Coinbase recently released a report highlighting a significant increase in the correlation between cryptocurrencies and the US stock market, reaching levels close to 50%. This surge is attributed to the easing policies implemented by both the US and China. As the crypto market experiences a positive trend, with Bitcoin showing bullish movement in recent weeks, the correlation between crypto and US stocks has become undeniable. According to IntoTheBlock, the correlation between Bitcoin and the US stock market is at its highest point in the past two years, reaching levels not seen since Q2 2022. Experts note that this correlation is largely influenced by the global easing policies adopted by major economies, which have impacted both traditional and digital asset markets.

Howard Lutnick, CEO of American investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, claims that Bitcoin "should be treated like gold, oil" in an interview with Fox Business. According to the Bitcoin Magazine X account, Lutnick stated, “If you really understand Bitcoin, it's hard to see it any other way.” His comments echo a growing view among institutional investors that Bitcoin is a valuable asset class, similar to precious metals or commodities. This view is supported by Bitcoin's limited supply, decentralized nature, and increasing adoption as a store of value. As more investors recognize Bitcoin's potential, its status as a legitimate investment is likely to continue to grow.

The United States has urged Nigeria to release a senior executive of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield met with Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UN General Assembly in New York this week and stressed that the detention of Tigran Gambaryan is a critical issue in US-Nigeria relations. She urged his immediate release. Earlier, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution calling for Gambaryan's release. The resolution now goes to the full House for a vote. Gambaryan was arrested in Nigeria in December 2021 on charges of operating an unlicensed money transfer business. He has denied the charges and says he is being held as a political prisoner. Binance has said that Gambaryan is a "key member" of its team and that his detention is "unjust." The US is not the only country that has called for Gambaryan's release. The European Union and the United Kingdom have also expressed concern about his detention.

Blockchain security expert ZachXBT has raised the alarm over a recent spike in robberies targeting cryptocurrency traders, particularly in Western Europe. According to his Telegram channel, these attacks have involved prominent individuals within the crypto community, with some escalating to shootings. ZachXBT's warning urges crypto traders to exercise extreme caution regarding who they confide in or meet in person. He emphasizes the importance of safeguarding sensitive information, including cryptocurrency holdings and personal details, to mitigate the risk of being targeted.

In a competitive cryptocurrency market, Binance Labs Investment Director Alex Odagiu believes investors should focus on the fundamentals and avoid chasing after hyped tokens. Odagiu says a project's real long-term value lies in its utility and real-world use cases. Diversification, technological innovation, and practicality are key to success in the crypto market. While acknowledging the role of meme coins in attracting newcomers, Odagiu cautions that they can introduce short-term volatility. For long-term gains, investors should prioritize projects that offer genuine utility and problem-solving capabilities.

Bolivia Embraces Crypto: Trading Volume Skyrockets Post Ban Lift Bolivia has witnessed a remarkable 100% surge in monthly cryptocurrency trading volume since the central bank lifted its ban on Bitcoin and crypto payments in June, as reported by Cointelegraph. Trading Volume Jumps From July to September, monthly trading volume averaged $15.6 million, a significant increase of 105% compared to the $7.6 million recorded between January 2021 and June 2022. Stablecoin Dominance Stablecoins accounted for the majority of crypto trading volume. Additionally, the number of crypto transactions surged by 141% in the past three months compared to the previous six. Bolivia's Crypto Embrace This surge highlights Bolivia's growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies. The ban lift has paved the way for increased adoption and trading activity within the country.

## 10X Research Bullish on Bitcoin, Targets $70,000 Marcus Sotiriou, a renowned analyst from 10X Research, has shared his optimistic outlook on Bitcoin's future price trajectory. According to his analysis, the leading cryptocurrency is poised to make a substantial move towards the $70,000 mark. Sotiriou's prediction is based on several key factors. Firstly, he highlights the recent surge in stablecoin issuance, particularly USDC, which now accounts for 40% of all stablecoin inflows. This increase suggests growing activity in decentralized finance (DeFi), which is a significant driver of Bitcoin demand. Furthermore, Sotiriou believes that the probability of a strong Q4 rally for Bitcoin is very high. He anticipates a "large spike" that could trigger further fear of missing out (FOMO) among investors. This prediction aligns with the broader market sentiment, which has turned increasingly bullish in recent weeks. Bitcoin has repeatedly set new record highs, indicating a strong appetite for the asset. Investors should note that while Sotiriou's analysis provides valuable insights, it is essential to exercise caution and conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.

## Shigeru Ishiba: Japan's Next Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will take office as Japan's next prime minister on October 1. In an interview, he said that he is "committed to working with the people of Japan to build a better future for our country." Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and has served in various cabinet positions, including Minister of Defense and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. He is known for his conservative views and his strong support for the U.S.-Japan alliance. As prime minister, Ishiba has said that he will focus on economic growth, national security, and social welfare. He has also pledged to reform the government and make it more responsive to the needs of the people. Ishiba's election as prime minister is a significant event for Japan. He is a popular and experienced politician who is expected to bring stability and leadership to the country. His term in office will be closely watched by both Japan and the international community.

dYdX, a popular decentralized cryptocurrency exchange (DEX), has announced that it will be shutting down its v3 operations on October 28th, 2022 at 9:05 PM KST. Users will need to withdraw their funds from v3 before this date, as funds will be held in an Ethereum smart contract after the shutdown. dYdX also announced that it plans to launch dYdX Unlimited later this fall. dYdX v3 has been in operation since 2021 and has been a popular choice for traders due to its low fees and fast execution times. However, dYdX has been working on a new version of its platform, dYdX Unlimited, which will offer a number of new features and improvements. dYdX Unlimited will be built on a new blockchain called StarkNet, which will allow for even lower fees and faster transaction times than v3. dYdX Unlimited will also offer a number of new features, such as margin trading, perpetual futures, and options trading. Users who have funds on dYdX v3 will need to withdraw them before the October 28th shutdown date. After the shutdown, funds will be held in an Ethereum smart contract and users will not be able to access them. dYdX has provided instructions on how to withdraw funds from v3 on its website. The shutdown of dYdX v3 is a significant event for the cryptocurrency exchange market. dYdX is one of the largest DEXs in the world, and its shutdown will likely have a ripple effect on the market. However, dYdX is also confident that its new platform, dYdX Unlimited, will be even more successful than v3.

Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett announced on Twitter that "pro-crypto political action group Stand With Crypto has endorsed pro-cryptocurrency attorney John E Deaton in the race for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts." Deaton, a Republican, recently won the Massachusetts Republican primary and will now face incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has been critical of cryptocurrency, in the general election.

Bitcoin (BTC) has recovered and surpassed the $66,000 mark, according to data from CoinDesk's Market Monitor. As of writing on the Binance USDT market, BTC is being traded at $66,059.98. This recovery comes after a period of consolidation for BTC, which had seen its price fluctuate between $62,000 and $64,000 for the past few days. The latest surge brings BTC closer to its all-time high of $69,000, which it reached in November 2021. The recovery in BTC's price is likely due to a combination of factors, including increased institutional adoption, positive news from the crypto industry, and geopolitical uncertainty. As more institutions add BTC to their portfolios, the demand for the cryptocurrency increases, which in turn drives up its price. Additionally, positive news from the crypto industry, such as the launch of new products and services, can also boost BTC's price. Finally, geopolitical uncertainty, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, can also lead investors to seek safe-haven assets such as BTC.

According to CryptoQuant Research Head Julio Moreno, the BTC Coinbase premium (the price difference between Coinbase and Binance) has reached its highest point in two weeks. This premium surge indicates a stronger demand for Bitcoin on Coinbase, potentially driven by institutional investors seeking secure and regulated access to cryptocurrencies.

Bedrock (BEDROCK), a liquidity restaking protocol, has recently fallen victim to a hacking incident resulting in losses of around $2 million. In response to this unfortunate event, Bedrock has taken swift action by integrating Chainlink's Proof of Reserves (PoR) to enhance the security of its mining functions and the protocol as a whole. This integration allows Bedrock to provide transparent and verifiable proof that its mining reserves are fully backed by real assets. By leveraging Chainlink's secure oracle network, Bedrock can automate the process of verifying its reserves, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data. This integration is a testament to Bedrock's commitment to rebuilding trust and confidence among its users and the wider cryptocurrency community.

On-chain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence has detected a recent transaction involving the transfer of a significant amount of Ether (ETH) from an address associated with Grayscale Investments to Coinbase Prime. Approximately 13,588 ETH, valued at roughly $36.11 million, was moved to Coinbase Prime, a custody and trading platform for institutional investors. This transaction highlights the ongoing institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies, as Grayscale is one of the largest digital asset managers in the world. The transfer of ETH to Coinbase Prime suggests that Grayscale may be preparing to offer new investment products or services to its clients. Institutional investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of cryptocurrencies as an asset class, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. As the market matures and regulations evolve, we can expect to see more institutional involvement in the cryptocurrency space.

Zuvek (ZBCN) network has announced the resumption of its token buyback program through X. This move is aimed at providing support for the ZBCN token and enhancing its value. The program involves the network repurchasing ZBCN tokens from the market, thereby reducing the supply and potentially driving up the price. The resumption of the token buyback program is a positive development for ZBCN holders, as it demonstrates the network's commitment to maintaining the token's stability and growth. The program is expected to have a favorable impact on the token's value and liquidity, making it more attractive to investors and users.

The Block reported that "BlackRock’s bitcoin spot ETF options, which recently received SEC approval, could impact the underlying asset’s price." In this regard, CryptoQuant analysts explained that "the option offering could increase paper supply for BTC derivatives as institutions gain exposure to BTC without having to buy the spot asset. In the past, during the 2022 bear market, open interest jumped from roughly 279,000 BTC to 549,000 BTC, suggesting that investors sought short exposure to bitcoin without needing to enter the spot market.” Furthermore, Gordon Grant, a derivatives trader, emphasized that "the bitcoin product landscape is expanding to include spot, futures, linear derivatives, and non-linear derivatives. In this landscape, the approval of BlackRock’s BTC spot ETF options brings another potential source of volatility to the mix. How the bitcoin options market absorbs this interest, demand, and activity will be crucial."

According to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has purchased an additional 1,434 Bitcoin (BTC), bringing its total holdings to over 360,000 BTC. This move highlights the growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class.
BlackRock's significant investment in Bitcoin signals a shift in the financial landscape as traditional institutions recognize the potential of digital assets. This acquisition is expected to have a positive impact on the broader cryptocurrency market, further solidifying Bitcoin's position as a viable investment option.
As the world's largest asset manager, BlackRock's move is likely to ignite further institutional adoption of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years as more institutions seek diversification and exposure to the digital asset market.

BNB Chain-Based Meme Coin Issuance Platform Grafun Postpones Launch BNB Chain-based meme coin issuance platform Grafun has announced a slight delay in its launch. Initially scheduled for May 27 at 8 PM (KST), the launch has been postponed to a later date and time. Grafun had previously announced its launch plans back in May 2023. The platform aims to provide users with the ability to easily create and issue their own custom meme coins on the BNB Chain. Users can leverage Grafun's simple and user-friendly interface to design and deploy their meme coins, making it accessible to a wide range of creators. The launch delay was communicated through an announcement on X. However, the announcement did not specify the reasons behind the postponement. Grafun has not yet announced a new launch date and time, but assures users that they will be kept informed of the latest updates. This news follows the recent surge in popularity of meme coins, with several projects gaining significant attention in the cryptocurrency market. Grafun's launch is highly anticipated by the meme coin community, and users are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to create and issue their own custom tokens.

With the increasing uncertainty in the global economy, investors are looking for alternative assets to hedge against risks. Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has emerged as a potential safe-haven asset due to its low correlation with traditional financial markets. One of the factors that has been identified as potentially driving the price of Bitcoin is the size of the People's Bank of China's (PBOC) balance sheet. According to a recent study by Coindesk, there has been a strong positive correlation between the two over the past 8 years. The 30-day correlation coefficient between the two is 0.66, indicating a strong positive correlation. This correlation is likely due to the fact that the PBOC's balance sheet is a key indicator of the health of the Chinese economy. When the PBOC expands its balance sheet, it is typically a sign that the Chinese government is taking steps to stimulate the economy. This can lead to increased demand for commodities and other assets, including Bitcoin. Recently, the PBOC has been considering a stimulus package of up to 1 trillion yuan to boost the economy. This is expected to have a positive impact on the price of Bitcoin, as it will likely lead to increased demand for the cryptocurrency.

Nubit Health, a leading provider of revenue cycle management solutions for healthcare organizations, has announced a new partnership with CARV, a provider of patient payment technology. This partnership will enable Nubit to offer its clients a comprehensive suite of solutions to improve their revenue cycle performance. CARV's patient payment platform provides a variety of features that can help healthcare organizations improve their patient payment collection process. This partnership is a significant development for both Nubit and CARV. Nubit gains access to CARV's innovative patient payment technology, while CARV gains access to Nubit's extensive client base of healthcare organizations.