Crypto Flash News: 24-Hour Roundup – Key Highlights from October 20, 2025

The cryptocurrency market is buzzing with volatility and intrigue as it rebounds from last week’s $19 billion liquidation cascade triggered by U.S.-China trade tariffs. Global market cap stands at $3.96 trillion, up 11.08% in 24 hours, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana leading the charge. Here’s a 1-minute overview of the top developments shaking DeFi and blockchain ecosystems.

1. BTC, ETH, SOL Weekend Rally Amid Low Liquidity

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) posted gains over the weekend, with BTC climbing 2.5% to $113,000, ETH up 3.2% to $4,200, and SOL surging 4.1% to $205. However, thin weekend liquidity means Monday’s open will be the real test of market sentiment. Analysts eye $115,000 BTC resistance, warning of potential pullbacks if tariff fears resurface.

2. 1011 Whale Nets $160M Shorting Crash, Doubles Down on BTC

The infamous “1011” whale, who profited $160 million shorting the flash crash, has reopened BTC shorts with $50 million in exposure. Timing strikes again: The market dipped 1.5% post-move, amplifying gains. With open interest at $204 billion, this high-profile bet underscores leverage risks in DeFi’s perpetual futures arena.

3. Mt. Gox Repayment Deadline Looms: $2.4B Pressure by October 31

Mt. Gox’s repayment window closes October 31, potentially unleashing $2.4 billion in BTC sales. While actual market impact may be muted, FOMO around the deadline could trigger panic dips. Creditors have already moved 32,000 BTC ($2.2 billion) to new wallets, per Arkham data—watch for volatility as DeFi TVL holds steady at $150 billion+.

4. AI Darling TAO Climbs to $9.1B Market Cap

TAO, the AI staking protocol, continues its ascent, hitting $9.1 billion in market cap with a 5.2% daily gain to $450. Grayscale’s endorsements have fueled the rally, positioning TAO as the AI sector leader. With DeFi’s AI integration booming, expect further upside amid tokenized RWAs.

5. BitMine’s $1.5B ETH Hoard: Three Buys Since Crash

BitMine Immersion Technologies added 379,000 ETH (~$1.5 billion) since the downturn, holding 3.03 million ETH (2.5% of supply). Despite pullback efforts, market response has been muted, highlighting corporate treasury resilience in DeFi’s yield landscape.

6. Saylor Teases MicroStrategy’s Next BTC Buy

Michael Saylor shared a $69 billion BTC holdings chart, hinting at more acquisitions. MicroStrategy controls 61% of corporate BTC holdings, signaling bullish intent amid $112,000 price levels— a potential catalyst for DeFi’s BTC-collateralized protocols.

7. Jay Chou’s Bitcoin Drama: Friend Vanishes with $3.1M Holdings

Taiwanese star Jay Chou deleted his Instagram plea for friend Tsai Wei-tse, accused of disappearing with $3.1 million in BTC held in trust. Tsai’s cryptic response and social media hiatus fuel speculation, reminding DeFi users: Self-custody is key amid wallet risks.

8. Vitalik’s GKR Protocol Tutorial Boosts ZK Narrative

Vitalik Buterin released a guide on GKR (GKR Protocol), a “batch×layer” for ultra-fast ZK proofs. This Ethereum ZK upgrade could slash verification times, benefiting DeFi’s privacy tools and sparking rallies in ZK projects like zkSync.

9. U.S. BTC/ETH ETFs See $1.2B/$310M Outflows This Week

U.S. spot BTC ETFs recorded $1.2 billion net outflows, with ETH at $310 million, reversing recent gains. While ETF flows signal market sentiment, inflows remain a key DeFi bullish indicator—watch for rebounds.

10. Polymarket Token Delayed to 2026 Post-U.S. Relaunch

Polymarket’s governance token launch is pushed to 2026, after U.S. market reopening. This gives ample time for interactions, aligning with prediction markets’ DeFi evolution.

These events capture crypto’s resilience and risks, blending macro headwinds with innovation. Stay tuned for Monday’s volatility test.