Major DeFi protocols are adopting corporate-style token buyback mechanisms to link governance tokens directly to protocol revenue. Uniswap proposed activating protocol fees to repurchase and burn UNI tokens on November 10, while Lido introduced an automated buyback system for LDO tied to staking revenue thresholds. These initiatives represent a shift from incentive-driven growth models toward revenue-focused capital allocation strategies.

Ripple has transformed from a token issuer into a regulated financial infrastructure provider through 2025 acquisitions of Hidden Road, Palisade, GTreasury, and Rail. The company now operates Ripple Prime for trading, Ripple Custody for asset security, and Ripple Payments for settlement, all integrated with XRP and its RLUSD stablecoin. RLUSD supply surpassed $1 billion in November, according to company data.

Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported an active exploit targeting Balancer and its protocol forks on November 3, resulting in losses exceeding $128 million. Ethereum sustained approximately $100 million in losses, followed by Berachain with $12.9 million. Balancer's total value locked fell 46% from $770 million to $422 million as the breach exposed vulnerabilities in the protocol's batch swap price calculation logic.

Bitcoin reached an intraday high above $116,000 on October 27, 2025, settling near $115,587 as Ethereum approached $4,200 and Solana crossed $200. The rally followed easing selling pressure and favorable macroeconomic developments, with on-chain data showing spot and futures cumulative volume delta flattening for the first time since the October 10 sell-off. The advance triggered approximately $365 million in short liquidations across derivatives markets, affecting over 100,000 traders.