Bitcoin fell below $80,000 on Saturday, October 24, as forced liquidations and fund withdrawals increased selling pressure. The cryptocurrency dropped 1.91% over 24 hours to $79,994.97 during the initial decline. Meanwhile, upcoming Federal Reserve decisions, US economic data, and tensions involving Iran added pressure across digital asset markets. The decline pushed Bitcoin below a key psychological price level for the first time since October 15. Leveraged traders faced mounting losses as falling prices reduced the value of their positions. At the same time, withdrawals from Bitcoin exchange-traded funds signaled reduced exposure through regulated investment products. The broader cryptocurrency market also weakened during weekend trading, with several major tokens posting losses. Market data placed total cryptocurrency market capitalization at approximately $2.68 trillion, down 2.19%. However, the available figures do not establish how much each individual factor contributed to Bitco...
Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal has escalated a Senate investigation into Tether’s alleged relationships with a marketing company linked to former White House crypto adviser Bo Hines. The probe centers on claims that Tether entered into a $6.3 million marketing arrangement with Nxum, and that the dealings may have involved lobbying coordination around pending stablecoin legislation. In a letter to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, Blumenthal said the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is requesting records and information covering contracts, payments, communications, and lobbying activity involving Tether and Nxum. Blumenthal also pointed to allegations that messaging between parties indicated direct coordination on efforts related to the GENIUS Act, a bill intended to regulate stablecoins. Key takeaways Blumenthal’s letter asks for Tether records tied to Nxum, including contracts, payments, communications, and lobbying activity. The senator alleges the arrangement may hav...