Crypto News October 29: Market Falls 1.3% Amid PCE and Fed Data

Bitcoin Falls, IDOL Jumps 60%, Allium Hack, Fed Crypto News and More

The market turns red today. The global crypto market cap fell 1.3% to $2.77 trillion as Bitcoin and Ethereum slipped; sentiment held at Neutral, and regulation, security incidents, and Fed commentary shaped the crypto news.

Key takeaways

• The global crypto market cap stood at $2.77 trillion, down 1.3%, with total trading volume at $69.3 billion.

• Bitcoin fell 1.7% to $79,830.39 and Ethereum dropped 2.4% to $2,307.14. Bitcoin dominance is 57.8%.

• MEET48 (IDOL) led the gainers with a 60.0% rise, while Axis Robotics (AXIS) had the sharpest fall at 33.2%.

• The Fear and Greed Index stayed at 51 (Neutral), down 17 points from last week and 22 from last month.

• Stablecoin market cap slipped 0.4% to $295 billion, while DeFi fell 3.4% to $73.89 billion.

Crypto Market Update Today: Prices, Volume & Trends

According to CoinGecko data recorded on October 29, 2026, at 4:15 AM UTC, the global crypto market capitalization stood at $2.77 trillion, down by 1.3%. Total trading volume was $69.3 billion. Bitcoin dominance is 57.8%, and Ethereum holds 10.2%. Frog-Themed and The Boy’s Club were the strongest-performing categories over the past day.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Today

(Note: BTC and ETH are often viewed as less volatile historically, but still risky. The data recorded from Official CoinGecko Data on 29 October 2026 at 4:15 AM UTC). BTC and ETH are often seen as less volatile than other coins, but both remain risky.

• Bitcoin price today is $79,830.39, down 1.7% over 24 hours. Its trading volume was about $26.49 billion, and its market cap is around $1.6 trillion.

• Ethereum price today is $2,307.14, down 2.4%. Its market cap is near $281.6 billion and 24-H trading volume of $10.43. 

Top Trending Crypto Coins Price in 24 Hours

Several trending assets also posted notable moves over the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin stands out for its volume, which was far higher than the other trending tokens. Lighter had the steepest drop, while Kinetiq posted the biggest gain, and Pepe was the only other coin in the group to rise.

Top Crypto Gainers and Losers in 24 Hours

Top 3 gainers (ranked by 24-hour gain):

Top 3 losers (ranked by 24-hour loss):

MEET48 led the gains, while Axis Robotics had the sharpest fall. Moves this large should be read alongside market cap, liquidity and volume, because smaller or thinly traded tokens can jump or drop quickly.

Stablecoins and DeFi Market Update 

The weakness did not hit every part of the market equally.

• Stablecoins: market cap is $295 billion, down 0.4%. Trading volume was about $62.29 billion.

• DeFi: market cap fell 3.4% to $73.89 billion. Volume was about $4.35 billion, and sector dominance is 2.7%.

DeFi covers blockchain-based financial apps such as decentralized exchanges and lending protocols.

Crypto Fear and Greed Index Today

Source: Alternative Me

The Fear and Greed Index stands at 51 (Neutral) on October 29, according to the historical values provided. It was also 51 yesterday and 68 a week ago. A month ago it was 73, in Greed.

The reading has held steady over the past day, but it is down 17 points from last week and 22 points from last month. Sentiment has cooled from the Greed zone into Neutral, so the market is no longer leaning optimistic, though it has not moved into fear.

Major Crypto Market Events Today

Source: Forex Factory

Today’s calendar (October 29) is led by US data and central bank events. The FOMC Press Conference opens the day, followed later by Advance GDP q/q (forecast 3.2%), Core PCE Price Index m/m (0.3%), and Unemployment Claims (198K). In Europe, the ECB announces its Main Refinancing Rate (forecast 2.65%) with a press conference at 7:15 pm.

Top 11 Crypto News Today

Beyond crypto market prices, several developments could influence sentiment, regulation, infrastructure and institutional activity.

1. ASIC Sees No Prediction Market Applications: ASIC Chair Sarah Court said on October 29 that no prediction market operator has applied for an Australian license, and approval thresholds would be high.

2. EIP-8450 Simplifies Post-Quantum Shift: Ethereum developer Kevaundray Wedderburn proposed EIP-8450 on October 28, letting validators’ existing BLS keys register and replace post-quantum keys to simplify Ethereum’s upcoming quantum-safe transition.

3. Pravang Halts Services After Hack: Korean exchange Pravang suspended all services after hackers drained about 100 million KRW from its hot wallet on October 24. It will compensate users fully.

4. Tether Freezes 33 TRON Addresses: Tether froze at least 33 TRON addresses holding about $27 million in USDT on October 28, TrustSniffer data shows. It has not explained the reason.

5. Verda Ventures Founders Join Tether: Verda Ventures founding partner Alex Witt and partner Amit are joining Tether. The firm will stop new investments but keep supporting its 28 portfolio companies.

6. Allium Reports Security Incident: Blockchain data provider Allium found unauthorized system access on October 25. Core services are back online; some features remain unavailable while an independent investigation continues.

7. Standard Asset Company Backs Bitcoin: Abu Dhabi-based Standard Asset Company plans a $1.5 billion strategy across Bitcoin and UAE real estate, with Coinbase Asset Management as its exclusive Bitcoin manager.

8. OFAC Targets North Korean IT Workers: OFAC sanctioned 10 individuals and one entity on October 28 for helping North Korean IT workers use false identities and move crypto income, reaching Garantex.

9. Hifi Finance Hit by Governance Attack: Hifi Finance suffered a suspected governance attack, per Spreek. The attacker minted 25 million HIFI tokens and drained about $1 million in collateral, mostly RWAs.

10. PCE Data Eyed for Rate Clues: September PCE inflation is forecast at 3.61% year over year as higher oil prices lift energy costs, offering key clues on a December rate hike.

11. Warsh Signals Fed Wait-and-See Mode: Fed Chair Warsh said inflation remains elevated and the Fed is in wait-and-see mode, with 6 policy meetings planned for 2028, down from 8 now.

Impact of PCE Inflation and Fed data on Overall Crypto Market

Higher inflation data tends to weigh on crypto, because it can delay rate cuts or raise the odds of a hike. September PCE is forecast at 3.61% year over year, driven by higher oil prices, and the market is already watching for a possible December rate hike.

Fed Chair Warsh said inflation remains elevated and the Fed rate cut decision is in wait-and-see mode, which keeps policy uncertain. Higher rates strengthen the dollar and Treasury yields, making risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum less attractive.

With sentiment at 51 (Neutral) and Bitcoin down 1.7%, a hot PCE reading could add pressure, while a softer one could support a recovery. Smaller altcoins would likely react most.

Comparative Insight: What Changed Today?

Large-cap and small-cap moves differed sharply. Bitcoin and Ethereum fell a modest 1.7% and 2.4%, while MEET48 jumped 60.0% and Axis Robotics dropped 33.2%. Bitcoin’s $26.49 billion volume dwarfs MEET48’s $7.42 million, so its move reflects broad market flow, while the small-cap swings come from thin trading and can reverse quickly.

What Does This Crypto Market Move Mean Today?

The October 29 crypto news update shows a market that is cooling rather than breaking down. The global market cap fell 1.3%, Bitcoin and Ethereum moved lower, and DeFi lost 3.4%, while stablecoins slipped only 0.4%.

The Fear and Greed Index at 51 (Neutral) is well below last week’s 68 and last month’s 73, so optimism has faded without turning into fear.

The key divide is between large and small coins. Bitcoin and Ethereum fell modestly, but small tokens like IDOL and AXIS moved 33% to 60%. Readers should weigh volume, liquidity, and sentiment alongside percentage changes.

CoinGabbar's Market View

The October 29 crypto news points to a cautious, mixed market. Bitcoin and Ethereum weakened, DeFi declined, and sentiment slipped from Greed to Neutral. The Fed’s wait-and-see stance and today’s US data releases add uncertainty.

Large percentage gains in small tokens can mislead, because low volume and thin liquidity allow sharp reversals. Investment remains risky, especially in smaller altcoins, and nothing here confirms a clear opportunity. Bitcoin and Ethereum are less volatile but still risky.

Key areas to watch are Bitcoin’s price trend, market-wide volume, sentiment, stablecoin capitalization, and today’s economic data. This is not financial advice.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and individual digital assets can experience substantial price fluctuations or losses. Crypto news Readers should do their own research (DYOR) and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions. Availability of cryptocurrency services and assets may vary by jurisdiction.