Crypto markets pulled back sharply as traders awaited the Federal Reserve's FOMC minutes, with over $600 million in leveraged long positions liquidated across the market.
Bitcoin slipped toward $83,000 after failing to hold above $87,000, while Ethereum and major altcoins posted deeper losses, turning what began as a BTC pullback into a broader risk-off move.
FOMC minutes are closely watched for signals on interest rate policy, which historically influences risk asset sentiment including crypto.
Crypto trading firm GSR is launching a new vault business backed by $100 million of its own capital, targeting the growing intersection of institutional finance and onchain infrastructure.
The vaults will focus on stablecoins and tokenized gold, positioning GSR as a direct participant in onchain credit markets rather than just a facilitator. The firm is deploying proprietary capital — not third-party funds — into these products.
The move reflects broader institutional momentum toward tokenized real-world assets and onchain yield, as major players look to establish early positions in what is emerging as a significant DeFi growth area.
⚖️ FNB Opens Crypto Trading to 9 Million South African Clients
First National Bank, South Africa's second-largest bank, has launched in-app crypto trading for its nearly 9 million customers, built in partnership with local exchange VALR.
Clients can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana and USDT directly inside FNB's existing investment platform, with a minimum entry of R10 and 24/7 availability. No separate exchange account is required.
The move marks one of the most significant integrations of crypto into mainstream retail banking on the African continent, bringing regulated digital asset access to one of South Africa's largest customer bases.
🟠 Bitcoin Approaches $87K as US Stocks Hit All-Time Highs
Bitcoin continued grinding toward the $87,000 level as overhead ask liquidity capped further upside, while US equity markets broke out to new all-time highs.
The divergence is notable: traditional markets surged to record territory while Bitcoin's price action remained constrained by sell-side pressure at higher levels.
The relationship between crypto and equities continues to be a key factor in short-term Bitcoin momentum, with risk appetite in broader markets often influencing crypto flows.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has revealed a plan to regulate crypto exchanges, marking a step toward formal oversight of the sector.
No specific rule details, timelines, or affected platforms are provided in the available source material. Further clarity on scope and implementation is expected as the plan develops.
Formal CFTC jurisdiction over crypto exchanges would represent a significant shift in the U.S. regulatory landscape for digital assets.
📊 Global Crypto Market Cap Jumps 11% to $2.99 Trillion in September
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization rose 11.0% in September 2026, reaching $2.99 trillion, according to Binance Research's Monthly Market Insights report published October 1, 2026.
The gain came despite headwinds: the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates during the month and a major regulatory bill failed in the Senate.
The double-digit monthly gain signals resilient market momentum even in the face of tightening monetary policy and stalled crypto legislation.
⚖️ U.S. Treasury Drops Self-Custody Wallet Surveillance Rules
The U.S. Treasury has withdrawn two long-pending regulatory proposals targeting self-custodial crypto wallets and crypto mixing services, ending years of industry uncertainty.
The move was flagged by Coin Center and marks a significant policy shift under the Trump administration. The withdrawn rules would have imposed reporting requirements on unhosted wallet transactions — a measure that had faced sustained opposition from the crypto industry since it was first proposed.
The decision signals a broader change in how U.S. regulators intend to approach digital asset oversight, with the current administration taking a notably lighter stance on self-custody compared to its predecessor.