Bitcoin hits US$125,000, BAYC NFTs cleared as non-securities, MetaMask faces backlash, and AI drives breakthroughs while raising new risks.
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This week in Web3 and AI, markets continue to surprise as Bitcoin broke through a new all-time high above US$125,000, riding the momentum of its Uptober rally. The milestone comes amidst a US government shutdown, sparking renewed conversations about Bitcoin’s role as a decentralised store of value. Ethereum also made headlines, with the Foundation selling 1,000 ETH to fund operations, while a US judge ruled that BAYC NFTs are not securities, a decision that could have lasting implications for digital collectibles.
In AI, researchers used generative models to speed up antibiotic discovery, Amazon revealed plans to deliver new NBA stats powered by AI, and Japan partnered with OpenAI to explore safe public sector use cases. But challenges remain, with OpenAI’s Sora 2 launch being marred by misuse, and cybersecurity experts are warning of an urgent need to counter AI-powered phishing attacks.
Get up to speed with the latest in Web3 and AI with this week’s Pasar Pulse.
Crypto and Web3
Bitcoin Hits New ATH Above US$125,000 in Uptober Rally
Bitcoin reached a new ATH of US$125,700 on Sunday, extending the momentum of its Uptober rally. The leading cryptocurrency has risen more than 11% in the first five days of October, with analysts linking the surge to an accumulation phase. The move coincides with a US government shutdown, sparking renewed debate over Bitcoin’s role as a decentralised store of value. Spot Bitcoin ETFs also posted their second-largest weekly inflows since launch.
Coinbase Seeks National Trust Charter to Bridge Traditional Finance
Coinbase has applied to the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a National Trust Company Charter to expand its regulated services. While stressing it has no intention of becoming a bank, the exchange said the licence would allow it to broaden its offerings beyond custody, including payments and related services, under clearer regulatory oversight.
Trader Turns US$3,000 into US$2 Million on Memecoin
A crypto trader transformed a US$3,000 investment into nearly US$2 million by speculating on the “4” memecoin. The token surged after Binance’s Co-founder CZ reposted a comment about it on X, fuelling social buzz. Originally created following a BNB Chain phishing incident, the token has since attracted significant attention from traders who bought nearly $100,000 worth in 24 hours.
Ethereum Foundation Sells 1,000 ETH for Operational Funding
The Ethereum Foundation announced its 17th ETH sale of 2025, converting 1,000 ETH worth around US$4.5 million into stablecoins to support operations, developer grants, and ecosystem research. The sale is being executed through CowSwap’s DEX TWAP feature to reduce slippage and price volatility. While frequent sales have raised concerns about market confidence, others have praised the Foundation for its transparency in publicly disclosing transactions.
Judge Rules BAYC NFTs Are Not Securities
A US federal judge has dismissed a 2022 investor lawsuit against Yuga Labs, finding that Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFTs do not meet the legal definition of securities under the Howey Test. The court concluded that BAYC NFTs were sold as digital collectibles with membership benefits, classifying them as consumables rather than investment contracts.
MetaMask Faces Criticism Over LINEA Rewards
MetaMask launched a new points-based rewards programme linked to its anticipated token launch, distributing more than US$30 million in LINEA tokens. The scheme, which heavily incentivises trading volume, drew backlash from some users who argued it favoured fees over long-term loyalty, with calls for a more straightforward airdrop. At the same time, researchers flagged security concerns over MetaMask’s Google login option as well.
Tether Gold Approaches US$1.5 Billion Market Cap
Tether Gold (XAUt), the gold-backed token, is nearing a US$1.5 billion market cap, currently standing at $1.46 billion. The growth reflects surging demand for tokenised gold, as spot gold prices reached a record $3,896.49. XAUt has gained nearly 46% in the past year, with investors drawn to its liquidity and accessibility compared with traditional gold holdings.
World Liberty Financial Sells WLFI Tokens to Hut 8
World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a Trump-linked crypto venture, has sold around 100 million WLFI tokens to Bitcoin mining company Hut 8. The tokens were sold directly from WLFI’s treasury at $0.25 each, 25% above their current market price of $0.20, valuing the deal at approximately $25 million.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI Speeds Discovery of Targeted Antibiotic for Gut Bacteria
Researchers from MIT’s CSAIL and McMaster University have used a generative AI model, DiffDock, to uncover how a new narrow-spectrum antibiotic works. The compound, enterololin, targets Escherichia coli, a bacterium linked to Crohn’s disease flare-ups, while leaving most of the gut microbiome intact.
AWS AI to Deliver New Metrics for NBA Fans
AWS will introduce more detailed player statistics during the 2025–26 NBA season via its “NBA Inside the Game” platform. The system tracks 29 body parts of each player, enabling previously unmeasured insights such as shot difficulty. New metrics include “Gravity”, which measures the advantage a player creates, and the “Defensive Score Box”, which focuses solely on defensive performance.
AI Helps Historian Identify Nazi Perpetrator in Holocaust Photo
Historian Jürgen Matthäus, formerly of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, believes he identified the Nazi soldier in an infamous Holocaust photo. Using traditional research alongside AI image analysis from volunteers at Bellingcat, Matthäus managed to identify the gunman.
OpenAI Partners with Japan’s Digital Agency on Public Sector AI
OpenAI has partnered with Japan’s Digital Agency to explore safe and effective uses of generative AI in public services. As part of the initiative, a new AI tool called Gennai, powered by OpenAI’s models, will be made available to government employees. OpenAI will also contribute to OECD and G7 efforts to monitor the Hiroshima AI Process, an international policy framework focused on safe and trustworthy AI.
OpenAI’s Sora 2 Faces Misuse After Invite-Only Launch
OpenAI’s latest AI video generator, Sora 2, has faced immediate misuse, with users posting violent, racist, and copyrighted content across platforms. Researchers warned that such realistic videos could fuel fraud, bullying, and disinformation.
Perplexity Makes AI-Centric Comet Browser Free
Perplexity released its agentic AI browser, Comet, free to all users in a move to rival Google Chrome. Comet integrates Perplexity’s AI search tools with a personal assistant to help with tasks such as booking travel, shopping, and managing schedules.
Yale Study: AI Yet to Seriously Disrupt US Jobs Market
A new study from Yale University’s Budget Lab has found no disruption in the US jobs market despite advances in AI since ChatGPT’s release in 2022. Researchers noted that past technological shifts typically reshape labour markets over decades rather than a few years. The findings suggest employment remains stable, with little evidence of widespread AI-driven displacement to date.
AI Phishing Detection Becomes Critical as Attacks Grow
The sophistication of AI-driven phishing has made advanced detection essential for cybersecurity in 2026. Generative AI allows criminals to create tailored phishing emails in seconds, while deepfake audio and video attacks have surged by 1,000% over the past decade. Experts argue that traditional signature-based systems are no longer sufficient, calling for multi-layered strategies instead.
That’s all for this week’s Pasar Pulse. Want more insights? Stay tuned to our site or subscribe via email!
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