Bitcoin tops $111K; Stellar plans protocol upgrade; Chainlink wins Swift Hackathon

What shipped

Today, the cryptocurrency market is buzzing with positive momentum, as several leading digital assets have seen notable price increases over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin, the original and most well-known cryptocurrency, has surged past the $111,000 mark, representing a 4.4% increase in just one day. Ethereum, the platform that powers countless decentralized applications, also enjoyed a strong rally, climbing to over $4,000 with a 4.75% gain.

Other projects in the spotlight include Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR), Flare Network (FLR), and XDC Network (XDC). Each of these has shown encouraging price movements, with XDC Network leading the group at nearly a 9.5% increase. These price gains reflect growing interest and confidence in various blockchain ecosystems beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum.

On the development front, Stellar is preparing for an important protocol upgrade vote aimed at fixing state archival inconsistencies. This upgrade is designed to improve how the blockchain stores and accesses historical data, helping maintain network reliability and efficiency. The Stellar community’s active participation in governance highlights the decentralized spirit of blockchain technology.

Additionally, Chainlink, a popular decentralized oracle network that connects blockchains with real-world data, recently published its Q3 2025 review and announced that it won the Swift Hackathon Business Challenge. This recognition underscores Chainlink’s role in enhancing blockchain usability by securely feeding off-chain data into smart contracts.

Why it matters

Price movements, especially upward trends, are encouraging signs for both seasoned and new investors. When Bitcoin and Ethereum rise, it often signals renewed confidence in the broader crypto market. This can lead to more adoption, investment, and development, which benefits everyone involved in the ecosystem.

Improvements like Stellar’s protocol upgrade are crucial because they ensure blockchain networks remain fast, secure, and reliable as they grow. Archival inconsistencies refer to issues with how old data is stored and accessed, which, if left unresolved, could cause delays or errors in transaction history. Fixing these issues helps maintain trust in the network and supports the development of new applications.

Chainlink’s achievements highlight the growing importance of oracles—services that bring real-world information such as price feeds, weather data, or sports scores onto blockchains. This capability unlocks many new use cases for smart contracts, making decentralized finance (DeFi), insurance, and gaming more powerful and accessible.

Moreover, the news that Japan is considering allowing banks to trade digital assets like Bitcoin is a significant regulatory development. Japan has long been a leader in cryptocurrency adoption, and enabling banks to participate more fully could boost market liquidity and mainstream acceptance worldwide.

Builders’ corner

For developers and project builders, this is an exciting time filled with opportunities and advancements:

Stellar Protocol Upgrade: Developers working on Stellar-based applications should prepare for the upcoming protocol vote and potential changes. Participating in community discussions and testing new features will be key to ensuring smooth transitions.
Chainlink’s DataLink: This new product aims to bring institutional-grade market data directly on-chain. Builders can explore integrating DataLink into DeFi projects or other smart contracts to access reliable, transparent data feeds.
Ripple and Stellar Ecosystems: Both networks continue emphasizing open infrastructure and interoperability. Builders interested in cross-border payments or asset tokenization may find exciting tools and collaborations emerging soon.
Flare and XDC Networks: These platforms focus on expanding smart contract capabilities and enterprise blockchain solutions. Developers targeting hybrid use cases that combine public and private blockchains should explore their latest updates.

Engaging with these communities through forums, developer calls, and hackathons can provide valuable insights and early access to new features.

Quick prices

Here’s a snapshot of current prices and their 24-hour changes as of October 20, 2025:

Bitcoin (BTC): $111,109 (+4.41%)
Ethereum (ETH): $4,043 (+4.75%)
Ripple (XRP): $2.47 (+5.92%)
Stellar (XLM): $0.33 (+6.26%)
Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.18 (+8.42%)
Flare Network (FLR): $0.0176 (+0.05%)
XDC Network (XDC): $0.065 (+9.49%)

What to watch

Looking ahead, here are some key developments and events to keep an eye on:

Stellar’s Protocol Upgrade Vote: The community’s decision next week could introduce important improvements affecting network performance and data handling.
Japan’s Regulatory Moves: Watch for official announcements on whether Japanese banks will be authorized to hold and trade digital assets, potentially influencing global markets.
Chainlink’s Continued Innovation: As Chainlink rolls out new products like DataLink, expect more integrations with institutional data providers and DeFi projects.
Market Sentiment: With Bitcoin and Ethereum rallying, investor confidence may grow, but it’s wise to stay informed about global economic factors and regulatory news.
Cross-Chain and Interoperability Projects: Networks like Flare and XDC are working on connecting different blockchains—this area could see rapid growth and new use cases.

For anyone new to cryptocurrency, these updates show a vibrant industry constantly evolving with new technology, partnerships, and regulatory progress. Staying curious and informed can help you make smart decisions as you explore blockchain investing and development.

TL;DR: Bitcoin and Ethereum have rallied strongly, with Bitcoin crossing $111K. Stellar is preparing a key protocol upgrade to improve network data handling. Chainlink won a major hackathon and introduced new tools for on-chain market data. Japan is considering allowing banks to trade digital assets, signaling growing mainstream acceptance. Builders should explore upcoming upgrades and innovations across Ripple, Stellar, Flare, and XDC networks to stay ahead in the evolving blockchain space.

Sources

Keep us honest — cross-check our latest

We encourage readers to sanity-check today’s brief against our recent coverage. Start here:

Bitcoin tops $111K; Stellar plans protocol upgrade; Chainlink wins Swift Hackathon