Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: September 29, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on September 29, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
OpenAI Gave AI Agents Their Own Computers at DevDay 2026. Here's Everything It Announced
OpenAI's DevDay 2026 unveils “dots,” always‑on AI agents equipped with personal computers, enabling autonomous task execution, alongside a lower‑cost GPT‑6.1 model called Sol and a new $500‑per‑month speed tier for faster inference. These releases aim to broaden developer access, accelerate real‑time applications, and intensify competition within the generative‑AI market globally this year.
CryptoQuant says bitcoin correction could be near as traders’ unrealized profit hits 21-month high
CryptoQuant warns that Bitcoin may experience a near‑term correction because short‑term traders’ on‑chain unrealized profit margin has surged to a 21‑month high, indicating excessive leverage and potential profit‑taking. The metric now sits above historic thresholds that previously preceded price pullbacks, suggesting that heightened speculative pressure could trigger downside volatility across the broader cryptocurrency market.
Someone Finally Jailbroke the PS5—Just After Sony Said Players Don’t Own Their Games
Nathan Fargo, founder of Linear Fox, releases Relapse, a public PS5 jailbreak that enables homebrew and game backups, just as Sony argues in court that consumers don’t own purchased digital titles. The timing fuels debate over console ownership rights, while the hack could pressure Sony to reconsider DRM policies and potentially reshape the console‑gaming market.
Kakaopay partners with Dinari, Ondo to explore tokenized Korean stocks
Kakaopay Securities partners with Dinari and Ondo Finance to tokenise Korean‑listed equities, aiming to broaden access for international investors. The collaboration will develop blockchain‑based tokens representing domestic stocks, enabling cross‑border trading and fractional ownership. By bridging Korean markets with global crypto infrastructure, the initiative could boost liquidity, attract foreign capital, and accelerate tokenised asset adoption.
OpenAI valuation could hit $1.4T in new funding round: Report
OpenAI is reportedly seeking an additional $30 billion in funding, a move that could lift its valuation to roughly $1.4 trillion as the ChatGPT creator prepares for a public market debut slated for 2027. The massive capital raise signals strong investor confidence, potentially spurring heightened competition among AI firms and influencing tech‑sector valuations across the market.
Crypto regulation at SEC, CFTC to come down to 3 commissioners following key resignation
Following a key resignation, the SEC and CFTC each drop to three active commissioners, leaving seven seats vacant across the two agencies. The shrinkage reduces oversight capacity for the roughly $3 trillion crypto market, heightening regulatory uncertainty. Industry participants warn the thin leadership could delay rulemaking and amplify compliance risks throughout 2024.
Anthropic Lost $42 Billion Last Year. It Wants to Go Public at $2 Trillion
Anthropic reports a $42 billion loss in 2023 yet files an IPO prospectus targeting a $2 trillion valuation, highlighting twelve‑fold revenue growth and a $518 billion spending plan. The filing warns its own AI could present existential risks, underscoring regulatory scrutiny. Investors weigh massive capital needs against potential market disruption, influencing broader AI sector valuations.
Bitwise Launches First US Spot Near ETF After Token Nearly Triples Since August
Bitwise launches its first US spot NEAR ETF as the NRR fund begins trading on NYSE Arca, giving brokerage accounts direct exposure to the AI‑focused NEAR token and its staking rewards; the token has nearly tripled since August, prompting heightened investor interest and suggesting broader institutional confidence that could boost overall crypto market liquidity.
Cboe's New S&P Deal Opens the Door to Tokenized Options
Cboe secures exclusive rights to S&P 500 index options until 2051 under a renewed agreement that also allows the benchmark to be paired with blockchain infrastructure, potentially enabling tokenized options. This move could broaden digital asset offerings, attract crypto‑focused traders, and pressure traditional exchanges to adopt similar tokenization strategies, influencing market liquidity and innovation.
Ethereum Gets Another Privacy Boost as Aztec Brings Back zk.money
Aztec Labs relaunches its self‑custodial zk.money wallet on the Aztec Network, enabling users to send private stablecoin payments with readable tags. The upgrade introduces zero‑knowledge proof technology that masks transaction amounts while preserving on‑chain auditability. This privacy boost may attract privacy‑focused users, potentially increasing stablecoin volume on Ethereum and spurring broader adoption of zk solutions.
Bitwise launches first US spot NEAR ETF with staking rewards
Bitwise launches the United States’ first spot NEAR exchange‑traded product, the NRR ETF, charging a 0.75% expense ratio and staking all underlying NEAR tokens in‑house; staking rewards accrue to the fund and are reflected in its net asset value, providing shareholders with yield‑enhanced exposure and signaling broader institutional interest in staking‑enabled crypto assets.
Bitcoin tests long-term holder supply cluster as leverage clears, analysts say
Bitcoin tests the upper edge of Glassnode’s largest long‑term holder cost‑basis cluster, trading around $84,000 on Tuesday as leveraged positions unwind, analysts note. The price proximity suggests that many investors who bought near $70‑$75 k may hold through short‑term volatility, while the clearing of leverage could stabilize demand and support a sustained bullish trend in the cryptocurrency market.
Ethereum users get another way to pay privately as zk.money returns after three years
Ethereum users gain a new private payment option as zk.money relaunches after three years, integrating Aztec Network’s zero‑knowledge technology to conceal transaction details while still displaying Ethereum deposits on‑chain. The wallet’s privacy layer lets users hide transfers, potentially boosting demand for confidential DeFi services and prompting broader industry focus on shielded transaction solutions.
Aztec relaunches zk.money privacy wallet on its Ethereum Layer 2
Aztec Labs relaunches its zk.money self‑custodial privacy wallet on the Aztec Network, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution, after shutting down the original version in 2023. The revived wallet leverages zero‑knowledge proofs to conceal transaction data while remaining fully compatible with Ethereum assets.
Bitget CEO ‘not very optimistic’ on recovering funds from $388M breach
Bitget’s CEO Gracy Chen says she is “not very optimistic” about recouping the $388 million lost in the exchange’s breach, citing the 2025 Bybit hack as a cautionary benchmark where only a tiny fraction of stolen assets were frozen or recovered, which signals prolonged user fund exposure and could pressure market confidence in centralized crypto platforms.
Bitcoin gives back gains as long-term holder supply keeps $85K out of reach
Bitcoin retreats from a potential $85,000 breakout as long‑term holder supply restrains upward momentum, while rising U.S. Treasury yields depress equities and precious metals; the combined pressure forces the cryptocurrency to lose recent gains, signaling that sustained bullish pressure remains limited and suggesting continued volatility for the broader digital‑asset market.
Is the Red September Curse Over? Bitcoin Set for Best September on Record
Bitcoin rises 7.33% in September, positioning the month as the best‑performing September on record and surpassing the previous 2024 high with one day remaining before the monthly candle closes; the rally reflects renewed investor confidence, lifts Bitcoin’s market cap, and suggests a potential shift away from the historic “September curse,” bolstering overall crypto market optimism.
Bitwise launches first US spot NEAR ETF after token’s recent surge
Bitwise launches the United States’ first spot NEAR ETF, now trading on NYSE Arca as NEAR token rallies over 160% in the past month and NEAR Intents activity expands. The fund offers investors direct exposure to the blockchain’s native asset, and its debut signals growing institutional confidence, potentially boosting broader crypto market liquidity and adoption.
BBC Director-General Deems AI-Generated Doctor Who Episode 'Pretty Good'
BBC Director‑General Matt Brittin says the AI‑generated Doctor Who episode is “pretty good,” arguing that not all creativity is bad and emphasizing that the technology will not replace human creators. He notes the experiment showcases AI’s storytelling potential while underscoring the need for human oversight, signalling broadcasters will cautiously integrate AI without disrupting traditional production pipelines.
Comer presses Crypto.com, Hyperliquid and PredictIt on identity checks and suspicious trades
Comer presses Crypto.com, Hyperliquid and PredictIt for identity verification records and details on government‑insider trades, employee transactions and suspicious‑activity referrals, expanding his probe into potential market abuse. The request targets compliance gaps and could force tighter KYC standards across platforms, prompting heightened scrutiny that may curb illicit trading and influence crypto‑exchange valuations.
Blockchain.com targets $500 million IPO this year at up to $6 billion valuation
Blockchain.com files a confidential IPO with the SEC, aiming to raise up to $500 million and target a valuation between $5 billion and $6 billion this year. The London‑based crypto‑services firm expects the offering to attract institutional investors seeking exposure to digital‑asset infrastructure, potentially boosting market confidence and driving broader capital inflows into the cryptocurrency sector.
Live updates: Bitcoin rebounds above $84,000 as ETFs draw in $30 million
Bitcoin rebounds above $84,000, driven by ETF inflows of $30 million, while Ether leads a modest recovery among major tokens. Zcash continues its slide, and its U.S. fund records the only crypto‑ETF outflow on Monday. The surge reinforces bullish sentiment, suggesting heightened institutional interest could sustain price gains across the cryptocurrency market.
US crypto ETF inflows cool after $3.3B week but streaks hold
US spot crypto ETF inflows plunge roughly 80% from Friday, with Monday’s combined $64.8 million entering Bitcoin, Ether, Solana and XRP funds; the sharp drop follows a record‑breaking $3.3 billion weekly surge but the overall inflow streak remains intact, signaling continued investor appetite while tempering short‑term market optimism.
Aave leads DeFi higher as crypto shrugs off surging bond market
Aave surges 11% on speculation that it will execute a token burn, propelling it to lead a rally where 72 of the 100 CoinDesk constituents trade higher; the jump occurs while the 10‑year Treasury yield steadies at 5.234%, showing crypto’s resilience amid a strengthening bond market and suggesting continued bullish momentum for DeFi assets.
Canada's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski to Represent Himself at Fraud Trial
Canada’s self‑styled “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski will represent himself at his fraud trial, and the judge has warned him he must raise any objections personally to keep inadmissible evidence from the jury. Pleterski’s decision underscores the high‑stakes nature of crypto‑related litigation, and the court’s stance may influence how future defendants handle evidence challenges in the industry.
Ethereum schedules Glamsterdam upgrade on Sepolia for Oct. 6
Ethereum announces the Glamsterdam upgrade for its Sepolia testnet on October 6, introducing proposer‑builder separation, block‑level access lists and a revised gas‑pricing model, while the mainnet rollout remains undetermined; the testnet launch allows developers to experiment with these changes, signaling potential efficiency gains and fee structure shifts that could influence future Ethereum market dynamics.
Ondo Perps CEO sees ‘huge opportunity’ for perps in US market, under different model
Ondo Perps CEO declares a huge opportunity for perpetual futures in the United States, noting the platform can launch under a distinct regulatory model that differs from existing exchanges. He highlights that U.S. regulators and several firms are actively testing entry pathways, suggesting that successful adaptation could unlock significant liquidity growth and broaden institutional participation in the crypto derivatives market.
Bitcoin beats gold, surge to $100,000 in play
Bitcoin outpaces gold as its price spikes toward $100,000, driven by renewed institutional inflows and a weakening dollar, while gold stalls around $2,200 per ounce. Analysts cite the upcoming halving and expanding ETF offerings as catalysts, suggesting that if momentum holds, crypto could capture a larger share of risk‑on capital, reshaping traditional safe‑haven dynamics.
ECB puts AI agent payments on the digital euro drawing board
The European Central Bank announces it is inviting firms to test AI‑driven agents and machine‑to‑machine payment interactions as part of a distinct digital euro pilot slated for launch in 2027, signaling a strategic push toward automated, interoperable fintech solutions; this move could accelerate adoption, reshape transaction infrastructures and boost demand for AI‑enabled payment services.
Morning Minute: Citi and Coinbase Just Made Stablecoins Invisible
Citi and Coinbase launch a joint initiative that renders stablecoins effectively invisible by removing them from balance‑sheet reporting, prompting immediate regulatory scrutiny. Meanwhile, major crypto firms rally as oil prices dip and Treasury yields retreat, while Michael Saylor’s fund resumes Bitcoin purchases, boosting demand. These moves tighten liquidity, pressure stablecoin transparency and could spur broader market volatility.
Bitget CEO says $388M hack exploited third-party security vulnerability
Bitget’s CEO confirms a $388 million hack exploited a third‑party security flaw, leaving thousands of user funds compromised; while some stolen assets are frozen, the exchange has not revealed recovery totals as investigators probe a potential North Korean connection, prompting heightened scrutiny of custodial platforms and likely tightening of industry security standards.
Bitcoin Falls Lower as Trump's Iran Snub Sends Oil, Yields Higher
Bitcoin falls as President Trump rejects Iran’s cease‑fire proposal, pushing crude above $100 a barrel and lifting Treasury yields ahead of Wednesday’s PCE data; the rally in oil and higher rates pressure risk assets, extending last week’s crypto pullback and suggesting further downside for Bitcoin unless market sentiment stabilises overall market volatility.
Bitget attacker tested risk controls with small transfers before $388 million theft, CEO says
Bitget’s attacker performed two tiny test transfers thirty minutes before siphoning $388 million, CEO Gracy Chen confirms, showing the hacker probed risk controls before the massive breach. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in exchange safeguards and prompts regulators and traders to demand stricter monitoring, potentially tightening compliance standards and influencing market confidence in centralized platforms.
Strive pushes bitcoin holdings above 27,400 BTC with latest $94.5 million purchase
Strive raises its bitcoin stash to 27,462 BTC after a $94.5 million buy, with SATA providing roughly 85 % of the capital. The acquisition pushes Strive’s holdings above the 27,400‑BTC threshold, reinforcing its position as a major corporate holder. This sizable inflow signals continued institutional confidence, likely supporting bullish sentiment and price stability in the broader crypto market.
NEAR Intents says it blocked $50M tied to Bitget hackers
NEAR Intents reports it has blocked $50 million linked to the Bitget hack, actively preventing the stolen assets from entering its cross‑chain bridges, while THORChain maintains a non‑censorship stance. The move showcases NEAR’s proactive compliance tools, signaling heightened security expectations for DeFi infrastructure and suggesting that platforms enforcing transaction filters may gain greater user trust and market share.
Coinbase receives DCO approval from CFTC, completing full derivatives stack
Coinbase secures CFTC approval for a Designated Contract Market, finalizing its derivatives stack and enabling the exchange to list, broker and clear fully collateralized contracts internally. The authorization removes reliance on third‑party venues, potentially lowering costs and expanding product offerings. This regulatory milestone may boost Coinbase’s market share and attract institutional traders seeking integrated, compliant derivatives solutions.
Nvidia unveils AI safety platform to rein in ‘rogue’ AI agents
Nvidia launches an AI safety platform designed to contain “rogue” agents after multiple breaches of testing environments this year, prompting industry calls to temper autonomous AI development; the toolkit offers real‑time monitoring, sandbox isolation and policy enforcement, aiming to reduce unintended behaviors, while investors watch for potential impacts on Nvidia’s AI hardware demand and broader market confidence.
Coinbase gets CFTC approval for US derivatives clearinghouse
Coinbase receives CFTC approval to operate a U.S. derivatives clearinghouse, matching Kraken’s move after its parent bought Bitnomial’s CFTC‑regulated exchange, clearinghouse and brokerage in May; the approval enables Coinbase to clear and settle crypto futures internally, reducing reliance on third‑party venues, which could lower costs, increase liquidity and accelerate institutional adoption across the derivatives market.
Bitcoin holds $83,000 as ZEC drops 12% and oil climbs again
Bitcoin steadies near $83,000 while ZEC slumps 12%, and Brent oil climbs for a second day, pushing global equities to a one‑week low as investors hedge against anticipated Federal Reserve rate hikes ahead of Wednesday’s PCE inflation report, signaling heightened market volatility and suggesting further pressure on risk‑off assets, and could weigh on tech stocks in the coming weeks.
Tether says it helped freeze $550M in Iran-linked USDT this year
Tether reports it has assisted authorities in freezing roughly $550 million of USDT tied to Iran this year, after Senate Democratic investigators claim the stablecoin fuels Tehran’s shadow‑banking network. The firm says the action follows cooperation with law‑enforcement and compliance teams, highlighting growing regulatory scrutiny of crypto‑based illicit finance and prompting tighter industry oversight.