BlockchainBulletin Weekly Crypto News Digest — 2025-10-25
Jon: Hi readers, Jon here with your weekly dose of crypto news from BlockchainBulletin, covering the top stories and market moves from October 18 to October 25 (Asia/Tokyo time). It’s been a week of institutional breakthroughs, presidential interventions, and lots of action around Bitcoin, ETFs and stablecoins. For readers who want a practical walkthrough, check this exchange guide.
Lila: Hi everyone! I’m Lila, your friendly crypto assistant. Jon, which stories this week moved prices the most? And did anything surprising happen in regulation or the big tokens?
Basics & Context
Jon: Let’s set the stage. Bitcoin and Ethereum remain pivotal, but stablecoins and Layer 2 solutions are rapidly gaining importance. Major blockchain ecosystems like Solana and Ethereum are attracting more developer and institutional attention, while new financial products like ETFs are reshaping investment. If your head spins from jargon, don’t worry — we’ll unpack as we go!
Lila: I hear “ETFs” and “stablecoins” a lot. Can you give me a quick list of what they mean and why they matter?
- ETF: Exchange-Traded Fund; lets you buy crypto like a stock, often with fewer hassles than buying bitcoin itself.
- Stablecoin: A digital token whose value stays steady (often pegged to USD); handy for payments and fast transactions.
- Layer 2: Extra tech stacked on main blockchains (like Ethereum) to make them faster or cheaper — kind of like a speed lane for transactions.
Market Snapshot
Jon: Bitcoin is holding steady above $110,000, showing resilience after a sharp October sell-off that saw liquidations wipe nearly $19 billion in open interest. Perpetual volume dropped sharply as spot buying rose, signaling a slow return of long-term investors. Solana and Binance Coin (BNB) both posted strong weekly gains, while sentiment is still cautious with the Fear Index near 25[2].
Lila: So, even after that big October drop, Bitcoin stayed solid, and some altcoins are bouncing back. Would you say people are feeling optimistic or just careful right now?
Regulation Watch
Jon: The regulatory scene had fireworks this week: the U.S. presidential pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao made headlines, signaling a softer stance from Washington and sparking a rally in BNB’s price[1][2]. Meanwhile, U.S. banks deepened their ties to crypto, embracing stablecoins and digital assets as collateral, which may broaden institutional access and strengthen market legitimacy[1][3].
Lila: A presidential pardon sounds wild! Does this mean crypto companies in the U.S. will have it easier from now on, or is it mainly symbolic for now?
DeFi & On-Chain Activity
Jon: Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols cruised steadily. Ethereum continues its scaling journey, with Layer 2 networks slashing fees to less than a cent and welcoming new builders. Stablecoin transaction volumes hit all-time highs, approaching $1.25 trillion monthly, and real-world assets (like U.S. Treasuries) tokenized on-chain reached $30 billion[3].
Lila: Wow, those stablecoin numbers sound huge. So people are actually using these tokens for things beyond trading — like payments and real assets now?
Infrastructure & L2 Developments
Jon: Ethereum’s Layer 2s — including Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism — slashed transaction costs for users, fueling adoption. Bridges like LayerZero and Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol are making it easier to move assets between blockchains. Hyperliquid’s canonical bridge reached $74 billion in volume so far this year[3].
Lila: If I’m sending crypto across chains, are these bridges safe? Or is there anything I should watch out for before trying them?
Story 1: JPMorgan to Accept Bitcoin and Ethereum as Loan Collateral
Jon: On October 25, JPMorgan Chase announced it will accept Bitcoin and Ether as loan collateral for institutional clients by year-end. This marks a big step for Wall Street integrating crypto, as JPMorgan updates risk and custody systems to recognize liquid digital assets[1].
Lila: That means companies can use their crypto as security for loans, instead of selling it? Why is JPMorgan comfortable with this now?
Jon: Exactly — this helps institutions free up credit without liquidating holdings. JPMorgan’s move signals trust in their ability to value and control risks associated with crypto, reflecting growing market maturity. Credit exposure stays inside the bank’s framework, rather than pushing it out to less regulated venues.
Lila: Does this make it easier for big players to be active in crypto, or is it more for hedge funds and companies than regular folks?
Source: Metal Pay — Crypto News, 24 October 2025
Story 2: Trump Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao
Jon: A major political headline: On October 23, U.S. President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who had served a four-month sentence after pleading guilty to anti-money-laundering violations in 2023. The move is positioned as a nod to supporting the U.S. crypto industry, but comes with controversy about enforcement consistency[1][2].
Lila: How did the market react? Did BNB prices jump after that news?
Jon: Yes, BNB rallied about 5% on renewed optimism for Binance’s U.S. prospects. Industry voices suggest the presidential pardon removes lingering regulatory uncertainty, but critics worry it blurs the line on crypto crime enforcement. Big moments for Binance, for sure!
Lila: Is this the kind of thing that can change laws for all crypto companies, or more just a one-time event for Binance?
Source: CoinDesk — XRP Leads Gains on Ripple Moves, Bitcoin Holds $111K
Story 3: Whales Shift Bitcoin Into Spot ETF Shares
Jon: Institutional investors (“whales”) are increasingly swapping their direct Bitcoin holdings for shares in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. Why? It provides exposure via regulated securities markets, simplifies tax and estate planning, and can help with borrowing — all without triggering taxable events[1][3].
Lila: Sounds practical! Does putting Bitcoin in an ETF make trading or lending against it easier than keeping coins in a wallet?
Jon: Absolutely. ETFs integrate with prime brokerage systems and mainstream financial infrastructure, which makes Bitcoin holdings more flexible for institutional strategies. Recent ETF trading activity is vibrant: BlackRock’s IBIT and others recorded big inflows, with net flows exceeding $477 million on Tuesday and weekly prints finishing mixed as traders rotate funds[1][3].
Lila: If whales are swapping out their regular Bitcoin for ETFs, does this change how prices move or who controls supply?
Source: Metal Pay — Crypto News, 24 October 2025
Story 4: Ripple’s XRP Rally on New Partnership Moves
Jon: XRP led major gains this week, jumping on new partnership announcements by Ripple. Exact details remain pending, but market reaction saw XRP outperform other altcoins in a week marked by caution, with traders drawn by Ripple’s apparent momentum and new utility plans[2].
Lila: Ripple’s always in the news. What kind of partnerships are they making, and how does it impact users?
Jon: Ripple continues expanding its network for fast, low-cost cross-border payments. These partnerships hint at real-world adoption, not just speculation. XRP saw a sharp uptick in volume, helping it lead the week’s altcoin rally. Traders saw Ripple’s moves as “catalysts” in an otherwise slow market.
Lila: Is XRP’s price still mostly about speculation, or are there more businesses starting to use it now?
Source: CoinDesk — XRP Leads Gains on Ripple Moves, Bitcoin Holds $111K
Story 5: Surge in Stablecoin Transaction Volume — $1.25 Trillion Monthly
Jon: Stablecoins — tokens pegged to currencies like USD — have exploded in usage, hitting an adjusted $1.25 trillion in monthly volume as of September 2025. Tether and USDC dominate with 87% of supply. Ethereum and Tron settled 64% of all stablecoin transactions[3].
Lila: That’s way bigger than I expected! Are people mostly using stablecoins to buy crypto, or is this turning into a way to pay each other for regular things?
Jon: Both! Stablecoins started as trading tools, but are now used for payments, remittance, and to move money globally in seconds. For example, total stablecoin supply topped $300 billion, and stablecoins saw more monthly throughput than PayPal — a sign of mainstream adoption and product-market fit.
Lila: If I send USDC to a friend, are these fast/cheap payments actually safe? Or should I know about common risks?
Source: a16z Crypto — State of Crypto Report 2025
Story 6: Ethereum Scaling — L2 Transaction Fees Drop Below 1 Cent
Jon: Ethereum’s Layer 2s slashed transaction costs to less than one cent! Networks like Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism make Ethereum-linked blockspace super cheap and fast, compared to the $24 per transaction seen in 2021[3].
Lila: That’s great for users. How do these low fees and faster speeds change what people can do on Ethereum?
Jon: With cheaper transactions, developers can launch new apps (games, payment tools, DeFi protocols) without worrying about high operating costs. L2s attracted the most new developers in 2025, with activity and innovation ramping up as fees dropped.
Lila: If I want to use an L2 for cheaper fees, what’s the easiest way to get started and move coins over?
Source: a16z Crypto — State of Crypto Report 2025
Story 7: Real-World Asset Tokenization Hits $30 Billion
Jon: Assets like U.S. Treasuries, money-market funds, private credit, and real estate now being “tokenized” on blockchains have reached a total market size of $30 billion — almost four times more than two years ago. Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization bridges crypto and traditional finance[3].
Lila: So, if someone owns tokenized real estate or bonds, what’s the main practical benefit over old-fashioned certificates or paperwork?
Jon: Tokenization streamlines ownership, trading, and settlement processes — making it easier to buy, sell, and manage assets. You can transfer a tokenized bond in seconds, versus days with paperwork. As growth continues, this tech could make legacy finance look a bit “retro.”
Lila: Would tokenized assets be easier for regular people to invest in, or are they still mostly for big-money players right now?
Source: a16z Crypto — State of Crypto Report 2025
Looking Ahead
Jon: Next week, watch for more institutional moves and deeper regulatory debates as crypto adapts to broader financial integration. Scaling tech like zero-knowledge proofs and privacy infrastructure are ramping up, and developers continue flocking to Layer 2 networks. If you want more hands-on exchange tips, have a look at this global guide.
Lila: Thanks Jon! So much is happening with stablecoins and institutional moves. I’ll keep an eye out for news on tokenized assets and privacy tools next week.
This article was created using verified real-time sources:
- Metal Pay — Crypto News, 24 October 2025
- CoinDesk — XRP Leads Gains on Ripple Moves, Bitcoin Holds $111K
- a16z Crypto — State of Crypto Report 2025