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Sony Takes the Baton in Asia’s Entertainment–Web3 Convergence

28 November 2025 at 10:53

Soneium, a Layer-2 blockchain platform by Sony Block Solutions Labs, announced a partnership with IRC APP, the official app for one of Japan’s largest idol and fashion festivals, Idol Runway Collection (IRC).

The collaboration will bring the IRC onto Soneium’s AI-powered IPFi infrastructure to transform global fan engagement through measurable, rewarding on-chain contributions. Asia’s entertainment industry has become a trailblazer in fan participation, a trend that is now taking hold in Western markets.

Sony’s Blockchain Infrastructure for Entertainment

The IRC, Japan’s largest idol and fashion hybrid festival, is hosted by YOAKE entertainment and has expanded its scale through a collaboration with Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC). IRC has already established itself as a success, attracting approximately 11,800 attendees and 107 idol groups to its 2025 event. 

The core goal of the partnership is redefining fan engagement by valuing and rewarding measurable on-chain contributions across the J-Pop fandom. This collaboration will unlock the creative community’s economic potential, starting with the world’s second-largest music market.

The core of fan engagement is within the IRC mobile app. This AI-powered app evaluates positive, consistent, supportive posts made by fans on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). The measured engagement is converted into “IRC Score,” which is automatically claimed to fans’ on-chain wallets without gas fees.

The first wave of IRC 2026 performers, including Nogizaka46, has been announced by YOAKE Entertainment. Source: YOAKE Entertainment

This accumulated score determines a user’s Membership rank—Regular, Bronze, Silver, or Gold—with each tier offering progressively enhanced real-world benefits for IRC 2026, scheduled for March 15, 2026, in Tokyo, including early ticket access, priority entry, and premium venue invitations. It also enables the on-chain Fan Vote, which directly shapes tangible aspects of the IRC 2026 event. This measurable fandom contribution system will expand beyond idol culture into new creative frontiers such as anime and fashion.

Sony launched its Soneium blockchain mainnet on January 14, 2025, setting a new standard for production-grade Web3 services focused on entertainment, gaming, and intellectual property protection. This public Layer-2 network uses Ethereum’s OP Stack, inheriting its security while offering lower transaction fees and higher throughput. Sony Block Solutions Labs designed Soneium to support scalable applications for digital communities and creative industries.

Asian Entertainment Companies Pioneer Fan Ownership Models

This is not the first time Asian entertainment companies have tried Web3-related projects. In Korea, girl group tripleS has made blockchain a core source of revenue. Produced by Modhaus and formed as a 24-member group, tripleS lets fans use NFTs and utility tokens to influence unit composition and song selection. Fans purchase NFT objects to gain Komos token voting power in the COSMO app, creating a system of transparent, participatory governance.

Korea’s girl group tripleS took the stage at the 2024 Korea Blockchain Week. Source: Factblock

This model enabled tripleS to generate revenue even before its debut, providing members with compensation comparable to that of large companies. Production exceeded 10 billion KRW ($6.8 million), and early NFT sales helped cash flow, offering a fairer distribution than typical idol group contracts. TripleS stands out as a case where blockchain drives fan co-creation and transparent value sharing in entertainment.

China’s entertainment platforms are rapidly adopting superfan-driven community models that resemble Web3 economics even without blockchain. HYBE’s expansion through Tencent Music and Alibaba shows how direct messaging, authenticated merchandise, and integrated fan services strengthen ownership-like engagement. This environment naturally supports large-scale Web3-style participation economies.

Tencent Music’s superfan ecosystem illustrates this shift with Bubble surpassing 2.3 million paying subscribers. G-DRAGON’s Macau shows drew 36,000 attendees and 7 million simultaneous online viewers, proving the power of hybrid fan engagement. Merchandise, tiered subscriptions, and the expansion of long-form audio show China building a multi-channel superfan economy aligned with Web3 principles.

Lessons From Failed Web3 Entertainment Experiments

Failures have existed, too. Momentrica, an NFT platform by Dunamu and HYBE, closed on July 2, 2025, after posting an operating loss of 13 billion KRW ($8.88 million USD)and a net loss of 12.3 billion KRW in the last reported year. Although HYBE artists’ digital collectibles sparked initial interest, Momentrica struggled due to a lack of long-term utility or sustained fan participation amid the broader NFT market downturn. Precisely, the platform only offered NFTs as static digital goods, not as engagement tools.

The contrast between Momentrica and tripleS highlights a key difference in Web3 entertainment. Momentrica provided digital collectibles without voting rights, participation, or ongoing utility. In contrast, tripleS used blockchain at its core, granting fans voting rights and engagement options. The lesson is clear: successful Web3 in entertainment requires participation architectures, not just digital merchandise.

Sony’s Soneium appears poised to avoid Momentrica’s pitfalls by supporting high-volume, participation-based applications. Its scalable Layer-2 network is built for voting, reward distribution, and community engagement. Whether entertainment companies create effective participation models on this infrastructure will determine if Sony’s blockchain strategy succeeds where others have failed.

The post Sony Takes the Baton in Asia’s Entertainment–Web3 Convergence appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin Downtrend Driven by Early Whale Selling, Says Ki Young Ju

28 November 2025 at 07:10

Bitcoin’s sharp correction from $110,000 to around $80,000 is linked to heavy selling by early whales with cost bases near $16,000. CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju notes that on-chain metrics indicate Bitcoin is now in the “shoulder” phase of its cycle, suggesting limited short-term upside potential.

This selling is overwhelming institutional demand from ETFs and MicroStrategy, shaping the cryptocurrency’s 2025 outlook. In an interview with Upbit’s Upbitcare, Ju provides a data-driven look at the shifting landscape for Bitcoin investors and the forces affecting its current market structure.

Early Bitcoin Whales Fuel Selling Pressure

Ki Young Ju explains that today’s market is shaped by a contest between two main whale groups. Legacy whales, holding Bitcoin with an average cost basis near $16,000, have begun to realize hefty profits, selling at a rate measured in hundreds of millions of USD each day. This persistent selling has exerted intense downward pressure on Bitcoin’s price.

At the same time, institutional whales via spot Bitcoin ETFs and MicroStrategy have accumulated significant positions. Yet, their buying power has not matched the scale of early whales’ sell-offs. According to Ju, wallets holding over 10,000 BTC for more than 155 days typically have an average cost basis of around $38,000. Binance traders entered positions around $50,000, so many market participants are in profit and can sell if needed.

Bitcoin cost basis comparison chart
Cost basis comparison across different Bitcoin holder categories. Source: CryptoQuant

The CryptoQuant CEO points out that spot ETF and MicroStrategy inflows had boosted the market earlier in 2025. However, those flows have now declined. Outflows have started to dominate the market landscape. For example, data from Farside Investors showed Bitcoin ETFs recorded $42.8 million in net inflows on November 26, 2025, lifting cumulative inflows to $62.68 billion. Despite these figures, the sustained selling from early whales outweighs institutional accumulation.

Market Cycle Analysis Signals Limited Upside

On-chain profit-and-loss metrics offer crucial insights into market cycles. Ju’s analysis using the PnL index with a 365-day moving average reveals that the market has entered a “shoulder” phase. This late-cycle status indicates constrained growth potential and increased risk of a correction.

The valuation multiplier reflects a neutral-to-flat outlook. In previous cycles, each new dollar drove amplified market-cap growth. Now, that multiplier effect has faded. This suggests market leverage is less efficient, and the structure does not support significant gains.

Bitcoin PnL index cyclical signals
PnL index showing Bitcoin’s current cycle position. Source: CryptoQuant

Ju does not expect a dramatic 70-80% crash. Still, he considers corrections up to 30% reasonable. A drop from $100,000 could mean Bitcoin falling to about $70,000. He uses data from OKX futures long-short ratios, exchange leverage ratios, and buy-sell flow patterns to support this view.

Ju underscores the importance of a data-driven approach. In a recent post, he urged traders to use metrics for conviction, not speculation. His focus remains on interpreting on-chain data, exchange activity, and market structure.

Never trade without data. pic.twitter.com/JnAtLwpdGa

— Ki Young Ju (@ki_young_ju) November 27, 2025

This comprehensive analysis provides a grounded assessment based on on-chain evidence. As early Bitcoin whales continue to sell at profits, institutions face a harsh climate. With high leverage ratios, neutral valuation multipliers, and a late-cycle stance, the market has limited potential for a major rally in the near future.

The post Bitcoin Downtrend Driven by Early Whale Selling, Says Ki Young Ju appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Conor McGregor and Khabib’s UFC Rivalry Erupts Again After NFT ‘Scam’ Accusation

28 November 2025 at 06:44

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s rivalry has returned to the spotlight, this time dominating Crypto Twitter after McGregor accused Khabib’s new Telegram-based NFT collection of scamming fans.

The claim triggered a swift response from Khabib and a sharp intervention from on-chain investigator ZachXBT, who redirected attention toward McGregor’s own controversial token launch.

Crypto Feud Ignites After Khabib’s NFT Launch

Khabib promoted a new digital collectibles drop on Telegram this week, themed around the Dagestani papakha hat he wore during UFC walkouts.

The collection sold out quickly, generating about $4.4 million in a single day.

The Now-Deleted Tweet From Conor McGregor

The former UFC champion framed the NFTs as cultural digital gifts rather than speculative assets. He highlighted their link to Dagestani tradition and presented them as shareable items within Telegram’s ecosystem.

However, McGregor publicly rejected that narrative. He accused Khabib of running a “multi-million-dollar scam,” alleging that promotional posts were deleted after the sale. 

His comments triggered immediate backlash from both MMA and crypto communities.

Can anybody find me a single person who bought the Khabib NFT who is claiming they have been scammed?

Can anyone show me a single shred of evidence of Khabib misrepresenting what he was selling?

The answer to both those questions are no. We get it you guys hate Muslims

— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) November 26, 2025

McGregor Escalates Long-Running Rivalry

McGregor’s post revived the bitter rivalry born from UFC 229, where Khabib defeated him in 2018. The pair have exchanged barbs for years, often referencing family, legacy, and national pride.

This time, McGregor suggested Khabib used his father’s legacy and Dagestani cultural symbols to mislead fans. His message framed the drop as a “cash grab” disguised as heritage. 

The accusation spread quickly, drawing strong reactions across social media.

Khabib responded within hours. He called McGregor an “absolute liar” and accused him of trying to “darken my name” since the UFC 229 loss. 

He reiterated that the NFTs are cultural gifts and denied any wrongdoing.

ZachXBT’s Intervention Shifts the Narrative

The feud escalated further when on-chain investigator ZachXBT entered the conversation. He reposted McGregor’s comments but flipped the accusation back onto him.

There is just no way good guy McGregor used his reputation, as well as Irish culture, to scam his fans and fire sell a bunch of digital tokens’s online and then delete all of the posts after they were sold, leaving his fans robbed of their money?

There is just no way good guy… pic.twitter.com/CuUzvPGiKS

— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) November 26, 2025

ZachXBT pointed to McGregor’s failed REAL token earlier this year. The coin raised far less than its public target, fell sharply in price, and lost community support within weeks.

McGregor then deleted most promotional posts, leaving the project abandoned and investors frustrated.

Crypto Twitter quickly framed this as hypocrisy. Many noted that McGregor’s own token showed more red flags than Khabib’s Telegram collectibles.

After the backlash intensified, McGregor deleted his “scam” posts about Khabib.

Despite the allegations, no reports indicate that buyers lost access to their NFTs. The items still function as digital gifts inside Telegram, with no broken utilities or frozen assets.

Khabib has not marketed the drop as a financial investment. 

The post Conor McGregor and Khabib’s UFC Rivalry Erupts Again After NFT ‘Scam’ Accusation appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Crypto Market Hints at a Two-Year Post-Thanksgiving Pattern Returning

28 November 2025 at 03:53

The crypto market is showing its first meaningful recovery after a harsh November sell-off, and several metrics now resemble the same conditions seen around Thanksgiving in both 2022 and 2023. 

Bitcoin has reclaimed the $91,000 level, ETH is back above $3,000, and the wider market has returned to a cautious green. This bounce comes as traders enter a long US holiday weekend that has historically set the tone for December.

Market Indicators Turn Positive After Weeks of Fear

Fear and Greed Index data shows sentiment improving from 11 last week to 22 today, although it remains in “Extreme Fear.” 

This shift aligns with a steady rise in average crypto RSI, which climbed from 38.5 seven days ago to 58.3 today. The reading signals growing strength after deep oversold conditions earlier in the month.

Average Crypto RSI On Thanksgiving 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

Momentum also flipped. The normalized MACD across major assets has turned positive for the first time since early November. 

About 82% of tracked cryptocurrencies now show positive trend momentum. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana appear in the bullish zone of CoinMarketCap’s MACD heatmap.

Price action supports this shift. Bitcoin is up 6% on the week. Ethereum has gained nearly 8%. Solana climbed almost 8% in the same period. 

The market cap has grown to $3.21 trillion, rising 1.1% over the last 24 hours.

Average Crypto MACD On Thanksgiving 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

A Familiar Post-Thanksgiving Setup Has Emerged

The current recovery mirrors a structure seen twice before. In both 2022 and 2023, the market entered Thanksgiving after a sharp drawdown and then stabilized into December.

In 2022, Bitcoin fell to near $16,000 following the FTX collapse. By Thanksgiving, selling pressure had exhausted, and the market traded sideways into Christmas. 

It was a deep bear consolidation phase rather than a rally.

In 2023, Bitcoin entered Thanksgiving at $37,000 after a steep September-October correction. Strong ETF expectations and improving liquidity conditions pushed BTC to $43,600 by Christmas. It was a classic early-bull December rally.

Bitcoin Performance Between Thanksgiving and Christmas (2021–2024)

This year, the pattern again repeats one familiar element: the November crash came early, and by Thanksgiving, selling momentum had eased. 

Bitcoin’s 90-day Taker CVD has shifted from persistent sell dominance to neutral, signalling that aggressive sellers have stepped back. Funding rates and leverage data support the same interpretation.

BREAKING: The S&P 500 closes the day +0.7% higher, adding +$2.5 trillion of market cap since last week’s low.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! pic.twitter.com/tsjKylr5UV

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) November 26, 2025

Liquidity Damage Still Shapes the Current Cycle

BitMine chairman Tom Lee described the market as “limping” after the October 10 liquidation shock. 

He said market makers were forced to shrink their balance sheets, weakening market depth across exchanges. That fragility persisted through November.

However, Lee also argued that Bitcoin tends to make its biggest moves in short bursts when liquidity recovers. He expects a strong December rally if the Federal Reserve signals a softer stance.

On-chain data aligns with this view. Nexo collateral figures show users still prefer borrowing against Bitcoin rather than selling it. 

BTC makes up more than 53% of all collateral on the platform. This behavior suppresses immediate sell pressure, helping stabilize spot markets. But it also adds hidden leverage that could amplify future volatility.

'@Nexo users aren’t selling their Bitcoin, they’re borrowing against it.

BTC now accounts for 54.3% of all collateral on the platform, holding a steady 53–57% range for months.

It confirms Bitcoin is the dominant asset users leverage when they need liquidity. pic.twitter.com/bhmL9UdUvO

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) November 27, 2025

We May Be Entering a Two-Year Holiday Pattern

Three factors now look similar to the post-Thanksgiving conditions of 2022 and 2023:

  • Seller exhaustion: Taker CVD shifting to neutral signals the end of forced selling for now.
  • Momentum recovery: MACD and RSI metrics have reversed sharply after bottoming earlier in November.
  • Liquidity stabilization: Market makers are still wounded, but volatility has cooled, and ETF outflows have slowed.

If this pattern continues, December could produce one of two outcomes based on the last two years:

  • A sideways consolidation like 2022 if liquidity remains thin.
  • A short, sharp rally like 2023 if macro conditions turn supportive.

The deciding factor will likely be the Federal Reserve’s tone in early December and the behavior of Bitcoin ETF flows. Thin liquidity means even moderate inflows could move prices quickly.

#Bitcoin Testing 90k 
if it holds its the first step to a Santa Rally pic.twitter.com/QhHQNfDQPk

— RudoViljoen (@TheChartArtist) November 19, 2025

December May Deliver a Large Move in Either Direction

The market has entered a transition phase rather than a clear trend. Sentiment is still extremely fearful, but price and momentum indicators show recovery. 

Bitcoin’s position above $91,000 suggests buyers are willing to defend key levels, yet order-book depth remains weak.

With selling pressure fading and technical momentum rising, the environment now resembles the same post-Thanksgiving setups that marked the last two end-of-year cycles. 

Bitcoin dominance looks weak here.

ETH/BTC is holding above the 0.03-0.032 support zone.

It seems like we could see ETH outperformance in December. pic.twitter.com/IRQS05mETi

— Ted (@TedPillows) November 27, 2025

If the pattern holds, December will not be flat. It will likely bring a decisive move as liquidity conditions shift.

The direction, however, will depend less on crypto narratives and more on macro signals and ETF demand in the coming weeks.

The post Crypto Market Hints at a Two-Year Post-Thanksgiving Pattern Returning appeared first on BeInCrypto.

3 Altcoins to Watch for Potential Binance Listing in December 2025

28 November 2025 at 03:00

A new Binance listing can change everything for a small or mid-cap token. It brings more trading volume, more users, and more attention almost overnight. With December 2025 approaching, some altcoins are starting to show stronger charts, rising interest, and early signs that they may be positioning for an exchange upgrade.

If Binance adds any of them next month, the price reaction could be sharp. Here are three worth watching closely.

Irys (IRYS)

Irys (IRYS), the layer-1 data chain, is less than two days old in the CEX mix, but it already sits in the conversation for a new Binance listing. It is listed on Coinbase, which gives it early credibility, and Binance has launched the IRYS/USDT perpetual contract with 20x leverage. When Binance adds futures before spot, it often raises the odds of a full listing in the same window. That is why IRYS is on the December watchlist.

The market reacted fast. IRYS has jumped almost 80% in the past 24 hours, right as the perpetual contract went live.

On the 4-hour chart, it has gained about 131% from post-listing lows and now trades above the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP). VWAP is the average traded price, adjusted for volume. Price holding above it shows buyers are still in control and leaves room for a fast, momentum push toward $0.054 first, then $0.063 and even $0.069.

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

IRYS Price Analysis
IRYS Price Analysis: TradingView

This setup breaks if IRYS slips back under VWAP. A clean drop below $0.046 would put support at risk and expose $0.038 or lower. That would cool the current Binance listing buzz and signal that traders are starting to sell into the hype instead of positioning for a new Binance listing breakout.

MYX Finance (MYX)

MYX Finance (MYX), a DEX project, is one of the stronger candidates for a new Binance listing. It sits near the top of the Binance Alpha board, carries the highest market cap in that group at about $571 million, and has held a decent amount of its listing gains despite being down about 5.7% over the past month. It is still up more than 115% across three months. Currently, it is available for spot trading on the likes of Bitget and Gate.

MYX on Binance Alpha
MYX on Binance Alpha: Binance

The daily chart shows MYX inside an ascending channel that has held since early November. The lower trendline has multiple touches and remains the stronger band. If price pushes above $3.05, which aligns with the 0.618 Fibonacci level, MYX can attempt a move toward the upper side of the channel.

MYX Price Analysis
MYX Price Analysis: TradingView

The bull-bear power indicator, which measures who is in control of short-term pressure, shows neither side dominating. That keeps the setup open. But if $2.59 fails, the structure weakens fast, and $2.31 becomes likely, cutting the new Binance listing momentum for December.

Monad (MON)

Monad (MON), the high-speed EVM-based chain, was listed on CEXs only a few days ago, on November 24. It is already tradable on Coinbase, KuCoin, Bybit, Gate, Bitget, and Upbit, which places it in the same early-exposure zone many tokens enter right before a new Binance listing push.

New Binance Listing For Monad As Most CEXs Already Have it
New Binance Listing For Monad, As Most CEXs Already Have it? : CoinGecko

This broad spot coverage is important because Binance just converted MON/USDT from a pre-market perpetual into a standard USD-M perpetual. Binance only switches a contract to the standard model when the spot index price can be pulled reliably from multiple major exchanges. It confirms that MON now has enough external liquidity for a stable futures index.

On the 4-hour chart, the MON price needs to reclaim $0.049 to regain momentum. Bulls have weakened, but a new Binance listing burst could pull the price back toward that level. A clean break above $0.049 opens room for continuation.

Monad Price Analysis
Monad Price Analysis: TradingView

If the MON price loses $0.040, the bull-bear power tilts negative and $0.033 becomes likely, which aligns with the 0.618 Fibonacci level, an otherwise strong support. That would invalidate the near-term listing hype.

The post 3 Altcoins to Watch for Potential Binance Listing in December 2025 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Arthur Hayes Turns on Monad (MON) as Whales Sweep Up 300 Million Tokens

28 November 2025 at 01:00

Arthur Hayes has turned Monad (MON) into the week’s most chaotic battleground. Just 48 hours after hyping the token with a brazen “MON to $10,” the BitMEX co-founder reversed course entirely.

Meanwhile, other whales continue to accumulate the token, which hit the mainnet only recently but continues to ride a wave of spoofed token transfers.

Arthur Hayes Nukes MON Publicly, But Whales Are Secretly Accumulating

The former BitMEX CEO slammed the token, urging traders to send it to zero, just two days after the MON price recorded a sharp post-launch rally.

I'm out. Send this dogshit to ZERO!$MON 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/qUYgmhvPsT

— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) November 27, 2025

Hayes’ reversal began on November 25, when he joked that the bull market needed “another low float, high FDV useless Layer-1 (L1) token,” before admitting he aped in anyway.

Just what this bull market needs another low float , high FDV useless L1. But obvi I aped. It’s a bull market bitches!$MON to $10 pic.twitter.com/UMSDWWmp5a

— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) November 25, 2025

However, by November 27, he declared himself “out,” dismissing MON altogether and telling the market to disregard it.

Yet blockchain data suggests MON’s largest players didn’t share his bearishness.

Monad (MON) Holders. Source: Nansen dashboard

On-chain tracking by Lookonchain shows that whale address 0x9294 withdrew 73.36 million MON (around $3 million) from Gate.io within 24 hours, marking one of the largest single-address accumulations recorded this week.

Whale 0x9294 has withdrawn 73.36M $MON($3M) from #Gateio in the past 24 hours.

Address:
0x9294906c89f5330106be3141d8c58e5731dd168c pic.twitter.com/lsQEUS15Rx

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) November 27, 2025

BeInCrypto also reported that mega whales (holding the highest-tier addresses) boosted their MON holdings by 10.67%, bringing their stash to 176.44 million MON after adding 17.08 million tokens worth roughly $717,000.

Meanwhile, normal whales added 4.80 million MON over the same period, expanding their holdings by 9.51% to reach 55.42 million MON.

In total, whales now control over 300 million MON, a sharp contrast to Hayes’ public dismissal of the project.

Hayes Rotates Into ENA, PENDLE, and ETHFI

While Hayes publicly torched MON, he quietly shifted capital into other tokens. Lookonchain reports that across the past two days, Hayes accumulated:

  • 4.89 million ENA (Ethena), valued at $1.37 million,
  • 436,000 PENDLE worth $1.13 million, and
  • 696,000 ETHFI ($543K).
Arthur Hayes' recent token purchases including ENA, PENDLE, and ETHFI
Arthur Hayes’ recent token purchases including ENA, PENDLE, and ETHFI. Source: Lookonchain on X

On November 26 alone, he spent another $536,000 on 218,000 PENDLE. The ENA trades are even more telling. Just nine hours before Lookonchain’s latest report, Hayes bought back 873,671 ENA for $245,000, even though he sold 5.02 million ENA two weeks earlier at a lower price.

“[Hayes is once again] selling low, buying high,” Lookonchain remarked, signaling either emotional trading or a deliberate strategy to scale into positions he values more than his initial entry.

Together, the moves point toward a broader rotation strategy. Hayes appears to be exiting high-FDV, meme-driven L1 narratives like MON while doubling down on “real yield” and liquid staking plays represented by PENDLE, ENA, and ETHFI.

This would align with broader market behavior, where stabilized prices mean spot flows, especially from whales, now matter more than short-term hype cycles.

Still, the contradiction between Hayes’ aggressive public FUD on MON and simultaneous heavy whale accumulation raises uncomfortable questions for the market.

Is his commentary simply emotional whiplash, or is he intentionally playing into volatility that benefits professional traders? The dynamic revives debates about whether influential voices in crypto can distort sentiment while others accumulate in the shadows.

Nevertheless, investors must conduct their own research, as Hayes’ dramatic exit from MON has not deterred the deep pockets. If anything, whales appear more interested than ever, quietly absorbing supply as retail traders digest the noise.

Monad (MON) Price Performance
Monad (MON) Price Performance. Source: CoinGecko

As of this writing, the MON price is down by over 13%, currently trading at $0.0412. This dump likely stems from concerns after fake token transfer attacks, where bad actors exploited the ERC-20 standard to mislead users with fake wallet activity.

warning – there are fake ERC-20 transfers pretending to be from my wallethttps://t.co/TCZTfDfoTQ

example:https://t.co/wA1I8RFTdQ

you can see the txs are not sent by me

ERC-20 is just a token interface standard, it's easy to write a smart contract that meets that standard…

— James (mainnet arc) (@_jhunsaker) November 25, 2025

In one instance, a fraudulent contract generated fake swap calls and simulated trading patterns around the MON ecosystem. The transfers aimed to exploit the early hours frenzy after Monad’s mainnet, when users were opening wallets, claiming tokens, and monitoring liquidity.

The post Arthur Hayes Turns on Monad (MON) as Whales Sweep Up 300 Million Tokens appeared first on BeInCrypto.

BitMine’s Tom Lee and On-Chain Data Signal a Big December Move for Bitcoin

28 November 2025 at 00:55

Bitcoin may be approaching a decisive December as liquidity conditions tighten and on-chain metrics shift. BitMine Chairman Tom Lee says the market has been “limping” since the October 10 liquidation shock, but argues the setup now supports a major move before year-end. 

Recent on-chain trends and exchange-collateral data point to similar pressure building beneath the surface.

Liquidity Damage Still Defines the Market

Lee told CNBC that the October event severely damaged market-maker balance sheets. 

He described these firms as the “central banks” of crypto, responsible for depth, spreads, and inventory. When their balance sheets shrink, liquidity contracts for weeks.

WATCH: Tom Lee says “Bitcoin could hit a new all-time high before year-end” pic.twitter.com/13czeJdJeL

— BeInCrypto (@beincrypto) November 27, 2025

This matches market performance since early October. Bitcoin has dropped almost 30% from its $126,000 peak. 

Meanwhile, November has delivered one of the worst monthly performances for both price and ETF flows in years.

Market makers withdrew risk capital after the liquidation wave erased roughly $19 billion of leveraged positions. 

Order-book depth fell sharply across major exchanges, creating air pockets that amplified downside moves. Under such conditions, Bitcoin and Ethereum tend to react earlier to macro stress than equities.

Despite this damage, Lee expects a strong December rally, citing a potential dovish shift from the Federal Reserve.

“Bitcoin makes its best moves in 10 days every year, I think some of those days are still gonna happen before year end,” said Tom Lee.

On-Chain Metrics Show Sellers Losing Control

Bitcoin’s 90-day Spot Taker CVD has shifted from persistent sell dominance to a neutral stance. The indicator tracks aggressive market orders on spot exchanges. 

Bitcoin Spot Taker CVD(Cumulative Volume Delta, 90-day). Source: CryptoQuant

Red bars dominated from early September through mid-November, showing sustained taker-sell pressure.

The recent move to neutral marks a break in that pattern. It suggests the aggressive selling phase has exhausted. 

However, it does not show strong buyer dominance. Instead, the market has entered a balanced phase typical of late-cycle bear markets.

Price remains well below October levels, but the absence of persistent taker-sell pressure signals improved stability. 

The shift aligns with the broader leverage reset seen in futures markets, where funding rates have moved near zero.

Borrowing Trends Point to Strong Hands, but Fragile Leverage

CryptoQuant data shows Nexo users prefer borrowing against Bitcoin rather than selling it. BTC accounts for 53% to 57% of all collateral on the platform. That range has held for months despite the drawdown.

'@Nexo users aren’t selling their Bitcoin, they’re borrowing against it.

BTC now accounts for 54.3% of all collateral on the platform, holding a steady 53–57% range for months.

It confirms Bitcoin is the dominant asset users leverage when they need liquidity. pic.twitter.com/bhmL9UdUvO

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) November 27, 2025

This behavior reduces immediate selling pressure. It also confirms that long-term holders continue to treat Bitcoin as their primary liquidity source. 

Yet it adds another layer of vulnerability. If Bitcoin drops further, collateralized positions face liquidation risk.

Combined with thin order books, any forced selling could produce outsized volatility. This dynamic reflects late-bear fragility rather than early-bull strength.

A Market Caught Between Exhaustion and Low Liquidity

Current market structure reflects a transition rather than a clean reversal. ETF outflows, damaged liquidity, and macro uncertainty keep pressure on prices. 

However, on-chain selling has cooled, and structural holders continue to defend positions.

The result is an environment where small catalysts can produce large moves. 

🚨TOM LEE: YEAR-END RALLY IS COMING

Despite a brutal six weeks, Tom Lee says a STRONG December rally is on deck, backed by by a dovish incoming Fed pivot. pic.twitter.com/G9afNmV0RR

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) November 27, 2025

A dovish Fed pivot would likely hit thin order books and accelerate a rebound. Another macro shock could trigger renewed deleveraging.

Lee’s view aligns with this setup. The market has stopped bleeding, but it remains fragile. Bitcoin has a history of delivering double-digit moves in compressed periods, especially after aggressive liquidations.

As December approaches, both liquidity conditions and on-chain data suggest the next large move is near. 

The direction will depend on macro signals and ETF flows rather than sentiment alone.

The post BitMine’s Tom Lee and On-Chain Data Signal a Big December Move for Bitcoin appeared first on BeInCrypto.

What The Latest UK Budget Means For Crypto Tax and DeFi Access

27 November 2025 at 23:40

The UK’s latest Budget leaves headline crypto tax rules unchanged but tightens the wider environment for traders.

Meanwhile, HMRC signals a major rethink on how it taxes DeFi lending and liquidity provision.

No New “Crypto Tax,” But Pressure Still Rises

Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not introduce any crypto-specific tax in the 2025 Budget. There is no new levy on trading, holding, or spending digital assets.

However, the Budget extends income-tax threshold freezes for three more years. As wages rise, more taxpayers drift into higher bands, including active crypto traders.

Summary of the key highlights from the UK budget 👇

-The UK is fck’d and has no money

-Labour have zero idea how to fix this and instead have focused on killing productivity and raising unemployment

-As the deficit widens, it will just be monetised

-GBP will be the escape…

— LondonCryptoClub (@LDNCryptoClub) November 26, 2025

The capital gains tax (CGT) allowance remains very low compared to historic levels. That means more crypto disposals trigger reportable gains, even for modest retail portfolios.

At the same time, the UK is pushing ahead with global data-sharing under new reporting standards. 

Exchanges and platforms will supply more detailed customer information to HMRC from 2026.

No tax changes for crypto earnings announced in the UK budget. Seems like regulation there is likely to get stricter, but for now 🇬🇧 looks like a slightly more favorable jurisdiction for crypto than some other European countries (eg Spain & France)

— Butian | Bless (@blessbutian) November 26, 2025

HMRC Backs Away From Its Hard Line on DeFi

Alongside the Budget, HMRC published a consultation outcome on DeFi lending and staking. It responds to strong criticism of its 2022 guidance on loans and liquidity pools.

Stakeholders told HMRC that current rules create disproportionate administrative burdens. They warned that treating every DeFi move as a disposal bears little relation to economic reality.

In response, HMRC has dropped its earlier idea of copying repo and stock lending rules. It now prefers a framework based on “no gain, no loss” (NGNL) for many DeFi flows.

HMRC has published its consultation outcome in the UK regarding the taxation of DeFi activities related to lending and staking.

A particularly interesting conclusion is that when users deposit assets into Aave, the deposit itself is not treated as a disposal for capital gains…

— Stani.eth (@StaniKulechov) November 27, 2025

Crucially, the department accepts that automated market makers represent a major share of activity. It signals that any new rules should explicitly cover Uniswap-style multi-token liquidity pools.

Proposed NGNL Rules for DeFi Loans and Liquidity Pools

HMRC now outlines a potential NGNL approach for three areas. These are single-token arrangements, crypto borrowing, and automated market makers.

For single-token lending, entering and exiting a platform could be NGNL for CGT. The real gain or loss would arise only when the user finally sells the token.

For borrowing, posting collateral and taking out tokens would be ignored for CGT. Selling borrowed tokens and later buying them back to repay would crystallise the gain or loss.

For AMMs, HMRC proposes NGNL treatment when users deposit tokens for LP positions. Tax would then focus on differences in the number of tokens received when they exit.

If users receive more of a token than they originally deposited, the extra counts as a gain. But if they receive fewer, the shortfall is treated as a loss against their tax base.

HMRC stresses that this is still a “potential approach,” not enacted law. It will continue consultations before deciding whether to legislate.

How is the UK approaching crypto regulation to become a global leader? 🇬🇧

In one minute, Matt Osborne, Policy Director for the UK & Europe at Ripple, explains the plan: adopt proportionate, growth-friendly rules and allow overseas stablecoins, such as $RLUSD, to be used locally.… pic.twitter.com/lsFC1SgsRA

— Ripple (@Ripple) November 26, 2025

DeFi Rewards: No New “All Income” Rule – For Now

One of the most controversial ideas was to treat all DeFi rewards as income. Respondents warned that this would ignore capital versus revenue distinctions and create dry tax charges.

HMRC now says it is not actively pursuing an “all revenue” deeming rule. Rewards will continue to follow existing principles for now.

What This Means for UK Crypto Traders

For spot traders on centralised exchanges, the Budget brings no direct structural change. CGT still applies on each disposal, and income tax applies where trading amounts to a trade.

However, the combination of frozen thresholds and low CGT allowances increases effective tax pressure.

More active traders will breach reporting thresholds and face higher marginal rates on gains. HMRC expects more users to use portfolio tracking software to support their filings.

The post What The Latest UK Budget Means For Crypto Tax and DeFi Access appeared first on BeInCrypto.

KeepSolid Launches Progressive KS Coin Referral Program

27 November 2025 at 23:17

A new multi-tier referral program introduces performance-based bonuses, influencer rewards, and transparent earning mechanics for KeepSolid’s global privacy ecosystem.

KeepSolid, a global developer of privacy and cybersecurity solutions with more than 45 million registered users, today announced the launch of its Progressive Referral System, a next-generation reward mechanism built around KS Coin, the company’s utility token.

The new referral model introduces a progressive, performance-based bonus structure that allows users, creators, and ambassadors to earn increasing rewards based on their performance, making digital privacy and tokenized incentives more accessible than ever.

A New Era of Referral Rewards Inside the KeepSolid Ecosystem

The Progressive Referral System is designed to motivate real engagement while supporting the expansion of KeepSolid’s privacy tools including VPN Unlimited, Passwarden, DNS Firewall, and more.

Key features include:

Performance-based reward levels

Users progress through Basic → Advanced → Professional tiers, unlocking higher bonus percentages and earning more KS Coin as they invite new users.

Transparent earning mechanics

Rewards are granted for:

  • Referral registration
  • Invitation acceptance
  • App installation on any platform (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
  • Subscription purchases by referred users
  • Influencer & Blogger Bonuses

Creators receive elevated reward percentages as they reach referral milestones from +5% at 10 referrals up to +10% at 1,000. The program includes:

  • Personal referral dashboard
  • Real-time tracking
  • Flexible withdrawal options (to be made available per roadmap)

Brand Ambassador expansion

Top-performing creators will be invited to join a long-term Ambassador Program, gaining access to co-branded campaigns, early product releases, and exclusive KS Coin reward pools.

Why Progressive Referral Rewards Matter

Traditional referral programs offer static bonuses. KeepSolid’s approach is different: users are rewarded not only for each successful invitation, but also for consistency, long-term engagement, and account reputation.

This makes KS Coin more than a token, it becomes a behavioral incentive anchored in real product usage and digital privacy actions.

“Our mission has always been to make digital privacy accessible worldwide. The new referral system allows users to become active contributors to this mission — earning more the more they help us grow,” said Vasyl Ivanov, Founder and CEO of KeepSolid. “KS Coin gives users ownership. The Progressive Referral System gives them motivation.”

How It Works: Simple, Rewarding, Transparent

1. Share your referral link
Users generate a personal link inside the KeepSolid User Office.

2. Invite friends or audience
Links can be shared across social media, blogs, communities, or personal networks.

3. Earn KS Coin as referrals sign up, install apps, and purchase subscriptions
Rewards scale automatically as milestones are reached.

4. Withdraw or use KS Coin within the ecosystem

Tokens can be used for:

  • Subscriptions
  • Feature unlocks
  • Future Web3 products
  • Wallet withdrawals are planned according to the KS Coin roadmap and subject to availability.

About KeepSolid

KeepSolid is a technology company that has been at the forefront of digital privacy since 2013, developing secure and user-friendly tools that empower people to take control of their online lives. More than 45 million users worldwide rely on KeepSolid’s products including VPN Unlimited and Passwarden to protect their privacy and security.

Guided by a mission to enhance privacy, productivity, and digital freedom, KeepSolid is evolving to meet the needs of a decentralized, user-owned internet while continuing to build tools that put people first.

The post KeepSolid Launches Progressive KS Coin Referral Program appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP Whales’ $4 Billion Sell-Off in November Is The Highest In 30 Days Since March 2023

27 November 2025 at 23:00

XRP is attempting to recover this week, buoyed by renewed optimism following the launch of spot XRP ETFs. The increased attention has supported a modest rebound, yet the bullish momentum is under pressure. 

A wave of major whale selling throughout November is hindering XRP’s ability to regain strong upward traction, creating a critical turning point for the asset.

XRP Whales Break Record

Whale behavior has taken a sharply bearish turn. This month, large XRP holders registered their biggest single-month sell-off since March 2023.

Addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP have collectively sold more than 2.20 billion XRP, valued at over $4.11 billion. Their cumulative holdings have fallen to 4.39 billion XRP, breaking a 32-month low.

This aggressive distribution highlights deepening concerns among high-value wallets. Many whales appear to be cutting exposure to avoid further losses, signaling that confidence remains fragile despite ETF-driven optimism. The scale of selling indicates that large holders are not yet convinced of a sustained recovery.

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

Ethereum Whale Holding
Ethereum Whale Holding. Source: Santiment

Broader macro indicators reinforce these concerns. XRP’s Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) recently dipped below the 0.25 threshold, entering the “Fear” zone before bouncing back slightly. Historically, this level has produced two distinct outcomes.

If fear stabilizes and investors refrain from selling, prices often recover as profits gradually rebuild. However, if fear accelerates, capitulation typically follows, triggering steep declines.

Whether XRP stabilizes or weakens further depends heavily on investor behavior over the coming days. A decisive move toward $2.50 would signal growing confidence and reduce the risk of capitulation. Conversely, continued fear-driven selling could place downward pressure on the price, pushing XRP back into a vulnerable zone.

XRP NUPL
XRP NUPL. Source: Glassnode

XRP Price Is Far From Target

XRP is trading at $2.20, moving sideways below the $2.28 resistance. The newly launched ETFs are helping the asset hold above the crucial $2.14 support, but momentum remains muted.

If XRP fails to build on recent gains due to persistent whale distribution, consolidation between $2.28 and $2.14 is likely. A break below $2.14 could send the price toward $2.00 or lower, continuing the bearish trend.

XRP Price Analysis.
XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If selling subsidies and investors regain confidence, XRP may challenge the $2.28 barrier. A breakout above this level could propel the price to $2.36 and eventually toward $2.50. This would invalidate the bearish thesis and encourage renewed accumulation.

The post XRP Whales’ $4 Billion Sell-Off in November Is The Highest In 30 Days Since March 2023 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

AI’s Productivity Drought May Be the Bullish Catalyst Wall Street Missed | US Crypto News

27 November 2025 at 22:53

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

Grab a coffee because the next few weeks may mark a quiet turning point hiding in plain sight. While most are focused on headlines about bubbles and fears of a slowdown, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood reveals a deeper shift in liquidity, policy, and AI adoption that is capable of reshaping the outlook for tech and crypto.

Crypto News of the Day: Cathie Wood Talks About AI’s “Productivity Drought”

US liquidity is snapping back faster than most macro watchers expected, and Cathie Wood believes that timing could collide with one of the most misunderstood trends in tech and crypto: the widening gap between consumer AI adoption and enterprise productivity.

While headlines continue to warn of an AI bubble, ARK Invest argues that markets are entering the first inning of a rebound fueled by:

  • Liquidity,
  • Policy easing, and
  • Accelerating commercial AI demand.

According to ARK Invest, the US market liquidity has already begun a decisive reversal. In a detailed update, the firm noted that liquidity “is finally turning upward” after hitting a multi-year low in late October.

ARK stated that the six-week government shutdown resulted in a $621 billion drain from the system. Still, the reopening “released $70 billion back into markets,” with an estimated $300 billion likely to return over the next several weeks as the Treasury General Account normalizes.

The firm added that the backdrop aligns with a dovish shift at the Federal Reserve, pushing market-implied odds of a near-term rate cut to roughly 90%.

This liquidity push comes just as quantitative tightening is scheduled to end on December 1, an inflection point ARK believes markets have not fully priced in.

“With liquidity returning, quantitative tightening ending December 1, and monetary policy turning supportive, we believe conditions are building for markets to reverse recent drawdowns potentially,” the firm said.

Cathie Wood Says AI’s Productivity Drought Is the Next Bull Catalyst

Cathie Woo, the firm’s founder, CEO, and CIO, is taking the argument further. In a recent webinar, she stated that the liquidity squeeze affecting AI and crypto “will reverse in the next few weeks.”

The AI story has just begun. Enterprises may be slow to show productivity gains, but @CathieDWood highlights that AI is flourishing on the consumer side and US commercial business was up 123% last quarter.

Fund webinar: https://t.co/oYbqsY4pMF pic.twitter.com/9ual0iKfnI

— ARK Funds (@ARK_Funds) November 24, 2025

The fund manager added that markets “seemed to buy” the thesis, given ARK holdings rallied 8% after the session.

She also pushed back against the prevailing narrative that AI is in bubble territory, pointing directly to commercial traction.

That surge is supported by Palantir’s latest earnings, which showed a triple-digit jump in US commercial revenue. According to Cathie Wood, this is evidence that enterprises are committing capital before productivity shows up.

$PLTR Palantir Q3 FY25:

• Net dollar retention 134% (+16pp Y/Y).
• Revenue +63% Y/Y to $1.18B ($90M beat).
• Non-GAAP EPS $0.21 ($0.04 beat).

FY25 guidance:
• Revenue +53% Y/Y to $4.4B ($252M raise).
• Adjusted margin 49% (3pp raise). pic.twitter.com/7g0Q3rFHZi

— App Economy Insights (@EconomyApp) November 3, 2025

This trend forms the core of ARK’s thesis, that consumer AI is exploding while enterprises appear stalled, but the lag is structural, not cyclical.

“We think this AI story has just begun. We are in the first inning,” Cathie Wood explained, adding that enterprises require time “to restructure and transform completely” before productivity becomes measurable.

She points to recent MIT research showing that most corporations are not yet seeing productivity gains from AI because their internal systems, workflows, and org structures are still built for pre-AI operations.

However, the firm argues that this “productivity drought” is exactly what forces CEOs into rapid investment cycles.

“…[decision-makers are already saying] we’ve got to do this or we’re going to lose our competitive edge out there,” Cathie Wood shared.

Still, ARK highlights one major risk: the energy bottleneck. AI-compute demand is exploding so fast that up to 20% of data-center projects are facing delays.

The coming liquidity wave may supercharge AI and crypto, if energy infrastructure scales quickly enough to support it. ARK Invests believes the pieces are aligning, citing:

  • Liquidity is rising,
  • QT is ending,
  • The Fed is turning dovish, and
  • Commercial AI spending is accelerating.

 If Wood is right, markets may not be facing an AI bubble, but are on the verge of the cycle’s real beginning.

Chart of the Day

Interest Rate Cut Probabilities
Interest Rate Cut Probabilities. Source: CME FedWatch Tool
US Money Supply (M2)
US Money Supply (M2). Source: TradingView

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

CompanyAt the Close of November 26Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)$175.64$176.96 (+0.75%)
Coinbase (COIN)$264.97$268.68 (+1.40%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)$26.24$26.71 (+1.79%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)$11.11$11.29 (+1.62%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)$14.96$15.19 (+1.54%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)$16.18$16.25 (+0.42%)
Crypto equities market open race: Google Finance

The post AI’s Productivity Drought May Be the Bullish Catalyst Wall Street Missed | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP Balance on Binance Hits One-Year Low: What Are the Causes and Impacts?

27 November 2025 at 21:16

November marked the launch of U.S. XRP ETFs. This catalyst significantly boosted market demand for XRP. It also played a crucial role in helping XRP resist selling pressure driven by the overall negative market sentiment.

This shift left several notable on-chain signals. Analysts interpret these indicators as a positive sign for XRP to maintain its upward momentum.

How Did ETF Demand Drive XRP Accumulation on Exchanges in November?

On-chain data from CryptoQuant, as of November 27, 2025, indicated that the XRP balance held on Binance had dropped to a 12-month low of 2.71 billion XRP.

A closer look at the chart indicated that Binance’s XRP reserves began declining after November 14. Approximately 100 million XRP was withdrawn from the exchange. This phase aligned precisely with the official launch of spot XRP ETFs in the United States.

XRP Exchange Reserve - Binance. Source: CryptoQuant.
XRP Exchange Reserve – Binance. Source: CryptoQuant.

SoSoValue data also showed that from November 14 onward, four XRP ETFs — Canary, Bitwise, Grayscale, and Franklin — recorded positive net inflows for nine consecutive days. As a result, the total assets held by these ETFs exceeded $670 million.

XRP ETF Daily Total Net Inflow. Source: SoSoValue
XRP ETF Daily Total Net Inflow. Source: SoSoValue

Buying pressure is expected to strengthen further in the coming days. Analysts anticipate that the 21Shares XRP ETF will soon be listed.

CryptoQuant analyst Darfost noted in his latest analysis that the sharp decline in XRP reserves on Binance, following the launch of a spot ETF, indicates that more XRP is being transferred into the hands of long-term holders.

“Fewer tokens available on trading platforms, combined with growing institutional demand, create a potentially powerful setup. If this trend continues, XRP could move into a more structured phase with an expanding institutional interest.” Darfost explained.

However, analyst Vincent Van Code provided a more in-depth explanation of the relationship between XRP ETFs and overall market demand.

He argued that ETF purchases from open markets do not always immediately push prices up. ETF demand must absorb the volume of XRP that Ripple unlocks from its escrow supply.

“Don’t forget ETF managers cannot buy XRP directly from Ripple or from escrow due to court injunction. They must buy from the open market. This means price may not rise sharply at first, as Ripple sells its monthly escrow while ETFs absorb supply at a similar pace.” Vincent explained.

Recent analysis from BeInCrypto emphasized the importance of the 2 USD price level. Holding above this zone could signal a foundation for further upside movement in the days ahead.

The post XRP Balance on Binance Hits One-Year Low: What Are the Causes and Impacts? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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