Oct 27, 2026 · 6 min listen · Last updated October 27, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. It's Dex, October 27th. Here's what I'd flag across crypto and the alpha desk this morning. Let's get into it. First, from Newsbtc. Britain’s Crypto Licensing Clock Is Already Running Ahead of 2027 Start.
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Daily Crypto Brief · October 27th
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Britain’s Crypto Licensing Clock Is Already Running Ahead of 2027 Start
TL;DR: The FCA opened its crypto authorisation gateway on September 30 and asks firms planning to continue operating to apply by February 28, 2027. For crypto businesses serving UK customers, next October’s rulebook begins to matter this autumn. The Financial Conduct Authority opened its authorisation gateway on September 30, starting the period in which firms can apply to operate under the broader regime due to take effect on October 25, 2027. The FCA says businesses intending to remain in the UK market should apply by February 28, 2027.
Bitcoin ETFs pull in $110 million as Ether funds shed $88.58 million
Bitcoin's ETF inflows highlight its market dominance, while Ether's outflows suggest shifting investor confidence and potential volatility. The post Bitcoin ETFs pull in $110 million as Ether funds shed $88.58 million appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Grayscale says Bitcoin is now less volatile than Oracle, Coinbase, Honeywell and SanDisk
Bitcoin's reduced volatility may shift its perception from a speculative asset to a viable portfolio component, challenging traditional stock views. The post Grayscale says Bitcoin is now less volatile than Oracle, Coinbase, Honeywell and SanDisk appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
ESMA Draws a Hard Line Around Non-Compliant Stablecoins in EU Services
ESMA's recent guidance is clear: EU-licensed crypto service providers need to stop offering services related to stablecoins that don’t meet MiCA requirements. This isn’t just about European-issued coins; any stablecoin can trigger compliance issues if it’s being used in the EU. The scope is broad, covering everything from trading and custody to investment advice. So, if a stablecoin has regulatory hurdles, simply dropping one trading pair won’t cut it.
For stablecoin issuers, being listed on regulated exchanges is crucial for liquidity. But now, exchanges face the risk of fragmented access. A stablecoin that’s widely accepted elsewhere might suddenly be off-limits for EU clients if it doesn’t meet the necessary compliance standards.
ESMA's opinion sets out what’s expected from these providers, but it doesn’t label every stablecoin as non-compliant or name any specific platforms for enforcement yet. It’s essential for firms to carefully assess their products against these new guidelines. Just because a token might be delisted doesn’t mean it’s lost its value; it’s more about the legal permissions to operate in the EU market.
For listeners who want low-fee crypto exposure, our markets partner Kraken supports stablecoins — link in show notes.
Bitcoin short-term holder profit drops to 70%, which Glassnode says may favor buyers
Bitcoin short-term holder profits have dipped to 70%, which could indicate a more favorable entry point for buyers. This decline suggests that many short-term holders are experiencing reduced profits, potentially leading to a healthier market environment. When profits drop like this, it often means that the market is shaking out weaker hands, which can pave the way for more stable trading conditions.
Glassnode points out that this shift may encourage new buyers to step in, as the risk of buying at inflated prices decreases. It’s a signal that could lead to a more balanced market, where long-term holders might feel more secure in their positions.
For listeners who want low-fee crypto exposure, our markets partner Kraken supports Bitcoin — link in show notes.
Sony's Blockchain Plans New Token and AI Royalties. Will It Recover?
Sony wants artificial intelligence companies to pay creators automatically for using their work. Its blockchain venture has a plan to make that happen, even as money deposited in its financial applications has collapsed. On Monday, October 26, Sony-backed Soneium announced a new AI licensing system, entertainment investments, and plans for its own cryptocurrency.
10,000 Bitcoin Simulations Say BTC's Median Path to $1M Comes in 2033
Bitcoin (BTC) simulations from on-chain analyst Willy Woo show the median path reaching $1.03 million in February 2033. The same path first falls 43% from its 2028 cycle high. Woo stresses the model is not a prediction, but calls $241,000 to $413,000 a reasonable 2028 top. The 29th percentile path he highlights never reaches $1 million. Holders targeting that level wait more than six years in the median case. What Do the Bitcoin Simulations Assume About Diminishing Returns? Woo built a Monte Carlo simulation, a method that runs thousands of random trials to map possible outcomes.
Crypto Payments Have a Hidden Cost Businesses Rarely Calculate
When customers pay with crypto, the transaction can sometimes go awry, leaving merchants with unpaid orders and frustrated clients. Visa's latest report shows that nearly 17% of stablecoin card volume comes from businesses, highlighting the growing trend of crypto in commerce. However, a study revealed that 37% of financial executives faced costs over $20 for failed or delayed payments, which can add up quickly.
Common issues arise when customers send the wrong token or fail to include necessary details, leading to delays that can stretch refunds out to days. For instance, the median time for a refund to be processed can be 3.7 days, not counting the time customers take to decide to request one. Providers like NOWPayments are stepping up, with rapid response times and examples of manual recovery for misdirected funds.
For businesses, it’s crucial to assess the hidden costs of crypto payments, including the time spent resolving issues. As Kate L. from NOWPayments points out, your payment volume should ideally outpace the workload of payment support. Keeping track of these factors could be key in making crypto payments work more smoothly for your business.
For listeners who want low-fee crypto exposure, our markets partner Kraken supports ETH — link in show notes.
How Optimism’s draft manual silently strips tokenholder elections
The Foundation’s proposed rewrite would end cohort elections and seat nominees unless a veto reaches 20% of active votable OP supply. Read the full story on CryptoSlate Understand the crypto stories that matter and what to watch next. Get The Catalyst in your inbox
SEC’s Crypto Custody Proposal Could Change How Funds Hold Digital Assets
TL;DR: The SEC has proposed a tailored crypto custody framework for advisers and regulated funds, but the changes are not yet final. The conversation about crypto access inside conventional investment funds is increasingly focused on custody. An SEC proposal released October 1 would modernise parts of the federal rules affecting how registered advisers and regulated funds safeguard digital assets. According to the agency, the planned changes are intended to remove obstacles that prevent advisers from offering some crypto strategies while keeping investor protections.