From a potential $250,000 Bitcoin price tag to a showdown over U.S. stablecoin rules, this week’s crypto news covers the forces shaping the market’s next chapter. Claude AI’s bold forecast fuels price speculation, industry groups push back against GENIUS Act requirements, and U.S. banking regulators move to formalize stablecoin oversight. At the same time, AI-powered attacks on more than 400 Latin American banks expose a darker side of the rapid convergence between crypto, AI, and mainstream finance.
Switzerland approves its first retail Bitcoin ETF
Switzerland’s Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) approved the country’s first retail investment fund to invest directly in Bitcoin. Classified as an alternative investment fund carrying specific risks, the product gives retail investors access to Bitcoin through a regulated fund structure.
FINMA has permitted an exemption from applicable risk diversification requirements, citing Bitcoin’s established trading history and comparatively high trading volume. The approval also comes with safeguards covering custody, operational risks, transparency and investor suitability.
The decision follows FINMA’s 2021 authorisation of a cryptocurrency fund available exclusively to qualified investors. The new approval broadens access to Bitcoin investment through a retail product, while requiring supervised institutions to comply with Switzerland’s Financial Services Act (FinSA), including rules on investor disclosures and suitability assessments.
France advances tax on crypto-to-stablecoin swaps
France’s National Assembly narrowly adopted an amendment that could make certain cryptocurrency-to-stablecoin exchanges taxable events from January 2027. The proposal passed by 38 votes to 37 on October 16 as part of the country’s 2027 finance bill.
Under the proposed rules, private investors could face capital gains taxation when exchanging crypto-assets for single-currency stablecoins, even without converting proceeds into euros. The measure would remove an existing tax deferral available for qualifying crypto-to-crypto exchanges.
The government opposed the amendment, raising concerns about implementation complexity and the need for clearer definitions. The proposal still requires further parliamentary consideration and final adoption before becoming law.
Deutsche Bank prepares institutional crypto custody launch
Deutsche Bank is preparing to launch crypto custody services in Germany for selected institutional and corporate clients, with Bitcoin and Ether expected among the initial assets.
The bank’s planned offering also includes stablecoins such as USDC, EURC, and EURAU in its supported-asset materials. However, custody and transfers should not be confused with cryptocurrency purchases, fiat conversions, or stablecoin redemption, which may require separate capabilities.
The service remains subject to regulatory compliance and technical readiness. Deutsche Bank has also outlined plans to expand into Asian financial centres in 2027, alongside broader initiatives involving tokenized deposits and blockchain-based securities.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified cryptocurrency advisor before making any investment decisions.
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Rodcas Consulting Group