The popular AI framework Virtuals Protocol will host an in-person meet-up in Hong Kong on Friday, January 17.

Latest market projections show U.S. September headline CPI is expected to rise 0.6% month-over-month, up from August’s 0.4% and potentially marking its largest monthly gain in five months. The year-over-year CPI increase is forecast to climb from 3.4% to 3.6%. Driven by Middle East tensions and oil prices, rising energy costs are likely the main catalyst for accelerating inflation. For core CPI, markets expect a 0.2% month-over-month rise and 2.5% year-over-year gain, with the monthly pace slowing from the prior period. Goldman Sachs projects September energy prices to rise around 5% month-over-month, while housing inflation continues to cool. The divergence between headline and core inflation trends may complicate the Federal Reserve’s policy judgments. Fed officials remain divided on their next policy move. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester believes inflationary pressures are spreading to more sectors and is open to a rate hike at the end of October; Governor Christopher Waller, however, has said there is no need for consecutive rate hikes at two back-to-back meetings. Markets will closely watch whether this data will shift expectations for the interest rate path in October and December. U.S. September CPI will be released at 20:30 tonight, September PPI will be released on Thursday, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak on Friday. If CPI comes in higher than expected, it may reinforce expectations of further policy tightening; if core inflation slows, it may support the Fed pausing rate hikes.

This mysterious whale continues to rotate from $BTC into $ETH. Over the past 3 days, the whale has sold 1,074.36 $BTC ($89.5M) and bought 36,159 $ETH ($90.6M).

According to a report by The Information, sources familiar with the matter have revealed that OpenAI is in early-stage acquisition negotiations with New York-based crypto cybersecurity firm Trail of Bits to expand its cybersecurity operations. The deal’s value has not been disclosed, and neither party has publicly confirmed the discussions. Founded in 2012, Trail of Bits has around 40 employees, specializing in open-source software vulnerability discovery and remediation. The firm has provided security audits for prominent crypto projects including Uniswap, Aave, and Worldcoin. In June 2026, OpenAI partnered with Trail of Bits to launch the "Patch the Planet" open-source security initiative, which combines OpenAI’s models with Trail of Bits’ expertise to identify hundreds of vulnerabilities and merge dozens of patches. The development remains in early stages, with further updates pending confirmation.

Strategy co-founder and executive chairman Michael Saylor stated in an interview that Bitcoin has bottomed out and rebounded, and is projected to retake the $100,000 mark. He noted Bitcoin previously hit a low just below $60,000, has now climbed back to the $80,000 range, and is on track for further gains. Saylor attributed the market’s momentum to an improved regulatory landscape and accelerating Bitcoin adoption by banks, which are driving a new bull run. He forecast Bitcoin’s long-term annual return will reach 20% to 30% over the next several years, adding that Strategy may increase its Bitcoin purchases during the bull market and issue more securities to fund these acquisitions. Separately, on MSCI’s consideration of adjusting index rules that could exclude companies whose primary business is asset accumulation from global stock indices, Saylor expressed opposition, warning the move could set an unfavorable precedent for the digital asset sector. MSCI is scheduled to announce its decision this Friday. Last November, JPMorgan estimated that Strategy could face up to $2.8 billion in capital outflows if it were excluded from the indices.

OTC whale 0x8c58 sold his remaining 9,996 $ETH ($25M) 7 hours ago. This whale bought a total of 52,001 $ETH ($112.4M) at an average price of $2,162 and sold them at an average price of $2,632, making a profit of $24.48M.

Binance announced that it will adjust the minimum price movement unit (Tick Size) for select USD?-M perpetual contracts at 14:30 Beijing time on October 15. The affected trading pairs include APRUSDT, XPINUSDT, ROBOUSDT, BEATUSDT, RUMUSDT, FLNCUSDT, and CSOPSAMSUNG2LUSDT. The adjustment aims to enhance market liquidity and trading experience. It will not affect normal trading of USDT-margined contracts or existing orders. After the adjustment is completed, the Tick Size returned via API will be updated synchronously; users can check the latest parameters via the /fapi/v1/exchangeInfo endpoint.