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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse predicts Bitcoin will reach $180,000 by the end of 2026, citing increased institutional investment and regulatory shifts in the U.S. He believes that current ETF demand has not peaked. The article suggests XRP could benefit from regulatory progress, potentially reaching $3.70 if it breaks through the $2.70 resistance level, and possibly $5 with further market developments. A potential launchpad for XRP is supported by strong technical support at $1.90. The article also highlights SUBBD, an AI-powered content platform, as a promising contender, noting it has raised nearly $1.4 million in presales.

Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, is planning to allow its wealthy clients to directly buy and sell cryptocurrencies through its brokerage service, with a targeted launch in 2026, pending regulatory approval. This move would go beyond offering derivative products tied to crypto prices, allowing clients with assets over $1.3 million or annual income over $649,000 to own the actual cryptocurrencies. VTB also suggests a potential 7% allocation to crypto for some investors and forecasts Bitcoin prices reaching $200,000-$250,000 under favorable conditions. The bank's plan depends on Russian regulators approving the service and navigating international sanctions and compliance requirements.

Yi He, recently appointed as Binance's co-CEO, shared her perspective on women's success in business, emphasizing the need to prioritize expertise over relying on perceived gender advantages. She believes women should focus on becoming the best in their fields to gain respect and overcome challenges. Her advice is consistent with past statements where she encouraged women to ignore gender and focus on leadership skills while seizing opportunities proactively. Binance, now with nearly 300 million users and targeting one billion, announced Yi He's appointment alongside plans to become a Super App, blending traditional and decentralized finance, and strengthening partnerships with major institutions like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton. The exchange reported blocking nearly $7 billion in potential scams in 2025 and continues seeking regulatory approvals globally. Yi He addressed concerns about the influence of Binance's founder, Changpeng Zhao, clarifying the independence of her professional and personal life.

Ethereum's price is showing potential for a rise, with some analysts suggesting a target of $4,885. The amount of Ethereum held on cryptocurrency exchanges has dropped to a record low, with only 8.84% of the total supply available on these platforms. This scarcity could drive the price up. Some traders believe Ethereum will perform better than Bitcoin in the near future. Technical charts suggest that if Ethereum can hold above a certain support level, it could gain significantly against Bitcoin. The decrease in Ethereum on exchanges is due to more people staking their coins, using them in other crypto applications, or holding them for the long term, which reduces the available supply for trading.

A crypto user named Babur lost approximately $27 million in crypto assets due to a malware attack. The malware was downloaded after Babur clicked a malicious link, allowing hackers to access private keys and passwords. This led to the automated transfer of crypto funds to the hacker. Separately, the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit lost $30 million in assets from its Solana wallet due to a security vulnerability that allowed private key inference. Upbit has halted transactions, fixed the vulnerability, and is restructuring its security systems, including requiring users to generate new addresses.

A Maryland man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for helping North Korean IT workers get jobs at U.S. companies by using fake credentials. He enabled them to work remotely, sometimes on sensitive projects, including one involving the Federal Aviation Administration. The man received over $970,000, with most of the work done by North Korean operatives. This is part of a larger trend where North Korea is increasingly using cyber tactics, including insider infiltration and cryptocurrency theft, to generate income. In 2025, North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, a record high, bringing their total to over $6 billion. These funds are believed to support North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Many of these hacks start with social engineering tactics like impersonation and phishing, exploiting human vulnerabilities to gain access to cryptocurrency wallets.

Bitcoin is currently holding above $91,000 after dropping to $82,000 on November 21st, following a previous all-time high of $126,080 on October 6th. The crypto market experienced a 6% jump, reaching a $3.24 trillion capitalization, but has since decreased by nearly 2% to $3.18 trillion. XRP is highlighted for its role in international payments, with a market cap over $124 billion and potential growth to $15 by 2026. Solana is noted for its fast transactions and DeFi protocols, currently trading around $136, with a possible target of $1,200. Pepe, a meme token, is currently priced near $0.000004554 and is positioned for a potential upswing. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER), a Bitcoin layer-2 solution, has raised about $29 million in its presale.

British tax authority HMRC has issued new guidance stating that depositing cryptocurrency on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms for lending, staking, or borrowing purposes will not be treated as a taxable event. This means users will not face capital gains charges when initially placing their digital assets on these platforms. Tax implications will only arise when the cryptocurrency is sold, swapped, or cashed out. This clarification aims to simplify the tax approach for both institutional and retail users, potentially leading to wider adoption of DeFi platforms. Aave founder Stani Kulechov believes this move will encourage more professional investors to explore crypto innovations. The guidance arrives as traditional savings options in Britain become less appealing due to cuts in cash ISA allowances, potentially driving savers to seek better returns through DeFi platforms like Aave, which offer steady yields on digital assets.

Poland's attempt to implement crypto regulations similar to the European Union's MiCA framework has been blocked. Lawmakers failed to override a veto by President Karol Nawrocki on a digital asset bill. This means Poland will not have national crypto regulations in place before the EU's MiCA compliance deadline of July 1, 2026. Prime Minister Donald Tusk argued the bill was needed for national security, citing concerns about money laundering, foreign interference, and the use of crypto to finance sabotage activities potentially linked to Russia. President Nawrocki opposed the bill, claiming it was too restrictive, threatened civil liberties and property rights, and could push Polish crypto companies to other countries. The blocked bill included licensing for crypto firms, investor protections, stablecoin rules, anti-money laundering controls, and the power to block crypto websites. Industry players had previously criticized the bill as overregulation.

According to analyst Jamie Coutts, Strategy's stock (MSTR), a company known for holding Bitcoin, is showing technical signals suggesting a potential price increase of over 45% if Bitcoin's price breaks out. These signals include high trading volume and specific price patterns near the $195 level. Major institutions are watching Strategy as an indicator of Bitcoin's direction. JPMorgan's analysis suggests that Bitcoin's short-term direction depends on Strategy maintaining a certain financial ratio, which it currently does with its significant cash reserves. They also mentioned that if Strategy remains in the MSCI index after a review on January 15, Bitcoin could rebound, potentially reaching $170,000. While Strategy has slowed its Bitcoin purchases and might sell Bitcoin or derivatives, another analyst from CryptoQuant notes that the stock is currently undervalued, with the value of its Bitcoin holdings exceeding the company's market capitalization by approximately 78%.

Tesla has launched a more affordable Model 3 in Europe, starting at approximately €37,970 in Germany, in an effort to combat falling sales. This move follows the introduction of a cheaper Model Y and aims to appeal to budget-conscious buyers. The new Model 3 maintains a range of over 300 miles (480km) on a single charge. Tesla's European sales have been impacted by increased competition from Chinese manufacturers like BYD, as well as negative consumer sentiment linked to Elon Musk's political activities. Additionally, new taxes on electric vehicles in the UK are expected to further challenge demand, as evidenced by a recent slowdown in electric car sales growth.

Polymarket, a prediction market platform, shows traders are becoming less optimistic about Bitcoin's price reaching high levels by the end of 2025. The odds of Bitcoin reaching $80,000 by then have increased to 40%, while the chances of it hitting $95,000 or $100,000 have decreased to 61% and 32% respectively. This shift indicates traders are reducing their expectations for Bitcoin's price growth in the short term. The traders may be focusing on 2026 for potential higher price increases, because analysts expect to see a larger cycle peak in 2026.

Zcash (ZEC) is facing a crucial point, needing to break past the $380 level to potentially reach $500. The price has been affected by a lack of trading activity after a previous surge, and aggressive selling has kept the price in a tight range. If ZEC fails to overcome the $380 resistance, it could drop towards the $250-$290 range, but breaking above it could lead to a rally towards $420. The coin's 12-hour chart indicates a bearish trend, and a broader resistance area exists between $430 and $577. Despite the recent price decrease, some analysts compare ZEC's situation to Bitcoin's 2013-2014 crash, suggesting a potential for recovery due to strong fundamentals and growing interest in privacy coins.

During Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff debated Bitcoin versus gold. CZ argued Bitcoin has practical advantages like transparent supply and global reach, citing millions of users for payments and transfers. Schiff countered that Bitcoin lacks inherent value, is hype-driven, and nobody needs it, whereas gold is tangible, scarce, and valuable in industry. CZ highlighted Bitcoin's role in improving financial efficiency, especially in emerging markets, while Schiff questioned if Bitcoin transactions truly count as money since merchants convert to traditional currency. They also discussed generational preferences, with CZ asserting younger generations understand digital value and prefer Bitcoin, while Schiff claimed they will ultimately choose gold after losses on Bitcoin. Tokenization was mentioned as a point of agreement, as gold can be digitized. CZ noted Bitcoin has a visible supply, unlike gold. CZ also stated that Bitcoin has significantly outperformed gold since its launch and predicted that Bitcoin's growth will outpace gold in the future.

Companies holding large Bitcoin treasuries are facing financial difficulties as Bitcoin's price struggles. Many of these companies, particularly those that bought Bitcoin later, have an average cost basis above $107,000, while Bitcoin's current price is in the low $90,000s, resulting in significant losses. This situation has removed the premium investors were once willing to pay for these companies' stocks, making it difficult for them to raise capital by issuing more shares to buy Bitcoin. The sector's market capitalization is down considerably over the past month and three months. For these companies to recover, Bitcoin's price needs to rise significantly above $107,000 and investors need to regain confidence in the sector. Furthermore, companies need to prioritize balance sheet defense over aggressive Bitcoin accumulation. The sector is also heavily concentrated in MicroStrategy, which controls most of the Bitcoin held by these companies and accounts for a large portion of the sector's market capitalization. A decision regarding MicroStrategy's inclusion in major market indices could significantly impact the entire sector.

Recently, both XRP and Solana ETFs have seen significant investor activity. However, XRP ETFs are currently outperforming Solana ETFs in terms of net inflows. Solana ETFs experienced a notable outflow of $32.19 million on December 3rd, primarily from the 21Shares TSOL offering, which saw a $41.79 million withdrawal. Since launch, the 21Shares Solana ETF has seen total outflows reach $101.51 million. In contrast, Bitwise's Solana ETF, BSOL, has been very successful, with cumulative inflows of $580.72 million. Overall, Solana ETFs have a net cumulative inflow of $623.21 million. XRP ETFs are nearing $1 billion in total inflows, holding over $984 million in assets across five ETFs. Canary Capitals XRPC leads with $358.88 million. XRP ETFs, excluding one, have attracted approximately $887.12 million in net cumulative inflows. Despite Solana ETFs launching earlier and having more products (7) than XRP ETFs (4), XRP ETFs have surpassed Solana ETFs in total inflows by almost 30%.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia recovered nearly $1.7 million in cryptocurrency, specifically 420,740 USDT and 1,249,996 BUSD, from fraudsters who ran an investment scam. The funds are being returned to two victims who were contacted through text and social media and then persuaded to invest through a fake trading platform. The scammers gained the victims' trust, directed them to encrypted chat apps, and falsely showed investment gains before demanding additional payments for taxes and fees, ultimately preventing withdrawals. This recovery is part of ongoing efforts, including previous recoveries of $1.9 million and $7 million, to combat cryptocurrency fraud, which costs Americans billions annually. The FBI has notified thousands of victims, saving them millions, with a significant percentage unaware they were being defrauded.

Luna Classic (LUNC), the original token of the Terra network that collapsed in 2022, has increased in value by 130%. This surge follows reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking a 12-year prison sentence for Do Kwon, the founder of Terra. The collapse of Terra's UST stablecoin is believed to have significantly contributed to the failures of FTX and the broader crypto bear market. After the initial crash, a new version of the Terra network, Terra 2.0, was created with a new token also named LUNA.

Recent transfers of Bitcoin from SpaceX's wallets have led to speculation that the company might be selling its Bitcoin holdings. Around 2,246 BTC, valued at over $200 million, has been moved in the past week. However, SpaceX still holds over 5,012 BTC, currently valued at around $448 million. The rumors were fueled by social media posts interpreting the outflows as a sign of an impending sell-off. The destination of the transferred Bitcoin is currently unknown, as the receiving wallets are not clearly linked to cryptocurrency exchanges. It's possible the transfers are for internal reasons like wallet security, fund consolidation, or changes in custody, rather than a planned sale. Bitcoin's price drop was driven by US ETF outflows and the Bank of Japan increasing interest rates. As of now, there is no definitive proof that SpaceX is selling its Bitcoin.

Polymarket, a prediction market platform, is planning to launch an internal trading desk that will essentially bet against its own users. This move mirrors a similar practice by competitor Kalshi, which has faced criticism and legal challenges. Polymarket is recruiting traders, including sports bettors, for this new unit. The announcement comes as Polymarket prepares to relaunch in the U.S. after receiving regulatory clearance from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), having previously paid a $1.4 million penalty for operating an unregistered derivatives exchange in 2022. Kalshi's market-making unit is currently facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging it sets betting lines that disadvantage customers. Polymarket's CEO, Shayne Coplan, received the go-ahead to operate in the U.S. after an FBI investigation in 2024 and the company expanded aggressively overseas, recording around $6 billion in wagers in the first half of 2025. Both Polymarket and Kalshi rely on market makers and are seeing growing institutional interest, with Galaxy Digital in talks to provide liquidity.

Trump Coin (TRUMP) has significantly declined, losing over 90% of its value since its peak in January when it was near $73. The coin's market cap has also fallen considerably. A potential recovery is possible if interest rates are cut in December and if the broader crypto market rebounds, especially heading into 2026. Bitcoin's potential rise to a new all-time high in 2026, as predicted by Grayscale, could also positively impact TRUMP by boosting the overall crypto market.

XRP ETFs are approaching $1 billion in total assets, having attracted significant investment since their launch last month. Over the past two weeks, these ETFs have seen cumulative net inflows of over $984 million and are now the third-largest crypto ETFs, trailing only Bitcoin and Ethereum. One XRP ETF recorded a single-day inflow of over $243 million on November 14. XRP has become the third cryptocurrency to surpass the $800 million ETF inflow threshold, reaching it faster than Ethereum ETFs. Canary Capitals XRPC leads the market with $358.88 million, followed by Grayscale, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and REX-Osprey. Institutions have accumulated over 425 million XRP tokens through ETFs, leading some analysts to suggest that continued rapid accumulation could decrease the number of tokens in circulation.

Crypto analyst Miles Deutscher has stated there's a 91.5% chance that Bitcoin's lowest price point in its current cycle has already been reached. This assessment is based on how the market has reacted to recent negative news, historical patterns of fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) events, changes in the flow of money into and out of Bitcoin, and improvements in global financial liquidity. Deutscher notes that Bitcoin's price has increased despite bad news related to Tether, China, MicroStrategy, and the Bank of Japan. He also points out that similar FUD events in the past have often marked price bottoms. While money flows had been negative, they are now stabilizing. Market liquidity is also improving with a more accommodating Federal Reserve. Deutscher does caution that the US markets could cool off, DATs (unspecified) are experiencing short-term pressure, and ETF flows could reverse.

XRP is showing signs of a potential price rebound, currently trading around $2.06 after bouncing from a support level of $2.02. Technical indicators suggest a possible upward movement, with targets of $2.20 and potentially $2.26 if momentum continues. Failure to hold the $2.02 level could lead to a drop towards $2.00 or lower. Ripple's integration of XRP into enterprise treasury systems, managing $12.5 trillion in annual flows, is positioning the cryptocurrency as a key tool for large-scale financial operations, specifically in cross-border transactions. This integration includes systems like BNY Mellons LiquidityDirect, which supports trillions in transaction flows annually. The long-term outlook for XRP may be influenced by the possibility of XRP ETFs and regulatory developments.

HumidiFi, a Solana-based automated market maker, is scrapping its initial token launch (WET) and introducing a new token on December 8th. This decision comes after automated bots rapidly purchased the entire presale supply within seconds of its release. The initial WET tokens purchased by the bots are now considered worthless. The attackers used thousands of wallets, each pre-funded with 1000 USDC, to execute coordinated transactions and drain the presale. Each bundle contained 4 transactions that triggered 6 instructions each, for a total of 24,000 USDC or ~350,000 WET.

Cryptocurrency markets experienced a downturn on Friday, December 5th, following the release of U.S. core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data, which fell short of anticipated figures. Bitcoin's value decreased by 3.4%, reaching $89,361. Ethereum declined by 4.2%, trading at $3,029. Other cryptocurrencies also saw drops, with XRP decreasing by 4% to $2.03, BNB falling 2.6% to $880, and Solana experiencing a 7% decrease to $132.

SpaceX is conducting a secondary share sale targeting an $800 billion valuation, potentially making it the highest-valued private U.S. company, surpassing OpenAI. This valuation is double what it was earlier in the year. SpaceX's revenue is projected to reach $15.5 billion this year. The company's Starlink satellite internet service has reached 8 million subscribers. SpaceX is also involved in military and national security launches and satellite contracts. The company is working on connecting satellites directly to smartphones and is acquiring radio spectrum from EchoStar for over $20 billion. Recently, SpaceX moved 1,083 Bitcoin, with portions sent to Coinbase Prime and other holding wallets. SpaceX is also investing in its Starship rocket for NASA's lunar missions.

Malaysia is battling widespread electricity theft related to illegal Bitcoin mining operations. Authorities are using drones and sensors to detect unusual heat signatures and power usage, as miners steal electricity to maximize profits due to low subsidized energy costs. From 2020 to August 2025, approximately $1.1 billion in electricity has been stolen, with a nearly 300% increase in crypto-linked electricity theft reported in the last six years. Miners often operate out of empty buildings, using sophisticated methods to hide their activity, including masking noise with bird sounds. The government is considering stricter measures, including a potential ban on Bitcoin mining, due to concerns about grid stability and organized criminal involvement. The stolen electricity is impacting Malaysia's efforts to modernize its grid and support other industries.

A model-based Bitcoin price prediction suggests a potential year-end target of $194,000. Despite this optimistic outlook, Bitcoin's current trading price is below this midpoint. Recent market dynamics, including a leaner leverage base as noted by Bitfinex, may reduce the likelihood of sharp, liquidation-driven price drops. According to one market analyst using the Sharpe ratio, Bitcoin is closer to a price bottom than a top. Historically, December has been a relatively quiet month for Bitcoin gains, but recent price action has deviated from traditional seasonal patterns. Bitfinex reported that extreme deleveraging, capitulation by short-term holders and early signs of seller exhaustion may cause price stabilization with a relief bounce.

Bitcoin's price has fallen below $90,000 due to significant liquidations of leveraged positions, wiping out $200 million from the crypto market in the last four hours. The overall crypto market capitalization has decreased by over $100 billion today. A trader highlighted that Bitcoin is trading below key moving averages for the first time since June/July 2023, suggesting a potential drop to the $72,000-$76,000 range if this trend continues. The odds of Bitcoin reaching $80,000 by year-end have increased to over 40%. The immediate support level to watch is $84,000; failure to hold this level could lead to a further decline towards $76,000. In related news, the Bitcoin Hyper presale, aiming to improve Bitcoin's blockchain for decentralized applications, has raised over $29 million.

The increasing use of private credit in the crypto space is raising concerns about potential risks. Private credit, which involves loans from various sources, is rapidly being tokenized, with over $2.1 billion tokenized so far. This growth is happening because private credit is estimated to grow to $2.6T by 2029. The concern is that the uncertain value of these loans could negatively impact crypto projects and protocols. A recent example involves Morpho, a lending protocol, which used tokenized private loans as collateral in one of its vaults. When the value of these loans was written down, it affected the vault, highlighting the risk. Experts warn that using tokenized private loans as collateral in DeFi platforms or as backing for stablecoins could lead to losses in value and instability.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has significantly dropped in value, losing over 90% from its peak in 2021 and facing continued selling pressure. While potential factors like Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and a Bitcoin rally in 2026 could help SHIB recover, analysts are skeptical it will reach $0.0001 by then. Telegaon analysts predict a maximum price of around $0.0000543 for SHIB in 2026. Achieving higher prices would require a surge in meme-coin trading activity. Although a broader crypto market recovery could boost SHIB, it needs to rebuild trust and increase adoption of its ecosystem developments like Shibarium to sustain significant growth. A sharp rise is possible if the market aligns favorably, but reaching $0.0001 by 2026 is considered unlikely.

Polymarket, a prediction market platform, is planning to create an in-house trading team to bet against its users, similar to a traditional sportsbook. This shift comes after Polymarket received regulatory approval to operate in the U.S. following a ban in 2022 and a fine of $1.4 million. Currently, Polymarket doesn't charge trading fees, and this new team is seen as a way to generate revenue after its valuation jumped to $9 billion following a $2 billion investment. The company also plans to offer parlay betting, using a system where their internal desk sets prices. A competitor, Kalshi, already has a similar system, but it has faced criticism and a class-action lawsuit. Experts warn that Polymarket's move could damage its reputation as a neutral source of information, which it gained during the 2024 election. The prediction market industry has seen substantial growth recently, with trading volume on the three largest platforms increasing by 565% to $3.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024. Polymarket's open interest has doubled to $286 million with nearly half a million active traders.

Italy has set a firm deadline of December 30, 2025, for crypto platforms to comply with the European Union's MiCA regulations. Crypto companies currently operating in Italy under the existing registration system must either apply for a MiCA license by this date or cease operations and return all customer assets. Companies applying for licenses by the deadline may continue operating until June 30, 2026, while their applications are reviewed. Non-compliant companies must halt all activities in Italy, including ending customer contracts, returning assets, and posting notices about their plans. Italy's approach aims to quickly establish a clear crypto market structure, with CONSOB overseeing market conduct and the Bank of Italy handling money laundering prevention.

Bitcoin's recent price swings have put MicroStrategy, a company holding a large amount of Bitcoin, under scrutiny. Analysts are watching to see if MicroStrategy might sell some of its Bitcoin, which could impact the cryptocurrency's price. JPMorgan suggests MicroStrategy can avoid being forced to sell if its company value stays above 1.0 relative to its Bitcoin holdings, currently at 1.13. MicroStrategy has slowed its Bitcoin purchases recently. The company's stock has fallen about 42% in the last three months. There's a possibility MicroStrategy could be removed from certain investment indexes, potentially leading to about $8.8 billion in investment fund outflows. However, MicroStrategy has $1.4 billion in reserve, potentially allowing it to avoid selling its Bitcoin even if prices drop further. Bitcoin is experiencing significant capital flowing in, driven by institutional adoption, exceeding previous market cycles. Over $732 billion in new capital has entered the Bitcoin network in the current cycle. Despite this, the number of active users on the Bitcoin network has decreased, possibly due to capital shifting into spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Ethereum's price is currently around $3,150, a level traders are watching closely as a potential support zone. Recent price movements have been influenced more by futures trading than by regular buying and selling (spot volume), which has decreased. This makes the price more volatile and prone to sharp swings. While futures activity is currently helping Ethereum stay above the $3,150 level, a shift in futures positioning could cause the price to drop quickly. Ethereum's weekly chart shows it's trying to recover after a decline, reclaiming its 100-week moving average. However, it faces resistance around $3,400-$3,500. Increased buying activity has been observed during the rebound, but Ethereum needs to maintain this momentum to avoid further price consolidation.

Bitcoin is currently trading around $90,208, a decrease of nearly 3% in the last 24 hours, with over $46 billion in daily trading volume. It's facing resistance at $94,000 and might retest the $88,000-$89,000 support level before potentially bouncing back. Liquidity pools suggest a possible move toward the high $80,000 range. Analysts are split, with some optimistic about future growth due to institutional investments like Bitcoin ETFs, while others are cautious due to a lack of significant market catalysts and slowing momentum. One analyst suggests Bitcoin could reach $140,000-$180,000 by mid-2026, possibly hitting new all-time highs by January 2026. Strong support is noted around $89,000-$90,243, with potential upward targets at $95,567-$95,628 and $98,000-$98,933 if this support holds. The market is watching if Bitcoin can maintain the $88,000 support level for a continued bullish trend.

European authorities have dismantled a massive cryptocurrency fraud network that stole 700 million from victims across Europe. The criminals created fake cryptocurrency trading platforms, using sophisticated marketing campaigns and deepfake videos of celebrities to trick people into investing. A two-phase international operation led to arrests in multiple countries and the seizure of significant assets, including cash, cryptocurrency, and luxury goods. The network operated like a sophisticated company, with departments dedicated to advertising, sales, and money laundering, exploiting the anonymity features of cryptocurrency to hide their activities. This operation signals a major crackdown on cryptocurrency-enabled crime, highlighting the need for international cooperation and advanced investigative techniques to combat these sophisticated fraud networks.

Bitcoin is facing resistance at the $100,000 price level, revealing weakness in the market. An on-chain metric, the Growth Rate Difference, suggests Bitcoin's market value is not growing as fast as its realized value, indicating a potential weakening of market structure. Bitcoin was trading around $91,500, down nearly 2% on the day, with analysts suggesting a potential drop to $90,000 if support levels fail. Over the past month, Bitcoin has decreased by 10%, though it has recovered about 11% from lows in mid-November. Some market observers believe recent deleveraging and short-term holder capitulation may indicate the price is near a cycle bottom.

The CLARITY Act, a crypto market structure bill, passed the House in July and now faces challenges in the Senate, potentially delaying its passage into 2026. Key issues causing delays include disagreements on how to regulate stablecoin yield, with banks pushing for broader restrictions than currently in place. Another sticking point is whether to add conflict-of-interest language to prevent political influence in digital asset policy, particularly concerning involvement of political figures in crypto projects. Finally, the bill's approach to decentralized finance (DeFi) remains unresolved, with debate over whether to regulate DeFi developers and validators as intermediaries. These unresolved issues in the Senate could impact the bill's progress and timing.

Ethereum's price movement against Bitcoin is showing patterns similar to the 2021 bull run, suggesting a potential significant price increase. Traders have identified possible breakout points for Ethereum, with price targets ranging from $3,700 to $8,500. This optimism is fueled by Bitcoin's potential stability above $91,500, which could trigger a broader market rally. Specifically, the ETH/BTC pair bottomed out in April at a similar zone as in the previous major cycle. An analyst pointed out that ETH is at a level where it previously experienced a 170 percent surge. If Ethereum follows the 2021 pattern, it could reach approximately $8,500 based on current prices. Analysts are watching closely to see if Ethereum will sustain its upward momentum or revert to previous levels.

Bitcoin is currently trading near $89,000, and most large cryptocurrencies are down for the day. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains low, indicating continued anxiety among investors. For a potential December rally to occur, the market needs increased trading activity, stable funding rates, consistent investment in Bitcoin products, and a rise in new money entering the market through stablecoins. Without these factors, the market remains vulnerable to negative news or liquidity problems that could cause Bitcoin to fall back to lower support levels. The market's overall performance is still heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors, such as the strength of the dollar and interest rate expectations.

Bitcoin's price dropped below $90,000 due to several factors. A large number of traders had their positions automatically closed (liquidated), resulting in approximately $500 million being wiped out across various exchanges. There was also a decrease in demand for Bitcoin investment funds (ETFs), with BlackRock's Bitcoin Trust experiencing significant outflows. Uncertainty in the global economy also played a role, with the Bank of Japan considering raising interest rates and traders becoming cautious before the release of US inflation data. Some companies, like MicroStrategy, indicated they might sell their Bitcoin holdings if their financial situation weakened. However, despite the downturn, some large Bitcoin holders are moving their Bitcoin into long-term storage, signaling continued belief in its future potential.

Wang Yongli, a former Bank of China executive, believes the US GENIUS Act, aimed at regulating stablecoins, could backfire by enabling banks to offer tokenized deposits, potentially displacing private stablecoin issuers. The Act requires stablecoin issuers to maintain reserves and comply with anti-money laundering rules, while preventing them from paying interest. Wang argues this could strengthen the US dollar and benefit the US but also pose risks to other countries' monetary sovereignty and wealth security. He also points out that regulated stablecoins could encourage banks to enter the market with their own tokenized deposits, overshadowing existing stablecoins. Wang suggests China's ban on stablecoins is a strategic move to avoid becoming subservient to dollar-denominated tokens and to maintain control over its financial system. According to him, dollar-linked stablecoins enable unregulated global trading that may be used for illegal activity and threaten other nations' economies.

XRP's market sentiment has turned negative, with social data indicating a high level of fear among retail investors after a recent price drop of 31% over two months. Despite this negative sentiment, the XRP Ledger is experiencing high transaction activity, indicating active use of the cryptocurrency. Simultaneously, XRP-related exchange-traded products have seen inflows of approximately $887 million since launch, contrasting with outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs during the same period. Ripple, the company behind XRP, has invested nearly $4 billion in acquisitions to expand XRP's use in corporate finance, aiming to create a comprehensive financial infrastructure for global value transfer, and a closed-loop liquidity environment by owning the custody, execution, and client interface. This divergence between negative retail sentiment and positive institutional activity suggests a potential future price increase for XRP, as market flows often override crowd emotions.

Chainlink's price has slightly decreased to $14.28, but it's maintaining a long-term support level that analysts believe could lead to a future price increase. The price has been fluctuating within a tightening range since 2020, and it's approaching a point where it's likely to break out either upwards or downwards. Despite the recent price dip, Chainlink has a market capitalization of $9.94 billion and a daily trading volume of $687.78 million, showing strong liquidity. Analysts suggest that if Chainlink breaks above the $22-$26 resistance area, it could potentially reach new all-time highs by 2026.

Recent reports of $2.5 billion in outflows from crypto ETFs might be misleading. A large portion of these outflows stemmed from hedge funds unwinding basis trades, a type of arbitrage, rather than institutions generally selling off their crypto assets. These trades involved simultaneously buying crypto ETFs and selling futures contracts. As the difference in price between these narrowed, the trades became less profitable, leading to the unwinding and subsequent outflows. On-chain data indicates that large investors, or whales, were actually accumulating Bitcoin and moving it into their own custody during this period, suggesting they weren't exiting the market. Experts suggest that these short-term ETF flow trends need to be viewed within a longer context, as overall flows remain positive. Some analysts are predicting significant growth in the crypto ETF market, with over 100 new digital asset ETFs potentially launching in the near future, including those offering more complex strategies like covered calls and defined outcome products.

Dogecoin's price is currently around $0.15, down from recent highs. Some analysts see potential for it to rise to the $0.70-$0.75 range based on historical patterns, but caution that this is just a model-based projection and depends on broader market conditions. Technical indicators suggest a cooling trend, but some models predict a short-term rebound to around $0.19. Predictions for 2025 vary, with some experts forecasting between $0.33 and $0.65. Dogecoin's price is closely tied to Bitcoin's performance. There's some institutional interest through a Grayscale ETF, and Buenos Aires is allowing residents to pay taxes with Dogecoin. A $1,000 investment five years ago would now be worth over $60,000, despite Dogecoin being below its all-time high. Key risks include its unlimited supply and sensitivity to social media trends.

The Federal Reserve ended its quantitative tightening program and injected $13.5 billion into the financial system through an overnight repo operation. This is the second-largest injection since the COVID-19 crisis. Following this action, the crypto market saw an increase, with Bitcoin prices rising and the total crypto market capitalization increasing by over $250 billion in under 48 hours, going from $3.016 trillion to $3.269 trillion between December 2nd and December 4th. Some analysts believe this shift away from quantitative tightening could signal a more favorable environment for riskier assets like cryptocurrencies, as similar actions in the past have correlated with market rallies. One analyst pointed out that after the Fed ended QT in 2019, the stock market rose about 5% within three weeks while Bitcoin experienced strongest gains later on.

Optimism (OP) is currently priced around $0.32, experiencing a slight decrease of 1.36% in the last 24 hours. The market capitalization of OP is $611.21 million, with a 24-hour trading volume of $57.71 million. Recently, there was a reduction in leveraged positions, leading to more stable trading. Open interest, which reflects the total number of outstanding derivative contracts, has stabilized around 50.42 million after an initial decline. Technical indicators show weakened downward momentum but no confirmed trend reversal, with the coin consolidating near the $0.31-$0.32 range. Chaikin Money Flow indicates sustained outflows, suggesting limited buying activity.

Despite a recent price drop below $0.15, Dogecoin may be entering an accumulation phase, suggesting traders are buying more. The Dogecoin Bubble Risk Model indicates the coin isn't overvalued, showing a stable market supported by accumulation and strong holder belief. Active addresses on the Dogecoin network have spiked, reaching over 71,589, the highest since September 2023, signaling renewed interest. Additionally, large investors (whales) have purchased over 480 million DOGE in the last two days, worth about $71.2 million, showing significant accumulation.

The launch of the $WET token on the Solana blockchain faced a major disruption when an entity, identified as Ramarxyz, used over 1,000 wallets to acquire approximately 70% of the tokens during the public presale. This presale, hosted on Jupiter Exchange's Decentralized Token Formation launchpad, sold out rapidly, leaving many regular participants unable to buy any tokens. Blockchain investigators traced the suspicious activity back to Ramarxyz, who allegedly even requested a refund for the sniped allocation. HumidiFi, the platform behind the $WET token, confirmed the bot attack and canceled the bot allocations. Legitimate participants in the presale will receive a pro-rata airdrop. HumidiFi will create a new token and conduct a new public sale. The original sale raised $5.57 million across various phases. The public phase offered 30 million tokens at $0.069 each, with a $1,000 USDC limit per wallet. This incident has raised concerns about fairness and bot protection measures in token launches.

A WisdomTree report indicates that XRP is the only major cryptocurrency with consistent institutional investment across all global regions. While most other digital assets experienced net outflows, XRP products saw sustained inflows in Europe, international markets, and the United States. In Europe, XRP products attracted $549 million this year, surpassing Ethereum and Solana. International markets invested $252 million in XRP, nearly matching Bitcoin inflows despite the smaller size of XRP products. U.S. synthetic XRP products received $241 million, contrasting with the $6.4 billion outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in November. This data suggests institutional investors are consistently allocating capital to XRP even as other cryptocurrencies face selling pressure.

Large Dogecoin holders, often called whales, bought approximately 480 million DOGE tokens between December 2nd and 4th, increasing their total holdings from 28 billion to 28.48 billion DOGE. This accumulation occurred after Dogecoin's price dipped and then rebounded from $0.14 to $0.15. Network activity on the Dogecoin blockchain has also increased, reaching a three-month high with 71,589 active addresses. There's a significant resistance level around $0.20, where a large amount of DOGE was previously purchased, potentially creating selling pressure if the price rises to that level. A long-term chart suggests Dogecoin may be entering a more volatile period, mirroring a pattern seen before a price rally in 2021.

BlackRock transferred $120 million in Bitcoin and $2.5 million in Ethereum to Coinbase Prime, a platform used for large crypto transactions. These transfers are part of BlackRock's routine management of its cryptocurrency holdings, including its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF experienced outflows of $113 million, while its Ethereum ETF saw inflows of $28 million. These movements indicate BlackRock is actively adjusting its positions in response to changing investor demand, showing continued institutional involvement in the crypto market despite volatility.

CEA Industries, now operating as BNB Network Company (BNC), has responded to concerns raised by YZi Labs regarding their BNB digital asset treasury (DAT) strategy. YZi Labs, a major investor, accused BNC management of deviating from their agreement to focus on BNB, even suggesting a shift to other cryptocurrencies like Solana. This led YZi Labs to initiate a proxy fight, seeking to expand and reconstitute the BNC board. CEA Industries denies these accusations, reaffirming its commitment to its BNB treasury strategy and stating they have not considered alternative tokens or launched competitive ventures. They emphasize the appointment of independent directors with digital asset and corporate governance experience and express a desire to engage in constructive discussions with YZi Labs and other shareholders to build long-term value. YZi Labs' concerns stem from alleged mismanagement, value-destructive actions, and potential contractual violations, claiming BNC's stock performance has suffered significantly, trading approximately 19% below the pre-PIPE announcement level and 87% below the post-announcement level. YZi Labs seeks confirmation that BNC will adhere to the BNB treasury strategy, disclose key operational and asset management information, and provide timely updates on BNB holdings.

BNB is showing signs of a potential trend reversal, reacting positively to the 0.786 Fibonacci demand zone, which suggests buyers are stepping in and selling pressure is decreasing. The weekly candle indicates this buying activity with a long lower wick. This technical strength is supported by the expansion of the BNB Chain ecosystem, including new DeFi, AI, and prediction market projects backed by the $1 billion YZiLabs fund. BNB Chain leads in active addresses with 57.6 million users and over 300 million total users, indicating strong network participation. Key technical targets for potential upward movement are at $1,296.11 and $1,456.54.

The price of XRP is currently being watched as inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs are approaching $1 billion. This means investors are putting a significant amount of money into these investment products that track the price of Bitcoin. The article discusses what impact this might have on the price of XRP.

A Maryland man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for helping North Korean IT workers get jobs at US tech companies by using fake credentials. He helped place workers at at least 13 companies, who paid him over $970,000 for software development work actually done overseas. In one instance, he helped a North Korean gain access to sensitive US government systems by working on a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contract. This is part of a larger effort by North Korea to fund its weapons programs through cyber operations, including infiltrating companies, hacking crypto wallets, and stealing digital assets. North Korean hacking groups have stolen approximately $2 billion in crypto in 2025 alone and over $6 billion in recent years.

Do Kwon, the figure behind the TerraUSD stablecoin collapse, potentially faces up to 12 years in prison. This stems from his involvement in the $40 billion wipeout of the TerraUSD and Luna cryptocurrencies. The legal consequences reflect the scale of the financial damage caused by the collapse and the impact on investors.

On-chain investigator ZachXBT claims a British hacker, Danish Zulfiqar, suspected of stealing $243 million in Bitcoin from a Genesis creditor in August 2024, may have been arrested in Dubai. According to ZachXBT, approximately $18.58 million in digital assets linked to the suspect are now held in a single Ethereum wallet, and funds from previously connected wallets were funneled into this address, a pattern indicative of law enforcement seizures. ZachXBT also alleges that Zulfiqar was last known to be in Dubai, where a villa was reportedly raided and that other individuals linked to the suspect have gone silent recently. The August 2024 theft involved 4,064 Bitcoin and was allegedly executed through a social engineering attack where the attackers impersonated Google support staff. ZachXBT had previously identified other individuals connected to the attack and shared his findings with law enforcement. Separately, ZachXBT has connected Zulfiqar to the August 2023 Kroll SIM swap incident that exposed personal data and led to more than $300 million in crypto thefts. There has been no official confirmation from Dubai Police or UAE authorities regarding the arrest or asset seizure. The news follows recent crypto crime probes around the world, including arrests in Thailand and a guilty plea in the UK.

Institutions are increasingly investing in Solana (SOL) staking, with 3.1 million SOL staked, driven by new regulated staking ETFs. Marinade, a staking service, has seen its Total Value Locked triple to $436 million in November. These ETFs have experienced inflows despite a generally weak month for ETFs, suggesting investors are buying SOL during dips. This growing institutional interest, including potential access for Vanguard's 50 million clients, puts Solana in a position to possibly outperform Bitcoin in a future bull run, potentially by 2026. Solana is forming a double-bottom pattern around $120, with potential targets of $210 and even $500, representing a 260% gain if it breaks through resistance levels. A move to ease U.S. interest rates could boost this growth, potentially leading to a $1,000 valuation. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is addressing its ecosystem limitations with Bitcoin Hyper, a Layer-2 network that aims to improve transaction speed and programmability.

Bitcoin experienced two separate 7% price increases within the same day, marking a return to higher volatility after a period of relative stability. Data indicates that these surges were driven by rapid inflows of money and sudden spikes in demand from traders. This suggests that the market is becoming more active and responsive to changes in demand and liquidity. While it's uncertain if this volatility will continue, the day's events highlight Bitcoin's potential for quick and substantial price movements.

ProShares has withdrawn its plans to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offering three times (3x) leveraged exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. This decision comes after feedback from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signaling regulatory hesitancy towards highly leveraged crypto investment products. The withdrawal means that investors will not have access to these specific investment vehicles that would have amplified the daily returns of these cryptocurrencies, both positively and negatively.

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a downturn, with Bitcoin dropping to just above $91,000, a 2% decrease in 24 hours, and most altcoins following a similar downward trend. Ethereum is near $3,090 after a 2.5% fall, Solana is around $134 after a 5.5% decrease and Hyperliquid is down approximately 8% trading around $31. Traders are being cautious, preferring short-term trades and trimming their holdings. Zcash is an exception, rising by 10% to around $384, driven by interest in privacy-focused tokens and positive updates from the Zcash Foundation, but it's not enough to signal a broad recovery for altcoins. The overall market sentiment remains cautious, hindering the start of altcoin season.

Bitcoin's price is currently stable above $92,000, but market analysts are uncertain about its future direction. On-chain data indicates that Matrixport, a large Asian crypto financial services platform, withdrew 3,805 Bitcoin, worth approximately $352.5 million, from the Binance exchange in the last 24 hours. Such large withdrawals by institutions often suggest they are accumulating Bitcoin, anticipating less selling pressure, or preparing for long-term holding rather than immediate trading. This move is happening as the Federal Reserve ends Quantitative Tightening and markets anticipate interest rate cuts, potentially creating a more favorable environment for Bitcoin. However, Bitcoin's price chart shows it is still below key moving averages and needs to break above $95,000 to signal a more definite bullish trend.

SEI's price has dropped to around $0.14, a 3.27% decrease in the last 24 hours. This follows a period of increased trading activity and a price surge. The amount of open interest, which represents the total number of outstanding derivative contracts, has decreased, suggesting traders are closing positions after the earlier volatility. SEI's market capitalization is currently $863.40 million, with a daily trading volume of $64.37 million. It is still significantly below its all-time high of $1.14, and the overall trend remains downward. Momentum indicators are neutral, indicating no strong buying or selling pressure, and capital continues to flow out of the market.

Dogecoin is showing signs of a potential price rebound after a recent decline. Chart analysis indicates a possible bullish trend forming, with the cryptocurrency establishing a higher low compared to its previous drop in November. The immediate target for Dogecoin is $0.188, and a successful move above this level could pave the way for a broader recovery towards $0.20. Reaching these targets from the current price of $0.148 would represent gains of approximately 27% and 35% respectively. However, Dogecoin's performance is closely tied to the overall crypto market, particularly Bitcoin, meaning its potential recovery is contingent on broader market sentiment. Rising trading volume hints at a possible bullish scenario for Dogecoin.

Ethereum's price recently rebounded near $3,100 after the Fusaka upgrade, which aims to improve the network's scalability and lower fees for Layer-2 solutions. Following the upgrade, the price briefly traded around $3,200, reflecting optimism about increased network efficiency and potential adoption. Analysts suggest that if Layer-2 adoption grows, Ethereum could see upside potential, with some projecting prices between $7,000 and $12,000+ by the end of 2026. One long-term prediction from Tom Lee suggests a potential price of $62,000 under ideal conditions, but this requires overcoming resistance at $4,800, $6,800, and $8,800. While the upgrade is a significant technical step, achieving higher price targets depends on continued growth, ecosystem adoption, favorable market conditions, and investor confidence.

In 2025, the DeFi market experienced volatility, reaching a peak of $237 billion in total value locked (TVL) but later dropping to $123 billion. Despite this, participation remained high with over 14.2 million wallets involved. This volatility highlighted the need for users to constantly monitor and adjust their positions, making DeFi feel like a job. Theoriq, led by ex-Google executive Ron Bodkin, is introducing AlphaVault, an AI agent system designed to automate DeFi management. AlphaVault uses AI agents within defined smart-contract rules called policy cages to manage user capital transparently and safely. It integrates with existing Ethereum yield strategies like Lido's stRATEGY vault and Chorus One's MEV Max, aiming to provide returns without constant user intervention. To bootstrap liquidity, Theoriq is launching an incentivized program where users can lock ETH and earn $THQ rewards, which will later become reputation tokens for staking behind well-performing AI agents. This approach aims to shift the focus from chasing high returns to reducing user workload, making DeFi more accessible and dependable.

Do Kwon, the person behind the TerraUSD cryptocurrency, might face 12 years in prison due to the 2022 TerraUSD collapse. This event caused a $40 billion loss for investors. Prosecutors argue Kwon misled investors by claiming TerraUSD was safe when it wasn't, and that the collapse negatively impacted the broader crypto market, even contributing to the FTX failure. Kwon's legal team is requesting a lighter sentence, around five years or less, claiming outside factors like attacks on the Terra system and weaknesses in its design contributed to the crash. They also say the crypto market was already struggling at the time. Kwon has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud. His sentencing is scheduled for December 11th.

Ethereum's price has broken above a 3.5-month downtrend against Bitcoin, indicating potential strength for Ethereum. This is an early signal and does not guarantee a complete market shift towards altcoins. The Ethereum/Bitcoin pair needs to show further gains to confirm a trend reversal. If Ethereum continues to outperform Bitcoin, larger altcoins like SOL, AVAX, LINK, ADA, and APT could benefit. However, if the breakout fails, Bitcoin will likely maintain its market dominance.

CoinPoker is sponsoring a YouTube event involving a poker tournament that will feature participation from Triton Poker. The event, launching on YouTube in 24 days, will include CoinMasters tournaments. A specific event is highlighted where 200 CoinMasters players will compete for $25 per person, culminating in a $5,000 prize pool. There is a separate CoinMasters event where participants can win $10,000 worth of CoinMasters Coins, with a total prize pool of $250,000. High-stakes players may participate, including Bencb. The collaboration with Triton Poker aims to enhance the exposure of CoinPoker. The $5,000 event is the primary focus. CoinPoker's platform is being promoted as part of this event.

Twenty One Capital, a Bitcoin treasury firm holding approximately 43,500 BTC worth about $4 billion, is set to go public on the New York Stock Exchange around December 9 under the ticker symbol XXI. The company is a collaboration between Tether, Bitfinex, Cantor Fitzgerald, and SoftBank. Bitcoin's price is showing signs of potential decline, facing resistance at $94,000 and potentially dropping to the $81,000-$82,000 range if it falls below $90,000. Simultaneously, a new Dogecoin-themed meme coin called Maxi Doge ($MAXI) has raised over $4.2 million in its presale, priced at $0.0002715 per token.

A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by stablecoins. The report highlights potential vulnerabilities within the stablecoin market that could impact financial stability. Experts have criticized the report, though the article does not include the details of the critiques. The specific nature of the risks outlined in the IMF report is not specified, but the report signals that the IMF sees stablecoins as a potential source of instability within the broader financial system.

The cryptocurrency SYRUP experienced a 16% price increase within a 24-hour period following an announcement by Maple Finance. Maple Finance, which manages over $3 billion in assets, stated they used 25% of their November revenue to buy back 2 million SYRUP tokens. This buyback reduced the circulating supply of SYRUP. The price of SYRUP reached $0.28, bringing its market capitalization to over $318 million. However, the price has since decreased slightly to around $0.26. While SYRUP is up approximately 19% year-to-date, it has decreased by about 32% in the last 30 days.

XRP's price is currently around $2.06, experiencing a slight dip despite a recovering cryptocurrency market. Trading volume has decreased by 2.4% to $2.4 billion, indicating less investor activity. Despite the price decrease, XRP ETFs continue to attract significant institutional investment, with inflows reaching $874.3 million since launch, including $50.3 million on December 3rd. One analyst suggests XRP could reach $2.75 if it surpasses the $2.28 resistance level. Another expert predicts a potential rise to $5.85, with $1.80 now considered a key support level.

A recent national security strategy document highlights a potential disconnect between the cryptocurrency industry's focus on low interest rates and broader economic realities. The document suggests that national security concerns and economic stability may take precedence over maintaining low interest rates, which could impact the crypto market. The article points out that the crypto sector might need to consider factors beyond just interest rate policies, as government priorities could shift in ways that affect the digital asset landscape.

SpaceX recently moved 1,083 Bitcoin, worth approximately $100 million, in a single transaction. The transfer was directed towards wallets associated with Coinbase Prime, an institutional custody and trading platform. This activity suggests SpaceX is refining its Bitcoin storage and security, indicating ongoing treasury management. The movement is likely part of an effort to improve auditability and security of their Bitcoin holdings, aligning with standard corporate practices for managing large digital asset treasuries. It signals that SpaceX views Bitcoin as a core treasury asset and is focused on secure, institutional-grade custody solutions.

Bitcoin's price unexpectedly fell to $88,000, a 5-day low, after stabilizing above $90,000. This drop triggered a widespread decline in the value of other cryptocurrencies (altcoins). As a result, liquidations, which occur when traders are forced to close positions due to insufficient funds, surged to $500 million in a single day. Ethereum, XRP, SOL, DOGE, and ADA also experienced significant price decreases. Some altcoins like CC, APT, HYPE, PUMP, PEPE and ENA plunged by double digits, with WLD and AVAX plummeting by up to 9%. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization decreased by $80 billion in just hours, reaching $3.1 trillion. Over the past 24 hours, $500 million in liquidations were recorded, with $420 million affecting traders who had bet on prices increasing. Over 140,000 traders were affected, with the largest single liquidation order being worth $8.5 million.

XRP is currently trading around $2.07, having decreased in value by about 8% over the past week. Technical charts are indicating the potential for a large price swing. One analyst predicts that if XRP breaks above a certain trendline, it could rise to $9.50, which is a 360% increase. However, failure to maintain this trendline could see the price drop to around $0.50. Another analyst points to a potential short-term dip towards the $1.5-$1.6 range before potentially rallying as high as $4.87 in the coming months. Short-term resistance is at $2.27 and support is being tested at $2.07. Some short-term holders are selling, and social media sentiment toward XRP has become more negative.

U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking a 12-year prison sentence for Do-hyung, co-founder of Terraform Labs, for his role in the TerraUSD collapse, which they describe as a massive fraud that destabilized the crypto industry. The government argues that Do-hyung lied to users, triggering a $40 billion wipeout. Do-hyung had pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud and proposed a 5-year sentence, but the prosecutors are pushing for a longer term. As part of his plea deal, Do-hyung has already agreed to forfeit $19.3 million and some properties. Due to the complexity of calculating losses for the millions affected, the government isn't pursuing restitution. The sentencing is scheduled for December 11. Despite being extradited from Montenegro to the U.S., U.S. officials may support transferring him to South Korea for the latter part of his sentence if he complies with the plea agreement. The case's outcome is seen as potentially setting a precedent for how the U.S. will handle failed crypto founders, especially considering the recent pardon of Changpeng Zhao, the Binance founder, despite his conviction.

Hedera's price decreased, mirroring a widespread downturn in the cryptocurrency market. This price drop occurred concurrently with a notable increase in the trading volume of Hedera.

The CFTC has approved leveraged spot crypto trading on federally regulated US exchanges for the first time. This allows Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to be traded with borrowed funds under existing regulations, potentially offering greater protection to American investors. The move establishes two separate Bitcoin markets: one offshore with high leverage and minimal regulation, and another onshore with lower leverage and stricter regulatory oversight. This change may attract large financial institutions such as Vanguard, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity, which collectively manage over $25 trillion in assets, by providing a more regulated and safer environment for crypto trading. It also allows for portfolio margining, reducing capital requirements for traders hedging positions. While high-leverage retail traders may remain offshore, institutions are expected to migrate onshore for better capital protection and legal certainty, potentially shifting Bitcoin from a speculative asset to an allocatable asset for major institutional investors.

Switzerland is increasing its efforts to create its own quantum computer, aiming for digital independence and control over its technology. SEALSQ emphasizes the importance of having national control over the hardware, software, and data related to quantum computing. Several Swiss institutions, including CERN, ETH Zurich, EPFL, PSI, and CSCS, are collaborating to drive these quantum advancements. The goal is to keep quantum innovation, talent, and infrastructure within Switzerland. This initiative is viewed as essential for Switzerland's long-term digital security and to avoid reliance on foreign quantum technology providers. Switzerland aims to build a complete quantum computing system domestically, covering everything from hardware and security to operations and legal governance.

XRP is showing potential signs of a price reversal, with a possible move towards $2.70 despite ongoing market weakness. A pattern called a "double bottom" has appeared near the $1.80 level, which analysts see as a signal that the price might go up. However, to confirm this, the price needs to consistently stay above $2.22 with strong trading activity. If XRP fails to stay above $2.00, the price could continue to fall. Currently, XRP is trading around $2.09, and there's more selling than buying in the market. Investor sentiment is fearful, which can sometimes lead to price increases. Some analysts predict XRP could reach much higher prices in the long term, while others remain cautious, noting resistance around $2.40-$3.00. Key levels to watch are the $2.00 support, $2.22 resistance, and the $2.70 target if the double bottom pattern is confirmed. At the time of writing, XRP is down 4.49% over the last 24 hours and is trading around $2.06.

Bitcoin is currently trading around $91,000, and its next major price move may depend on whether it can break through the $97,000 level. According to analyst Darkfost, this price point is the average purchase price for recent long-term Bitcoin holders. If Bitcoin surpasses $97,000, these holders would likely feel more confident and hold onto their Bitcoin, potentially stabilizing the market. Failure to break above this level could lead to further price declines and market instability. Bitcoin's weekly chart shows signs of stabilization with support around $84,000-$86,000 and resistance around $95,000-$97,000. While the recent price bounce shows strong buying interest, a failure to overcome the $97,000 resistance could lead to further price drops.

Bitcoin's price has rebounded, exceeding $93,000 after falling below $84,000 earlier in the month. This recovery is attributed to renewed inflows into Bitcoin ETFs, with BlackRock's IBIT seeing significant inflows. Analyst Michael van de Poppe suggests that if Bitcoin sustains gains above $93,000, it could potentially reach $100,000. Simultaneously, Digitap ($TAP), a project integrating real-world Visa card adoption, has gained traction, raising over $2 million in its presale. Its platform aims to consolidate fiat, crypto, payments, and global transfers into a single dashboard, facilitating crypto spending via Digitap cards wherever Visa is accepted. The $TAP presale is in its third round at $0.0334 and is 95% sold out before the price increases.

Michael Saylor, a major Bitcoin investor, has expressed concerns about adding privacy features similar to those found in Zcash to Bitcoin. He believes that incorporating strong privacy measures could attract negative attention from governments and regulators, potentially leading to crackdowns or even attempts to shut down the Bitcoin network. Saylor's argument is based on the idea that Bitcoin's current transparency is essential for its widespread adoption and acceptance by institutions, while Zcash was created prioritizing privacy and protection against government overreach, reflecting a fundamental disagreement about the future direction of cryptocurrency. The discussion highlights the tension between privacy ideals and the need for regulatory compliance in the crypto space, a debate that continues to shape the industry's development.

Uniswap's price has decreased to around $5.81, reflecting a gradual decline throughout December. The market shows steady selling pressure, with indicators pointing to weak momentum and potential for further consolidation. Open interest, which reflects the number of open positions, is holding steady around $183 million, suggesting a balanced market with neither buyers nor sellers dominating. Uniswap's price is down nearly 2% in the last 24 hours, trading around $6.01, and is significantly below its all-time high. Market capitalization is reported at $3.79 billion, with a daily trading volume of $301 million. Indicators suggest that previous inflows have cooled, with distribution currently dominant, indicating limited accumulation.

US prosecutors are requesting a 12-year prison sentence for Do Kwon, the founder of Terraform Labs, in connection with a major cryptocurrency fraud case. The case revolves around the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin and Luna token, which caused significant financial losses for investors. The prosecutors believe a lengthy sentence is warranted due to the scale of the alleged fraud and its impact on the crypto market.

The cryptocurrency Solana (SOL) is showing potential for a price increase. The article indicates that if Solana's price bounces back from a certain support level, it could potentially rise to a target price of $150.

Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson personally owns Bitcoin and considers it a long-term savings asset. She views Bitcoin as the 'gold standard' of cryptocurrency, highlighting its durability and network security. Fidelity's early involvement with Bitcoin started in 2013 with internal studies and later included accepting Bitcoin donations, which gave them credibility in the crypto space. Their early Bitcoin mining operations became a highly profitable venture. Fidelity's Bitcoin ETF, launched in January 2024, now holds $12.07 billion in assets, making it one of the largest Bitcoin ETFs available.

XRP is currently trading around $2.05, experiencing a decline of over 4%. It's at risk of falling below the $2 support level, which is considered crucial for maintaining short-term momentum. Technical indicators present mixed signals, with a major bearish divergence on the weekly chart suggesting a downward trend, while a recent bullish divergence on the daily chart offers short-term relief. XRP is expected to trade sideways between the $2.00-$2.05 support and the $2.20-$2.40 resistance levels. A break below $2 could lead to a drop towards the $1.93-$1.95 range. The downside risk remains as long as XRP stays below $2.40.

Bitcoin may see increased investment as Indiana progresses a bill potentially allowing the state to invest in cryptocurrencies. The advancement of this bill suggests a growing acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial systems, which could lead to greater demand for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from institutional investors and state entities.

PEPE investors are being warned about a potential security threat on the coin's website. Security firm Blockaid detected a front-end attack using 'Inferno Drainer' malware, which can steal users' cryptocurrency by redirecting them to fake portals and phishing links. Users are advised to avoid the PEPE website until the issue is resolved. The official PEPE X account is currently redirecting to a fake website promoting a PEPE derivative that is potentially a scam. This type of 'Inferno Drainer' attack has been used before, targeting platforms like CoinMarketCap and BNB Chain, resulting in significant financial losses for users. PEPE's price has slightly decreased recently, mirroring a broader downturn in the crypto market, and is down over 75% year-to-date.

The article discusses how a potential XRP ETF would differ from existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which primarily serve as tools for speculative trading and price exposure, an XRP ETF would focus on settlement and liquidity functions, acting more like financial plumbing for institutional markets. This means it would be used for tasks like settling tokenized assets and facilitating cross-border payments. The growth of an XRP ETF would likely be driven by its utility in institutional operations rather than speculative buying and selling. This could make it more like a money-market instrument than a traditional crypto derivative product, with demand potentially increasing as institutions adopt tokenized assets and require efficient settlement solutions.

Bitcoin is showing signs of potentially breaking through a key resistance level, suggesting a possible price increase. Currently, Bitcoin is trading around $91,000, experiencing a decrease of less than 2% in the last 24 hours.

The Fed's preferred inflation measure, the core PCE price index, increased by 0.2% in September and 2.8% year-over-year, slightly below expectations. Headline PCE also rose 0.3% for the month, with a yearly rate of 2.8%. These figures are the last inflation data available before the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. After the data release, stocks rose and futures markets indicated increased expectations for a rate cut. There's division within the Fed, with some members favoring rate cuts to support the job market, while others are concerned about persistent inflation and prefer maintaining current rates. Income climbed 0.4% in September, while spending grew by 0.3%. Goods prices rose 0.5%, food prices increased 0.4%, and energy jumped 1.7%. Consumer sentiment improved, with the University of Michigan's index reaching 53.3. Inflation expectations also decreased, with the one-year outlook falling to 4.1% and the five-year view dropping to 3.2%.

Asset manager Strive is publicly disagreeing with MSCI's plan to potentially remove companies holding a significant amount of Bitcoin from its global equity indices. Strive believes this would negatively impact regular investors and disrupt the market. The point of contention is MSCI's proposed rule that would exclude companies if digital assets make up more than 50% of their total assets. Strive argues that companies like Bitcoin miners are now also providing important AI infrastructure to major tech companies like Google and Microsoft, representing multi-billion dollar deals. Strive also points out that some accounting rules could create loopholes, allowing international companies to avoid the exclusion even with large Bitcoin holdings. Instead of a blanket exclusion, Strive suggests MSCI create custom index options that exclude digital assets for investors who prefer it, while maintaining the main index.

The cryptocurrency Cardano (ADA) is facing potential downward pressure, with analysts suggesting its price could decline by as much as 50%. This concern arises despite an upcoming launch event. The article highlights a risk of significant price decrease for Cardano.