BlackRock submits an application for its third Bitcoin ETF, designed to offer downside protection and upside exposure to IBIT.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has published a response to US Senator Blumenthal’s analysis of the stablecoin issuer’s sanctions compliance, stating that since 2023, Tether has frozen relevant addresses an average of four weeks ahead of official sanctions from OFAC and NBCTF. In 99% of related cases, these freezes also predate Chainalysis’ labeling of the addresses in question. Ardoino added that Tether’s actions have reduced Iran-related stablecoin trading volume by 94%, and its cooperation with law enforcement enables it to respond rapidly to emerging threats. The response follows Blumenthal’s release of a Democratic staff report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on September 28. The report claimed that among 846 wallets analyzed that were sanctioned or designated as seizure targets for ties to Iran and its regional proxy groups, 84% used only or nearly only USDT for transactions. It accused Tether of failing to adequately freeze illegal wallets, prompting Blumenthal to call on the US Treasury Department and Department of Justice to investigate the firm’s anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance practices. In a separate statement issued the same day, Tether noted that since the start of 2026 alone, it has helped freeze approximately $550 million in Iran-related USDT, with the relevant wallets identified by US authorities as linked to the Central Bank of Iran and sanctions evasion networks.

According to Bitget data, South Korea's KOSPI index dropped 4.52%, SK Hynix fell 7.02%, and Samsung Electronics declined 3.3%.

Sophon has released the mainnet shutdown timeline, with the final mainnet closure scheduled for November 30, 2026. The deadline for users to withdraw their assets is November 25. Key infrastructure and related websites will begin shutting down after November 25. Users are advised to promptly withdraw SOPH, ETH, USDC and other assets, as well as claim unclaimed staking or Guardian rewards. Those holding unclaimed Sophon Farm assets must also complete withdrawals via the corresponding platforms. Sophon warns that assets remaining on-chain after the deadline may become permanently inaccessible, urging users not to wait until November 30 to take action. Additionally, users should only use Sophon’s official links and remain vigilant against fraudulent migration websites.

According to on-chain analyst Yu Jin’s monitoring, a crypto whale leveraged to purchase $30 million worth of ETH at $1,647 per token in early June. Yesterday, the whale sold 12,468 ETH from that position at $2,368 apiece, receiving roughly $29.52 million in USDC and locking in an estimated profit of $8.99 million. The whale subsequently transferred $20 million in USDC to Hyperliquid and shifted to go long on crude oil. Currently, its combined long positions in CL and BRENTOIL are valued at approximately $22.4 million, with the whale continuing to add to these positions.

According to Bitget data, South Korea’s KOSPI index has extended its decline to 3%, with SK Hynix down 4.6% and Samsung Electronics down 2%.

CME Group announced in a statement that Uniswap futures are now available for trading, offering two contract specifications and supporting 24/7 trading.