Web3, Metaverse & Blockchain — Weekly News Digest (2025-10-21 to 2025-10-27, JST)
John: Hi everyone, it’s John from Blockchain Bulletin—your go-to spot for beginner-friendly takes on all things Web3, metaverse, and blockchain. This week’s digest covers the biggest stories from the past seven days: from global outages and record-setting stablecoin volumes to new gaming breakthroughs, ETF launches in Asia, and a high-profile hacker on the move. Why does this matter? These major moments showcase how decentralized tech keeps evolving—and why it’s shaping digital life everywhere. If you’d like a simple starter guide to exchanges, take a look at this beginner-friendly overview.
Lila: Hi all! Lots of people want to know how crypto keeps running even during big internet outages, and which games or investments everyone is talking about this week. John, can you help explain what’s actually changing right now?
Top Stories & Market Moves
Lila: Was there really an internet outage last week? Did it affect crypto and Web3 sites too?
John: Yes. On 2025-10-20, a misconfigured software update at Amazon Web Services (AWS) US-EAST-1 caused widespread DNS failures. This impacted top apps and platforms—from Fortnite and Snapchat to trading sites and Web3 services[7]. While most users saw it as an inconvenience, it was a wake-up call for blockchain builders: relying on centralized cloud means a single bug can freeze huge parts of the decentralized economy.
Lila: How did blockchain projects handle it?
John: Chainlink Labs highlighted that their decentralized oracle network stayed fully operational during the global outage, securing over $92.5B in DeFi value[9]. That’s why projects now prioritize **decentralized infrastructure**—servers and systems not controlled by one company—to build truly resilient Web3 apps.
- Check uptime history of any crypto platform before investing.
- Ask if their nodes run across several locations/providers.
- Look for apps using multi-cloud setups or peer-to-peer networks.
- Always back up critical wallet data and keys locally.
Regulation & Policy Shifts
Lila: Were there any new rules or regulations this week?
John: Definitely. Stablecoins dominated the regulatory debate. On 2025-10-21, Kraken’s CEO publicly fired back at the American Bankers Association for warning against interest-bearing stablecoins. ABA claimed that new yield products could shift up to $6.6 trillion out of bank deposits, threatening traditional banking stability. Kraken argues these criticisms just block competition[9].
Lila: Do stablecoins matter for regular people?
John: Absolutely. Over the last 12 months, stablecoins processed $46 trillion in on-chain transactions—a 106% jump, now more than half of Visa’s annual volume[9]. For you, it means cheaper, faster global payments—but always check what your local regulator says before using crypto yield products (requirements differ by jurisdiction).
Lila: Anything else on the regulatory front?
John: The Bank of Japan’s Deputy Governor called for fresh prudential rules, noting stablecoins and non-bank institutions now hold close to half global financial assets outside Basel III oversight[9]. This highlights the need for official standards as crypto merges with regular finance.
Tech & Development Updates
Lila: What’s new in gaming or automation tools?
John: Mantle, a major blockchain network, announced integration of the x402 protocol on 2025-10-27. Teaming up with Questflow, this upgrade delivers **automated contracts** for Web3—making routine processes much faster while keeping everything transparent[3]. For developers, automation means fewer errors and more time to innovate.
Lila: Any big news from Web3 gaming?
John: Yes—on 2025-10-24, the latest Web3 Gaming Market Report showed the sector grew from $32.33B in 2024 to $39.65B in 2025, with predictions of $88.57B by 2029. Driver trends include cross-chain play, player voting, transparent in-game economies, and broader use of Ethereum’s Layer-2 scaling (like Immutable’s zkEVM, which powers gas-free gaming). Companies like Wemade, Animoca, Mythical, and Immutable are now leading the way with support across mobile, PC, and VR[1].
Lila: What’s “Layer-2 scaling”?
John: Layer-2 refers to solutions built atop main blockchain networks (like Ethereum) that process transactions off-chain or in batches—boosting speed and dropping costs. For games, it means smoother, cheaper play and easier asset transfers.
Metaverse: Profiles, Progress & Stocks
Lila: Are companies and investment funds still betting on the metaverse?
John: Yes—the metaverse remains hot, especially in Asia and tech/finance sectors. As of 2025-10-23, leading metaverse stocks included Robot Consulting (HR and legal automation for virtual offices), Everbright Digital (integrated marketing for virtual spaces), Global Mofy AI (virtual content and digital assets), and HUB Cyber Security (cybersecurity, quantum cloud for metaverse platforms)[4][6]. These tickers saw the highest trading volumes for the week—signaling investor interest in mature, multi-sector metaverse players.
Lila: Can you define “metaverse” really simply?
John: The metaverse is a persistent, shared 3D virtual world where people interact as digital avatars—mixing gaming, socializing, shopping, and work, using VR or AR devices and regular screens[2].
ETF Launches & Financial Innovations
Lila: Did anything big happen with ETFs or new products?
John: Yes. Standard Chartered Hong Kong revealed it will open digital asset ETF trading in November, and on 2025-10-25, ChinaAMC’s Solana spot ETF received Asian approval—the first of its kind. This continues the blending of traditional finance with crypto, making it easier for everyday investors to access blockchain-linked assets[9].
Lila: What’s an ETF?
John: An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a basket of assets you can buy or sell like a stock—offering easy access to things like crypto, stocks, or commodities.
Security Alerts & Hacker Activity
Lila: Was there any security news this week? Is crypto still risky?
John: Definitely worth watching. The hacker behind last year’s $53M Radiant Capital exploit resurfaced, laundering $10.8M in ETH through Tornado Cash and several bridges. This shows how stolen funds keep circulating and why authorities struggle to track them[9]. Always double-check wallet addresses, and don’t click suspicious links—especially now, as exchanges fight fake contracts and social media hacks.
- Fund movement can involve cross-chain swaps that obscure tracking.
- Major bridges and privacy tools—like Tornado Cash—are used to hide the trail.
- Regulators, exchanges, and users must stay alert for sudden, unexplained asset flows.
Regulatory alert: Always know your local laws when using or trading crypto assets—rules change fast and can affect safety.
Standardization & Metaverse Development
Lila: How do developers keep their apps working between different metaverse platforms?
John: On 2025-10-27, the Metaverse Standards Forum and Open Geospatial Consortium hosted the GeoPose Summit, focusing on **standardized geo-referencing**. By defining open standards for locating virtual objects in the real world, projects ensure smoother interoperability—so your avatar can jump between worlds without glitches[8].
Looking Ahead: Crypto Presales & New Products
Lila: Are there any new tokens or presales trending?
John: October 2025 saw fresh interest in presale tokens like IPO Genie (AI-powered), Wall Street Pepe (meme), and others. These projects are gaining traction thanks to smart features and viral marketing, but always research utility and team credibility before participating[5][11]. Presale investments carry extra risk, so use caution and follow official sources only.
Compliance note: Presale rules and token laws vary widely—never invest based on hype and always check the official legal status for your country.
John: That’s our round-up for a turbulent, trend-setting week—where crypto proved robust against internet outages, stablecoins reshaped global payments, and Web3 gaming broke new ground. Keep watching for regulatory updates, security tips, and the latest tools powering tomorrow’s digital worlds. And if you’d like a bit more background on exchanges, you might enjoy this global guide.
Lila: I learned so much—especially how decentralization helps keep things running smoothly, and why it pays to be careful with both new and old platforms. See you next week!
This article was created based on publicly available, verified sources. References:
- Why Web3 Needs Decentralized Infrastructure Before It’s Too Late
- Your Weekend Crypto Roundup | October 2025 (Week 4) – DeFi Planet
- Mantle Integrates X402 Protocol To Power Web3 Automation In Collaboration With Questflow
- Web3 Gaming Market Report 2025, Featuring Profiles of Wemade, Animoca, Mythical, Immutable, and Fractal Gaming
- Best Metaverse Stocks To Watch Now – October 23rd – MarketBeat
- Metaverse Stocks To Consider – October 26th – MarketBeat
- Top 5 Crypto Presales In October 2025 You Can’t Miss – FinanceFeeds
- Top 3 Cryptos To Explode In October 2025 | IPO Genie Presale
- GeoPose Summit 2025 – The Metaverse Standards Forum
- Your Guide to Accessing the Metaverse in 2025 – Vertu