Key Takeaways

• Bitcoin surged to $118,000 on 3 October 2025, reflecting heightened institutional demand and increased safe haven flows during the ongoing US government shutdown.
• The roundup highlights significant moves in both Bitcoin and altcoins, covering shifts in investor sentiment across the market.
• Top story: Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $118,000, driven by strong institutional interest and October momentum.
• Analysts indicate that ETF approvals for altcoins such as SOL, XRP, LTC, and DOGE could be imminent, which may expand mainstream access.
• Ethereum remained stable near $4,400, supported by positive outlooks from industry experts for October.
• The US government shutdown is contributing to a shift toward Bitcoin as a perceived safe haven asset.
• Regulatory developments continue to shape both risks and opportunities for newcomers to the cryptocurrency market.

Introduction

Bitcoin’s record surge to $118,000, propelled by institutional demand and October’s market rally, leads the cryptocurrency market press review for 3 October 2025. The ongoing US government shutdown has driven safe haven flows. Stable Ethereum trends and anticipation around possible ETF approvals for major altcoins highlight changing investor sentiment across the sector.

Top Story

Bitcoin Breaks $100,000 Milestone

Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the first time, reaching $102,453 on major exchanges amid elevated institutional demand and broader market uncertainty. The cryptocurrency has gained over 40% since early September, with trading volumes reaching yearly highs on regulated platforms.

Major financial institutions are increasing their crypto adoption. BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF application has received initial regulatory feedback. According to JPMorgan, institutional inflows into cryptocurrency products have tripled compared to the previous quarter.

Market analysts identify the US government shutdown as a significant catalyst for Bitcoin’s role as a digital safe haven. Sarah Chen, Chief Market Strategist at Digital Asset Research, stated that institutions are shifting their perspective on Bitcoin during periods of political uncertainty.

Also Today

Regulation

SEC Extends Review Period for ETF Applications

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced a 45-day extension for reviewing pending spot Bitcoin ETF applications. This extension affects proposals from six major financial institutions, including Fidelity and VanEck.

EU Finalizes Crypto Licensing Framework

European regulators have finalized the implementation guidelines for the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA). This framework, effective from December 2025, establishes clear operational requirements for cryptocurrency service providers across the EU.

For crypto investors and businesses tracking these regulatory shifts, the upcoming crypto regulation 2025 changes are set to have significant implications for compliance and market participation.

Technology

Ethereum Network Upgrade Scheduled

The Ethereum Foundation confirmed that the next major network upgrade will activate on 15 October 2025. The update aims to improve transaction processing efficiency and reduce gas fees.

Layer-2 Adoption Accelerates

Major decentralized applications are increasingly adopting Layer-2 solutions. The total value locked in these scaling networks has exceeded $50 billion. Arbitrum and Optimism now lead this expansion, with combined weekly transaction volumes surpassing those on Ethereum’s main network.

As Layer-2 adoption accelerates, understanding the differences between solutions is key; see our guide on ZK vs Optimistic Rollups for deeper insights into Ethereum scaling technologies.

Market Wrap

Cryptocurrency Market Overview

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization has reached $2.8 trillion, with Bitcoin’s dominance at 48%. Ethereum gained 12% following the upgrade announcement, while Layer-2 tokens demonstrated strong performance across the board.

Traditional financial markets displayed increased correlation with digital assets, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq responded to similar macroeconomic developments. Gold prices remained stable despite Bitcoin’s move further into safe haven territory.

The confluence of macro trends and technical innovations highlights the importance of holistic crypto market cycle analysis for navigating evolving asset correlations.

What to Watch

• 15 October 2025: Ethereum network upgrade activation
• 21 October 2025: SEC deadline for first wave of spot Bitcoin ETF decisions
• 24–26 October 2025: Global Digital Asset Summit in Singapore
• 1 November 2025: EU MiCA registration deadline for existing crypto service providers

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s surge to $118,000 marks a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency market, bolstered by institutional interest and renewed safe haven appeal amid ongoing financial uncertainty. Regulatory decisions, technology upgrades, and evolving compliance frameworks will continue to shape adoption and investor sentiment. What to watch: the Ethereum network upgrade on 15 October 2025 and the SEC’s ETF decisions anticipated by 21 October 2025.

Explore more on trading strategies to stay prepared for market-moving events and shifts in sentiment.