Bitcoin developers are making progress toward quantum-resistant security, while Solana validators have approved a faster reduction in token issuance. Elsewhere, institutional analysts remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s longer-term trajectory, Revolut is expanding its euro stablecoin rollout, and regulators and crypto companies continue to grapple with security, risk, and market-access issues.
Bitcoin Moves Closer to Quantum-Resistant Security
The possibility of sufficiently powerful quantum computers compromising Bitcoin remains a subject of debate, but developers are already exploring ways to strengthen the network against a potential future threat.
This week, StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy demonstrated an experimental quantum-resistant transaction on Bitcoin’s mainnet. The approach is designed to protect funds during the short period in which a transaction’s public key can become visible in the mempool.
The experimental system, known as Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB), combines hash-based one-time signatures with computational techniques that tie authorization to a particular transaction. While the test demonstrated that the approach can work, it remains impractical for everyday use because transactions can take hours to process and reportedly cost between $150 and $200.
Longer-term development is also underway. Blockstream researchers published a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal on Aug. 27 centered on the SHRINCS signature scheme. Researchers reduced the size of the proposed post-quantum signature substantially, although it remains considerably larger than Bitcoin’s current signatures and introduces several trade-offs.
The work represents another step toward preparing Bitcoin for a future in which quantum computing could pose a greater threat to existing cryptographic systems.
Solana Validators Approve Faster Inflation Reduction
Solana is also undergoing a significant change to its monetary policy.
Validators approved SGP-0002, commonly referred to as Double Disinflation, which doubles the network’s annual disinflation rate from 15% to 30%. The change is expected to reduce issuance by approximately 18.9 million SOL over six years.
The vote attracted participation representing 60.7% of eligible stake. Approximately 67% supported the proposal, while 25.16% voted against it and 7.84% abstained.
Under the revised schedule, Solana is expected to reach its terminal inflation rate of 1.5% in roughly 2.8 years, compared with approximately 5.7 years under the previous framework.
At the same time, network activity remains strong. Solana processed a reported 4.2 billion transactions in July, a 13.5% increase from the previous month. Transaction activity has risen by approximately 2 billion since December, representing a 91% increase.
Public Citizen Estimates Billions in Investor Losses From Trump-Linked Crypto Ventures
A report from nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen has estimated that investors have collectively been left billions of dollars underwater through cryptocurrency ventures associated with U.S. President Donald Trump and his family.
The report attributes approximately $3.2 billion in losses to the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin, at least $1 billion to the World Liberty Financial governance token, around $450 million to Trump Media’s digital-asset treasury, and at least $9.3 million to Trump-linked NFT trading cards.
Public Citizen’s assessment has also become part of the broader political debate surrounding cryptocurrency legislation in Washington, particularly discussions about safeguards concerning digital assets issued or promoted by elected officials.
Bitcoin’s Bull Case Gains Momentum
Bitcoin has continued to outperform several AI-related infrastructure stocks during its recent rally.
According to BlocksBridge Consulting, Bitcoin gained approximately 23% over the previous week, while several Bitcoin mining companies posted even larger increases. Canaan, American Bitcoin, and Cango reportedly climbed between 41% and 67%.
AI infrastructure companies also advanced, although at a slower pace. CoreWeave gained around 21%, Nebius increased 17%, and IREN rose approximately 15%.
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have also recorded strong August inflows, accumulating more than $3.3 billion during the month. However, Friday’s withdrawals brought an end to a nine-session streak of positive flows.
Bernstein analysts meanwhile expect Bitcoin to be entering a new four-year market cycle. Their outlook sees Bitcoin returning to $125,000, with a base-case peak of $300,000 in 2029 and a bullish scenario reaching as high as $500,000.
These figures remain analyst projections rather than guaranteed price targets.
Revolut Begins Rolling Out Euro-Pegged Stablecoin
European fintech platform Revolut has started introducing its first stablecoin, EURR, to approximately 2 million customers across Denmark, Poland, and Portugal.
The euro-linked token is being introduced gradually, with plans to expand availability to additional European Economic Area markets later this year.
EURR is issued by Bridge Building S.A., the Luxembourg-based entity of Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure company owned by Stripe.
Revolut plans to integrate EURR into its consumer application and eventually support multiple blockchain networks as well as transfers to external wallets. The initial deployment uses Ethereum.
Weekly Crypto Winners and Losers
At the end of the reported period, Bitcoin was trading around $78,420, representing a 1.1% weekly increase. Ethereum gained 0.6% to approximately $2,469, while XRP declined 8.7% to around $1.38. Total cryptocurrency market capitalization stood near $2.64 trillion.
Among the top 100 cryptocurrencies, the strongest weekly performers were:
- VeChain (VET): +18.5%
- SPX6900 (SPX): +17.3%
- Uniswap (UNI): +15.2%
The weakest performers were:
- Aptos (APT): -16.4%
- Stable (STABLE): -14.7%
- Morpho (MORPHO): -13.6%
CryptoQuant Indicator Signals a Potential Shift in Bitcoin’s Cycle
CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju has pointed to a change in the firm’s Bull/Bear Market Cycle Indicator, which recently posted its first positive reading since early October.
The indicator combines several onchain profitability measures, including MVRV, NUPL, and SOPR, and compares them against a 365-day moving average. Positive readings are associated with improving profitability and bullish phases in Bitcoin’s market cycle.
Bitcoin’s latest cycle low occurred on Feb. 5, when BTC/USD fell to approximately $60,000 and the indicator reached -1.244, corresponding to an extreme-bear reading.
By Aug. 26, the indicator had moved to 0.042, placing it within its bullish range.
Survey Finds Most Americans View Crypto in Retirement Plans as Risky
Cryptocurrency continues to face skepticism when it comes to workplace retirement accounts.
A survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found that 77% of Americans consider cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans risky, including 46% who classified it as very risky. More than half of respondents—53%—also opposed employers offering crypto as an investment option.
The research was conducted by Greenwald Research between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14, 2025, and surveyed 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older. The results were weighted according to age, gender, and income.
Real Trump Coins Denies Involvement With GOLD Token
Real Trump Coins has denied responsibility for a Trump Digital GOLD token that briefly appeared through channels associated with the project before its value collapsed.
The company said the token had not been authorized, promoted, or launched by its organization and blamed the incident on third parties.
The controversy followed posts from the Real Trump Coins X account promoting the Solana-based token and directing users to a related website. Those posts were subsequently removed, and the account later redirected users elsewhere.
The company said it was cooperating with authorities as an investigation into the incident proceeds.
Polygon Reveals Security Vulnerabilities After Network Upgrades
Polygon has disclosed several security vulnerabilities that had previously remained private after fixes were implemented through two hard forks.
The vulnerabilities affected the network’s Bor and Heimdall clients and included potential denial-of-service attacks, validator resource exhaustion, and issues involving checkpoint and milestone processing.
Polygon addressed the problems through the Austin and Kyoto hard forks. The upgrades were deployed privately, tested, and subsequently activated on mainnet before the vulnerabilities were publicly disclosed.
The episode highlights the importance of continuous security testing as blockchain networks become more complex and increasingly valuable.
Key Takeaway
The week’s developments highlight several major themes shaping the cryptocurrency industry: Bitcoin’s preparation for potential quantum threats, Solana’s changing token-issuance policy, institutional optimism around Bitcoin, the rapid expansion of stablecoins, and persistent concerns surrounding crypto regulation and security.
At the same time, market data continues to show significant volatility. Bitcoin’s improving onchain indicators and ETF inflows support the bullish narrative, but analyst forecasts remain projections, while regulatory controversies and cybersecurity risks demonstrate that the sector continues to face substantial challenges.
