![Physical Gold Bitcoin Coin against graphics, dots and flares. Business and financial background](https://www.pionline.com/resizer/v2/M36SEUHEEJCQJMC346EXHFGKUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=53a0844b80158e41233aaefc8d8b24759c6b2d27523beaa713f9741d18c9ccea&width=4928&height=2772)

**Ben Werkman** has been named **chief investment officer** at **Strive**, according to an October 6 news release. This appointment highlights the growing integration of **bitcoin** and **cryptocurrency expertise** into traditional investment roles, signaling potential shifts in institutional strategy.

Ben Werkman has been named chief investment officer at Strive.

Bitcoin Expert Ben Werkman Appointed as CIO at Strive: A New Era for Institutional Crypto Investment?

## Ethereum Price Action Points to $3,800 Retest

**Ethereum (ETH)** is trading near **$4,100** after a sharp selloff from its rejection at **$4,700**, driven by renewed fears of U.S. regulatory pressure on **decentralized finance (DeFi)**.

Ethereum has fallen below its rising channel, signaling a clean breakdown after repeated rejections near **$4,500**. The move pushed ETH under its **20-, 50-, and 100-day exponential moving averages**, with immediate support at **$4,100**. Momentum favors sellers, and the price now hovers along an ascending trendline connecting June's breakout zone around **$3,800**. Traders view this level as the next key test for bulls. If ETH fails to stabilize above $4,100, the path toward **$3,800** becomes increasingly likely.

## Bearish Indicators Flash as Ethereum Momentum Collapses

The **4-hour RSI** sits near **27**, deep in oversold territory, but still shows heavy bearish momentum. A quick recovery above **$4,350** would ease selling pressure, while a daily close under **$4,100** opens the door for a retest of **$3,800**. On the upside, only a decisive move through **$4,500** would neutralize the bearish outlook.

## On-Chain Data Confirms Heavy Ethereum Selling Pressure

Data from **Coinglass** shows net outflows of **$235 million** on October 10, reflecting strong investor repositioning following Ethereum's recent rally. Although outflows usually signal accumulation, this trend appears to align with **profit-taking** instead of new buying. Since July, repeated outflow spikes have failed to generate lasting upside momentum, indicating weaker conviction among **long-term holders**. This divergence between on-chain activity and price structure supports the **bearish case** in the near term, especially as ETH struggles to reclaim key support levels.

## How Senate Democrats' DeFi Proposal Could Impact Ethereum

The Senate's proposed **decentralized finance framework** may not name Ethereum directly, but the network sits at the center of its implications. Ethereum underpins most **decentralized lending, trading, and stablecoin activity**, making it highly exposed to any policy changes. Under the proposal, individuals or teams providing front-end access to DeFi protocols would need to register as brokers with the **SEC** or **CFTC**. That definition could extend to developers or teams managing interfaces for Ethereum-based protocols such as **Uniswap (UNI)** or **Aave (AAVE)**. If implemented, U.S. users could face restricted access, and developers might relocate operations offshore to avoid liability.

## Stablecoins and Ethereum's Role in Global Settlement

Ethereum remains the dominant layer for **dollar-pegged stablecoins** such as **USDT** and **USDC**, which anchor over **$250 billion** in liquidity. Reports from **JPMorgan Chase & Co.** and **Standard Chartered Plc** project over **$1 trillion** in stablecoin-related flows by 2027. If U.S. policy limits how stablecoins interact with DeFi platforms, that demand could shift toward offshore markets or competing blockchains. Meanwhile, Wall Street institutions like **Goldman Sachs Group Inc.** and **Citigroup Inc.** are building **permissioned blockchain rails** for internal settlements. This creates a split between regulated bank-led systems and open networks like Ethereum that prioritize **transparency and decentralization**.

## Why It Matters

Ethereum's fight for **$3,800** is not just another technical retest; it is where **market structure collides with politics**. The network carries the bulk of **DeFi lending, stablecoin liquidity, and on-chain settlement** — precisely the areas Washington is moving to regulate. If Ethereum loses this level while regulators advance restrictive frameworks, it could reshape how capital flows across decentralized rails. This moment is less about one chart and more about whether Ethereum remains the backbone of **open finance** or cedes ground to **permissioned blockchains** led by Wall Street.

Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) is trading near $4,100 on Friday, after a sharp selloff that followed its rejection from $4,700 and renewed fears of U.S.

Ethereum Plunges to $4,100 Amid Senate's DeFi Crackdown – What's Next for Crypto?

## Hargreaves Lansdowne's Warning on Cryptocurrencies

A major trading platform in the UK has issued a stark warning to investors hoping to cash in on relaxed crypto rules: **cryptocurrencies should not be in your portfolio**.

A longstanding UK ban on retail investors accessing crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) was lifted on October 8. Exchange-traded notes are debt instruments linked to one or more specified assets. In this case, they give traders exposure to digital tokens through the use of a regulated exchange.

The new rules sparked a warning from **Hargreaves Lansdowne** — the UK's biggest retail investment platform — which urged British retail investors to be cautious.

> "The HL Investment view is that bitcoin is not an asset class, and we do not think cryptocurrency has characteristics that mean it should be included in portfolios for growth or income and shouldn't be relied upon to help clients meet their financial goals," Hargreaves Lansdowne said in a statement.

> "Performance assumptions are not possible to analyse for crypto, and unlike other alternative asset classes it has no intrinsic value."

When UK officials announced earlier this year that the ETN ban would be overturned, they argued the move would support "the growth and competitiveness of the UK's crypto industry." It was hailed by crypto firms as a major breakthrough for the sector in Britain.

The government also ruled on Wednesday that investors will be able to hold crypto ETNs in stocks and shares ISA accounts, an account where up to £20,000 ($26,753) a year can be invested tax-free.

## Big Gains, and Big Losses

Cryptocurrencies, which are decentralized and therefore not regulated by central authorities like governments, have their critics and prices are notoriously volatile. In 2022, a so-called "crypto winter" saw investors lose $2 trillion. **Bitcoin** — the most commonly traded cryptocurrency — has led to major returns for early investors, however, and was last seen trading around $121,508.

![Bitcoin Price Chart](https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/108182561-1754505738635-gettyimages-2225439721-img_8850.jpeg?v=1760012290&w=1858&h=1045&vtcrop=y)

*CHONGQING, CHINA - JULY 17: In this photo illustration, a person holds a physical representation of a Bitcoin (BTC) coin in front of a screen displaying a candlestick chart of Bitcoin's latest price movements on July 17, 2025 in Chongqing, China. (Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images)*

Still, Hargreaves Lansdowne urged investors to consider the risks attached to all cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin.

> "While longer-term returns of bitcoin have been positive, bitcoin has experienced several periods of extreme losses and is a highly volatile investment — much riskier than stocks or bonds," the company said in its statement this week.

The firm said, however, that it recognized that some traders wished to "speculate with cryptocurrency ETNs," and that it would therefore offer "appropriate clients" the opportunity to do so from early 2026.

## Institutional Backing

Cryptocurrencies have long divided market watchers, with some major institutions piling into digital assets while others have warned against them.

Last month, Morgan Stanley said it was close to offering crypto trading to retail investors through its E-Trade division. The bank was the first major US bank to offer wealthy clients access to bitcoin funds — a move that others have since followed.

JPMorgan, meanwhile, plans to get involved in the stablecoin space, despite CEO Jamie Dimon being vocal in his criticism of crypto. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has also openly lashed out at cryptocurrencies.

Chris Mellor, head of EMEA ETF equity product management at Invesco, told CNBC on Thursday that he believes digital assets can offer investors a hedge against volatility in more traditional asset classes.

> "Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are sometimes considered 'digital gold' and questions have been raised around whether bitcoin might one day replace gold as the non-fiat asset of choice," he said via email. "In our opinion, there is room for both in portfolios. With the caveat that correlations can change, in recent months we have observed that bitcoin has displayed a very low correlation with stocks, US Treasuries and gold."

Meanwhile, Nigel Green, CEO of financial consultancy DeVere Group, argued that bitcoin's recent climb past the $125,000 mark was a signal that digital assets have entered the financial mainstream.

> "Investors are no longer treating bitcoin as a curiosity at the edge of the market," he told CNBC. "Volatility still exists, but it is now productive volatility, the kind that accompanies price discovery in a maturing market. Short-term swings are inevitable when capital rotates at this scale."

Green labeled this "a structural realignment, not a temporary rally" for bitcoin, and pointed to the Trump administration's favorable policy mix as offering further support for its credibility.

> "The hands holding bitcoin have become stronger, more institutional, and more patient," he added. "Bitcoin, for investors who take a strategic view, remains a solid, enduring investment."

— CNBC's Ryan Browne and Hugh Son contributed to this article.

"We do not think cryptocurrency has characteristics that mean it should be included in portfolios for growth or income," Hargreaves Lansdowne said.

UK's Top Investment Platform Issues Stark Bitcoin Warning: Is Crypto Too Risky for Your Portfolio?

## The Rise of Sustainable Data Centers in Crypto and AI

Vancouver, Kelowna, and Delta, British Columbia—Investorideas.com, a leading investing platform focused on renewable energy and crypto stocks, has released an in-depth look at the evolution of data centers for Bitcoin, highlighting **KULR Technology Group, Inc.** (NYSE American: KULR). This Bitcoin+ Treasury company is building a diverse portfolio of frontier technology businesses, spanning from high-performance energy systems to AI Robotics.

![Bitcoin and Green Data Centers; the Future for Digital Assets](https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6292/269746_9b97212e94ff3a9b_001.jpg)

*To view an enhanced version of this graphic, visit: [https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6292/269746_9b97212e94ff3a9b_001full.jpg](https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6292/269746_9b97212e94ff3a9b_001full.jpg)*

### The Energy Challenge in Crypto Mining

According to **ScienceDirect**, cryptocurrency mining data centers consume **100-200 times more energy** than conventional office areas annually. Regulating power consumption, cooling mechanisms, and thermal control performance is essential for creating **greener and more energy-efficient** crypto-mining facilities.

**WorldBusinessOutlook** emphasizes that the evolution of data centers for crypto mining is driving both **profitability and sustainability** in the industry. These next-generation facilities incorporate advanced technologies to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. By using energy-efficient hardware and innovative cooling solutions, they ensure optimal performance while reducing operational costs. Many centers are powered by **renewable energy sources**, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints.

### Key Partnerships and Innovations

**KULR Technology Group, Inc.** (NYSE American: KULR) has announced a new hosting partnership with **Soluna Holdings, Inc.** (NASDAQ: SLNH), a developer of green data centers for intensive computing applications. Under this agreement, Soluna will operate approximately **3.3 MW of Bitcoin mining capacity** for KULR at its Project Sophie facility in Kentucky. This marks the first time Soluna has partnered with a Bitcoin treasury-focused company, expanding its reach beyond traditional miners.

John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna, stated, "This partnership represents a new chapter in how we serve the market. Treasury companies like KULR are increasingly seeking **sustainable, high-performance computing infrastructure** to diversify their digital asset strategies. We're proud to pioneer a flexible hosting model that meets this evolving demand."

Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology Group, added, "This collaboration supports KULR's commitment to strategic innovation in digital asset management. Partnering with Soluna allows us to engage in Bitcoin mining through a **renewable, reliable, and operationally efficient framework**. As KULR expands into Battery Backup Unit (BBU) solutions, Soluna is the ideal partner for future projects focused on sustainable, low-cost AI data center hosting powered by stranded renewable energy."

According to a BBU Market analysis by Custom Market Insights in July 2025, the global BBU Market is projected to grow from **$29.22 billion in 2025 to $43.64 billion by 2034**.

The 3.3 MW deployment at Project Sophie is expected to begin operations in Q4 2025, reinforcing Soluna's leadership in sustainable computing infrastructure. Through a "Bitcoin Mining Lease" structure, Soluna will deliver guaranteed hashrate and uptime targets to KULR, supporting its Bitcoin Treasury Accumulation Strategy, which commits up to **90% of surplus cash reserves to Bitcoin**.

### Expanding Renewable-Powered Infrastructure

On September 30, Soluna Holdings, Inc. and **Canaan Inc.** (NASDAQ: CAN), an innovator in crypto mining, announced a strategic hosting agreement to deploy **20 megawatts (MW) of Avalon® A15 XP Bitcoin miners** at Soluna's Project Dorothy in Briscoe County, Texas. This partnership scales Soluna's renewable-powered digital infrastructure while Canaan strengthens its North American mining footprint with access to reliable, low-cost, and sustainable energy.

John Belizaire commented, "Soluna is thrilled to develop this new partnership with an industry leader like Canaan. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to delivering **high-performance computing solutions powered by renewable energy**."

Nangeng Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Canaan, noted, "Our partnership with Soluna is another significant step in advancing our North American self-mining strategy. The site primarily runs on behind-the-meter wind power but can also draw from the grid to ensure very high uptime, combining reliable operations with compelling cost efficiency."

### Industry Leaders Driving Change

**Riot Platforms, Inc.** (NASDAQ: RIOT), a Bitcoin-driven industry leader, announced unaudited production and operations updates for September 2025, producing **445 Bitcoin**. According to DisruptionBanking.com, Riot has begun transforming its business with a data center strategy leveraging its extensive power portfolio.

Riot recently hired Jonathan Gibbs as Chief Data Center Officer to lead the development of a new platform focused on building state-of-the-art data centers for hyperscale and enterprise tenants. This move diversifies revenues and enhances capabilities to contract with leading technology companies, capitalizing on demand for digital infrastructure driven by cloud computing, AI, and other compute-intensive applications.

**IREN Limited** (NASDAQ: IREN), a developer of next-generation data centers powered by 100% renewable energy, recently doubled its AI Cloud capacity to **23k GPUs** and is targeting over **$500 million in AI Cloud annualized run-rate revenue (ARR) by Q1 2026**. IREN has purchased additional GPUs, including NVIDIA B300s, B200s, and AMD MI350Xs, to meet rising demand, with deliveries staged at its Prince George campus.

Daniel Roberts, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of IREN, stated, "As global demand for compute accelerates, customers are increasingly seeking partners who can deliver scale quickly." IREN's campuses in British Columbia and Texas support this growth, with financing initiatives underway to mitigate impacts on Bitcoin mining capacity.

Research crypto stocks at [https://www.investorideas.com/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency/Stocks_List.asp](https://www.investorideas.com/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency/Stocks_List.asp).

Vancouver, Kelowna, and Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2025) - Investorideas.com, a go-to investing platform covering renewable energy...

How Green Data Centers Are Revolutionizing Bitcoin Mining and AI

## The Growing Threat of Crypto Insurance Fraud

Recent reports from **The Insurer** reveal a concerning trend: **2024 has seen a significant escalation** in insurance-related fraud involving **large cryptocurrency transactions**. This development highlights how the **rapid growth of the Bitcoin ecosystem** is creating new vulnerabilities that fraudsters are actively exploiting.

### The Insurance Industry's New Challenge

As cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand, insurance companies are facing unprecedented challenges. The **pseudonymous nature of blockchain transactions** combined with the **substantial value of crypto assets** has created fertile ground for sophisticated fraud schemes. Industry experts note that these fraudulent activities are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to detect.

### Why Bitcoin Presents Unique Risks

The **decentralized structure** of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies makes traditional insurance verification processes inadequate. Unlike conventional financial systems where transactions can be easily traced and reversed, **crypto transactions are irreversible** once confirmed on the blockchain. This fundamental characteristic, while beneficial for financial sovereignty, creates significant hurdles for insurance providers attempting to validate claims and prevent fraud.

### The Impact on the Broader Ecosystem

This surge in insurance fraud doesn't just affect insurance companies—it has **broader implications for the entire cryptocurrency market**. As legitimate users seek insurance coverage for their digital assets, these fraudulent activities could lead to **higher premiums and stricter requirements** for all participants. The situation underscores the need for **better security protocols and industry-wide standards** in the crypto insurance space.

As The Insurer reported on Wednesday, this year has seen an escalation in insurance-related fraud involving large cryptocurrency transactions.

Bitcoin Expert Ben Werkman Appointed as CIO at Strive: A New Era for Institutional Crypto Investment?

Summary:

Ben Werkman, a bitcoin specialist, has been appointed as Chief Investment Officer at Strive.

This move underscores the increasing institutional adoption of cryptocurrency in investment management.

The announcement was made on October 6, reflecting ongoing trends in the financial sector.

Comments

Join Our Community

BitcoinToday.app

Other Latest News

Ethereum Plunges to $4,100 Amid Senate's DeFi Crackdown – What's Next for Crypto?

UK's Top Investment Platform Issues Stark Bitcoin Warning: Is Crypto Too Risky for Your Portfolio?

How Green Data Centers Are Revolutionizing Bitcoin Mining and AI

Bitcoin's Dark Side: How Crypto Fraudsters Are Exploiting Insurance Systems

Other Latest News

Ethereum Plunges to $4,100 Amid Senate's DeFi Crackdown – What's Next for Crypto?

UK's Top Investment Platform Issues Stark Bitcoin Warning: Is Crypto Too Risky for Your Portfolio?

How Green Data Centers Are Revolutionizing Bitcoin Mining and AI

Bitcoin's Dark Side: How Crypto Fraudsters Are Exploiting Insurance Systems