Bitcoin mining profitability plunged to record lows in late 2025 as the hash rate dropped below $35 per petahash per second, while production costs rose to $44.8 per petahash. This forced miners into payback periods over 1,200 days and drove a major industry shift, with 70% of top mining companies now earning revenue from artificial intelligence infrastructure.

November 2025 marked a turning point for the global Bitcoin mining industry. A confluence of collapsing margins, regulatory pressure, and strategic pivots reshaped the sector’s landscape. Here are the five key trends that defined the month.

Profitability Hits Historic Lows

Network hashrate surged to a record 1.1 ZH/s in October, intensifying competition. Meanwhile, Bitcoin prices dropped to around $81,000, crushing margins across the industry. Machine payback periods have stretched beyond 1,200 days.

MARA CEO Fred Thiel issued a stark warning about the industry’s future. After the 2028 halving reduces block rewards to roughly 1.5 BTC, most business models will collapse. Only miners with access to cheap energy or successful AI pivots will survive, he said.

Financing costs continue to rise as traditional mining revenue shrinks. Even companies transitioning to AI cannot yet offset the decline in Bitcoin income. The squeeze is forcing urgent strategic decisions across the sector.

AI Pivot Accelerates

Seven of the top ten mining companies now generate revenue from artificial intelligence. AI hosting yields already exceed traditional mining returns by roughly 50% per megawatt. The shift is reshaping how the industry measures success.

Bitfarms announced it will phase out Bitcoin mining entirely within two years. Its Washington State facility will be converted into an HPC data center by December 2026. CEO Ben Gagnon said potential returns could surpass all previous mining income.

IREN secured a landmark $9.7 billion, five-year GPU cloud computing agreement with Microsoft. The deal includes a 20% upfront payment. IREN will deploy NVIDIA GB300 GPUs at its Texas facility starting in 2026.

Hut 8 sold four Canadian natural gas power plants totaling 310 MW to TransAlta. The move aligns with its strategic shift toward Bitcoin mining plus HPC infrastructure. CleanSpark aims to become a comprehensive compute platform serving both AI and BTC.

Massive Capital Restructuring

A wave of convertible note issuances is sweeping the industry. CleanSpark raised $1.15 billion at 0% interest. TeraWulf completed a $1.025 billion offering, also at zero percent.

Cipher Mining issued $1.4 billion in senior secured notes at 7.125% yield. IREN plans to raise $2 billion through two separate convertible bond offerings. Bitfarms completed a $588 million convertible debt issuance.

Equipment commitments are equally massive. IREN signed a $5.8 billion agreement with Dell to procure NVIDIA GB300 GPUs. Cipher expanded its Fluidstack agreement, with Google providing $1.73 billion in guarantees.

Canaan secured a $72 million strategic investment from BH Digital, Galaxy Digital, and Weiss Asset Management. The funds will support high-performance computing and the development of energy infrastructure. The company aims to reduce future financing dilution.

Regulatory Polarization

Malaysia has uncovered approximately 14,000 illegal mining operations over the past five years. Stolen electricity has caused roughly $1.1 billion in damage to the state utility TNB. A government task force was established in November to intensify crackdowns.

Russia is deploying AI technology to combat illegal mining. State grid operator Rosseti embeds AI analytics into smart meters to detect power anomalies. One recent bust involved $1.5 million in stolen electricity.

Yet some governments are embracing mining. Japan launched its first government-linked project through a major regional utility. Canaan will deploy water-cooled Avalon miners for grid load balancing by year-end.

Belarusian President Lukashenko declared cryptocurrency mining a national priority for electricity usage. He suggested that crypto could serve as an alternative to reliance on the dollar. About 60% of Russian miners remain unregistered, prompting discussions of an amnesty.

Strategic BTC Accumulation

Leading miners are stockpiling Bitcoin rather than selling into the market. MARA holds 53,250 BTC valued at approximately $5.6 billion. The company ranks second globally in public Bitcoin reserves.

CleanSpark reported total holdings of 13,054 BTC as of November 30. Monthly production reached 587 BTC in November alone—year-to-date mining output totals 7,124 BTC.

Cango holds 6,412 BTC with an explicit commitment to long-term holding. Bitdeer increased its reserves to 2,233 BTC after mining 511 BTC in October. Canaan reached a record 1,610 BTC and 3,950 ETH.

The accumulation strategy signals confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value. Miners are betting that surviving the current profitability crisis will prove rewarding. Those who hold through the squeeze may emerge as the biggest winners.

The post November Profit Crisis: 70% of Top Miners Pivot to $20B AI Market appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Central banks purchased a net 53 tonnes of gold in October 2025, a 36% month-over-month surge that brought the monthly total to the highest of the year.

This aggressive gold accumulation reflects growing concerns over macroeconomic uncertainty and a strategic shift away from traditional dollar-denominated assets.

Record Gold Purchases Signal Strategic Shift

According to World Gold Council data, central banks purchased a net 53 tonnes of gold in October alone—the highest monthly demand this year—led by Poland, Brazil, and emerging market economies.

Central banks acquired 254 tonnes year-to-date through October, making 2025 the fourth-highest year for gold accumulation this century. This trend highlights concerns about economic stability and currency diversification.

The National Bank of Poland led the activity, buying 16 tonnes in October. This brought Poland’s reserves to a record 531 tonnes, or about 26% of its total foreign exchange reserves. Brazil also bought 16 tonnes, while Uzbekistan added 9 tonnes and Indonesia acquired 4 tonnes. Turkey, the Czech Republic, and the Kyrgyz Republic expanded by 2 to 3 tonnes each. Meanwhile, Ghana, China, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines increased holdings, and Russia reduced its reserves by 3 tonnes to 2,327 tonnes.

Central banks are ramping up gold purchases:

Global central banks purchased +53 tonnes of gold in October, the most since November 2024.

This marks a +194% jump compared to July, and the 3rd-straight monthly acceleration.

In the first 10 months of the year, central banks have… pic.twitter.com/7pZWyEjjvf

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 4, 2025

95% of surveyed central banks expect reserves to climb next year. Serbia plans to nearly double its gold reserves to 100 tonnes by 2030, while Madagascar and South Korea are considering similar expansion. The sustained demand remains despite high gold prices, emphasizing gold’s strategic importance in uncertain times.

United States Establishes Bitcoin as National Reserve Asset

The trend is now spilling over into digital assets. As sovereign institutions diversify their reserves, Bitcoin is increasingly entering the conversation as a potential complement to gold.

In the United States, Senator Cynthia Lummis stated that funding for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve “can start anytime,” citing President Trump’s executive order designating Bitcoin as a national reserve asset. The Treasury currently manages approximately 200,000 BTC—worth roughly $17 billion—under a budget-neutral framework using seized assets.

The House’s 2026 appropriations bill requires a 90-day Treasury study on custody, standards, and AI for sanctions enforcement. It also bans funds for a central bank digital currency. No further Bitcoin purchases are mandated beyond seized assets, leaving future reserve growth open for debate.

VanEck’s economic modeling projects that acquiring one million Bitcoin by 2029 could offset about 18% of the US national debt by 2049. CoinShares analysts suggest the reserve could strengthen technological leadership and offer inflation protection. Chainalysis economists, however, warn that simultaneous accumulation by many nations could affect market stability.

States and Nations Race to Build Bitcoin Reserves

Texas has already taken action. On November 20, it became the first US state to purchase Bitcoin for its treasury, acquiring $10 million through BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF when prices briefly dipped to $87,000. The move signals a growing appetite among state governments to treat Bitcoin as a strategic asset.

The momentum is not limited to America. Taiwan’s legislature has urged the government to audit its Bitcoin holdings and consider adding cryptocurrency to its strategic reserves, with Premier Cho Jung-tai pledging a detailed report by year-end. Lawmakers cited concerns about the island’s heavy reliance on U.S. dollar assets, which account for over 90% of its $602.94 billion in foreign reserves.

Deutsche Bank analysts project that Bitcoin could appear on central bank balance sheets by 2030, coexisting with gold as a complementary hedge against inflation and geopolitical risk. As nations race to secure both traditional and digital safe-haven assets, the global reserve landscape may be on the verge of a historic transformation.

The post Central Banks Are Stockpiling Gold: Bitcoin Could Be Next appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Peter Schiff engaged in a debate with CZ at Binance Blockchain Week after challenging Bitcoin’s legitimacy as a generator of real economic value. 

Speaking on stage opposite Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Schiff argued that Bitcoin is a zero-sum wealth transfer rather than a productive asset.

Here is Schiff’s full statement as delivered during the debate:

“All Bitcoin does is enable a transfer of wealth from people who buy BTC to the people who sell it. When Bitcoin is created, there’s no real wealth. We have about 20 million Bitcoin now that we didn’t have 15 years ago. But we’re no better off because that BTC exists. They don’t actually do anything. But what has happened is that some people have been enriched at the expense of other people. Now, the people who have lost a lot of money in Bitcoin don’t even realize they lost it yet, because they still have the BTC, and the token still has a $90-$92,000 price, or whatever the price point is in the current market. So, they don’t realize they have lost the money. But if they try to get out, that’s when they’re gonna realize it’s lost.”

“Bitcoin Enables Transfer of Wealth From Buyers to Sellers”

This is true to the extent that any freely traded asset, such as equities, gold, land, fine art, also transfers wealth between participants depending on entry price, exit price, and market conditions.

But Schiff implies that this transfer is zero-sum. That’s inaccurate. Bitcoin’s network itself generates utility, which is distinct from price. 

Bitcoin today powers cross-border settlement, functions as a censorship-resistant store of value, and serves as collateral across financial platforms.

BINANCE FOUNDER CZ JUST DESTROYED GOLD BUG PETER SCHIFF IN 30 SECONDS

THIS IS A MUST WATCH!! pic.twitter.com/SWbTITjbXw

— Vivek Sen (@Vivek4real_) December 4, 2025

Value is generated through capability, not just material form. A global network that moves capital instantly without banks or intermediaries is a new economic function. That is wealth creation by definition.

If Bitcoin merely redistributed value, it would not underpin payment channels, custody platforms, or multi-billion-dollar remittance rails. 

A zero-sum asset does not attract corporate treasuries, institutional ETFs, or nation-state adoption.

“No Real Wealth Was Created by the Addition of 20 Million Bitcoin”

Wealth does not rely on physical substance. It relies on demand, utility, consensus, and the ability to preserve or transfer value.

Schiff’s logic could be applied historically to:

• Government-issued fiat (created by declaration, yet accepted globally).
  
• Internet domain names (non-physical, yet multi-million-dollar assets).
  
• Software and cloud infrastructure (intangible, yet critical to global GDP).

By that standard, software, internet DNS space, AI models, and even fiat money would also fail to qualify as wealth. Yet these intangible systems power most of today’s economy.

Bitcoin created something that did not exist in monetary history: a bearer asset that moves like data, settles without intermediaries, and is mathematically verifiable. 

That feature is comparable to gold digitization but without storage, transport, or assay friction.

Wealth was created because new capabilities emerged.

“People Only Don’t Know They Lost Money Because Price is Still High”

This rests on the assumption that Bitcoin will collapse. It could — but it is not a fact, it is a projection.

If Bitcoin remains in demand globally, scarcity and network growth sustain value. 

If adoption grows further — as has occurred across ETFs, corporate treasuries, and sovereign custody — then Schiff’s prediction weakens.

His view equates unrealized gains with illusions. But:

• If someone holds Bitcoin for 10 years and later sells at a higher price, wealth is realized.
  
• If Bitcoin becomes widely transacted and integrated into the monetary infrastructure, the asset functions beyond speculation.

His thesis only holds if Bitcoin fails as a monetary network. And more than a decade of growth suggests the opposite direction.

Conclusion

Peter Schiff’s comments captured headlines and sparked discussion, but his reasoning overlooks key economic realities. 

Bitcoin is not merely a wealth transfer. It is a functioning global monetary network with attributes that no traditional asset class replicates. 

The argument that it “creates no wealth” relies on outdated assumptions about where value originates.

The post Peter Schiff’s Bitcoin Comment at CZ Debate Is Logically Flawed appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP has gained 10% since the beginning of December. The rise aligns with the broader market recovery. Many XRP holders expect the price to rise further, but they should also be aware of several concerning factors.

These factors may limit XRP’s ability to recover this month. The following analysis breaks them down.

Factors That Could Create New Selling Pressure on XRP in December

CryptoQuant data shows a sharp spike in XRP Ledger Velocity. It has reached the highest level of the year.

This metric measures the frequency with which assets are transferred across the network. A strong increase suggests that XRP is not being locked in cold wallets or held for long-term purposes. Instead, it is being traded rapidly among market participants.

CryptoOnchain, an analyst at CryptoQuant, explains that this surge often signals high liquidity and strong participation from traders. It may even involve large transactions from market “whales.”

The indicator itself is neutral, but sudden spikes often lead to significant price fluctuations. As a result, any negative catalyst at this time could push XRP back down and erase the early-month recovery.

Negative signals are already emerging. The first is a surge in short positions. This rise has created heavy selling pressure in the derivatives segment.

Funding rates remain mostly negative, indicating that short positions are dominant. It reflects increasingly bearish sentiment among traders. Historical data also shows that a deep negative funding rate in April coincided with XRP dropping below $2.

“As more traders pile into shorts in the derivatives market, the continuation of the trend becomes more likely, since the persistent short pressure keeps the appetite for opening long positions low. Under these conditions, the probability of price retesting the $2.0–$1.9 zone increases,” analyst PelinayPA predicts.

Overall, the early-December rebound is not strong enough to reverse the broader downtrend that has persisted since July. PelinayPA’s view remains reasonable under current conditions.

Selling pressure may also come from Korean investors. CryptoQuant reports that XRP balances on Upbit stand at 6.18 billion, compared to 2.6 billion on Binance. The influence of Korean traders cannot be ignored.

XRP reserves on Upbit have increased steadily for three consecutive months. They are now at the highest level of 2025. This trend could create potential selling pressure for XRP in December.

If Korean investors sell, combined with bearish signals from the derivatives market and rising Velocity, XRP’s price may face further downside.

However, XRP ETFs currently serve as the strongest counterweight to potential selling pressure. Data shows that these ETFs have maintained positive net inflows for three straight weeks. Vanguard has also ended its multi-year crypto ban and will allow XRP ETF trading in December.

The post What Challenges Are Hindering XRP’s Early December Recovery? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ethereum just completed the Fusaka upgrade, a hard fork designed to prepare the network for larger scale and cheaper use. While technical on paper, the change touches the core functions of Ethereum — how data is stored, how transactions fit into blocks, and how Rollups like Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism interact with the main chain. 

For anyone holding ETH, this upgrade forms the groundwork for lower fees, better network efficiency, and a more resilient long-term ecosystem.

A Larger Network With More Room to Breathe

The biggest change arrived in how Ethereum handles data. 

Every transaction, NFT mint, DeFi swap, or Layer-2 batch needs block space, and until now, that space was limited. Fusaka increases Ethereum’s capacity so blocks can carry more information at once. 

Missed the Fusaka network upgrade?
13 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) are now live on Mainnet.

Here’s Fusaka in 35 seconds. pic.twitter.com/DlUh1ATA55

— Ethereum (@ethereum) December 4, 2025

This does not make the chain instantly faster, but it removes pressure when demand spikes, such as during market volatility or popular token launches. 

In simple terms, Ethereum can absorb more activity without struggling.

Cheaper Rollups Through Expanded Blob Capacity

A large portion of today’s Ethereum traffic comes from Rollups. These networks batch thousands of user transactions and settle them on Ethereum as compressed data called “blobs.” 

Before Fusaka, blob space was constrained. When demand surged, fees climbed. Fusaka expands the room available for blob submissions and introduces a flexible system for raising or lowering capacity without a full upgrade. 

As rollups scale into this new space, users should experience lower transaction costs and smoother application activity. 

The end goal is simple: more transactions, less friction.

PeerDAS: A Simpler Way to Verify Data

Another major improvement is how Ethereum nodes verify data. Previously, nodes had to download large sections of block data to confirm that nothing was missing or hidden. 

Fusaka introduces PeerDAS, a system that checks small, random pieces of data rather than the entire load. 

It works like inspecting a warehouse by opening a few random boxes instead of checking every single one. 

PeerDAS in Fusaka is significant because it literally is sharding.

Ethereum is coming to consensus on blocks without requiring any single node to see more than a tiny fraction of the data. And this is robust to 51% attacks – it's client-side probabilistic verification, not… pic.twitter.com/OK81xBteER

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) December 3, 2025

This reduces bandwidth and storage requirements for validators and node operators, making it easier — and cheaper — for more people to run infrastructure. 

A wider validator base strengthens decentralization, which ultimately strengthens Ethereum’s security and resilience.

Higher Block Capacity Means More Throughput

Alongside scaling capacity, Fusaka also raises the block gas limit. A higher limit means more work can fit inside each block, allowing more transactions and smart-contract calls to settle without delay. 

It doesn’t increase block speed, but it increases throughput. DeFi activity, NFT auctions, and high-frequency trading will have more room to breathe in peak hours.

Better Wallet Support and Future UX Improvements

Fusaka also includes improvements to Ethereum’s cryptography and virtual machine. The upgrade adds support for P-256 signatures, which are used in modern authentication systems, including those behind password-less login on smartphones and biometric devices. 

This opens a path for future wallets that act more like Apple Pay or Google Passkeys rather than seed-phrase-based apps. Over time, this could make Ethereum access simpler for mainstream users.

Ethereum is about to 10x the wallet UX.

The Fusaka upgrade includes EIP-7951 – support for the signature scheme that the iPhones use to power things like Face ID.

Meaning you'll soon be able to sign transactions with your face.

Huge win for bringing normal people on-chain. pic.twitter.com/7Ad38m4Oxz

— Jarrod Watts (@jarrodwatts) November 27, 2025

What Fusaka Means for ETH Holders

The impact for ETH holders is gradual but meaningful. Fees on Layer-2 networks should ease as data capacity expands. Network congestion should become less common. More validators can participate due to lower hardware demands. 

Most importantly, Ethereum now has room to grow without sacrificing security or decentralization. If adoption increases, settlement volume grows with it — and so does ETH’s role as the asset that powers, secures, and settles everything on top.

$ETH is still consolidating around the $3,000 level.

Not much price action due to weekends, but next week could be interesting.

QT is ending on December 1st, Powell's speech is on December 1st, and the Fusaka upgrade is coming on December 3rd.

If Ethereum holds above the… pic.twitter.com/pxgmrOHyah

— Ted (@TedPillows) November 30, 2025

A Foundational Upgrade, Not a Flashy One

Fusaka does not rewrite Ethereum’s economics or make ETH suddenly deflationary, but it strengthens the foundation that future demand depends on. Cheaper rollup fees invite usage. 

A more scalable base layer invites developers. A more accessible node environment invites participation. These are structural upgrades, the kind that do little in a day but transform the network over time.

Ethereum widened the highway, improved the toll system, and made it easier for new drivers to join. That is the real meaning of Fusaka — a quiet shift with long-term weight. 

As Layer-2 networks expand and applications multiply, the effects should move from technical discussion into user experience, transaction cost, and ultimately, ETH value itself.

The post What Actually Changed with the Ethereum Fusaka Upgrade appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Build On Bitcoin (BOB), a Bitcoin Defi crypto token, delivered a dramatic surge today, printing what traders often call a “God candle” after rocketing more than 100% in a day. 

While the rally may seem compelling at first glance, a closer look at the token’s underlying fundamentals raises serious concerns that investors should not ignore.

Build On Bitcoin Presents Concerns

Across social platforms, BOB is being labeled a major “red flag” due to structural risks in its token distribution. Data from Go Plus Security reveals that the top 10 holders control more than 93% of the entire BOB supply. Such extreme concentration is often associated with manipulation risks, where a small number of wallets can dictate market direction.

Another critical issue is that 100% of BOB’s liquidity pool remains unlocked, exposing the project to potential rug-pull scenarios. When liquidity is not locked, malicious actors can drain the pool instantly, leaving retail traders with worthless tokens. These red flags align with common traits found in scam tokens, making BOB an asset that demands heavy scrutiny before entry.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Technically, BOB’s recent performance looks even more troubling. The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator shows consistent outflows for several days, signaling that capital is leaving the ecosystem despite the price spike. This divergence suggests the rally is driven mainly by hype and thin liquidity rather than genuine demand.

A 107% daily surge without supportive inflows typically points to speculative behavior that can reverse sharply. The absence of real buying pressure to sustain higher levels increases the probability of a steep correction. Momentum without capital support rarely lasts long in DeFi markets.

BOB Price Dips Sharply

BOB recently hit a new all-time high of $0.0294 during today’s surge before pulling back nearly 15%, highlighting volatility concerns. The token is holding above the $0.0238 support, but the likelihood of maintaining this level is low given the weak fundamentals and speculative nature of the rally.

If sentiment shifts and holders begin exiting, BOB could slide quickly toward $0.0195, with a deeper drop to $0.0146 possible as liquidity dries up. Such levels would erase much of the recent gains.

However, if fundamentals improve and real investor support emerges, BOB might attempt a rebound toward its $0.0294 ATH and potentially break above $0.0320. This would invalidate the bearish outlook.

The post Bitcoin DeFi Token’s 107% Rally Triggers Major Caution Alarm; Here’s Why appeared first on BeInCrypto.

In 2025, several gruesome cases showed that crypto crime has crossed from screens to streets. Private keys, wallet access, and large OTC deals triggered violence that left bodies, burnt metal, and empty balances behind.

These stories shook the digital assets space, and each revealed a terrifying reality that crypto crime now comes with guns, warehouses, and fire.

The Vienna Crypto Killing: Tortured for Wallet Passwords

Earlier in November, Vienna woke to a burning Mercedes under a rail bridge. Inside was 21-year-old Danylo K., charred beyond recognition, slumped on the back seat.

Police traced the killing back to a hotel garage in Leopoldstadt. There, Danylo was ambushed by a fellow Ukrainian student, only 19 years old, and a 45-year-old accomplice.

He was beaten, teeth knocked out, then driven across the city. His captors demanded access to his crypto wallets. They forced him to give up passwords after hours of torture.

The attackers drained his wallets and carried bundles of US dollars when caught. Investigators later found a melted can of fuel on the back seat where Danylo died.

According to reports, the victim, Danylo, had suffocated on blood and fire. His wealth lived on-chain long enough for thieves to steal it.

The suspects fled to Ukraine that night. However, they were arrested but will be tried there, not in Austria.

Montreal Abduction: A Crypto Influencer Vanishes

Last year, in Old Montreal, 25-year-old crypto influencer Kevin Mirshahi was pulled into a waiting car. Three others were kidnapped with him, then freed the next day.

Mirshahi never returned, and his body surfaced in a riverside park four months later.

The Digital Gold Rush Has A Dark Side

Kevin Mirshahi, known across Montreal’s crypto scene, was found dead at Île-de-la-Visitation park on Oct. 30, months after his June abduction.

The 25-year-old’s story isn’t an isolated case – it’s the latest in a wave of crypto-targeted… pic.twitter.com/T5inBMhSJo

— 0xMarioNawfal (@RoundtableSpace) November 15, 2024

Police charged three people, including Darius Perry and Nackael Hickey, with confinement and accessory to murder. A woman, Joanie Lepage, faces first-degree murder.

Investigators have not confirmed the motive as crypto-related. But Mirshahi ran a private token investment group and held public exposure in the space.

He built an online audience around trading and wealth, and someone used a trunk and duct tape to silence it.

$85,000 Seized in a Parking-Lot Ambush During Cash-for-Crypto Deal

In Trinidad, another crime unfolded with speed, organisation, and no chance of escape.

On November 29, a man arrived at the SuperPharm car park on Trincity Central Road. He planned to buy cryptocurrency with US$85,800 in cash, bundled inside a black bag.

A 52-year old man in Trinidad was robbed of $86,000 when he went to buy cryptocurrency from a man in a pharmacy parking lot.

Pro tip: don't bring bags of cash to randos in a parking lot.https://t.co/aLePjXX1dB

— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) December 2, 2025

Police reports confirm he met a long-time trade contact to complete the transaction. Moments after handing over the bag, two armed men approached the vehicle.

They smashed the windows and pointed guns at the occupants. The criminals then took the cash and both mobile phones and fled in a waiting car.

No crypto was ever exchanged. Authorities described it as a targeted robbery linked to OTC crypto trading.

A New Violent Era

These cases mark a shift. Crypto violence is no longer a digital heist carried out by hackers behind screens.

It is physical, and involves basements, cars, flames, hammers, and real screams. Crypto holders now live with an uncomfortable truth that keys protect tokens, but tokens do not protect lives.

The post Kidnapped, Killed, and Burned for Tokens: 3 Shocking Crypto Horror Stories appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Pump.fun is showing the first signs of a potential recovery after weeks of decline, with price action attempting to stabilize despite broader market resistance. 

The shift in investor behavior is particularly notable, as recent on-chain data reveals early indications that sentiment may finally be turning in favor of the token.

Pump.fun Native Token Notes Inflows

The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) highlights a key development: PUMP has registered its first inflows in more than three weeks. This shift suggests investors are accumulating at lower price levels after a prolonged period of outflows. Such accumulation phases often mark the initial stage of trend reversals, especially for highly speculative assets.

Investor participation is vital for PUMP, whose rallies are historically fueled by rapid bursts of retail demand. If these inflows continue building, they could increase liquidity and reduce selling pressure.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

The Squeeze Momentum Indicator reinforces this improving sentiment. The appearance of black dots confirms that PUMP is entering a squeeze phase, a period of tightening volatility that typically precedes a breakout. More importantly, the indicator shows momentum shifting from bearish to bullish, with rising green bars suggesting an emerging upward push.

If the squeeze releases while bullish momentum dominates, PUMP could benefit from a volatility expansion favoring upside movement. Historically, such setups have been precursors to strong short-term rallies.

PUMP Price Faces Resistance

PUMP is trading at $0.003209, sitting just below a key resistance at $0.003409. Clearing this level is essential to confirm a recovery and initiate a broader rally. Failure to break this barrier would risk renewed stagnation.

Given the improving CMF readings and momentum reversal, PUMP could climb above $0.003409 in the coming days. A successful breakout could target $0.003757, with an extension to $0.004015 if bullish pressure accelerates.

However, if the pattern fails or investors pull back prematurely, PUMP may lose support and fall to $0.002783. A drop below this level would invalidate the current bullish thesis and erase recent gains.

The post PUMP Registers First Inflow In 3 Weeks: Is Price Looking At a Rally? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP spot ETFs have logged 13 consecutive days of inflows, adding another $50.27 million on December 3 and bringing cumulative inflows to $874.28 million, according to SoSoValue. 

Total net assets now stand at $906.46 million, placing the category within reach of the $1 billion milestone as early as this week.

New Capital Continues to Flow Across All Issuers

Since launch, the ETFs have only recorded green days, marking one of the strongest adoption curves among newly listed digital-asset funds. 

All four funds posted gains again this session. Franklin’s XRPZ recorded $4.76 million in fresh inflows. 

Despite inflows, XRP ETF prices closed lower on the day as broader crypto markets softened. Each fund declined between 3.09% and 3.76%, showing a divergence between price performance and asset accumulation.

Still, capital movement remains firmly positive. The market has now added more than $380 million in new inflows since November 20, including major surges on November 14, November 24, and December 1.

$1 Billion in Assets Is Now a Likely Near-Term Breakpoint

XRP ETFs require less than $94 million in additional capital to reach $ 1 billion. At the current pace, that threshold could be reached in two to three sessions, assuming buying continues.

Crossing the $1 billion asset level would place XRP ETF adoption in the same league as early Ethereum ETF inflows. 

It also strengthens the argument that regulated exposure to non-Bitcoin assets is gaining institutional traction.

$XRP ETF DEMAND GOING PARABOLIC‼️

Every issuer flashing GREEN: Canary, Grayscale, Bitwise, Franklin.

Millions flowing in DAILY.
Smart money is positioning BEFORE the breakout💥 pic.twitter.com/JTj0UM25Fr

— XRP Update (@XrpUdate) December 4, 2025

Persistent inflows through both rallies and pullbacks indicate growing conviction rather than speculative rotation. The data suggests investors may be using ETFs as their primary route for XRP exposure rather than switching in and out of spot markets.

A sustained uptrend could tighten supply over time, especially if ETF custodians continue accumulating XRP faster than it circulates back into exchanges.

For now, the streak remains active. With 13 days of uninterrupted inflows and less than 10% remaining before the billion mark, all eyes will be on whether XRP ETFs can finish the week above that mark.

The post XRP ETFs Extend Streak to 13 Days, $1 Billion Target Now in Sight appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Solana is showing early signs of a potential recovery after forming a classic “W” pattern on its 12-hour chart. 

This bullish structure has emerged following November’s sharp decline, and a confirmed breakout could propel SOL into a decisive upward move.

Solana Holders Provide Support

HODLer Net Position Change indicates that long-term holders are beginning to ease off their selling. Outflows are receding, signaling reduced distribution and a shift toward neutrality. This is encouraging for Solana because LTHs play a major role in stabilizing price trends. Their restraint provides room for recovery momentum to build.

The improving sentiment among LTHs suggests confidence could soon return. As selling pressure from these influential holders diminishes, the probability of inflows rises. Historically, such transitions from heavy outflows to balanced movement have preceded stronger mid-term price rebounds for SOL.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Solana’s NUPL metric recently slipped into the capitulation zone as market conditions deteriorated. This zone represents the lowest psychological point for investors, where fear peaks and selling exhaustion is common. Capitulation often marks the early stage of trend reversals, providing fertile ground for accumulation.

SOL has experienced this phase before. In April, NUPL also entered capitulation before a major rally took the token to new highs. With the indicator once again signaling selling exhaustion, Solana may be positioned for a similar resurgence, provided market sentiment continues to stabilize.

SOL Price Breakout Ahead

Solana is currently forming a double-bottom “W” pattern, a bullish structure implying a potential 14% breakout toward $165. A confirmed breakout from this formation would validate the reversal and place SOL back on an upward trajectory.

Trading at $143 at the time of writing, SOL is edging toward the $146 neckline. Clearing this resistance, powered by improving sentiment and positive on-chain trends, could push the token toward $157. Surpassing that barrier would open the path to $163 and ultimately the $165 target.

However, a failed breakout or renewed market weakness could break the pattern. If that occurs, Solana may drop back to its $136 support level. A loss of this support would invalidate the bullish outlook and delay recovery efforts.

The post Solana Forms Bullish ‘W’ Pattern — Is a Breakout to $165 Next? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Zcash price is struggling to regain its bullish momentum after a steep decline that pushed the altcoin below $350 earlier this week. 

While ZEC has shown minor signs of stabilization, its broader trend remains weak, and the distance from November’s highs leaves a significant recovery challenge ahead.

Zcash Is Lacking On All Fronts

The RSI indicates that Zcash continues to face persistent bearish pressure. The indicator remains in the negative zone, reflecting a lack of upward momentum and highlighting that buyers are not yet regaining control. This signals that broader market conditions are not aligned with a meaningful rebound.

Unless the RSI improves, ZEC may struggle to attract fresh demand.

The bearish sentiment is reinforced by declining participation across the market, with risk appetite remaining low. ZEC’s failure to push back toward key resistance levels in recent sessions suggests traders are prioritizing safer assets while waiting for clearer signals. 

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

The CMF shows persistent outflows, highlighting a decline in investor confidence. Capital continues leaving ZEC, and the indicator remains firmly in the negative zone. This pattern is concerning because Zcash is already lacking broader market support, and sustained outflows could prevent any meaningful rally. For ZEC to regain strength, inflows must return.

Given the current macro backdrop, ZEC’s path to recovery appears challenging. Market volatility remains high, and investors are cautious amid fear-driven activity. Without a shift in sentiment, ZEC may find it difficult to build the momentum required to revisit higher levels.

ZEC Price Has A Long Way To Go

ZEC is trading at $363 at the time of writing, sitting just above the $344 support level. Holding this support is essential for any near-term recovery attempt toward $442. However, revisiting November’s highs remains a distant objective.

If bearish conditions persist, ZEC could fail to hold its support, potentially falling below $344 again and sliding to $300 or even $260. Such a move would extend the current downtrend and deepen investor concerns.

Conversely, a shift in investor sentiment could support a recovery. Yet even in that scenario, ZEC would need to rally by 101% to reclaim its November peak near $750. That would require flipping $442 into support and climbing toward $520, which remains a substantial challenge for the altcoin’s current momentum.

The post Zcash (ZEC) Price Faces Uphill Battle to Close Gap With November Peak appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.

Grab a coffee and brace for Wall Street’s latest twist: a Bitcoin-native company is about to hit the NYSE. Shareholders have approved a major merger, putting billions in Bitcoin under one roof and signaling a shift in how crypto meets traditional markets.

Crypto News of the Day: Twenty One Capital Gains NYSE Approval

Cantor Equity Partners (CEP) shareholders voted to approve the merger with Twenty One Capital, clearing the final major hurdle for the business combination.

The deal, subject to standard closing conditions, is expected to finalize on December 8, 2025. Following the completion, the merged entity will operate under the Twenty One Capital name and begin trading the next day (December 9).

Strike CEO Jack Mallers will lead the company, which Tether and Bitfinex hold as majority owners. The firm markets itself as the first Bitcoin-native company preparing for a public listing, offering investors a regulated pathway to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency.

“Following the consummation of such transactions, the combined company will operate as Twenty One Capital, Inc., and its shares of Class A common stock are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) beginning on December 9, 2025, under the symbol XXI,” read an excerpt in the announcement.

Public Equity Exposure to Bitcoin Amid Crypto and Banking Frictions

Twenty One Capital currently holds 43,514 BTC, valued at approximately $4 billion, making it the third-largest Bitcoin holder among publicly traded companies, after Strategy and MARA Holdings.

The firm emphasizes “capital-efficient Bitcoin accumulation” and plans to introduce a “Bitcoin Per Share” metric. This metric would enable shareholders to track Bitcoin holdings in real time with auditable on-chain proof-of-reserves.

“This listing provides a transparent, regulated way for investors to access Bitcoin without directly holding the asset,” the company added.

The NYSE debut also positions Twenty One Capital as a bridge between crypto-native operations and traditional equity markets, potentially reshaping investor access to digital assets.

“…offers investors a new way to gain BTC exposure via the equity markets,” commented Conor Kenny, a popular user on x (Twitter).

The announcement comes amid wider discussions about the banking sector’s relationship with crypto firms. In late November, Jack Mallers revealed that JPMorgan Chase abruptly closed his personal accounts without explanation, fueling fears of “debanking” in the crypto industry.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino described the move as an opportunity for crypto executives to operate independently of centralized financial institutions.

I think it's for the best

— Paolo Ardoino 🤖 (@paoloardoino) November 23, 2025

These tensions coincide with broader market scrutiny. JPMorgan is currently monitoring potential MSCI reclassification rules that could impact companies with significant Bitcoin holdings, such as MicroStrategy.

Analysts estimate that index changes could trigger billions in passive fund outflows, potentially as high as $9 billion for MicroStrategy.

As Twenty One Capital prepares to trade under the “XXI” ticker on December 9, market participants will watch for trading volumes, investor appetite, and the reception of the Bitcoin-per-share metric.

The listing could set a precedent for other crypto-native firms seeking regulated market exposure, potentially broadening institutional and retail participation in the Bitcoin economy.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

Here’s a summary of more US crypto news to follow today:

• Kevin Hassett sparks a crypto–bond market split as Fed race heats up.
• One bullish XRP metric hits a 3-month high — So why can’t the price break out?
• Peter Schiff to CZ: ‘Bitcoin payments? They’re just liquidated bets.’
• Vienna crypto murder shocks Europe as kidnapping wave escalates.
• Citadel Securities turns against DeFi while pouring $500 million into Ripple.
• Three crypto narratives surge in December 2025—Top picks for 2026?
• Tom Lee’s relentless ETH buying puts BMNR stock on a possible 55% breakout path.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Strategy (MSTR)	$188.39	$187.82 (-0.30%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$276.92	$275.85 (-0.39%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$27.05	$26.93 (-0.44%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$12.47	$12.45 (-0.16%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$15.64	$15.57 (-0.45%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$16.55	$16.50 (-0.30%)

The post Wall Street Braces as Bitcoin Goes Public for the First Time | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ethereum has successfully activated the Fusaka upgrade on mainnet, marking its second major network enhancement in 2025.

With PeerDAS now live, ETH has surged past the critical $3,200 resistance zone, and traders are watching whether the rally can sustain and even extend further.

Fusaka Goes Live

Ethereum confirmed the Fusaka mainnet activation on December 3 at 22:04 UTC. The upgrade introduces PeerDAS technology, which unlocks up to 8x data throughput for rollups, raises the gas limit from 45 million to 60 million units, and adds R1 curve support for improved user experience. Currently, Ethereum processes between 1.3 and 1.8 million transactions daily and holds over $73 billion in value locked in DeFi.

For L2 and Layer 2 rollups, Fusaka is even more relevant. PeerDAS increases the available space for blobs and prepares gradual capacity increases in future forks focused solely on data. The goal is clear: to maintain very low fees on networks like Arbitrum, Base, or Optimism, even if demand continues to grow.

Community members will monitor the network for issues over the next 24 hours.

Fusaka is live on Ethereum mainnet!

– PeerDAS now unlocks 8x data throughput for rollups
– UX improvements via the R1 curve & pre-confirmatons
– Prep for scaling the L1 with gas limit increase & more

Community members will continue to monitor for issues over the next 24 hrs.

— Ethereum (@ethereum) December 3, 2025

ETH Breaks $3,200 Resistance

ETH is trading at $3,231, up 7.38% over the last 24 hours. The price has cleared the $3,154-$3,200 supply cluster that marked strong resistance, a move that traders see as a bullish signal.

The pattern echoes the pre-Pectra phase in May 2025, when Ethereum surged 56% in just seven days following that upgrade. Technical charts show a classic bullish divergence: while price marked a lower low between November 4 and December 1, RSI printed a higher low—a setup that often signals weakening selling pressure.

On-chain data supports the bullish case. Addresses holding at least $1 million in ETH have increased from 13,322 to 13,945, representing roughly $623 million in additional accumulation by large holders.

Key Levels to Watch

With the $3,200 zone now cleared, the next target sits at $3,653. If the rally extends 56% from Pectra, a move toward $4,262 comes into view.

The squeeze is on.$ETH surges above $3,200 and is now up +17% off Monday’s low. pic.twitter.com/YsdnzsSI7Q

— Noble Investing (@NobleInvesting) December 4, 2025

On the downside, $3,200 now serves as the first support to hold. A break below $2,996 would weaken the bullish structure, exposing $2,873 and potentially $2,618.

For now, sustaining above $3,200 will determine whether Fusaka marks the beginning of a new bullish phase.

The post Fusaka Pushes Ethereum Above $3,200: It Will Reach $4,262 If This Happens appeared first on BeInCrypto.

From Nov. 24 to Dec. 2, 2025, JPMorgan launched leveraged notes tied to BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, Vanguard reversed its crypto ban, and Nasdaq quadrupled IBIT options limits. Three moves in nine days created one outcome: Bitcoin’s absorption into traditional finance and institutions.

Analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera describes that this rapid convergence marked a foundational change in how institutional capital accesses digital assets. Leading banks and asset managers expanded crypto offerings, distribution channels, and regulatory frameworks, redefining Bitcoin’s role in global finance.

The November Convergence: Coordinated Infrastructure Expansion

Traditional finance long observed Bitcoin from a distance. By late 2025, however, digital asset infrastructure reached a tipping point. The transformation began with SEC approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, offering a regulated path for institutional investment.

JPMorgan’s Nov. 24 filing detailed leveraged structured notes providing up to 1.5x returns on BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF through 2028. These securities targeted sophisticated investors seeking amplified exposure while retaining legal protections. Notably, the notes exposed investors to significant downside, risking principal loss if IBIT declined by roughly 40 percent or more.

That same week, Nasdaq announced on Nov. 26 that it would raise IBIT options position limits from 250,000 to 1,000,000 contracts. This acknowledged the growth in both market capitalization and volume, supporting the need for volatility-hedged products for institutional portfolios. As Perera’s structural analysis noted, broader options infrastructure allowed institutions to manage Bitcoin volatility, aligning digital assets with standard risk controls.

On Dec. 2, Vanguard completed the picture. The world’s second-largest asset manager reversed its long-standing opposition and opened Bitcoin and crypto ETFs to clients holding around $11 trillion in assets. Vanguard’s move, made during a market correction, signaled strategic timing rather than speculative chasing.

Retail Capitulation Meets Institutions’ Allocation

This turning point coincided with a wave of retail exits. Bitcoin ETF redemptions soared as individual investors sold amid price drops. Meanwhile, institutional capital took the other side. Abu Dhabi Investment Council and similar sovereign entities increased their Bitcoin allocations as retail sentiment reversed.

Bank of America authorized 15,000 financial advisers to allocate Bitcoin to wealth clients starting Jan. 5, 2026. Advisers recommended a 1 to 4 percent exposure for clients able to stomach volatility, highlighting four ETFs: the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust, and the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust. This guidance marked a significant shift for an institution with $2.67 trillion in assets across more than 3,600 branches.

“2024: Vanguard CEO says they will not offer Bitcoin ETFs 2025: Vanguard offers Bitcoin ETFs to 50 million clients Vanguard and JPMorgan have bent the knee,” eOffshoreNomad posted.

Similarly, BlackRock recommended allocating up to 2 percent of portfolios to Bitcoin, citing risk levels comparable to those of the “Magnificent 7” technology stocks. The unified approach across institutions suggested coordinated messaging, if not formal cooperation. Advisers received consistent direction on allocations, risk communication, and client selection from competing firms.

Goldman Sachs took a different approach by acquiring Innovator Capital Management for about $2 billion. This gave Goldman instant distribution and compliance pathways for crypto products, saving years of internal development and providing an established network.

MSCI Index Exclusion: Eliminating Competing Models

While financial institutions expanded ETF infrastructure, other models faced obstacles. On Oct. 10, 2025, MSCI announced a consultation to exclude firms with substantial digital asset treasury holdings from major indices. The preliminary list included Strategy Inc., Metaplanet, and similar companies that pioneered corporate treasury Bitcoin adoption.

The proposal targeted companies in which Bitcoin or other digital assets accounted for an outsized share of the balance sheet. Removal from the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices would force these firms out of passive investment funds and major benchmark-tracking ETFs. The consultation is open until Dec. 31, 2025, with final decisions coming by Jan. 15, 2026.

The timing was notable. Strategy Inc., for example, attracted those wanting Bitcoin exposure without financial intermediaries or ETF fees. But, as MSCI proposed exclusion, major banks introduced new fee-generating ETF options. This created pressure on alternative exposure approaches.

Regulatory clarity accelerated institutional adoption through 2025. Laws such as the GENIUS Act and related orders defined the treatment of digital assets and reduced legal risks for large financial firms. These rules aligned digital assets with existing securities compliance, encouraging institutional entry.

Fee-Based Capture and the End of Alternative Exposure

The nine-day convergence was about more than new products. It firmly established Bitcoin as a fee-earning asset class for traditional finance. Leveraged notes, options, and ETF allocations each bring recurring revenue, while direct treasury and self-custody models now face obstacles such as index exclusions and higher regulatory requirements.

With expanded options, institutions can now manage volatility, making Bitcoin suitable for risk-parity portfolios and mandates with strict limits. The infrastructure shift means Bitcoin now acts as a portfolio component, not just a speculative asset. Yet, this shifts price discovery to derivatives, not spot trading.

The institutional system mirrors other asset classes. Allocations and risk disclosures are harmonized. Licensed advisers guide clients, and products feature standardized fees and messaging. Bitcoin, initially meant to circumvent the system, is now absorbed into the very architecture it once challenged.

The post How Nine Days Redefined Bitcoin Ownership: Absorbed by Institutions appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Charles Schwab’s plan to launch spot crypto trading in 2026 is shaping up as one of the most consequential moves from a major US brokerage. 

The firm, which oversees more than $12 trillion in client assets, intends to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum trading across its platforms after internal testing and a limited pilot phase.

Charles Schwab Will Bring Mainstream Investors To Crypto

Schwab’s entry marks a shift in how traditional brokers approach digital assets. The company already offers indirect exposure through crypto-thematic ETFs, but spot trading brings cryptocurrencies into the same environment as stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts. 

This could change how mainstream investors access crypto.

Charles Schwab CEO on crypto…

“It’s a topic that’s of high engagement.”

Schwab clients own *20%* of all crypto exchange traded products.

Visits to Schwab crypto site ↑ 90% in last year.

Schwab operates one of largest brokerages in US.

Hope you’re paying attention. pic.twitter.com/XR10TRR6NK

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) October 18, 2025

The announcement also highlights a strategic push to consolidate investor activity. Millions of Schwab customers currently hold traditional assets and use external exchanges for crypto. 

Bringing those functions under one account reduces friction and strengthens Schwab’s footprint across asset classes.

Meanwhile, another US financial giant, Vanguard also announced its expansion into crypto last week.

Just when they finish dumping the crypto market…

Charles Schwab, Vanguard & Bank of America all magically launch crypto trading for their clients in the same week.

What an absolutely wild, totally random coincidence 😂📉🚀 pic.twitter.com/iLk30R3j6a

— Austin Hilton (@austinahilton) December 3, 2025

A New Competitive Threat

Schwab’s move introduces a structural challenge for US crypto exchanges. The brokerage is known for zero-commission stock and ETF trading. 

If it extends the same low-fee approach to crypto, it undercuts the core revenue model of companies like Coinbase and Kraken.

The new Grayscale spot Chainlink ETF did really solid volume on Day one of $13m and looks like it could see same again today (way more than it ever traded as a trust). Also $41m in first day flows. Another insta-hit from the crypto world, only dud so far was Doge but it's still… pic.twitter.com/wlCemHxkQP

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) December 3, 2025

Crypto exchanges rely heavily on trading fees. Coinbase’s retail fees often exceed 1%, and even advanced platforms charge up to 0.60%. 

Schwab can afford to price well below that because it generates revenue from multiple channels, including interest income, advisory services, and order execution. Crypto exchanges do not have the same diversification.

Moreover, Schwab offers a regulatory environment that exchanges cannot match. Client assets sit within long-standing SEC and FDIC oversight frameworks. 

This level of institutional trust appeals to many retail and older investors who remain wary of specialized crypto platforms.

ETFs Make Pricing Pressure Harder

The fee pressure intensifies because investors can already trade Bitcoin ETFs for free on Schwab and other brokerages. 

These ETFs also have extremely tight spreads, often around 1–2 basis points. For Schwab to justify direct crypto trading, it must offer low fees that compete with near-free ETF execution.

Direct ownership still has an advantage because it avoids ETF expense ratios. However, that benefit matters only if trading costs remain low. This dynamic pushes Schwab toward aggressive pricing and, by extension, forces exchanges to respond.

A New Phase for US Crypto Markets

Schwab’s entry reflects how traditional finance is encroaching on digital asset territory. It places price, trust, and product-access pressure on crypto-native firms at a time when markets are already shifting toward regulated structures.

The full impact depends on Schwab’s final fee model and custody design. 

Yet early signs point to significant competitive pressure ahead, especially for exchanges depending on retail trading spreads.

The post Why $12 Trillion Charles Schwab Crypto Entry Could Threaten US Crypto Exchanges appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Michael Saylor is once again at the center of Crypto Twitter’s scrutiny after new regulatory filings revealed that Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) recently spent $27 million on a deposit for a corporate aircraft.

The disclosure has fueled a wave of criticism from users who argue that the purchase reflects misplaced priorities during a period of sharp volatility for both Bitcoin and Strategy’s stock.

Shareholders Question Strategy’s Spending Priorities

According to MicroStrategy’s Form 10Q filed on November 3, the company’s net cash used in investing activities rose sharply year-over-year. 

The filing revealed that for the nine months ending on September 30, Strategy made a $27 million deposit on a new corporate aircraft.

It also disclosed $19.38 billion in Bitcoin purchases funded through convertible notes, stock offerings across its STR series, and ongoing ATM programs.

Despite $MSTR being down 55% in the last year, @saylor needs a new jet.

The 10Q notes two major cash uses of cash in their investing activities

– $15.4B used to purchase BTC

– $27M “deposit on a new corporate jet”

I bet it’s gonna be a nice jet and painted orange. #MSTR pic.twitter.com/wxIpqdPwQu

— Novacula Occami (@OccamiCrypto) December 2, 2025

Although companies often use corporate funds for executive travel, critics argued that the context is especially important for Strategy. 

The firm no longer resembles a traditional product-driven software company. Instead, it functions as a vehicle tied to Bitcoin’s volatile price movements. 

With MSTR down about 30% over the past month, some investors questioned whether a multimillion-dollar aircraft aligns with its stated Bitcoin-first strategy.

Investor Confidence Tested

Crypto Twitter reacted sharply, arguing that shareholder capital should focus on increasing the firm’s Bitcoin position rather than expanding executive privileges. 

Users expressed frustration that the jet deposit came alongside billions in financing tied directly to new equity issuances. Others suggested the timing of the purchase undermined confidence in the company’s alignment with its retail investor base.

Strategy supporters countered that corporate aircraft are common for firms with global operations and high-volume executive travel requirements. They also noted that the $27 million deposit represents a small fraction of the capital committed to Bitcoin accumulation during the same nine-month period. 

Ok you named companies that actually have real product and services, and extremely profitable.

Michael Saylor and Strategy are on the verge of bankruptcy, facing major losses from BTC, and about to be forced to sell.

Maybe use your brain for once instead of relying on AI.

— Jacob King (@JacobKinge) December 3, 2025

Still, the dispute reflects a broader disagreement over how a Bitcoin-focused public company should balance its operational needs with public optics.

As Bitcoin continues to fluctuate, the episode highlighted how closely Saylor’s decisions are tied to market sentiment, especially during periods of heightened volatility. 

The debate also revealed how investor expectations shift when a company positions itself almost entirely around a single macro-sensitive asset. 

The post Michael Saylor Faces Backlash Over Private Jet Purchase Amid MicroStrategy Slide appeared first on BeInCrypto.

In crypto, perhaps being early can really pay off.  This sure seems to be the case for Ripple Labs, the San Francisco-based blockchain firm that is now worth over $40 billion. 

And after years of tangling with the SEC, the company is experiencing much fairer weather in the regulatory climate with Trump in charge. Since the US presidential election, the price of XRP, the altcoin Ripple launched way back in 2012, has stayed above a $2 price point not seen since the blockchain bull run of 2017.

But is there an actual use case for XRP?

The XRP Payments Corridor

Hedy Wang, CEO of crypto liquidity provider Block Street, says Ripple’s foothold in America may grow now, but it already has traction in other parts of the world, too. 

“In the US it’s been more constrained because of the whole SEC saga, so interest skewed retail and offshore venues,” Wang told BeInCrypto. “Historically you see decent XRP traction in Japan, parts of East Asia, and some remittance-heavy corridors like the Philippines or Latin America via partners.” 

What can’t be denied is that investors have been grabbing up XRP over the past year. Since Trump was elected in November 2024, the price of XRP has gone from $0.50 to $2.15, a 330% increase. 

“Bitcoin is viewed as ‘digital gold’, Ethereum is known for smart contracts,” noted certified public accountant Gregory Monaco, who runs an eponymous CPA firm. “XRP gets its value from cross-border payments.” 

Monaco pointed to Ripple’s 300 financial partners in 45 countries and $15 billion in annual cross-border payments as key indicators of its use case. 

It’s possible, then, that a company behind a cryptocurrency, like Ripple, can put in the real manpower and work to achieve an important payments corridor. 

“If Ripple keeps stacking licenses and bank/fintech integrations, XRP can survive as niche financial plumbing,” added Block Street’s Wang. 

Cross-Border Is Not So Simple

The term “cross-border payments” may sound like a lot of corporate jargon. But ask anyone who has sent money from one country to others, and it is obvious this is a problematic process. It can be slow. It can be expensive. 

Additionally, currency exchanges are required. Cryptocurrencies like XRP are borderless, global, and cheap. There’s value in reducing TradFi’s reliance on regular payment systems. 

Still, ‘hopium’ alone doesn’t necessarily mean that XRP’s valuation is that closely tied to its payments use case, noted Paul Holmes, a researcher at BrokerListings. 

“XRP is still heavily a speculative asset,” Holmes told BeInCrypto. “With crypto as a whole, the valuation isn’t supported by its own income stream, so it’s a function of liquidity production and reallocation from other stores of value.”

It may be that crypto investors and OG whales are simply accumulating more XRP because Ripple Labs, as the largest contributor to the cryptocurrency, appears to be a fairly well-performing crypto firm. 

Ripple’s recent influx of $500 million in capital from Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities at a $40 billion valuation certainly reflects that. 

XRP as an ETF Catalyst

Recently, UK-based CoinShares backed away from launching a US XRP ETF product, which likely would have increased demand from investors who stick to the public markets. 

“CoinShares likely walked away because the SEC isn’t giving XRP regulatory clarity that it’s ETF-ready,” said BrokerListings’ Holmes.

It’s important to keep in mind that CoinShares also decided not to launch ETFs on Solana or Litecoin either, so it’s not just XRP that there’s some hesitancy from them to launch these crypto-backed products. 

“XRP is already being used to move value between currencies, stablecoins, and across the growing set of tokenized financial assets on the network,” said Raquel Amanda, Senior Communications Lead for Ripple. “As the ecosystem grows, the need for fast and neutral settlement increases, and we see XRP naturally continuing to fill that role.” 

CoinGecko’s data pegs the price of XRP appreciating by over 36,000% since it was first listed on exchanges starting August 3, 2013. 

The irony of a speculative asset being used for payment isn’t lost on BrokerListings’ Homes, however. 

“On-chain activity shows that there are 50-55 million XRP transactions per month, and a majority of those are payments,” he noted. “At the same time, XRP is still used as a speculative asset for many rather than utility and can’t be expected to be a reliable store of value.”

A Rip to the Moon?

While it may seem confusing to use a volatile asset like XRP as a payment rail, it’s important to remember that many cryptocurrencies, like XRP, are highly divisible and fast. 

XRP is essentially ‘programmable money.’ Code can be implemented to use XRP in its required amounts based on its current trading price. 

And for high-end institutional payments, which is what XRP is used for, it doesn’t really matter what the back-end looks like as long as money reaches its destination. 

While stablecoins may be popular for consumer use and trading, XRP serves as a sort of logistical money mover for companies that need to transfer value globally. 

This would explain why, according to the CPA Monaco, 58% of activity on the network comes from just ten wallets. 

That use case, in addition to Ripple Labs’ now-dropped fight with SEC, is likely the reasoning for a bullish narrative. 

By early 2024, the network had over 5 million XRP wallets.  After Trump’s win, on November 13, 2024,  brokerage app Robinhood relisted XRP on its app. 

In May 2025, Ripple Labs agreed to a $50 million satisfaction of judgment in its dispute with the SEC, ending a years-long quagmire that likely stymied XRP for some time. 

And XRP doesn’t necessarily need a CoinShares ETF, as there are already nine live products on the market with total Assets Under Management (AUM) of $1.1 billion. 

So yeah, the XRP Army, which is what fervent investors in the chain like to call themselves, sees a lot of reasons to be hopeful for the future and a lot less risk to the downside – more than ever before. 

The post XRP is Up 330% Since Trump’s Election, But What is it Really Good For? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin continues to trade near $92,000 after this week’s rebound, yet a growing cluster of on-chain indicators now suggests the market has already slipped into a bearish cycle. 

This stands in sharp contrast to recent predictions from market leaders like Tom Lee and Arthur Hayes, who argue Bitcoin could still close the year significantly higher.

Bullish Predictions Clash With Data

Lee recently softened his earlier $250,000 target and now expects Bitcoin to remain above $100,000 into year-end. 

Meanwhile, Arthur Hayes maintains a much more aggressive view, calling the recent dip to the low $80,000s a cycle bottom and forecasting a potential move toward $200,000–$250,000. 

However, the current market structure does not align with either scenario.

CryptoQuant’s Bull Score Signals composite shows why. During previous bull phases, including late 2023 and early 2025, the model displayed broad green conditions across valuation, demand growth, network activity, and stablecoin liquidity. 

Since mid-2025, these components have turned consistently red. MVRV Z-score has flipped into overheated territory, network activity has weakened, and stablecoin buying power has declined. 

The pattern resembles the early stages of the 2022 downturn rather than a continuation of the 2025 rally.

Also, the Bull Score Index, offers a more granular view. Bitcoin spent the first half of 2025 in bullish territory with readings above 60. 

By late August, the score began falling sharply, dropping below 40 in October and remaining flat through November despite short-term price volatility. 

The latest reading sits in the 20–30 range, deep within bearish conditions. The bounce from last week’s lows has done little to shift the underlying cycle signals. 

Another, the Bull Score mapped to price, reinforces this view. The model has transitioned from green “extra bullish” signals earlier this year to persistent red “bearish” and “extra bearish” readings across September, October, and November. 

Even the recent recovery toward $92,000 is categorized as a bearish-zone rally, mirroring distribution phases seen in previous cycle tops.

Momentum Metrics Strengthen the Bitcoin Bearish Case

Market momentum indicators now echo the same cycle shift. RSI remains neutral around 50, signalling a lack of conviction behind this week’s advance. 

Chaikin Money Flow has stayed negative for most of the month, reflecting continued capital outflows even as price recovers. 

While MACD recently flipped positive, the histogram already shows weakening amplitude. This indicates the move lacks sustained momentum.

Additional signals deepen the caution. Short-term RSI spikes above 70 in recent days failed to hold, showing sellers remain active during every attempt at a breakout. CMF’s inability to return to positive territory highlights ongoing distribution rather than accumulation. 

Meanwhile, MACD’s fragile crossover mirrors conditions seen during past bear market rallies, where momentum improves briefly before rolling over.

Taken together, on-chain, liquidity, and momentum indicators point to a structural shift into a bearish cycle. 

If Strategy holds its 650K BTC this cycle (or sells only a little), we would not see another -65% drawdown like in 2022.

We are about -25% from ATH now, and even if a bear cycle comes, the downside would likely be smaller and look more like a broad sideways range.

Long-term… pic.twitter.com/71HBg0UDs7

— Ki Young Ju (@ki_young_ju) December 3, 2025

While Tom Lee and Arthur Hayes argue that Bitcoin could regain its earlier strength, current market data suggests the opposite. 

Unless stablecoin liquidity, network activity, and demand growth rebound decisively, Bitcoin’s recent recovery is more likely a temporary bounce than the beginning of a new upside phase.

The post Most Bitcoin On-Chain Indicators Signal a New Bear Market Cycle appeared first on BeInCrypto.

A lawsuit against Binance is testing the extent to which crypto platforms can be held liable for real-world harm. Filed by families of victims of the October 2023 attacks against Israel, it arrives amid continued backlash over the recent presidential pardon of founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ).

More than a new legal headache, the lawsuit is being watched as a potential blueprint for a shift from regulatory fines to high-stakes private liability tied to terrorism financing.

Terror Financing Claims Hit Binance

The case, brought by more than 70 families in a US federal court last week, accuses Binance of knowingly enabling transactions for Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and other US-designated terrorist groups.

The plaintiffs, mostly relatives of those killed or injured in the October 7 attacks, argue Binance was not merely exploited. They say the platform structurally enabled terrorist financing at scale.

“For years, Defendants knowingly, willfully, and systematically assisted Hamas… and other terrorist groups to transfer and conceal the equivalent of hundreds of millions of US dollars through the Binance platform in support of their terrorist activities. This assistance directly and materially contributed to the October 7 Attacks and to subsequent terrorist attacks,” read the complaint.

Earlier government investigations have focused on Binance’s anti-money laundering failures. However, this lawsuit reframes the narrative, arguing that CZ’s stewardship of the platform has systemically contributed to real-world violence. 

The lawsuit also arrives at a consequential moment for the company.

Last month, US President Donald Trump granted Binance founder CZ a pardon after Binance participated in a multibillion-dollar deal tied to a crypto venture linked to the Trump family. 

The move cleared CZ’s criminal record and could allow him to take on a more direct role at the company.

Just posted: the pardon that Trump issued to @cz_binance on Tuesday.

It wipes away CZ's conviction for failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, which prosecutors said allowed Hamas, Al Qaeda & ISIS to move money using @binance. https://t.co/ptbRCzxhd3 pic.twitter.com/1B9tKnZG6P

— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) October 25, 2025

The case also arises two years after Binance’s 2023 settlement with US authorities, which included a $4.3 billion penalty. The company admitted to violating the Bank Secrecy Act and US sanctions laws. CZ pleaded guilty, stepped down as CEO, and served a four-month prison sentence.

While CZ’s pardon suggested Binance was in the clear, the lawsuit shows neither he nor the company is insulated from civil liability.

Despite Criminal Leniency, Civil Claims Intensify

The families’ lawsuit builds on facts already established by US criminal enforcement, giving the plaintiffs a strong legal foundation.

Because Binance has already admitted to sweeping violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and US sanctions laws, the burden of proof is significantly lower. The families argue Binance embedded these flaws in its core operations, not in isolated compliance failures.

Rather than leaning on broad allegations, the complaint reportedly names specific wallets, laundering intermediaries, and transaction flows tied to designated terrorist groups. 

In its structure, the case closely mirrors the way federal prosecutors assemble complex criminal indictments. The difference is that this same evidentiary framework is now being deployed by private plaintiffs under US anti-terrorism statutes.

Those laws allow victims of terrorism to pursue civil damages against entities accused of providing material support, even indirectly. This legal pathway transforms Binance’s past regulatory violations into the foundation of a potentially massive civil liability case.

For years, crypto enforcement followed a cycle: regulators investigated, companies paid fines, executives stepped aside, and markets moved on. Civil litigation tied directly to terrorism financing breaks that rhythm. 

Unlike regulatory settlements, which cap financial exposure and close legal chapters, terror-related civil cases can involve multiplied damages and years of continuing risk.

A New Enforcement Class?

For the crypto industry, the implications extend far beyond one exchange or one courtroom. If the case survives early dismissal and proceeds to discovery, it could lead to new scrutiny of how centralized platforms monitor, flag, and freeze high-risk activity. 

More significantly, a win for the families could establish that private plaintiffs—not just regulators—now pose one of the most serious financial threats to crypto businesses. 

In that scenario, compliance failures would no longer result in fines alone. They would become long-tail liabilities that follow platforms for years to come.

The post Why the Latest Binance Lawsuit Is More Dangerous Than Any Regulator appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ethereum price has climbed over 13% since December 1, helped by a broader market recovery and growing optimism ahead of today’s Fusaka upgrade, which improves how efficiently the network processes transactions. ETH is still down more than 17% over the past month, but the recent bounce and several technical signals look similar to what happened just before the Pectra upgrade in May 2025, when Ethereum rallied 56% in seven days.

The question now is simple: can Fusaka trigger that kind of move again?

Conditions Look Similar to Pectra — And Big Buyers Are Returning

During the Pectra phase (May 6–13), Ethereum surged 56% after flashing standard bullish divergence. That pattern occurs when price makes a lower low, but RSI (Relative Strength Index, a momentum meter from 0–100) makes a higher low. It often signals that sellers are losing control even as the chart still looks weak. More of a trend reversal.

P.S.: The Pectra upgrade dropped on May 7, 2025.

The same setup is forming now.

Between November 4 and December 1, ETH made a lower low, but RSI formed a higher low. That mirrors the exact structure that appeared before the Pectra move.

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Large holders also show early accumulation.

The number of Ethereum addresses holding at least $1 million has risen from 13,322 to 13,945, a 4.68% increase. Since each wallet holds a minimum of $1 million, this reflects at least $623 million in added capital entering the network’s top tier of holders. Big buyers entering ahead of a major technical upgrade is historically a constructive sign.

Together, the divergence pattern and fresh large-wallet inflows build a case that Fusaka could act as a catalyst — if the key breakout level is cleared.

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One Cost-Basis Cluster and One Ethereum Price Level Decide Everything

Whether ETH shows a Pectra-style extension depends on clearing a single supply wall. Glassnode’s Cost Basis Distribution reveals the heaviest near-term supply cluster between $3,154 and $3,179, where about 2.76 million ETH sits. This aligns almost perfectly with the chart’s resistance at $3,166 (a strong resistance and support line).

A clean daily Ethereum price candle above $3,166 would:

• show buyers have almost absorbed the largest supply zone

• open room for a push toward $3,653

If momentum mirrors the Pectra structure, a 56% extension from December’s lows would target roughly $4,262, which also matches a strong historical ceiling.

On the downside, ETH’s structure weakens below $2,996. Losing that range exposes $2,873, and if selling pressure expands, $2,618 becomes the deeper support to watch for the Ethereum price.

The post Could the Fusaka Upgrade Light the Fuse for a Pectra-Like 56% Ethereum Price Rally? appeared first on BeInCrypto.