Crypto markets have seen major action this week, with news spanning investments, regulations, and cybersecurity. Earlier reports highlighted that 45% of Americans are seeking crypto as an alternative investment. Russia also made headlines by safeguarding digital asset ownership through updates to marriage law. Meanwhile, Binance founder CZ was pardoned by Donald Trump, and Chinese hackers breached a Russian network, sparking global concern. New developments now focus on the rapid growth of stablecoin payments, Satoshi-era Bitcoin whales moving millions, and smaller miners gaining ground with AI-powered operations.
Dormant Bitcoin whale awakens after 14 years
Another “Satoshi-era” Bitcoin wallet has come to life after more than a decade of silence, moving part of a massive stash worth over $440 million. The wallet, which mined roughly 4,000 BTC between April and June 2009, transferred 150 BTC, valued at more than $16 million in a single transaction this week, according to data from Whale Alert and Nansen.
Blockchain analysts believe the whale once held as many as 8,000 BTC and has been gradually liquidating its holdings. Despite the sell-off speculation, experts note that movements by early Bitcoin holders are not a cause for concern. Instead, they reflect a maturing market where new institutional and retail investors quickly absorb any supply.
These rare awakenings always capture the crypto community’s attention, serving as a reminder of Bitcoin’s early days and the enormous wealth accumulated by those who believed in it from the start.
Mid-tier Bitcoin miners rise as AI reshapes the industry
Smaller Bitcoin mining companies are now catching up with major industry players as competition heats up following the 2024 halving. According to The Miner Mag, firms like Cipher Mining, HIVE Digital, and Bitdeer have significantly expanded their realised hashrate- a key metric for on-chain mining performance, narrowing the gap with established giants such as MARA Holdings and CleanSpark.
Driven by rising operational efficiency and fresh investment, public miners collectively reached a record 326 EH/s of realised hashrate in September, doubling last year’s figures. However, the industry’s rapid growth has also led to a surge in debt, climbing to $12.7 billion in just a year, according to VanEck.
Stablecoin payments surge as B2B transactions dominate
Stablecoin settlement volumes have soared in 2025, jumping 70% from $6 billion in February to over $10 billion by August, according to new data from Artemis. The surge signals a major shift in how digital dollars are being used, moving from trading platforms into everyday commerce.
Business-to-business (B2B) transfers now drive most of the growth, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all stablecoin payments. Monthly corporate volumes have more than doubled since February, reaching around $6.4 billion. The total cumulative value of stablecoin transactions since 2023 has now exceeded $136 billion, proving that on-chain money is no longer a niche settlement method but a key part of global financial infrastructure.
Consumer use is following suit, with crypto card payments rising 36% and business-to-consumer transactions up 32%. Prefunding- where merchants preload liquidity for instant payments- jumped 61% during the same period. Venture capital partner David Alexander noted that stablecoins are turning “on-chain liquidity into spendable cash,” bridging decentralised finance (DeFi) yields with real-world utility. Crypto cards now process over $1.5 billion each month, highlighting the growing fusion between blockchain and traditional payments.
Meanwhile, competition among networks is heating up. Tron remains the largest blockchain for stablecoin settlement but has seen its share drop from 66% to 48% as faster, cheaper networks like Base, Codex, Plasma, and Solana capture market share. Tether’s USDT continues to dominate the ecosystem with 79% of all payment volume and a market cap of $183 billion, while Circle’s USDC has climbed to a 21% share, with $76 billion in circulation. Together, they power a $300-billion web of digital dollars reshaping global money movement.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group