The GIST partnered with FanDuel to highlight women who are shaping the future of sports and sports betting industries, all making up the Bet on Women Series.
Despite hockey and tech being male-dominated spaces, Meghan Chayka not only carved out a place for herself, but also revolutionized the way we look at the game by co-founding Stathletes, a hockey analytics company, 13 years ago.
And she’s just as passionate about the progress of women’s sports and women in sports as she is about stats. Here’s some slices of knowledge she shared with The GIST:
On how to support women in sports: “Time, capital, and media coverage are probably the biggest, but there are many, even as an individual. Engage with content and attend games when they are in your area.”
When Kate Beirness was a 22-year-old aspiring on-air broadcaster, she turned down a paying job at Sportsnet to work for free at a local TV station and hone her skills. Three years later, she earned an on-air position at TSN.
That’s part of the reason why Beirness goes the extra mile to support her younger female colleagues, specifically in helping them not be intimidated by the industry.
It’s one thing to bet on FanDuel, it’s another when FanDuel bets on you. That’s exactly what happened to Tekeyah Singh, on-air talent at TSN, and one of the faces of the network’s partnership with FanDuel.
While Singh is quick to recognize the challenges that come with being a woman in the sports industry — like not being taken seriously, or facing hostility in male-dominanted spaces — she’s also proud that the industry is trending in the right direction.
Whether you’re watching Sportscentre or the big game, flip on TSN and you’re almost guaranteedto see FanDuel’s sports betting odds integrated into their coverage.
Shiu has a direct hand in shaping the way TSN evolves and adapts, and has made FanDuel a priority in her planning. She’s also a vocal supporter of women’s sports.
When sports betting officially became legal in Canada in 2021, FanDuel product manager Jasmine Smith was an integral part of bringing her company to eager fans north of the border.
But as she rocketed up the corporate ladder, Smith says she still faced negative internal dialogue like self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Relatable. Fortunately, she shared a couple of tips in conquering challenges:
On aiding the progress of women in sport: “…ensure that more women are hired into positions of influence. Women of all walks of life deserve a seat at the table, for without the diversity POV, we will continue to see biases and blind spots in decision making.”
Ever wonder about who sets the “odds” in sports? Like, where are these probabilities actually coming from?
A lifelong football fan, it wasn’t until Oros started asking a friend about every play and call that she became confident enough to sports bet and, later, leave her comfortable actuary job to pursue a career in sports trading.
And this experience had Oros thinking about inclusivity: “I absolutely love that sports and sports betting bring people together. But it can feel intimidating for people, especially women, to assert themselves into a realm where they haven’t felt a sense of belonging.”
“All of us sports-lovers can make conscious efforts to be inclusive by explaining the rules and strategies to those unfamiliar. Anyone can learn, and all of us should be eager to teach.” Now that’s the kind of advice we live by.
Sometimes to get to the top, you have to take a step sideways. At least that’s what Alex Gillan, director of partnership marketing at MLSE, credits her success to.
Working with big league Toronto teams like the NHL’s Maple Leafs, NBA’s Raptors, CFL’s Argos and MLS’s TFC is no easy feat, and it’s especially hard balancing life with kids. But Gillian’s found a way to make motherhood her super power:
“[Being a mom’s] made me a more empathetic leader, it's taught me to give others (and myself) grace, it's shown me how to be patient, taught me about balance and what really matters.” Mom goals, indeed.
What if it’s not about the destination or the journey, but instead about who you bring along for the ride?
Almost a decade ago, and despite being underqualified, Della Vedova was hired in a junior brand role at Rogers that changed the trajectory of her career: “It’s been a small reminder to push through those sneaking feelings of self-doubt. If a ‘stranger’ is willing to bet on me, I should bet on myself everyday.” Imposter syndrome, be gone!
Today, it’s in her job description to build community for sports bettors, but it’s in her heart to build up women in the industry: “more time on broadcast, more exposure in meetings, more opportunities on platforms of influence.”
One example? Through FanDuel’s partnership with TSN, segments like Meghan Chayka’s Strength in Numbers have carved out a space for women in a traditionally male-dominated field. Something we can get behind.
Not many people can say their job takes them from the boardroom to courtside, but as senior director of global partnerships at NBA Canada, Cheryl Sebastian’s responsibilities truly run the gamut.
When chatting with The GIST about being a woman in sports, and more specifically a woman of color, Sebastian called attention to a powerful Serena Williams quote: “It doesn't matter what your background is or where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that's all that matters.”
As an associate director of public relations (PR) at Mint, Jamie Eisen’s role is crucial to shaping the public perception of FanDuel.
And Eisen’s impact has extended far beyond PR. After receiving mentorship early in her career that taught her to bet on herself, Eisen’s all about paying it forward and actively supporting other women in the industry.
Sign up for The GIST and receive the latest sports news straight to your inbox three times a week.

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Play the Health Lottery & get 10 free £25k lines with this code (aff)  Yorkshire Post
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Polymarket, the leading crypto-based prediction platform, now supports direct bitcoin deposits, allowing users to fund their accounts with BTC in addition to other supported cryptocurrencies.
Polymarket, the crypto-native prediction market, has added support for bitcoin deposits, giving users a direct way to fund their accounts with BTC alongside other existing crypto options.
The move coincides with bitcoin’s recent rally to all-time highs above $126,000, currently trading around $124,300, and reflects growing demand for crypto-native funding options on prediction platforms.
Polymarket has taken the world by storm over the past two years, emerging as the largest prediction market where users trade shares tied to the outcomes of real-world events — essentially betting on what the future holds.
NEW: The world's largest prediction market, PolyMarket, now officially supports #Bitcoin deposits 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VWj058yNBg
On Polymarket, traders are bullish about the bitcoin price. About 83% of participants now predict bitcoin will hit $130,000 this year, while 52% and 35% are betting on $140,000 and $150,000, respectively. Total long-term betting volume has exceeded $30.6 million.
Polymarket also accepts other crypto and stablecoins like USDC, USDT, Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana.
Adding a layer of institutional intrigue, the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange, is reportedly considering a $2 billion investment in Polymarket. If completed, the deal could value the platform between $8 billion and $10 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Shayne Coplan, the 27-year-old founder of Polymarket, has become the youngest self-made billionaire after this investment, per Bloomberg. Just a few years ago, Coplan was a NYU dropout building Polymarket from his bathroom after becoming fascinated by the potential of prediction markets. 
Polymarket has already attracted notable investors, including 1789 Capital, backed by Donald Trump Jr., and acquired derivatives exchange QCEX for $112 million, gaining a U.S. CFTC license in the process.
Polymarket’s expansion comes after navigating significant regulatory hurdles. In 2022, the CFTC fined the platform $1.4 million for unregistered activities, and the Department of Justice conducted an investigation that was closed in 2025.
Founded in 2020, Polymarket gained traction during the 2024 U.S. presidential elections and has since integrated Chainlink oracles for price-focused contracts, launched earnings markets with U.S. clearance, and competes with regulated rivals like Kalshi.
Established in 2012, Bitcoin Magazine is the oldest and most established source of trustworthy news, information and thought leadership on Bitcoin.
© BTC Media, LLC 2025

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Ethereum Faces $4,800 Test As Traders Brace For Breakout (Cryptocurrency:ETH-USD)  Seeking Alpha
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Watch CBS News
Updated on: October 8, 2025 / 2:07 PM EDT / CBS News
During the House’s brief pro forma session on Wednesday, a handful of Democrats yelled at the presiding Republican, Rep. Russ Fulcher of Idaho, to recognize them so they could call for Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in. They were denied.
“It’s undemocratic,” Rep. Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat, yelled. 
Asked whether a one-year extension of the health insurance tax credits, rather than a permanent extension that Democrats have demanded, was a nonstarter, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that “if anything is presented to us, of course, the caucus will consider it in good faith.” Jeffries has previously indicated that the one-year extension would be a nonstarter.
But the minority leader added, “Are we to take the position, at this moment in time, in the midst of a Republican health care crisis, that we can’t provide stability and certainty to working class Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act tax credits?”
Jeffries reiterated that Democrats want a permanent extension, but “at the end of the day, the caucus in good faith will evaluate anything presented from the Senate.”
Jeffries also indicated that he supports a stand-alone vote to pay members of the military. “I believe that we should pay our men and women in uniform and I support the effort of our members to make sure that takes place,” he said. 
Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, both Democrats, spoke with reporters at length outside of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. They were calling for Democrat Adelita Grijalva, who was elected on Sept. 23 to fill the seat of her late father, to be sworn in while the House is out of session. Democrats have accused Johnson of putting off Grijalva’s swearing-in to delay the final signature on a discharge petition that would force a vote on the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 
As Kelly and Gallego were speaking, Johnson exited his office and approached them. 
“I’m not blocking her!” Johnson said, telling Kelly and Gallego that there’s “a long tradition here and a process of how we administer the oath.” 
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said she would be sworn in once the House returns, and told the senators they should vote to end the government shutdown. When the Democrats noted that two Republicans had previously been sworn in while the House was out of session, Johnson said that was because they had a scheduled swearing-in day and their families were in Washington. Grijalva, Johnson said, has not had her swearing-in scheduled because she was elected after the House went on break on Sept. 19. 
“Has nothing to do with Epstein,” Johnson said. 
Kelly said the delay is preventing 700,000 people in Arizona from having representation in Congress. 
Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, entered the conversation at one point and told the senators not to lecture them, urging them instead to go vote to reopen the government. 
“Nobody’s covering up for a pedophile, so knock it the hell off,” Lawler told Gallego. 
After Johnson returned to his office, Kelly remarked, “that was fun!”  
Kelly later told reporters he appreciated that Johnson came out to talk to them but dismissed the speaker’s explanation for why Grijalva has not been sworn in. 
“If Adelita Grijalva comes here and brings her family, then she can get sworn in?” he said. “Doesn’t make any sense. He’s doing this because he understands that she’s the 218th vote on the discharge petition.” 
Posting a reporter’s photo of the interaction to X, Grijalva wrote, “Nothing to see here, right? The people of my district need representation, NOW!”
Caitlin Yilek, Jaala Brown and Nikole Killion
The House-passed measure to fund the government fell short again Wednesday in a 54 to 45 vote. Republicans were unable to pick up any new support from Democrats on the procedural vote, which marked the sixth time votes on the measure have fallen short. 
GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas did not vote on the procedural motions for either funding bill.
The procedural vote on the Democratic measure to fund the government fell short in a 47 to 52 party-line vote. Sixty votes were needed to move forward.
The Senate is now voting on whether to advance a House-passed measure to fund the government until Nov. 21. The Senate last voted on the measure on Monday, when Republicans saw no new progress on their effort to win support from Democrats.
Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Angus King of Maine have been the only senators to cross the aisle in support of the GOP proposal. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has consistently voted against the measure. Republicans need support from at least five more Democrats to advance the measure. 
The Senate is taking a procedural vote on a Democratic measure that would fund the government until Oct. 31 and extend health insurance tax credits. 
The measure has fallen short of the 60-vote threshold required to advance most legislation in the Senate five times, failing to pick up any support from Republicans. It’s expected to fall short again.
After the vote, the Senate is set to move to a procedural vote on the House-passed measure to fund the government, which has also fallen short five times. Republicans have been working to peel off Democratic support for the measure. But they’ve failed to make any progress the last three times the chamber has voted. 
The Senate is currently voting on a resolution disapproving of a rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management in 2024 about coal mining in Montana. The vote is the first in the series that will include the competing funding bills. You can watch the Senate floor in the player at the top of this story.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated to reporters Wednesday morning that Republicans are “happy to sit down with a group and figure out what the path forward might look like” on Democrats’ push to address health care issues, but “we’ve got to open up the government” first.
“The conversation will happen when we open up the government,” Thune said. “Nothing’s changed. We all understand what they want to do, and we’re not averse, as I’ve said repeatedly, to having that conversation. At some point, they have to take yes for an answer.”
Democrats have insisted that they need more than assurances on their demands to extend health insurance tax credits.
Asked whether he would consider keeping the Senate in session through the weekend, the South Dakota Republican said, “I don’t know that that does any good or makes any difference,” though he added, “I would.”
“I’ve told our members just to be prepared for any scenario, and if enough Democrats start to come to their senses and want to have conversations about how to get the government open, then I’m certainly open to having folks here Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday — whatever,” he said.
At his now-daily press conference at the Capitol, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he supports furloughed federal workers getting back pay once the shutdown is over. 
“It’s my understanding that the law is that they would be paid. There is some other legal analysis that is floating around. I have yet had time to dig into and read that, but it has always been the case, that is tradition and I think it is statutory law, that federal employees be paid, and that’s my position. And I think they should be,” the speaker said. “They should not be subjected to harm and financial dire straits because Chuck Schumer wants to play political games.”
He also threw cold water on the idea of bringing the House back to vote on separate legislation to pay members of the military, saying House Democrats had their chance to support the continuing resolution that would have avoided the shutdown.
“Hakeem Jeffries and the House Democrats … are clamoring to get back here and have another vote, because some of them want to get on record and say they’re for paying the troops. We already had that vote. It’s called the CR,” Johnson said. “Every Republican and at least one Democrat had the common sense to say, ‘Of course we want the government to stay in operation, of course we want to pay our troops and our air traffic controllers and our Border Patrol agents, TSA and everybody else.’ We did have that vote.”
He continued: “They live with that vote. They made that decision. The House is done. The ball is now in the Senate’s court. It does us no good to be here dithering on show votes.”
The speaker said Republicans are “not asking the Democrats to do anything heroic.”
“We’re asking them to do their basic duty and responsibility,” Johnson said. “I’m sorry, I’m aggravated. The first responsibility of the government is to protect the people. And the people who are supposed to be protected are being completely cheated by Democrats in the Senate because they want to play politics.” 
The Senate is set to begin a series of votes at 11:20 a.m. that will include procedural motions on advancing the Democratic and Republican plans to fund the government, according to a notice from Majority Whip John Barrasso’s office. 
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth railed against Senate Minority Leader Schumer in a post on X, pointing out that Wednesday marks one week until Oct. 15, the date when active-duty service members are set to miss their next paychecks unless lawmakers vote to reopen the government.
“T-minus 7 days until @SenSchumer’s vanity shutdown means our great troops won’t get paid,” Hegseth said, accusing the Democratic leader of caring “WAY MORE about his own reelection” than “the essential paycheck of our SELFLESS troops.”
The date is seen as a possible leverage point for Republicans as they push to peel off Democratic support for a measure to keep the government funded until Nov. 21. Meanwhile, President Trump pledged Sunday at an event to mark the Navy’s 250th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia, to “get our service members every last penny” despite the government shutdown. 
“Don’t worry about it,” Mr. Trump said. “It’s all coming, it’s coming.”
But exactly how the issue would be resolved remains to be seen. On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would be open to an emergency measure to pay members of the military that would come separately from a broader bill to open the government. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly chimed in at the news conference, adding, “you don’t need that.”
“Obviously there are certain constituencies, many of whom are going to be impacted in a very negative way by what’s happening here,” Thune said. “But the simplest way to end it is not try to exempt this group or that group or that group, it’s to get the government open.”
A suggestion by the White House on Tuesday that furloughed workers are not entitled to back pay at the end of the shutdown was met with pushback from members of both parties on Capitol Hill, with some Republicans saying the memo that floated the issue was not helping.
A 2019 law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump has been widely interpreted to guarantee back pay for furloughed workers after a funding lapse, but a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget said that might not be the case. The legal analysis asserted that the law meant that Congress would have to approve back pay for furloughed workers.
President Trump, asked to comment on whether furloughed workers would get back pay, said at the White House that “I would say it depends on who we’re talking about.”
Republicans on Capitol Hill on Tuesday said they believed furloughed workers would get paid after a shutdown.
“I haven’t looked at the memo specifically yet. My assumption is that furloughed workers will get back pay,” Majority Leader John Thune said. 
House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “I hope that the furloughed workers receive back pay, of course.”
Sen. Tom Tillis of North Carolina said he believed it was a “strategic mistake” to let furloughed workers  “think that they could potentially not get back pay.”
“I don’t think that that is a helpful discussion right now,” he said.
On Day 8 of the shutdown, the only event on the president’s schedule, aside from his usual intelligence briefing, is participating in a “roundtable on ANTIFA,” according to the White House. 
The president last month designated the loosely affiliated left-wing movement, short for “anti-fascist,” as a “major terrorist organization.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is in Portland, where the president has said ICE facilities have been “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.” 
State and local officials have strongly disputed that characterization, and accused the administration of inflaming tensions on the ground. A federal judge has blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to the city.
The Senate is set to hold procedural votes midday Wednesday on dueling measures to fund the government, trying to break the impasse for a sixth time after the bills last fell short of the 60 votes needed on Monday.
The chamber has repeatedly voted on the measures as Republicans have aimed to peel off support from Democrats for their measure. Republicans have been pushing for a House-passed measure to keep the government funded until Nov. 21, while Democrats have a separate measure to fund the government through October that would also extend health insurance tax credits, which has become Democrats’ key demand in the funding fight. 
Republicans failed to pick up any new support for their measure on Monday. And with 53 Republicans in the upper chamber, support from Democrats is needed to advance a measure to fund the government. 
Just one Democrat initially crossed the aisle to support the bill in a vote last month. But on the next vote, which came last week, two more senators crossed the aisle to back it. Since then, Republicans have been unable to peel off any additional support from Democrats in two more attempts.
Airports in U.S. cities including Denver; Newark, New Jersey; and Burbank, California, experienced flight delays Monday amid shortages of air traffic controllers, according to federal flight data. 
Federal officials have flagged more air traffic control facilities for low staffing levels in recent days than they have since the summer of 2022, when the post-COVID travel boom sent delays and cancellations soaring, according to a CBS News data analysis of Federal Aviation Administration airspace advisories.
Flights into Hollywood Burbank Airport, which serves Los Angeles, were slowed until 1 a.m. Tuesday, resulting in average delays of 2.5 hours, FAA data shows. No air traffic controllers were on duty on Monday evening at the airport, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a social media post.
According to CBS News Los Angeles, plane captains taking off from the Burbank airport were being asked to contact SoCal Approach, a San Diego-based company also known as Southern California TRACON, so they could communicate and get departure clearance. 
Read more here.
As House GOP leaders have kept the lower chamber away from Washington to put pressure on the Senate to adopt a House-passed measure to fund the government, an effort to force a vote on a measure that would compel the Justice Department to release materials related to Epstein has also been stalled in recent weeks.
GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California have been leading the effort, known as a discharge petition, to force the vote, which is on the verge of succeeding once lawmakers return. House GOP leaders have opposed putting the legislation on the floor, arguing it doesn’t do enough to protect victims. Though leaders control what receives a vote, a discharge petition enables members of the lower chamber to bypass leadership if they can get a majority, 218, to sign on.
The petition currently stands at 217 signatures, including all Democrats and four Republicans. And the House’s newest member, Adelita Grijalva, won a special election last month and is expected to deliver the final signature. But her swearing-in has been delayed with the House in recess. Massie has accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of “doing everything he can” to block a vote on the bill. 
When asked Tuesday whether the delay in Grijalva’s swearing in had anything to do with the Epstein petition, Johnson told reporters it has “nothing to do with that at all” and reiterated that she will be sworn in once the House returns.
Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
Copyright ©2025 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.

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October 8, 2025 – After years of battling regulatory uncertainty, XRP, the digital asset associated with Ripple Labs, has definitively shed its legal shackles, ushering in a new era of clarity and institutional interest. The resolution of the protracted U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit in August 2025 has not only de-risked the asset but has also ignited a fervent anticipation for spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), positioning XRP for a potential sustained price recovery above the crucial $3 mark. This pivotal moment is reshaping market dynamics, fostering a wave of optimism across the crypto ecosystem, and setting a significant precedent for other digital assets grappling with regulatory ambiguity.
The SEC’s nearly five-year legal saga against Ripple Labs concluded in August 2025 with a settlement that saw Ripple agree to pay a $125 million fine, a substantial reduction from earlier demands. Crucially, the settlement upheld the 2023 court ruling that programmatic sales of XRP on secondary markets are not securities transactions, while direct institutional sales by Ripple were. This distinction has provided XRP with a unique level of regulatory clarity in the United States, a stark contrast to many other digital assets still operating in a gray area. The immediate market reaction was overwhelmingly positive, leading to a significant surge in XRP’s price and renewed confidence from investors and platforms. This clarity matters immensely for the crypto ecosystem, as it not only validates XRP’s utility but also potentially signals a more innovation-friendly regulatory approach by U.S. authorities, encouraging broader institutional engagement across the digital asset space.
The conclusion of the SEC lawsuit in August 2025 and the subsequent launch of the first spot XRP ETF in September 2025 have fundamentally reshaped XRP’s market dynamics. Prior to the lawsuit’s resolution, XRP’s price was largely constrained by regulatory overhang, often exhibiting sideways movement. However, the definitive legal clarity triggered an “explosive” market reaction, with XRP’s price soaring to multi-year highs.
As of early October 2025, XRP has been trading robustly, hovering between $2.86 and $2.97, reflecting a 3.87% rise in the preceding seven days. This recovery comes after a broader market “dump” that began around September 22, 2025, from which XRP is now actively rebounding. Trading volume has shown an increase, with 24-hour volumes reported between $6 billion and $10 billion on October 8, 2025, indicating heightened market activity. Notably, significant whale activity was observed in late September and early October 2025, with an estimated 250 million XRP bought, potentially fueling the recent price recovery.
The $3 price target has emerged as a critical psychological and technical resistance level for XRP since August 2025. While XRP has been “struggling to surpass the $3 mark,” analysts believe a strong daily close above this level is crucial to confirm a bullish continuation, potentially leading to a rise towards $3.40 and even $3.60. Critical support levels are identified around $2.80, with a more immediate local support at $2.9618, and a long-term ascending trendline providing dynamic support in the $2.50-$3.00 range. Ambitious predictions, driven by potential ETF inflows, eye targets of $5.50 to $9.00 by the end of 2025, with some forecasts reaching $12 or higher if institutional demand truly accelerates. The launch of the first US-listed spot XRP ETF, REX-Osprey XRPR, on September 18, 2025, with a record-breaking $37.7 million in first-day volume, underscores strong institutional appetite, though some reports suggest the initial ETF buzz hasn’t fully translated into sustained buying pressure compared to other major cryptocurrencies.
The XRP community, famously known as the “XRP Army,” is currently buzzing with overwhelmingly positive sentiment, reverberating across platforms like Crypto Twitter (X) and Reddit. The definitive conclusion of the SEC lawsuit in August 2025 has been widely celebrated as a “vindication” and a testament to their unwavering loyalty. Discussions frequently revolve around bullish price predictions, with many analysts and community members forecasting XRP to reach $10-$20 (or even higher) if the anticipated spot ETFs are approved. The sentiment has shifted from cautious skepticism to enthusiastic anticipation for XRP’s future, often encapsulated in the rallying cry, “XRP loyalty deserves more than words,” reflecting expectations for concrete support from exchanges and broader market recognition.
Crypto influencers and thought leaders, many of whom were staunch advocates for XRP during its legal challenges, have hailed the settlement as a “crucial step towards greater mainstream adoption.” Prominent ETF analysts, including Nate Geraci, and Bloomberg analysts have expressed strong optimism regarding impending spot XRP ETF approvals, suggesting that “crypto ETF floodgates are set to open soon.” Juan Leon, Senior Investment Strategist at Bitwise Asset Management (BITW), specifically praised the “XRP Army’s” support, noting that the regulatory clarity has “freed XRP from its biggest regulatory hurdle,” allowing its price potential to be more closely tied to adoption and ecosystem expansion. However, some recent discussions in early October 2025 also exhibit caution due to technical bearish signals and selling by mid-level holders, alongside concerns about the impact of government shutdown-induced ETF delays.
The newfound legal clarity has galvanized the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem, sparking “renewed interest and investment” from developers and projects. There is a strong expectation that more decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, NFT projects, and Web3 applications will integrate with or build upon the XRPL, leveraging its speed, low transaction costs, and now, regulatory certainty. Several significant XRPL upgrades and developments have either launched recently or are underway in 2025. These include an EVM-compatible sidechain, the v2.5.0 protocol upgrade introducing escrow functions, the native integration of the USDC stablecoin, and the launch of a community governance DAO platform, XAO. Critically, Multipurpose Tokens (MPTs), a new native token standard for issuing real-world assets (RWAs) with built-in compliance controls, went live on the XRPL mainnet in October 2025. Furthermore, VS1 Finance officially launched in October 2025 as the “first institutional-grade decentralized finance hub built natively on the XRP Ledger ecosystem,” offering AI-powered trade solutions, portfolio optimization, and yield generation. Ripple’s partnership with Ondo Finance to bring tokenized U.S. Treasuries to the XRPL is another key development, and Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) platform had already facilitated $1.3 trillion in cross-border transactions by mid-2025.
The crypto market, and XRP specifically, is experiencing a transformative period in October 2025. The definitive resolution of the SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit in August 2025 has provided “long-awaited legal clarity” for XRP, transforming it from a speculative asset shadowed by legal ambiguities into a more legitimate financial instrument. This clarity has significantly de-risked XRP for institutional investors and is expected to boost institutional confidence.
In the short term, the market is bracing for significant price rallies and increased volatility for XRP. The conclusion of the SEC lawsuit has already led to an “explosive” market reaction, with XRP’s price soaring to multi-year highs. Expectations of spot XRP ETF approvals in October 2025 are fueling further price appreciation, with some predictions placing XRP between $3.25-$3.62 in the short term, and potentially reaching $4 by the end of October. These approvals are expected to trigger substantial capital inflows, with estimates ranging from $5 to $11 billion in the first year alone, potentially driving XRP to new price discovery levels. This influx, combined with historically low XRP availability on exchanges, could create a “supply shock,” forcing holders to sell at higher prices.
Long-term implications suggest XRP is transitioning from a speculative asset to a mainstream financial instrument, solidifying its role as a bridge currency for global payments. Regulatory clarity and ETF approvals are accelerating institutional adoption, with XRP increasingly seen as a model for regulated crypto integration. This also sets a significant precedent that could influence regulatory frameworks for other digital assets in the U.S. Ripple’s application for a U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) banking license, with a decision anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026, could further cement XRP’s role in traditional finance. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem is also poised for growth, with plans for privacy tools and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs) to attract institutional liquidity for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and compliant DeFi.
Key catalysts to watch include the SEC’s decisions on pending spot XRP ETF applications (expected between October 18-25, 2025, with some extensions to November), Ripple’s OCC banking license approval (late 2025/early 2026), and the continued expansion of Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service and global partnerships. Strategic considerations for projects include prioritizing regulatory compliance, focusing on real-world utility, and building robust, interoperable ecosystems. For investors, it’s crucial to evaluate regulatory status, closely monitor ETF developments for their potential to unlock substantial institutional capital, and assess the underlying utility and adoption of cryptocurrencies beyond speculative hype.
For crypto investors and enthusiasts, the current landscape surrounding XRP represents a pivotal moment. The definitive resolution of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit against Ripple in August 2025 has been a game-changer, providing unprecedented regulatory clarity by reaffirming that XRP is not a security in secondary-market transactions. This legal victory has significantly de-risked the asset, restoring institutional confidence and paving the way for mainstream adoption.
While XRP’s price experienced a significant surge following the lawsuit’s conclusion, reaching multi-year highs, the journey to decisively break above the $3 mark remains a key challenge. As of early October 2025, XRP is trading robustly near this psychological barrier, with strong institutional interest fueled by the launch of the first spot XRP ETF and anticipation for further approvals. However, ongoing delays in some spot XRP ETF decisions and broader political uncertainties could introduce short-term volatility. Despite these potential headwinds, the long-term significance of XRP is underscored by its fundamental utility in cross-border payments, its growing institutional adoption, and the continuous development of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem with innovations like privacy-preserving transactions and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs) for Real-World Assets (RWAs). Ripple’s pursuit of a U.S. national bank charter also signals a strategic move to further integrate XRP into the traditional financial system.
Key takeaways for investors include prioritizing assets with clear regulatory standing, closely monitoring ETF developments for their potential to unlock substantial institutional capital, and assessing the underlying utility and adoption of cryptocurrencies beyond speculative hype. Important dates and metrics to monitor include the SEC’s decisions on multiple spot XRP ETF applications (October 18-25, 2025, with some extensions to November), Ripple’s OCC banking license decision (late 2025/early 2026), and key technical price levels (support around $2.74-$2.80, resistance at $3.00, $3.10-$3.15, and $3.30). Observing institutional inflows, the expansion of RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), and broader macroeconomic indicators will also be crucial for navigating XRP’s trajectory in the coming months and years.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk.

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March 12, 2025 Rhoda Gistlover Entertainment 0
Nollywood actress Bakare Zainab celebrated another year of life in grand style, sharing breathtaking new photos on Instagram to mark her special day. The talented star looked radiant as she showcased her beauty and elegance in a series of stunning outfits, much to the delight of her fans and followers.
Captioning one of the photos, Zainab expressed gratitude for the new chapter in her life, reflecting on her journey and achievements. Her post quickly gathered thousands of likes and comments from admirers, colleagues, and well-wishers who flooded her page with heartfelt birthday messages.
The actress, known for her remarkable performances in the Nigerian film industry, continues to captivate audiences with her talent and charm. As she steps into a new year, fans eagerly anticipate more exciting projects from the beloved screen star.
She Wrote:
”A Blissful, Peaceful And Blessed Year!!
Renewed Strength
Renewed Destiny
Flawless Glory
Abba’s Favorite Daughter
My Prayers Are Answered 🙏🙏
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABIKE BAKARE
SAY A PRAYER FOR ME FAM 🥰”
See photos below:
In other news, A man has taken social media by storm after a video emerged showing him performing push-ups on a power line.
The viral footage, originally shared on TikTok, captures the daring individual gripping high-voltage cables while executing the workout.
It remains uncertain whether the power line was live, as he appeared to hold onto it with his bare hands without any visible safety equipment.
How he managed to climb onto the power line and why he chose such a risky location for his workout remain unanswered questions.
As the clip spreads across platforms, concerned viewers have flooded the comment section with a mix of shock and disbelief.

Copyright © 2025 Gistlover Media. All Rights Reserved

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Watch Government Shutdown’s Impact on Crypto  Bloomberg.com
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The bullish sentiment that Pi Network brought at the beginning of the year quickly disappeared. It is currently trading around $0.2618, which is approximately 91% lower than its all-time high. Since its downfall started in March, it came closer to hitting a new low than making another high. 
Many investors and users gave up on the coin amid its price fall and allegations of being a scam. But some remained optimistic and believed that it could rise again in 2026.
Pi Coin Prediction for 2026
According to data from Coincodex, the long-term forecast chart shows a bullish trend in Pi with potential highs of $1.10 and lows of $ 0.179873. But to reach $1 per coin, Pi has to wait till 2030 because the highest Pi could reach in 2026 is $ 0.715395. 
Pi network has partnered with KYB-approved exchanges and on-ramp providers like TransFi, making it accessible in over 100 countries. This is part of a broader strategy to attract more adoption, which will automatically push the price without any selling pressure. 
What Are Experts Saying?
While many users believed that $1 peg could help Pi succeed in peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, Dr Altcoin, a crypto expert, openly disagreed. He said that Pi does not need to be pegged $1 like a stablecoin because the success depends on adoption, trust, utility, and safety in the ecosystem rather than price.
Citing Pi’s large community strength and long-term fundamentals, he even declared that Pi will reach $314 within five years. 
Moreover, expert Kim H Wong said in mid-September that Pi could reach $40 to $75 by 2030. He also reiterated that despite all the hurdles the network has faced this year, the token remains a safe bet. 
FAQs
Some analysts project Pi Coin could reach $1, but not until around 2030. Its success depends on widespread adoption and ecosystem utility, not just price.
urrent projections indicate 1 Pi Coin may trade with a maximum price near $0.26 in 2025, highlighting a period of potential consolidation and growth.
Long-term forecasts suggest 1 Pi Coin could reach up to $1.10 by 2030, with its success hinging on widespread ecosystem adoption and trust.
Future Pi Coin prices are speculative, with expert predictions ranging from $0.72 in 2026 to over $300 in five years, underscoring its high-risk, high-reward nature.
Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2025, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2025 TradingView, Inc.

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