founded by: Shi Jin, Jessica Fowler and Kevin in 2017
Headquarters: Hong Kong (China)
TokenView is a versatile multichain blockchain explorer that covers several networks beyond Ethereum. It offers a unified interface to track transactions, wallet balances, token data and contract activity. This makes it especially useful for users active in DeFi, NFTs and cross-chain operations.
Unique features
Enables real-time tracking of wallet balances and assets across multiple blockchains
Integrates onchain data with token price information, offering a unified view for faster and more efficient analysis.
Pros
Ideal for users across multiple blockchain ecosystems
Provides an integrated interface to monitor transactions, balances and token/market data
Supports a broad variety of networks and features, making it usable by both casual and more advanced users.
Cons
How the top five Ethereum block explorers compare
The top Ethereum block explorers offer a range of features designed for different user needs, with their own strengths and limitations.
Here is a table comparing the top five Ethereum block explorers:
Match Ethereum block explorers to your needs
With Ethereum’s activity surging in 2025, block explorers have become more important than ever. Each of the top five platforms — Etherscan, Ethplorer, Blockchair, OKLink and TokenView — serves a different purpose for different users.
Etherscan is known for reliable onchain data, contract verification tools and a beginner-friendly interface. Ethplorer focuses on token activity, offering portfolio tracking and analytics for DeFi and NFT users. Blockchair appeals to researchers with multichain support, advanced filters and exportable data sets. OKLink targets institutions with compliance tools, real-time monitoring and professional analytics. TokenView provides wide multichain coverage, combining transaction, balance and token data across several networks.
Together, these explorers capture Ethereum’s expanding ecosystem, supporting everything from basic transactions to institutional compliance. Whether you’re a trader, developer, researcher or enterprise, block explorers remain vital for navigating Ethereum’s transparency and innovation in 2025.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
