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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Binance has launched a whistleblower reward of up to $5 million as part of a sweeping crackdown on fraudulent third-party “listing agents.”

The exchange warns crypto projects that any individual claiming to influence listings on the exchange is operating illegally.

Binance Offers $5 Million Whistleblower Reward as It Cracks Down on Fake Listing Agents

The announcement, published Wednesday in a transparency update, comes at a sensitive moment for the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

Binance faces heightened scrutiny over its listing practices following alleged insider trading incidents linked to leaked token information.

$year of yellow fruit
0x2fe3731d8b61515aad65757c7cab8042c43a4444
Trades and Price Chart:https://t.co/MOHKDeoL43
"year of yellow fruit" comes from a Binance Futures tweet:
“The year of the yellow fruit and harvest! Plant wisely. Harvest abundantly.”Before this tweet was posted,… pic.twitter.com/1aHMu7TWkw

— Nineteen (@nineteenthvibe) December 7, 2025

In its notice, Binance reiterated that all token listing applications must be submitted exclusively through its official channels, covering Binance Alpha, Futures, and Spot markets.

The exchange stressed that it does not authorize external brokers, consultants, or intermediaries to negotiate, facilitate, or guarantee listings.

“Any party claiming to represent Binance or offering listing-related services in exchange for payment is engaging in fraudulent behavior,” the company said.

Blacklist and Internal Audit Findings

The exchange revealed that an internal audit uncovered repeated cases of individuals and firms misrepresenting themselves as Binance-connected facilitators while soliciting fees from project founders.

As a result, the exchange has blacklisted seven entities and individuals, including:

• BitABC
• Central Research
• May/Dannie
• Andrew Lee
• Suki Yang
• Fiona Lee, and
• Kenny Z

According to Binance, these parties were identified for falsely implying relationships with the exchange or offering paid listing services. The company said legal action would be pursued “where appropriate.”

Blockchain data provider RootData shows that one of the blacklisted groups, Central Research, has previously backed several crypto projects, including Fireverse, Nebula Revelation, AKI Network, Fusionist, and Artyfact.

Of those, only Fusionist (ACE) currently trades on Binance. The exchange did not draw any connection between the blacklist findings and prior listing decisions.

To encourage reporting, Binance said whistleblowers who provide verifiable evidence of fraudulent activity could receive rewards of up to $5 million, depending on the quality and impact of the information submitted.

Binance Tightens Listing Rules Amid Insider Trading Fallout

As part of the update, Binance published a detailed breakdown of how projects progress through its listing ecosystem, from early-stage exposure on Binance Alpha to Futures and eventual Spot listings.

The exchange emphasized that it does not charge fees for listing applications and that all communications must come directly from a project’s core team.

Projects found to have used intermediaries or middlemen will be immediately disqualified from current and future listing reviews, Binance warned. However, teams that proactively report fraudulent agents may receive priority consideration.

The announcement follows Binance’s confirmation earlier this month that an employee leaked confidential listing information related to the “year of the yellow fruit” meme coin. The exchange’s co-CEO, Yi He, had addressed the incident.  

“Currently, the community is engaging in community behavior unrelated to Binance by issuing coins based on Binance’s official Twitter, my statements, or words excerpted from posts. But we cannot stop posting just because someone might come looking for angles,” she said.

Binance also disclosed that it distributed $100,000 in rewards to five whistleblowers who helped expose the misconduct.

Taken together, the blacklist, bounty program, and stricter enforcement signal a broader effort by Binance to rebuild trust around its listing process.

This is at a time when exchanges face increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency, internal controls, and fair market practices.

The post Binance Puts $5 Million Bounty on Fake Listing Agents as Scrutiny Intensifies appeared first on BeInCrypto.