What shaped Web3 this week? Unpack Bybit Alpha, DeFi security alerts, metaverse pivots, and new NFT regulations. Stay informed! #Web3News #MetaverseTrends #CryptoDigest
Quick Video Brief! This Week’s News Explained
We break down this week’s top news stories in an easy-to-follow video format.
Even if you don’t have time to read, you can quickly grasp the key points through the video. Don’t miss it!
Web3, Metaverse & Blockchain — Weekly News Digest (2025-10-14 to 2025-10-20, JST)
John: Hi everyone — I’m John from Blockchain Bulletin, here to unpack the most important Web3, metaverse, and blockchain stories that shaped the week (2025-10-14 to 2025-10-20, JST). From exchange innovations and security alerts to major conferences and regulatory action, this digest will give you the clarity you need in a fast-moving space. If you’d like a simple starter guide to exchanges, take a look at this beginner-friendly overview.
Lila: Thanks John! Lots of buzz about new trading platforms, big conferences, and some hacks again. I keep hearing about DeFi and metaverse shake-ups too. What changed this week, and what should we watch for next?
Top Stories & Platform Moves
Lila: Wasn’t there a big rebrand at Bybit this week? What’s now called Bybit Alpha?
John: You’ve got it — on 2025-10-20, Bybit announced the rebrand of its Bybit Web3 hub to Bybit Alpha, positioning it as a one-click, seamless gateway for both new and advanced users to jump into on-chain opportunities. This move aims to merge the simple trading experience of centralized exchanges (CeFi) with access to DeFi tokens, trending assets, and liquidity pools all in one app. One highlight: Bybit Alpha users gain same-day access to trending tokens and can manage assets without switching wallets or dealing with separate gas tokens. Their first coordinated spot listing and rapid asset launches drew a reported 650% surge in traffic back in August, setting the stage for this upgrade. Looking ahead, Bybit plans to add a Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM) feature by the end of 2025, allowing users to earn staking yields directly — a first for a centralized exchange interface.
Regulatory requirements differ by jurisdiction; always check official guidance before using new platforms. [1]
Lila: Sounds easy, but is it safe? How do they pick which tokens get listed?
John: Bybit Alpha says it uses a “rigorous token selection” process — aiming to screen projects for quality and market demand before listing. Plus, all on-chain trades stay within your main Bybit account, so no separate wallets or gas. For now, it’s centralized custody, but combined with curated access to DeFi markets.[1]
Security Alerts & Protocol Risks
Lila: I heard about another hack — what happened with Abracadabra?
John: On 2025-10-15, the DeFi lending protocol Abracadabra suffered its third major hack in two years, losing about $1.8 million worth of its Magic Internet Money stablecoin due to a smart contract bug. The attacker exploited a loophole in deprecated contracts to borrow more than permitted collateral. While Abracadabra’s treasury covered the loss to stabilize users, this event is a stark reminder of ongoing risks — especially in older or unaudited smart contracts. Previously, Abracadabra had lost $13 million (2025-03) and $6.5 million (2024-01) in similar attacks.[3]
Lila: For folks trying DeFi, how can they avoid getting caught in these?
- Always check if the project’s smart contracts are audited by a reputable firm.
- Follow the project’s official communication for updates and incident disclosures.
- Start with smaller amounts, using trusted protocols.
- Read independent security reports or reviews before depositing assets.
- Consider the protocol’s track record (regular hacks are a red flag).
John: And always remember, even the most popular platforms can be vulnerable. Regulation can’t guarantee protection, especially in DeFi.
Metaverse — New Visions & Industry Shifts
Lila: The metaverse space seems to be changing all the time! What were the main stories this week?
John: On 2025-10-20, Amsterdam University released a detailed analysis of “competing visions” for the metaverse, highlighting how major companies and platforms are jostling to define its future. While visionary press and investments peaked around 2023–2024, there’s a current focus on which business models — gaming, NFTs, infrastructure, VR/AR — will stay relevant as user needs shift.[6]
Lila: Did any big metaverse projects have trouble?
John: Yes — on 2025-10-15, Futureverse, which had raised $54 million back in 2023 for “Readyverse” and other NFT/metaverse projects, announced a major restructuring. The company is now pivoting away from blockchain/NFT products to focus only on its AI business. This is noteworthy because just this April they’d acquired Candy Digital and were still being named a top innovative company. Community backlash followed, as users criticized the firm for dropping promised features.[3]
Lila: How are companies coping when the hype slows down?
John: Most are doubling down on “real utility” — like VR-based training, business networking, digital assets for real needs (events, marketing, commerce). Market research still tracks major value in the sector: the global metaverse market was valued at about $94.1 billion in 2023, with forecasts suggesting huge growth by 2032.[2]
Regulatory Actions & Policy Updates
Lila: Any regulatory changes I should know about this week?
John: A major story on 2025-10-18: Switzerland’s Gambling Supervisory Authority (GESPA) filed a criminal complaint against FIFA’s NFT platform, raising the stakes on what types of digital collectibles might qualify as regulated gambling. This case tests how NFT-based games and collectibles are treated under anti-gambling laws — and its resolution could impact NFT sales and metaverse events globally.[8]
Lila: Is this only in Switzerland, or could others follow?
John: Many countries are still building their own regulations, but cases like this set precedents. The message: NFT and token platforms should carefully check the legal status in every country they operate in.
Conferences & Community — Looking Ahead
Lila: What’s the next big community event or conference coming up?
John: The Global Blockchain Show 2025 was confirmed this week for 2025-12-10/11 in Abu Dhabi. It’s a major summit supported by the local government, uniting leaders in Web3, DeFi, gaming, and AI/blockchain integration. Among the star speakers is Yat Siu, founder of Animoca Brands, who’s been key in global NFT and gaming adoption. Expect hot topics to include real-world blockchain use, clearer regulations, and more collaboration between startups and big institutions.[5]
Lila: Any focus on social impact this time?
John: Absolutely — just ahead on 2025-11-04, the Blockchain for Good Alliance (co-founded by Bybit) and the UNDP AltFinLab will hold the “Blockchain Impact Forum” in Copenhagen. The gathering spotlights global builders using Web3 for UN Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting projects from BGA’s startup incubator.[9]
Markets — Quick Pulse
Lila: Did the crypto markets have any big moves over the week?
John: Yes — at the close of the week (2025-10-19), Bitcoin remained above $111,000 and Ethereum held steady at over $4,000. Nine of the top ten cryptocurrencies clocked gains — echoing renewed optimism as institutional investment continues to rise.[11]
Lila: Do price rallies mean more projects are launching?
John: It’s a factor: reports show $9.8 billion in venture capital entering Web3 in Q2 2025, with a shift away from “speculative tokens” to infrastructure, security, and compliant DeFi. Builders are getting more selective about what comes next.[7]
Trends & Tips — Staying Safe and Smart
Lila: So what trends should regular users and builders keep an eye on now?
- Integrations of AI and blockchain — especially for smarter, safer metaverse avatars and virtual assistants.
- More focus on “interoperability” — making it easier to transfer assets and identity across platforms.
- Big tech, gaming, and health companies joining the metaverse with workplace and training tools.
- Layered compliance: expect more checks on tokens, NFTs, and DeFi for legal clarity before launch.
John: And as always, double-check new projects for audits, transparency, and clear support channels. Never share passwords or sign unknown wallet requests. If you need fundamentals, this global guide can help clarify how to pick the right platform for you!
Lila: Thanks, John! This makes it a lot easier to see what really matters week to week. I’ll keep my eyes open for those hack reports and conference updates.
This article was created based on publicly available, verified sources. References:
- Bybit Web3 Transforms into Bybit Alpha, A One-Click Smart Gateway
- Top 10 Metaverse Crypto Projects to Watch in 2025
- Web3 is Going Just Great
- What’s next for the internet? Competing visions for the metaverse
- Global Blockchain Show 2025 to spotlight Web3 innovation
- Blockchain for Good Alliance and UNDP AltFinLab Launch Blockchain Impact Forum
- Crypto Market October 2025 – Bitcoin, Ethereum Lead Rally
- How Venture Capital and Web3 Are Converging In 2025
- Regulatory Risks in NFTs and the Metaverse: FIFA Collect