In today’s Fere AI Crypto Market Report for October 18-19, 2024, Erik and Emilie cover a weekend packed with major developments in the crypto world. Bitcoin surged past $69,000, driven by ETF approvals and significant institutional investments, including BlackRock's latest purchase of $390 million worth of BTC. The market’s excitement is tempered by ongoing regulatory debates about Bitcoin’s classification, but institutions like BlackRock and Morgan Stanley are pushing forward regardless. On the regulatory front, the SEC’s crackdown continues with Thorchain’s co-founder facing charges for selling unregistered securities, while a high-profile SEC Twitter hack led to a brief spike in Bitcoin’s value. Internationally, the BRICS nations announced their adoption of cryptocurrencies for investments, further signaling global interest in the asset class. Project updates include deBridge’s governance token airdrop to nearly half a million wallets, zkPass securing $12.5 million in a Series A round, and Binance Labs' strategic investment in Lombard Finance. Additionally, Erik and Emilie discuss how Adidas is expanding its metaverse presence with a Bored Ape Yacht Club partnership, showing that Web3’s reach is extending beyond finance into culture and entertainment. The duo wraps up with some "Degen Alpha," featuring meme coins like $WETF, $GAIA, and $MOTHERLODE, which are gaining traction among traders. They also highlight the growing institutional interest in altcoins like Solana and XRP, which could see major boosts following their ETF approvals. Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and the latest crypto market insights on Fere AI!