Strive Bitcoin Holdings Reach 35,595 BTC As Wall Street Raises Price Target 27%
TL;DR: TD Cowen reportedly raised its Strive share-price target from $44 to $56 after the Bitcoin treasury company expanded its holdings to 35,595 BTC. Strive is also seeking financing through a substantial preferred-share offering. Bitcoin treasury company Strive is attracting fresh attention from Wall Street after a rapid buying programme took...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 11:13:00 PM
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash takes on frontier AI models at a fraction of the cost
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash's cost-effective AI model could pressure competitors to lower prices or enhance capabilities, reshaping the AI market landscape. The post DeepSeek V4.1 Flash takes on frontier AI models at a fraction of the cost appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 10:44:08 PM
HEX Founder Richard Heart Detained In Istanbul As Finnish Tax Investigation Continues
TL;DR: HEX and PulseChain founder Richard Heart was reportedly detained in Istanbul in connection with a Finnish tax investigation. The reported legal proceedings are separate from his earlier US securities dispute, and no conviction is established by the detention. Richard Heart, the prominent and controversial founder of HEX and PulseChain, has...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 10:43:00 PM
Michael Saylor pitches Bitcoin as digital capital at ParaFi Investor Day
Saylor's Bitcoin pitch could redefine financial strategies, influencing market confidence and shareholder decisions on dividend structures. The post Michael Saylor pitches Bitcoin as digital capital at ParaFi Investor Day appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 10:32:10 PM
Pantera Leads $10 Million Fission Funding Round To Solve Tokenized Fund Liquidity Problem
TL;DR: Tokenization infrastructure firm Fission has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Pantera Capital. It wants to make it easier for eligible investors to sell tokenized private-market holdings without waiting for traditional fund redemption periods. The tokenization industry has spent years promising faster transfers of financial...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 10:13:00 PM
Almost 86 Trillion SHIB: Shiba Inu Eyes Key Support Threshold
Shiba Inu's exchange supply is headed to exiting the 87 trillion SHIB zone as netflow shows that bullish traders are gradually taking over the market.
By Caroline Amosun 10/17/2026, 10:06:00 PM
Solana’s RWA Market Explodes 600% in a Year as Ethereum Struggles to Keep Up
Solana is rapidly closing the RWA gap with Ethereum as its tokenised market share grows from 4.5% to 26% in one year.
By Chayanika Deka 10/17/2026, 10:05:14 PM
Why Stablecoins May Never Escape Traditional Banking Risks: Frgmnt CEO
As stablecoins transition from decentralized finance tools to essential infrastructure for accessing U.S. dollars, an expert says their next phase of adoption depends on making blockchain technology invisible to the end user. From Speculative Tools to Digital Dollar Access When the first wave of decentralized finance (DeFi) swept through the...
By Terence Zimwara 10/17/2026, 10:00:16 PM
Anthropic draft bill proposes AI model shutdowns for major risks
Increased regulatory scrutiny on AI models could reshape market dynamics, posing operational risks and impacting competitive positioning. The post Anthropic draft bill proposes AI model shutdowns for major risks appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 9:57:33 PM
Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi missiles targeting Khamis Mushait
Rising military tensions may lead to increased market volatility and potential airspace security measures impacting regional stability. The post Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi missiles targeting Khamis Mushait appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 9:57:30 PM
Tether Backs AI Startup As Funding Tops $9 Million In Push Toward Autonomous Payments
TL;DR: Stablecoin issuer Tether has participated in a funding round for AI infrastructure startup AIsa, bringing the startup’s cumulative fundraising above $9 million. The company is working on payment and access systems for autonomous software agents. Tether is exploring another possible market for digital-dollar payments: software that buys...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 9:43:00 PM
NVIDIA launches RTX Spark Windows laptops with Blackwell RTX graphics
NVIDIA says RTX Spark laptops are now available from major PC makers, starting at $2,399, with up to 128GB of unified memory and local AI features. (Read More)
By N/A 10/17/2026, 9:24:30 PM
Strategy Declares Daily STRC Dividends As Saylor Targets $100 Share Price
TL;DR: Strategy has conditionally declared daily STRC preferred-stock dividends for November 2026. The new cadence remains subject to shareholder approval and is intended to make the security more attractive to investors. Strategy is proposing another adjustment to the financing instruments supporting its Bitcoin treasury business, this time...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 9:13:00 PM
TRON moved $2.2 trillion in stablecoins while TRX supply grew for 108 straight days
TRX supply grew on all 108 days from July 1 through October 16 as burns fell short of newly issued rewards. Read the full story on CryptoSlate Understand the crypto stories that matter and what to watch next. Get The Catalyst in your inbox
By Liam 'Akiba' Wright 10/17/2026, 9:00:59 PM
Ben Horowitz says AI fast takeoff is unlikely as key conditions go unmet
AI's growth is constrained by resource and infrastructure limits, impacting investment strategies and delaying self-improvement breakthroughs. The post Ben Horowitz says AI fast takeoff is unlikely as key conditions go unmet appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 8:49:33 PM
Taiwan Blocks Coinbase And Kalshi Websites Over Election Betting Concerns
TL;DR: Taiwanese authorities have reportedly restricted access to Coinbase and Kalshi sites over concerns involving election betting. The measures arrive ahead of local elections and underscore differing national approaches to prediction markets. Taiwan has become another flashpoint in the debate over cryptocurrency-linked prediction markets after...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 8:43:00 PM
Bloomberg Strategist Calls Bitcoin a “Stock-Market Puppet,” Maintains $10,000 Target
Bloomberg commodity strategist Mike McGlone reiterated his prediction that Bitcoin (BTC) could fall to $10,000, calling the cryptocurrency a “complete stock puppet” whose performance remains heavily influenced by US equities. Speaking to Maggie Lake on Welthion recently, McGlone argued that Bitcoin has yet to demonstrate the resilience needed to...
By Newton Gitonga 10/17/2026, 8:38:52 PM
Anthropic’s slowing revenue growth raises questions on $2T IPO valuation
Investor skepticism and market dynamics may lead to a downward adjustment of Anthropic's IPO valuation, impacting future tech IPOs. The post Anthropic’s slowing revenue growth raises questions on $2T IPO valuation appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 8:33:46 PM
Bitcoin Price at $81,500 Leaves Bulls and Bears at a Standoff
Bitcoin traded near $81,500 on Oct. 17, 2026, with its technical indicators offering competing signals. Shorter-term moving averages favored sellers, while longer-term averages continued to support buyers. The relative strength index (RSI) stood at 46, and the broader technical rating remained neutral. With support clustered around $81,000 and...
By Jamie Redman 10/17/2026, 8:30:22 PM
XRP Could Reach $2.16 as Peter Brandt Spots This Historically Proven Pattern
XRP traded relatively weakly on Monday, closing around $1.50 after falling roughly 1.27% during the session, according to CoinMarketCap data. The decline came as XRP struggled to reclaim the $1.55 area, leaving the token below a level that could be important for any attempt to extend its recent recovery. However, subdued price action hasn’t...
By Newton Gitonga 10/17/2026, 8:29:07 PM
Shield Swap partners with Flowdesk for confidential institutional trading
Shield Swap has announced a collaboration with Flowdesk to provide liquidity for institutional and professional traders while keeping their positions and strategies confidential. Shield Swap’s announcement says the collaboration connects its confidential trading platform with Flowdesk, a global liquidity provider…
By Lawrence Mondal 10/17/2026, 8:24:11 PM
Circle Reveals $819 Million USDC Payouts As Stablecoin Economics Come Under Scrutiny
TL;DR: Circle says it generated roughly $1.4 billion in first-half 2026 revenue while spending $819 million on distribution partners and related costs. The disclosure highlights the expense of building a widely used stablecoin payment network. Circle’s USDC business is generating substantial revenue, but its latest disclosures show how much of...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 8:13:00 PM
Microsoft plans to pay Anthropic over $2B a year to keep Copilot competitive
Microsoft's investment in Anthropic highlights the competitive AI landscape, emphasizing strategic partnerships to enhance product performance. The post Microsoft plans to pay Anthropic over $2B a year to keep Copilot competitive appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 8:05:05 PM
Ripple Opens Wall Street Trading To Hyperliquid With New 24/7 Market Access
TL;DR: Ripple Prime is offering eligible institutional clients exposure to perpetual derivatives referencing traditional assets through infrastructure connected to Hyperliquid. The service extends Ripple’s reach beyond cryptocurrency payments. Ripple is deepening its involvement in institutional trading through products connected to the...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 7:43:00 PM
French Assembly Narrowly Adopts Stablecoin Swap Tax Proposal
If passed, the measure would subject French cryptocurrency holders to a 31.4% capital gains tax each time they exchange a cryptocurrency for a stablecoin. Analysts agree this would prompt French crypto holders to consider alternatives to park their digital assets. France’s National Assembly Adopts Crypto-To-Stablecoin Exchange Taxation France is...
By Sergio Goschenko 10/17/2026, 7:30:04 PM
Bitcoin ETFs log $228M in weekly sales as monthly outflows near $618M
Institutional shifts in Bitcoin ETF flows highlight market volatility and strategic reallocations, impacting broader cryptocurrency investment dynamics. The post Bitcoin ETFs log $228M in weekly sales as monthly outflows near $618M appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Vivian Nguyen 10/17/2026, 7:26:12 PM
HEX Founder Richard Heart Arrested in Türkiye: $7.15M Cash, Guns, Cold Wallets, and Luxury Goods Seized
Turkish intelligence and police tracked Richard Heart to Istanbul, where officers arrested him and his wife and seized cash, weapons and jewelry.
By Chayanika Deka 10/17/2026, 7:24:38 PM
OpenCode discloses distillation attack that hit 1.4% of Console users
The breach highlights the growing need for robust security measures in AI platforms, as attackers exploit vulnerabilities for competitive advantage. The post OpenCode discloses distillation attack that hit 1.4% of Console users appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 7:19:48 PM
Charles Schwab Opens Bitcoin And Ethereum Transfers As Crypto Rollout Expands
TL;DR: Charles Schwab is expanding its direct Bitcoin and Ethereum services, including phased external wallet transfers. The move brings digital asset ownership further into the company’s conventional brokerage experience. Charles Schwab is moving its cryptocurrency service closer to the features customers expect from a dedicated digital asset...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 7:13:00 PM
Antithesis raises $105M at $525M valuation as AI code floods the zone
Antithesis's funding surge highlights the growing demand for robust software testing solutions amid the AI-driven code expansion. The post Antithesis raises $105M at $525M valuation as AI code floods the zone appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 7:03:22 PM
Who opened your crypto wallet before it reached your hands?
In early October, customers in Southeast Asia discovered that their crypto had disappeared from Ledger hardware wallets that still seemed to be working normally. They bought the devices through CryptoBilis, an authorized reseller, and believed their private keys were protected inside a device built for that purpose. What they couldn't see was a...
By Andjela Radmilac 10/17/2026, 7:00:25 PM
Pirate Chain Exploit Creates 39.8 Million Unauthorized Tokens In Major Security Breach
TL;DR: Pirate Chain developers disclosed a vulnerability linked to roughly 39.8 million unauthorized ARRR tokens. The incident raised urgent questions about network supply and how an attack can be investigated when transactions use strong privacy protections. Privacy-focused cryptocurrency Pirate Chain faced a major security crisis after...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 6:43:00 PM
AI data centers save water on-site, boost power plant consumption: Bloomberg
AI data centers' water-saving measures shift environmental burdens upstream, potentially influencing future regulatory landscapes and policies. The post AI data centers save water on-site, boost power plant consumption: Bloomberg appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 6:32:23 PM
Lopp’s Wrench Attack Map Hits 702 After AI-Assisted Search Work
Bitcoin security expert Jameson Lopp’s archive of physical attacks against cryptocurrency holders has more than doubled to over 700 documented incidents after researcher Pizza Bitcoiner used artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted searches to uncover hundreds of overlooked cases. The expanded records expose a disturbing history of kidnappings, home...
By Jamie Redman 10/17/2026, 6:30:49 PM
Crypto Giants Feature In $210 Million Political Donations Report As Regulatory Scrutiny Grows
TL;DR: An October 8 Public Citizen report links corporations and individuals benefiting from cancelled federal enforcement actions to approximately $210.5 million in donations and pledges to Trump-aligned political committees. Major cryptocurrency companies feature among the reported contributors. A report examining corporate political donations...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 6:13:00 PM
Iran judiciary crackdown raises political instability concerns
Iran's judiciary crackdown may destabilize political dynamics, potentially influencing leadership changes and affecting market perceptions. The post Iran judiciary crackdown raises political instability concerns appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 5:50:28 PM
Crypto King Spent $16.3 Million Of Investor Funds On Luxury Lifestyle, Court Hears
TL;DR: A Canadian court has heard evidence that self-described Crypto King Aiden Pleterski spent about $16.3 million of investor money on personal expenses. He has pleaded not guilty, and the criminal trial remains ongoing. A Canadian court has heard striking testimony about luxury spending allegedly financed by money entrusted to a self-described...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 5:43:00 PM
XRP Ledger Nears Oct. 23 Upgrade as Lending Votes Fall Short
The XRP Ledger is heading toward an Oct. 23 software upgrade that fixes a peculiar security flaw, one that could let certain authorized accounts create tokens instead of destroying them. Meanwhile, its long-awaited native lending system remains stuck awaiting approval. XRP Ledger’s Cleanup Upgrade Approaches Activation The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is...
By Jamie Redman 10/17/2026, 5:30:58 PM
CIA deputy director says Bitcoin is a tool for intelligence collection
Bitcoin's role in intelligence highlights privacy concerns, impacts illicit activity tracking, and influences global tech competition dynamics. The post CIA deputy director says Bitcoin is a tool for intelligence collection appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 5:19:19 PM
Official Trump team extracts up to $1.1 billion in profits as retail losses near 100%
The team behind Official Trump (TRUMP) has generated an estimated $779.4 million to $1.16 billion from the meme coin. The … Continue reading The post Official Trump team extracts up to $1.1 billion in profits as retail losses near 100% appeared first on Finbold.
By Paul L. 10/17/2026, 5:14:18 PM
Binance.US Seeks $100 Million Funding Round At $1 Billion Valuation
TL;DR: Binance.US is reportedly seeking up to $100 million from private investors at a proposed valuation of approximately $1 billion. The financing discussions come as the American exchange attempts to rebuild after several difficult years. Binance.US is reportedly pursuing a $100 million fundraising round as it seeks to strengthen its presence...
By NewsBTC Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 5:13:00 PM
Cognition targets tokenmaxxing with AI efficiency grading system
Cognition's AI efficiency grading system may shift industry focus from token usage to productivity, influencing how AI tools are valued and utilized. The post Cognition targets tokenmaxxing with AI efficiency grading system appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 5:03:58 PM
University of Texas researchers model oilfield wastewater as a cooling source for AI data centers
Utilizing oilfield wastewater for cooling AI data centers could alleviate freshwater demand, influencing regulatory and environmental strategies. The post University of Texas researchers model oilfield wastewater as a cooling source for AI data centers appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Diego Almada Lopez 10/17/2026, 5:03:08 PM
CFTC advances crypto regulation plan after CLARITY Act defeat in Senate
The CFTC's proactive regulation efforts may stabilize crypto markets, but ongoing legislative uncertainty could hinder comprehensive oversight. The post CFTC advances crypto regulation plan after CLARITY Act defeat in Senate appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
By Estefano Gomez 10/17/2026, 5:02:55 PM
Ethereum sets October 26 for Hoodi’s 200 million gas test
Hoodi’s Glamsterdam test schedules a 200 million gas target, while the mainnet activation date remains undecided. Read the full story on CryptoSlate Understand the crypto stories that matter and what to watch next. Get The Catalyst in your inbox
By Liam 'Akiba' Wright 10/17/2026, 5:00:52 PM
Goldman, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley see tokenization as a growth play, not a threat
The largest banks in the world are eyeing new trading opportunities, speeding up payments and a role for advisers as tokenization takes root in Wall Street.
By Helene Braun 10/17/2026, 5:00:00 PM
The S&P 500 Is Near Record Highs: But Most Stocks Are Already in a Bear Market
Although the S&P 500 is inches away from a record high, the picture looks dramatically weaker beneath the surface.
By Jordan Lyanchev 10/17/2026, 4:55:48 PM
California Trucking Company Owner Drains $2,103,000 From Nearly 100 Victims in Credit Card ‘Bust-Out’ Scheme
Federal prosecutors have secured a guilty plea from the owner of a Santee trucking company in a $2 million credit card fraud and identity theft scheme. Hasan Korkmaz, 45, of Las Vegas and operator of San Diego Logistics Group Inc., admitted to all 18 counts of bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft in […] The post California...
By Daily Hodl Agent 10/17/2026, 4:55:18 PM
Tether’s $6.3 Million Deal Raises Questions Over Former Trump Crypto Adviser
TL;DR: Reporting about a consulting arrangement involving Tether and a firm associated with former White House crypto adviser Bo Hines has raised questions about conflicts of interest. Hines’ representatives dispute wrongdoing, and the reporting does not establish a criminal offence. A reported $6.3 million consulting arrangement has renewed...
By Bitcoinist Editorial Team 10/17/2026, 4:43:00 PM
Turkey’s Justice Minister Confirms Richard Heart’s Istanbul Bust
Turkish authorities detained HEX founder Richard Heart and four others in Istanbul, uncovering an extraordinary collection of cash, luxury goods, weapons and electronics. The haul included an estimated $7.15 million in cash, six cryptocurrency wallets, and hundreds of designer accessories. Turkey’s Justice Minister Confirms Richard Heart Detention...
By Jamie Redman 10/17/2026, 4:30:59 PM