Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital has secured a $460 million private investment from one of the world’s “largest asset managers” to accelerate the transformation of its former Bitcoin mining site in Texas into an AI data center.
The deal involves the purchase of 12.77 million Class A shares at $36 per share, with the proceeds earmarked for general corporate use and the expansion of its Helios campus, expected to deliver 133 megawatts of IT capacity in early 2026, the company announced Friday.
“Having one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated institutional investors make such a significant investment in our company will support our strategic vision and our ability to build leading businesses across digital assets and data centers,” Novogratz said.
The transaction is expected to close around Oct. 17, 2025, pending approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Galaxy stock ends Friday down by 6%. Source: Google Finance
Galaxy gets $1.4 billion loan to power Helios expansion
The new investment follows Galaxy’s $1.4 billion loan facility secured in August to fund roughly 80% of the Helios buildout. Under a 15-year contract with CoreWeave, an AI cloud infrastructure provider, Galaxy will supply compute power for AI and high-performance computing workloads starting in 2026.
The company expects to generate over $1 billion in annual revenue from the partnership, totaling about $15 billion over the term.
At full buildout, the Helios data center will have a 3.5-gigawatt capacity, positioning it as one of the largest AI infrastructure projects in North America. Of that, CoreWeave has committed to 800 megawatts, while Galaxy plans to lease the remaining 2.7 gigawatts to additional clients.
The move comes amid a growing trend of crypto-native firms pivoting toward AI infrastructure amid record Bitcoin hashrate, which reduces the chances of miners earning rewards.
Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital has secured a $460 million private investment from one of the world’s “largest asset managers” to accelerate the transformation of its former Bitcoin mining site in Texas into an AI data center.
The deal involves the purchase of 12.77 million Class A shares at $36 per share, with the proceeds earmarked for general corporate use and the expansion of its Helios campus, expected to deliver 133 megawatts of IT capacity in early 2026, the company announced Friday.
“Having one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated institutional investors make such a significant investment in our company will support our strategic vision and our ability to build leading businesses across digital assets and data centers,” Novogratz said.
The transaction is expected to close around Oct. 17, 2025, pending approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Galaxy stock ends Friday down by 6%. Source: Google Finance
Galaxy gets $1.4 billion loan to power Helios expansion
The new investment follows Galaxy’s $1.4 billion loan facility secured in August to fund roughly 80% of the Helios buildout. Under a 15-year contract with CoreWeave, an AI cloud infrastructure provider, Galaxy will supply compute power for AI and high-performance computing workloads starting in 2026.
The company expects to generate over $1 billion in annual revenue from the partnership, totaling about $15 billion over the term.
At full buildout, the Helios data center will have a 3.5-gigawatt capacity, positioning it as one of the largest AI infrastructure projects in North America. Of that, CoreWeave has committed to 800 megawatts, while Galaxy plans to lease the remaining 2.7 gigawatts to additional clients.
The move comes amid a growing trend of crypto-native firms pivoting toward AI infrastructure amid record Bitcoin hashrate, which reduces the chances of miners earning rewards.
Paul Atkins wants to cement his vision for the crypto markets before political tides shift again in Washington. As the new chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, he’s moving quickly to “future-proof” SEC policies, a push that could define how much freedom the crypto industry enjoys after President Donald Trump leaves office.
In a conference hosted by the Managed Funds Association in New York on Tuesday, Atkins said the SEC would work quickly to adopt rules that could “future-proof” his agenda. He specifically referred to removing or weakening regulations on public and private markets, both of which could impact the cryptocurrency industry after Trump or Atkins leaves.
“We have, I think, an amazing opportunity to get together and, in a can-do spirit, kind of create something that’s lasting,” said Atkins on US regulators collaborating. “My main concern is to future-proof this against future potential changes. What we have to do is to get things implemented, get things agreed, and then let the market work […]”
On collaboration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the SEC chair said:
“As we go forward, especially with digital assets, the one thing that I am trying to warn people about is we can’t have two fortresses on either side of a no man’s land strip, because that no man’s land strip right now is littered with the corpses of would-be products that have gotten killed in the crossfire of the two agencies over the years.”
Even before the US Senate confirmed Atkins as SEC chair in April, then-acting Chair Mark Uyeda had significantly changed the agency’s approach to digital assets by closing several investigations and cases against crypto companies and establishing a crypto task force under Commissioner Hester Peirce.
Under Atkins, the commission changed listing standards for crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), reportedly weighed allowing stocks to trade on the blockchain, considered abandoning the agency’s quarterly reporting requirements, and held a roundtable with the CFTC to “harmonize” regulations.
“[T]he momentum behind digital assets is difficult to reverse,” Andrew Forson, president of Canada-based DeFi Technologies, said in response to an email from Cointelegraph. “US policy, even amid differing leadership philosophies, has increasingly aligned traditional capital markets with decentralized finance.”
Could a future US president undo all the SEC’s work with the stroke of a pen?
Though Atkins has broad authority to propose and support rules and policies favoring the crypto industry, he has been closely aligned with the current administration, based on public statements. As SEC chair, he can direct the agency to pursue enforcement actions and adopt policies.
Shortly after former SEC Chair Gary Gensler resigned in January, the agency softened its approach to crypto enforcement, dropping many years-long investigations and cases. Some might question whether a future US president who could be more anti-crypto or neutral on the technology would be able to quickly reverse Atkins’ agenda, as the SEC is doing for many of Gensler’s positions.
“It would be difficult for a new SEC chair to fully reverse Chair Atkins’ proposed policies,” Forson told Cointelegraph. “However, a future administration could layer on additional reporting requirements and compliance burdens—effectively slowing progress and innovation. This would echo the early days of ICOs, when overregulation stifled legitimate token offerings.”
Forson added:
“If a less crypto-friendly administration took over, existing instruments would likely be grandfathered in, but new entrants would face significant headwinds. Regulatory shifts might temper innovation, but they can’t dismantle the ecosystem that’s already firmly established.”
David B. Hoppe, a technology and media attorney and the founder of Gamma Law, offered a slightly different perspective, saying that future SEC chairs couldn’t unilaterally roll back the agency’s rules and regulations. However, they could change the SEC’s “internal priorities” established by Atkins and shift resources back to pursuing enforcement cases and investigations against crypto companies.
“With a vote of the SEC commissioners, the future chairperson could also reverse official policies of the SEC announced under Mr. Atkins,” Hoppe told Cointelegraph. “This could mean a return to the SEC’s previous posture that crypto projects presumptively implicate securities laws. Although nonbinding, SEC policy statements communicate SEC rule interpretations and enforcement priorities and can significantly affect market participants.”
What about SEC regulations changed by Congress?
A market structure bill currently working its way through the US Senate could also significantly change SEC regulations and, should it pass and be signed into law, require another act of Congress to change or undo. However, according to Hoppe, some of the changes under the market structure law would likely face fewer challenges.
“[A]ny regulations adopted by the SEC and CFTC to implement the market structure law would be much easier to amend or withdraw, as they would need only go through the standard notice-and-comment process (or other applicable procedure),” Hoppe told Cointelegraph. “The SEC or CFTC could, in the future, decide to reinterpret the provisions of the market structure law and amend or withdraw regulations accordingly.”
Cointelegraph reached out to Atkins for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
As of Thursday, the US government had entered the ninth day of a shutdown caused by lawmakers’ inability to reach an agreement on a funding bill. The SEC continues to operate on reduced staff and operations, but Atkins said on Tuesday that the agency was “not slowing down” amid the shutdown.
Bitcoin has pulled below $116,000, but select analysts expect buyers to step in at lower levels and arrest the decline.
Select altcoins have reached critical support levels where the buyers are expected to mount a strong defense.
Bitcoin (BTC) attempted a recovery on Friday, but higher levels attracted selling. That has pulled the price under $116,000 as short-term traders are rushing to the exit.
Analyst Stockmoney Lizards said in an X post that BTC is witnessing a shakeout in both directions. Despite the correction, the analyst remains bullish, expecting BTC to find support around $118,000 to $119,000.
Trader Peter Brandt told Cointelegraph that “BTC could hit a bull market high any day now,” if it follows its historical cycle pattern. However, he added that cycles could change, and there is a 50/50 possibility of that happening. In case of counter-cyclicality, Brandt expects BTC to rally to as high as $185,000.
What are the critical support and resistance 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 has pulled back under the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) ($118,807), which is a vital near-term support for the bulls to defend.
If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with force, the bulls will attempt to push the BTC/USDT pair to the all-time high of $126,199. A break above the resistance could clear the path for a rally toward $141,948.
On the contrary, a close below the 20-day EMA suggests that the bulls are losing their grip. The pair could then slump to the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) ($114,571). That indicates the Bitcoin price could extend its stay inside the $107,000 to $126,199 range for a while longer. Sellers will seize control on a close below $107,000.
Ether price prediction
The failure of the bulls to push Ether (ETH) above the resistance line on Wednesday attracted solid selling by the bears.
The Ether price turned down and has reached solid support at $4,060. Buyers are expected to defend the $4,060 to $3,745 support zone with all their might because a drop below it signals a possible short-term top. The ETH/USDT pair could then start a new downtrend toward $3,350.
Buyers will have to push the price above the resistance line to gain strength. The upside momentum is likely to pick up on a close above the $4,750 resistance.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) has pulled back after a strong rally, but the dip is finding support near the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $1,217.
If the price turns up from the current level, the bulls will attempt to push the price above the overhead resistance of $1,350. If they can pull it off, the BNB/USDT pair could resume the uptrend toward the next target objective of $1,440 and then $1,642.
The bears are likely to have other plans. They will sell the rallies and pull the price below $1,217. If they do that, the BNB price could slip to the 20-day EMA ($1,123), where the bulls are expected to resume their purchases.
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) has plunged close to the $2.69 support line, which is a critical level for the bulls to defend.
If the price breaks and closes below $2.69, the XRP/USDT pair will complete a descending channel pattern. That could accelerate selling and pull the XRP price to $2.33 and eventually to $2.20.
Buyers will have to push and sustain the price above the downtrend line to prevent the fall. The failure of a bearish pattern is a bullish sign as it traps the aggressive bears, resulting in a short squeeze.
Solana price prediction
Solana (SOL) bounced off the 50-day SMA ($217) on Wednesday, but the recovery was short-lived as the bears pulled the price below the moving averages on Friday.
The Solana price could drop to the support line, which is a crucial level for the bulls to defend. If the price turns up from the support line and breaks above the moving averages, it signals that the SOL/USDT pair could remain inside the ascending channel pattern for some more time.
Alternatively, a break below the support line suggests that the bulls have given up. That opens the doors for a fall to $175.
Dogecoin price prediction
Dogecoin (DOGE) has been taking support at the 50-day SMA ($0.24), but the failure to start a solid bounce signals a lack of demand at higher levels.
The bears will try to sink the price to the uptrend line, which is a crucial support to keep an eye on. If the price rebounds off the uptrend line and breaks above the moving averages, it suggests that the ascending triangle pattern remains intact. The DOGE/USDT pair may then climb to $0.27 and later to $0.29.
Conversely, a break and close below the uptrend line invalidates the bullish setup. That suggests the Dogecoin price may continue to oscillate between $0.14 and $0.29 for a few more days.
Cardano price prediction
Buyers tried to push Cardano (ADA) above the moving averages on Wednesday, but the bears held their ground.
Sellers will try to pull the price to the support line of the descending channel pattern, where the buyers are expected to step in.
Contrarily, if the Cardano price turns up from the current level and breaks above the moving averages, it signals buying on dips. That enhances the prospects of a rally above the resistance line. If that happens, the ADA/USDT pair could start an upward move to $0.95 and later to $1.02.
If the price maintains below $43, the HYPE/USDT pair could drop to the $39.68 level. This is a critical level to watch out for because a close below $39.68 will complete a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. That may start a downward move to $35.50 and then to $32.
Buyers will have to drive the Hyperliquid price above the moving averages to signal a comeback. The upside momentum could pick up after buyers thrust the price above the $51.87 resistance.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) is struggling to rise above the resistance line, but a positive sign is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears.
The bulls will again attempt to clear the overhead barrier. If they manage to do that, it signals that the corrective phase may be over. The Chainlink price could rally to $25.64 and subsequently to $27.
This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below $21. That could keep the LINK/USDT pair inside the descending channel for some more time.
Sui price prediction
Sui (SUI) has been trading inside a falling wedge pattern, which is typically considered a bullish setup if the breakout happens to the upside.
The bulls and the bears are engaged in a tough battle near the moving averages. If buyers push and maintain the price above the moving averages, the SUI/USDT pair could reach the downtrend line. Sellers are expected to aggressively defend the downtrend line because a break above it opens the doors for a rally to $4 and then to $4.44.
On the contrary, if the price turns down and breaks below $3.30, it suggests that the bears are trying to take charge. The Sui price may then slump to the support line.
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.
Having a recovery plan — with revocation tools, support contacts and reporting portals — can turn a mistake into a setback instead of a disaster.
Crypto hacks are still on the rise. In the first half of 2025 alone, security firms recorded more than $2.4 billion stolen across more than 300 incidents, already exceeding 2024’s total thefts.
One major breach, the Bybit theft attributed to North Korean groups, skewed the numbers upward, but it shouldn’t claim all the attention.
Most everyday losses still come from simple traps: phishing links, malicious wallet approvals, SIM swaps and fake “support” accounts.
The good news: You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to improve your safety. A few core habits (which you can set up in minutes) can dramatically lower your risk.
Here are seven that matter most in 2025.
1. Ditch SMS: Use phishing-resistant 2FA everywhere
If you’re still relying on SMS codes to secure your accounts, you’re leaving yourself exposed.
SIM-swap attacks remain one of the most common ways criminals drain wallets, and prosecutors continue to seize millions tied to them.
Start by locking down your most critical logins: email, exchanges and your password manager.
US cybersecurity agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency stress this because it blocks phishing tricks and “push-fatigue” scams that bypass weaker forms of multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Pair it with long, unique passphrases (length beats complexity), store backup codes offline and on exchanges and turn on withdrawal allowlists so funds can only move to addresses you control.
Did you know? Phishing attacks targeting crypto users rose by 40% in the first half of 2025, with fake exchange sites being a major vector.
2. Signing hygiene: Stop drainers and toxic approvals
Most people don’t lose funds to cutting-edge exploits; they lose them to a single bad signature.
The best defense is slowing down: Read every signature request carefully, especially when you see “setApprovalForAll,” “Permit/Permit2” or an unlimited “approve.”
If you’re experimenting with new decentralized applications (DApps), use a burner wallet for mints or risky interactions and keep your main assets in a separate vault. Periodically revoke unused approvals using tools like Revoke.cash — it’s simple and worth the small gas cost.
Researchers are already tracking a sharp rise in drainer-driven thefts, especially on mobile. Good signing habits break that chain before it starts.
3. Hot vs. cold: Split your spending from your savings
Think of wallets the way you think of bank accounts.
A hot wallet is your checking account — good for spending and interacting with apps.
A hardware or multisig wallet is your vault — built for long-term, secure storage.
Keeping your private keys offline eliminates nearly all exposure to malware and malicious websites.
For long-term savings, write down your seed phrase on paper or steel: Never store it on a phone, computer or cloud service.
Test your recovery setup with a small restore before transferring serious funds. If you’re confident managing extra security, consider adding a BIP-39 passphrase, but remember that losing it means losing access permanently.
For larger balances or shared treasuries, multisig wallets can require signatures from two or three separate devices before any transaction is approved, making theft or unauthorized access far more difficult.
Did you know? In 2024, private key compromises made up 43.8% of all stolen crypto funds.
4. Device and browser hygiene
Your device setup is as important as your wallet.
Updates patch the very exploits attackers rely on, so enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser and wallet apps, and reboot when needed.
Hardware wallet users should disable blind signing by default: It hides transaction details and exposes you to unnecessary risk if you’re tricked.
Whenever possible, handle sensitive actions on a clean desktop instead of a phone packed with apps. Aim for a minimal, updated setup with as few potential attack surfaces as possible.
5. Verify before you send: Addresses, chains, contracts
The easiest way to lose crypto is by sending it to the wrong place. Always double-check both the recipient address and the network before you hit “send.”
For first-time transfers, make a small test payment (the extra fee is worth the peace of mind). When handling tokens or non-fungible tokens (NFTs), verify you’ve got the correct contract by checking the project’s official site, reputable aggregators like CoinGecko and explorers such as Etherscan.
Look for verified code or ownership badges before interacting with any contract. Never type a wallet address manually — always copy and paste it, and confirm the first and last characters to avoid clipboard swaps. Avoid copying addresses directly from your transaction history, as dusting attacks or spoofed entries can trick you into reusing a compromised address.
Be extra cautious with “airdrop claim” websites, especially those requesting unusual approvals or cross-chain actions. If something feels off, pause and verify the link through official project channels. And if you’ve already granted suspicious approvals, revoke them immediately before proceeding.
6. Social engineering defense: Romance, “tasks,” impersonation
The biggest crypto scams rarely rely on code — they rely on people.
Romance and pig-butchering schemes build fake relationships and use counterfeit trading dashboards to show fabricated profits, then pressure victims to deposit more or pay fictitious “release fees.”
Job scams often begin with friendly messages on WhatsApp or Telegram, offering micro-tasks and small payouts before turning into deposit schemes. Impersonators posing as “support staff” may then try to screen-share with you or trick you into revealing your seed phrase.
The tell is always the same: Real support will never ask for your private keys, send you to a lookalike site or request payment through Bitcoin ATMs or gift cards. The moment you spot these red flags, cut contact immediately.
Did you know? The number of deposits into pig butchering scams grew by approximately 210% year-over-year in 2024, even though the average amount per deposit fell.
7. Recovery readiness: Make mistakes survivable
Even the most careful people slip up. The difference between a disaster and a recovery is preparation.
Keep a short offline “break-glass” card with your key recovery resources: verified exchange support links, a trusted revocation tool and official reporting portals such as the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
If something goes wrong, include transaction hashes, wallet addresses, amounts, timestamps and screenshots in your report. Investigators often connect multiple cases through these shared details.
You may not recover funds immediately, but having a plan in place turns a total loss into a manageable mistake.
If the worst happens: What to do next
If you’ve clicked a malicious link or sent funds by mistake, act fast. Transfer any remaining assets to a new wallet you fully control, then revoke old permissions using trusted tools like Etherscan’s Token Approval Checker or Revoke.cash.
Change your passwords, switch to phishing-resistant 2FA, sign out of all other sessions and check your email settings for forwarding or filtering rules you didn’t create.
Then escalate: Contact your exchange to flag the destination addresses and file a report with IC3 or your local regulator. Include transaction hashes, wallet addresses, timestamps and screenshots; those details help investigators connect cases, even if recovery takes time.
The broader lesson is simple: Seven habits (strong MFA, careful signing, separating hot and cold wallets, maintaining clean devices, verifying before sending, staying alert to social engineering and having a recovery plan) block most everyday crypto threats.
Start small: Upgrade your 2FA and tighten your signing hygiene today, then build up from there. A little preparation now can spare you from catastrophic losses later 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.
SWIFT powers most of the world’s bank transfers through its messaging network, while Ripple uses XRP to make cross-border payments faster and cheaper.
Beyond payments, XRP is also used for remittances and is being explored for tokenized loyalty and DeFi applications, with institutions like SBI Holdings testing integrations.
SWIFT is developing a blockchain-based ledger for real-time payments, interoperable with major networks and supporting tokenized assets.
SWIFT still faces challenges like outdated systems, regulatory hurdles, institutional inertia and competition from Ripple’s expanding network.
Cross-border payments move trillions of dollars each year, and two names dominate: the long-established SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) and Ripple, a newer player built around blockchain technology. SWIFT runs a massive global network but remains slow, while Ripple uses its XRP (XRP) token for near-instant settlements. Over time, Ripple has built its technology and reputation as a faster, more efficient alternative to SWIFT’s older, costlier system.
But SWIFT is no longer playing defense. It is developing a shared ledger with Consensys, aiming to compete directly with Ripple. This article looks at how SWIFT’s system works, its blockchain plans and the challenges it still needs to overcome.
Understanding SWIFT: The messaging system behind international money transfers
SWIFT sits at the core of global banking communication. It doesn’t move funds itself but provides a secure, standardized messaging network that lets banks and payment providers exchange instructions for cross-border transactions.
When a customer sends money overseas, their bank uses the SWIFT network to send a secure payment message to the recipient’s bank. This message includes details such as account numbers, amounts and reference codes. Each bank has a unique SWIFT/Bank Identifier Code (BIC) that ensures the message reaches the right destination.
SWIFT serves as a trusted intermediary for global finance, offering encrypted, authenticated and reliable messaging across 200+ countries. By standardizing communication, it reduces errors, accelerates settlements and supports compliance. It has been the backbone of international money transfers for decades.
Did you know? SWIFT was founded in 1973 in Belgium by 239 banks from 15 countries to replace the slow, error-prone Telex system with faster and more secure financial communication.
XRP’s diverse impact: Shortening payments, powering loyalty and enabling DeFi
International payments via XRP can reduce or eliminate pre-funding, accelerate settlement and cut costs. SBI Remit in Japan uses XRP for remittances to the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. Similarly, Pyypl has integrated XRP via Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) for remittances between parts of Africa and Asia, targeting unbanked users.
Beyond payments, XRP is being integrated into travel and loyalty services. For example, Webus/Wetour plans to use XRP (backed by a proposed $300-million reserve) to support blockchain-based vouchers and loyalty points for Air China’s PhoenixMiles members. These members would, in the future, be able to use XRP for overseas services like airport transfers and premium rides.
Institutions now increasingly view XRP as a key operational and treasury asset. SBI Holdings, for instance, not only invests in Ripple but also integrates XRP in its subsidiaries (SBI Remit, SBI VC Trade) and maintains substantial XRP reserves.
The XRP Ledger is a fast, low-cost blockchain used for cross-border payments, tokenized assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. It relies on a consensus protocol rather than mining, which reduces energy use and operational costs compared with proof-of-work networks.
SWIFT’s blockchain project: Architecture and ambition
SWIFT’s blockchain initiative is being designed for interoperability between public and private chains and for handling regulated stablecoins and tokenized assets, positioning it as a versatile infrastructure for the future.
A key feature of SWIFT’s blockchain project is real-time cross-border payments. The system is designed to enhance existing digital infrastructure rather than replace it entirely. This approach allows financial institutions to integrate it more easily with their current systems, reducing one of the biggest barriers to adoption.
By adopting blockchain, SWIFT aims to maintain its central role in global payments as stablecoins and networks like XRP gain traction. The project is intended to keep banks within the SWIFT ecosystem by modernizing its infrastructure and strengthening its position at the core of international finance.
Did you know? Ripple’s technology can settle on the XRP Ledger in three to five seconds, whereas SWIFT-based cross-border transfers often take one to five business days.
How SWIFT’s blockchain could undercut Ripple’s edge
SWIFT’s blockchain project builds on its long-standing dominance in global banking and settlements. Its network already connects thousands of banks and financial institutions worldwide, giving it a scale that Ripple may find hard to match. Ripple’s ODL system, which uses the XRP token as a bridge currency, still offers faster and cheaper cross-border payments. For SWIFT, the main challenge is improving liquidity to reach the same level of efficiency as Ripple’s ODL model.
Network effects will also play a big role. Since most institutions are already linked to SWIFT, banks may find it easier to adopt its new shared ledger instead of moving to Ripple’s system. For Ripple, convincing financial institutions to switch networks remains a major challenge. SWIFT’s neutral stance on tokens and settlement methods could also help it maintain an advantage over Ripple.
While Ripple’s model relies on XRP as a bridge asset, SWIFT’s upcoming ledger is designed to support a wider range of regulated tokens, including stablecoins and tokenized assets. This flexibility could weaken XRP’s dominance in cross-border settlements, especially if banks move toward multi-asset payment systems.
Did you know? Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) has been used by SBI Remit in Japan to send money to countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam.
Challenges confronting SWIFT
SWIFT’s blockchain project still faces hurdles that could slow its rollout. One of the biggest challenges is connecting the new system with existing banking infrastructure while keeping everything technically compatible. Since SWIFT runs a long-established global messaging network, making it work smoothly with a distributed ledger without disrupting current services will be a complex task.
Another significant challenge is regulatory compliance across jurisdictions: Varying rules on digital assets, stablecoins and tokenization can complicate cross-border deployment. Additionally, many financial institutions are cautious; they may hesitate to adopt new infrastructure unless its advantages are clear and risks are mitigated.
SWIFT also faces tough competition from Ripple’s long-standing partnerships focused on real-time settlement. Unless SWIFT can show clear and measurable advantages, its blockchain project may be seen as a supporting effort instead of a leading solution.
Will SWIFT’s blockchain challenge or complement Ripple?
Looking ahead, SWIFT’s blockchain ledger could reshape global payments in two ways. It might coexist with Ripple, keeping its dominant position in regulated banking. Ripple, meanwhile, may continue to focus on liquidity and settlement efficiency in emerging markets. Another possibility is that SWIFT uses its massive network to gradually overtake Ripple, reducing the industry’s reliance on proprietary tokens.
The outcome of this rivalry will shape the future of cross-border payments. Ripple’s response will be crucial. The competition between the two could spark faster innovation and lead to more real-world applications through partnerships with fintechs and regional banks.
Ultimately, the deciding factor won’t just be better technology. Other elements, such as network momentum, institutional confidence and alignment with the broader goals of global finance, will also play a major role.
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.
South Africans can now pay with cryptocurrency at thousands of retail stores nationwide, following a new partnership between QR payments provider Scan to Pay and Bitcoin payments company MoneyBadger.
According to a Tech Central report, the integration allows users of major exchanges, including Binance, Luno, Blink and VALR, to pay using Bitcoin (BTC), stablecoins and other crypto assets at over 650,000 Scan to Pay-enabled merchants.
Crypto holders can pay for their purchases through QR codes at checkout counters, while the merchants will receive the settlement in rand. The system works through the MoneyBadger platform, linking payments to users’ exchanges or Bitcoin Lightning accounts.
With the integration, users can essentially pay for groceries, meals and online shopping directly with crypto.
Removing the crypto conversion step for users
Theo Koma, the product owner at Scan to Pay, said that the collaboration is a step toward financial inclusion. “By removing the conversion step, we’re making it possible for people to use their cryptocurrency holdings directly,” Koma said.
This means that crypto users would not need to convert their funds back into fiat when they want to use the assets for everyday purchases.
Merchants would also not need to perform any additional steps to accept crypto payments on Scan to Pay’s existing network.
Crypto platform Luno said the collaboration connects its 30,000 merchant base with Scan to Pay’s 650,000 outlets, expanding payments to major retail chains like Shoprite, Checkers, Makro and Vodacom.
South Africans are moving from hoarding to spending
MoneyBadger CEO Carel van Wyk said the rollout reflects a bigger shift in the local market.
“South Africans are increasingly moving from holding Bitcoin as an investment to using it for everyday spending,” he said. “This move expands the number of places where South Africans can pay with Bitcoin significantly.”
Van Wyk previously urged the community to spend their Bitcoin, arguing that hoarding Bitcoin kills adoption. On Oct. 2, he pointed to the Bitcoin white paper’s original vision of being a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
He said that market demand strengthens utility and creates market demand for merchants to accept BTC payments.
A large cryptocurrency investor who surfaced two months ago with about $11 billion worth of Bitcoin has opened almost $900 million in short positions against Bitcoin and Ether, signaling expectations of a market correction despite widespread optimism for October.
The whale returned to trading on Thursday with a $360 million Bitcoin (BTC) transfer that piqued the interest of cryptocurrency investors, Cointelegraph reported.
On Friday, the whale opened a $600 million 8x leveraged short position on Bitcoin and a leveraged short worth over $300 million on Ether (ETH), according to blockchain data platform Onchain Lens.
The massive short bets signal the whale’s confidence in an incoming correction, but the thesis stands to be invalidated if Bitcoin’s price rises above $133,760, their liquidation threshold.
The whale also opened a $330 million 12-times leveraged short position on Ether, with a liquidation price of $4,613. The position showed an unrealized profit of $2.6 million at the time of writing, according to blockchain data shared by Lookonchain on Friday.
The whale’s short bets may inspire more large investors to follow suit and bet on the price decline of the leading cryptocurrencies.
Back in August, nine whale addresses acquired a cumulative $456 million worth of Ether, after the $11 billion Bitcoin whale rotated $5 billion of his Bitcoin into ETH.
Large-scale selling from previously dormant Bitcoin whales was among the main factors limiting Bitcoin’s price action in August, according to analyst and early Bitcoin adopter Willy Woo.
Bitcoin correction caused by smaller cohorts, not whales
Bitcoin set a new all-time high above $125,700 on Sunday, before retracing to trade above $121,350 at the time of writing, according to Cointelegraph data.
The majority of the selling pressure didn’t come from large investors, but smaller wallet cohorts, including 603 Bitcoin sold by shrimp addresses, 2,260 Bitcoin sold by crabs and 3,860 BTC sold by fish addresses, according to blockchain insights platform CryptoQuant’s Thursday X post.
The shrimp cohort refers to retail investor addresses with less than 1 Bitcoin. Crab addresses hold up to 10 Bitcoin, while fish addresses hold between 50 to 100 BTC.
Most cryptocurrency traders are also positioning for a short-term decline in the crypto market.
Long vs short trades on exchanges. Source: coinAnk.com
Over 52% of Bitcoin holders across all exchanges are currently short, meaning that they are betting on Bitcoin’s price decline, while 47% remain long, according to blockchain data from CoinAnk.
About 51% of Ether traders have also shorted the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, expecting a decline.
XRP’s (XRP) drop toward $2.80 was preceded by a significant amount of transfers from large holders, which some analysts said may fuel a deeper price correction.
Whales are offloading their XRP
XRP whales, or entities holding large amounts of tokens, have intensified their sell-side activity as the price dropped below $3.
Analyzing XRP Whale Flow data, using a 30-day moving average, CryptoQuant analyst Maartunn said that $50 million worth of XRP is leaving whale wallets daily.
He added:
“Selling pressure persists.”
XRP: Whale Flow 30DMA change. Source: CryptoQuant
This aligns with a surge in XRP supply on centralized exchanges in late September and early October, as data from Glassnode shows.
This “strongly suggests whales are positioning for a significant sell-off,” said trader CryptoOnchain in an X analysis on Oct. 3, adding:
“The data points to immense selling pressure, creating a high risk of a sharp correction. Conditions are ripe for a major price decline.”
XRP percentage balance on exchanges. Source: Glassnode
Trader Peter Brandt flagged XRP as a “short candidate” if it completes a descending triangle pattern.
Brandt’s technical perspective points to more downside risk if the price breaks below the triangle’s support line at $2.75. He said:
“$XRP is on my list of short candidates, but it is conditional upon completing the descending triangle.”
XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Peter Brandt
The measured target of the pattern, calculated by adding the triangle’s height to the breakout point, is $2.20, representing a 22% decline from the current price.
As Cointelegraph reported, the area between $2.75 and $2.80 remains a key support zone for XRP, and holding is crucial to avoiding further losses.
Meanwhile, hopes for the approval of an XRP ETF remain. Market commentator XRP Update said that the US Securities and Exchange Commission might approve an XRP ETF by Oct. 18, adding:
“This could be a turning point for institutional adoption and market legitimacy.”
Such news could help the bulls regain their footing, though a “sell-the-news” pullback is also possible, especially if whales use it as an exit point.
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.
TRX trades at $0.34 with a 1.03% decline as the token consolidates above its 200-day moving average while shorter timeframes signal potential weakness ahead.
Market Overview
TRX is currently trading at $0.34, marking a 1.03% decline over the past 24 hours with trading volume reaching $87.5 million. The token finds itself in a critical technical position, trading below both its 20-day and 50-day moving averages while maintaining support above the longer-term 200-day moving average at $0.30. This configuration suggests a consolidation phase with mixed signals across different timeframes.
Technical Picture
The technical landscape for TRX presents a nuanced picture with bearish momentum building in the short term. The RSI reading of 46.1 indicates neutral territory but with a slight bearish bias, suggesting selling pressure without reaching oversold conditions. The MACD indicator has turned bearish with a negative histogram reading of -0.0002, confirming weakening momentum as the signal line crosses below the MACD line.
TRX price action shows the token struggling below its 20-day moving average by 0.8% and the 50-day moving average by 1.6%. However, the 13.7% premium above the 200-day moving average at $0.30 demonstrates that the longer-term uptrend remains intact. This divergence between short-term weakness and longer-term strength creates an important inflection point for traders.
The daily trading range between $0.33 and $0.34 reflects limited volatility, suggesting accumulation or distribution patterns may be forming. Volume levels at $87.5 million represent moderate participation, neither confirming strong buying interest nor panic selling.
Critical Levels to Watch
Several key price levels will determine TRX’s near-term direction. Immediate resistance sits at $0.35, representing the recent high and a level that has rejected price advances multiple times. A break above this level could trigger momentum toward the secondary resistance at $0.37, which aligns with previous swing highs.
On the downside, immediate support rests at $0.33, the lower bound of today’s trading range. This level has provided buying interest throughout the session and represents the first line of defense for bulls. A breakdown below $0.33 would likely accelerate selling toward the pivotal $0.30 support level, which coincides with the 200-day moving average.
The $0.30 level carries significant technical importance as it represents the confluence of the 200-day moving average and a major psychological support zone. A decisive break below this level would signal a shift in the longer-term trend structure and potentially open the door for deeper corrections.
Market Sentiment
With no significant news catalysts emerging in recent sessions, TRX price action appears driven primarily by technical factors and broader cryptocurrency market sentiment. The moderate trading volume suggests neither strong conviction from buyers nor aggressive distribution from sellers, creating a neutral backdrop for technical analysis.
The positioning of institutional and retail traders appears balanced, with neither side establishing clear dominance. This equilibrium supports the current consolidation pattern and suggests that a catalyst may be needed to break the current range-bound trading.
Trading Perspective
The current TRX/USDT setup offers defined risk parameters for different trading approaches. Short-term traders might consider the $0.33-$0.35 range as a scalping opportunity, with tight stop losses below $0.33 for long positions and above $0.35 for short positions. The limited volatility creates manageable risk but also constrains profit potential.
Medium-term traders may prefer to wait for a clearer directional break, either above $0.35 resistance for bullish continuation or below $0.33 support for bearish momentum. The proximity to the 200-day moving average at $0.30 provides a natural invalidation level for longer-term bullish scenarios.
Risk management remains crucial given the mixed technical signals, with position sizing adjusted for the potential volatility expansion that often follows consolidation periods.
Bottom Line
TRX exhibits short-term bearish momentum while maintaining longer-term support, creating a critical juncture that requires either a break above $0.35 resistance or below $0.33 support to establish clear directional bias for traders.
