The first trading day of October opens with the crypto market in a cautiously bullish mood. Crypto News Today is led by Bitcoin holding above the key $114,000 mark, Ethereum stabilizing near the low-$4,000s, and regulatory headlines that could reshape how digital assets trade on Wall Street and across Europe. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s newly approved generic listing standards for crypto ETPs
Remove a major procedural bottleneck for exchange-traded products, while multiple outlets report the agency has asked issuers to withdraw certain 19b-4 filings because they’re no longer required under the updated pathway. Across the Atlantic, a consortium of nine European banks unveiled plans for a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin, even as EU watchdogs press for tighter controls on “multi-issuance” stablecoins—tokens issued in parallel inside and outside the bloc. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of a U.S. government shutdown, a macro shock that markets are quickly pricing.
In this in-depth Crypto News Today roundup, we’ll unpack price action, ETF mechanics, and the evolving policy landscape, then tie it together with what it could mean for Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and leading altcoins through the rest of October—a month that has historically favored the bulls.
Bitcoin steady, Ethereum firm as Q4 begins.
Bitcoin is trading around $114,500 intraday, holding gains after late-September volatility. A softer U.S. dollar and improving risk appetite are credited with supporting demand for crypto as an alternative asset, helping BTC stay above this psychological line in the sand. Ethereum remains near the low-$4,000s, consolidating after sharp swings in mid-September.
That resilience comes even as Washington heads into a federal government shutdown. Historically, prolonged shutdowns dent sentiment across risk assets and delay economic data, but the immediate crypto response has been relatively muted. Markets are balancing short-term uncertainty with the potential medium-term boost from regulatory clarity on crypto ETFs (more on that below).
Why $114K matters for Bitcoin right now
Momentum is often about round numbers, and $114K is acting like a pivot that traders are defending. Holding above keeps the door open to a retest of the prior cycle high near $123K, set in August, while a decisive loss could invite a return to the $109K–$111K congestion seen during September’s liquidation wave. On a seasonal basis, October has historically been one of Bitcoin’s strongest months, a pattern traders will be watching as the quarter gets underway.
SEC clears a faster lane for crypto ETFs
The biggest structural headline in Crypto News Today is the SEC’s approval of generic listing standards for commodity-based exchange-traded products (ETPs)—explicitly including crypto asset commodities. Practically speaking, this allows exchanges like NYSE Arca, Nasdaq, and Cboe BZX to list qualifying spot-commodity ETPs—covering certain crypto tokens—without a bespoke 19b-4 rule change for each product. The change can cut timelines from months to mere weeks once an issuer’s registration statement is in effect.
Goodbye, case-by-case approvals—hello, standardized rules
Until now, every spot crypto ETF required a twin-track process: an exchange rule change (19b-4) and an issuer prospectus (Form S-1). Under the new standards, exchanges can list eligible products generically—subject to criteria like the asset having a sufficiently regulated futures market for a defined period—streamlining the path for altcoin-linked funds well beyond just Bitcoin and Ether. Legal and industry analysts say this is a “monumental step” for market access and product diversity.
Why some issuers are withdrawing filings—and why that’s bullish
In the last 48 hours, multiple outlets reported the SEC asked issuers to withdraw certain 19b-4 filings tied to altcoin ETFs. That sounds negative, but the context matters: with generic listing now available, the old 19b-4 path is simply unnecessary for products that meet the standard. Strategists expect this to accelerate listings once S-1s (or the relevant registration) go effective. In other words, the paperwork stack just got thinner, not the opportunity set.
Why is October being called “ETF month”
Industry coverage has dubbed October “ETF month” as decision points cluster for Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and other large-cap tokens—either under the previous regime’s deadlines or as conversions into the new generic framework. While dates can shift as issuers retool, the broader takeaway is that altcoin ETFs are closer to reality than ever. If launches arrive in stages through October and November, watch for rotation into newly listed exposures.
Europe’s two-track stablecoin story: bank-backed euro token vs. tougher scrutiny
Across the Atlantic, Crypto News Today also centers on Europe’s stablecoin reset. On one track, nine major banks—ING, UniCredit, Danske Bank, DekaBank, SEB, CaixaBank, KBC, Banca Sella, and Raiffeisen Bank International—formed a company to launch a MiCA-compliant euro-denominated stablecoin by the second half of 2026. The initiative aims to give the EU a regulated, bank-grade alternative for 24/7 cross-border and programmable payments under the bloc’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime.
On the other track, European authorities are signaling a tougher stance on so-called “multi-issuance” stablecoins—tokens minted in parallel inside and outside the EU but treated as fungible by users. Officials worry this structure could create reserve mismatches and cross-border redemption risks outside MiCA’s supervisory perimeter. The Bank of Italy has urged clarity, while reporting points to the European Systemic Risk Board recommending restrictions or bans on such designs.
MiCA’s implementation: where things stand today
MiCA’s stablecoin rules took effect in June 2024, with full application to crypto-asset service providers by late 2024 and transitional runways extending toward 2026 in several jurisdictions. The European Banking Authority continues to publish technical standards for e-money tokens and asset-referenced tokens, defining authorization, redemption at par, reserve quality, and disclosure. That scaffolding is what bank-led projects are building on—and what non-EU issuers must meet to remain in the market.
What this means for USDT, USDC, and a bank-issued euro token
If the ESRB’s recommendation translates into policy, dollar-pegged stablecoins jointly issued across borders could face constraints in the EU. That may gradually tilt European volumes toward euro-pegged tokens—especially bank-issued ones—while leaving global dollar stablecoin dominance intact elsewhere. The banks’ 2026 target suggests a long runway, but the signaling is clear: regulated euro liquidity is a strategic priority for policymakers and incumbents.
A U.S. shutdown meets a crypto-friendly rule shift.
The U.S. government shutdown that began October 1, 202,5, adds uncertainty to global markets by furloughing federal workers, delaying data releases, and weighing on consumer/investor confidence—at least at the margins. Crypto’s immediate reaction: limited spillover thanks to idiosyncratic drivers (ETF mechanics, European policy) and the asset class’s positioning into historically strong seasonality. Still, the longer a shutdown persists, the higher the risk of liquidity thinness and risk-off episodes.
Interestingly, the shutdown coincides with arguably the largest regulatory de-friction for crypto ETFs since the first spot Bitcoin and Ether funds launched. The juxtaposition—Washington gridlock vs. SEC procedural clarity—helps explain why crypto held its ground as Q4 opened. Traders are betting that product-driven inflows could offset macro headwinds if listings start to arrive under the new framework in October–November.
Altcoins in focus: Does an ETF wave change leadership
The prospective pipeline includes Solana (SOL), XRP, Litecoin (LTC),and others. If ETFs tied to these networks list under the generic standards, new brokerage-account demand could reprioritize what institutions buy first—mirroring the way spot Bitcoin ETFs reshaped allocations. Products that package multiple large-cap tokens (multi-asset digital large-cap funds) could also gain share as one-ticket exposure for advisors and model portfolios.
Rotation risk: from narratives to tickers
ETF access can compress the “narrative premium” altcoins sometimes enjoy on crypto-native venues. In plain English: once mainstream tickers exist, flows often chase liquidity and brand recognition over niche DeFi metrics. That dynamic favored BTC and ETH after their spot ETF debuts, and it may repeat—at least initially—with SOL, XRP, and LTC if their products arrive in quick succession. Coverage calling October “ETF month” underscores why traders are positioning.
Price drivers to watch in October
1) ETF filings, S-1 effectiveness, and first-day inflows
The generic listing regime doesn’t eliminate the need for robust disclosures and registration statements. Issuers still need their documents declared effective, and exchanges must vet compliance with the new standards. The first funds to clear this gauntlet—and their day-one inflows—will set the tone for the month.
2) European stablecoin guidance and bank consortium milestones
Any formal step by EU bodies regarding multi-issuance tokens—or additional MiCA technical standards—could nudge volumes toward euro stablecoins, reinforce EURC-style models, and influence on-ramps/off-ramps for EU-based users. Meanwhile, the nine-bank consortium’s updates will signal whether traditional finance can marshal the tech, governance, and compliance to ship on its 2026 target.
3) Seasonality and positioning
Data services tracking monthly returns show October’s tendency to deliver positive BTC performance. Seasonality isn’t destiny, but in an environment with fresh ETF catalysts and contained macro shocks, traders tend to give October the benefit of the doubt—until price proves otherwise.
Strategy takeaways for readers
For long-term investors
The SEC’s standardization drive reduces procedural risk for new crypto ETPs, supporting the steady institutionalization of the asset class. Diversified exposure through multi-asset funds may benefit from early inflows once listings broaden, while Bitcoin and Ethereum remain core allocation anchors. Dollar-cost averaging around macro noise, while rebalancing into strength, is a defensible approach amid evolving rulebooks.
For active traders
Respect the 114K BTC line and watch ETH’s $4.2K–$4.4K band as a momentum gauge. Track S-1 statuses and exchange announcements; first movers under the new standard could attract disproportionate flows. In Europe, monitor exchange notices on stablecoin support—policy shifts can change liquidity conditions quickly for pairs involving USDT/USDC versus EUR-based tokens.
See More: Crypto News Today Trends in DeFi, Blockchain & Regulation (2025)
conclusion
Regulation often feels like watching paint dry—until it suddenly doesn’t. The SEC’s generic listing approval is exactly the kind of plumbing change that markets underestimate in real time. It may not produce fireworks on day one, but over the next 4–8 weeks, it could unlock a steady drip of new altcoin ETFs that normalize crypto exposures across advisor platforms and retirement accounts. Europe’s mix of bank-led stablecoin innovation and regulatory tightening is similarly consequential: tokenized euros issued inside MiCA’s perimeter could become the default settlement rail for EU crypto commerce. Tie those together, and Crypto News Today reads like a slow-motion expansion of market access—one that could matter well beyond this quarter.
FAQs
Q: Why did the SEC ask some crypto ETF issuers to withdraw filings?
Because the Commission approved generic listing standards for commodity-based ETPs (including crypto), exchanges can list qualifying products without a separate 19b-4 rule change for each one. With that pathway open, certain pending 19b-4s became redundant, so the agency told issuers to pull them and use the new route. This should accelerate listings once registrations are effective.
Q: Does the new U.S. rule mean any token can get an ETF now?
No. Products must meet eligibility criteria under the approved standards, which reference factors like having a regulated futures market of sufficient history. Exchanges can still seek bespoke approvals for assets that don’t fit the template, but the generic regime covers a meaningful slice of large-cap tokens.
Q: What’s the status of a euro-denominated stablecoin backed by major banks?
Nine European banks formed a company to launch a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin targeting the second half of 2026. It’s designed for low-cost, 24/7 payments and settlement across the EU’s banking rails, pending regulatory approvals and technical build-out.
Q: Could EU actions hurt U.S. dollar stablecoins in Europe?
Potentially. EU authorities are scrutinizing multi-issuance designs—where the same token is issued both inside and outside the EU—on stability and redemption risk grounds. If recommendations harden into policy, some non-EU dollar stablecoins could face tighter restrictions in Europe.
Q: How might the U.S. government shutdown affect crypto?
Shutdowns can sap risk appetite and delay macro data, but crypto is currently driven by ETF mechanics and structural regulatory changes. If the shutdown drags on, expect pockets of volatility; if it resolves quickly, attention should swing back to the ETF launch cadence.