Key Takeaways
- • Crypto prices fell in October 2026 as rising bond yields, inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty drove renewed selling, according to the primary report.
- • Bitcoin traded near $81,800 at the October 12 close (CoinGecko), while US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded about $679 million in net withdrawals in the week ending October 9.
- • Ethereum (near $2,446) is preparing its Glamsterdam upgrade, aimed at improving scalability and transaction processing.
- • Solana (near $106) has its Alpenglow upgrade planned to cut transaction finality to about 150 milliseconds, but Solana ETFs lost about $24.8 million, ending 14 straight weeks of inflows.
- • Standard Chartered announced institutional custody support for Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger on October 12, while XRP traded near $1.34.
Summary
Crypto markets faced renewed selling pressure in October 2026, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and several major altcoins declining as investors reacted to rising bond yields, inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty. Bitcoin traded around $81,800 at the October 12 close according to CoinGecko, and Ethereum stood near $2,446.
Bitcoin remains the largest cryptocurrency by market value, with a supply capped at 21 million coins. US spot Bitcoin ETFs have brought the asset into traditional portfolios by offering a regulated way to hold it. However, these products saw about $679 million in net withdrawals during the week ending October 9. The article notes that a move back toward $100,000 would likely require renewed inflows and easing economic pressure.
Ethereum, trading near $2,446, is positioned as a leading blockchain for decentralized finance, stablecoins and tokenized assets, with a large developer base and staking features. The upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade is intended to improve scalability and transaction processing, though ongoing ETF withdrawals and competition from faster blockchains remain challenges. Solana, trading near $106, draws developers and traders with low fees and fast transactions. Its planned Alpenglow upgrade aims to cut transaction finality to about 150 milliseconds. Solana ETFs lost about $24.8 million in the latest reported week, ending 14 consecutive weeks of inflows.
Chainlink, trading near $12.61, provides infrastructure connecting blockchains to outside data and enabling asset transfers between networks. In September it launched CCIP 2.0 and announced work to help financial institutions connect with Swift's blockchain ledger, as institutions explore tokenized bonds and funds. XRP traded near $1.34 as Ripple expanded ties with financial institutions. On October 12, Standard Chartered announced institutional custody support for Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger and plans expanded collateral services with LMAX Group. The article notes that Ripple's business growth does not automatically translate into equal demand for XRP.
Bitcoin remains the largest cryptocurrency by market value, with a supply capped at 21 million coins. US spot Bitcoin ETFs have brought the asset into traditional portfolios by offering a regulated way to hold it. However, these products saw about $679 million in net withdrawals during the week ending October 9. The article notes that a move back toward $100,000 would likely require renewed inflows and easing economic pressure.
Ethereum, trading near $2,446, is positioned as a leading blockchain for decentralized finance, stablecoins and tokenized assets, with a large developer base and staking features. The upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade is intended to improve scalability and transaction processing, though ongoing ETF withdrawals and competition from faster blockchains remain challenges. Solana, trading near $106, draws developers and traders with low fees and fast transactions. Its planned Alpenglow upgrade aims to cut transaction finality to about 150 milliseconds. Solana ETFs lost about $24.8 million in the latest reported week, ending 14 consecutive weeks of inflows.
Chainlink, trading near $12.61, provides infrastructure connecting blockchains to outside data and enabling asset transfers between networks. In September it launched CCIP 2.0 and announced work to help financial institutions connect with Swift's blockchain ledger, as institutions explore tokenized bonds and funds. XRP traded near $1.34 as Ripple expanded ties with financial institutions. On October 12, Standard Chartered announced institutional custody support for Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger and plans expanded collateral services with LMAX Group. The article notes that Ripple's business growth does not automatically translate into equal demand for XRP.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.