Bitcoin, gold, and silver experienced a sudden surge in strength on Tuesday, the eve of what appears to be another Fed rate cut.

The pioneer crypto, as well as the two commodity safe havens, Gold and Silver, may face volatility around the Fed’s interest rate decision, even as XAG price breaks above $60/oz for the first time in history, now up +108% in 2025.

Top BTC, XAU, and XAG Price Targets Ahead of the Fed Cut

All eyes are on the Fed’s interest rate decision tomorrow and the subsequent Jerome Powell press conference. This is one of the most important macroeconomic events for Bitcoin and commodity safe havens this week.

Data from the CME FedWatch Tool shows that interest bettors see an 87.6% chance that the Fed will cut interest rates.

A Fed rate cut is generally a tailwind for Bitcoin as it injects liquidity into the financial markets. Gold is typically the cleanest and fastest beneficiary of rate cuts, while silver often lags gold initially, then outperforms during strong reflation moves. This is why silver tends to make violent upside moves after cuts once momentum builds.

• Gold reacts first and most predictably
• Bitcoin benefits as liquidity expands
• Silver often becomes the late-stage momentum winner

Based on current price action, however, markets are already pricing in the event, with traders already front-running a rate cut amid near-certain probabilities.

Bitcoin Races for $100,000 Ahead of Fed’s Interest Rate Decision

The Bitcoin price is trading with a bullish bias, consolidating within an ascending parallel channel since bottoming out at $80,600 on November 21. As long as the price remains confined within this technical formation, the prospects for further upside remain alive.

Based on the RSI (Relative Strength Index) indicator, momentum is rising, which could push BTC further north. Its position above the 50 threshold suggests significant buyer momentum, but a lot remains in the balance, as this midline level is also susceptible to a bearish takeover.

The Bitcoin price faces immediate resistance due to the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $97,015, a roadblock in BTC’s path to the most critical Fibonacci retracement level, 61.8%, at $98,018.

This would be a key entry point for late bulls, such that if the Bitcoin price breaks cleanly through the level with strong volume, it would signal a strengthening trend. Such a directional bias would see the pioneer crypto extend a neck higher to $103,399, earmarked by the 50% midrange.

In a highly bullish case, BTC could reach the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, signaling a strong trend.  

Conversely, if the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level holds as resistance, it would set the tone for a trend reversal.

Sellers pulling the trigger at current levels could see the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level give way as support, a move that could cause BTC to fall out of the ascending parallel channel.

Such a directional bias could send the pioneer crypto’s price toward the $80,600 support floor. Such a move would constitute a drop of almost 15% from current levels.

Gold may be in a Stage A Classic Reload Zone

The gold price could sell off towards the lows of $4,199 and potentially violate the rising support trendline before reversing higher. Based on the RSI, momentum is fading, putting the XAU price at risk of a correction.

However, with the RSI still above the 50 threshold and strong downward support provided by the confluence of the 50- and 100-day EMAs at $4,202 and $4,203, respectively, the price could forge higher.

Critical support resides in the range between $4,178 and $4,192. If this zone holds, the bull structure would remain intact.

Meanwhile, the key resistance is at $4,241, with a clean break above this supplier congestion level likely to spark an acceleration.

In such a directional bias, targets would be $4,260, or in a highly bullish case, $4,300 before a potential recapture of the $4,381 all-time high (ATH).  

Therefore, current price levels could be a classic reload zone, with every dip providing a buying opportunity for late bulls.

Silver is up 6x as Much as the S&P 500 YTD

The silver price is experiencing one of the strongest bull runs in stock market history, up six times the S&P 500’s year-to-date (YTD) gain. The XAG/USD price is now on track for the largest 12-month gain since 1979.

After establishing a new all-time high of $60.794, silver is on price discovery levels, with potential for further upside.

On the 15-minute chart below, the XAG/USD price shows a clean bullish continuation breakout. The silver price has decisively cleared the prior range high near $58.83 and accelerated to price discovery, confirming a shift from consolidation to expansion.

All key EMAs (50/100/200) are now stacked bullishly and turning higher, signaling strong short-term trend alignment and trend strength.

Momentum supports the move, as evidenced by the RSI above 73, indicating strong buying pressure. However, this RSI position also warns of near-term overheating and the risk of a shallow pullback or consolidation before continuation.

Structurally, the former resistance at $58.80 to $59.00 now acts as first support, while the next psychological and technical target sits around $61.00–$61.50.

As long as the silver price holds above the rising 50-EMA (red), the bias remains buy-the-dip, with downside risk increasing only on a sustained breakdown back below $59.00.

The post Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Gold, Silver: Is the Fed-Driven Rally Built to Last? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Twenty One Capital has made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), entering the public markets with a substantial Bitcoin treasury and a similarly large spotlight. 

Its stock slid sharply on day one, raising a clear question for investors and the industry: what comes next for a company built around Bitcoin during a market downturn?

A Bitcoin Giant’s Wall Street Debut

Trading under the ticker XXI, the company enters the market with more than 43,500 Bitcoin on its balance sheet. 

That holding, worth about $3.9 billion, makes Twenty One Capital one of the largest corporate holders of the asset. Jack Mallers, who co-founded the firm, framed the listing as a bid to give Bitcoin a defined place in traditional markets. He argued that investors deserve access to a company built entirely on Bitcoin’s monetary logic.

Hello, world. $XXI pic.twitter.com/SFoLLwGnCd

— Twenty One (@twentyone) December 9, 2025

“Bitcoin is honest money. That’s why people choose it, and that’s why we built Twenty One on top of it,” Mallers said in a press release. “Listing on the NYSE is about giving Bitcoin the place it deserves in global markets and giving investors the best of Bitcoin: its strength as a reserve and the upside of a business built on it.”

This is not a fringe effort. Tether, Bitfinex, SoftBank, and Cantor Equity Partners sit behind XXI, giving the company a level of institutional weight rarely seen in Bitcoin-native launches. 

Cantor Equity Partners itself comes from a high-profile lineage: it was formed as a public acquisition vehicle backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, the investment firm led by Brandon Lutnick, son of US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. That connection adds another layer of institutional pedigree to XXI’s entry into public markets.

Yet the first trading session was rough, with shares falling more than 24%. The reaction indicates caution, with investors likely wanting to see how XXI plans to operate beyond its headline treasury.

DATs Struggle as Bitcoin Slides

Twenty One Capital’s stock exchange debut arrives at a time of renewed pressure in crypto markets. 

Bitcoin has fallen by roughly 30% from its October peak, and related equities have weakened in tandem. 

Meanwhile, digital asset treasuries (DATs) have been particularly hard-hit, as their valuations often fluctuate in tandem with their reserves. Analysts now stress that DATs must prove they offer more than exposure to Bitcoin. The generous mNAV premiums of earlier quarters have faded, and investors are demanding clearer business models.

1/ I see a lot of bad analysis of DATs, or digital asset treasury companies. Specifically, I see a lot of bad takes on whether they should trade at, above, or below the value of the assets they hold (their so-called “mNAV”).

Here's how I approach it.

— Matt Hougan (@Matt_Hougan) November 23, 2025

Against this backdrop, XXI faces a challenging environment for a new listing. It must demonstrate its ability to navigate volatility and build operations that can withstand Bitcoin’s fluctuations.

Growth Plans Await Market Validation

Mallers and his team have said the company aims to grow far beyond simple accumulation. 

XXI has stated that it plans to develop Bitcoin-based lending tools and capital markets products.

It also aims to create educational and media initiatives to promote broader Bitcoin adoption.

These remain early-stage intentions rather than launched business lines, reflecting the company’s ambition to build a broader ecosystem rather than remain a static treasury.

Whether investors will welcome that approach remains uncertain. 

Some see XXI as a future industry heavyweight, backed by deep institutional networks. Others note the weak crypto market and broader investor caution toward merger-driven listings. 

The debut is a milestone, but the next phase will depend on proven results rather than vision.

The post Twenty One Capital Goes Live on the NYSE – Now What? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Last month marked the weakest period for NFT sales in 2025, with the market cap shedding hundreds of millions of dollars.

The latest figures reinforce the ongoing decline in demand for these assets, which once surged to record highs before entering a prolonged reversal after the 2022 crypto winter.

NFT Sales Sink to New Lows

November’s slump was steep. Total non-fungible token (NFT) sales fell to $320 million, nearly halving from October’s $629 million, according to CryptoSlam. That places monthly activity back near September’s $312 million, erasing what little momentum the sector had regained earlier in the fall. 

According to CoinMarketCap, the weakness has already carried into December, where the first seven days generated just $62 million in sales, marking the slowest weekly performance of the year.

NFTs are soo downbad right now.

Market cap dropped from $6.6B to $3.5B and volume is down about 65 percent.

OpenSea’s most hyped token even got pushed to Q1 2026.

Most holders aren’t down because of price. They’re down because nobody is buying.

The healthiest reboot this… pic.twitter.com/YTrWoK3UKv

— Salem☠️ (@web3_Salem) December 3, 2025

The broader valuation picture reflects the same downward pressure. CoinGecko data shows the market cap of NFT marketplaces has fallen to $253 million, its lowest level on record, as prices continue to decline across even the most established collections.

This downturn is not an isolated event but the continuation of a broader, years-long contraction that has reshaped the NFT landscape since its explosive rise in the early 2020s.

From Hype Cycle to Hard Reset

NFTs first entered mainstream awareness in 2020, when early art sales and experimental drops attracted niche communities.

By 2021, the market had become a full cultural phenomenon. Trading volumes on platforms like OpenSea soon surged to billions each month.

Collections like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club turned into status symbols. They drew celebrities, global brands, and institutional investors. The momentum lasted into early 2022, when NFT activity hit record highs.

The peak did not last. As the broader crypto market weakened in mid-2022, NFT trading volumes contracted fast.

Liquidity dried up. Speculative capital pulled back, and floor prices across major collections fell sharply. Wash trading scandals hurt trust, and oversaturation added pressure. Thousands of low-effort collections competed for limited attention.

By late 2022, monthly volumes had decreased by more than 90% from their peak. Over the next two years, the market continued to normalize.

Some utility-driven NFTs, such as gaming assets and loyalty tokens, held steady pockets of activity. But legacy profile-picture collections lost relevance. Marketplaces fought for users with aggressive incentives, often boosting volume without creating real profit.

By 2025, the sector had shifted into a quieter role. It now operates as a niche segment within the broader digital asset market.

The post November Might Have Killed NFTs For Good appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin Community Divided as MicroStrategy’s Latest 10,000 BTC Buy Fails to Move Price — OTC Liquidity and Market Structure Under Scrutiny

Andrew Tate’s post questioning why MicroStrategy’s ~10,000 BTC purchase did not move Bitcoin’s price has triggered widespread debate across the crypto community. The exchange highlights a persistent point of confusion among retail traders: how can a buy of this scale take place without producing a visible market reaction?

Community Debate Exposes Misunderstanding of Bitcoin OTC Market Depth

Andrew Tate’s discussion comes days after MicroStrategy added more than 10,600 BTC — a purchase worth nearly one billion dollars — taking its total holdings above 660,000 coins. 

Despite the size of the acquisition, Bitcoin barely moved at the time, remaining locked between 88,000 and 92,000 dollars before breaking out only today.

I’m huge on BTC but micro strat buy 10k btc ina single day and the price doesn’t move.

Explain that to me.

— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) December 8, 2025

Multiple industry participants responded by pointing out that large institutional purchases rarely execute through spot order books. Instead, they are routed via Over-The-Counter (OTC) desks, which match buyers and sellers off-exchange. 

Because these trades do not pass through public liquidity pools, they avoid slippage and leave no immediate footprint on candles, charts, or price indices.

This means a billion-dollar purchase can settle quietly across miners, early wallets, market makers, and distressed sellers without triggering upward movement. 

Only when OTC inventory cannot meet demand do buyers spill into spot exchanges — and that is when prices react. MicroStrategy’s ability to absorb coins privately reflects Bitcoin’s liquidity depth at current supply levels.

Bitcoin Price Movement Depends Less on Size, More on Execution Route

Several analysts highlight that MicroStrategy’s buys may look huge but represent a small fraction of active supply. 

Buying 10,000 BTC is still only ~0.05% of circulating supply, and when sourced through negotiated block trades rather than public spot books, the effect becomes nearly invisible. 

This illustrates how corporate accumulation can continue even during sideways markets, without retail noticing until after settlement.

Critics, however, argue that MicroStrategy’s strategy relies on perception more than impact. Some suggest the company’s promotional announcements are designed to create bullish sentiment rather than directly shift price. 

The lack of immediate reaction fuels speculation that headline buys are less influential than investors assume.

This discussion lands at a moment of heightened sensitivity. The market only broke out today after a week of stagnation — a move driven not by MicroStrategy but by a mix of whale accumulation, short liquidations, and regulatory developments. 

The contrast reinforces a key takeaway: visible price movement often reflects late-stage order flow, not the originating buy itself.

The post Andrew Tate’s Bitcoin Post Sparks MicroStrategy Debate appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin has surged sharply above $94,000, ending a multi-day stretch of flat trading between $88,000 and $92,000.

The breakout arrived suddenly on December 9, accelerating within minutes and breaking the range that capped the market for nearly a week.

Whale Accumulation and Short-Side Liquidations Drive the Breakout

Trading data shows heavy inflows into major institutional and exchange-linked wallets in the hour leading into the rally. 

Several high-volume custodial addresses accumulated thousands of BTC in a short window, indicating deep liquidity buyers moved first before the squeeze took hold.

🚨 BREAKING:

HERE'S EXACT REASON WHY BITCOIN JUST PUMPED:

BINANCE BOUGHT 7,298 BTC
COINBASE BOUGHT 3,412 BTC
WINTERMUTE BOUGHT 2,174 BTC
BLACKROCK BOUGHT 1,362 BTC
RANDOM WHALE BOUGHT 6,192 BTC

THIS IS THE BIGGEST INSIDER PUMP EVER!! pic.twitter.com/SImfFYuGT8

— ᴛʀᴀᴄᴇʀ (@DeFiTracer) December 9, 2025

The velocity of the breakout suggests order books thinned quickly once demand breached range resistance. A rapid shift in market structure followed, with momentum building as shorts began closing under pressure.

Liquidation data confirms that futures markets absorbed the move aggressively. More than $300 million in total crypto liquidations occurred over the past 12 hours, with Bitcoin accounting for over $46 million and Ethereum above $49 million.

Most liquidations were short positions, signalling that the move was a classic squeeze rather than a gradual trend build. 

As cascading stops triggered, price expansion accelerated vertically with little counter-supply present.

Regulatory Support and FOMC Anticipation Fuel Sentiment

The rally followed a notable policy update from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which confirmed banks may engage in riskless principal crypto transactions. The decision allows regulated institutions to intermediate crypto flow without holding assets directly.

This shift expands potential institutional access, and its timing, just hours before the breakout, may have encouraged positioning. 

OCC Interpretive Letter 1188 confirms that a national bank may engage in riskless principal crypto-asset transactions as part of the business of banking. https://t.co/gXirMExhCi pic.twitter.com/uPRFGqb2NZ

— OCC (@USOCC) December 9, 2025

With the Federal Reserve rate decision approaching, traders now expect easier liquidity conditions if rate cuts are confirmed.

Bitcoin remains near intraday highs with volatility elevated and funding resetting across derivatives. Markets will watch whether follow-through demand holds into the FOMC announcement or if profit-taking cools momentum at the top.

The post Bitcoin Breaks Above $94,000 After Week-Long Stagnation, Here’s Why appeared first on BeInCrypto.

In 2025, the cryptocurrency industry entered a new phase, characterized by a surge in institutional participation. After years of caution and skepticism, large firms are now allocating meaningful capital to digital assets.

But what changed for institutions to finally turn to an industry they once kept at arm’s length? BeInCrypto spoke with Aishwary Gupta, global head of Payments and Real-World Assets at Polygon Labs, to unpack the drivers behind this transformation. Gupta discusses why institutional inflows now dominate the market and what this shift means.

Institutions Now Dominate Crypto Inflows: Here’s Why

Gupta noted that institutions now account for an estimated 95% of crypto inflows. Meanwhile, retail participation has fallen to roughly 5–6%. This reversal marks a shift from the hype-driven, retail-led cycles of previous years to a market increasingly shaped by structured finance. 

Large asset managers, including BlackRock, Apollo, and Hamilton Lane, have begun allocating around 1–2% of their portfolios to crypto, introducing ETFs and piloting tokenized investment products on-chain.

According to Gupta, the change isn’t in Wall Street’s sentiment but in the infrastructure that now supports institutional activity. He cited Polygon as an example:

“Partnerships with JPMorgan for a live DeFi trade under the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Ondo for tokenized treasuries, and AMINA Bank for regulated staking showed that the rails powering DeFi can also power global finance. Scalability and low-cost transactions allowed TradFi to consider public blockchains usable. Institutions don’t have to experiment in sandboxes anymore — they can make transactions on a well-tested, Ethereum-compatible public network that satisfies auditors and regulators.”

Gupta said institutions are entering the crypto space from two primary directions. The search for yield and diversification, and the pursuit of operational efficiency. The first wave focused on dollar-denominated returns through products such as tokenized treasuries and bank-managed staking. This offered a familiar and compliant framework for generating yield.

The second wave, he explained, is driven by the efficiency gains that blockchain can provide. Faster settlement, shared liquidity, and programmable assets have encouraged large financial networks and fintech firms to experiment with tokenized fund structures and on-chain transfers. 

Retail Retreat Raises Questions About Crypto’s Direction as Institutions Take the Lead

The executive also emphasized the reason for the retail exit. He highlighted that retail investors left the market largely due to losses tied to speculative meme coin cycles and unrealistic profit expectations. This erosion of trust, he noted, pushed many smaller investors to the sidelines. However, he does not view this as a permanent or structural departure.

“A lot more structured and regulated products will be able to win their confidence so they can return to the market,” Gupta told BeInCrypto.

Still, the rise of institutional participation raised concerns about potential dilution of crypto’s decentralization ethos. Gupta contends that maturity and decentralization are not mutually exclusive if public, open networks remain the foundation.

According to him, decentralization is threatened only when networks sacrifice openness, not when new participants enter.

“When built on public rails…instead of in walled gardens,  institutional adoption won’t centralize crypto so much as legitimize it…..TradFi isn’t taking over crypto so much as it is coming on-chain — it’s not a takeover and surrender but rather a merging of infrastructures as chains that host DeFi and NFTs also host Treasuries, ETFs, and institutional staking,” he remarked.

When asked whether institutional dominance could slow innovation by prioritizing compliance over experimentation, Gupta acknowledged the tension. Nonetheless, he argued that it may ultimately benefit the sector.

‘The ‘move fast and break things’ mentality produced great creativity, but it also led to huge losses and regulatory hostility.  Yes, institutions move slowly and with a great focus on compliance, and yes, that can put a strain on creativity, but if done right, it doesn’t have to kill innovation. Instead, it can push it further and force developers to see compliance as a way to foster innovation by building it in from the start. Progress may be slower, but it is stronger and more scalable,” the executive commented.

What Comes Next as Institutions Deepen Their Presence in Crypto

Looking ahead, Gupta said the rise of institutional participation should not be viewed as Wall Street “taking over” crypto but rather joining an increasingly multifaceted ecosystem. 

“The market now runs on institutional-grade liquidity that is slower-moving, yield-bearing and more risk-managed. You no longer see the market dominated by retail traders chasing hype and FOMO across centralized exchanges like in 2017. There’s less emotional trading. Volatility will decrease as capital moves from speculation to long-term yield generation. The narrative has changed, with crypto becoming seen more as financial infrastructure than an asset class,” he mentioned

He expects significant expansion in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and a gradual increase in market stability as trading activity becomes more disciplined and less speculative. Stronger regulatory integration, he added, is also likely as traditional financial players continue to develop on-chain strategies.

Gupta anticipates further growth in institutional staking and yield-generating networks as regulated entities explore compliant ways to participate in on-chain yield. At the same time, he believes interoperability will become a central focus, with public-chain tools that enable seamless movement of assets across different rollups gaining importance as institutions scale their activity.

The post Polygon Executive Explains Why Big Finance Wants Crypto in 2025 and Why Retail Doesn’t appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched USDKG, a gold-backed stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, with an initial issue of $50 million. The token is issued on Tron and fully audited by ConsenSys Diligence, with future expansion slated to include Ethereum support.

The issuer, OJSC Virtual Asset Issuer, is a state-owned entity under the Ministry of Finance, operating within the legal framework established by the 2022 Law on Virtual Assets of the Kyrgyz Republic. The initiative represents a first-of-its-kind model in Central Asia, merging sovereign oversight with blockchain transparency.

The launch ceremony was attended by Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almaz Baketaev, Minister of Finance, and Biibolot Mamytov, CEO of Gold Dollar, the project’s operator. During the event, the dignitaries pressed a symbolic “Launch Issuance” button, officially initiating the circulation of USDKG tokens.

The issuance of USDKG is carried out by a company with 100% state participation, ensuring a high level of investor trust and institutional reliability. A total of 50,000,000 USDKG tokens have been issued, each fully backed by physical gold reserves. Operational control — including gold management — is delegated to a private company registered in the Kyrgyz Republic, under a contractual agreement with the USDKG issuer.

This separation of responsibilities ensures independent operational oversight and positions USDKG outside the classification of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The company responsible for managing USDKG’s gold reserves, has outlined plans to expand the backing to $500 million in the next phase, with a long-term target of $2 billion.

The stablecoin is fully compliant with FATF KYC/AML standards, and redemptions require standard identity verification. It is designed to facilitate financial inclusion.

Kyrgyzstan is among the first nations in the region to establish a comprehensive digital-asset regulatory framework, setting a precedent for state-supervised virtual currencies. Government representatives emphasized that such initiatives aim to enhance economic transparency and trade efficiency, rather than serve any geopolitical agenda. Officials also noted that USDKG complements, rather than competes with, the national monetary system.

The project reframes traditional narratives around state-issued and commodity-backed digital assets. Its gold collateral serves as a verifiable, inflation-resistant foundation, aligning with a growing market preference for transparent, real-asset-backed stablecoins. By combining physical reserves with on-chain verification, USDKG introduces a model of measurable stability uncommon in the current stablecoin landscape. The state-backed structure provides a clear regulatory framework built on accountability and public oversight.

The Kyrgyz initiative underscores a broader trend toward responsible digital-asset innovation in emerging markets. The government’s focus on regulatory discipline, transparency, and tangible reserves signals a pragmatic approach to blockchain-based modernization.

With USDKG, Kyrgyzstan positions itself as a regional first-mover in regulated asset-backed digital currencies — both bridging traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure and maintaining full sovereign oversight.

The post Kyrgyzstan Launches $50M Gold-backed USDKG Stablecoin to Modernize Cross-border Payments appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Abu Dhabi-based network launches mainnet with $ADI token, 50+ projects in the pipeline for deployment, and infrastructure ready to host dirham-backed stablecoin 

Today, the ADI Foundation announced the mainnet launch of ADI Chain, the first institutional L2 blockchain for stablecoins and real-world assets in the MENA region. The $ADI token launches simultaneously on Kraken, Crypto.com, and KuCoin, and soon on eToro. The token will also be available through Wallet in Telegram, enabling users to manage $ADI directly within the Telegram app, as well as Fasset, the global banking and investment platform.

After months of development and institutional partnerships, the infrastructure built to solve blockchain adoption in emerging markets becomes a reality.

Why Governments Need Different Infrastructure

ADI Foundation set out with a clear mission: onboard one billion people to blockchain by 2030. Achieving goals of this magnitude requires governments to actively participate in blockchain deployment. Yet the world’s fastest-growing economies – spanning the Middle East, Asia, and Africa – operate under fundamentally different constraints. National payment systems rely on centralized infrastructure. Currency regulations mandate government oversight of cross-border capital flows. Monetary policy depends on jurisdictional control over transaction networks.

ADI Chain emerged as a purpose-built infrastructure for these exact requirements. 

This L2 network enables governments and institutions to deploy blockchain-based innovations, including stablecoins, cross-border remittances, tokenized real-world assets, digital payments, and secured healthcare data. Governments and institutions can now build compliant, regulated L3 chains aligned with local laws and requirements. 

The $ADI token is the native gas token for all transactions on ADI Chain and its associated L3 domains, serving as the settlement currency within the ecosystem and facilitating value exchange between enterprises, developers, validators, and users across Web3-native and enterprise-grade use cases. Token holders can also stake $ADI into a treasury-backed pool as a part of the network’s governance and utility features.

Building on a Network of 50+ Businesses

ADI Chain was chosen to host the UAE Dirham-backed stablecoin, which will be issued by two major players in the region: First Abu Dhabi Bank and IHC, and is set to be regulated by the UAE Central Bank.

ADI has partnered with ADREC to accelerate blockchain adoption in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector through tokenized ownership and secure digital registries. ADI Foundation also signed an MoU with Emirates Driving Company to pilot blockchain solutions for the UAE’s driver education sector, including secure digital records, automated workflows, and stablecoin payments.

Key technology partners include ZKsync, which powers ADI Chain’s scalability and security through zero-knowledge proofs, making ADI the first public blockchain built with ZKsync’s Airbender stack. Alchemy provides infrastructure for national-scale deployment, while WalletConnect powers wallet-to-dApp connectivity, and Covalent delivers real-time blockchain data for institutional applications.

Founded by Sirius International Holding, a digital arm of IHC —  MENA’s largest listed holding company, the ADI Foundation drives the mission to onboard one billion people to blockchain by 2030, expanding partnerships across 20 countries and championing institutional adoption in the MENA region and beyond. 

ADI Chain is the compliant, scalable infrastructure layer built by the ADI Foundation to make this vision a reality. The L2 network launches with partnerships across 20 countries and over 50 projects in the pipeline for deployment.

Next Milestones

Mainnet marks the shift from testing to deployment. Governments, institutions, and developers can now deploy applications for payments, digital identity, and economic connectivity. The dirham-backed stablecoin (DDSC) will launch on ADI Chain, demonstrating how regulated stablecoins operate within national legal frameworks.

In January, the ADI Foundation will participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos as part of IHC House, presenting how ADI Chain supports national infrastructure for payments, digital identity, and governance. In February, the foundation will connect with developers at ETHDenver to explore Web3 opportunities and present sovereign infrastructure capabilities.

The ‘Future Tech 4.0’ educational platform will launch alongside ADGM and leading universities to train over 10,000 Web3 specialists in Abu Dhabi.

Bringing a different idea of blockchain to life has begun. With mainnet live, $ADI token launched, and partnerships spanning over 20 countries, ADI Foundation now enables governments and institutions across emerging markets in service of its core mission: bringing one billion people onchain by 2030. 

That’s Different.

About ADI Foundation & ADI Chain

ADI Foundation is an Abu Dhabi-based non-profit founded by Sirius International Holding, a subsidiary of IHC, dedicated to empowering governments and institutions in emerging markets through blockchain infrastructure. The foundation’s mission is to bring one billion people into the digital economy by 2030, building on a foundation of 500+ million people already within its ecosystem reach.

ADI Chain is the first institutional Layer 2 blockchain for stablecoins and real-world assets in the MENA region, providing settlement infrastructure for First Abu Dhabi Bank and IHC’s dirham-backed stablecoin, set to be regulated by the UAE Central Bank. The network operates on three pillars – Compliance, Efficiency, Security – serving governments implementing blockchain infrastructure across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

ADI Chain and the ADI token are developed by ADI DLT Foundation (“ADI”), a technology foundation. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, nor an offer to buy or sell any digital asset. All features, token utilities, timelines, and launch details are subject to change without notice. No guarantees are made regarding future performance or token value. Investment capital is a risk.

For more information, visit the Official Website, LinkedIn, and X. 

DISCLAIMER:

ADI Chain and the ADI token are developed by ADI DLT Foundation (“ADI”), a technology foundation.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice, nor an offer to buy or sell any digital asset.

All features, token utilities, timelines and launch details are subject to change without notice. No guarantees are made regarding future performance or token value.

Investment capital is a risk.

The post ADI Chain Debuts Mainnet and $ADI Token, Marking MENA’s First Institutional Layer-2 Network appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP price has fallen almost 10% over the past month despite a slight 1.5% gain this week. The price remains locked inside a $2.31–$1.98 range, failing to secure any meaningful breakout. This tension reflects a split in market behavior: whales are selling into strength while key holder groups continue accumulating.

The push and pull between these two sides is keeping the XRP price inside a falling wedge that has yet to confirm a bullish reversal.

Whales Trim While Key Holder Groups Resist the Pressure

Whale activity shows a clear shift toward caution.

Wallets holding 100 million–1 billion XRP cut their balances from 8.32 billion to 8.27 billion, starting December 7. Another group holding 10–100 million XRP reduced its supply from 11.01 billion to 10.99 billion on December 8. Together, they offloaded about 70 million XRP over the past 48 hours, worth roughly $143 million at the current price.

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

The selling is not dramatic in token terms, but it arrives at a sensitive moment — exactly when XRP is trying to stabilize. This sell pressure helps explain why every breakout attempt has stalled before gaining momentum.

The counterforce comes from short- and mid-term holders, and this shows up clearly on HODL Waves. HODL Waves track how much XRP is held in each “coin age band,” showing how long tokens remain unmoved.

The one-to three-month group increased from 8.52% to 10.31%. The three-to six-month group rose from 9.40% to 10.87%.

These holders typically accumulate when they believe selling pressure is easing. Their buying into a 10% monthly decline suggests they expect the wedge structure to resolve to the upside eventually.

So XRP sits in a clear push-pull dynamic: whales selling on one side, active dip-buyers on the other.

That tension is holding the XRP price inside the same narrowing structure.

XRP Price Pattern Shows a Stalemate as Buyers and Sellers Pull in Opposite Directions

XRP is forming a falling wedge, a pattern that usually favors bullish reversals — but only if buyers can force a decisive breakout. Right now, the wedge is functioning more as a stalemate, with whale selling capping momentum and accumulating holders preventing deeper downside.

The breakout point sits near $2.46, where the descending trendline meets current price action. The XRP price needs a strong daily close above this level to confirm a reversal. If that happens, upside targets sit at $2.61, $2.83, and $3.11.

While price trades between $2.31 and $1.98, the wedge remains valid. A break below $1.98, however, weakens the pattern and exposes $1.82, a level that served as structural support earlier in the cycle.

For now, the outlook is simple: Whale selling delays the breakout. Mid-term accumulation keeps the structure alive. The wedge will not resolve until one side overwhelms the other.

The post XRP’s Breakout Faces Hurdles From $143 Million Whale Sell-Off appeared first on BeInCrypto.

[Victoria, Seychelles, 9 December 2025] BitMEX, one of the safest crypto exchanges, announced today the launch of fiat-to-crypto on-ramps on its platform through a partnership with Mercuryo, a global payment infrastructure platform.

The introduction of this feature will enable users on the exchange to purchase cryptocurrency using a variety of fiat currencies.

The availability of Mercuryo’s on-ramps on BitMEX will simplify the onboarding of new users, streamlining the process of converting fiat assets such as USD into digital tokens to use for trading on the platform.

Payment methods accepted via the BitMEX-Mercuryo integration include credit cards, bank transfer, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. More than 30 fiat currencies are supported through the integration, available to traders in all eligible jurisdictions*.

The integration will allow user accounts to be credited with their chosen cryptocurrency in a matter of minutes. With the payment gateway directly integrated into BitMEX, users can convert their fiat into crypto to support their trading on BitMEX’s spot and futures markets, including bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL).

“The integration of Mercuryo’s on-ramps on the BitMEX platform provides our users with a robust and intuitive means of converting fiat into the cryptocurrency of their choice,” said Raphael Polansky, Chief Growth Officer at BitMEX. “The user experience (UX) is everything in crypt,o and Mercuryo has proven expertise in delivering an optimum on-ramp experience.”

“The integration of Mercuryo’s on-ramps gives BitMEX traders the convenience of a trusted gateway wrapped in a familiar interface,” said Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder and CEO at Mercuryo. “This is an important step towards enhancing the trading experience for millions of BitMEX’s global users.”

For more information on the new fiat-to-crypto conversion feature on BitMEX, visit this page.

About BitMEX

BitMEX is the OG crypto derivatives exchange, providing professional crypto traders with a platform that caters to their needs through low latency, deep crypto native liquidity, and unmatched reliability.

Since its founding, no cryptocurrency has been lost through intrusion or hacking, allowing BitMEX users to trade safely in the knowledge that their funds are secure. So that they have access to the products and tools they require to be profitable. BitMEX was also one of the first exchanges to publish its on-chain Proof of Reserves and Proof of Liabilities data. The exchange continues to publish this data twice a week, proving assurance that they safely store and segregate the funds they are entrusted with.

For more information on BitMEX, please visit the BitMEX Blog or www.bitmex.com, and follow Telegram, Twitter, Discord, and its online communities. For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About Mercuryo

Mercuryo is a first-mover and innovator in the fast-evolving Web3 space, providing a variety of payment solutions along with integrated on-chain functionality. Mercuryo’s intuitive solutions are simplifying the experience for newcomers to the digital token space. Since 2018, Mercuryo has proudly partnered with industry leaders such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Ledger, 1inch, PancakeSwap, and more, with plans to expand further as we continue to innovate with our stack of products.

The post BitMEX Integrates Mercuryo On-ramp to Introduce Fiat-to-Crypto Conversion appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) opens its December 2025 session today, with the decision set for release tomorrow, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Investors and traders are watching closely to see whether the central bank will continue its easing cycle or surprise markets by holding rates steady. As the final policy announcement of the year, the outcome carries considerable weight for crypto markets.

The Rate Cut Scenario: What Happens if the Fed Delivers a 25 bps Cut in December

As the announcement nears, market expectations are leaning heavily toward a rate cut, with a 25-basis-point move seen as the most likely outcome. Data from CME FedWatch shows traders assigning an 89.4% chance to a quarter-point cut at the December 10 meeting.

In contrast, only about 10.6% of market participants believe the Fed will keep rates at the current 3.75%-4.00% range.

If the Fed proceeds with a cut, it would be the third in a row this year, following the adjustments in September and October. This would bring the interest rate down to 3.50%–3.75%.

September’s cut triggered a brief lift in the crypto market, with Bitcoin and Ethereum posting gains. At the same time, the US dollar dropped to its weakest level since early 2022.

Nonetheless, the broader market downturn muted the impact of the October cut. In December, volatility remains elevated, with sharp swings in both directions.

Still, many analysts argue that another cut at this stage would likely be viewed as “bullish” for crypto.

“If you think this is not bullish for Bitcoin and risk assets, you are not paying attention. Prepare for volatility. Prepare for green candles,” an analyst said.

For cryptocurrencies, such a standard adjustment is viewed as mildly bullish, as it enhances liquidity and encourages investment in risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Nonetheless, Crypto Rover explained that markets have already adjusted to that outcome, so the actual announcement is unlikely to cause a big reaction.

According to the analyst, the real catalyst for market movement will be Powell’s press conference, not the rate cut itself.

“Bank of America expects Powell to hint at ‘reserve management purchases,’ meaning fresh liquidity injections to stabilize small-bank funding stress.  This would help normalize SOFR and support liquidity across markets. If Powell sounds dovish and says that inflation is calming, tariffs haven’t changed the trend, and labor is softening, it’ll give markets the green light to expect more cuts. But if he sounds hawkish, similar to the last FOMC meeting, Bitcoin and alts will dump,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, some investors are even expecting a more aggressive 50-basis-point cut.

50 basis rate cut is coming….. told you.

— Grant Cardone (@GrantCardone) December 8, 2025

This would be a strong policy signal, leading to rapidly expanding liquidity and further weakening of the dollar. While the probability of this scenario is low, it would likely have a stronger positive impact on crypto markets.

The No-Rate-Cut Scenario: Why a Fed Hold Could Hit Crypto Sentiment

Although few analysts predict it, the possibility that the Fed will hold rates cannot be ruled out. The rate decision arrives against a backdrop of disrupted economic indicators. The government shutdown halted key data releases from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This scarcity has left Fed officials working with limited visibility.

“What do you do if you’re driving in the fog? You slow down,” Fed chair, Jerome Powell, said in October.

The Fed itself remains split. Powell has noted that policymakers are seeing pressure from both sides of the central bank’s mandate. After the last rate cut, the Chairman dampened hopes for further easing in December.

“There were strongly different views about how to proceed in December. A further reduction in the policy rate at the December meeting is not a foregone conclusion, far from it,” he said.

If this happens, crypto markets could likely react bearishly in the short term. A hold would temporarily weigh on sentiment and delay any bullish momentum that a cut might have triggered.

Despite the risks, long-term trends may still benefit crypto markets. Reports say the Fed intends to buy $45 billion in Treasury bills a month beginning January 2026. This policy could boost financial system liquidity can drive investment into risk assets.

“This would inject massive liquidity into the markets. This only means one thing: QE is coming back. But this time they won’t call it QE,” Lark Davis stated.

Whether the Fed announces the widely expected 25-basis-point cut, surprises with a bigger reduction, or holds rates, its decision is likely to cause significant volatility in crypto markets. The subsequent press conference and forward guidance from Chair Powell will also play a key role, as traders focus on the outlook for future policy.

The post How Will Crypto Markets React If the Fed Holds Rates or Cuts Them? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

With deep roots in onchain privacy, Horizen has successfully migrated to Ethereum as a Layer-3 blockchain on Base for privacy-enabled and regulatory-ready applications.

Horizen has officially launched its mainnet as an EVM-native rollup on Base, marking its full transition from an independent proof-of-work blockchain to a privacy application-focused chain within the Ethereum ecosystem. The move positions Horizen as a high-performance infrastructure layer where developers can deploy Solidity-based applications while tapping into Base’s liquidity, developer ecosystem, and compliance-forward approach.

This milestone follows the July 2025 migration of ZEN, Horizen’s native token, from its original mainchain to Base as an ERC-20 asset. With its 21-million token cap preserved, ZEN now trades on decentralized exchanges such as Aerodrome and Uniswap, and legacy token holders can claim their migrated assets through Horizen’s dedicated portal. ZEN is currently available on Binance, Binance US, Coinbase, OKX, Bybit, Bitget & other major exchanges.

Launch partners include leading ecosystem infrastructure providers that enable developers to build robust apps on Horizen from day one: Caldera for rollup-as-a-service, LayerZero for omnichain interoperability, Stork for low-latency oracle feeds, Den for multisig wallet support, and Goldsky for indexing and data streaming. 

In July, Horizen introduced a five-year developer funding program in partnership with Thrive Protocol allocating 1 million ZEN tokens (roughly $8.8 million). to support builders creating privacy-first onchain applications. As Horizen opens for business on Base, the initial set of available applications include Hubz VCE and Gamblor, with a robust and steadily expanding pipeline of projects going live shortly after mainnet, including private DeFi and business applications such as privacy-preserving payroll, verifiable online advertising, and loyalty & user engagement.

The shift to Base addresses a central challenge faced by many independent blockchains – limited liquidity and developer reach. As a Layer-3 blockchain, Horizen gains direct access to the EVM ecosystem and Base’s core infrastructure. Developers can now build on Horizen using familiar EVM tooling while benefiting from lower costs, faster finality, and inherited Ethereum-grade security.

By processing most transaction activity within its own network before batching and settling to Base, Horizen enables localized execution and maintains flexibility over gas economics, token policy, and application-layer logic, while relying on Base and Ethereum for final settlement.

From Independent L1 to Ethereum L3

Launched in 2017 as ZenCash, Horizen began as a Bitcoin-style proof-of-work chain with optional privacy features. Over the years, it expanded its technical foundation through Zendoo, a zero-knowledge-based sidechain protocol, and EON, an EVM sidechain that debuted in 2023. These combined experiences have all informed Horizen’s transition away from its legacy infrastructure and to the native EVM landscape.

Bringing Regulatory-Compliant Privacy to Base

Horizen’s next phase focuses on introducing privacy-centric applications and privacy-enhancing tools to the Base ecosystem. Developers will be able to implement selective disclosure for transfers, swaps, and on-chain identity features using standard Solidity frameworks, making privacy a practical option within Ethereum’s DeFi landscape. Through its 5-year, 100M ZEN token developer funding program in partnership with Thrive Protocol, builders are already deploying applications on Horizen.

The network will also integrate with zkVerify, Horizen Labs’ dedicated zero-knowledge proof-verification chain. Applications that depend on intensive zero-knowledge proof validation can offload that computation to zkVerify, which batches and returns compressed verification results to Horizen, cutting gas costs and latency for complex cryptographic operations.

A Familiar Environment for Developers

The new mainnet offers a fully EVM-compatible environment where teams can deploy Solidity contracts, integrate Base’s tools, and leverage the established OP Stack foundation. The combination of fast finality, low fees, and native integration with Base makes Horizen a strong fit for DeFi, SocialFi, gaming, and data-intensive applications that demand scale, flexibility, and privacy utility.

Roadmap

In conjunction with the mainnet launch, the first applications to go live on Horizen demonstrate its privacy-first approach to ecosystem development. Post-launch, ZEN staking will be reintroduced, enabling token holders to participate in network rewards through a new staking mechanism. Horizen Labs will release a builder preview of its Confidential Compute Environment, providing early access to developers building privacy-preserving applications.

In Q1 2026, the Confidential Compute Environment will launch, using Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to isolate and encrypt computation directly on-chain. This environment will give developers a tool to deploy privacy-preserving applications without learning complex cryptography, thereby enabling secure, private app execution right onchain.

Horizen

Horizen is an EVM-native privacy-first ecosystem on Base, built to power practical, regulatory-compliant private execution for real onchain business activity. Designed for businesses and users that need confidentiality without sacrificing interoperability or compliance, Horizen offers a secure and auditable environment for privacy-centric applications and transactions, supported by an expanding ecosystem. The ZEN token anchors economic participation across Horizen, powering governance, utility, and long-term ecosystem alignment.

About Horizen Labs

Founded in 2019, Horizen Labs is a leading blockchain technology company specializing in zero-knowledge cryptography. Dedicated to scaling decentralized networks, Horizen Labs is elevating blockchain technology to unprecedented levels of efficiency. By focusing on developing next-gen, modular architectures, Horizen Labs is setting new standards for performance, security, and cost-effectiveness. Horizen Labs is trusted by industry giants such as Yuga Labs, Animoca Brands, and Offchain Labs. Additionally, it is the development company engaged by the ApeCoin DAO and Horizen DAO to develop leading projects such as ApeChain and Horizen. Horizen Labs is a globally distributed team with offices in Milan and New York City.

The post Horizen Launches Mainnet on Base appeared first on BeInCrypto.

[VILNIUS, Lithuania, Dec. 9, 2025] BTCC, the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchange, today announced the integration of its perpetual futures pairs on TradingView, a charting platform with over 100 million users globally. The integration enables traders to access BTCC’s 400+ futures pairs directly through TradingView’s charting and trading platform.

The partnership addresses our users’ growing demand for seamless trading experiences that combine execution capabilities with advanced market analysis. TradingView, which is recognized for its comprehensive and powerful market analysis features, provides traders with professional charting tools, customizable indicators, and real-time market data.

Through the integration, BTCC users can now react swiftly to market movements, refine their strategies, and execute perpetual futures trades within a single platform.

The integration comes at a time of significant growth for BTCC. The exchange previously announced its Q3 2025 Growth Report, where it recorded $1.15 trillion in trading volume during the quarter and currently offers more than 400 perpetual futures pairs, all of which are now accessible on TradingView.

This move builds on the exchange’s recent momentum, including its partnership with 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and 2x NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. as global brand ambassador.

“This integration combines TradingView’s analytical tools with BTCC’s range of perpetual futures pairs and deep liquidity,” said Marcus Chen, Product Manager at BTCC.

“Our focus is on equipping traders with the resources they need to execute their strategies effectively, and this collaboration reinforces our commitment to professional-grade derivatives trading experiences.”

Getting Started on TradingView

Users can connect their BTCC accounts to TradingView in three simple steps: 

• Step 1: On the TradingView platform, log in to your account. Then go to the Chart page and navigate to the Trading Panel section.
• Step 2: Select BTCC from the broker list, then click “Connect”. 
• Step 3: Once connected, traders can instantly trade BTCC’s perpetual futures pairs across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, and hundreds of other cryptocurrency pairs directly from the TradingView platform.

This TradingView integration marks another step in BTCC’s continued efforts to deliver a user-centric trading experience. As the industry’s longest-serving crypto exchange, BTCC remains focused on expanding access to professional tools while setting standards for platform reliability and performance.

About TradingView

TradingView is the world’s most popular charting platform and the industry’s forefront for financial visualization solutions. 100M+ traders worldwide use it as the go-to destination to chart, chat, and trade financial markets. TradingVIew’s product portfolio includes best-in-class charts, versatile commercial libraries, a social network, and many more tools for retail and business audiences.

About BTCC

Founded in 2011, BTCC is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 10 million users across 100+ countries. Partnered with 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and 2x NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. as global brand ambassador, BTCC delivers secure, accessible crypto trading services with an unmatched user experience.

Official website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange 

The post BTCC Exchange Integrates with TradingView, Bringing Professional Trading Tools to its 10 Million Global Users appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Standard Chartered has lowered its long-term Bitcoin (BTC) price forecasts, warning that a key pillar of recent demand, corporate Bitcoin buying, is likely over.

The bank now believes future gains in Bitcoin will be driven by a single source: exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows, a shift that could slow the pace of upside in the years ahead.

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Bitcoin’s Pullback ‘Painful but Normal’

In a new note, Standard Chartered’s Head of Digital Asset Research, Geoff Kendrick, said the bank is pushing back its timeline for Bitcoin reaching $500,000 and lowering its year-end price targets for 2026 through 2029.

“While the recent Bitcoin price decline has been rapid, we think it is within expected bounds. However, further corporate buying of Bitcoin is unlikely, as valuations no longer support it. This leaves ETF buying, which may be slower than earlier expected, to drive price gains from here. We lower our year-end price forecasts for 2026-29 and push out our $500,000 forecast to 2030. Not a crypto winter, just a cold breeze,” Kendrick said.

Bitcoin’s recent price action has unsettled investors, but Standard Chartered argues the sell-off fits historical patterns rather than signalling a structural downturn.

Kendrick noted that Bitcoin has fallen around 36% from its all-time high on October 6, a decline comparable to other drawdowns seen since the launch of US spot Bitcoin ETFs.

“The recent price action in Bitcoin (BTC) has been challenging, but the decline, while rapid, falls within ‘normal’ expectations,” Kendrick stated, adding that similar pullbacks have occurred over the past two years.

The timing of the peak has fuelled renewed fears of a crypto winter, with Bitcoin topping roughly 18 months after the April 2024 halving, a pattern seen in past cycles.

“The timing of the recent losses, the 6 October high was reached 18 months after the April 2024 ‘halving’ of Bitcoin supply, has fed the narrative of a ‘crypto winter’,” Kendrick added.

However, Standard Chartered rejects the idea that the traditional halving-driven cycle still dominates Bitcoin’s price behaviour.

“We do not share the view that the halving cycle is still valid. Rather, we think longer-term ETF buyers are a much more important price driver,” he noted.

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Corporate Bitcoin Buying Losing Steam

The more concerning signal, according to Standard Chartered, is the apparent end of aggressive Bitcoin accumulation by listed digital asset treasury companies (DATs).

Kendrick said valuations no longer justify further expansion by these firms, which have played an increasingly visible role in driving demand over the past year.

“That said, price action has forced us to recalibrate our Bitcoin price forecasts. Specifically, we think buying by Bitcoin digital asset treasury companies (DATs) is likely over, as valuations, as measured by mNAVs, the commonly used valuation metric for these companies, no longer support further Bitcoin DAT expansion,” he mentioned

While the bank does not expect widespread selling from these companies, it also does not expect them to underpin prices going forward.

“We expect a consolidation rather than outright selling, but DAT buying is unlikely to provide further support,” Kendrick said.

---

ETF Inflows Will Be A Key Support

With corporate Bitcoin buying fading, Kendrick believes the next phase of Bitcoin’s price trajectory depends almost entirely on ETFs.

“As a result, we think that future Bitcoin price increases will effectively be driven by one leg only, ETF buying,” he remarked.

That shift has prompted Standard Chartered to delay its most bullish projections.

“We therefore lower our year-end price forecasts for 2026-29 and expect Bitcoin to reach our long-term price forecast of $500,000 only in 2030 (versus 2028 previously),” Kendrick highlighted.

Still, the bank maintains its long-term optimism, just on a longer timeline.

“We still think this target is attainable, as portfolio optimisation between Bitcoin and gold continues to show that global portfolios are underweight Bitcoin. Investment access and decision-making by investment committees take time, but we expect them to drive large Bitcoin gains eventually,” he added.

The post Standard Chartered Sounds Alarm: A Major Bitcoin Buyer Has Disappeared appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO of Binance, has debunked viral claims that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, filed for a staked Aster (ASTER) exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The link between Aster and CZ stems from CZ’s significant personal investment and public endorsement of the decentralized derivatives exchange, which has sparked massive price rallies and speculation in the past.

Did BlackRock File For An Aster ETF?

A social media post alleging BlackRock had filed for a staked ASTER ETF with the Securities and Exchange Commission went viral on X (formerly Twitter) today. The post included what appeared to be an official S-1 registration document dated December 5, 2024, citing an “iShares Staked Aster Trust ETF” and listing BlackRock’s contact information.

UPDATE 🚨

BLACKROCK HAVE JUST FILED FOR A STAKED $ASTER ETF! pic.twitter.com/AEEL1Dhq7B

— That Martini Guy ₿ (@MartiniGuyYT) December 9, 2025

The image spread quickly, leading to speculation about institutional moves regarding ASTER. However, it’s important to note that there is no evidence of such a registration in official SEC filings. The fabricated document closely imitated real SEC filings, making the forgery difficult to detect at first glance.

Still, a closer look at the image reveals it is photoshopped. The description in the document actually refers to the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, a real filing BlackRock submitted on December 5. Furthermore, the asset manager has made it clear in the past that its current focus on crypto ETFs is limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

CZ also responded promptly to debunk the misinformation. He cautioned his followers that even established crypto opinion leaders can be deceived.

“Fake. Even big KOLs gets fooled once in a while. Aster doesn’t need these fake photoshopped pics to grow,” he wrote.

Notably, the connection between CZ and Aster dates back a long way. In September, the executive voiced his support for the platform. Furthermore, YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) holds a minority stake in the DEX.

In November, CZ revealed that he had personally purchased about $2 million worth of Aster tokens as a long-term investment. This triggered a 30% surge in ASTER token’s price.

ASTER Price Slips Despite Buyback Program

Meanwhile, the ASTER token is facing market headwinds despite the project’s latest buyback effort. On December 8, the team announced that it would initiate an accelerated Stage 4 buyback program, increasing its daily purchases to approximately $4 million worth of tokens, up from the previous pace of around $3 million.

“This acceleration allows us to bring the accumulated Stage 4 fees since Nov 10 on-chain more quickly, providing more support during volatile conditions. Based on current fee levels, we estimate reaching steady-state execution in 8–10 days, after which daily Stage 4 buybacks will continue at 60–90% of the previous day’s revenue till the end of Stage 4,” Aster posted.

So far, the move has not translated into upward price momentum. ASTER fell nearly 4% over the past 24 hours, extending recent losses.

At the time of writing, the altcoin was changing hands at $0.93. Trading activity also weakened, with daily volume dropping by 41.80%.

The post CZ Refutes Viral BlackRock Aster ETF Claim as Token Faces Market Pressure appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The Russell 2000 Index, which comprises approximately 2,000 small-cap companies, has long served as a barometer of investor appetite for growth and high-risk equities. Analysts quickly noticed its correlation with the crypto market.

When risk-on sentiment spreads into the crypto market, it can help push Bitcoin and altcoins higher. The details below illustrate how this dynamic unfolds.

Russell 2000 Flashes a Breakout Signal, Raising Hope for Crypto

If the S&P 500 represents large-cap blue-chip companies, the Russell 2000 focuses on small-cap stocks.

The index is not as famous as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones. However, it remains important, especially for investors who seek higher risk. This risk appetite aligns closely with many crypto investors.

In December, the Russell 2000 recorded a major turning point when it broke above a long-term resistance level. This move often signals strong upside momentum.

The breakout is considered a clear risk-on signal. This suggests that capital is shifting back to riskier assets, which can serve as fuel for Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins.

The Bitcoin Vector — an institutional Bitcoin report published by Swissblock — noted that in late 2020, the Russell 2000 broke through new highs and later turned that level into support. Bitcoin surged 380% after that.

“Last time this setup appeared, BTC delivered over 390% upside. This time the structure is different, but we’re starting from an environment that precedes liquidity expansion. And when liquidity turns, risk assets take the lead,” Bitcoin Vector stated.

Negentropic, co—founder of Glassnode, added that the Russell 2000 breakout signals a broad return of investors to risk assets.

Several analysts also believe this is a bullish sign for altcoins.

“Russell 2000 is the biggest indicator for Altseason, and it’s about to hit a new all-time high,” Ash Crypto said.

By comparing the altcoin market capitalization with that of the iShares Russell 2000 ETF — a fund that tracks US small-cap equities — analyst Cryptocium highlighted a correlation. Altcoin market cap (OTHERS) often surges when the iShares Russell 2000 ETF breaks above its previous all-time high.

This pattern has appeared twice: once in 2017 and again in 2021. It now suggests a potential altcoin boom in 2026.

But a Deeper Look Reveals Internal Weakness

A closer look inside the Russell 2000 rally shows a different picture.

Analyst Duality Research noted that, although the index rose in 2025, small-cap ETFs within the index still recorded net outflows of approximately $19.5 billion this year. This contrasts sharply with past rallies, which have typically been accompanied by strong ETF inflows.

The Russell 2000 is up more than 13% year-to-date and over 40% off its April lows, yet small-cap ETFs have still recorded roughly $20 billion in net outflows this year. pic.twitter.com/QEXQ6qIcsn

— Duality Research (@DualityResearch) December 8, 2025

This perspective weakens the bullish argument for a tight correlation between the Russell 2000 and the crypto market. If risk-on sentiment fails to last and the breakout turns into a false move, that negative shift may spread and extend the bearish mood in the crypto market.

The post What Does the Russell 2000 Breakout Signal Mean for Bitcoin and Altcoins? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Stablecoin issuers continue to mint new tokens such as USDT and USDC. This expansion is often compared to the spark that ignites major market rallies. However, data shows that the market caps of leading stablecoins have increased for months while the broader crypto market has not grown proportionally.

The following report outlines several reasons behind this mismatch, based on recent data and industry analyses.

3 Reasons Behind the Decoupling Between Stablecoin Growth and the Crypto Market

CoinGecko data shows that the market caps of USDT and USDC reached new highs in December, at $185 billion and $78 billion, respectively.

Both stablecoins have experienced steady growth since the start of the year. By December, Circle and Tether continued to issue aggressively. The latest report from on-chain tracker Lookonchain noted that Tether minted $1 billion and Circle added another $500 million.

Analysts often describe this capital as “dry powder” for the market. Yet the question remains: where has it actually gone?

More Stablecoins Flow Into Derivatives Exchanges Than Spot Exchanges

CryptoQuant data indicate that USDT (ERC-20) on derivatives exchanges has increased consistently since early 2025, rising from below $40 billion to nearly $60 billion.

Meanwhile, USDT (ERC-20) on spot exchanges has been trending downward. It currently sits near yearly lows.

USDC on spot exchanges has also dropped sharply in recent months, falling from $6 billion to $3 billion.

This data reflects a shift in trader behavior. Many prefer short-term opportunities with leverage rather than long-term spot accumulation. This shift makes it harder for altcoin prices to gain upward momentum.

Leveraged trading also introduces higher risk. It delivers fast profits but can erase capital just as quickly. Multiple billion-dollar liquidation events in 2025 illustrate this ongoing trend.

Stablecoins Now Serve Many Purposes Beyond Crypto Investing

Another reason stems from the broader utility of stablecoins. The issuance by Tether and Circle does not solely reflect internal demand for cryptocurrencies. It also reflects demand from the global finance ecosystem.

A new IMF report highlights the widespread use of stablecoins such as USDT for cross-border remittances.

The chart shows that cross-border flows involving USDT and USDC reached approximately $170 billion in 2025.

“Stablecoins could enable faster and cheaper payments, particularly across borders and for remittances, where traditional systems are often slow and costly,” the IMF noted.

As a result, even though supply increases, a substantial portion of capital is absorbed into real-world applications rather than speculation.

Investor Caution Slows Capital Rotation

A third factor is cautious investor sentiment.

A recent Matrixport report describes the current market conditions as lacking retail participation and exhibiting low trading volume. Sentiment indicators remain in “fear” and “extreme fear” territory.

“Simply put, without volume, enthusiasm cannot compound, and without enthusiasm, volume will not return, a classic crypto chicken-and-egg standoff,” Matrixport reported.

This sentiment pushes investors to hold stablecoins instead of deploying them into Bitcoin or altcoins.

Historical data reinforces this view. A comparison of Bitcoin’s price and the market caps of USDT and USDC reveals that, in the first half of 2022, stablecoin supply continued to rise even after the market had entered a bear phase. In late 2022, stablecoin supply dropped sharply as many investors exited the market.

An increase in stablecoin market caps does not automatically translate into higher Bitcoin or altcoin prices. The impact depends heavily on investor sentiment, capital flows, and the broader use cases driving stablecoin demand.

The post Why Stablecoin Market Caps Keep Rising but the Crypto Market Isn’t Exploding appeared first on BeInCrypto.

[Abu Dhabi, UAE] Investors, founders, and ecosystem leaders came together for Capital Gathering F1 Abu Dhabi edition – the only high-tech and AI-focused evening of Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 weekend, where the real conversations happened off the conference floor. BeInCrypto joined as a media partner for Capital Gathering.

Hosted on a private rooftop close to Yas Marina Circuit, Capital Gathering brought together a curated mix of VCs, family offices, and founders across AI, web3, gaming, fintech, and deep tech in Abu Dhabi – the region’s home to some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and asset managers.

Capital Gathering was co-hosted with key ecosystem partners: NAPKIN, an ADGM-based M&A platform rolling up high-growth digital disruptors toward $500M in revenue and an IPO by 2027, serving brands like Netflix, Nike, Coca-Cola, and P&G; IVPAY, which enables crypto payments for businesses with automatic crypto-to-fiat conversion through a licensed exchange in the UAE; CryptoRobotics, an automated trading platform and gateway to top crypto exchanges for algorithmic traders, operating since 2018; and RACECRAFT.

“Abu Dhabi is no longer just a pit stop; it’s where racing, technology, and capital come together,” said George Zhuravskiy, racing driver and founder of RACECRAFT.

“At Racecraft, we make motorsport more accessible and data-driven through simulation and coaching, and Capital Gathering brought that same energy to founders and investors building what’s next.”

The main event was followed by the Capital Gathering Afterparty, which opened its doors to an extended circle of guests, keeping conversations and connections going late into the night and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub where global capital meets frontier innovation.

The post Capital Gathering F1 Abu Dhabi Edition Connects Investors and Founders appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin’s recent price action shows continued weakness as the asset struggles to find direction amid muted macro signals, presenting a bullish-neutral prediction. 

The lack of momentum has kept BTC drifting downward for several days, but the Federal Open Market Committee’s expected 25 basis point rate cut on Wednesday could shift sentiment. Whether this becomes a catalyst depends heavily on how short-term holders behave.

Bitcoin Holders Might Present Some Challenge

The STH to LTH Supply Ratio recently rose from 18.3% to 18.5%, breaking above the 17.6% upper band. This signals a growing presence of short-term holders within Bitcoin’s supply mix. 

Their presence increases speculative activity, which can boost liquidity but also create sharper intraday swings. The shift highlights a market poised for volatility if conditions change quickly.

This higher ratio also suggests that STHs hold greater influence over Bitcoin’s immediate trajectory. Their tendency to sell when in profit has historically capped recoveries. If the FOMC rate decision triggers a rally, STH behavior will determine whether the momentum sustains or fades.

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Bitcoin’s Percent Supply in Profit has increased from 66.5% to 67.3%, a modest 1.2% gain. While upward movement is positive, the metric remains far below the 98.4% high band typically seen in strong bull phases. This shows that a significant portion of supply is still underwater, reflecting a cautious environment rather than euphoric strength.

Such subdued profitability aligns with early-stage accumulation behavior. Investors appear selective and patient, waiting for stronger macro cues before committing. If the FOMC cut boosts risk appetite, this profitability gap leaves room for expansion and stronger follow-through.

BTC Price Awaits An Escape

Bitcoin’s price is at $90,399 at the time of writing, sitting just below a downtrend that has persisted for one and a half months. BTC is attempting to flip $90,400 into a support level, which would mark the first step toward reversing the trend.

If macro conditions align and rate cuts revive broader market optimism, BTC could rebound sharply. A clean bounce from $90,400 may drive a retest of $95,000, and breaking that resistance would open a clear path toward the long-anticipated $100,000 level, proving Bitcoin’s price prediction true.

However, if short-term holders sell into strength, Bitcoin may struggle to maintain upward pressure. A rejection from $95,000 or failure to break the downtrend could send BTC back toward $86,822, invalidating the bullish scenario.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Recovery to $100,000 Could Be Tainted by These Holders appeared first on BeInCrypto.

BitMine Immersion Technologies, the largest corporate holder of Ethereum (ETH), has doubled down on its acquisition of ETH in December, highlighting confidence in the asset.

The renewed buying comes despite a tough environment for Ethereum. Rising exchange inflows and ongoing exchange-traded fund (ETF) outflows point to short-term pressure across the market.

BitMine Scoops Up 138,452 ETH in a Week, Now Controls 3.2% of Supply

According to a recent disclosure, BitMine acquired 138,452 ETH last week, representing a 156% increase over the previous four weeks. Its total holdings stand at 3.86 million ETH.

This accounts for over 3.2% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. Furthermore, it puts BitMine two-thirds of the way toward its goal to control 5% of ETH’s supply.

Since adopting ETH as a reserve asset, BitMine has continued to make large-scale purchases. Between June 30 and October 5, BitMine accumulated 2.83 million ETH. Since October 5, it has added another 1.03 million ETH to its holdings.

Tom Lee(@fundstrat)'s #Bitmine bought another 138,452 $ETH($434.74M) last week and currently holds 3,864,951 $ETH($12.13B).https://t.co/TNELQSq7d7 pic.twitter.com/XKHh3nBBfC

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 8, 2025

Ethereum’s weakness throughout the fourth quarter makes BitMine’s steady accumulation even more notable. Since early October, ETH has shed about 24.8% of its value, reflecting persistent downward pressure.

December has offered a small break from that trend. The price has climbed more than 4% since the start of the month, and with it have climbed BitMine’s ETH purchases.

According to BitMine Chairman Tom Lee, the company’s accelerated purchasing activity reflects its confidence that ETH will likely see gains in the coming months, supported by several key catalysts.

These include the Fusaka upgrade, which was activated last week and delivers meaningful improvements to Ethereum’s scalability, security, and overall network efficiency. BitMine also points to the broader macro backdrop, with the Federal Reserve ending quantitative tightening and potentially introducing another interest rate cut tomorrow.

Together, these developments form the basis for the company’s view that market conditions could turn more supportive for ETH after weeks of volatility.

“We are now more than 8 weeks past the October 10th liquidation shock event, a sufficient length of time to allow crypto to again trade on forward fundamentals,” Lee added.

Market Conditions Point to Near-Term Volatility

Despite this, on-chain data signals caution. CryptoOnchain noted that Ethereum exchange netflow to Binance has surged. The exchange received 162,084 ETH on December 5, 2025. This was the largest single-day inflow of ETH to the exchange since May 2023.

Large deposits on exchanges often suggest impending sell pressure, since investors typically transfer tokens to platforms before liquidating.

“Given the magnitude of this inflow, market participants should remain cautious. A supply shock of this size, if executed as market orders, could lead to heightened volatility or a short-term price correction,” the analyst stated.

Furthermore, Ethereum exchange-traded funds are also signaling weakened demand. The ETFs experienced a record $1.4 billion in net outflows in November 2025, marking the largest monthly withdrawal on record.

The trend has continued into December. According to SoSoValue, an additional $65.59 million exited ETH-focused ETFs in the first week of the month.

“Historically, ETF flow reversals tell you more about liquidity pressure than about long term fundamentals. When redemptions spike, it’s usually a sign that broader risk sentiment is cracking, not that the asset itself broke. If ETF outflows continue, near term price action stays choppy as liquidity gets drained at the edges,” Milk Road posted.

The ongoing divergence between direct accumulation and ETF redemptions highlights a market split, with retail and institutional players following diverging strategies regarding Ethereum’s outlook.

The post Why Tom Lee’s BitMine Is Buying Ethereum (ETH) Aggressively Despite Market Fear appeared first on BeInCrypto.