In today's crypto news (October 18, 2024), Bitcoin continues its surge, approaching the $68,000 mark, sparking increased market activity and leading to significant liquidations worth nearly $300 million. This price recovery has generated optimism in the market, but some are cautious about potential corrections.

Meanwhile, the crypto industry is seeing further regulatory scrutiny. Italy has proposed raising capital gains taxes on Bitcoin from 26% to 42%, which could impact investor sentiment in the region. Additionally, there is speculation that the U.S. SEC may delay or reject new crypto ETF proposals, particularly related to Ripple (XRP), adding to market uncertainty.

On the innovation front, Kraken has launched wrapped Bitcoin (kBTC) on Ethereum and OP Mainnet, contributing to the growing DeFi ecosystem.

These events reflect both growth and challenges within the crypto space, as market participants react to regulatory shifts and technological developments.