Greetings from the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your crucial update on today’s key crypto happenings.
Get your coffee ready; the markets are anything but steady this week. With shifting whale dynamics, unprecedented Bitcoin sell-offs, and a critical Fed decision looming, traders are bracing for an exciting showdown as bulls and bears vie for dominance in the next major crypto shift.
Crypto News of the Day: Whales Restructure, Holders Sell, and Traders Anticipate Powell’s Remarks
Crypto markets are preparing for volatility as whales shift their positions and long-term holders exit ahead of a crucial Federal Reserve meeting. With traders divided between taking risks and exercising caution, Bitcoin’s forthcoming movement may hinge as much on Jerome Powell as it does on whale sentiment.
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As per Lookonchain, one whale wallet known for its flawless win rate has liquidated all 2,186 BTC ($256.56 million) in long positions, realizing only a modest profit of $1.4 million. This cautious move is unusual for a trader typically celebrated for their timing precision.
Another whale, “0x4e8d,” liquidated $47.68 million in longs at a loss, whereas others like Machi Big Brother have increased their bets on ETH and HYPE longs. Concurrently, a familiar short-seller, who profited $8.3 million from October’s downturn, has resumed ETH shorts, indicating expectations of renewed downward pressure.
Simultaneously, long-term Bitcoin holders are gradually offloading their assets. According to CryptoQuant analyst JA Maartun, long-term investors have sold 325,600 BTC in the past 30 days, marking the sharpest decline since July 2025.
This trend of profit-taking sharply contrasts with the accumulation strategy observed among whales, who seem to be capitalizing on the dip.
It is a tricky moment combining both conviction and caution, as some investors cash out while others position themselves for a market rebound.
Adding to the unpredictability, Sequan, a corporate entity incorporating Bitcoin into its treasury strategy, sold 970 BTC ($112 million), marking its first sale since implementing a Bitcoin Treasury Strategy.
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In another notable move, a different whale boasting a 100% win rate reportedly closed an ETH 5x long, realizing a profit of $1.63 million and expanded its exposure to SOL, anticipating a short-term recovery.
Analyst Joao Wedson observed that aggregated liquidation levels reveal a distinct sentiment divide. In the short term, numerous traders are positioned long between $109,000–$105,000, while medium-term shorts around $127,000 remain profitable.
“Today’s drop is to eliminate the impatient ones…but the next significant flush will likely target the confident ones,” he noted on X.
With the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting imminent, the markets brace for a 25-basis-point rate cut. Jerome Powell will address the audience at 2:30 PM ET.
Traders are anxious, caught between hopes of renewed liquidity and concerns over hawkish signals that might prolong volatility into November.
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China Tensions Amplify Market Anxiety
Beyond the Fed, geopolitical factors are also influencing market sentiment. China has purchased 180,000 tons of US soybeans in its first significant order in months, perceived as a goodwill gesture before President Donald Trump’s eagerly awaited meeting with Xi Jinping.
The summit coincides with Trump hinting at a potential rollback of tariffs on Chinese chemical imports linked to fentanyl production. Analysts interpret this as a possible stepping stone towards a comprehensive US–China trade agreement.
“I anticipate lowering those tariffs because they can assist us with the fentanyl issue,” Trump reportedly stated aboard Air Force One.
Even prediction markets are showing creativity. One high-stakes trader on Polymarket, who previously earned $13 million betting on Trump’s election victory, is said to have placed a substantial bet on the length of the Trump–Xi handshake.
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In the meantime, crypto markets are remaining steady yet cautious. Analysts believe that a confirmed trade deal could reignite bullish momentum across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and equities, setting the foundation for the next substantial rally once the FOMC turmoil settles.
Chart of the Day
Byte-Sized Insights
Here’s a round-up of additional US crypto news to keep an eye on today:
Crypto Equities Pre-Market Snapshot
| Company | At the Close of October 28 | Pre-Market Overview |
| Strategy (MSTR) | $284.64 | $285.20 (+0.20%) |
| Coinbase (COIN) | $355.22 | $356.48 (+0.35%) |
| Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY) | $37.29 | $37.64 (+0.94%) |
| MARA Holdings (MARA) | $18.18 | $19.00 (+0.74%) |
| Riot Platforms (RIOT) | $21.56 | $21.73 (+0.81%) |
| Core Scientific (CORZ) | $20.09 | $20.41 (+1.59%) |
