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Best crypto hardware wallets 2025

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To keep your savings secure, digital asset owners use cold wallets. The likelihood of hacking such a device is almost zero. That’s why for staking (holding cryptocurrency), the best solution is to use crypto hardware wallets. But how do you choose a reliable option?

To help with this, we have reviewed the best crypto wallets — top hardware wallets — and present an overview of trusted models, including detailed descriptions of their features, advantages, and disadvantages.

What is hardware wallet

A hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your crypto private keys securely offline. It acts as a cold storage solution, offering far more protection than hot wallets (software wallets connected to the internet).

Hot wallet vs. hardware wallet

FeatureHot walletHardware walletInternet accessAlways connectedOnly connected for transactionsSecurityLower (vulnerable)Very highConvenienceVery easy to useBalanced

Note: A hardware wallet is a type of cold wallet — but not all cold wallets are hardware devices (some are paper wallets, air-gapped devices, etc.).

Best crypto hardware wallets for October 2025

Not sure which wallet to pick in October 2025? Check out our ranking of the top crypto hardware wallets.


Trezor Model T – Best for advanced security


Top

Overview: Open-source wallet with touchscreen and top-tier security.


Security features:


Passphrase, PIN, open-source firmware


Supported coins:


1,000+ including BTC, ETH, ERC-20, ADA, XMR


Price:


$219

Pros & Cons

  • Fully open-source

  • Touchscreen

  • Passphrase support

Review

Best for: Privacy-focused and security-conscious users


Ledger Nano X – Best for most users


Top

Overview: Flagship wallet from Ledger with Bluetooth, secure chip, and large coin support.


Security features:


Secure Element (CC EAL5+), PIN, recovery seed


Supported coins:


BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, DOT, NFTs, and more


Price:


$149

Pros & Cons

  • Bluetooth +USB-C

  • Supports 5,500+ coins

  • Great mobile app (Ledger Live)

  • Not open-source

  • Ledger’s past opt-in firmware controversy

Review

Best for: All-around users who want security + mobility


Cypherock X1 – Best for seedless backup & security


Top

Overview: A next-gen wallet that eliminates the need for a recovery seed. Uses Shamir Secret Sharing and NFC-enabled smart cards.


Supported coins:


BTC, ETH, USDT, and 1,000+ more


Price:


$179

Pros & Cons

  • No seed phrase required

  • Multi-card Shamir backup

  • Supports multiple private keys

  • Newer brand

  • Learning curve for beginners

Review

Best for: Users who prioritize seedless backup and maximum fault tolerance


Ledger Nano S Plus – Best budget option


Top

Overview: Affordable Ledger wallet with full functionality, minus Bluetooth.


Security features:


Secure Element, PIN, recovery seed


Supported coins:


5,500+


Price:


$79

Pros & Cons

  • Great value for money

  • Supports same coins as Nano X

  • No bluetooth

  • Limited appmemory (compared to X)

Review

Best for: Budget-conscious crypto holders


Keystone Pro – Best air-gapped wallet


Top

Overview: QR-code-based hardware wallet with no USB or Bluetooth connections.


Security features:


Air-gapped QR, fingerprint sensor, secure chip


Supported coins:


BTC, ETH, DOT, XRP, NFTs


Price:


$149

Pros & Cons

  • Fully air-gapped

  • Fingerprint unlock

  • Open-source

  • Bulkier design

  • No mobile app

Review

Best for: Maximum isolation/security


SafePal S1 – Best for DeFi & mobile use


Top

Overview: Budget-friendly hardware wallet with mobile-first design.


Security features:


EAL5+ secure chip, self-destruct mechanism


Supported coins:


50+ blockchains, thousands of tokens


Price:


$50

Pros & Cons

  • Air-gapped via QR code

  • Supports many DeFi dApps

  • Affordable

  • Plastic build

  • UI less polished

Review

Best for: DeFi and mobile-first users


BitBox02 – Best for simplicity


Top

Overview: Swiss-made wallet with a minimalist design and strong security.


Security features:


Secure chip, 2FA, encrypted backups


Supported coins:


BTC, ETH, LTC, ERC-20


Price:


Starts at €124

Pros & Cons

  • Plug-and-play

  • Backup on microSD

  • Open-source

  • Lacks touchscreen

  • Limited coin support

Review

Best for: Beginners who want simplicity


Ellipal Titan – Best tamper-proof wallet


Top

Overview: Air-gapped, fully metal wallet with QR code communication.


Security features:


Air-gapped QR, self-destruct, metal casing


Supported coins:


10,000+ coins and tokens


Price:


$169

Pros & Cons

  • Tamper-proof design

  • Fully air-gapped

  • Touchscreen

Review

Best for: Harsh environments, physical protection


Tangem Wallet – Best tap-and-go NFC wallet


Top

Overview: A card-shaped hardware wallet with NFC — just tap it to your phone. No batteries, no cables.


Supported coins:


6,000+ including BTC, ETH, BNB, SOL


Price:


Starts at $55 for 2-card pack

Pros & Cons

  • Extremely portable

  • No seed phrase to write down

  • Water & tamper-proof

  • No desktop support (mobile only)

  • Limited advanced features

Review

Best for: Mobile-first users who want simplicity and portability

Crypto hardware wallet comparison table for October 2025

WalletPriceSupported AssetsSecurity FeaturesBest ForTrezor Model T$2191,000+ (BTC, ETH, ADA, XMR)Passphrase, PIN, open-source firmwareSecurity-focused & privacy-conscious usersLedger Nano X$1495,500+Secure Element (CC EAL5+), PIN, recovery seedMost users — security + mobilityLedger Nano S Plus$795,500+Secure Element, PIN, recovery seedBudget-conscious usersKeystone Pro$149BTC, ETH, XRP, NFTsAir-gapped QR, fingerprint sensor, secure chipMaximum isolation & offline securitySafePal S1$5050+ blockchains + tokensEAL5+ chip, self-destruct, air-gapped via QRDeFi and mobile-first usersBitBox02~€124 (~$130)BTC, ETH, LTC, ERC-20Secure chip, 2FA, encrypted microSD backupsSimplicity & beginnersEllipal Titan$16910,000+Air-gapped QR, self-destruct, metal tamper-proof caseHarsh environments & tamper-proof storageCypherock X1$179BTC, ETH, USDT + 1,000+Shamir Secret Sharing, no seed phrase, NFC-enabled smart cardsSeedless backup & fault-tolerant securityTangem WalletFrom $55 (2-pack)6,000+NFC, tamper-proof, no seed phraseMobile-first users & ultra-portable storage

What to look for in a hardware wallet

When evaluating the best crypto hardware wallets in 2025, it’s important to balance security, convenience, and cost. 

Look for wallets that support your crypto assets and offer essential security features like two-factor authentication, PIN protection, secure chips, and reliable seed phrase backups. Compatibility with your operating system, wallets, and DeFi apps is also crucial. A user-friendly interface and mobile support can make all the difference, especially for everyday use. 

Depending on what you need, prices can range from affordable entry-level options around $49 to more advanced models over $200.

Final thoughts

It might sound a bit ironic, but buying a hardware cold wallet is one of the smartest crypto investments you can make. It doesn’t matter how high Bitcoin’s price goes in five years if your funds get stolen from an online wallet or exchange. Sure, the risk is small, but it’s definitely not zero.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money — there are plenty of budget-friendly cold wallets that have everything you need to keep your crypto safe offline. But if you’re storing big amounts, a more advanced wallet costing a few hundred dollars is well worth it.

Most importantly, you’ll sleep better at night knowing your crypto is secure.

FAQ

What is the safest hardware wallet in 2025?

Two of the most trusted options are the Trezor Model T and Ledger Nano X. They both offer top-tier security. If you want even more protection with no internet connection at all, check out the Keystone Pro or Ellipal Titan — they’re fully air-gapped.

Do I need a hardware wallet just for Bitcoin?

If you’re holding a lot of Bitcoin or planning to keep it long-term, yes — it’s worth it. A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline, which means way less risk from hackers or phishing attacks.

Ledger or Trezor: Which is better?

That depends! Ledger is more versatile, especially for mobile users or those with a wide crypto portfolio. Trezor is better for people who want transparency and value open-source software. Both are solid picks.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.



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Whales Keep Stacking Aster: Data Reveals 8% Controlled By Two Wallets
GameFi Guides

Whales Keep Stacking Aster: Data Reveals 8% Controlled By Two Wallets

by admin


Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Aster is cooling off after a week of explosive gains, losing more than 35% of its value since hitting an all-time high just days ago. The sharp correction has triggered caution among traders, but it also reflects natural profit-taking after such a rapid surge. Despite the retracement, sentiment in the market remains constructive, with many investors still anticipating further upside in the coming weeks.

One of the main drivers behind this optimism is whale activity. Onchain data shows that large holders continue to accumulate Aster during the dip, a signal that often strengthens confidence in the asset’s long-term outlook. Their consistent buying suggests conviction in the project’s fundamentals, even as price action cools in the short term.

Meanwhile, excitement around Aster continues to build. The platform has generated strong traction, and community interest has yet to fade despite the recent pullback. This combination of whale accumulation and growing DEX momentum highlights why many see the correction as an opportunity rather than the end of the rally.

Whale Accumulation Strengthens Aster’s Position

Fresh on-chain data highlights that whales continue to build significant exposure to Aster. According to Lookonchain, wallet 0xFB3B withdrew another 3.19 million ASTER — worth approximately $5.27 million — from Gateio just six hours ago.

Combined with another large holder, the two wallets now control 132.78 million ASTER, valued at $218 million. This concentration represents 8.01% of the circulating supply, underscoring the confidence whales have in its long-term trajectory.

Such activity comes at a time when the broader market is buzzing with what many call “DEX season.” Decentralized exchanges have drawn increasing attention as traders seek alternatives to centralized platforms and look for more transparency, control, and composability. Perpetual DEXs in particular have surged in popularity, with projects like Hyperliquid and Avantis capturing strong user interest.

Aster, however, is positioning itself firmly in this competitive landscape. Despite recent volatility and a 35% pullback from its all-time high, the project continues to attract capital and community engagement.

Whale accumulation suggests that sophisticated investors see Aster as one of the contenders capable of holding its ground alongside leading perpetual platforms. Its growing liquidity base and active ecosystem make it well placed to capture a share of the demand fueling the current decentralized trading boom.

In short, while short-term price action remains choppy, whale activity and the ongoing DEX narrative provide strong tailwinds. If Aster sustains momentum and continues to scale, it could solidify itself as a serious competitor in the battle for dominance among next-generation perpetual DEXs.

Aster Rebounds After Sharp Correction

Aster is trading around $1.72 after a steep decline from last week’s all-time high above $2.60. The 2-hour chart highlights the intensity of the recent correction, with price falling more than 35% in just a few days before finding support near the $1.55 zone. This level acted as a short-term floor, triggering a rebound as buyers stepped back in.

Price Testing Critical Resistance | Source: ASTERUSDT chart on TradingView

Currently, ASTER is attempting to reclaim ground above its short-term moving average (blue), but momentum remains fragile. Volume spikes during the sell-off show that profit-taking dominated market activity, while the rebound so far has come with lighter volume, suggesting that conviction among buyers has not yet fully returned. The $1.80 level now stands as the first key resistance. If bulls can push through it, the next challenge lies around $2.00, where the 100-period moving average (green) is converging.

On the downside, failure to hold $1.60 could invite another wave of selling, potentially dragging ASTER toward $1.40. Despite this short-term weakness, the broader trend remains fueled by whale accumulation and rising interest in Aster’s DEX ecosystem. If momentum stabilizes, the rebound could evolve into a stronger recovery in the coming sessions.

Cover image from ChatGPT, ASTERUSD chart from Tradingview

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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25 Best MagSafe Accessories (2025): Qi2 Chargers, Magnetic Wallets, and More
Gaming Gear

25 Best MagSafe Accessories (2025): Qi2 Chargers, Magnetic Wallets, and More

by admin


Other Good MagSafe Accessories

The accessories below aren’t as great as the top picks in this guide, but they’re still good options if you’re looking for more MagSafe gadgets.

Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe for $30: Using Apple’s Continuity Camera feature, you can wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam for a MacBook. It supports various video calling apps too, from FaceTime to Zoom. This circular silicone puck magnetically sticks to the back of your iPhone and can be used as a phone grip or kickstand, but you need to keep your screen close to a 90-degree angle, or else the weight of the iPhone will drag the screen back or forward. There’s also a mount for external displays, in case you want one for your home desk setup.

STM Goods MagPod Smarter Phone Stand for $31: I’ve been carrying this mini tripod from STM Goods all over my apartment. When I’m not using it to see notifications at a glance at my desk, I’ll place it on my kitchen counter to stream TV shows while cooking dinner, on my coffee table to FaceTime with friends while on the couch, or on the bathroom sink to listen to podcasts while doing my makeup. I’ve also used it to shoot video. It has a magnetic disc with a socket that moves around smoothly, allowing you to position it at multiple angles. The retractable legs are sturdy too, even while tapping through notifications or typing out texts. They fold in neatly into a compact size, making it easy to travel with.

Casetify Wireless Car Charger for $70: I’ve been using this for over a year. It’s easy to install, has MagSafe support (with a USB-C cable) and an adjustable ball joint for various viewing angles, and it’s Qi 2-certified with a 15-watt rate. It’s a bit more affordable than Belkin’s and comes in several fun patterns. (I have the Penguin design, and it’s tough not to smile while looking at it.)

iOttie Velox Pro Magnetic Wireless Cooling Charger for $80: This iOttie option has a suction cup (if your vents are awkward, or you just prefer a dash or windshield mount) that has strong magnets to keep it in place. The telescopic arm also has a ball joint to give you a wide range of movement to find the ideal position. The 7.5-watt charging rate is disappointing, but the USB-C charging cable is removable, so you can detach and stow it when your iPhone is charged. The built-in fan also helps to keep the temperature down when the sun is out.

MagGo Magnetic Charging Station (8-in-1) for $60: This little orb has three AC outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports on the back, and over on the front is a Qi2 wireless charging pad that can recharge your phone. It’s great for workstations where you need to plug in a lot of gadgets. Each of the USB-A ports dishes out 12 watts, and the USB-C ports can output 67 watts, though this lowers if other ports or the pad are in use.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

A MagSafe SSD Enclosure for $60: If you have an iPhone Pro Max and you want to tinker with Apple’s more advanced video recording formats (ProRes 4K at 60 frames per second or higher), well, you’ll run into one big problem immediately: You can’t natively record without an external storage device. You’ll need a solid-state drive plugged into your iPhone, and it will record your video directly to the external storage. But a dangling SSD doesn’t sound very safe, right? They don’t transfer power or data via MagSafe but merely attach to the back as a convenient way to store the SSD while recording.

Casely Grippy for $25: When Octobuddy (the original suction phone mount) started to get popular, I really wanted one. But since it uses adhesive to attach to your phone, the thought of all the dust and germs the suction cups would collect kept me from trying it. This one from Casely is one of the few that has MagSafe support. It works well, for the most part. I’ve stuck it on kitchen cabinets, mirrors, the refrigerator—basically whatever surface is around. But when sticking it on said surface, I recommend applying extra pressure to make sure the suction cups are really stuck on there. Otherwise, it’ll slide off, and your phone will go with it.

AccordionItemContainerButton

MagSafe is the name of Apple’s accessory system integrated into the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 ranges. A ring of magnets on the back of the phone (and in MagSafe cases) can help transfer power more precisely and faster than traditional wireless chargers. However, it’s also a handy way to hold an accessory in place, like a wallet, or to mount the iPhone without requiring clamps.

Although MagSafe is a term made by Apple, Android phones like the Google Pixel 10 are getting MagSafe-like features with the new Qi2 standard. Most of the time, a MagSafe accessory will work without issues with Qi2 devices.

Make Sure Your Case Has MagSafe Too

AccordionItemContainerButton

If you use a case with your iPhone, make sure it’s a MagSafe case (it should have its own ring of magnets inside). A standard case will just weaken the magnetic attachment between the iPhone and the MagSafe accessory. A MagSafe case will maintain the magnetic strength, and sometimes case-makers use stronger magnets for a more secure attachment. We have lots of recommendations in our iPhone case guides:

Is MagSafe Compatible With Android?

AccordionItemContainerButton

Natively, no. MagSafe won’t work with most Android phones. However, there are MagSafe cases for certain Android phones, like the Google Pixel series or Samsung Galaxy phones, and these cases have a similar (if not the same) magnetic ring inside, allowing you to use many of the same MagSafe power banks, wireless chargers, and other accessories, though your mileage may vary. Several accessory companies also include or sell the MagSafe magnetic component that you can stick to the back of your smartphone to enable compatibility, though I’ve never used one I really like.

The Qi2 wireless charging standard is changing all of this. Qi2 adds the Magnetic Power Profile, which is based on MagSafe. That means Qi2 phones feature a similar magnetic attachment system, enabling MagSafe accessories to work with more devices, no case needed. Unfortunately, there aren’t many Android phones with Qi2 natively baked in. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, for example, are “Qi2 Ready” phones because you need a magnetic case to enable the Qi2 functionality as there’s no magnets built into the phone. The recent Google Pixel 10 series is the first range to fully support Qi2, so we should see more devices throughout the next 12 to 18 months.

That’s why you may also start seeing “Qi2” MagSafe devices—the latest iPhones all support Qi2, and any device you buy with Qi2 will offer maximum compatibility.

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GameFi Guides

Researchers Uncover Undetectable Malware Draining Crypto Browser Wallets

by admin



In brief

  • ModStealer spreads through fake recruiter ads using obfuscated code.
  • It targets browser wallets and hides by disguising itself as a background helper.
  • The malware poses a direct threat to crypto users and platforms, Decrypt was told.

A new malware strain that can slip past antivirus checks and steal data from crypto wallets on Windows, Linux, and macOS systems was discovered on Thursday.

Dubbed ModStealer, it had remained undetected by major antivirus engines for almost a month at the time of disclosure, with its package being delivered through fake job recruiter ads targeting developers. 

The disclosure was made by security firm Mosyle, according to an initial report from 9to5Mac. Decrypt has reached out to Mosyle to learn more.



Distributing through fake job recruiter ads was an intentional tactic, according to Mosyle, because it was designed to reach developers who were likely already using or had Node.js environments installed.

ModStealer “evades detection by mainstream antivirus solutions and poses significant risks to the broader digital asset ecosystem,” Shān Zhang, chief information security officer at blockchain security firm Slowmist, told Decrypt. “Unlike traditional stealers, ModStealer stands out for its multi-platform support and stealthy ‘zero-detection’ execution chain.”

Once executed, the malware scans for browser-based crypto wallet extensions, system credentials, and digital certificates. 

It then “exfiltrates the data to remote C2 servers,” Zhang explained. A C2, or “Command and Control” server, is a centralized system used by cybercriminals to manage and control compromised devices in a network, acting as the operational hub for malware and cyberattacks.

On Apple hardware running macOS, the malware sets itself up through a “persistence method” to run automatically every time the computer starts by disguising itself as a background helper program. 

The setup keeps it running quietly without the user noticing. Signs of infection include a secret file called “.sysupdater.dat” and connections to a suspicious server, per the disclosure.

“Although common in isolation, these persistence methods combined with strong obfuscation make ModStealer resilient against signature-based security tools,” Zhang said.

The discovery of ModStealer comes on the heels of a related warning from Ledger CTO Charles Guillemet, who disclosed Tuesday that attackers had compromised an NPM developer account and attempted to spread malicious code that could silently replace crypto wallet addresses during transactions, putting funds at risk across multiple blockchains.

Although the attack was detected early and failed, Guillemet later noted that the compromised packages had been hooked to Ethereum, Solana, and other chains.

“If your funds sit in a software wallet or on an exchange, you’re one code execution away from losing everything.” Guillemet tweeted hours after his initial warning.

Asked about the new malware’s possible impact, Zhang warned that ModStealer poses a “direct threat to crypto users and platforms.”

For end-users, “private keys, seed phrases, and exchange API keys may be compromised, resulting in direct asset loss,” Zhang said, adding that for the crypto industry, “mass theft of browser extension wallet data could trigger large-scale on-chain exploits, eroding trust and amplifying supply chain risks.”

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Bitcoin
GameFi Guides

$5 Billion Bitcoin Treasure Tied to Piracy Website Found in German Wallets

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Arkham Intelligence has flagged roughly 45,000 Bitcoin tied to the Movie2K piracy case that have not moved since 2019, a discovery that raises fresh questions about what was missed when German authorities handled the earlier seizures.

At current prices, those coins are worth nearly $5 billion, putting renewed scrutiny on Berlin’s choices last year.

Arkham Tracks Dormant Movie2K Holdings

According to Arkham, the dormant stash sits across more than 100 wallets linked to the defunct Movie2K site. Reports have disclosed that Movie2K operators were arrested in 2019, and that German authorities recovered nearly 49,858 BTC in January 2024.

Those coins were later sold off in June and July 2024. The newly identified 45,000 BTC, however, showed no movement after 2019, suggesting control by the same operators rather than state custody.

BREAKING: ARKHAM IDENTIFIES $5B BTC THAT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT FAILED TO SEIZE

German police seized 49,858 BTC from the operators of Movie2K, a film piracy website, in early 2024. The government sold it in July 2024 for $2.89B at an average price of $57,900.

It appears that… pic.twitter.com/l0w0OkdU0H

— Arkham (@arkham) September 5, 2025

Government Sold Earlier Holdings At Lower Prices

Based on reports, the January 2024 seizure — close to 49,860 BTC — was liquidated at an average price of $57,900, generating about €2.64 billion, or roughly $2.90 billion.

Germany defended the move by warning of a possible “significant loss of value of around 10% or more” if it held the coins longer.

Market prices have since climbed, and Bitcoin has reached an all-time high above $123,000, making the earlier sale look, in raw numbers, like a large missed upside.

Bitcoin is currently trading at $111,266. Chart: TradingView

Legal And Technical Hurdles Remain

The new finding does not automatically mean those wallets can be taken by the state. Legal steps would be required to prove ownership and to secure court orders.

Technical challenges exist too: dormant keys, complex custody chains, and cross-border links can all slow or block enforcement.

Analysts say recovery is possible in some cases, but it is rarely quick or simple. If another large tranche of coins were to be moved into markets, it could create pressure similar to what was seen after the mid-2024 disposals.

Debate Over State Bitcoin Reserves

Joana Cotar, a German lawmaker and Bitcoin supporter, wrote an open letter urging a rethink. She argued that holding confiscated Bitcoin as a sovereign reserve could have produced far larger returns for the state.

At the same time, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel has warned that Bitcoin is volatile and compared its surge behavior to Tulip Mania – a financial bubble that happened in the Dutch Republic during the early 1600s. It’s often called the first recorded speculative bubble in history.

Other countries have taken different paths. Reports note that El Salvador recently shifted $678 million in Bitcoin into 14 wallets to guard against quantum risks while keeping the holdings visible on the blockchain.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.





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Post-Satoshi-Era Wallets Awaken With $856,331,166 BTC Shift: Details
Crypto Trends

Post-Satoshi-Era Wallets Awaken With $856,331,166 BTC Shift: Details

by admin


According to Maartunn, a community analyst at on-chain data platform CryptoQuant, 7,626 BTC from after the Satoshi Era, which refers to the period since 2011, when Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi  Nakamoto, was last active in the crypto community, has been activated. 

In a tweet, Maartunn reported that 7,626 BTC aged between three and five years just moved on-chain. This age band suggests that the said BTC was acquired between 2020 and 2022, when the Bitcoin price traded at four figures and less than $20,000.

The move on-chain might be due to reasons including a shift to a more secure wallet, which might be the case as blockchain data tracker Whale Alert reported a similar move of 7,625 BTC worth $859,861,898 transferred from Coinbase to an unknown new wallet. Another reason might be that the owners of the coins decided it was time to sell, given that the holdings have ballooned in gains.

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This week has seen the activation of old Bitcoin from dormant wallets. On Sept. 4, Whale Alert reported that a dormant address containing 479 BTC worth $53,683,598 was activated after 12.8 years. 

Bitcoin price

Bitcoin was trading up 1.09% in the last 24 hours to $112,241 and up 2.41% weekly. Weaker jobs data release on Thursday had raised concerns about a labor market slowdown. Private payrolls increased by just 54,000 in August, below the expected 75,000, a drop from the gain of 106,000 seen in the prior month.

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Jobless claims rose to 237,000, up 8,000 from the prior week and above estimates, hinting at further evidence of labor market slowdown.

Today, Friday, the market waits in anticipation of a major job release, while betting on a potential rate cut in September. 

Bitcoin continues to trade between $104,000 and $116,000, hinting at caution given September’s historical bearish trend. According to Glassnode, the URPD indicator shows that investors accumulated Bitcoin in the range of $108,000 to $116,000, filling an earlier air gap. While this is positive as it reflects constructive dip-buying at the least, it however, does not rule out further selling.



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Gigantic $6,080,413,883 XRP Move Stuns Ripple Wallets: What's Going On?
NFT Gaming

Gigantic $6,080,413,883 XRP Move Stuns Ripple Wallets: What’s Going On?

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As expected, the first day of September brought Ripple escrow transactions, and as always the scale is hard to miss. Whale Alert tracked several transfers in quick succession: 500,000,000 XRP equivalent to $1,380,340,882 were unlocked and sent to a Ripple wallet. Then, 300,000,000 XRP worth $830,158,847 and 200,000,000 XRP equal to $553,278,406 were unlocked.

Not all of that supply will hit the market, however. By the end of the sequence, Ripple returned 700,000,000 XRP to escrow: 400,000,000 XRP valued at $1,104,530,305 and 300,000,000 XRP valued at $828,023,264.

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This results in a net release of 300,000,000 XRP for September, which is consistent with the company’s usual pattern of unlocking 1 billion, distributing some of it and relocking what’s left.

Why does Ripple shuffle XRP?

This system was introduced years ago to make XRP’s circulating supply more predictable. Each month, Ripple opens a fresh tranche of 1 billion XRP from escrow. The tokens are available for use in Ripple’s ecosystem or for institutional demand.

Whatever remains unused, however, is locked back for a later cycle. It’s a rolling mechanism that currently covers about 35.6 billion XRP in escrow.

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Net supply increases can weigh on price action, while larger relocks reduce that pressure. This time, the balance appears moderate: 300 million XRP were freed up, worth just over $830 million at the current value, with most of it pushed back into long-term hold.



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Supreme Court Opened Crypto Wallets To Surveillance
Crypto Trends

Supreme Court Opened Crypto Wallets To Surveillance

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Opinion by: Vikrant Sharma, CEO of Cake Labs

When the United States Supreme Court refused to hear Harper v. Faulkender on June 30, 2025, the court essentially endorsed the Internal Revenue Service’s sweeping “John Doe” summonses for cryptocurrency records.

By letting a lower court ruling stand, the court confirmed that the century-old third-party doctrine stands for public ledgers just as it does for bank statements. Under the third-party doctrine, information voluntarily shared with another party, like a bank or blockchain, is no longer protected by the Fourth Amendment. When data leaves a person’s direct control, constitutional privacy protections vanish.

For onchain transactions, whether permanently etched into any blockchain network, virtually every payment is now fair game for warrant-free scrutiny. Prosecutors, tax agents and, by extension, any adversary with the time to sift through open data can now peruse at their leisure anyone’s financial information.

Analytics profiteers weaponize “radical transparency”

No entity has cashed in faster than blockchain forensics vendors. The global analytics market is projected to hit $41 billion this year, nearly double 2024’s total. Their clustering heuristics already flag over 60% of illicit stablecoin transfers, which — on the surface — is a remarkable statistic, but it also demonstrates how little pseudonymity remains.

The pitch to regulators becomes irresistible: “Pay us, and every wallet becomes a glass bank.” 

Yet the same dragnet slurps up innocent data into eternal spreadsheets bursting at the seams with payroll, medical care and political tithe data. 

That data becomes constantly ripe for leaks or subpoenas. Congress will not ride to the rescue. Only cryptographic engineering can close the breach until lawmakers reinvent privacy for the digital century. 

Some Bitcoin privacy methods let you publish a static receiving identifier while generating distinct, unlinkable onchain outputs that frustrate common analytical heuristics.

Related: US Supreme Court will not review IRS case involving Coinbase user data

Other approaches coordinate inputs from multiple parties in a way that blurs the usual “sender vs. change” patterns analysts look for.

Because these methods avoid custodial mixing pools, applying sanctions levied against Tornado Cash in 2022 is less straightforward.

If wallets and payment services enabled such protections by default, rather than burying them as opt-ins, baseline privacy could become more widely available as encrypted web connections gradually became standard.

Ignore privacy, suffer market fallout

Investors tend to ignore the warning signs until it’s too late, and dismissing protocol-level privacy will have harsh consequences. Emarketer projects consumer payment adoption to surge 82% from 2024 to 2026, but the overlooked fact in that report is that only 2.6% of Americans are expected to pay with crypto by 2026.

Mass uptake remains hostage to perceptions of security and confidentiality, and if coffee shop clerks can link tips to home addresses, mainstream wallets will stall. While that reality sends morality chills down the spines of consumers, institutional allocators look down at the compliance minefields they face.

Under the court’s reading, portfolio managers who custody onchain must assume continuous regulator visibility into strategies and counterparties. Funds transacting via privacy-enhanced rails will enjoy a cloak of trade secrecy unavailable to rivals who ignore the already available toolings.

Silence is complicity

History suggests that markets reward early movers who cement civil liberty safeguards into the infrastructure that holds them up. For example, email encryption was once a niche, but now it is the standard for enterprise software-as-a-service. 

The same arc can unfold for blockchain if developers, custodians and layer-2 networks elevate privacy from just a feature to table stakes. Failure to act now will leave the ecosystem dependent on fickle judicial moods and ever-shifting stability. 

The Supreme Court has shown the world where it stands; the burden now shifts to engineers building meaningful and purpose-driven privacy tools. 

Either blockchains evolve to protect users by default, or the dream of decentralized finance becomes a fantasy that ossifies into the most transparent and surveilled payment system ever created.

Opinion by: Vikrant Sharma, CEO of Cake Labs.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.



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El Salvador Splits Bitcoin Into Several Wallets Amid Quantum Risk
Crypto Trends

El Salvador Splits Bitcoin Into Several Wallets Amid Quantum Risk

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El Salvador has redistributed its Bitcoin reserve holdings into 14 new wallet addresses as a precaution against potential quantum computing threats.

“By splitting funds into smaller amounts, the impact of a potential quantum attack is minimized,” El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office said in an X post Friday, adding that each Bitcoin (BTC) address holds up to 500 BTC.

The Bitcoin Office explained that once funds are spent from a Bitcoin address, its public keys are revealed and vulnerable — making it a target for quantum computers to crack — should the technology evolve into a significant threat in the future.

Source: Nick Neuman

More than 6 million Bitcoin — worth around $650 billion — could be at risk if quantum computers become powerful enough to crack elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) keys, quantum research company Project Eleven said in April.

Onchain transfers have been made

El Salvador previously held its 6,274 Bitcoin stash (worth $678 million) in a single address, but blockchain data shows those funds were transferred into 14 new addresses on Friday.

El Salvador’s Bitcoin transfers into 14 new Bitcoin addresses.Source: Mempool.space

Quantum isn’t a worry, for now

While El Salvador’s move was praised by industry pundits, Project Eleven noted that quantum computing is still far away from being capable of hacking Bitcoin. A Bitcoin private key contains 256-bits, and no quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm has managed to even crack a 3-bit key yet.

Michael Saylor, the architect behind Strategy’s Bitcoin playbook, said quantum computing’s threat to Bitcoin is mere hype in June, adding that if it ever became a serious issue, the protocol’s core developers and hardware manufacturers would implement fixes.

“The answer is: Bitcoin network hardware upgrade, Bitcoin network software upgrade, just like [how] Microsoft, Google, the US government upgrade.”

El Salvador still entangled in IMF drama

El Salvador’s Bitcoin buys have been called into question after an International Monetary Fund report in July claimed that the Central American country has not made any new Bitcoin purchases since February.

Related: El Salvador’s Bukele reacts as $1B Bitcoin holdings bet increases on Kalshi

The country’s Bitcoin Office hasn’t directly addressed the claims and has continued to post about its Bitcoin purchases on X.

El Salvador secured a $1.4 billion funding deal from the IMF in December 2024 in exchange for scaling back its Bitcoin initiatives, among other conditions — though the terms appear to be under dispute between the two parties.

Magazine: 3 people who unexpectedly became crypto millionaires… and one who didn’t



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Bitcoin Og Goes Long On Ethereum With $334M Across Five Wallets
Crypto Trends

Bitcoin OG Goes Long on Ethereum With $334M Across Five Wallets

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A major Bitcoin whale has shifted focus toward Ethereum, sparking new debate in the crypto market. According to Blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain, this longtime holder created a new wallet and deposited $20 million in USDC to take a leveraged Ethereum position. 

The OG Bitcoin whale now controls long positions totaling 78,265 ETH, worth around $334 million, spread across five wallets.

Previously, the whale sold 670.1 BTC, valued at $76 million, and used the proceeds to open 68,130 ETH longs. Lookonchain revealed that this address belongs to a Bitcoin OG who received 14,837 BTC seven years ago from HTX and Binance. Those coins, worth $107.5 million at the time, now stand at nearly $1.7 billion.

Rotating From Bitcoin to Ethereum

Samson Mow, CEO of Jan3, provided a sharp take on the whale’s move. Mow warned, “Most ETH holders have a lot of BTC (ICO/insiders) and they are rotating that BTC into ETH to pump it on new narratives (Ethereum Treasury co’s). Once they’ve gotten it high enough, they’ll dump their ETH, creating new generational bagholders, and then rotate the gains back into BTC. No one wants ETH in the long run. Plan accordingly.”

Hence, the whale’s strategy echoes long-standing cycles of capital rotation between Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, the scale of the current move signals renewed confidence in ETH during a period of institutional attention.

Institutions Show Interest in Ethereum

Aside from whale speculations, the institutional bodies are also entering the Ethereum market. BitMine Immersion Technologies increased its treasury with the addition of 52,475 Ether. The purchase indicates a growing trend for companies to diversify their crypto holdings into cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin.

Further, according to the CryptoQuant data, the ratio of whale activity to Bitcoin exchange volume is 0.47, confirming that big holders represent only a small part of the exchange volume. This means that with Bitcoin still trading above $112,000, there are other factors supporting the market besides whale activity.

Whale investments in ETH might allow for short-term maneuvers, but at the same time, they are subject to the possibility of market manipulation.

Also Read: Ethereum Treasuries Cross 4.1 Million ETH Across 69 Firms





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