JPMorgan to Accept Bitcoin, Ether as Collateral

JPMorgan Chase plans to let institutional clients pledge Bitcoin and Ethereum directly as collateral for loans globally by the end of 2025, using a third-party custodian and building on its earlier acceptance of crypto-linked ETFs. The move is part of JPMorgan's broader blockchain initiatives, including a JPMD digital deposit token, and signals deeper institutional embrace of digital assets amid looser regulation and rising demand. Softer-than-expected September CPI and renewed hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts pushed risk assets higher, with Bitcoin spiking above $110,000 (briefly ~112,000) and the S&P 500 reaching record highs. Derivatives and options metrics show easing volatility, rising open interest and increasing Bitcoin dominance while many altcoins lag, though traders cautioned about liquidity and key support levels ahead of further macro catalysts. Separately, President Trump's pardon of Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao prompted targeted accumulation and price jumps in tokens tied to Binance-related projects.