Japan’s 10-year government bond yields surged to 1.98% in December 2025, the highest level since the 1990s. It comes as markets braced for the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) policy meeting on December 19.

The move has triggered a global rally in precious metals, with gold and silver surging 135% and 175%, respectively, since early 2023. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is under pressure as forced selling intensifies across Asian exchanges, highlighting a divergence in market reactions to Japan’s rate shift.

Japan’s Bond Yields Hit 1.98%

For decades, Japan maintained near-zero interest rates, anchoring global liquidity through the yen carry trade.

Investors borrowed yen at a low rate to fund higher-yielding assets worldwide, effectively exporting ultra-low interest rates.

An expected 25-basis-point hike, raising the rate to 0.75%, may appear modest in absolute terms, but the pace of change matters more than the level.

“Carry trade at risk: Nobody knows when the real consequences will materialize, but this continued shift will likely drain liquidity from markets, potentially causing a ripple effect through margin calls and other forced deleveraging,” warned Guilherme Tavares, CEO at i3 Invest.

Analysts see the BOJ move as more than a domestic adjustment.

“When Japan’s yields move, global capital pays attention. Gold and silver aren’t reacting to inflation headlines. They’re pricing sovereign balance sheet risk. Japan isn’t a sideshow anymore. It’s the fulcrum,” noted Simon Hou-Vangsaae Reseke.

Gold and Silver Prices Surge Amid Rising Sovereign Risk

Precious metals have been closely tracking Japanese yields. According to Global Market Investor, gold and silver are moving almost perfectly in line with Japanese government bond yields. This suggests that precious metals are being used as a primary hedge against the rising cost of government debt.

“It’s not the yield itself, it’s what the move represents — rising sovereign risk, tighter global liquidity, and uncertainty about currency credibility. Gold responds as protection, and silver follows with more volatility,” commented analyst EndGame Macro.

The silver market is showing signs of speculative mania. The China Silver Futures Fund recently traded 12% above the physical metal it tracks, indicating that demand for leveraged exposure is outpacing the underlying asset.

⚠️ Silver market mania is an UNDERSTATEMENT:

The China Silver Futures Fund was trading +12% above the actual value of the silver it is supposed to track

Investors are buying the fund much faster than the silver behind is rising, a sign of SPECULATION. 👇https://t.co/8kAngXV9CH

— Global Markets Investor (@GlobalMktObserv) December 17, 2025

Investors are increasingly treating gold and silver as hedges against broader macro risks, rather than just inflation.

Bitcoin Faces Pressure as Carry Trades Unwind

Meanwhile, the Bitcoin price is feeling the strain of tightening yen liquidity.

“Asia-based exchanges have seen persistent spot selling. Miner reserves are falling — forced selling, not choice…Long-term Asian holders appear to be distributing…Price stays heavy until forced supply is cleared,” wrote CryptoRus, citing XWIN Research Japan.

US institutions continue buying, with the Coinbase Premium positive, but forced liquidations in Asia and an 8% drop in Bitcoin hashrate have added downward pressure.

Past BOJ rate shifts have coincided with significant BTC declines, and traders are watching closely for further downside toward $70,000.

THE BANK OF JAPAN MIGHT BE BITCOIN’S BIGGEST ENEMY

Japan holds the most US debt.
Every time they hike, Bitcoin bleeds:

March 2024: -23%
July 2024: -30%
Jan 2025: -31%

Next hike: Dec 19
Next move: loading…

If the pattern repeats, $70K is in play. pic.twitter.com/R5916R702I

— Merlijn The Trader (@MerlijnTrader) December 14, 2025

The contrasting reactions of precious metals and Bitcoin highlight differences in risk positioning. Gold and silver are attracting safe-haven flows amid growing sovereign risk, while Bitcoin faces liquidation-driven price pressure.

Analysts note that future Fed rate cuts may offset the BOJ’s impacts, but the speed of the policy change is crucial.

The post Japan’s Bond Yields Hit 1.98%: BOJ Rate Shift Impacts Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ethereum price action is sending mixed signals. After correcting over 3% in a day, ETH is flashing early rebound signs, but downside risk has not cleared yet. The chart structure, momentum data, and on-chain cost levels all point to a narrow decision zone.

Right now, Ethereum is stuck between a possible bounce and a deeper breakdown. And the gap between those two outcomes is smaller than it looks. What’s worth noting is that the breakdown zone looms closer!

Rebound Signal Sits Inside a Tight Triangle

Ethereum is trading inside a narrowing triangle, a structure that reflects growing buyer-seller indecision. Price has compressed toward the lower trendline, often a zone where selling pressure starts to fade.

Between December 1 and December 17, ETH printed a higher low on price. At the same time, the RSI (Relative Strength Index), a momentum measuring tool, made a lower low. This creates hidden bullish divergence, meaning selling momentum is weakening.

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This setup does not guarantee a rally. But it does suggest downside pressure may be exhausting as Ethereum approaches structural support, the lower triangle trendline. In simple terms, sellers are losing strength, but buyers have not taken control yet.

That makes the next move highly sensitive to key levels.

Cost Basis Data Shows Where Ethereum Price Rebound Could Stall

On-chain cost basis data helps explain why upside may remain capped.

The strongest near-term resistance sits between $3,154 and $3,179, where roughly 2.8 million ETH were accumulated. This is a heavy supply zone. When price revisits this range, many holders reach break-even and tend to sell.

This aligns closely with the chart resistance at $3,149, which marks an 11% upside from current levels. Even if the Ethereum price rebounds, this zone is likely to attract selling unless the price closes cleanly above it. That is why any bounce without a daily close above this area would still be considered corrective, not trend-changing.

The downside picture is more fragile.

The most important support cluster sits between $2,801 and $2,823. This range has acted as a key demand zone. A clean daily close below $2,801 (which also shows up on the price chart) would be a warning signal.

That move would represent barely a 1% downside break, but it could open the door toward $2,617, the next major support level on the chart.

This is what makes Ethereum’s current position dangerous. Upside could stall near 11%, but downside risk begins with just a 1% failure.

The post Ethereum Price Nears Possible Breakdown — Yet A Bounce Hope Emerges appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The US crypto ETF (exchange-traded fund) market is approaching a tipping point. Bitwise Asset Management’s 2026 forecast anticipates the launch of more than 100 new crypto-linked ETFs, driven by the SEC’s streamlined listing standards effective from October 2025.

While the outlook projects new all-time highs for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart warns that a significant shakeout may be inevitable as the sector becomes overcrowded.

Bitwise Shares 11 Crypto Predictions for 2026

Bitwise has made 10 projects for 2026, spanning crypto and ETF markets that investors will track closely. According to the crypto index fund manager:

• Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana will set new all-time highs
• Bitcoin will break the four-year cycle and set new all-time highs
• Bitcoin will be less volatile than Nvidia.
• ETFs will purchase more than 100% of the new supply of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana as institutional demand accelerates.
• Crypto equities will outperform tech equities.
• Polymarket open interest will set a new all-time high, surpassing 2024 election levels.
• Stablecoins will be blamed for destabilizing an emerging market currency.
• Onchain vaults will double in AUM.
• Ethereum and Solana will set new all-time highs (if the CLARITY Act passes).
• Half of Ivy League endowments will invest in crypto.
• More than 100 crypto-linked ETFs will launch in the US.
• Bitcoin’s correlation to stocks will fall.

A Wave of ETF Liquidations Could Occur in 2026, James Seyffart

The eleventh prediction turned heads, becoming of particular concern for analysts. The surge of anticipated crypto-linked ETF launches follows a major regulatory shift.

In September 2025, the SEC introduced generic listing standards for commodity-based trust shares, including crypto assets.

“[Several leading exchanges] filed with the SEC proposed rule changes to adopt generic listing standards for Commodity-Based Trust Shares. Each of the foregoing proposed rule changes… was subject to notice and comment. This order approves the Proposals on an accelerated basis,” the SEC’s filing claimed.

This change allows ETFs to list without individualized review, reducing delays and uncertainty.

Bitwise expects this regulatory clarity to drive institutional adoption and fresh inflows into crypto ETFs in 2026.

2026 PREDICTION: More than 100 crypto-linked ETFs will launch in the U.S.⁰⁰In October 2025, the SEC published generic listing standards, allowing ETF issuers to launch crypto ETFs under a general set of rules. A clearer regulatory roadmap in 2026 is why we see the stage being… pic.twitter.com/rQbcWe6JE4

— Bitwise (@BitwiseInvest) December 17, 2025

“I’m in 100% agreement with Bitwise here,” Seyffart indicated. “I also think we’re going to see a lot of liquidations in crypto ETP products. Might happen at the tail end of 2026, but likely by the end of 2027. Issuers are throwing A LOT of products at the wall.”

Bitcoin ETF Dominance and Altcoin Saturation

Bloomberg data shows 90 existing crypto ETPs managing $153 billion, with 125 filings pending. Bitcoin leads with $125 billion across 60 products, while Ethereum follows at $22 billion in 25 ETFs.

Altcoins like XRP and Solana remain niche, with 11–13 products each and $1.5–$1.6 billion in assets, signaling rising saturation risks.

With the market poised to be flooded, analysts anticipate direct competition for investor capital. However, historical trends suggest caution, with roughly 40% of ETFs launched since 2010 eventually closing, often due to insufficient assets or trading volume.

The Coming Crypto ETF Shakeout: Winners, Losers, and the Rise of ‘Zombie’ Assets

Seyffart’s warning reflects a broader concern that fast expansion often precedes consolidation. Crypto ETFs that fail to attract sufficient AUM, differentiate their strategies, or establish strong distribution networks may face early closure.

Products offering specialized exposure strategies, income features, or tailored risk profiles could establish lasting positions.

Chris Matta, CEO of Liquid Collective, echoes this concern in the context of “zombie” projects, describing crypto assets with market caps of $1 billion or more but minimal development.

“Maybe the failure to sustain an ETF in trad markets will be a stronger signal and will result in larger performance dispersion between active and dead crypto assets,” Matta said.

Therefore, investors entering the ETF space will need to be highly selective. Trading liquidity, tracking accuracy, fee structures, and issuer credibility will be crucial in distinguishing sustainable products from those that are likely to fail.

Meanwhile, Bitwise’s bullish predictions suggest that leading ETFs tied to major assets may continue to benefit from sustained institutional inflows.

The expected wave of liquidations by late 2027 will likely reshape the sector, consolidating capital among the strongest products.

While disruptive, the process may ultimately strengthen the US crypto ETF market by:

• Removing weak offerings,
• Clarifying choices for investors, and
• Highlighting differentiated strategies.

The question remains: in a crowded ETF sector, which products will survive and which will join the growing ranks of crypto’s forgotten “zombie” assets?

The post The 11th Crypto Prediction from Bitwise May Not Survive—James Seyffart Warns appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Gamma Prime successfully hosted the Tokenized Capital Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi on December 9, bringing together more than 2,500 attendees. The event welcomed decision-makers from family offices, investment firms, hedge funds, venture capital funds, and other institutional capital vehicles, positioning it as the most important tokenization-focused gathering of the year.

The summit featured a high-profile speaker lineup, including Reeve Collins, Bryan Pellegrino, Charles Hoskinson, and Yat Siu, alongside senior executives from 21Shares, Galaxy Ventures, Spartan Capital, Crypto.com, HashKey, Revolut, and the founder of The Sandbox. Collectively, the participating speakers and organizations represented over $15 billion in assets under management, offering attendees deep insights into institutional adoption, tokenized capital markets, and emerging private investment structures.

During the event, attendees actively engaged in networking, held one-on-one meetings, and recorded interviews and media content throughout the day. The summit created a practical environment for meaningful connections, with discussions continuing well beyond the main stage sessions.

The Tokenized Capital Summit 2025 is a key industry gathering for the tokenization space, reinforcing its role as an important meeting point for institutional capital, technology providers, and market leaders shaping the next phase of tokenized finance.

Gamma Prime’s Product

Gamma Prime runs a compliant and secure marketplace for private investments, giving investors access to opportunities that are typically difficult to reach. The platform is built around non-correlated strategies, helping investors diversify beyond public markets in a practical and structured way.

Operating in line with regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, Gamma Prime positions itself as a global marketplace for hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, and other illiquid assets. This approach enables funds to engage with institutional investors, family offices, and accredited investors worldwide, while expanding the range of available private market opportunities.

The leadership team brings together experience from DeFi, traditional finance, and academic research, and Stanford PhDs. This combination supports a balance between blockchain innovation and the governance and operational standards expected by institutional participants.

Where Traditional Finance Meets Tokenization

The Tokenized Capital Summit marks a significant step for the institutional digital asset sector. The event creates a focused environment where participants from traditional finance and leaders in tokenization can engage directly, exchange perspectives, and better understand how capital markets are evolving.

By hosting the Tokenized Capital Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi on December 9, Gamma Prime reinforces its role in enabling secure and compliant access to private market opportunities. The summit also reflects a broader industry shift, as institutional investors, family offices, and Web3 companies increasingly collaborate to define the next phase of financial market development.

About Gamma Prime

Gamma Prime is a marketplace for private investments, offering investors streamlined access to hard-to-find, non-correlated yield and enabling funds to expand their reach globally. Fully regulatory compliant and built with institutional security standards, Gamma Prime is positioned to become the leading global platform for hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, and other illiquid private investment opportunities. The company was founded by a team of DeFi pioneers, traditional finance professionals, and Stanford PhDs.

The post Gamma Prime Highlights Its Marketplace for Uncorrelated Strategies at the Tokenized Capital Summit in Abu Dhabi appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Veteran trader Peter Brandt has struck a bearish tone on XRP price, warning that the token may be forming a classic double-top pattern. His stance comes despite Ripple accelerating ecosystem growth through multichain stablecoin expansion and new institutional tools for XRP holders.

Brandt’s caution comes at a moment when XRP’s fundamentals and infrastructure narrative appear to be strengthening, creating a growing disconnect between technical signals and long-term adoption developments.

Brandt Flags Potential Double-Top Risk for XRP Price

The veteran chartist highlighted what he views as a potentially bearish setup on the XRP price chart. According to Peter Brandt, XRP may be forming a double-top, an often-cited reversal pattern that emerges when an asset fails to break above resistance after two attempts.

Double-top patterns in technical analysis typically signal waning bullish momentum and can precede deeper pullbacks if confirmation follows.

“I know in advance that all you Riplosts XRP will forever remind me of this post — ask me if I care. This is a potential double top,” Brandt wrote.

The XRP price has been consolidating after its late-2024 rally, placing greater focus on whether support levels can hold.

However, Brandt also acknowledged that the pattern could fail, leaving room for alternative interpretations.

“Sure, it may fail, and I will deal with this if it does. But for now, this has bearish implications. Love it or not — you need to deal with it,” he added.

Analysts Highlight Bullish Historical Context

Other market analysts see the current setup very differently. Analyst Steph is Crypto pointed to XRP’s recurring behavior around its 50-week simple moving average (SMA), arguing that prior cycles suggest downside exhaustion rather than the start of a larger decline.

“Every cycle, when XRP breaks below the 50-week SMA and stays there for roughly 50–84 days, a strong rally has followed,” the analyst noted.

Historical examples include a 211% rally after 70 days below the SMA in 2017, a 70% move following 49 days in 2021, and an 850% surge after 84 days in 2024.

The XRP price has now spent roughly 70 days below its 50-week SMA, placing it squarely within the same historical window..

The analysis suggests that what appears bearish in isolation could align with past cycle bottoms, mirroring the current split in technical interpretation.

Ripple Expands RLUSD Across Layer 2 Networks As Institutional Access Continues to Grow

While technical debate intensifies, Ripple continues to expand its ecosystem. On December 16, the company announced that its US dollar stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), will expand to Optimism, Base, Ink, and Unichain.

It leverages Wormhole’s Native Token Transfers (NTT) standard for multichain interoperability.

RLUSD was initially issued on the XRP Ledger and Ethereum. The Layer 2 rollout is designed to improve scalability, liquidity movement, and real-world utility across DeFi and institutional platforms.

Ripple emphasized that RLUSD is issued under a trust charter granted by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This positions it as one of the most tightly regulated stablecoins entering Layer 2 ecosystems.

The company has also applied for a US OCC charter and recently gained regulatory recognition in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Wormhole added that XRP holders will be able to use XRP alongside RLUSD as a “premier trading and liquidity pair” across supported chains, supported by wrapped XRP (wXRP) issuance for cross-chain use.

Enhanced utility is coming for $XRP

XRP holders can use XRP alongside $RLUSD as a premier trading and liquidity pair on supported chains, allowing businesses to facilitate payments and checkout options that let users buy, sell, or send digital assets. pic.twitter.com/DMcSWyQ2XV

— Wormhole (@wormhole) December 17, 2025

Institutional tooling for XRP is also expanding. Digital Wealth Partners recently launched an algorithmic XRP trading strategy for qualified retirement accounts, offering insured custody through Anchorage Digital.

The service gives high-net-worth investors access to systematic XRP trading within regulated, tax-advantaged accounts. This reflects broader efforts to integrate crypto into traditional wealth management structures.

Digital Wealth Partners Launches Algorithmic XRP Trading Strategy Powered by @tryarchpublic for Qualified Retirement Accountshttps://t.co/ro7ipgP48D

— Digital Wealth Partners (@DWP_advisors) December 16, 2025

As XRP faces conflicting technical signals, its trajectory may hinge on whether bearish chart patterns dominate or whether historical cycles and expanding utility ultimately reassert control.

The post Peter Brandt Turns Bearish on XRP Price Despite Ripple’s Push for Multichain Expansion appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin’s violent move on December 17 caught traders off guard. In a single day, BTC surged to around $90,500 before reversing hard and sliding toward $85,200. From high to low, that was a swing of more than 5%, or roughly $5,000.

This was not news-driven. It was structure-driven. Three charts explain why the move happened, why it stalled exactly where it did, and why similar volatility remains possible.

Volume Breakdown Signaled Risk Before the Drop

Before the sell-off, the BTC price action already showed stress. Between December 15 and December 17, the Bitcoin price printed a marginal higher low on the daily chart. On the surface, that looked stable. But On-Balance Volume told a different story.

OBV tracks whether volume confirms price moves. During this period, OBV failed to follow the price higher and instead made a lower low. That bearish divergence signaled distribution. In simple terms, price was holding up, but volume was quietly flowing out.

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When Bitcoin pushed toward $90,500, it did so with weak participation. That made the rally fragile. Once selling started, there was no volume support beneath, which turned a pullback into a sharp intraday whiplash.

In markets, whiplash refers to a rapid move up followed immediately by a sharp move down, or vice versa.

Cost Basis Heatmap Shows Why $90,500 Rejected and $85,200 Held

On-chain cost basis data explains the exact turning points.

The cost basis heatmap shows a dense supply cluster between $90,168 and $90,591. Around 115,188 BTC were accumulated in this zone. When the price revisited this range, many holders reached break-even.

That could have created immediate sell pressure. Combined with OBV weakness, this cluster acted like a ceiling. The rally stalled, then reversed.

On the downside, the story changes.

Another strong cluster sits between $84,845 and $85,243. This is the most concentrated near-term support zone on the chart. As the price fell, buyers stepped in aggressively here. That is why the Bitcoin price did not collapse further, even during forced liquidations.

So the move was boxed in. Sellers defended $90,500. Buyers defended $85,200. The whiplash happened inside those walls.

Bitcoin Price Levels Now Decide If Volatility Returns

Structurally, Bitcoin is still holding a mild uptrend from the November 21 low. That matters. Yesterday’s volatility event was inside the range.

For upside continuation, one level stands out. Bitcoin must post a clean daily close above $90,500. That level has not been reclaimed since December 13. Without a close above it, any rally risks another rejection.

Above that, $92,200 to $92,300 becomes critical. On-chain data shows another supply cluster there. Traders should expect friction unless the price clears that zone decisively. Also, traders reading this might want to consider complete daily closes above key levels mentioned on the charts instead of wick-styled breakouts.

On the downside, $85,000-$85,200 remains the key zone. As long as this cluster holds, a deeper downside is less likely. A failure there would expose $83,800, but breaching $85,000 would require fresh liquidation pressure.

The takeaway is simple. Bitcoin’s 5%+ whiplash was not random. It was the result of weak volume, heavy supply at known cost levels, and tight liquidity. Until those structures change, sharp moves like this remain part of the crypto market’s reality.

The post Bitcoin’s 5% Whiplash Was No Accident — Charts Reveal The Full Story appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will publish the all-important Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November on Thursday at 13:30 GMT. 

The inflation report will not include CPI figures for October and will not offer monthly CPI prints for November due to a lack of data collection during the government shutdown. Hence, investors will scrutinize the annual CPI and core CPI prints to assess how inflation dynamics could influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy outlook. 

What to expect in the next CPI data report? 

As measured by the change in the CPI, inflation in the US is expected to rise at an annual rate of 3.1% in November, mildly above September’s reading. The core CPI inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, is also forecast to rise 3% in this period. 

TD Securities analysts expect annual inflation to rise at a stronger pace than anticipated, but see the core inflation holding steady.

“We look for the US CPI to rise 3.2% y/y in November – its fastest pace since 2024. The increase will be driven by rising energy prices, as we look for the core CPI to remain steady at 3.0%,” they explain. 

How could the US Consumer Price Index report affect the US Dollar? 

Heading into the US inflation showdown on Thursday, investors see a nearly 20% probability of another 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in January, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. 

The BLS’ delayed official employment report showed on Tuesday that Nonfarm Payrolls declined by 105,000 in October and rose by 64,000 in November. Additionally, the Unemployment Rate climbed to 4.6% from 4.4% in September. These figures failed to alter the market pricing of the January Fed decision, as the sharp decline seen in payrolls in October was not surprising, given the loss of government jobs during the shutdown.

In a blog post published late Tuesday, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic argued that the mixed jobs report did not change the policy outlook and added that there are “multiple surveys” that suggest there are higher input costs and that firms are determined to preserve their margins by increasing prices. 

A noticeable increase, with a print of 3.3% or higher, in the headline annual CPI inflation, could reaffirm a Fed policy hold in January and boost the US Dollar (USD) with the immediate reaction. On the flip side, a soft annual inflation print of 2.8% or lower could cause market participants to lean toward a January Fed rate cut. In this scenario, the USD could come under heavy selling pressure with the immediate reaction. 

Eren Sengezer, European Session Lead Analyst at FXStreet, offers a brief technical outlook for the US Dollar Index (DXY) and explains: 

“The near-term technical outlook suggests that the bearish bias remains intact for the USD Index, but there are signs pointing to a loss in negative momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart recovers above 40 and the USD Index holds above the Fibonacci 50% retracement of the September-November uptrend.”

“The 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) aligns as a pivot level at 98.60. In case the USD Index rises above this level and confirms it as support, technical sellers could be discouraged. In this scenario, the Fibonacci 38.2% retracement could act as the next resistance level at 98.85 ahead of the 99.25-99.40 region, where the 200-day SMA and the Fibonacci 23.6% retracement are located.” 

“On the downside, the Fibonacci 61.8% retracement level forms a key support level at 98.00 before 97.40 (Fibonacci 78.6% retracement) and 97.00 (round level).”

The post US CPI in Focus as Investors Weigh Fed’s January Rate Outlook appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Large Bitcoin investors on Bitfinex are once again commanding market attention. Analysts tracking leveraged positioning data show that margined Bitcoin long positions held by “whales” have surged sharply, approaching levels last seen in March 2024.

The renewed build-up is occurring even as broader market participation cools, raising questions about what these well-capitalized traders are signaling.

What Does the Record High in Whale Long Positions on Bitfinex Signify?

According to on-chain analyst James Van Straten, Bitfinex whales have continued to add aggressively to their positions.

“Bitfinex whale continues to add to its margin long bitcoin position, approaching March 2024 highs. 36% higher in the past 3 months,” he wrote on X (Twitter).

The data highlights a steady accumulation trend since September, with long exposure expanding during periods of price weakness rather than rallies.

Bitfinex itself appeared to acknowledge the activity, highlighting that large, experienced traders may be positioning with conviction, while smaller participants are reducing risk.

Whale moves 🐳https://t.co/1Zgcof54xV

— Bitfinex (@bitfinex) December 8, 2025

This divergence in behavior is notable. While Bitcoin’s price action has remained choppy in recent weeks, whale accumulation has intensified.

Historically, these Bitfinex long positions have been associated with traders who use leverage tactically. They often scale into positions during drawdowns rather than chasing upside momentum.

According to crypto executive Samson Mow, the current dynamic is a transfer of coins from impatient sellers to long-term holders.

“Bitfinex whales out in force buying from paper hands,” he said, pointing to the contrast between selling pressure from weaker hands and sustained buying by large accounts.

A Contrarian Signal, But Not a Timing Tool

The Bitfinex whale long metric has long been watched as a potential leading indicator in technical analysis. However, its interpretation requires nuance.

These traders have a documented pattern of increasing long exposure during declines and trimming positions into strength. As a result, elevated long positions are often followed, not preceded, by price rallies.

Van Straten cautioned that the signal’s real value lies in watching for reversals rather than absolute levels.

“Short term, once the trend reverses,” he noted, implying that the eventual reduction of these longs may be more informative than their current size.

Not everyone agrees on the reliability of the indicator. Analyst Parabear Nick challenges overly confident interpretations of whale data, dismissing some bullish narratives entirely, amid claims that whale accumulation alone guarantees higher prices.

Indeed, historical data support a more balanced view. Whale long positions have reached extremes at different points in past cycles, sometimes remaining elevated for months before any decisive move in price.

This suggests that while the metric can provide insight into positioning and sentiment, it should be evaluated in conjunction with other indicators, such as open interest, funding rates, and macro liquidity conditions.

The current accumulation comes as open interest across derivatives markets trends lower, signaling reduced participation from retail and short-term traders.

In that context, the concentration of leverage among whales becomes more significant. With fewer speculative participants, large players exert greater influence over marginal price movements.

What remains unclear is timing. Elevated whale longs suggest expectations of higher prices, but not necessarily an imminent breakout.

The key inflection point will come if and when these positions begin to unwind. Historically, such shifts have preceded changes in market regimes.

The post Bitfinex Bitcoin Whale Long Positions Surge 36%: What Does it Mean? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Tether’s USDT processed $156 billion in payments of $1,000 or less in 2025, according to figures shared today by CEO Paolo Ardoino, based on Chainalysis and Artemis data. 

The number highlights a side of crypto adoption often missed by price charts and ETF flows – everyday transactional use.

USDT is Being Used as a Substitute for Banks and Cash

Small-value transfers now represent a meaningful share of USDT activity. The data shows steady growth since 2020, with acceleration through 2024 and into 2025, as average daily volumes for sub-$1,000 transfers climbed above $500 million. 

This points to USDT functioning less as a trading instrument and more as a digital payments rail.

The significance lies in who uses stablecoins and how. Transfers under $1,000 typically reflect remittances, payroll, retail payments, savings movement, and peer-to-peer transfers, especially in emerging markets. 

Unlike large exchange flows, these transactions tend to be non-speculative and recurring. 

In practical terms, USDT is increasingly acting as a substitute for cash and bank wires in regions where access to dollars is limited or expensive.

This trend aligns with USDT’s broader trajectory in 2025. Circulating supply reached new highs during the year, reflecting demand for dollar liquidity beyond crypto trading. 

At the same time, regulatory developments reshaped where and how USDT circulates. 

In the US, the GENIUS Act clarified the legal framework for payment stablecoins, reinforcing institutional confidence in compliant dollar-backed tokens. 

In Europe, MiCA introduced stricter licensing rules, shifting some regulated platform activity away from USDT but not slowing global on-chain usage.

Tether has also expanded its infrastructure footprint. Recent investments in Lightning-based payment rails signal an effort to push USDT into faster, lower-cost settlement networks. 

Regional partnerships in Africa and the Middle East further indicate a focus on payments and financial access, not just exchange liquidity.

Taken together, the $156 billion figure reframes the crypto adoption debate. While market cycles drive headlines, stablecoins continue to scale quietly as financial plumbing. 

The growth in small USDT payments suggests that, in 2025, crypto adoption is less about speculation and more about utility, resilience, and global dollar access. This shift may prove more durable than any bull market.

The post Tether’s USDT Payment Stats Show the Real State of Crypto Adoption in 2025 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin is now, almost paradoxically to its original ethos, being adopted by Wall Street. Bittensor is a new finger to “the man” of centralization. It’s a sizzling hot narrative. With the rise of AI, concerns have arisen about the tech’s concentration and centralization. 

Bittensor, and its cryptocurrency, TAO, aims to decentralize AI services.  Despite losing nearly 53% in 2025, some believe Bittensor is a next-generation Bitcoin for the AI age. But how realistic is this optimism?

The Premise and Promise of Bittensor

The network just completed a reward halving on December 15, reducing its supply of minted coins. The problem is, many have heard this narrative before. 

With the first Bittensor halving complete, I can’t help but recall Bitcoin’s first halving, which I was fortunate enough to witness.  History doesn’t repeat, but the rhymes are unmistakable; both the parallels and differences between the two are striking:

Same: A Decentralized…

— Greg Schvey (@GSchvey) December 15, 2025

Plenty of cryptocurrencies have claimed to be “the next Bitcoin” – because there’s money to be made with that story. 

However, there could be some real value for Bittensor over the long run – though it has hurdles to overcome, as any sort of ambitious crypto project like this would.

The tale of Bittensor is not unlike Bitcoin: There are powerful incumbents, and a new network can take on and even upend this world order.

For years, influencers rehashed an often similar, anthemic phrase of “long Bitcoin, short the banks”. Notwithstanding that now Bitcoin is embedded in Wall Street banks and publicly traded DAT stocks, this narrative worked well. 

A premise is that AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Deepseek have become too big and frightening, and people need to be concerned about their rise.

Decentralizing artificial intelligence workloads and replacing proof-of-work puzzles with actual real-use AI is Bittensor’s basic gist. 

“Bitcoin proved that cryptographic incentives could coordinate a global network of hardware to secure a ledger,” Evan Malanga, an executive at Yuma, one of the largest backers of the Bittensor platform, told BeInCrypto. “Bittensor takes that same mechanism and redirects the compute power toward something that has direct benefits in today’s world: Training and running AI models, applications, and infrastructure.”

Another Bitcoin? Really?

It’s important to note that Yuma is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group (DCG), whose firm was one of the earliest backers of various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Zcash, and Decentraland. 

It was also an early investor in Coinbase, Circle, and Chainalysis. DCG’s CEO, Barry Silbert, is clearly on board with Bittensor – which for some could be considered a positive signal. 

Bittensor does have some Bitcoin-like characteristics. There are only 21 million units of TAO, clearly a nod to BTC. Bittensor also has halvings, which in December reduced its rewards from 7,200 TAO to 3,600 per day. 

Instead of the energy-intensive proof-of-work riddles Bitcoin uses, Bittensor uses something called proof-of-intelligence, where nodes must perform tasks to prove their capability in handling AI workloads. The better a node’s task output quality, the higher the chance it can receive rewards in TAO. 

Nodes that are allowed on the Bittensor network are then assigned a subnet, of which there are currently 128. These subnets have different AI-related specialties. 

“Each subnet is like a specialized marketplace for a specific type of AI service – some focus on image generation, others on language models,” said Arrash Yasavolian, the cofounder of Taoshi, which runs a financial intelligence subnet. 

Centralization Versus Decentralization

Concerns about AI often center on a few companies having concentrated power. Concentration in any industry typically means higher prices and poorer services for customers – sometimes both at the same time. 

Bittensor aims to make AI more of a global good with its decentralization characteristics, like having independent node operators power the subnets for its artificial intelligence capabilities. 

“AI is redefining every industry,” said Ken Jon Miyachi, CEO of BitMind, which runs a subnet focused on deepfake detections on Bittensor. ”Bitcoin revolutionized the store of value, but Bittensor is revolutionizing entire economic systems by making intelligence a global commodity.”

But how decentralized is this network? On July 10, 2024, the Bittensor network was halted amidst an $8 million hack that drained wallets. The chain was put into a “safe mode” that produced blocks without any transaction capabilities. 

“There are legitimate centralization concerns today,” noted Taoshi’s Yasavolian. “The OpenTensor foundation is the sole party responsible for validating blocks. The top 10 largest subnet validators comprise about 67% of total network stake weight.”

Some might argue that Bittensor’s security risks and ability to shut down the network are antithetical to decentralization. Proponents of the network say that full decentralization will come later, becoming “credibly neutral” the same way Bitcoin is supposed to be for store-of-value purposes. 

“Bittensor’s long-term strategic goal is to become a credibly neutral AI development tool. It’s progressive decentralization, similar to how Ethereum evolved,” Yasavolian added. 

The AI Alarm

One way to increase the decentralization of Bittensor and to hear more voices of dissent is via subnet operators. These groups are spending time and money to invest in the network, and they, like Yasavolian, voice their opinions. 

And subnet growth has been strong. Since the start of 2025, the number of subnets has increased 97%, from 65 to 128. 

Sergey Khusnetdinov, Director of AI at Gain Ventures, sees the subnet community as critically important to Bittensor’s success. 

“The result is a meritocratic, self-improving ecosystem where useful intelligence doesn’t come from one lab or one corporation but emerges organically from a worldwide, permissionless community.”

Centralized AI companies are valued quite ridiculously these days – OpenAI has a $500 billion valuation, Anthropic is at $350 billion. China-based Deepseek is rumored to have a $150 billion. With that in mind, what would be the value of a powerful AI network like Bittensor? 

Miyachi, the BitMind CEO who runs a deepfake detection subnet, bullishly believes the Bittensor network could someday excel over that of Bitcoin. 

“Value produced by the Bittensor ecosystem could surpass Bitcoin’s in the long run,” he told BeInCrypto. 

This could ultimately depend on how people perceive centralized AI systems over time, or whether anyone is concerned. But Bitcoin’s had huge runs as people reacted to economic instability and centralization failures such as a global pandemic, bank runs, and fiat currency debasement.  

Maybe soon, influencers might be saying, “long Bittensor, short centralized AI.” But who knows? Sometimes the future can be even stranger than AI could predict. 

The post Could Bittensor Ever Be as Successful as Bitcoin? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin experienced an extreme bout of volatility on December 17, surging more than $3,000 in under an hour before reversing sharply and falling back toward $86,000.

The violent swing did not follow any major news. Instead, market data shows the move was driven by leverage, positioning, and fragile liquidity conditions.

A Short Squeeze Pushed Bitcoin Higher

The initial rally began as Bitcoin pushed toward the $90,000 level, a major psychological and technical resistance zone.

Liquidation data shows a dense cluster of leveraged short positions positioned above that level. When price moved higher, those shorts were forced to close. That process requires buying Bitcoin, which pushed prices up even faster.

Roughly $120 million in short positions were liquidated during the spike. This created a classic short squeeze, where forced buying accelerates the move beyond what normal spot demand would justify.

At this stage, the move looked strong. But the structure underneath it was weak.

The Rally Flipped Into A Long Liquidation Cascade

As Bitcoin briefly reclaimed $90,000, new traders entered the market chasing momentum.

Many of those traders opened leveraged long positions, betting the breakout would hold. However, the rally lacked sustained spot buying and quickly stalled.

When the price began to fall, those long positions became vulnerable. Once key support levels broke, exchanges automatically liquidated those positions. More than $200 million in long liquidations followed, overwhelming the market.

Whoever is left

We need to know what happened on October 10

It's VERY apparent that the market broke that day and nothing has been the same since

We haven't seen Bitcoin or Alts trade like this since 2018

We need answers pic.twitter.com/jXe7jwd7RA

— EllioTrades (@elliotrades) December 17, 2025

This second wave explains why the drop was faster and deeper than the initial rise. 

Within hours, Bitcoin had fallen back toward $86,000, erasing most of the gains.

Positioning Data Shows A Fragile Market Setup

Trader positioning data from Binance and OKX helps explain why the move was so violent.

On Binance, the number of top trader accounts leaning long rose sharply ahead of the spike. However, position-size data showed less conviction, suggesting many traders were long but not heavily sized.

On OKX, position-based ratios shifted aggressively after the volatility. That suggests larger traders repositioned quickly, either buying the dip or adjusting hedges as liquidations played out.

This combination — crowded positioning, mixed conviction, and heavy leverage — creates a market that can move violently in both directions with little warning.

Did Market Makers Or Whales Manipulate The Move?

On-chain data showed market makers such as Wintermute moving Bitcoin between exchanges during the volatility. Those transfers coincided with the price swings but do not prove manipulation.

Market makers routinely rebalance inventory during periods of stress. Deposits to exchanges can indicate hedging, margin management, or liquidity provision, not necessarily selling to crash prices.

Importantly, the entire move can be explained by known market mechanics: liquidation clusters, leverage, and thin order books. There is no clear evidence of coordinated manipulation.

What This Means For Bitcoin Going Forward

This episode highlights a key risk in today’s Bitcoin market.

Leverage remains elevated. Liquidity thins quickly during fast moves. When price approaches key levels, forced liquidations can dominate price action.

Bitcoin’s fundamentals did not change during those hours. The swing reflected market structure fragility, not a shift in long-term value.

🚨 BITCOIN IS BEING MANIPULATED, AND I HAVE SOLID PROOF!!!

Everyone’s talking about how Bitcoin went up $3,000 and then down $4,000 in minutes.

Everyone’s posting about it…

but nobody seems to understand what actually happened.

You need to look at the flows, not the chart.… pic.twitter.com/IHCXtx3sUF

— NoLimit (@NoLimitGains) December 17, 2025

Until leverage resets and positioning becomes healthier, similar sharp moves remain possible. In this case, Bitcoin did not rally and crash because of news.

It moved because leverage turned price against itself.

The post Bitcoin Added And Lost Nearly $100 Billion In Hours, What Just Happened? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Kontigo is gaining traction by promoting a stablecoin-first banking model as a global alternative to traditional financial services.

At the same time, its rapid rise has prompted skepticism within the crypto community. The model has raised questions over whether it can scale sustainably without repeating the missteps that have defined past industry failures.

Kontigo’s Rapid Rise Draws Attention

A new bank building its entire identity around stablecoins is rapidly climbing the ranks of the financial services industry.

Kontigo positions itself as a stable-currency platform offering self-custodial wallet services that allow users to store value in Bitcoin and spend in local stablecoins, with all transactions recorded on the blockchain.

On Tuesday, Kontigo CEO Jesus Castillo announced that the company had raised $20 million in a seed funding round to pursue its ambition of building the world’s largest bank. 

We just raised a $20M seed round to build the largest bank in the world.

Kontigo crossed $30M in annual revenue, $1B in payment volume, and 1M users in under 12 months, with a team of six engineers and one designer.

We are the fastest-growing stablecoin neobank in the world.… pic.twitter.com/pOmQ6gSy2H

— Jesus A. Castillo F. (@jecastillof) December 16, 2025

Castillo also described Kontigo as the fastest-growing stablecoin neobank globally. He said the platform allows individuals and businesses to earn a 10% yield on digital dollars, use a stablecoin-linked card with Bitcoin cashback, and invest in tokenized US stocks, among other features.

The leadership team says Kontigo aims to expand access to basic financial services to nearly 5 billion people worldwide. Prominent institutional investors, including Base and Coinbase Ventures, back the company.

Despite gaining significant traction almost immediately, Kontigo has also faced skepticism. Some observers questioned whether it represents a familiar crypto narrative, one that has previously generated catastrophic consequences for the broader market.

No-KYC Access Triggers Warning Signs

Among the various benefits Kontigo has highlighted, the company has emphasized that users from anywhere in the world can open an account and begin transacting in USDC or USDT without having to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

While this approach may appear less bureaucratic on the surface, it quickly raised concerns among users and industry observers. 

KYC rules are designed to protect financial institutions from bad actors. They require identity verification and confirmation of customer legitimacy.

Without such safeguards, both financial platforms and users face increased exposure to risks of fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing.

Within the crypto industry, the absence of KYC standards has previously proven harmful for users relying on unprotected platforms.

A multinational stablecoin operation
Promising a fixed above-market yield
And access to tokenized stocks
With no KYC

Where have I seen all this before? pic.twitter.com/YAKiPpWH9B

— Zack Guzmán ♻️ (@zGuz) December 17, 2025

Last week, Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon was sentenced to 15 years in prison for orchestrating a $40 billion cryptocurrency fraud. Terra’s ecosystem operated without meaningful KYC controls, enabling vast sums of capital to enter the system anonymously and at scale.

When confidence in its algorithmic stablecoin unraveled, that absence of oversight intensified the run on the network, limited transparency around fund flows, and amplified losses for millions of users. The case underscored how the lack of basic safeguards can transform rapid expansion into systemic collapse.

The absence of KYC standards is not the only factor that has raised concerns about Kontigo’s mission.

Yield Promises Test User Confidence

Castillo clarified at one point that the 10% yield on USDC holdings comes from lending through DeFi protocol Morpho, exposure to US Treasury bills, and custody or yield-related services via Coinbase. 

Yet, critics said the numbers did not add up, raising concerns over the credibility of Kontigo’s advertised promises. Yields from these sources typically range between 3% and 7% annually, even when combined under current market conditions. 

be @kontigo_app a new Fintech

offer 10% yield on USDC

when asked where does it comes from lie saying is lending in Morpho + Tbills + Coinbase

math ain't mathing as those APRs are 5-7% short of 10%

Ignore people who point this shortage

any comments @jecastillof ? https://t.co/xegvZiODrg pic.twitter.com/blSKZLN7g7

— Cisco | CryptoAlert (@CiscoCANFT) December 17, 2025

Skeptics questioned how Kontigo can sustainably offer a 10% return. They pointed to the possibility of undisclosed risk, leverage, or opaque strategies.

Meanwhile, another user reported that a USDC transfer had not been credited to their wallet several hours after its initiation. 

For platforms that position themselves as banks or payment infrastructure, even short delays in fund availability can erode user confidence. Reliability and timely settlement are foundational expectations, regardless of transaction size.

As Kontigo scales, its long-term credibility will depend less on growth claims than on execution and earned user trust.

In a sector shaped by past failures, the company now faces mounting pressure to show that rapid expansion can be sustained without repeating the mistakes that have defined earlier crypto collapses.

The post Coinbase Ventures-Backed Stablecoin Bank Triggers Terra UST-Style Fears appeared first on BeInCrypto.

During the festival season, the crypto markets, much like traditional financial markets, often lean bullish as liquidity improves, sentiment turns optimistic, and traders position themselves for a year-end push. While Christmas-themed tokens might see a spike in this duration, the focus is on altcoins with strong momentum.

BeInCrypto has analysed three such altcoins that could note a “Santa” rally within the coming week.

MYX Finance (MYX)

MYX Finance signaled a potential catalyst after confirming MYX V2 has been in development for several months. A launch near Christmas or New Year appears plausible. Historically bullish seasonal conditions could amplify market interest, positioning MYX for increased volatility.

The MYX token has maintained an uptrend for over six weeks, reflecting improving momentum. Trading near $3.55, the price could break above $3.71 if optimism builds. A successful breakout may drive MYX toward $4.00, marking its highest level in roughly two months.

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

Technical indicators support upside risks. The relative strength index remains in bullish territory, signaling sustained demand. However, an overbought reading could trigger profit-taking.

If selling pressure accelerates, MYX may retreat toward $3.00 or lower, invalidating the bullish outlook.

Memecore (M)

Memecore has gained 25% over the past week as it attempts to recover losses from late November. The rebound reflects improving short-term momentum. If buying pressure persists, the altcoin may challenge the $2.00 level, signaling a broader recovery phase supported by renewed investor interest.

Technical indicators support the upside scenario. The Parabolic SAR confirms an active uptrend, while ongoing Christmas events may bolster demand. Memecore must clear the $1.88 resistance to advance beyond $2.00. A breakout could open the path toward $2.12, reinforcing bullish momentum.

Downside risks remain if sentiment shifts. Selling pressure could push M below recent levels, exposing the $1.42 support. A decline in this zone would invalidate the bullish outlook and weaken market confidence.

Mantle (MNT)

Mantle has outperformed several major altcoins despite broader market volatility. MNT is up 15% over the past week, trading near $1.28. The move signals short-term strength as investors rotate toward assets showing relative resilience amid uncertain cryptocurrency market conditions.

On-balance volume has risen over recent sessions, indicating growing buying interest. This shift may support a bullish reversal or short-term relief rally. If momentum continues, MNT could break above $1.34. A successful move may open a path toward $1.50 in the near term.

Risks remain if buying pressure fades. Failure to clear the $1.34 resistance could stall the rally. MNT may consolidate or slip toward $1.30. A breakdown below this level would invalidate the bullish outlook and reinforce sideways or bearish price action.

The post 3 Altcoins to Watch Ahead of the 2025 Santa Rally Season appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 announced on Wednesday an AI data center lease valued at $7 billion with cloud infrastructure provider Fluidstack. The move reinforced a growing trend among crypto miners to pivot toward AI infrastructure.

Following the announcement, Hut 8 shares surged, snapping a prolonged period of volatile stock performance and reflecting renewed investor interest.

Inside Hut 8’s Landmark AI Lease

The agreement covers 245 megawatts of AI computing capacity at Hut 8’s River Bend campus in Louisiana under a 15-year base lease.

It includes three optional five-year extensions, which could lift the total contract value to approximately $17.7 billion over its full term. The deal also gives infrastructure provider Fluidstack priority rights to lease up to an additional 1,000 megawatts as the campus expands.

At first glance, this $HUT deal looks like one of the strongest AI/HPC colocation deals disclosed so far:

🟠 ~$28–29M contract value per MW (high end of the peer set)
🟠 ~$1.85M guided NOI per MW-yr (peers typically disclosed ARR, not NOI)
🟠 15-yr base term + guidance to ~85%… https://t.co/eMa2Qoqnn7 pic.twitter.com/TgSPIR1rJ0

— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) December 17, 2025

Beyond the initial lease, the agreement forms part of a broader collaboration between Hut 8 and AI developer Anthropic that could eventually scale to as much as 2.3 gigawatts of capacity.

Alphabet-owned Google is providing a financial backstop for the initial lease term, highlighting major cloud providers’ urgency to secure long-term power for energy-intensive AI workloads.

Hut 8 expects the project to generate roughly $6.9 billion in net operating income over the initial lease period.

Investors responded positively, with Hut 8 shares jumping about 20% in pre-market trading following the announcement. 

The move highlights the company’s efforts to stabilize its business, reflecting a broader trend among Bitcoin miners to pivot toward AI computing as a path to long-term relevance.

Bitcoin Mining Faces a Structural Reset

Throughout the year, Bitcoin mining has become a structurally more challenging business. Rising network difficulty, periodic surges in hash rate, higher energy costs, and the post-halving environment have steadily compressed margins.

As a result, many publicly listed miners that remained pure-play Bitcoin operators have struggled to deliver consistent earnings or a clear growth narrative. In response, an increasing number have moved to diversify their operations beyond mining alone.

At the same time, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has driven a sharp increase in demand for computing power. Because Bitcoin miners already control large-scale power access and industrial infrastructure, shifting toward AI data centers has emerged as a practical and increasingly necessary strategy.

Hut 8 has recognized this broader backdrop, particularly as its shares have struggled to find stability in recent weeks amid heightened volatility in Bitcoin prices.

The post Will Hut 8’s AI Pivot Reverse Its Stock Slump for Good? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Solana price action has gone quiet after weeks of pressure. SOL is down roughly 10% over the past 30 days, yet it has traded nearly flat over the last 24 hours, even as the broader market weakens. That pause matters.

It comes as Solana quietly seeks to gain institutional exposure in Brazil through Valour’s Solana ETP (Exchange-Traded Product), which is expected to list on the B3 exchange. This move reinforces a steady channel for regulated demand at a time when charts show breakout signs. The question now is simple. Can this backdrop help Solana resolve a difficult technical setup, or do sellers still control the trend?

ETP Hype Meets a Sloping Breakdown Structure

Valour’s Solana ETP offers regulated exposure to SOL for Brazilian investors and institutions. While it is not a short-term price driver, it adds steady absorption during periods of selling pressure. That matters most when charts show key patterns. And it also could be a sentimental trigger in a market where every asset is looking at narratives.

DeFi Technologies' Subsidiary @ValourFunds Approved to List Valour Solana (VSOL) ETP on Brazil's B3 Exchange (@B3_Oficial) https://t.co/xy0ILbKzdU $DEFT pic.twitter.com/PKGZfHN1Kp

— DeFi Technologies (@DeFiTechGlobal) December 16, 2025

Technically, Solana is trading inside a down-sloping head-and-shoulders structure, not a clean textbook pattern. When the neckline slopes lower, breakouts require stronger confirmation because sellers continue pressing at lower levels over time.

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

However, some buyer-specific signs are appearing, which could help combat the sellers and help the Solana price aim for a clean neckline breakout.

Quiet Accumulation Appears Beneath the Surface

While price struggles, on-chain data shows early signs of accumulation.

The 3-month to 6-month holder cohort has increased its supply share meaningfully. This group held 11.756% of the supply on November 16, which has now risen to 16.126% by December 16. That is a sharp increase over one month and points to mid-term buyers stepping in during weakness.

At the same time, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is sending a constructive signal. Between November 3 and December 15, the Solana price made a lower low, but the CMF formed a higher low. This divergence suggests buying pressure is building underneath, even as price drifts lower.

However, CMF remains below zero. That indicates that large capital remains cautious. Buyers are present but are not yet aggressive. Together, these signals point to positioning, not confirmation.

Solana Price Levels That Decide the Next Leg

The Solana price now carries the full weight of the story. $141 is the first level to watch. Reclaiming it would mark a break of the sloping neckline, but not a trend change. Remember, the neckline slopes down and therefore requires a stronger confirmation.

$153 is therefore the key. A daily close above $153 would confirm that buyers have overpowered the sloping structure and could open a move toward higher resistance zones.

On the downside, $121 remains the critical support. A failure there would invalidate the accumulation thesis and breakout pattern, shifting focus back to the deeper downside.

The post Can Solana’s Brazil ETP Narrative Spark a Price Breakout? Charts Hold the Clue appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research and a central figure in the FTX scandal, is no longer behind bars. 

US Bureau of Prisons records show Ellison has been transferred from federal prison to Residential Reentry Management (RRM) in New York. This marks a shift from incarceration to community confinement.

What RRM Status Actually Means

According to the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator, Ellison remains in federal custody with a projected release date of February 20, 2026. However, her current status confirms she is no longer housed in a correctional facility.

RRM — short for Residential Reentry Management — oversees the final phase of a federal sentence. Individuals under RRM may be placed in a halfway house or home confinement, rather than a prison. 

While still under Bureau of Prisons supervision, inmates face fewer physical restrictions and may be permitted to work, maintain limited social contact, and prepare for reintegration.

Unlike prison, RRM placements involve no cells, no guards, and significantly more autonomy, though strict monitoring and movement limits remain in place. 

Ellison’s transfer signals she has entered the reentry phase of her sentence, not that she has been released.

Ellison’s Role in the FTX Collapse

Ellison pleaded guilty in 2022 to multiple federal fraud charges tied to the misuse of FTX customer funds. 

As CEO of Alameda Research, the trading arm closely tied to FTX, she admitted to executing trades and financial maneuvers that relied on billions in customer deposits.

However, prosecutors and the court drew a clear distinction between Ellison’s role and that of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who designed the systems that enabled the fraud. Ellison did not control FTX’s exchange infrastructure, customer custody mechanisms, or governance.

Today, SBF's lawyer asked him about his relationship with Caroline Ellison and why it ended. SBF responded by mentioning she wanted more than the time and energy he could give:

"Historically, I haven't been great at … romantic relationships" pic.twitter.com/w19csqFgPr

— Zack Guzmán ♻️ (@zGuz) October 27, 2023

Her cooperation proved decisive. Ellison became the government’s key witness, offering extensive testimony that helped secure Bankman-Fried’s conviction. In 2024, a federal judge sentenced her to two years in prison, citing her cooperation, early guilty plea, and subordinate role.

A Stark Contrast With Do Kwon

Ellison’s move out of prison comes as Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon begins serving a 15-year US federal sentence for fraud linked to the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin. 

Prosecutors argued Kwon knowingly misled investors about the stability of Terra’s algorithmic peg, triggering losses estimated at over $40 billion.

4:04 pm- they've back.
Judge Engelmayer: 5 years is entire off the table. Even 12 years might be unreasonable & here is why. The fraud you pled guilty to cost victims more than $40 billion. Even in SDNY, it's eye popping. There is a 25 year cap, so not life

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 11, 2025

Unlike Ellison, Kwon was a founder, public promoter, and architect of the system at the center of the collapse. The sentencing disparity reflects how courts differentiate between system designers and operators.

Too Lenient Or Legally Consistent?

Ellison’s transition to community confinement is legally routine, but politically charged. To critics, it reinforces perceptions of uneven accountability in crypto scandals. 

To prosecutors, it reflects established sentencing principles: cooperation, reduced authority, and acceptance of responsibility.

For now, Ellison remains under federal supervision. But her exit from prison, even if temporary, has reopened a familiar question — who truly pays the price when crypto empires collapse?

The post FTX Scandal Figure Caroline Ellison Leaves Prison: Was Justice Too Lenient? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Pi Coin has faced sustained selling pressure over recent weeks, pushing its price to a multi-week low. The altcoin has declined sharply alongside broader market weakness, with Bitcoin acting as a key drag. 

Waning investor support and rising withdrawals have intensified downside pressure, limiting any meaningful recovery attempts.

Pi Coin Follows Bitcoin

On-chain indicators reflect deteriorating sentiment among Pi Coin holders. The Chaikin Money Flow shows heavy withdrawals, with the indicator dropping to an eight-month low. This reading signals strong capital outflows, suggesting investors are reducing exposure amid continued price weakness.

The sustained selling reflects fading confidence following repeated failed recovery attempts. Many holders appear unwilling to wait for a rebound, choosing instead to exit positions. 

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

Pi Coin’s macro momentum remains closely tied to Bitcoin’s performance. The correlation between PI and Bitcoin currently stands at 0.42. This relationship turned positive after steadily improving over nearly three weeks, mirroring the period of Pi Coin’s recent price decline.

This alignment has worked against PI. As Bitcoin corrected, Pi Coin followed lower, magnifying losses. A rising correlation during a downtrend often increases vulnerability, as independent recovery becomes less likely without broader market stabilization or asset-specific catalysts.

PI Price Falls To Its Critical Support

At the time of writing, Pi Coin trades at $0.201, reflecting a 25% decline over the past 20 days. The drop followed a failed attempt to break above the $0.272 resistance. Rejection at that level marked a clear shift toward sustained bearish momentum.

Pi Coin is now testing the $0.198 support, an eight-week low that has previously acted as a floor. This level remains critical. However, bearish signals persist, and a breakdown could push PI toward $0.188 or even $0.180, extending the downtrend.

A recovery scenario remains possible if historical patterns repeat. A successful bounce from $0.198 could restore short-term confidence. If Pi Coin reclaims $0.208 as support, the bearish thesis would weaken. Such a move may allow PI to rise toward $0.217, signaling temporary relief.

The post Pi Coin Declines 25% in 20 Days as Investor Outflows Increase appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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

Grab a coffee as USDT stablecoin issuer, Tether, pushes to change the way we protect our digital lives. A new approach promises to put control back in your hands, bypassing the cloud and leaving traditional password methods looking increasingly outdated.

Crypto News of the Day: Tether Just Unleashed A Secret Weapon Against Cloud Breaches

Tether has taken a bold step into cybersecurity with the launch of PearPass, a first-of-its-kind peer-to-peer password manager designed to eliminate reliance on cloud storage. The app:

• Keeps all credentials on users’ devices
• Removes centralized servers and intermediaries from the equation
• Gives users full control over their digital security.

The launch comes at a time when billions of login credentials have been leaked in high-profile breaches, exposing users to identity theft, financial loss, and other cyber risks.

Traditional cloud-based password managers, while convenient, have become attractive targets for hackers due to their centralized storage models.

PearPass addresses these vulnerabilities by storing all data locally on users’ devices and enabling encrypted, peer-to-peer synchronization across devices chosen by the user.

“Every major breach proves the same point: if your secrets live in the cloud, they’re not really yours…PearPass removes the single point of failure. No servers, no intermediaries, no back doors. Recovery and synchronization across devices happen peer-to-peer, under your control. This is security that can’t be switched off, seized, or compromised, because it was never in someone else’s hands to begin with,” read an excerpt in Tether’s announcement, citing CEO Paolo Ardoino.

PearPass combines ease of use with advanced security features. It includes a built-in password generator, end-to-end encryption powered by open-source cryptography, and a peer-to-peer architecture that ensures credentials are never exposed to third parties.

Recovery is entirely user-controlled through private keys, eliminating dependency on external systems.

PearPass Sets a New Standard for Decentralized, Open-Source Security

Additionally, PearPass is fully open-source and community-audited, enabling security experts and users to inspect, verify, and contribute to the software.

The platform has also reportedly undergone an independent security audit by Secfault Security, a firm specializing in offensive security and cryptographic analysis. This reinforces its resilience against real-world cyber threats.

Introducing🍐🔒 PearPass — the password manager that keeps your data on your devices.

No servers to hack. No cloud to leak.

Just pure local security.

Follow @Pears_p2p & Download the App https://t.co/gP9FIPn2dW pic.twitter.com/ObIuyfToMo

— Tether (@Tether_to) December 17, 2025

This release reflects Tether’s broader strategy to develop technologies resilient against the pressures of centralization. As governments, corporations, and intermediaries increasingly seek access to private data, PearPass offers a model for systems that remain private, independent, and functional, even under high-threat scenarios.

However, while peer-to-peer avoids cloud risks:

• It can be less convenient for users who frequently switch devices.

Recovery relies entirely on users managing their own keys, which could be risky for non-technical users.

• Experts may question whether the average consumer will adopt a decentralized password manager.

This is at a time when mainstream cloud-based options are more user-friendly and integrated into browsers and mobile platforms.

• Users still need strong device-level security.

While PearPass helps prevent cloud breaches, it cannot protect against local device hacking, malware, or physical theft.

Encrypted peer-to-peer synchronization is promising, but peer networks can introduce latency, synchronization errors, or potential attack vectors if not properly secured.

In as much as PearPass relies on open-source audits and Secfault Security, no system is entirely risk-free. Skeptics may point out that first-of-its-kind peer-to-peer solutions carry unknown risks until widely tested in real-world environments.

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Bitcoin trades at the ‘price of belief’: Why $81,500 matters now.
• Solana begins quantum-resistant upgrade as blockchain industry accelerates safety measures.
• Cantor Fitzgerald’s $200 billion Hyperliquid call just reframed the HYPE trade.
• Six weeks of spot ETF inflows couldn’t lift XRP price — On-chain data explains.
• Top 3 price prediction Bitcoin, gold, silver: Could the metals rally signal stress? 
• Binance puts $5 million bounty on fake listing agents as scrutiny intensifies.
• How the UK could make stablecoins a core part of payments in 2026.
• Ethereum price drops below $3,000 amid declining holder conviction.  

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of December 16	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$167.50	$167.40 (-0.060%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$252.61	$254.00 (+0.51%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$24.31	$24.51 (+0.82%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$10.69	$10.75 (+0.56%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$13.47	$13.65 (+1.34%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$14.73	$15.11 (+2.58%)

The post Tether’s New Move Could Make Cloud Passwords Obsolete | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Ethereum’s price has come under renewed pressure after failing to break out of a two-month downtrend. ETH briefly attempted a recovery last week but quickly lost momentum. 

Weak investor support has pushed Ethereum lower, raising concerns about its ability to sustain a meaningful recovery in the near term.

Ethereum Is Losing Investors’ Backing

On-chain data indicate that profit levels for both long-term and short-term holders have declined. Both cohorts now sit at similar profitability levels, signaling reduced conviction across the market. This convergence suggests neither group is realizing meaningful gains at current price levels.

The MVRV Long/Short Difference has slipped below the zero line, reinforcing this trend. The reading indicates neither long-term nor short-term holders hold dominant unrealized profits. If the indicator declines further, Ethereum short-term holder profits could dominate, increasing downside risk and reflecting fragile investor sentiment.

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Ethereum’s macro activity has weakened noticeably. Active addresses on the network have fallen to a seven-month low. This decline highlights reduced participation from ETH holders, signaling less engagement with the network during the ongoing price weakness.

Lower activity suggests investors see limited incentive to transact amid stalled price action. Reduced network usage often reflects fading confidence. Without renewed demand or catalyst-driven activity, Ethereum may struggle to regain momentum in the short term.

ETH Price Is Below $3,000 Again

ETH is trading at $2,929, marking its third drop below $3,000 this month. Ethereum price’s breakout attempt earlier last week failed to hold. The rejection reinforced the prevailing downtrend and signaled limited buying interest at higher levels.

Bearish indicators suggest Ethereum could retest the $2,762 support level. This zone has historically acted as a critical floor. While downside pressure exists, a deeper decline appears limited unless broader market conditions deteriorate significantly.

A shift in investor sentiment could alter the outlook. Reclaiming $3,000 as support remains essential. A sustained move above this level could allow ETH to challenge $3,131. Such a recovery would invalidate the bearish thesis and signal a breakout from the downtrend.

The post Ethereum Price Drops Below $3,000 Amid Declining Holder Conviction appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined its priorities for 2026, signaling a strong push to support growth, innovation, and technological adoption in the financial sector. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the FCA emphasized plans to finalize rules for digital assets, advance UK-issued stablecoins, and strengthen the country’s digital finance infrastructure.

The letter details the regulator’s pro-growth agenda, including initiatives to:

• Oversee digital asset markets and provide clear guidance for crypto firms.
• Enable asset managers to tokenize funds and adopt faster, more efficient payment systems.
• Streamline authorizations for new and scaling firms, improving access to capital and supporting competition in payments and investment markets.

“This endorsement of stablecoins and digital finance infrastructure reflects a broader transition toward a more accessible, real-time, and interoperable financial system,” said Will Beeson, co-founder of UK challenger bank Allica and former head of Standard Chartered’s digital asset platform. “Clear regulatory guidance will help UK firms compete globally and support real-world crypto use cases, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.”

The FCA’s 2026 plans also include overseeing the launch of variable recurring payments, supporting SME lending through open finance, and advancing the tokenization of funds. These measures are part of a wider strategy to maintain the UK’s position as a leading financial hub while keeping pace with rapid technological change.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Treasury officials have welcomed the FCA’s approach, which aims to provide clarity for firms while fostering innovation and maintaining market integrity.

Building on the FCA’s 2026 initiatives, the UK government is preparing to bring all cryptocurrency firms under the existing financial regulatory framework from October 2027, with legislation expected to be introduced in Parliament shortly.

According to Reuters, the bill will largely follow draft legislation published in April, which outlines rules covering crypto exchanges, custody providers, and stablecoin issuers. A Treasury spokesperson confirmed that the legislation is intended to extend the UK’s current financial services rules to the crypto sector, rather than creating an entirely new regulatory regime.

If passed, the legislation would represent a major milestone for the UK’s digital asset industry, providing long-awaited regulatory clarity for both domestic and international firms.

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UK Aligns With US-Style Regulatory Approach

By integrating crypto firms into its existing financial services framework, the UK is adopting an approach similar to the United States. This diverges from the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime, which was designed specifically for the crypto industry and came into force earlier this year.

Under the proposed framework, crypto businesses will need to comply with standards already applied to traditional financial institutions, including governance, consumer protection, and market integrity rules.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized that the legislation aims to provide “clear rules of the road” for the industry while keeping “dodgy actors” out of the market.

Industry insiders have welcomed the clarity provided by both the FCA’s 2026 priorities and the upcoming 2027 legislation. However, experts warn that over-regulation could push innovative firms to other markets.

“These measures are positive steps to strengthen the UK’s position in global digital finance,” said Will Beeson. “But regulators must balance oversight with flexibility to avoid deterring growth in a fast-evolving market. Proportionality and pace will be key to ensuring firms can adapt without being forced into an ‘overnight upgrade.’”

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