Crypto markets ended the week with a split backdrop: stablecoin usage is expanding in payments, but BIS research suggests bank rates can still slow adoption. At the same time, security concerns and a bridge incident underscored operational risks.
Stablecoin payments rise even as supply growth looks sensitive to rates
Allium said stablecoin payments reached $482 billion year to date, up 45%, alongside wider integration with payment firms including Visa, Mastercard and Stripe. Separately, BIS research reported that stablecoin growth slows when U.S. banks raise deposit rates, with USDC described as especially sensitive to that effect.
Sources: CoinDesk, Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph
Security incidents keep losses in focus
Hacken said third-quarter crypto losses totaled $1.18 billion, with most incidents tied to compromised suppliers, delayed fixes or systems outside the latest security reviews. Cysic also said it halted its bridge after an unauthorized mint of 10 million CYS, adding that the issue was limited to bridge message processing and minting and did not affect its mainnet or other systems.
Sources: CoinDesk, Cointelegraph
Bitcoin outlook stays divided
CoinDesk reported that analysts remain split on bitcoin’s year-end path, with Bitwise seeing a possible move back above $100,000 while LO:TECH expects a narrower range as interest-rate uncertainty weighs on the market.
Sources: CoinDesk
Stablecoin competition and public policy pressures continue
CoinDesk reported that Circle is defending USDC economics as rivals court partners with a larger share of reserve income, while Coinbase also backs Open USD. In U.S. politics, Decrypt said Fairshake’s affiliate disclosed roughly $7 million more in ads against Sherrod Brown, bringing its total to more than $46 million.