**Crypto Weekly Roundup: FTX Drama, Big Acquisitions, and Major Wins in Security**

**FTX Founder Says Exchange Was Never Broke**

Last week, Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, made headlines again. A social media account linked to him claimed that FTX was never actually insolvent. This echoes some of the points raised during his trial, where he defended how the exchange handled its money before its collapse.

**Binance.US Denies Political Payback Rumors**

Binance.US has pushed back against rumors that its recent USD1 token listing was a political move. Some speculated it was a thank-you to former President Trump for pardoning Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Binance.US firmly denied the claim.

**Mastercard Eyes Crypto With $2 Billion Zerohash Deal**

Mastercard is reportedly close to buying crypto firm Zerohash in a deal worth between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. If completed, this would mark one of the biggest moves by a traditional finance company into the crypto world.

**Coinbase Buys Echo to Help Users Raise Funds Easier**

Coinbase has acquired Echo, a platform that helps projects raise capital directly on the blockchain. The $375 million deal is aimed at making it easier for Coinbase users to launch and fund new ideas within the crypto space.

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**Web3 & Blockchain Updates**

**BTCC Launches Halloween Giveaway with 1 Bitcoin Prize**

Crypto exchange BTCC has kicked off a Halloween event called “Spooktacular Halloween Night of Fortune.” Users who deposit at least 200 USDT and trade at least 50 million USDT in futures can win prizes—including a full Bitcoin.

**AI Tools Like Claude Are Powering Smarter Crypto Trading**

AI is playing a bigger role in crypto trading. Tools like Anthropic’s Claude are helping traders analyze huge amounts of data quickly and make smarter moves. These AI models are more advanced than traditional trading bots and are changing how people invest.

**Fortify Labs Accepting Applications for 2026 Web3 Program**

TZ APAC’s Fortify Labs is now taking applications for its 2026 accelerator program in Singapore. The seven-month program offers up to $1.3 million in funding and expert guidance for Web3 startups looking to grow and innovate.

**Crypto Use Up 50% in the U.S., Gains in South Asia and Africa**

A new report shows that crypto activity in the U.S. jumped by 50% from January to July this year compared to the same time in 2023. Adoption is also rising fast in places like South Asia and North Africa, signaling global growth for crypto and stablecoins.

**Digitap Offers Global Spending with No-KYC Option**

Digitap, calling itself the world’s first “omnibank,” now lets users spend money globally without going through Know Your Customer (KYC) identity checks. This could be a game-changer for privacy-focused users.

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**Altcoin News**

**AI Visibility Is Key for Crypto Projects, Expert Warns**

Mike Ermolaev, founder of Outset PR, says crypto projects that ignore AI tools are falling behind. In his opinion piece, he warned that visibility through AI is crucial for staying relevant in today’s digital world.

**Solana Investors Exploring New Altcoins Like Mutuum Finance**

Some early investors in Solana (SOL) are shifting their money into newer altcoins with lower entry prices. One hot pick right now is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), which is gaining attention ahead of a possible market rebound in 2026.

**FUNToken Launches Transparent Rewards System**

FUNToken has rolled out a fully audited Ethereum smart contract that automatically rewards token holders. Backed by a $5 million rewards pool, it’s designed to benefit long-term supporters and early stakers of $FUN.

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**Crypto Security Gets a Big Win: $300 Million Frozen**

The T3 Financial Crime Unit—created by Tether, TRON, and TRM Labs—has frozen $300 million in stolen or illegal crypto assets in its first year. This is a major step forward in fighting crime in the crypto space and shows how industry partnerships can boost security.

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**Keywords:** FTX insolvency claim, Mastercard Zerohash acquisition, Coinbase Echo acquisition, BTCC Halloween campaign, AI trading tools, Fortify Labs accelerator, crypto adoption U.S., Digitap no-KYC banking, Solana altcoin shift, FUNToken rewards, crypto security T3 Unit