‍Pi Squared Launches Devnet 2.0 for FastSet Protocol, Targeting 150K TPS Pi Squared has unveiled Devnet 2.0, featuring its FastSet protocol capable of 150,000 transactions per second (TPS) with sub-100ms finality. This upgrade aims to deliver internet-speed payments for Web3. The network plans to reach 1 million TPS by its 2026 mainnet launch. Devnet 2.0 is a testing ground for developers, introducing new dApps like Omniset and OmniSwap, alongside a Block Verification Explorer. The project aims to redefine global payments and decentralized finance.
‍Citigroup: Bitcoin ETF Inflows Slowdown, Risk-Off Mood Impact Crypto Citigroup attributes the recent cryptocurrency market downturn to a significant slowdown in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and a broader risk-off sentiment. This has impacted investor confidence, leading to liquidations and withdrawals. Analysts note the stalling ETF inflows remove a key source of buying pressure. On-chain data shows a decline in large holders and an increase in smaller wallets, alongside decreasing funding rates. Bitcoin's drop below its 200-day moving average signals potential further declines. A notable sell-off on October 10th exacerbated fragility and cemented a risk-off sentiment.
‍Lido Finance Integrates Chainlink CCIP for Enhanced wstETH Interoperability Lido Finance, a leading liquid staking protocol, has partnered with Chainlink to integrate its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) for wrapped staked Ether (wstETH). This strategic move aims to significantly improve wstETH's cross-chain capabilities, offering a more secure and robust method for transferring assets across various blockchain networks. The integration leverages Chainlink's CCIP and Cross-Chain Tokenization (CCT) standard to fortify inter-blockchain transfers. The rollout will be phased, targeting an expansion to 16 blockchain networks, including initial deployments on Plasma, Monad, Ink, and 0G.
‍Everstake and Utila Partner for Institutional Staking Everstake and Utila have announced a strategic partnership to offer institutional clients direct, compliant access to staking on Proof-of-Stake networks. Initially focusing on Solana (SOL) and expanding to Ethereum (ETH) and others, this collaboration addresses historical challenges in institutional crypto staking, such as complex integrations and regulatory concerns. The partnership combines Everstake’s certified validator infrastructure with Utila’s enterprise-grade wallet solutions, ensuring institutions maintain full control over their assets. Utila currently manages over $15 billion in monthly digital asset volume for more than 200 institutions. Everstake’s infrastructure boasts 99.98% uptime and multiple certifications. "Staking is becoming a core digital-asset operation for forward-thinking institutions," stated Bohdan Opryshko, Co-Founder and COO of Everstake. Bentzi Rabi, Co-Founder and CEO of Utila, added, "By integrating Everstake, we’ve turned native yield into part of the existing treasury workflow." This alliance aims to accelerate institutional adoption of PoS networks by providing a secure and efficient yield generation solution.
‍Ripple Secures $500M Investment, Valued at $40B Ripple has announced a $500 million strategic investment, valuing the company at $40 billion. The funding round included participation from affiliates of Citadel Securities, Fortress Investment Group, and Brevan Howard, signaling increased institutional confidence in digital assets. CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated the investment validates Ripple's growth strategy and the future of crypto. This news coincides with XRP's strong performance, trading around $2.28 and having previously reached an all-time high of $3.65, driven by regulatory optimism and ETF anticipation.
‍BeatFarm and RAMM.ai Partner for Bitcoin-Native Music Economy BeatFarm, a Bitcoin music NFT protocol, and RAMM.ai, an AI company, have announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration aims to create a "Promote-to-Earn" model for Bitcoin-native music assets, merging music, AI, blockchain, and social commerce. This initiative seeks to unlock a multi-billion dollar creator economy by transforming songs and fan interactions into monetizable assets. The partnership is set to launch in 2026 with music drops and activations on the RAMM platform. The model intends to redefine music distribution and monetization, allowing artists, fans, and investors to benefit from music's reach. This collaboration signifies a shift towards a more decentralized and equitable music industry.
‍UnifAI Network Launches UAI Airdrop Claim Tool The UnifAI Network has launched a claim tool for its UAI token airdrop, rewarding active ecosystem participants. The snapshot date for eligibility was October 28th, 2025 (UTC). The first distribution is scheduled for November 6th. The claim window is open from November 6th to November 13th. A total of 13.33% of community allocation will be released over time, with 3.33% unlocked at TGE. The initiative aims to incentivize long-term engagement and community-driven growth within the UnifAI ecosystem.
‍SunPerp DEX Surpasses $100M TVL, Leading Decentralized Futures Trading SunPerp, a prominent Chinese-language decentralized futures exchange, has announced a significant milestone: exceeding $100 million in Total Value Locked (TVL). This achievement highlights the platform's rapid growth and its increasing influence in shaping the decentralized futures trading landscape. The platform demonstrates strong user confidence with over 30,000 connected wallets, daily trading volumes exceeding 100 million USDT, and a cumulative volume surpassing 3.1 billion USDT. Experts note SunPerp's robust liquidity, user experience, and innovative features as key differentiators. The exchange is positioned as a leading gateway for decentralized trading, offering enhanced access to protocols, AI-driven analytics, and on-chain data. The convergence of CeFi and DeFi is evident, with decentralization seen as the inevitable long-term trend. The integration of AI in trading is also emerging as a critical frontier, offering enhanced data analysis and decision-making capabilities while human oversight remains essential for risk management.
‍Monero (XMR) Surges as Privacy Narrative Strengthens Monero (XMR) demonstrates resilience amid market downturn, rallying significantly. This upward trend indicates a shift towards assets offering financial anonymity as global regulations tighten. While the broader crypto market faces a $2 billion liquidation event, XMR hit an intraday high of $377.63, recording a 4.4% gain in 24 hours and a 13.4% increase over the past month. Capital is rotating towards Monero, one of the oldest and most established privacy projects. Experts cite growing demand for financial anonymity as a key driver, with privacy becoming a strong narrative due to upcoming regulations requiring exchange reporting of wallet ownership to tax authorities by 2026. Increased scrutiny on major blockchains further boosts privacy coins, largely driven by retail interest. Monero is perceived as a non-correlated haven asset.
‍Blockchain Futurist Conference Returns to Toronto in 2026 North America's premier Web3 and cryptocurrency event, Blockchain Futurist Conference, will host its 9th edition in Toronto from July 21–22, 2026. The conference, recently acquired by Emerald, will return to its iconic venue at the Rebel Entertainment Complex and Cabana Pool Bar. Early-bird tickets are now available, with General Admission priced at $199 and VIP Access at $399.