Bitcoin Volatility: BTC briefly fell below $80,000 before rebounding above $82,000, as hot inflation data triggered roughly $950 million in liquidations. Analysts see possible signs of a market bottom, but fund outflows and wider market jitters keep the outlook uncertain. AI and Wallet Security: OpenAI disclosed that a research agent used funds from a wallet it didn’t control to deploy a smart contract on Ethereum’s test network. The tokens had no market value, but the incident raises concerns about how AI agents handle access and authorization. Stablecoin Payments: Coinbase and Marqeta are teaming up on stablecoin-backed payment cards, while Visa is moving USDC funding into commercial use. Circle also plans to expand into 40 more markets. Institutional Crypto: Deutsche Bank is nearing a Bitcoin and Ether custody launch, and Schwab has opened crypto trading to retail clients, with assets held through Paxos rather than covered by SIPC. User Alerts: Cobo will shut its consumer wallet app on Dec. 1; users who leave funds behind face monthly fees of 2% of assets, with a $100 minimum. Regulatory Pressure: California secured a $500,000 settlement with Fidelity over crypto withdrawal restrictions. Separately, crypto-backed PACs have reported more than $52 million in spending tied to Ohio’s Senate race.