Is it already October 31st? It seems like time flies so fast, we don’t even realize how it passes. However, we do have time to stay up-to-date with all the latest news in the world of Web3 and blockchain!
This week in crypto brings a mix of innovation, institutional adoption, and even renewed interest in privacy. Let’s look at the top five stories shaping the digital finance side of the market.
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Western Union embraces stablecoins for global transfers
This week started with powerful news. Western Union, a global leader in money transfers, is entering the blockchain arena.
The company announced plans to integrate stablecoins into its payment system, aiming to make cross-border transactions faster and cheaper. This became known during a conference call on the financial results for the third quarter.
In more detail, by using blockchain-based stable assets, Western Union seeks to enhance efficiency, reduce transfer fees, and stay competitive against fintech and Web3-native payment platforms like Stellar or RippleNet.
So, this move marks another step toward mainstream financial institutions adopting blockchain technology for real-world use cases. More about the growing role of stablecoins in 2025 we broke down in our special article.
Circle launches testnet for its new blockchain – ARC
On Tuesday, Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, introduced the testnet for ARC, its proprietary blockchain designed to streamline financial transactions and improve interoperability across ecosystems.
In short, ARC aims to support institutional-grade DeFi applications with enhanced security and compliance tools. The initiative was supported by more than 100 organizations, including BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, Visa, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
According to the team, Arc offers “predictable dollar fees, transaction completion in less than a second, and customizable privacy”.
The network is directly integrated with Circle products. Developers will be able to use blockchain technology to create applications in various fields, such as lending, capital markets, currency exchange, and global payments.
With Circle’s deep ties to traditional finance and growing presence in stablecoin infrastructure, ARC could become a key player in bridging Web2 and Web3 payment systems.
Telegram to build a decentralized AI network on TON
This week has also brought interesting insights from Telegram. In a bold fusion of Web3 and AI, Telegram announced it will launch a decentralized AI network on The Open Network (TON).
To be more specific, at the Blockchain Life in Dubai 2025 conference, Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced the launch of the Cocoon decentralized network for the private execution of AI requests.
This initiative aims to leverage TON’s scalability and decentralization to create AI solutions accessible to users worldwide. The project will likely include AI-driven bots and decentralized machine learning tools within Telegram’s ecosystem.
Zcash surges 700% amid privacy demand
This week, privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash (ZEC) has seen its price skyrocket by 700% in just one month.
Using the zk-SNARKs zero-knowledge proof technology, the platform allows users to transfer tokens to a secure mining pool while hiding their transaction history. The Zcash project has implemented three different versions of the privacy protocol during its development: Sprout, Sapling, and Orchard.
Analysts attribute the surge to a rising global demand for privacy-preserving tools in digital finance. As governments and regulators tighten surveillance and compliance frameworks, users and investors are turning back to privacy coins like Zcash to maintain autonomy.
The spike also signals a broader narrative shift, and privacy is making a comeback in the crypto market.
Long-term XRP holders begin large-scale sell-off
Friday showed up with even more great news in blockchain. So, on-chain data reveals that long-term XRP holders have started to sell off their assets after years of accumulation.
Glassnode analysts noted that since the beginning of August, the daily volume of XRP sales by long-term holders has increased by 580%, from $38 million to $260 million.
According to experts, experienced traders who had accumulated assets until November 2024 began to take profits. This group of players’ activation coincided with a fall in the price of XRP from $3.3 to $2.4.
A similar trend can be seen among short-term holders as well. The share of coins that were aged between one and three months decreased from 12.9% at the beginning of October to 7.8% currently.
This could indicate waning confidence in XRP’s short-term performance or strategic profit-taking ahead of potential market volatility.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the last week of October highlights the constant evolution of blockchain technology: from financial giants like Western Union adopting stablecoins to decentralized AI and the renewed focus on privacy. We will continue to follow the news. Our team wonders what will be waiting for us in November!
So, stay tuned with Evercode Lab for more weekly insights into blockchain trends, and explore how our white-label solutions can help your business innovate and thrive in the fast-moving Web3 ecosystem.