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.

Terra Luna Classic (LUNC) jumped nearly 100% today, after CoinDesk journalist Ian Allison appeared at Binance Blockchain Week Dubai wearing a vintage Terra Luna logo t-shirt while moderating interviews with executives from Mastercard, Ripple, and TON.

The image circulated across X and Telegram within hours, triggering discussion that the moment felt like a nostalgic revival of one of crypto’s most notorious altcoins.

Terra Luna Is Back? Not Quite

Traders had already been rotating into LUNC ahead of a scheduled network upgrade supported by Binance. 

The exchange confirmed it would pause deposits and withdrawals during the upgrade, signalling strong operational backing from the world’s biggest trading venue.

That announcement pushed volume sharply higher, setting the stage for fast speculative flows.

Token burn trackers reported aggressive supply reduction recently, including hundreds of millions of LUNC removed from circulation in the past week. Community messaging amplified the theme, reviving the idea of a shrinking float.

04 December 2025:

Terra Classic $LUNC Max Supply: 6,480,742,753,204 Tokens Burned Previous Day: 83,945,886 (🔴-0.0013%)

Terra Classic $LUNC Price: $0.00002834 (🟢+0.11%) pic.twitter.com/Gwppn0zHZH

— LUNC BURN UPDATE (@LuncBurnDaily) December 4, 2025

This narrative resurfaced at the same moment as Allison’s shirt went viral, reinforcing the perception of a coordinated cultural comeback.

The Do Kwon Effect

The rally also coincides with renewed attention on Do Kwon’s ongoing sentencing proceedings in the United States. Traders view developments toward legal conclusion as a potential reset point, allowing LUNC to trade like a legacy meme asset rather than a distressed one.

As volume spiked and spot markets tightened, the narrative gained traction quickly.

As expected, the DOJ wants a 12-year prison sentence for Do Kwon. Their sentencing submission suggests they don't buy Kwon's apologies, and they attack his attempts to evade blame and cast himself as a victim of Montenegrin officials. pic.twitter.com/Ub8MKk8iiP

— Alexander Osipovich (@aosipovich) December 5, 2025

Why the T-Shirt Moment Landed So Loudly

Terra’s collapse remains one of crypto’s most dramatic episodes, erasing billions in market value in 2022 and triggering regulatory crackdowns worldwide. Many in the industry still associate the logo with that moment — a symbol of excess, leverage, and systemic failure.

Seeing the design reappear on a main stage alongside established institutions added an unexpected emotional layer to the rally. It represented a strange throwback and also an emotional provocation.

$LUNC just went x2 and added 150 million to its market cap.

Not because of some innovation, not because of fundamentals, but simply because a @IanAllison123 from CoinDesk wore a $LUNC t-shirt on camera.

This is the reality of the market. People are not chasing technology,… pic.twitter.com/TpHeZwCWgm

— Cryptech Sam 𐤊 (@Cryptech_Sam) December 5, 2025

Terra’s Ghosts Are Still Here

Terra’s algorithmic stablecoin unraveled three years ago, triggering contagion that spread into lending platforms, hedge funds, and later exchanges. Millions of investors were left underwater, and it drove the biggest crypto winter to date. 

Today’s rally simply shows that memory, speculation, and narrative still carry weight in crypto — sometimes more than fundamentals.

As LUNC surged, the sight of that shirt reminded markets how quickly sentiment can swing, even for a project once written off as irrecoverable.

The post Terra Luna Classic (LUNC) Soars 100% After Viral T-Shirt Moment in Dubai appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Is Elon Musk’s SpaceX Really Selling Its Bitcoin, Or Is It Just FUD?

SpaceX’s recent Bitcoin transfers have sparked fresh debate across crypto markets, with Twitter speculation claiming the company may be preparing to sell. 

However, on-chain data suggests a more nuanced picture, and there is no confirmed evidence of liquidation.

SpaceX Bitcoin Sell Fears

Arkham data shows SpaceX moved around 2,246 BTC in the past 12 hours and one week prior. 

The transfers include two large outflows totaling over $200 million, alongside several small inbound transactions from Coinbase Prime.

The company still holds over 5,012 BTC, valued at roughly $448 million. That means less than half of SpaceX’s tracked Bitcoin has moved, despite viral claims that the company transferred “all” of its holdings.

Crypto Twitter rushed to interpret the outflows as imminent selling. Social media posts argued that fund movement from treasury wallets to new addresses signals a liquidation event, a behaviour often seen before corporate selloffs.

SpaceX is about to SELL all their Bitcoin. They’ve moved it all to an exchange, a move done only when selling. pic.twitter.com/uQ8AAsNCWe

— Jacob King (@JacobKinge) December 5, 2025

However, the receiving wallets are not labelled as exchanges, and no direct link to Binance, Coinbase or OTC liquidation desks has been confirmed. 

This weakens the assumption that the transfers represent a planned dump.

There are also neutral explanations. SpaceX could be rotating wallets for security, consolidating funds, or shifting custody structure. Corporate treasuries regularly rebalance or upgrade storage without selling.

Also, this move could even be interpreted as potentially bullish. Funds may be headed toward OTC desks or multi-sig vaults instead of sell-side liquidity pools, which would apply no immediate market pressure.

Today, Bitcoin has dropped below $90,000 again, but it was mostly driven by US ETF outflows and macro fears from the Bank of Japan increasing interest rates. 

For now, SpaceX’s activity is notable, but not conclusive. Until the destination wallets link to a known exchange or distribution pattern appears, the claim that Elon Musk’s space giant is selling Bitcoin remains unproven.

The line between fear and fact is thin, and today, the noise is louder than the data.

The post Is Elon Musk’s SpaceX Really Selling Its Bitcoin, Or It’s Just FUD? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin slipped under $90,000 this week as liquidation pressure, weak ETF demand, and macro uncertainty converged. 

The fall erased gains from earlier attempts to reclaim the $94,000–$95,000 zone, marking the second major breakdown this month.

Forced Liquidations Across the Market

The catalyst was a cascade of forced long liquidations. Nearly $500 million was wiped out across exchanges, including around $420 million in long positions, and over 140,000 traders were liquidated in a 24-hour window. 

ETF flows failed to absorb the selling. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust recorded six straight weeks of outflows totaling more than $2.8 billion. 

US ETF inflows fell to just $59 million on December 3, signalling fading appetite from institutions.

Macro Pressure Added Fuel to the Drop

The macro backdrop turned hostile. The Bank of Japan signaled a possible rate hike, threatening the carry-trade liquidity that helped sustain global risk assets. 

Traders also derisked ahead of the US PCE inflation release, forcing Bitcoin into a cautious $91,000–$95,000 holding pattern.

BREAKING: Bitcoin pumped $1500 on the lower than expected PCE data. But then it crashed -$3500 in 60 minutes.

This wiped out $155 million worth of long positions in last 1 hour.

There is no negative news or sudden FUD which could cause this type of sudden dump.

It appears that… pic.twitter.com/G3twQw0Yud

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) December 5, 2025

The latest US PCE data arrived broadly in line with expectations, showing cooling core inflation but still above the Federal Reserve’s target. 

Markets reacted cautiously, interpreting the print as evidence that inflation continues to ease, but not fast enough to guarantee rapid rate cuts.

Corporate signals amplified the fear. MicroStrategy warned it may sell Bitcoin if its treasury-valuation ratio weakens, triggering a 10% decline in its stock. 

Miner stress increased as energy costs rose, hashrate fell, and high-cost operators began liquidating BTC to remain solvent.

On-chain flows reflected split sentiment. Matrixport moved more than 3,800 BTC off Binance into cold storage, suggesting accumulation among long-term holders. 

However, analysts estimate that a quarter of all circulating supply remains underwater at current prices.

Matrixport has withdrawn 3,805 $BTC($352.5M) from #Binance over the past 24 hours.https://t.co/GLzqCvlogX pic.twitter.com/54whKSsISy

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 5, 2025

Community Sentiment Shows Fear — With Pockets of Optimism

Traders on social platforms debated whether the move was natural or manipulated. Market analysts largely blamed excess leverage, thin liquidity, and macro-hedging rather than coordinated price intervention. 

Others pointed to long-term optimism, citing JPMorgan’s fresh $170,000 price model for 2026.

Bitcoin now trades near a critical pivot. Liquidation clusters between $90K and $86K leave the market vulnerable without renewed ETF inflows or easing macro pressure. 

A move back above $96,000–$106,000 is needed to confirm recovery momentum.

For now, volatility rules the tape. Bitcoin has fallen, rebounded, and broken again — and traders are watching for the next decisive move.

The post Why Did Bitcoin Drop Below $90,000 Again? A Breakdown of the Latest Sell-Off 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vanguard, the $8 trillion US asset manager, will allow crypto-focused ETFs and mutual funds to trade on its platform from December 2, ending its long-standing refusal to support digital asset products. 

The decision marks a major shift for the world’s second-largest asset manager and opens regulated crypto access to more than 50 million brokerage customers.

Vanguard Abandons Its Anti-Crypto Policy

The firm confirmed it will support products that hold Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, and other regulated cryptocurrencies. 

However, it will continue to block funds tied to meme coins and will not launch its own digital asset products.

Starting tmrw vanguard will allow ETFs and MFs tracking bitcoin and select other cryptos to begin trading on their platform. They cite how the ETfs have been tested performed as designed through multiple periods of volatility. Story via @emily_graffeo pic.twitter.com/AKhMdR7pab

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) December 1, 2025

Vanguard spent years resisting crypto exposure and repeatedly framed Bitcoin and other digital assets as speculative. 

The company rejected spot Bitcoin ETFs after their January 2024 debut and even restricted customer purchases of competing funds. 

For years, Vanguard executives argued that crypto lacked intrinsic value, produced no cash flows, and did not fit long-term retirement strategies.

However, persistent demand pressured the firm to rethink its stance. Bitcoin ETFs became one of the fastest-growing product categories in US fund history, with BlackRock’s IBIT alone gathering tens of billions in assets. 

This scale, combined with a steady shift in investor preferences, weakened the rationale for exclusion.

Vanguard 2024: “#Bitcoin isn’t a store of value. We’ll never offer ETFs.”

Vanguard 2025: “Bitcoin trading starts tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/dBysvngja7

— TFTC (@TFTC21) December 1, 2025

Leadership Changes Helped Clear the Path

The policy shift follows more than a year of internal debate. Vanguard’s former CEO, Tim Buckley, was widely seen as the main opponent of crypto adoption. 

His departure and the appointment of Salim Ramji — a former BlackRock executive with experience in blockchain initiatives — signaled a potential pivot.

Ramji did not push the firm toward issuing its own crypto funds but supported granting customers access to regulated products. 

That move aligns crypto with Vanguard’s treatment of other non-core assets, such as gold ETFs.

Market Conditions Did Not Stop the Move

The reversal comes during a deep crypto drawdown and heavy ETF outflows since early October. Bitcoin’s market value has fallen sharply, and leveraged positions have suffered heavy losses. 

Yet Vanguard said digital asset ETFs have continued to operate smoothly and maintain liquidity through volatile periods.

The firm noted that operational processes for servicing crypto products have matured since 2024. It added that its clients increasingly expect access to a wide range of asset classes through a single brokerage platform.

Vanguard *finally* caves…

Will now allow spot crypto ETF trading on brokerage platform.

Includes btc, eth, xrp, & sol ETFs.

However, Vanguard reiterates that they have *no* plans to launch own spot crypto ETFs.

via @emily_graffeo pic.twitter.com/QFvF8BZTWt

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) December 1, 2025

What the Decision Means for Investors

Starting Tuesday, Vanguard customers can buy and sell most regulated crypto ETFs and crypto-focused mutual funds. The company will still screen products for compliance and will exclude any vehicle tied to SEC-defined memecoins.

Vanguard stressed that it has no plans to build proprietary crypto offerings.

Instead, it aims to accommodate diverse risk profiles while maintaining its conservative product philosophy.

The move is likely to strengthen digital asset legitimacy across traditional finance. It also marks a symbolic turning point for a firm long considered crypto’s most persistent holdout.

The post Vanguard Reverses Years-Long Crypto Ban With New Trading Features From Tomorrow appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Washington state regulators have ordered CoinMe to halt all money-transfer activity after accusing the crypto ATM operator of treating more than $8 million in customer funds as its own revenue. 

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) issued an emergency cease-and-desist order on December 1, citing “unsafe and unsound practices.”

Regulator Flags Misuse of Customer Money

DFI said CoinMe failed to safeguard money that consumers paid for crypto vouchers. Instead, the company allegedly counted unclaimed or expired voucher balances as income.

According to the filing, customers bought vouchers at CoinMe kiosks but never redeemed them. Washington law requires companies to hold those funds as consumer property or turn them over as unclaimed assets.

However, DFI says CoinMe treated the balances as corporate revenue. The regulator argues this harmed consumers and distorted the company’s financial condition.

Because of these findings, DFI ordered CoinMe to stop all money-transfer and kiosk-related operations in the state. The company cannot accept new funds from Washington consumers under the order.

Officials also said they will seek restitution for affected customers. The agency signaled plans to revoke CoinMe’s state money-transmitter license.

The cease-and-desist order lists several other violations. These include failing to maintain required net worth, keeping inaccurate records, and submitting incorrect filings.

DFI also noted that some CoinMe vouchers displayed a support phone number that no longer worked. The regulator said this contributed to poor consumer protection.

A Significant Blow to a Major Cash-to-Crypto ATM Network

This action marks one of the most serious state enforcement moves against a US crypto ATM operator. CoinMe operates one of the largest cash-to-crypto networks in the country.

The case highlights growing scrutiny of crypto on-ramps that handle physical cash. Regulators expect these companies to follow the same standards as traditional money-transmitters.

CoinMe can contest the order, but Washington regulators appear prepared to escalate the case. If the state revokes the company’s license, CoinMe will lose the ability to operate any money-transfer service in Washington.

Meanwhile, DFI urged affected customers to prepare claims for potential refunds. The agency’s priority, it said, is protecting consumers who rely on licensed firms to securely handle their money.

The post Washington Shuts Down Crypto ATM that Claimed $8 Million in User Funds as Income appeared first on BeInCrypto.

MicroStrategy suffered a catastrophic start to December as its market cap briefly fell below the net value of its Bitcoin holdings, exposing the company to renewed concerns about leverage, liquidity, and investor confidence.

Shares collapsed early Monday, dropping to $156, which pushed MicroStrategy’s valuation to $45 billion. 

Wall Street Nightmare For MicroStrategy?

The company currently holds 650,000 BTC worth roughly $55.2 billion, making this drop a rare moment where Wall Street valued the business at less than its underlying assets.

However, MicroStrategy also carries $8.2 billion in debt. After subtracting that debt and adding the firm’s $1.4 billion cash reserve, the company still holds about $48.4 billion in net Bitcoin value. 

This means the stock fell $3.4 billion below its Bitcoin-adjusted worth at the session low.

MicroStrategy's Current Situation:

1. Bitcoin holdings: $55.2 billion
2. Debt holdings: $8.2 billion
3. Cash reserve (announced today): $1.4 billion
4. Bitcoin holdings – Debt + Cash: $48.4 billion
5. Market cap of $MSTR: $45 billion

MicroStrategy's NET Bitcoin holdings are… https://t.co/Ii4T6dEFo8

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 1, 2025

The disconnect shocked traders. MicroStrategy normally trades at a premium because markets price in Michael Saylor’s aggressive Bitcoin strategy, future BTC purchases, and the stock’s role as a regulated Bitcoin proxy. 

Yet Monday’s sell-off forced the premium into one of its tightest ranges of the year.

Such a bad take.

A) Bitcoin price would crash if Saylor sold. And there’s not enough liquidity to exit the position. He is the liquidity. Institutions have been net sellers.

B) Debt isn’t free. There’s regular interest payments. Therefore he must sell more shares in perpetuity. pic.twitter.com/fsChvN4DHW

— Beanie (@beaniemaxi) December 1, 2025

By midday, the company’s mNAV ratio—which measures how far the stock trades above or below Bitcoin net asset value—recovered to 1.16, far below the levels seen earlier in 2025. 

The reading shows the market now values MicroStrategy only 16% above its Bitcoin holdings, compared with premiums exceeding 50% during the year’s rally.

A Critical Risk Period for MicroStrategy and Bitcoin

The sharp repricing reflects rising investor fears. Bitcoin has dropped from $125,000 to $85,500 since October, erasing tens of billions in paper value from MicroStrategy’s balance sheet. 

The decline coincided with tightening liquidity, falling ETF inflows, and an industry-wide reset in risk appetite.

Concerns about Saylor’s long-term strategy also resurfaced. Critics argue the company’s debt must be serviced regardless of Bitcoin’s performance, increasing pressure to raise new capital or sell more shares. 

Others warn that MicroStrategy’s position is now so large that Saylor cannot reduce risk without destabilizing the market.

Still, the company remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder in the world, and its holdings continue to exceed its market cap. 

The rebound later in the day shows investors are not abandoning the stock, but they are reassessing the risks more aggressively than at any point this year.

MicroStrategy begins December with its tightest valuation gap in years, signaling a turning point in how markets view the company’s leveraged Bitcoin strategy. 

Whether this marks a temporary panic or the start of a deeper correction will depend on Bitcoin’s stability and the company’s next moves.

The post MicroStrategy’s Market Cap Falls Billions Below Its Bitcoin Holdings appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The XRP Ledger recorded an abnormal surge in AccountSet and AMM Bid transactions this week, triggering widespread discussion across crypto Twitter. The ledger processed more than 40,000 AccountSet transactions in late November, marking its highest configuration activity in years.

The activity continued even after BitGo ended its batch updates. This indicates new actors are preparing or reconfiguring large numbers of accounts, rather than routine custodial adjustments.

What the AccountSet Surge Indicates

AccountSet transactions update settings, including security flags, AMM (Automated Market Maker) permissions, and multi-sig configurations. They are typically used when institutions prepare accounts for new services or liquidity operations.

Someone is doing a lot of AccountSet TXs on the XRP Ledger recently. Even after BitGo stopped. pic.twitter.com/rhdYGqFzLr

— Vet (@Vet_X0) November 29, 2025

Therefore, a spike of this magnitude suggests structured onboarding. Analysts believe this may involve custodians, market makers, or automated systems configuring XRPL accounts at scale.

The pattern resembles network preparation rather than retail behavior. 

Previous spikes linked to custodial maintenance did not reach current levels, reinforcing the view that new participants are entering the network.

🚨 Something’s happening on the XRP Ledger.

According to XRPL Metrics, activity just exploded:
📈 Over 40,000 “AccountSet” transactions, the highest in years.
💧 A sharp spike in AMM bids right after November 23.
Imo, it’s network preparation.

With RLUSD approvals, AMM rollout,… pic.twitter.com/g1a5fUKYT9

— Arthur (@XrpArthur) December 1, 2025

AMM Bid Activity Signals Liquidity Positioning in XRP

AMM Bid transactions also surged after November 23. These transactions help liquidity providers bid for AMM auction slots and position themselves within XRPL’s automated market-maker pools.

The sharp rise suggests liquidity actors are preparing to secure early positions. Early bids often capture the most profitable rewards, making the timing significant.

The AMM spike coincides with broader XRPL developments. RLUSD approvals, AMM rollout progress, and institutional onboarding have all accelerated in recent weeks. This offers a possible explanation for the sudden liquidity movement.

PODCAST: Tokenization is just step one, now what do we do with the assets?@RippleXDev's Jasmine Cooper explains why the next wave for the XRP Ledger is on-chain collateral management, repos and credit origination turning RWAs into real value for institutions. pic.twitter.com/S2MTJ0j7pm

— BeInCrypto (@beincrypto) December 1, 2025

XRP ETF Inflows Add Another Layer of Context

The surge also follows the debut of spot XRP ETFs in the United States. The products accumulated $643.92 million in net inflows and reached $676.49 million in total ETF assets. 

Inflows increased on nine of the last ten sessions, showing strong institutional demand.

While ETF inflows do not directly interact with the XRP Ledger, they influence how custodians manage XRP storage and security. 

Large ETF demand can trigger new institutional custody accounts, reconfigured storage systems, expanded wallet infrastructure, and preparation for higher settlement activity. These processes often involve AccountSet transactions. 

Therefore, the ETF wave may be indirectly contributing to the configuration spike.

Implications for the Market

The combined surge in configuration and AMM activity signals structural preparation beneath the XRP ecosystem. This type of activity often precedes network upgrades, liquidity expansion, or new institutional pipelines.

Although XRP price remains volatile, the ledger’s data suggests increasing backend activity. Market watchers view the patterns as early indicators of broader engagement, rather than isolated anomalies.

some fun tinkering this weekend!

a cool visualisation of live transactions on the xrp ledger.

the blockchain never stops.

even on weekends! pic.twitter.com/UvcekHq4n1

— Phil Kwok | EasyA (@kwok_phil) November 30, 2025

For now, developers have not commented publicly. 

However, the coordinated rise in AccountSet and AMM Bid transactions points to meaningful infrastructure changes underway on the XRP Ledger.

The post XRP Ledger Activity Suddenly Exploded This Week, What Is It Signalling appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Yearn Finance confirmed an active exploit affecting its yETH product on Sunday, after an attacker minted an effectively unlimited amount of yETH and drained liquidity from Balancer pools. 

The incident triggered heavy on-chain movement, including multiple 100 ETH transfers routed through Tornado Cash. 

Infinite-Mint Attack Drains Liquidity From Balancer Pools

According to blockchain data, the exploit occurred around 21:11 UTC on November 30, when a malicious wallet executed an infinite-mint attack that created roughly 235 trillion yETH in a single transaction. 

some other balancer related stuff looking like an exploit considering heavy interactions with tornado

yearn, rocket pool, origin, dinero and other LST going around pic.twitter.com/wUuexeQJyg

— Togbe (@Togbe0x) November 30, 2025

Nansen’s alert system later confirmed the attack and identified the event as an infinite-mint vulnerability in the yETH token contract, not in Yearn’s Vault infrastructure.

The attacker used the newly minted yETH to drain real assets—primarily ETH and Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs)—from Balancer liquidity pools. Early estimates suggest roughly $2.8 million in assets were removed. 

Around 1,000 ETH was laundered through Tornado Cash shortly after the attack. Several helper contracts used in the exploit were deployed minutes before the incident and self-destructed afterward to obscure the trail.

some other balancer related stuff looking like an exploit considering heavy interactions with tornado

yearn, rocket pool, origin, dinero and other LST going around pic.twitter.com/wUuexeQJyg

— Togbe (@Togbe0x) November 30, 2025

Yearn stated that V2 and V3 Vaults were not affected, and the vulnerability appears limited to the legacy yETH implementation. 

The protocol’s Total Value Locked (TVL) remains above $600 million, according to CoinGecko, suggesting core systems were not compromised. 

YFI Price Spikes as Market Reverses Initial Panic

However, the market reaction created an unexpected dynamic. Shortly after the exploit was flagged on social media and by blockchain analysts, YFI’s price spiked sharply, climbing from near $4,080 to over $4,160 within an hour. 

The move came despite the negative headlines surrounding the broader Yearn ecosystem.

The price reaction appears tied to market misinterpretation in the early minutes of the incident. Initial claims of a “Yearn exploit” prompted high-leverage short positions on YFI, given the token’s thin liquidity and historically aggressive downside moves during hack events. 

The attack was isolated to yETH and not Yearn’s Vaults, and short-sellers began covering their positions. This triggered a brief short squeeze and a volatility-driven price spike.

YFI’s circulating supply is only 33,984 tokens, making it one of the most illiquid major DeFi governance assets. This structure amplifies price movements, particularly during periods of uncertainty or rapid liquidation flow. Derivatives data also showed elevated funding volatility immediately after the exploit alert.

For now, losses appear contained to the yETH and Balancer pools touched by the exploit. Investigations remain ongoing, and it is unclear whether any recovery options exist for the stolen assets. 

Markets will likely watch for a formal Yearn disclosure detailing root cause, patching efforts, and potential governance actions.

The post Yearn Finance Hit by Major yETH Exploit as Attacker Drains Funds appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Arthur Hayes is standing by his prediction that Bitcoin could reach $200,000–$250,000 by the end of 2025, despite the October–November crash and lingering market fear. 

Speaking on the Milk Road Show on November 26, he said the recent drop to $80,000 marked the cycle bottom and argued that global dollar liquidity has turned a corner.

“I’m going to stick with it,” Hayes said when asked if his $200,000–$250,000 target still holds with only weeks left in the year. “If I’m wrong it doesn’t matter… I’m long, I’m still happy either way.”

Hayes Calls $80,000 the Bottom After Liquidity Shock

Hayes framed the entire move from Bitcoin’s $125,000 high down to $80,000 as a liquidity-driven reset, not the start of a new bear market.

He said his Bloomberg-based US dollar liquidity index showed about $1 trillion drained from dollar money markets between July and now. 

This came from the US Treasury refilling its account and the Federal Reserve continuing quantitative tightening.

People think Bitcoin runs on halving cycles.

Wrong.

It runs on liquidity, politics and the US business cycle. Which hasn’t even started yet.

2026 is where the fireworks starts:
– QT ending
– The US Midterm election
– Booming economy and stock market for reelection purposes
-… pic.twitter.com/aiyOOlODm1

— Quinten | 048.eth (@QuintenFrancois) November 28, 2025

According to Hayes, Bitcoin ignored that liquidity drain for months because ETF inflows and Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) issuances masked the damage. 

Once those flows flipped, he said, Bitcoin “fell down to where it should have been based on the dollar liquidity situation.”

ETF “Institutional Bid” Was Just a Basis Trade

Hayes argued that the widely celebrated ETF bid was badly misunderstood by retail traders.

The largest holders of BlackRock’s IBIT ETF are firms like Brevan Howard, Goldman Sachs, Millennium, Jane Street and Avenue. 

These are not long-only Bitcoin believers, he stressed, but basis traders exploiting a spread.

“They’re taking the IBIT ETF, they buy it, they pledge it with their broker, then they sell a futures contract… they were making let’s call it 7 to 10% per annum on that trade,” he said. 

As funding rates fell in September and October, those players unwound the trade by selling ETFs and buying back futures, turning ETF flows negative.

Retail investors then misread the outflows as “institutions dumping Bitcoin,” Hayes said, without understanding that institutions were only unwinding a funding strategy.

JP MORGAN IS MOVING BITCOIN INTO THE $318 TRILLION BOND MARKET.

JP Morgan has launched a new structured note that gives investors exposure to Bitcoin through BlackRock’s spot ETF (IBIT).

This matters because it pulls Bitcoin directly into the traditional bond and fixed-income… pic.twitter.com/HZQLM9YgGG

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) November 28, 2025

Hayes also highlighted the role of Digital Asset Treasury companies, which issue stock and debt to buy Bitcoin when their market NAV trades at a premium.

When those stocks fell to par or discount, he said, this model broke. DATs could no longer issue new securities in an accretive way. 

Some even had an incentive to sell Bitcoin and buy back their own shares.

“All we know is that we have essentially bottomed on the liquidity chart and the direction in the future is higher,” he said. “That’s why I believe that the $80,000 dip on Bitcoin recently is the bottom.”

He expects the next leg of liquidity to come less from the Fed and more from the commercial banking system, pointing to early signs of renewed bank lending and political plans for a credit-fuelled industrial build-out.

Why Bitcoin Is “Stuck” Around $90,000 For Now

Asked why Bitcoin still trades near $90,000 if the liquidity outlook is improving, Hayes pointed to uncertainty over how aggressively the new US administration will actually create credit.

Markets, he said, still question how and when another “$10 trillion” of liquidity will materialise. 

Promises about bank lending, industrial policy, and a new Fed chair remain political talk until they turn into concrete programs and flows.

“Once we actually start to see things happen, markets will price a bigger forward on where this dollar liquidity situation is and risk assets like Bitcoin will accelerate their rise in price,” Hayes said.

The post Arthur Hayes Sticks To His Extreme Bitcoin Price Prediction for Year-End appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP spot ETFs recorded $643.92 million in cumulative net inflows during their first month of trading, according to SoSoValue data. The products also reached $676.49 million in total net assets, capturing 0.50% of XRP’s market capitalization.

Daily inflows remained positive for most of the month. The strongest sessions included $243.05 million on November 14 and $164.04 million on November 24.

Trading Volume Resilient Despite XRP Price Volatility

The leading issuers—Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, Bitwise, and Canary—collectively drove steady inflows across US exchanges. 

Together, the four funds brought ETF-held XRP above 0.5% of total circulating supply, indicating early institutional interest.

The ETFs generated a total value of $38.12 million in trading on November 26 alone. Trading volumes earlier in the month were higher, coinciding with large inflow spikes.

However, XRP’s market price remained volatile. The token traded around $2.23 as ETF demand offset wider crypto-market weakness.

Meanwhile, other major asset managers are looking to enter the XRP ETF race. 21Shares is expected to launch its spot ETF on Monday as WisdomTree’s application remains under review.

Early Signs Point to Sustained Institutional Demand

ETF inflows increased on nine of the past ten sessions. The most recent daily total showed $21.81 million entering XRP ETFs on November 26.

This inflow streak suggests institutions are still building exposure. It also reduces liquid supply on exchanges, as ETF custodians move XRP into regulated storage.

Franklin Templeton disclosed 32.04 million XRP held in its ETF by November 25, signalling continued accumulation. 

This steady inflow pattern in the first month is positive for new crypto ETFs and reflects improved regulatory clarity for XRP products.

Meanwhile, XRP wasn’t the only altcoin to receive an ETF greenlight over the past week. Dogecoin, HBAR, and Litecoin spot ETFs also started trading earlier this month.

However, these funds did not receive any notable interest from institutional investors. Bitwise and Grayscale’s DogeCoin ETF only attracted around $2 million in inflows in their first 48 hours of trading.  

The post XRP ETFs Record $643 Million in Net Inflows in First Month as Demand Surges appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin may be showing its first signs of demand recovery after a bruising month. The Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index (CBPI) — a measure tracking whether US investors pay more or less for BTC on Coinbase vs. global exchanges — turned positive today for the first time in weeks. 

The shift comes just as silver surged to a new all-time high above $55/oz, signalling renewed appetite for hard-asset exposure across markets.

What the Coinbase Premium Turning Green Actually Means

The premium had spent almost the entire month of November in negative territory, reflecting softer US demand, ETF outflows, and weakened liquidity.

Now, the green print suggests that US spot buyers are finally paying a slight premium again, a sign that domestic demand is stabilising.

In simple terms, the Coinbase Premium Index compares BTC price on Coinbase (USD market) with its price on major global exchanges (USDT markets like Binance).

• Positive premium → US investors buying aggressively
  
• Negative premium → Lower US demand or stronger international flow
  
• Neutral → Balanced global demand
  

Today’s shift into positive territory indicates that US spot demand has improved for the first time all month, even while broader sentiment still sits in extreme fear.

This matters because the US market has historically led BTC price inflection points — particularly during liquidity transitions or macro pivots.

https://x.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1994450463731675417 

The Silver and Bitcoin Correlation

Silver hitting an all-time high is notable on its own. But its timing alongside a newly positive Coinbase Premium adds an interesting behavioural layer.

Historically, BTC–Silver correlation is low and unstable. Long-term correlation usually sits near 0 to +0.3. It spikes only during major macro fear episodes, and collapses when crypto-specific factors dominate.

Right now, BTC and Silver are clearly decoupled. However, this decoupling highlights something important

When silver rallies strongly while Bitcoin stops falling, it often marks the end of fear-driven selling.

Binance whales are buying $BTC

Coinbase institutions are bidding too.

Finally some spot demand for Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/oBzJiQrZSI

— Ted (@TedPillows) November 28, 2025

The Coinbase Premium turning green aligns with this pattern. Silver’s strength is signalling a broader hard-asset appetite. 

As the US premium flips positive, Bitcoin demand could be returning where it had vanished.

Overall, this does not mean the assets are correlated today — they’re not. 

But it does mean macro conditions (rates, liquidity, dollar weakness) are starting to support “alternative asset” flows again.

The post Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Turns Positive as Silver Hits Record High appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The weakening US labour market is emerging as a major risk variable for crypto heading into December and early 2026. Rising layoffs, slowing hiring, and deteriorating consumer confidence have intensified expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut. 

The shift could influence Bitcoin and Ethereum more sharply than equities due to fragile liquidity conditions across digital assets.

Labour-Market Stress Increases Pressure on the Fed

Layoff announcements surged in October to their highest level since 2003. Several large employers cut jobs or froze hiring, reflecting tariff costs, AI restructuring, and post-shutdown uncertainty. 

Consumer confidence also fell in November as job insecurity increased.

Alternative data shows US layoffs are surging:

Job cuts tracked by MacroEdge jumped +70,609 MoM in October, to 154,559, the highest in at least 2 years.

Monthly job cuts have now exceeded 100,000 for the 5th time this year.

At the same time, layoff announcements compiled by… pic.twitter.com/zLRiMebfi5

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) November 28, 2025

Despite these pressures, weekly jobless claims remain low. Markets interpret this mixed picture as a sign that the economy is softening but not collapsing. 

As a result, traders now expect a 25-basis-point rate cut at the December meeting. Futures markets price a significant easing for 2026.

A December cut would mark a sharp pivot from the Fed’s earlier “higher for longer” stance. It would also signal that the central bank is responding to labour-market weakness before broader damage spreads.

Crypto Markets Are Highly Sensitive to Liquidity Signals

Bitcoin and Ethereum still operate in thin liquidity after the October 10 liquidation shock. Market makers reduced risk inventories, leaving order books with less depth. 

Tom Lee described the market as “limping” for six weeks due to damaged liquidity capacity.

These conditions increase the impact of macro shifts. When liquidity is thin, changes in interest-rate expectations typically move crypto faster than equities. 

This dynamic was clear during November, when ETF outflows and selling pressure pushed Bitcoin down nearly 30% from its October peak.

On-chain metrics now show signs of stabilisation. The 90-day Taker CVD has moved from persistent selling to neutral, indicating seller exhaustion. 

At the same time, users are borrowing against Bitcoin rather than selling it, which reduces immediate supply pressure but increases latent liquidation risk.

December Rally Is Possible, but Not Guaranteed

A December rate cut would reduce real yields and inject liquidity into risk assets. Bitcoin historically rallies during such conditions, especially after deep drawdowns. 

Several metrics already point to improving momentum. Fear and Greed Index readings lifted from 11 to 22. Average crypto RSI rose toward 60 after touching oversold levels earlier in the month. MACD also turned positive.

🔴Record layoffs in the US

US companies cut 153,000 jobs in October, 175% more than a year ago. That makes October the worst in 20 years and the rate the highest for the fourth quarter since 2008🗓

For the crypto market, this creates a double effect: on the one hand, a… pic.twitter.com/LcAcbjwhFk

— Vlados0707 (@Vladislav77001) November 9, 2025

However, ETF flow data remains uncertain. November saw heavy outflows, though recent days show tentative inflows. 

If ETF demand returns, thin liquidity could amplify upside moves. If outflows resume, the market could revisit recent lows.

Macro signals will therefore dominate crypto into year-end. A dovish Fed stance may trigger a rally similar to 2023. 

A hawkish tone could undermine the current recovery and reinforce the bearish trend seen in November.

Binance Bitcoin & Ethereum Exchange Inflow Value Is Structurally Elevated

“This often aligns with phases of rotation rather than pure accumulation. Large players move size onto the exchange, giving the market more room for distribution.” – By @TeddyVision pic.twitter.com/wnpOWkyhPL

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) November 28, 2025

January 2026 Carries Added Volatility Risk

Even if crypto rallies in December, January remains uncertain. The combined October–November employment report arrives on December 16. The release may confirm deeper labour stress not yet captured in weekly data.

If layoffs accelerate into January, risk assets may weaken. Markets could interpret labour deterioration as a sign of recession. 

In that scenario, rate cuts may not offset broad risk aversion. Bitcoin often reacts first in such conditions due to its liquidity profile.

Alternatively, if the report shows moderate softness with stable wage growth, markets may price a controlled slowdown. 

This would support a continuation of any December rally into early 2026. In both cases, liquidity conditions will govern the scale of price swings.

With momentum improving and liquidity still thin, the market remains primed for a significant move. The direction will be set by how the Federal Reserve responds to growing labour-market pressure and how investors interpret the broader economic signal in the weeks ahead.

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