Weekly Crypto Preview: FTX's $1.6B Distribution and Starknet BTC Staking in 2025 DeFi Trends

The cryptocurrency landscape heads into Q4 2025 with pivotal events from September 29 to October 3, including FTX's third bankruptcy payout, Starknet's BTC staking launch, and major token unlocks like Sui's $137M release. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies with U.S. SEC-CFTC roundtables and U.K. AML consultations, these developments underscore 2025's focus on compliance, liquidity, and blockchain scalability. This weekly preview highlights key happenings, tokenomics impacts, and real-world implications for crypto investors navigating DeFi and stablecoin trends.

What Are the Key Events This Week?

From September 29 to October 3, 2025, the crypto space sees regulatory milestones, exchange updates, and project advancements. FTX will distribute an additional $1.6 billion to creditors on September 30, utilizing over $15 billion in recovered assets to resolve claims. Starknet enables BTC staking on mainnet September 30, slashing unstaking from 21 to 7 days for better liquidity. Ethereum's Fusaka testnet upgrade on October 1 raises gas limits to 60 million, while Optimism's Superchain 16a deploys October 2 for enhanced security. These moves reflect 2025's push toward interoperable, efficient networks.

• Regulatory Focus: U.S. SEC-CFTC roundtable September 29 on platform rules; U.K. AML consultation closes September 30.
• Exchange Actions: Binance launches Falcon Finance spot trading September 29; Coinbase rolls out AUDD/XSGD stablecoins.
• Project Milestones: Ronin RON buyback September 29; DoubleZero mainnet Beta October 2.
• Global Impact: U.S. tariffs on imports October 1 may ripple into crypto trade.

Tokenomics Highlights and Unlocks

This week's token unlocks total over $245 million, potentially pressuring prices amid DeFi's $200B TVL. Optimism (OP) unlocks 31.34 million tokens September 30 (1.74% circulation, $20.7M value), while Sui (SUI) releases 44 million October 1 (1.23%, $137M). EigenCloud (EIGEN) follows with 36.82 million (13.77%, $66.6M), Ethena (ENA) 40.63 million October 2 (0.62%, $23M), and Immutable (IMX) 24.52 million October 3 (1.26%, $18.7M). Falcon Finance (FF) debuts with 10 billion total supply, 1.5% airdrop for HODLers, and 23.4% initial circulation. Ronin's $5M buyback reduces RON circulation by 1.3%, supporting scarcity.

• Unlock Scale: $245M+ across five projects, 1-14% of circulations.
• FF Tokenomics: 10B supply; 1.5% airdrop, 150M for markets post-6 months.
• RON Buyback: $5M (890 ETH + 650K USDC) to RON, deflationary pressure.
• Staking Trend: Starknet BTC staking boosts network security with 7-day unstaking.

Why These Events Matter in 2025

2025's structural bull emphasizes regulatory clarity and scalability, with SEC-CFTC coordination potentially streamlining DeFi approvals. Stablecoin launches like AUDD/XSGD (fiat-backed, MAS-compliant) expand regional adoption, capturing 13.9% payment share akin to Litecoin. Token unlocks test liquidity amid $220B stablecoin market, but buybacks like Ronin's signal ecosystem maturity. Starknet's BTC integration aligns with RWA trends, enabling yields on Bitcoin for DeFi composability.

• Regulatory Push: AML/tax hearings foster compliant growth.
• Liquidity Dynamics: Unlocks vs. buybacks balance supply pressures.
• Scalability Wins: Fusaka/Superchain upgrades for higher TPS.
• Risk Note: Tariffs may hike costs; use audited platforms.

Real-World Applications of These Developments

FTX distributions provide creditor recovery, funding DeFi entries via stablecoins like AUDD for AUD-denominated trades. Starknet BTC staking allows Bitcoin holders to earn yields without selling, integrating into lending protocols like Aave. Ethereum's gas hike supports high-volume RWAs, while Optimism upgrades enhance cross-chain payments for remittances in emerging markets.

• Creditor Payouts: $1.6B reinvests into compliant stablecoins.
• BTC Yields: Stake on Starknet for 4-5% APY in DeFi pools.
• Stablecoin Use: AUDD/XSGD for low-fee regional transfers.
• Network Efficiency: Fusaka for scalable dApp executions.

Conclusion

This week's crypto events from September 29 to October 3, 2025—led by FTX's $1.6B payout and Starknet BTC staking—highlight regulatory evolution and DeFi liquidity in a maturing market.