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U.S. jobs data was released and exceeded expectations. Following the release of this data, the price of Bitcoin increased.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a DeFi crypto priced under $0.05, is attracting investor interest as larger cryptocurrencies show hesitation. Mutuum Finance is building a lending and borrowing platform and will launch V1 on the Sepolia Testnet in Q4 2025. The project has raised $19.30 million and has over 18,400 holders. The token, which started at $0.01 in early 2025, is now priced at $0.035, having gradually increased through structured phases. With a total supply of 4 billion tokens, 1.82 billion were allocated for early distribution, and 820 million have been sold. As Phase 6 nears completion, a nearly 20% price increase is expected in the next phase. Mutuum Finance has completed a CertiK audit with a 90/100 Token Scan score and is undergoing smart contract review by Halborn Security, including a $50K bug bounty program. The protocol plans to use Chainlink price feeds and includes a protocol-native stablecoin and future Layer-2 expansion. Whales have been allocating around $100K, and the project rewards top daily contributors with $500 in MUTM. The market is watching Mutuum Finance closely as it approaches its V1 launch and is viewed as a project with early pricing, visible progress, and upcoming usage, drawing attention during periods when larger assets struggle.

Analysts widely recommend buying stocks in Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, and Alphabet as potential investments for 2026. These companies operate in cloud infrastructure, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and online advertising. Amazon has approximately 40 Buy ratings, while Microsoft has roughly 35. All five companies generate strong free cash flow and have diversified business models. Nvidia faces higher stock volatility but is a leader in AI chip manufacturing. Apple and Alphabet have solid analyst support despite concerns about growth slowdown and regulatory issues. Analysts believe these large technology companies are positioned for sustained earnings growth and business stability.

Visa has launched a service in the U.S. that allows financial institutions like banks to settle transactions using USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. This means banks can now use USDC to finalize payments with Visa on a 24/7 basis, potentially improving efficiency and liquidity. Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are the first U.S. institutions using this system via the Solana blockchain. Visa's stablecoin settlement volume has already reached a $3.5 billion annual rate. Visa is also partnering with Circle, the issuer of USDC, to develop a new blockchain called Arc designed for large-scale payment infrastructure, with Visa planning to be a validator on this new network. A broader rollout of USDC settlement in the U.S. is expected through 2026.

Paxful, a former major peer-to-peer cryptocurrency marketplace that recently shut down, has reached agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to settle investigations into past conduct that occurred before 2023, during the time of the company's previous co-founders. Paxful pleaded guilty regarding actions taken under that previous leadership. A court date has been set for February 10, 2026, to discuss sentencing. The company has stated these agreements are the reason for the company's recent shutdown, citing that the consequences of the former founders' actions and the compliance measures needed made it impossible for the company to continue as a non-U.S.-based entity. Paxful stated that it cooperated with authorities in the investigation. Although no longer operating, Paxful says it is committed to returning any remaining user funds.

Pfizer's stock price increased even after the company warned investors that profits would be lower than expected in 2026. This is because sales of their COVID-19 vaccine, which previously brought in billions, are predicted to decline significantly as demand decreases. Despite this grim outlook, investors reacted positively, possibly because the company provided a clear picture of its future plans, and some investors had already anticipated the drop in COVID-related revenue. Pfizer now faces the challenge of replacing the lost vaccine revenue by focusing on its other drugs.

The crypto market is experiencing a downturn, influenced by weakness in the stock market. Bitcoin is currently testing a support level around $85,000-$86,000. A break below this could lead to further drops towards $80,000-$81,000, and potentially as low as $74,000-$76,000. Ethereum has fallen below the $3,000-$3,100 support level, with the next support levels around $2,750-$2,800 and then $2,600-$2,650. XRP appears the weakest and is testing a support zone of $1.80-$2.00. A weekly close below $1.80 could trigger a larger decline, with potential targets at $1.60, $1.30-$1.40, and potentially even $0.90-$1.00 in the future.

Hyperscale Data Inc., a data center company focused on AI and anchored by Bitcoin, announced that its Bitcoin holdings have reached approximately $75.5 million, which is about 97.5% of its market capitalization as of December 14, 2025. The company aims to hold Bitcoin equal to 100% of its market capitalization as part of a $100 million digital asset strategy. A subsidiary, Sentinum Inc., holds about 498.46 Bitcoin, including mined Bitcoin and Bitcoin acquired on the open market. Hyperscale Data has also set aside $31.5 million in cash for future Bitcoin purchases using a dollar-cost averaging strategy. American Bitcoin reported it has increased its Bitcoin treasury to over 5,098 BTC since its Nasdaq debut on September 3, achieving a 96.5% BTC Yield through December 14, 2025. This growth reflects an increase in Bitcoin exposure per share. The company continues to accumulate Bitcoin, adding to its balance sheet.

Shiba Inu's price is currently down and trading below its Simple Moving Average, indicating negative momentum. Futures data reveals that more money is leaving Shiba Inu than entering it. This suggests the possibility of further selling pressure on the cryptocurrency.

The U.S. economy added 64,000 jobs in November. The unemployment rate increased to 4.6%. This employment data provides insight to the current state of the economy.

Global copper consumption is expected to rise significantly, around 70%, by 2050 due to the increasing demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and AI infrastructure. This demand has pushed copper prices near record highs. Several mining companies are expanding their operations to meet this growing need. Freeport-McMoRan produced 1.2 million metric tons of copper in 2024 and aims to increase output with new leaching technology projects by 2030. BHP Group, which operates the Escondida mine, plans to spend $10-14 billion on expansion projects to add 540,000 tons of annual production. Southern Copper, known for its low production costs and high profit margins, intends to increase its capacity by over 500,000 tons by 2032. Rio Tinto is expanding its copper operations, including the Oyu Tolgoi mine, and distributes a large portion of its earnings to shareholders. Teck Resources has shifted its focus to copper after selling its coal assets, with the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 facility targeting 316,000 tons annually and aiming for 800,000 tons by 2030.

On December 15th, Ethereum ETFs experienced a significant outflow of $224.78 million. This brings the total net inflow for these ETFs to $12.86 billion, with total net assets standing at $18.27 billion, while the total value traded reached $2.10 billion. BlackRock's ETHA, despite holding the largest net assets at $10.69 billion, saw the biggest outflow at $139.09 million. Grayscale's ETHE and Fidelity's FETH also experienced outflows of $35.10 million and $10.96 million, respectively. Most Ethereum ETFs saw their market prices decrease by around 5%. Bitwise's ETHW and VanEck's ETHV also experienced notable outflows. Grayscale's ETH fund saw a $20.18 million outflow. Franklin's EZET and 21Shares TETH showed no net flow, while Invesco's QETH remained stable with no net change.

Ripple has received conditional approval to charter a National Trust Bank in the US and partnered with AMINA Bank in Switzerland for cross-border settlements. Several companies have launched spot XRP ETFs, with total net inflows reaching $1 billion. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has gained recognition in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and will be tested on layer-2 networks like Optimism and Base. Despite these developments, XRP's price is down about 6% for the week, trading around $1.93, and large investors have sold off 1.18 billion XRP tokens in the last month.

XRP is experiencing a divergence where institutions are buying more, but the price is still dropping. Institutional XRP holdings have reached about $1.12 billion, or 0.98% of XRP's total market value. Despite these inflows, the price isn't rising because there's more selling pressure than buying. Traders are mostly selling XRP futures, creating an imbalance. Buying interest in XRP futures has also decreased. A key price level to watch is $1.92; if XRP falls below it, the price could drop to $1.00. However, this weakness might benefit institutional buyers, potentially leading to price stabilization and recovery later on.

Visa is now allowing US banks and fintech companies to settle card transactions using the USDC stablecoin over the Solana blockchain, offering an alternative to traditional wire transfers. Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are the initial institutions using this system. Visa plans a broader implementation of this feature across its network by 2026. Additionally, Visa will support Circle's Arc blockchain as a design partner upon its launch.

Robinhood's stock (HOOD) experienced a 3.5% drop, closing at $115.26, even after recent strong performance. The trading volume was also lower than average. Despite this, analysts generally maintain a positive outlook with a Moderate Buy rating and an average price target of $136.32. Mizuho Securities has a higher price target of $172. The stock drop comes after Robinhood reported strong third-quarter earnings, with revenue increasing by 100% year-over-year to $1.27 billion, and its prediction markets business is expected to generate a $300 million run-rate in the fourth quarter. However, company insiders have sold a substantial amount of stock, totaling approximately $475 million in the past three months. This includes $104.8 million worth of shares sold by CEO Vladimir Tenev. Institutional investors hold a large percentage of Robinhood's stock.

Bitcoin's price is currently trading around $85,879, which is about 27% below its projected fair value of $118,010 based on a long-term mathematical model. However, the price is being held down by options market activity, specifically a high level of 'gamma,' which forces dealers to trade in ways that keep the price near $85,000. A portion of these options contracts, representing 17% of the total, will expire on December 19, potentially allowing for slightly more price movement. A larger expiration event on December 26, involving 47% of the contracts, is expected to significantly loosen this control and potentially allow Bitcoin to move closer to its projected fair value. Traders are watching these expiration dates as possible triggers for a change in Bitcoin's price trend.

The article discusses the potential impact of Federal Reserve independence on the crypto market and highlights DeepSnitch AI as a promising crypto presale for 2026. Kevin Hassett, a potential future Fed chair, stated the Fed would remain independent of political influence, meaning the market can't rely on government bailouts to increase asset prices. This could lead investors to seek higher yields in crypto presales. DeepSnitch AI, currently priced at $0.02846 after rising 87%, has raised over $820,000. The project offers AI-driven trading tools and has a large amount of staked tokens, with a January launch planned. The article mentions two other crypto projects, LiquidChain and Tapzi, with optimistic but uncertain price predictions, and emphasizes that DeepSnitch AI is considered a potentially rewarding investment due to its working product and growing community.

Recent claims of money moving from Bitcoin to Ethereum are likely inaccurate unless supported by a broad $480 billion signal across major crypto exchanges, similar to what occurred in August 2025. Spotting real rotation involves looking at trading volumes on centralized exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, significant and sustained inflows into Ethereum exchange-traded products paired with outflows from Bitcoin products, and confirmation from the derivatives market, where options traders should show increased interest in Ethereum upside. Isolated incidents, such as large trades on platforms like THORChain, shouldn't be mistaken for a broader market trend, especially if major exchanges and derivatives markets don't reflect similar activity. In August 2025 Ethereum logged $480 billion in centralized exchange spot volume. For real rotation to be happening Ethereum’s share of the combined Bitcoin and Ethereum trading volume on top-tier exchanges needs to jump 10% to 15% and hold there for a week. Additionally, real rotation would include a massive change in net inflows for Ethereum versus Bitcoin ETFS

KindlyMD Inc., a healthcare company that shifted to holding Bitcoin, is in danger of being delisted from the Nasdaq exchange. Its stock price has been below the required $1 minimum for 30 consecutive trading days, triggering a warning from Nasdaq. The company has 180 days, until June 8 of next year, to raise its stock price above $1 for at least 10 consecutive business days to regain compliance. If it fails to do so, KindlyMD can apply to transfer its listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market or potentially undertake a reverse stock split. Currently, KindlyMD holds 5,398 BTC, valued around $466 million. It recently borrowed $210 million from Kraken to refinance an existing loan, secured by its Bitcoin holdings, with an annual interest rate of 8%. The company must maintain collateral worth at least $323.4 million.

KindlyMD (NAKA), a company known for holding a significant Bitcoin treasury, is at risk of being delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange because its stock price has remained below $1 for 30 consecutive trading days. The company owns 5,398 Bitcoins, making it a substantial holder. The stock price has fallen dramatically, dropping 75% year-to-date to $0.38. Nasdaq has given KindlyMD until June 8, 2026, to raise its stock price above $1 for at least 10 consecutive trading days to avoid delisting. The company has several options, including requesting an extension or performing a reverse stock split. This situation comes amid broader market concerns about companies holding large amounts of Bitcoin, especially as the price of Bitcoin has experienced volatility. Currently Bitcoin trades at $87,165, down more than 4% in the last 24 hours.

World App has expanded its service to allow workers in Latin America, the United States, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan to receive their paychecks in USDC, a type of stablecoin. This enables faster and cheaper cross-border payments by bypassing traditional banking delays and conversion fees. The move aligns with the increasing use of stablecoins for international payments, which has grown significantly in recent years. World App also introduced support for seven new wrapped digital assets, including uBERA, uMINA, uSNX, uZRO, uBLUR, uROSE, and uGMT, broadening the range of tokens available to its users within the app. This is for informational purposes only and not financial advice.

Dogecoin's price decreased by approximately 5.9% in the last 24 hours, reaching $0.1289. The price fluctuated between $0.1274 and $0.1374 during the day. Trading volume for Dogecoin has also shown a decrease in recent activity, and the price remained below the Supertrend line, a key technical indicator.

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest invested approximately $60 million in cryptocurrency-related stocks on Monday amidst a widespread selloff in the crypto market. The investments were made across three of ARK's exchange-traded funds. Major purchases included roughly $16.3 million in Coinbase shares, $17 million in Bitmine, $10.8 million in Circle, $9.9 million in CoreWeave, and $5.2 million in Bullish. This buying activity comes as crypto stocks experienced significant declines, with Bitmine falling 11%, Circle dropping 10%, CoreWeave down 8%, and Coinbase losing 6%. These purchases reflect ARK Invest's strategy of accumulating shares during price declines. Bitcoin also fell 4% to $85,799, and Ethereum dropped 5.7% to $2,931 during the same trading session.

Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has publicly criticized The New York Times for what he describes as a biased and misleading article about the cryptocurrency industry. The article in question discussed the SEC potentially easing crypto enforcement under a second Trump term. Garlinghouse argues that the NYT is ignoring court rulings that have challenged the SEC's approach. He also points out the NYT failed to acknowledge rebukes of the SEC by federal judges, including one who accused the agency of not faithfully following the law. The critique comes after the NYT published a report suggesting the SEC has reduced its involvement in crypto cases since Trump returned to office. Similarly, Galaxy Digital's Alex Thorn criticized the NYT's coverage, claiming it misrepresents the previous administration's crackdown on crypto.

StraitsX and the Solana Foundation are partnering to launch USD and Singapore dollar-pegged stablecoins, named XUSD and XSGD respectively, on the Solana network starting next year. This move aims to provide faster and cheaper global payments and digital commerce by leveraging Solana's infrastructure. XUSD is already available on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain, while XSGD is on Zilliqa, XRPL, Polygon, Hedera, Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Avalanche. The new stablecoins will also support automated machine-to-machine and AI agent micropayments using the x402 standard. Major cryptocurrency exchanges are expected to support the Solana-native stablecoins, with StraitsX also working with decentralized exchanges to establish lending markets and liquidity pools. This partnership aims to bridge the U.S. dollar and Singapore dollar ecosystems on the same blockchain, creating a foundation for on-chain foreign exchange and institutional-grade payment flows. StraitsX recently secured $10 million to expand stablecoins across Asia, partnering with financial institutions and payment technology partners to deliver regulated solutions.

YoungHoon Kim, an entrepreneur who claims to have the world's highest IQ of 276, posted on X (formerly Twitter) stating that individuals with higher IQs are more likely to hold XRP cryptocurrency.

Smartphone prices are expected to increase by 6.9% in 2026 due to a shortage of memory chips. This shortage is driven by high demand for these chips in AI data centers. Global smartphone shipments are predicted to decline by 2.1% next year, a downward revision from previous expectations of stable growth. The cost of producing budget phones under $200 has already risen by 20-30% since early 2025. Memory chip prices may further increase by 40% by the second quarter of 2026. While Apple and Samsung are better positioned to handle these rising costs, Chinese manufacturers may face challenges to their profit margins. To offset the higher chip costs, some phone makers might reduce spending on other components or use older parts.

Bitcoin's recent price drop was primarily caused by the liquidation of leveraged long positions in the futures market, rather than a decrease in actual buying interest (spot demand). When Bitcoin's price briefly decreased, these leveraged positions were automatically closed, triggering further sell orders and amplifying the downward price movement. Despite increased inflows to exchanges, selling pressure remained moderate, mainly from retail traders taking profits in amounts between 0.1 and 10 BTC. Large Bitcoin holders, particularly those with 100-1,000 BTC or more, are not actively selling their holdings, suggesting that the price will likely remain stable.

On December 16, 2025, the cryptocurrency market experienced a downturn, with the total market capitalization decreasing by 4.2% to $3.02 trillion. 95 of the top 100 cryptocurrencies decreased in value over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) fell by 4% to $86,184, while Ethereum (ETH) dropped by 6.8% to $2,924. US Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs saw outflows of $357.69 million and $224.78 million, respectively. Market sentiment is decreasing. An analyst suggests Bitcoin could potentially fall below $80,000, testing support levels. A US regulator removed crypto from its list of systemic financial threats, and the SEC has closed or paused a significant number of crypto-related cases in the past year. Despite the current downturn, Grayscale maintains that Bitcoin will reach a new all-time high in the first half of 2026.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson is calling for a reset in the cryptocurrency industry heading into 2026, arguing the market has lost its retail investors and become overly focused on short-term gains. He believes institutional investment has primarily benefited Bitcoin, failing to trickle down to other cryptocurrencies as in past cycles. Hoskinson criticizes the industry's entanglement with political memes and its failure to rebuild trust with retail investors after the 2022 market downturn. He envisions a future where the crypto space relies less on government intervention and focuses more on building practical systems for ownership and verification. Hoskinson admitted being wrong about a previous prediction that Bitcoin would reach $250,000 by the end of 2025. He emphasized a return to fundamental principles and highlighted the launch mechanics of Midnight as an example of a retail-focused distribution model. Currently, Cardano is trading at $0.3843.

China's Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropped 1.8% and the MSCI China Index fell 1.6%, nearing correction levels due to traders selling off tech stocks and concerns about weak economic data. Alibaba and Tencent were among the biggest drags, with the Hong Kong tech gauge approaching a bear market. Recent economic figures indicated a decline in economic confidence, raising fears of broader market weakness. Investors are worried about delays in major stimulus from Beijing, which is leaving China's market struggling with soft demand, housing issues, and deflation. Monday's data revealed a drop in investment and the slowest retail sales growth since Covid, causing market sell-offs. Home prices also resumed their decline, and China Vanke's debt problems added to real estate pressures. Tech stocks were also impacted by fears of an AI bubble. Investors are shifting away from tech stocks into areas that might benefit from Beijing's support for domestic demand. The MSCI China gauge trades at roughly 12 times forward earnings, which is higher than its five-year average. The MSCI China Index is still up almost 27% this year. China stocks have lost momentum in the fourth quarter because of a lack of catalysts and underwhelming signals on policy support.

Dogecoin's price is currently in a tight range, suggesting a big move is coming soon, according to crypto analyst Erick Crypto. He indicates that if Dogecoin falls below $0.13, it could drop further, but if it breaks above a certain trendline, it could rise. Another analyst, CryptoCeek, believes a drop below $0.13 could lead to a price of $0.10, while reclaiming $0.14 could signal a potential rise to $0.19. Master suggests Dogecoin may trade between $0.08 and $0.10 and mostly move sideways until 2028. Dogecoin's price has decreased over 20% in the last month, and two new Dogecoin ETFs have not performed well. A potential interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan could further negatively affect Dogecoin and the broader crypto market.

Jefferies has issued a Hold rating for Rigetti Computing (RGTI) stock, suggesting investors should wait and see due to risks outweighing near-term opportunities. Rigetti's revenue has declined 37% in the past year, with analysts predicting a further 30% drop this year. The company's market capitalization stands at $7.77 billion, significantly exceeding its $7.49 million in trailing twelve-month revenue. While the company has strong liquidity, Jefferies highlights a heavy reliance on government contracts, creating uncertainty about future revenue. Other analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus on the stock, with six Buy ratings and three Hold ratings. Jefferies expects Rigetti to benefit from quantum computing as a service, but views it as higher risk with a valuation that already reflects significant optimism. Therefore, Jefferies advises investors to monitor the situation rather than immediately invest, citing concerns about government contract dependency and limited revenue visibility.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has started a public consultation on a new set of crypto regulations aimed at creating clear rules for crypto trading, staking, lending, and decentralized finance. The goal is to protect consumers, support innovation, and position the UK as a major global hub for digital assets. The proposed regulations will treat crypto similarly to traditional finance, emphasizing transparency and proportionate requirements for businesses. The framework addresses eight key areas, including disclosures, market abuse, trading platform standards, intermediary responsibilities, staking risks, lending safeguards, decentralized finance rules, and financial safeguards for firms. The consultation is open until February 12, 2026, with the regulations expected to be implemented in 2027. This follows the UK Treasury introducing legislation to bring crypto activities under FCA supervision and legally recognizing crypto as property, and recent steps to speed up crypto application reviews. Around 12% of UK adults now hold cryptocurrency.

Filecoin's price decreased, falling below the $1.30 support level. This price drop occurred with a higher than average trading volume, indicating increased selling pressure. The decline in Filecoin's value happened concurrently with a broader downturn affecting the overall cryptocurrency market.

Despite a 26% drop in the last three months and a 30% fall from its all-time high, Bitcoin has performed better than most other crypto sectors. While the total crypto market capitalization decreased by about 27.5%, Bitcoin's decline was comparatively less severe. Other crypto sectors like AI tokens (down 48%), meme coins (down 56%), and real-world asset tokens (down 46%) have experienced steeper declines. Data indicates that investors are treating Bitcoin as a safer asset during this downturn. Shark investors, holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, have been accumulating Bitcoin at the fastest rate since 2012, adding approximately 54,000 BTC in the past week. However, larger 'OG whale' holders with over 10,000 BTC, have been selling, offsetting some of the positive impact from institutional buying.

Sui's price has decreased by 6% in the last 24 hours, currently trading around $1.47, as the broader cryptocurrency market experiences a downturn. This decline puts pressure on the $1.40 support level, with potential further drops if it breaks. Technical indicators suggest continued downward momentum, possibly leading to targets of $1.34, $1.20, and even $1 if the bearish trend persists. Resistance is seen near $2.00 if Sui can recover above $1.50, with the 50-day exponential moving average at $1.87 acting as an initial barrier. Sui is among the top blockchains based on user interest this year.

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT is cautioning traders about a new memecoin linked to rapper Soulja Boy on Coinbase's Base network. This warning comes after Jesse Pollak, a co-founder of Base, disclosed investing approximately $1,500 in the project. ZachXBT highlighted Soulja Boy's history of promoting crypto projects that either failed or were abandoned, with the rapper reportedly earning around $730,000 from such promotions during the previous bull market. Soulja Boy has responded, denying any intent to promote fraudulent projects and apologizing to those who may have lost money. 99Bitcoins analysts suggest caution regarding celebrity-endorsed coins.

Ahead of Micron Technology's first-quarter earnings report, several Wall Street analysts, including Wedbush, have increased their price targets for Micron stock. This bullish outlook is primarily driven by the increasing demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence systems. Analysts believe Micron is well-positioned to benefit from the expansion of AI computing infrastructure, leading to expectations of strong financial results and positive guidance from the company. Investors are anticipating the earnings report to validate the analysts' optimistic predictions.

A market expert has identified 20 reasons why XRP could be a top investment for 2026. XRP started 2025 positively, increasing in value by almost 46% during January and rising above a price level of $3.

Invesco and Galaxy Digital launched a new investment product called QSOL, an exchange-traded product (ETP) that tracks the price of Solana and includes staking rewards, on the Cboe BZX exchange. QSOL started with 17,500 SOL, worth about $2.19 million, and has a low expense ratio of 0.25%. This is their third joint crypto ETP, adding to their Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs. On the same day, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs experienced net outflows of $357.69 million and $224.78 million respectively, while Solana and XRP ETFs saw net inflows of $35.2 million and $10.89 million. This divergence occurred as the prices of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP experienced price declines, with Bitcoin falling to around $85,982, Ethereum to $2,951, Solana to $128.44, and XRP to $1.92.

A recent drop in Bitcoin's price from approximately $89,000 to $85,000 led to social media claims that exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, Wintermute, and Bitstamp were coordinating a massive sell-off. These claims were based on observed Bitcoin outflows from exchange wallets. However, the article clarifies that these wallet movements primarily reflect user activity, such as large holders reducing their positions, ETF redemptions, market makers adjusting their inventory, and traders triggering stop losses, and do not necessarily indicate that the exchanges themselves are selling off their own Bitcoin holdings. The article finds no credible evidence of a coordinated effort by exchanges to manipulate the price of Bitcoin and suggests the price drop is more likely due to profit-taking, thinned liquidity, and standard market corrections. The article cautions against interpreting on-chain data without proper context, as it can lead to misinformation and unnecessary fear in the market.

Cryptocurrency exchange BingX announced it reached 40 million users in 2025, doubling its user base year-over-year. The platform reported a peak 24-hour trading volume of over $26 billion. BingX is investing $300 million in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its platform with new tools and trading assistance features. Alongside AI, BingX emphasizes security and transparency with a $150 million Shield Fund and proof of reserves. To celebrate its user milestone, BingX launched the Beyond the Alpha campaign from December 15-26, 2025, featuring a lucky draw with guaranteed prizes. BingX is also investing in Web3 projects and providing opportunities for young professionals to enter the digital asset industry through its TalentX program.

ADNOC Distribution, the UAE's largest fuel retailer, is introducing AE Coin, a stablecoin backed by the UAE dirham, for everyday payments at its service stations. This initiative, in collaboration with Al Maryah Community Bank, allows customers to use AE Coin for fuel, snacks, and other services via the AEC Wallet. The move aligns with the UAE's digital economy strategy and aims to provide secure, transparent, and efficient transactions. The AE Coin payment system will be available at 980 ADNOC stations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.

Crypto ownership in the UK has decreased to 8% in 2025 after reaching 12% in 2024, marking the first decline since 2021 despite Bitcoin's surge to $126,251. While overall awareness remains high at 91%, individual crypto holdings have increased, with more users holding between £1,001 and £5,000. Lawmakers are increasingly considering crypto within their political agendas, with industry groups engaging with Reform UK for potentially more favorable regulations. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is developing crypto regulations, with license applications set to open in 2026 and full rules in 2027, including regulations for staking, DeFi, and market abuse. Crypto-related political donations are also on the rise, with large donations being made to political parties.

PayPal has filed applications with Utah regulators and the FDIC to create PayPal Bank, an industrial loan company. The proposed bank aims to enhance small business lending, offer interest-bearing savings accounts, and provide FDIC-insured deposits. Since 2013, PayPal has already provided over $30 billion in loans to more than 420,000 businesses. Mara McNeill, previously CEO of Toyota Financial Savings Bank, is slated to become PayPal Bank's President. Following the announcement, PayPal shares experienced a 1.5% increase in extended trading, although the stock is still down 29% for the year. The establishment of PayPal Bank is subject to regulatory approval.

The article discusses how to select a cryptocurrency exchange based on your trading strategy, specifically focusing on the trade-off between low fees and high leverage. It suggests that traders prioritizing cost-effectiveness and frequent trading should opt for exchanges with low fees. Conversely, those aiming to amplify potential profits through borrowing funds should seek exchanges offering high leverage, but also considers the high risk of big losses in the case of price fluctuations.

Stellar Lumens (XLM) is currently trading around $0.22, a 3.4% decrease, marking its seventh consecutive day in the red. Derivatives data suggests a bearish trend, with declining Open Interest in XLM futures, indicating a decrease in the value of active positions. Long liquidations have surpassed short liquidations, and short positions have increased. If the bearish trend persists, XLM could fall below $0.20, potentially reaching lows of $0.1642 or $0.16. Technical indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) also point towards a bearish outlook. A recovery could see XLM retest the $0.2579 resistance level.

StraitsX, a Singapore-based, licensed stablecoin issuer, plans to launch its Singapore dollar-backed XSGD and U.S. dollar-backed XUSD stablecoins on the Solana blockchain by early 2026. This move aims to leverage Solana's speed and low transaction costs for payments and decentralized finance. XSGD is currently available on several blockchains and has a market capitalization near $13 million, while XUSD is on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain with a market cap around $52 million. Together, they've processed over $18 billion in on-chain transactions. StraitsX is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and aims for these stablecoins to be used in everyday payments, including potential integration with the Grab app.

China has approved two passenger cars from Changan Automobile and BAIC equipped with level-three driving systems, allowing for hands-off driving in limited zones. These systems let drivers remove their hands from the wheel under specific conditions, though they must remain alert and ready to take control. Changan's car can operate on city roads up to 50 kilometers per hour, while BAIC's Arcfox model is approved for highways and expressways with a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour. While China hasn't fully legalized level-three driving nationwide, this move signals a gradual deregulation of the market and supports innovation in electric vehicles. The approvals put pressure on other car manufacturers to seek similar clearances, with companies like XPeng planning to launch robotaxis and humanoid robots in 2026.

Bitcoin and Ethereum are approaching key price levels after a recent market downturn. Bitcoin is nearing $100,000, benefiting from institutional investment and ETF inflows, with strong buying activity around the $85,000-$90,000 range. However, there's resistance between $98,000 and $100,000 where some investors may sell. Ethereum is consolidating under $4,000, showing signs of a potential rally after underperforming Bitcoin. High staking participation and increased Layer-2 activity are reducing supply and increasing network demand, supporting a possible price increase. Overcoming the $3,800-$4,000 resistance will require a strong market boost such as ETF interest or DeFi growth. Whether Bitcoin reaches $100,000 or Ethereum hits $4,000 first will depend on overall market conditions like liquidity, ETF activity, and economic factors.

Visa will allow US financial institutions to settle transactions using Circle's USDC stablecoin on the Solana blockchain. This move aims to provide faster and more resilient funds movement for banks and fintechs, with initial participants including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank. Broader availability for US institutions is planned through 2026. Visa is also deepening its collaboration with Circle by becoming a design partner for Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain, and intends to operate a validator node. This initiative builds on Visa's earlier stablecoin settlement pilots in other regions and the recent launch of a Stablecoins Advisory Practice. The CEO of Binance highlighted the growth of the stablecoin market, noting a nearly 50% increase in global market capitalization and the number of wallets holding stablecoins this year. He also stated that daily stablecoin transaction volumes have surpassed those processed by Visa.

Applied Digital (APLD) stock fell over 17% on Monday, despite a previous 143.70% rise over the past year. The drop occurred without any specific news from the company. The decline is attributed to investors reassessing the value of AI infrastructure stocks and taking profits after recent gains. Applied Digital has shifted from hosting Bitcoin mining to building AI data centers, which has raised concerns among investors about the company's debt and the speed of its expansion. Wall Street analysts remain optimistic about the company's long-term prospects, even with the recent stock pullback.

Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, is currently testing decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and exploring the use of Ethereum blockchain technology. This move is driven by increasing demand for cryptocurrency services from its large customer base, which includes over 109 million retail clients and more than three million corporate clients. The bank is focusing on asset tokenization and connecting with DeFi platforms, with Ethereum identified as a key area due to its smart contract capabilities. Sberbank is carefully planning its entry into the crypto space, working closely with regulators and aiming to fully deploy services once comprehensive digital asset regulations are finalized in Russia by 2026. Other major Russian banks, such as VTB, are also seeing growing client interest in direct cryptocurrency exposure, and estimates suggest that Russian cryptocurrency holdings could reach $10.5 billion by March 2025. Russia has been gradually legalizing crypto activities, including ownership, trading, mining, and cross-border payments, while also developing its own digital ruble.

XRP's price has recently decreased by almost 7%, falling below $2 amid selling pressure from large holders, or 'whales', who have reportedly sold off around 1.18 billion XRP over the past four weeks. Despite this price drop, U.S. spot XRP ETFs have experienced continued inflows for 30 days, reaching nearly $1.18 billion in assets, suggesting ongoing institutional interest. One analyst, Dark Defender, predicts a potential 200% rally to $5.85 for XRP once the market stabilizes, after successfully predicting previous price movements. However, failure to maintain the $1.75 support level could lead to further price declines, potentially towards $1.5.

Despite expectations that Donald Trump's return to the White House would boost the crypto market, it's ending 2025 significantly lower, at only 20% of its peak during the Biden administration. This has led to debate about whether the crypto market is fundamentally broken or just in a difficult phase. One analyst highlights that despite favorable conditions like abundant liquidity, pro-crypto government policies, and Bitcoin ETF approvals, the market has underperformed, suggesting traditional market explanations may no longer be valid. This is attributed to the market splitting into two distinct segments: institutional crypto, focusing on Bitcoin and Ethereum, and attention crypto, involving numerous smaller tokens competing for short-term gains. Capital is no longer flowing smoothly from Bitcoin into altcoins, making it harder for these smaller currencies to gain traction. Additionally, macro factors such as AI bubble fears and tax-loss selling are contributing to the market's lackluster performance, with potential for Bitcoin to dip below $80,000.

TotalEnergies, a French energy company, has secured a 21-year agreement with Google to supply renewable electricity to its data centers in Malaysia. Starting in early 2026, TotalEnergies will provide approximately 1 terawatt hour of power generated from the planned Citra Energies solar plant. This is the second deal between the two companies, following a previous agreement in the U.S. In addition to this deal, TotalEnergies repurchased its own shares between December 8-12, 2025, as part of its capital return strategy, buying back shares to reduce the number available on the market and return cash to investors. This buyback falls under existing shareholder authorization, with the company disclosing the volume and average price of shares repurchased during that period.

Ethereum's price is showing underlying strength, with large investors steadily increasing their holdings, as indicated by on-chain data showing their cost basis rising to nearly $3,000. This accumulation by major holders suggests they believe current prices are a good value and are preparing for future market growth. Ethereum ETFs are also experiencing more inflows than outflows, indicating institutional support. The rate of outflows has decreased since September, reflecting a positive shift in market sentiment. The trend suggests a potential consolidation phase in the near term, with predictions pointing towards a possible breakout in early 2026 if accumulation and institutional demand remain constant.

Grayscale, a major digital asset manager, has stated that quantum computing does not pose an immediate threat to Bitcoin's security. Their 2026 Digital Asset Outlook report indicates that while quantum computing is a long-term concern for the crypto sector, it's unlikely to impact cryptocurrency markets in the coming year and is a 'red herring' for 2026. Grayscale believes factors like regulatory changes, institutional adoption, and capital flows will be more influential on crypto market performance in 2026. They estimate that a quantum computer capable of breaking Bitcoin's cryptography is at least 10 years away, reassuring investors that current market momentum should continue. Experts recommend that major custodians and exchanges remain vigilant about quantum cryptography risks, but Grayscale's outlook aims to normalize the market and reassure participants.

Custodia Bank, a cryptocurrency-focused bank, has filed a petition requesting a rehearing by the entire panel of appellate judges. This action follows a previous court decision that was unfavorable to Custodia. The petition suggests Custodia is continuing its legal fight to gain access to the Federal Reserve's payment system and other banking services, which it argues are essential for its operations as a digital asset bank. The outcome of this rehearing could significantly impact Custodia's ability to operate and compete in the cryptocurrency banking sector.

Ford (F) stock increased in value after the company announced a $19.5 billion charge related to scaling back its electric vehicle (EV) plans. This charge is a non-cash accounting adjustment and doesn't represent actual money leaving the company. Despite the large writedown, Ford simultaneously raised its financial guidance for 2025, signaling confidence in its core business. Investors reacted positively to the improved outlook, seeing the shift in EV strategy as a sign of flexibility and prioritizing the company's overall financial health, particularly within its traditional vehicle segments like trucks and SUVs. Ford is still producing EVs, but is adjusting its investment pace to align with current consumer demand.

The SEC held a roundtable to discuss crypto privacy concerns, led by Commissioner Hester Pierce. Chairman Paul Atkins highlighted the need to balance innovative privacy protocols with national security. The core question is whether Americans can use modern finance without sacrificing their privacy. Atkins expressed concern about the potential for government overreach in accessing digital data, turning crypto into a financial surveillance tool. He emphasized the importance of regulators being principled and humble in embracing crypto opportunities. Privacy protocols, like zero-knowledge proofs, offer a way to verify users and transactions without government surveillance. Atkins is optimistic that a framework can be developed to protect personal freedoms while advancing technology and finance.

Cryptocurrency markets are expected to experience increased price swings due to the upcoming release of U.S. jobs data. This data is a key economic indicator that can influence investor sentiment and potentially lead to significant buying or selling activity in the crypto market. Traders should be prepared for potential volatility as the market reacts to the jobs report.

Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities to U.S. banks, utilizing USDC and the Solana blockchain, with Cross River Bank and Lead Bank as initial partners. This move follows the recent federal stablecoin framework that allows institutions to use fiat-backed digital dollars for payments. Visa aims to facilitate faster and more efficient transactions for fintech and crypto companies, enabling them to offer payment cards linked to stablecoin balances. Banks view this as an opportunity to attract new clients and streamline global payments. Visa reported $3.5 billion in annualized stablecoin settlement volume as of November 30 and is positioning itself as a key settlement partner in the growing stablecoin payment ecosystem, which analysts predict could handle over $50 trillion in yearly payment flows by 2030.

Alphabet, Google's parent company, is investing in solar power in Malaysia to support the expansion of its data centers. This move aims to power its growing cloud computing operations in Southeast Asia with renewable energy, reducing reliance on traditional power sources. Google signed a deal in Malaysia to buy power from a 30 MW solar farm in Kedah starting in 2027, supporting its data center energy use and Malaysias goal for 70% of installed capacity from renewables by 2050. This investment comes as analysts consider whether Alphabet's stock is a worthwhile investment, given the company's cloud computing growth and the potential impact of renewable energy investments on operational costs. Malaysia is an attractive location for data centers due to its strategic position and infrastructure. Alphabet has been expanding its presence in the region to meet increasing demand for cloud services and online platforms, such as YouTube and Google Cloud.

The Solana network experienced a massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that peaked at 6 terabits per second, ranking as the fourth-largest ever recorded. Despite this large-scale attack, the Solana network continued to function normally, with transactions confirming in under a second and block production remaining on schedule. Users were able to send and confirm transactions as usual. This contrasts with a recent DDoS attack on the Sui network, which caused block production delays. The crypto community noted the scale of the attack on Solana and the lack of impact on the network, reinforcing Solanas reputation for handling heavy demand.

JPMorgan has launched a tokenized money market fund on the Ethereum blockchain. This allows institutional clients to use JPM Coin for transactions and access money market funds through a blockchain-based system.

Dogecoin's weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI), a momentum indicator, has fallen to a level around 33, which has historically signaled a potential turning point for the cryptocurrency. This has only happened four times in Dogecoin's trading history, with each occurrence followed by a period of price stabilization and eventual uptrend. Currently, Dogecoin is trading between $0.13 and $0.14, reflecting a struggle between buyers and sellers. While the price may continue to fluctuate in the short term, the RSI suggests that Dogecoin could be approaching a price bottom, potentially leading to a buyer-controlled uptrend in the coming weeks, although consolidation may occur before any significant price movement.

Bitcoin's price recently fell to $85,000, influenced by both new and older investors selling off their holdings. Data shows significant losses for large Bitcoin holders, reminiscent of levels last seen in 2023, and recent buyers are experiencing considerable losses as well. Short-term holders, those who've held Bitcoin for a short period, are under pressure, and long-term holders are selling off their Bitcoin, while short-term holders are increasing their holdings. This shift is seen as a normal part of the market cycle. The drop appears to be driven more by liquidations, where leveraged positions are automatically closed due to price declines, rather than a lack of demand for Bitcoin itself. Bitcoin is currently trading around $86,331, down in the last day, week, and month.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) approved conditional bank charters for five cryptocurrency firms: Ripple, Circle, BitGo, Paxos, and Fidelity. This action has drawn criticism from traditional banking groups. These groups, including the Independent Community Bankers of America and the American Bankers Association, are concerned that these approvals stretch the definition of national trust bank charters and may endanger consumers. They also believe these crypto firms gain access to the federal banking system without the same regulatory requirements as traditional banks. Banks are particularly wary of stablecoins, seeing them as a threat to their market share. The OCC defends its decision, stating that new entrants will bring innovation and competition. While these new trust banks cannot accept deposits or make loans like traditional banks, there is concern they may expand their activities, blurring the lines of banking. Banking groups are urging transparency from the OCC regarding the approval process and are considering regulatory challenges. Legal experts suggest that while litigation might restrict some crypto activities, it is unlikely to impact stablecoin issuance, redemption, or custody.

PayPal has introduced a PYUSD Savings Vault on Spark. The details and implications of this launch are not specified in the provided content.

Visa is expanding its program to allow U.S. banks to use Circle's USDC stablecoin for settlement transactions. This follows a pilot program that involved $3.5 billion in USDC transactions. The expansion will enable participating banks to more efficiently move funds and settle payments using blockchain technology and the USDC stablecoin.

Ethereum's price has declined significantly, dropping over 6% in the last 24 hours and around 9% for the week. This downturn coincides with JPMorgan announcing the launch of its first tokenized money market fund, MONY, on Ethereum, initially funded with $100 million. This move strengthens Ethereum's position with traditional financial institutions, but the cryptocurrency faces technical challenges. Ethereum's price is approaching a bearish EMA crossover, which could signal further price decreases. Currently, Ethereum is testing support around $2,910; falling below this level could lead to further drops to $2,710 or even $2,620. To rebound, Ethereum needs to rise above $3,240, potentially reaching $3,440. On-chain data suggests a potential rebound if the $2,910 support holds.

MetaMask, a popular cryptocurrency wallet primarily known for its support of Ethereum and other Ethereum-based tokens, has added native support for Bitcoin. This means users can now manage and transact with Bitcoin directly within their MetaMask wallet, without needing to use a separate wallet specifically for Bitcoin. The implication is that users can now use MetaMask as a universal wallet solution.

MicroStrategy is sticking to its Bitcoin investment strategy despite a recent 5% price drop to $85,000. CEO Phong Le believes the price dip is due to temporary issues like tight liquidity and central bank actions, not problems with Bitcoin itself. The company uses a dollar-cost averaging method and its average Bitcoin purchase price is $74,000. MicroStrategy has also built up a $1.44 billion reserve fund to cover dividend and interest payments for up to three years. Currently, they hold about 670,000 Bitcoin, valued at $57 billion, and are developing new financial products backed by their Bitcoin holdings to drive growth. They consider Bitcoin a long-term investment and a key part of their strategy.

Circle, a company known for its stablecoin USDC, has acquired the team from Interop Labs. This acquisition does not include the Axelar Foundation or the Axelar token. The announcement indicates Circle is expanding its capabilities by bringing in talent from Interop Labs, a move that will likely enhance Circle's technology and development resources.

UK regulators have initiated a large consultation to gather information and opinions on how to regulate crypto assets, specifically focusing on crypto listings, decentralized finance (DeFi), and staking activities. This consultation signals a move towards creating specific rules for these areas within the UK's crypto market. The regulators are seeking input from industry participants and the public to help them develop appropriate regulations. These regulations could impact how crypto assets are offered, traded, and managed in the UK, potentially influencing the availability and operation of DeFi platforms and staking services for UK users.

The Trump administration has suspended a $41 billion technology deal with the UK, which involved joint projects in AI, quantum computing, and nuclear energy. This action stems from the US's frustration with slow progress in broader trade negotiations with the UK, specifically regarding non-tariff barriers in food and industrial goods regulations. The US wants the UK to accept American food standards and has also raised concerns about the UK's digital services tax targeting US tech companies. While the UK acknowledges the ongoing difficult negotiations, they maintain that the digital services tax is not the primary obstacle and that dialogue remains open. Despite the suspension, UK officials are optimistic about getting the deal back on track and emphasize the strength of the relationship with the US. A recent agreement to increase NHS spending on medicines, leading to the removal of US tariffs on British drug exports, remains in place.

Tesla's stock price reached its highest point in 2025, closing above $470 per share, following confirmation from Elon Musk that the company is testing fully driverless robotaxis on public roads in Austin, Texas. These tests involve vehicles operating without human drivers. Goldman Sachs maintained its rating on Tesla stock after the announcement. The market reacted positively to this news, viewing it as progress in Tesla's autonomous vehicle development plans. The testing is crucial for developing systems that can handle unpredictable situations.

XRP's price has dropped below $2, a level not seen since April, due to increased selling. This decline occurred despite positive developments for Ripple, including regulatory progress and expansion into new blockchain networks. While XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have experienced consistent inflows, the price has fallen, creating a divergence. The price drop is attributed to early investors selling off their holdings, a decrease in leveraged trading, and reduced overall liquidity in the altcoin market. A seven-year-old wallet sold $721.5 million worth of XRP, contributing to the downward pressure. Data indicates a decrease in leveraged positions and reduced buying activity, suggesting a shift in market dynamics. The situation is also affected by liquidity moving towards Bitcoin, leaving less capital for altcoins like XRP, increasing the risk of further price drops.

Prediction markets in crypto allow people to bet on the outcome of future events, such as elections or market prices. These markets use crypto to make them accessible globally, without needing permission, and resistant to censorship. They are known for often being more accurate than polls or expert opinions because people put real money on the line, which helps filter out unreliable information and quickly reflect new insights in the market prices. Crypto prediction markets work by creating tokens representing different outcomes, users trade these tokens to show what they think will happen, and then a system called an oracle determines the correct outcome to settle the bets. These markets have various uses beyond just betting, including forecasting in politics, finance, business, and helping DAOs make decisions. Projects like Polymarket, Augur, and Gnosis are key players in this area, but they face challenges related to regulation and ensuring the oracle system accurately reports outcomes. Prediction markets are important because they align with the core principles of crypto by offering a global, open, and censorship-resistant way to gather information and make decisions.

XRP is facing downward pressure, having broken through a support level of $1.93 and is now trading around $1.88. Trading volume has increased significantly, indicating substantial market activity. Analysts suggest a potential drop towards the $1 area, with $1.75 and then $1.07 as key levels to watch if the price continues to fall. Large XRP holders have sold off over 1.18 billion XRP in the past month, contributing to the selling pressure, and exchange funding rates are negative, showing many are betting the price will go down.

The UK plans to regulate cryptocurrency under existing financial service laws by 2027, which could attract institutional investment. This regulation is expected to bring in more banks, funds, and significant capital. DeepSnitch AI, ONDO Finance, and DAI are identified as potentially beneficial coins because of this regulation. DeepSnitch AI is currently in stage 3 of its presale at $0.02846 per token, having raised over $815,000, offering AI-driven market insights. ONDO Finance is trading around $0.45, positioning itself between traditional finance and blockchain. DAI is trading around $0.999, and is considered important infrastructure for crypto settlements, potentially seeing increased volume and liquidity. There are bonuses for buying DeepSnitch AI before January 1st, offering 50% extra tokens on buys over $2,000 (using code DSNTVIP50) or doubling tokens on purchases above $5,000 (using code DSNTVIP100).

Nvidia's stock price increased this week due to positive signals from Wall Street analysts and a strategic acquisition. J.P. Morgan identified an options trading opportunity related to Nvidia shares. Bernstein reaffirmed its 'Outperform' rating for the stock, indicating a positive outlook despite market fluctuations. Nvidia acquired SchedMD, the developer of Slurm, a workload manager for high-performance computing, to enhance its AI capabilities. This acquisition is aimed at improving Nvidia's software ecosystem for managing complex AI workloads in large computing clusters. The positive analyst commentary and the SchedMD acquisition have contributed to increased investor attention and trading activity in Nvidia stock and options.

Ondo Finance plans to bring tokenized versions of stocks and ETFs to the Solana blockchain in early 2026. This means representing assets like stocks as digital tokens on the Solana blockchain, known for its speed and low costs. Ondo aims to replicate the high trading activity of traditional markets like the NYSE on the blockchain, allowing investors to buy tokenized versions of assets like S&P 500 ETFs through crypto wallets. Ownership would settle quickly and could be used in decentralized finance applications. Ondo Finance has announced it has surpassed $2 billion in trading volume for its tokenized stocks and ETFs, with over $1 billion of that activity occurring in the past month alone.

A recent Bank of America survey indicates strong confidence among money managers heading into 2026, with investor sentiment reaching its highest level in four and a half years at 7.4 out of 10. This optimism is reflected in increased exposure to equities and commodities, reaching levels not seen since February 2022. The survey reveals that 57% of respondents anticipate a soft economic landing, while only 3% expect a hard landing. Despite this overall bullishness, concerns remain regarding high valuations in the U.S. tech sector, particularly regarding an AI bubble. Recent market activity shows mixed signals, with U.S. stock futures and European markets experiencing declines, while U.S. Treasury yields dipped. Investors are awaiting new economic data, including November jobs data and October retail sales numbers. Economic data from Europe indicated slower-than-expected private-sector activity in the euro area.

Circle, the company behind USDC, is acquiring the Interop Labs team, the original developers of Axelar, a system that helps different blockchains communicate with each other. The deal is expected to close in early 2026. This acquisition will help Circle improve its own blockchain projects, Arc and CCTP, and create better tools for developers building applications that work across multiple blockchains. The Axelar network and its AXL token will remain independent and managed by its community. After the deal, Common Prefix will take over Interop Labs responsibilities for the Axelar network. Circle aims to use the Interop Labs team's expertise to make it easier to move digital assets between different blockchains, including USDC, which is designed to work with over 100 blockchain ecosystems.

Bitcoin experienced a downturn, dropping to around $87,000, which also caused a larger decrease in the value of many other cryptocurrencies. The total crypto market capitalization decreased by approximately $140 billion. Ethereum fell significantly, and several other altcoins also saw considerable price drops. Despite these declines, data indicates that traders are not panicking but are instead showing caution. Social media chatter around Bitcoin and Ethereum has increased, a common sign during price drops, but other indicators like DeFi liquidations and fear levels haven't reached extreme levels usually seen at market bottoms. Analysts suggest the sell-off may be related to delays in US crypto legislation and derivatives positioning. Market participants are closely watching Bitcoin's ability to hold the $85,000 level, and unless there is a significant shift in sentiment or forced selling, the current decline is seen as pressure building rather than a complete market collapse.

Singapore-based StraitsX plans to expand its Singapore dollar-backed stablecoin XSGD and US dollar-backed stablecoin XUSD onto the Solana blockchain by early 2026. This move aims to leverage Solana's speed and low costs for more efficient transactions in decentralized finance, institutional flows, and everyday payments. The integration will allow users to directly settle transactions with XSGD and XUSD on Solana, supporting functions like centralized exchange support, decentralized liquidity pools, lending markets, and consumer payments. XSGD has a market capitalization of $13 million with 16.7 million tokens in circulation, while XUSD has a $52 million market cap. Together, they have processed over $18 billion in onchain transactions. StraitsX operates under the regulation of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and is also exploring a potential partnership with Grab to integrate XSGD and XUSD into the Grab app for payments, subject to regulatory approval.

The cryptocurrency ONDO has dropped 10% in the last 24 hours, briefly falling below the $0.40 mark before recovering slightly to $0.41. This decline makes ONDO one of the worst-performing top 100 cryptocurrencies. This is happening even after Ondo Finance announced plans to integrate with Solana in early 2026 to expand its platform for tokenized stocks and ETFs. The integration aims to improve scalability and liquidity. However, the open interest in ONDO on the Binance exchange is decreasing, suggesting reduced trader interest. Technical analysis indicates that ONDO might fall further to $0.34, with a potential support level at $0.24. Resistance is seen at $0.52 should the price rebound.

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in the United States experienced significant outflows of funds, marking the largest exodus since November 20th. This occurred as the price of Bitcoin decreased. The amount of the outflows and the specific ETFs affected are not specified in this summary.

A class action lawsuit against Pump.fun and Solana is moving forward after a judge granted the plaintiffs permission to file a second amended complaint based on new evidence. The lawsuit, which began earlier in the year, involves investors who lost money buying tokens launched on Pump.fun starting in March 2024. The plaintiffs claim that Pump.fun, Solana Labs, and associated executives, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to give insiders early access to newly launched tokens. These insiders could then buy tokens at low prices and sell them to retail investors at inflated prices, resulting in losses for the retail buyers. The new evidence includes chat logs allegedly showing coordination between Pump.fun personnel, Solana Labs engineers, and others. The defendants tried to dismiss the motion, but the court allowed the plaintiffs to proceed with the amended complaint, suggesting the legal battle is intensifying and could impact the Solana ecosystem.

Crypto.com is partnering with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) to explore using blockchain technology to improve global commodities trading. The goal is to make trading more efficient, transparent, and accessible, focusing on precious metals, diamonds, energy, and agricultural products. They will investigate tokenizing these commodities and potentially listing them on the Crypto.com exchange, adhering to regulations. The collaboration includes educational programs through the DMCC Crypto Centre to teach institutions about tokenized assets and digital trading. Separately, Crypto.com, through its CDNA platform, is partnering with ERShares and Signal Markets to develop a prediction-based platform for macroeconomic data, financial markets, and corporate outcomes, covering areas like interest rates, inflation, and digital assets.

Bitcoin and ether prices are declining, continuing a recent downward trend. The market is experiencing low trading activity, and broader economic concerns are contributing to the price drops.

The price of XRP has recently fallen due to large holders (whales) selling off their assets, decreasing their holdings from 4.8 billion XRP to 3.6 billion XRP between late November and mid-December. This selling pressure has caused XRP to break below key support levels, including the $0.60 mark. However, XRP-focused ETFs and ETPs have seen consistent inflows, with net assets exceeding $1.18 billion, indicating that institutions are buying XRP during this price dip. Bitwise and Franklin have seen significant inflows of nearly $3.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively. XRP's percent supply in profit has also dropped, reaching levels seen during previous market resets in 2018, 2020, and 2022, suggesting that weak holders are being flushed out. The article suggests that if institutional demand remains and on-chain metrics stabilize, XRP could potentially recover to $2 before the end of 2025.

A critical vulnerability in React, a popular coding tool, is being exploited by hackers to inject malicious code into cryptocurrency websites, leading to a rise in wallet-draining attacks. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-55182 with a maximum severity rating, allows attackers to remotely execute code on unpatched servers without needing to log in. This affects versions 19.0, 19.1.0, 19.1.1, and 19.2.0 of specific React packages. Security Alliance (SEAL) urges website owners to check their code for suspicious activity and users to be cautious when signing crypto transactions. Additional vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-55184, CVE-2025-67779, CVE-2025-55183) have also been discovered, including denial-of-service and source code exposure issues. The React team advises immediate upgrades to address these security risks. Separately, crypto drainer operators are using new tactics to avoid detection, such as using high-reputation domains. In other news, DeFi protocol Aevo experienced a $2.3 million drain from its vaults due to an updated Oracle code.

Bitcoin's price experienced a slight dip, falling towards $85,300 before recovering to nearly $86,200, showing a weekly decrease of over 4%. Despite the current market weakness, one analyst, Doctor Profit, anticipates a temporary upward movement, suggesting Bitcoin could potentially reach between $97,000 and $107,000. He is strategically buying Bitcoin around $86,000 to capitalize on this possible rally but emphasizes a short-term approach with tight risk management, including stop-loss orders. He maintains a generally bearish outlook, with existing short positions from higher price levels remaining active. He also cautioned that a rapid sell-off is possible, even before reaching the projected high. Other analysts have also weighed in, with one suggesting a drop to $54,000-$60,000 by late 2026, and even some previously bullish analysts reducing their price targets to around $150,000 by the same time. Conversely, another analyst mentioned the possibility of Bitcoin rising to $300,000-$600,000 next year due to potential shifts in US monetary policy.

The cryptocurrency PYTH is showing signs of a potential price increase. A technical chart pattern called a falling wedge suggests the price, currently around $0.05 to $0.06, could rise above $0.06. If a breakout occurs, it could initially reach $0.08 and potentially climb to $0.10 or higher. The PYTH Network is also implementing monthly buybacks of its PYTH token, using a portion of its treasury to purchase tokens. This is intended to increase demand and reduce the available supply, supporting the token's value.

Ripple is expanding its RLUSD stablecoin, which is backed by the US dollar, to several Ethereum layer 2 networks. This pilot program includes Optimism, Base, Ink (Kraken's Ethereum layer 2), and Unichain, and is designed to test the stablecoin's functionality across different blockchains. Ripple is partnering with Wormhole, a crosschain interoperability protocol, to enable the transfer of RLUSD as a native asset across these networks. The goal is to avoid wrapped assets and maintain a single version of RLUSD on each blockchain. RLUSD launched in December 2024 and has a market capitalization of $1.3 billion. Ripple plans further chain launches next year, pending regulatory approval in the US.

Custodia Bank, a crypto bank in Wyoming, is escalating its legal battle with the Federal Reserve (Fed) over the Fed's refusal to grant it a master account. This account is crucial for accessing core payment systems like wire transfers and ACH, essential for a bank's normal operation. Custodia argues it meets all legal requirements and that the Fed's denial undermines Wyoming's regulatory framework for digital asset firms, which requires full reserve backing and bans traditional lending. The bank is now asking the full Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the case, raising constitutional concerns about the unchecked power of regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents. This dispute highlights a broader debate about federal control over state-approved banks and access to the US financial system. The bank argues that granting regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents unchecked discretion turns them into powerful federal actors without proper constitutional appointment, potentially violating the Appointments Clause. The crypto industry views Custodia's case as evidence of how innovation can be stifled by opaque federal discretion, strengthening the movement toward blockchain-based settlement systems.