Fresh US economic data is sending a clear but nuanced signal to markets. Inflation pressures are easing, but consumers remain under strain. 

For Bitcoin and the broader crypto market, that mix points to improving macro conditions, tempered by near-term volatility.

Why Inflation Expectations Matter More Than Sentiment

US consumer sentiment edged up to 52.9 in December, slightly higher than November but still nearly 30% lower than a year ago, according to the University of Michigan. 

At the same time, inflation expectations continued to fall. Short-term expectations dropped to 4.2%, while long-term expectations eased to 3.2%.

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index came in worse than expected at 52.9 in December. pic.twitter.com/yQ79MOBt5R

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) December 19, 2025

For markets, those inflation expectations matter more than confidence levels.

Consumer sentiment measures how people feel about their finances and the economy. Inflation expectations measure what they think prices will do next. Central banks care far more about the latter.

Falling short- and long-term inflation expectations suggest households believe price pressures are easing and will stay contained. 

That supports the Federal Reserve’s goal of cooling inflation without keeping policy restrictive for too long.

This data follows November’s CPI report, which showed inflation cooling faster than expected. Together, the two reports reinforce the same message: inflation is losing momentum.

Who do you believe:

A. University of Michigan consumer confidence below COVID April 2020 and Lehman September 2008 levels.

B. CPI inflation data, skewed by bogus OER? pic.twitter.com/FFEWj0I7OE

— Lawrence McDonald (@Convertbond) December 19, 2025

What This Means for Interest Rates and Liquidity

Lower inflation expectations reduce the need for high interest rates. Markets tend to respond by pricing in earlier or deeper rate cuts, even if economic growth remains slow.

For risk assets, including crypto, this matters because:

• Lower rates reduce returns on cash and bonds
  
• Real yields tend to fall
  
• Financial conditions gradually loosen

Bitcoin has historically responded more to liquidity conditions than to consumer confidence or economic growth.

Why Weak Confidence Does Not Hurt Crypto as Much

Low consumer confidence reflects cost-of-living pressures, not collapsing demand. People still feel stretched, but they are less worried about prices rising sharply from here.

Crypto markets do not rely on consumer spending in the same way equities do. Instead, they react to:

• Interest rate expectations
  
• Dollar strength
  
• Global liquidity
  

That makes falling inflation expectations supportive for Bitcoin, even when confidence remains weak.

Why Volatility Is Likely to Continue

This environment favors risk assets over time, but not in a straight line.

Weak confidence means growth remains fragile. That keeps markets sensitive to data releases, positioning, and short-term flows. As seen after the CPI report, even bullish macro data can trigger sharp reversals when leverage is high.

For Bitcoin, that typically results in:

• Strong reactions to macro news
  
• Choppy price action
  
• Rallies driven by liquidity rather than conviction
  

Looking Ahead to January 2026

Taken together, the data points to a constructive macro backdrop for crypto heading into early 2026. Inflation pressures are easing, policy constraints are loosening, and liquidity conditions are improving.

At the same time, weak confidence explains why markets remain volatile and prone to sudden selloffs.

The key takeaway is simple: macro conditions are improving for Bitcoin, but price action will continue to be shaped by flows, leverage, and timing rather than optimism alone.

The post Cooling Inflation, Weak Confidence: What the Michigan Consumer Data Means for Bitcoin 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 because today’s Morning Briefing isn’t just about interest rates. It’s about leverage, funding, and which side of the Pacific really sets the rhythm for risk assets when the policy paths split. As one central bank eases (the US), the other tightens (Japan). The tension between the two is beginning to reshape global liquidity in ways that don’t show up in a single chart or price candle.

Crypto News of the Day: Japan Raises Interest Rates, But the Fed Cuts, Which Side Has A Stronger Impact?

Global markets are at an impasse, amid a rare and consequential policy divergence. On the one hand, the US Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates to support slowing growth. In contrast, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is moving in the opposite direction, raising rates to levels not seen in three decades.

The question facing investors is no longer whether these moves matter, but which one ultimately carries more weight for global liquidity, currencies, and crypto markets.

On December 19, the BOJ raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75%, the highest level since 1995. This marks another step away from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy. Macro analysts see the move as more than a routine adjustment.

🚨 BREAKING: 🇯🇵 BOJ DELIVERS THE HIKE

Rates raised 25 bps to 0.75%, marking a 30-year high.

Japan’s era of ultra-easy money keeps fading.

This is a major global LIQUIDITY shift… watch yen and risk assets closely. 👀 pic.twitter.com/vfciRH84WJ

— Wise Advice (@wiseadvicesumit) December 19, 2025

Unlike the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts, which are cyclical and designed to smooth economic slowdowns, Japan’s tightening is structural. For nearly 30 years, near-zero Japanese rates anchored one of the world’s most important sources of cheap leverage.

Even modest increases now carry outsized consequences because they disrupt funding strategies deeply embedded across global markets.

The immediate impact was most visible in currency markets. Despite the historic hike, the yen initially weakened as Governor Kazuo Ueda offered limited clarity on the pace of future tightening.

Reuters noted that the currency slipped as the BOJ “stays vague on tightening path.” This highlights how forward guidance, not just the hike itself, remains critical.

Still, analysts argue the real transmission channel lies elsewhere: the yen carry trade, as reported in a recent US Crypto News publication.

As Japanese yields rise and the US–Japan rate gap narrows, borrowing yen to fund higher-yielding positions becomes increasingly expensive.

Fed cut rates, but the message mattered more than the cut. Their dot plot now shows fewer cuts ahead. That flipped expectations from “easy money coming” to “higher for longer.” At the same time, BOJ hike expectations strengthened the yen → yen carry trades started unwinding →… pic.twitter.com/eSaJLWQajg

— Dmytro V7 🇺🇦 (@V7Dmytro) December 16, 2025

This is where the divergence between Tokyo and Washington becomes critical:

• Fed cuts tend to support markets gradually by easing credit conditions.
• BOJ tightening, by contrast, forces immediate repositioning as leverage costs rise.

Crypto markets have historically experienced this impact more quickly than traditional assets. Previous BOJ tightening cycles coincided with sharp Bitcoin drawdowns of 20–30% as liquidity tightened and carry trades unwound.

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

That pattern has made Bitcoin’s recent stability stand out. As of this writing, BTC was trading for $88,035, up by almost 1% in the last 24 hours.

“History shows every prior tightening triggered 20–30% Bitcoin drops as yen carry trades unwound and liquidity tightened. Yet with the hike fully priced in and BTC holding around $85k–$87k, this could be the dip buyers have been waiting for,” wrote analyst Blueblock.

However, resilience at the top of the crypto market does not eliminate risk elsewhere. Altcoins, which are far more sensitive to liquidity conditions, remain exposed if Japanese tightening continues.

Indeed, BOJ officials have openly signaled willingness to keep tightening if wage growth and inflation remain durable. Analysts at ING and Bloomberg have warned that while further hikes may not be imminent, the direction of travel is clear.

The implication for global markets is stark. Fed cuts may provide broad support over time, but Japan’s retreat from ultra-easy policy strikes directly at the foundation of global leverage.If the BOJ continues down this path, its influence on liquidity, currencies, and crypto could outweigh US easing, at least in the near term.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• What does a 100% accurate historical indicator signal for Bitcoin in December?
• ADA is down 70% in 2025 —But two new sources of demand are emerging for Cardano.
• Is Toncoin undervalued? December data signals potential rebound.
• XRP selling pressure collapses 39%, but this price level still controls the outcome.
• Bitcoin whales moved — But not in the way markets assumed.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of December 18	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$158.24	$163.97 (+3.62%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$239.20	$246.00 (+2.84%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$22.51	$22.95 (+1.95%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$9.69	$9.87 (+1.86%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$13.38	$13.73 (+2.62%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$14.56	$15.04 (+3.30%)

The post Japan Tightens, America Eases: Which Central Bank Really Moves Markets Now? | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, said the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) will enter the US Senate markup stage in January, marking a critical step toward final passage.

Sacks said Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman have confirmed the timeline, setting the stage for formal review and amendments before a full Senate vote.

We had a great call today with Chairmen @SenatorTimScott and @JohnBoozman who confirmed that a markup for Clarity is coming in January. Thanks to their leadership, as well as @RepFrenchHill and @CongressmanGT in the House, we are closer than ever to passing the landmark crypto…

— David Sacks (@davidsacks47) December 18, 2025

What Happens in January

The update signals growing momentum behind the bill after the House advanced it earlier in 2025. 

If the Senate process stays on schedule, lawmakers could finalize a reconciled version later in the year. This will position the CLARITY Act as the central market-structure law for US crypto markets.

During markup, Senate committees will review the House-passed text line by line. Lawmakers will propose amendments, debate policy trade-offs, and vote on changes before sending a revised bill to the Senate floor. 

The process will involve both the Banking Committee, which oversees securities regulation, and the Agriculture Committee, which supervises the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

🚨 The $CLARITY Act — the U.S. $crypto market structure bill — has been delayed until 2026 as Senate action stalls. This means federal regulatory clarity for digital #assets won’t happen this year, keeping the industry in limbo 📉

No law = more uncertainty
More delay = more… pic.twitter.com/gpuUTMQGUU

— COACHTY (@TheRealTRTalks) December 18, 2025

The goal is to resolve long-standing jurisdictional disputes between the SEC and the CFTC and to strengthen guardrails for spot crypto markets. 

Committee leaders have indicated they want a bill that can attract bipartisan support and avoid reopening enforcement-heavy approaches.

Likely Amendment Focus for the CLARITY Act

Amendments are expected to concentrate on three areas. 

First, asset classification, including tighter criteria for determining when a token qualifies as a digital commodity versus a security. 

Also, investor and consumer protections, such as disclosures, custody standards, and conflict-of-interest rules for exchanges and brokers. 

Lastly, implementation timelines, including how quickly platforms must register and how agencies coordinate supervision during the transition.

Senators may also refine preemption language to limit overlapping state rules without weakening state enforcement authority.

After years of talk, the CLARITY Act now has a real path forward.

The White House and key Senators have finally agreed to move the bill, and they’ve put an actual date on it.

January 2026 is when the Senate plans to formally debate it, amend it, and try to push it toward… https://t.co/Uq9BIOQGLx pic.twitter.com/251ij1zE5i

— Milk Road (@MilkRoad) December 18, 2025

How will the CLARITY Act Change US Crypto Markets in 2026?

If enacted, the CLARITY Act would reshape the US crypto market in 2026. It would place spot digital commodity markets under CFTC oversight, end years of regulatory ambiguity, and create a federal registration regime for exchanges, brokers, and dealers. 

For the industry, this would reduce legal uncertainty, support institutional participation, and shift compliance from courtroom battles to rule-based supervision.

For regulators, the law would replace fragmented enforcement with clearer mandates. 

Most importantly, for the market, it would mark the United States’ first comprehensive framework for crypto trading. This would potentially restore competitiveness with jurisdictions that already offer regulatory clarity.

The post US Crypto CLARITY Act Set for Senate Markup in January 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 BitMine’s bold Ethereum strategy is back in focus with market pressure building and investor nerves fraying. Losses are mounting, the stock is sliding, and yet influential buyers are quietly stepping in, setting up a familiar crypto standoff between conviction and caution.

Crypto News of the Day: Losses Mount at BitMine, Yet Tom Lee and Ark Double Down on Ethereum

BitMine’s aggressive Ethereum treasury strategy is coming under renewed scrutiny as prolonged unrealized losses weigh on investor sentiment and its stock continues to slide.

Shares of BitMine (BMNR), widely described as the world’s largest Ethereum treasury company, have fallen sharply in recent sessions. The stock closed Wednesday at $29.32, down 6.59% on the day and roughly 24% over the past five days,

The reflects market unease around both broader market weakness and BitMine’s mounting unrealized losses on ETH holdings.

Yet even as concerns grow around downside exposure, some of crypto’s most influential bulls are doubling down. This highlights a widening divide over Ethereum’s role in institutional treasury strategies.

Despite the drawdown, BitMine Chairman Tom Lee appears unfazed. On-chain data flagged by Arkham Intelligence indicates that Lee has continued to accumulate Ethereum at scale.

“Tom Lee just bought another $140 million ETH. Two fresh wallets just received $140.58 million ETH from FalconX. Their acquisition behavior matches BitMine’s prior purchase patterns. Tom Lee continues to buy the dip,” wrote Arkham.

The activity reinforces BitMine’s long-standing thesis that Ethereum remains structurally undervalued and is positioned to benefit from regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and the expansion of on-chain use cases. This holds despite near-term price action telling a different story.

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest is also signaling conviction. According to trade filings, Ark purchased $10.56 million worth of BitMine shares on Wednesday across three of its exchange-traded funds.

🚨ARK BUYS MORE CRYPTO STOCKS!

Ark Invest bought $10.56M of BitMine, $5.9M of Coinbase, and $8.85M of Bullish on Wednesday.

Cathie Wood says a “real break” in inflation is coming in 2026. pic.twitter.com/lW8AWfuISC

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) December 18, 2025

The buy followed an additional $17 million purchase earlier in the week, bringing Ark’s recent accumulation to nearly $28 million.

Ark Expands Crypto Equity Exposure as Treasury Strategies Split

Ark’s buying spree extended beyond BitMine. The firm also added $5.9 million in Coinbase shares and $8.85 million worth of Bullish, leaning into crypto equities that have broadly been trending lower. Coinbase fell 3.33% on Wednesday to $244.19, while Bullish slipped 1.89% to $42.15.

The moves reflect Wood’s broader macro-outlook. The Ark Invest CEO, Cathie Wood, has repeatedly argued that easing inflation and improving liquidity conditions could set the stage for a renewed crypto rally.

BitMine’s leadership mirrors that optimism. The company has continued purchasing ether weekly during the downturn, with Lee previously stating that regulatory and legislative shifts in Washington, combined with rising institutional engagement, mean “the best days for crypto” are still ahead.

Nonetheless, not everyone shares that view. Analyst Samson Mow has taken the opposite approach, opting for a clean break from Ethereum exposure.

“I’ve decided to liquidate all BitMine Ethereum holdings and pivot to a Bitcoin-only treasury strategy,” wrote Mow.

Mow’s decision highlights a growing philosophical split within crypto treasuries: whether diversification into Ethereum represents strategic foresight or unnecessary risk.

For BitMine, that debate is no longer theoretical, and as unrealized losses persist, Lee and Ark’s conviction may not be rewarded soon, unless tides turn. In the same way, Ethereum’s volatility continues to test the limits of institutional patience.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Bitfinex Bitcoin whale long positions surge 36%: What does it mean?
• Bitcoin’s 5% whiplash was no accident — Charts reveal the full story.
• Peter Brandt turns bearish on XRP price despite Ripple’s push for multichain expansion.
• The 11th crypto prediction from Bitwise may not survive—James Seyffart warns.  
• Japan’s Bond yields hit 1.98%: BOJ rate shift impacts gold, silver, and Bitcoin.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of December 17	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$160.38	$162.80 (+1.51%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$244.19	$250.37 (+2.53%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$22.81	$23.11 (+1.31%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$9.93	$10.03 (+1.01%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$12.96	$13.07 (+0.85%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$13.57	$14.00 (+3.17%)

The post Ethereum Dip Pressures BitMine, but Tom Lee and Ark Keep Buying | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

US inflation slowed more than expected in November, delivering a clear downside surprise that could reshape near-term market and Federal Reserve expectations. According to fresh data released on December 18, the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% year over year, well below market expectations of 3.1%.

Meanwhile, core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 2.6% year over year, also missing forecasts of 3.0%. The data marks a notable deceleration in price pressures and signals that disinflation momentum has strengthened heading into the end of 2025.

Is This Bullish For Crypto Markets?

The softer-than-expected print reinforces the view that inflation is cooling faster than policymakers and markets anticipated just weeks ago. Core inflation, closely watched by the Federal Reserve, now sits well below 3%—a level last seen before inflation reaccelerated earlier this year.

This print weakens the case for prolonged restrictive monetary policy and strengthens expectations that the Fed may turn more accommodative sooner than previously priced in.

Markets are likely to interpret the data as rate-cut supportive, particularly for early 2026. Lower inflation reduces pressure on real yields and the US dollar—two key headwinds for risk assets in recent months.

Risk markets, including equities and crypto, were already positioned cautiously ahead of the release, suggesting room for sharp repricing as traders digest the data.

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market entered the CPI release in consolidation mode, with traders bracing for volatility. A downside inflation surprise typically acts as a macro tailwind for crypto, as easing inflation expectations improve liquidity conditions and risk appetite.

Short-term price action will now depend on how quickly markets reprice Fed policy expectations and whether follow-through buying emerges after the initial reaction.

What comes next? Attention will shift to:

• Updated Fed rate-cut probabilities
• US Treasury yield reactions
• Dollar strength or weakness
• Risk-asset follow-through into year-end

For now, November’s CPI report delivers a clear message: inflation cooled faster than expected, and markets will need to adjust quickly.

The post US Inflation Cools Sharply in November, CPI Misses Forecasts 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.

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 the latest US labor data delivers mixed signals on jobs, wages, and unemployment. Traders are weighing what it all means for risk assets, from equities to Bitcoin, as volatility sets the tone.

Crypto News of the Day: October Jobs Collapse and November Modest Gain Signal Uneven Market

The US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report for October and November 2025 delivered a shock to markets, as it is one of the crucial economic data points this week. It revealed a cooling labor market that could reverberate through both equities and crypto.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),October saw a sharp decline of 105,000 jobs, far below the estimated -25,000. This marks a pronounced slowdown in labor market momentum.

Analysts are labeling it an outlier, reflecting disruptions from delayed government data collection and seasonal adjustments.

*US OCT. NONFARM PAYROLLS FALL 105K M/M; EST. -25K

this is all govt and an outlier

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) December 16, 2025

November posted a 64,000 gain, slightly above the 50,000 consensus, but with the unemployment rate climbing to 4.6% from 4.4% in October, higher than the expected 4.5%.

🚨 Just In: November Nonfarm Payrolls rise 64,000, above expectations for 40,000.

The U.S. Unemployment Rate rose from 4.4% to 4.6%, worse than estimates for 4.5%.

What will Jerome Powell do now? pic.twitter.com/kFozsmOsgh

— Jesse Cohen (@JesseCohenInv) December 16, 2025

While November’s rise offers some relief, it highlights the uneven nature of recent US labor market activity.

Fed and Market Implications For Bitcoin and Risk Assets

The data is likely to reinforce dovish narratives for the Federal Reserve. Powell previously cited a weakening labor market as justification for rate cuts, and today’s figures suggest the economy is far from overheated.

Traders may interpret the report as a signal that further easing in 2026 is plausible, which could support risk assets, including Bitcoin, if liquidity expectations remain intact. Bitcoin has been trapped near $90,000, and today’s data could trigger short-term volatility.

A weak October print followed by a modest November recovery may fuel a relief rally toward $95,000 as markets price in potential Fed accommodation.

Conversely, the unexpectedly high unemployment rate could reignite recession fears, creating whipsaw moves in crypto, equities, and FX.

“While markets typically cheer the resolution of uncertainty, this specific data dump is unique. The cooling trend might spark an initial crypto rally on renewed hopes for aggressive Fed cuts in 2026. But if the numbers are too weak, the narrative could quickly pivot from liquidity hopes to recession fears, historically dampening risk appetite across the board,” Jimmy Xue, COO and Co-founder at Axis, told BeInCrypto.

Market participants remain wary. With October’s data representing an outlier and November’s figures collected late, statistical distortions and revisions are possible.

Algorithm-driven trading and lean liquidity could amplify volatility in the near term, making measured positioning critical.

Amid mixed signals, traditional safe havens like gold may continue to attract flows, as the US dollar faces pressure and risk sentiment remains fragile in tech-heavy sectors.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Why Scott Bessent is cracking down on Congress’s stock trading.
• The final trade of 2025: What Wall Street’s rotation means for crypto.
• Grayscale predicts 10 key crypto investment themes for 2026 as institutional era begins.
• Trump hints at Samourai Wallet pardon — Another after CZ, Ulbricht
• XRP ETFs log one month of inflows as BTC, ETH funds bleed $4.6 billion.
• Gold nears ATH again as Bitcoin hits historic low—Rotation ahead?
• Markets rethink rate bets as Miran challenges inflation narrative before November CPI release.
•  JPMorgan’s Ethereum push meets a critical chart test — Rebound or breakdown?

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of December 15	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$162.08	$165.23 (+1.94%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$250.42	$253.61 (+1.27%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$24.54	$24.59 (+0.20%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$10.70	$10.82 (+1.12%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$13.71	$13.81 (+0.73%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$15.28	$15.27 (-0.065%)

The post The Nonfarm Payrolls Surprise That Could Rattle Bitcoin Before Christmas | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

President Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning Keonne Rodriguez, the CEO of privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet Samourai, who was sentenced to five years in federal prison last month for money laundering charges.

The statement reignited debate over the privacy technology of cryptocurrencies. It also raised questions about whether other convicted developers, including Tornado Cash’s Roman Storm, might receive similar presidential clemency.

Calls for More Pardons Meet Market Frustration

During a press briefing on Dec. 15, a reporter asked Trump about Rodriguez’s case, noting it began under the Biden administration but continued under his Department of Justice. Trump responded, “I’ve heard about it. I’ll look at it.” The President added that he would review the matter after the reporter mentioned widespread support for clemency within the crypto community.

Rodriguez, 37, and co-founder William Lonergan Hill, 67, were convicted of operating a cryptocurrency mixing service. The prosecutors say the two facilitated the laundering of over $237 million in criminal proceeds. Rodriguez received five years, while Hill received four years, with both ordered to pay $250,000 in fines.

The announcement drew varied responses. Some supporters expressed hope that the decision would provide momentum for crypto-friendly policies. One X user even called for extending clemency to Do Kwon, the embattled founder of the collapsed Terra/Luna ecosystem.

However, critics pointed to broader market performance under Trump’s presidency. Since he took office, there have been significant declines across major cryptocurrencies, with some tokens down more than 70%.

Prosecution’s Case Against “Simple Developer” Narrative

The Department of Justice presented evidence that challenges the portrayal of Rodriguez and Hill as mere privacy tool developers. According to the Nov. 19 sentencing announcement, prosecutors demonstrated that the founders actively promoted their services to criminal users.

Hill allegedly marketed Samourai on Dread, a darknet forum, directly responding to a user seeking “secure methods to clean dirty BTC” by recommending Whirlpool as a superior option. Rodriguez reportedly encouraged Twitter hackers in 2020 to funnel stolen proceeds through the mixing service. He even expressed disappointment when they chose a competitor.

Most damaging was Rodriguez’s own description of mixing as “money laundering for bitcoin” in WhatsApp messages. At the same time, the company’s marketing materials acknowledged targeting “Dark/Grey Market participants” moving proceeds from “illicit activity.”

Prosecutors said criminal funds processed through Samourai originated from drug trafficking, darknet marketplaces, cyber intrusions, fraud, sanctioned jurisdictions, murder-for-hire schemes, and a child pornography website.

Broader Implications

The case has reignited debate over developer liability for user actions on decentralized platforms. Privacy advocates argue that the prosecution sets a dangerous precedent for open-source software development, while law enforcement maintains that actively promoting criminal use crosses legal boundaries.

Online discussions have expanded to question whether Roman Storm, the Tornado Cash developer convicted on similar charges in August, might also be considered for clemency. Storm was found guilty of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. The jury deadlocked on more serious money laundering and sanctions violation charges.

Congress continues to debate cryptocurrency regulation. The lawmakers are introducing multiple bills to clarify the legal status of privacy-enhancing technologies, though none have passed into law.

Trump has previously pardoned several crypto figures, including former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, establishing a pattern that fuels speculation about future clemency decisions in the sector.

The post Trump Hints at Samourai Wallet Pardon — Another After CZ, Ulbricht appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war gained visible momentum on Monday, as US, Ukrainian, and European officials outlined the foundations of a possible ceasefire and post-war security framework.

The developments mark one of the most substantive diplomatic advances since the conflict began. The positive signs are already prompting investors to reassess geopolitical risk across global markets, including cryptocurrencies.

For crypto, which has recently suffered sharp declines tied to global risk-off dynamics, a ceasefire could alter sentiment, but not without important caveats.

Diplomatic Momentum Builds For Russian-Ukraine Ceasefire

Negotiators from Ukraine, the US, and key European allies met in Berlin this week for an intensive round of talks focused on ending hostilities and preventing renewed conflict. 

Officials involved in the discussions described progress as significant, with alignment reached on most elements of a proposed framework.

US officials confirmed that Washington has agreed to support meaningful security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace arrangement, addressing Kyiv’s long-standing demand for protection against future aggression. 

Flood of positive-sounding headlines as US official briefs media on Ukraine talks, says 90% of issues solved, Polymarket pricing just 3% odds of ceasefire this year pic.twitter.com/IMVlegXJGW

— db (@tier10k) December 15, 2025

According to officials familiar with the talks, negotiators are now aligned on roughly 90% of the framework. 

However, remaining disagreements centered on territorial questions in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region.

European leaders reinforced the diplomatic push by endorsing plans for a European-led multinational force that would assist in stabilizing Ukraine if a ceasefire holds. The proposal also includes a US-backed monitoring and verification mechanism designed to oversee ceasefire compliance and respond to violations.

Most recent polls suggest that only 38% of Ukraine's population are in favor of giving up any territory, even if it means the war must drag on. pic.twitter.com/kSsAPc6ZsS

— SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) December 11, 2025

Public opinion inside Ukraine continues to act as a constraint on negotiations. Polling cited by Reuters shows that most Ukrainians oppose major territorial concessions or limits on the country’s military capabilities unless backed by firm and enforceable security commitments.

Fighting Continues Despite Negotiations

Even as diplomacy advances, military operations have not paused. On Monday, Ukrainian forces carried out additional long-range drone strikes against Russian oil infrastructure in the Caspian Sea, disrupting production at key platforms for the third time in recent days. 

The attacks highlight Kyiv’s strategy of applying economic pressure on Russia’s energy revenues while negotiations remain unresolved.

Ukraine has opened another front against Russia. Ukraine has begun striking Russian oil platforms and ships in the Caspian Sea. Russia is helpless to stop these Ukrainian drone and missile attacks. pic.twitter.com/bD3YW5Yg4P

— Jake Broe (@RealJakeBroe) December 14, 2025

Ukraine also claimed it struck a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the port of Novorossiysk using underwater drones. 

If confirmed, would underscore the growing sophistication of Ukraine’s asymmetric naval capabilities. Independent verification of the claim remains limited, and Russian officials have denied damage.

What a Ceasefire Could Mean for Crypto Markets

1. Reduced Safe-Haven Demand, Improved Risk Appetite

A credible ceasefire would remove one of the largest sources of global tail risk. In markets where risk sentiment is a major driver, such a de-escalation can:

• Boost risk assets broadly, reducing demand for traditional safe havens like the US Treasuries and the US dollar.
  
• Support assets like Bitcoin and major altcoins as investors rotate back toward higher-beta investments.
  
• Lower implied volatility across equity and digital asset markets.

The mechanics are straightforward: with reduced geopolitical risk, funds that fled to safety may redeploy into risk assets, potentially lifting Bitcoin and Ethereum prices. A stronger risk appetite could also benefit altcoins, which tend to outperform in relief rallies.

2. Energy and Inflation Narrative

A sustained ceasefire could also affect commodity markets, especially if it lessens pressure on energy prices. Lower or stabilized global energy prices could:

• Dampen inflation expectations in Europe and elsewhere.
  
• Reduce pressure on central banks to maintain restrictive policy settings.
  
• Allow liquidity conditions to ease further, which historically has supported higher valuations in risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.

However, this transmission is neither direct nor immediate. It depends on how quickly markets perceive structural changes in energy markets and central bank policy trajectories.

What Might Limit the Crypto Recovery

While a ceasefire can reduce geopolitical risk, it cannot fully offset macro headwinds that influenced crypto markets over the past months:

• Persisting central bank uncertainty: If the Bank of Japan proceeds with tightening and the US data continues to suggest sticky inflation, liquidity could remain constrained, muting upside in risk assets.
  
• Derivative market positioning: Leverage has been a significant catalyst of past crypto declines. Relief rallies can trigger fresh positioning and high funding rates, only to be reversed if macro forces reassert.
  
• Liquidity conditions: A ceasefire is good news, but sustained asset price rallies require ample liquidity. Without clearer signals of easing financial conditions, crypto assets may see only transient relief moves.
  

A Ceasefire Would Be Positive, But Not Sufficient

An agreed ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine would mark a monumental shift in geopolitics and initially bolster risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. 

However, the broader impact on crypto markets will depend heavily on how the ceasefire intersects with liquidity conditions, central bank policy expectations, and global risk appetite.

In the short term, crypto could see a meaningful relief rally, driven by sentiment and risk reallocation. 

Over the medium term, the trend will likely hinge on whether ceasefire outcomes tangibly ease inflation and liquidity pressures — the primary macro drivers that have influenced digital assets in recent months.

The post How a Potential Russia–Ukraine Ceasefire Could Impact Crypto Markets 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, because Wall Street has just sent another signal that crypto’s future is becoming increasingly institutional. As JPMorgan moves a core financial product on-chain, market watchers are wondering whether this is merely experimentation or a deeper shift toward Ethereum as an economic infrastructure.

Crypto News of the Day: JPMorgan Takes Money Markets On-Chain with Ethereum-Powered Fund

JPMorgan Chase has taken another decisive step into blockchain-based finance, launching its first tokenized money market fund on the Ethereum network.

According to reporting by WSJ, the banking giant’s $4 trillion asset-management arm has rolled out the My OnChain Net Yield Fund, or MONY. It is a private money market fund deployed on Ethereum and supported by JPMorgan’s tokenization platform, Kinexys Digital Assets.

The bank will seed the fund with $100 million of its own capital before opening it to outside investors, signaling strong internal conviction in tokenized financial products.

JPMORGAN STEPS FURTHER INTO CRYPTO WITH TOKENIZED MONEY FUND

The banking giant’s $4 trillion asset-management arm is rolling out its first tokenized money-market fund on the Ethereum blockchain. JPMorgan will seed the fund with $100 million of its own capital, and then open it… pic.twitter.com/TTlS5E1MyV

— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) December 15, 2025

MONY is structured for institutional and high-net-worth participation only. It is open to qualified investors, including individuals with at least $5 million in investable assets and institutions with a minimum of $25 million, as well as a $1 million investment minimum.

Investors receive digital tokens representing their fund interests, bringing traditional money-market exposure onto blockchain rails while preserving familiar yield dynamics.

According to the report, JPMorgan executives attribute client demand as the driving force behind the launch.

“There is a massive amount of interest from clients around tokenization,” read an excerpt in the report, citing John Donohue, head of global liquidity at JPMorgan Asset Management.

He added that the firm expects to be a leader in the space by offering blockchain-based equivalents to traditional money-market products.

The launch comes amid accelerating momentum for tokenized assets on Wall Street, following the passage of the GENIUS Act earlier this year.

The legislation established a US regulatory framework for stablecoins and is widely viewed as a catalyst for broader tokenization efforts across funds, bonds, and real-world assets.

Since then, major financial institutions have moved quickly to explore blockchain as core market infrastructure rather than a peripheral experiment.

For Ethereum, JPMorgan’s decision to deploy MONY on its network is being read as a meaningful institutional endorsement. Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee reacted to the news by calling it “bullish for ETH.”

This is bullish for $ETH https://t.co/LdGMHYKM9P

— Thomas (Tom) Lee (not drummer) FSInsight.com (@fundstrat) December 15, 2025

This comment highlights how products like MONY expand Ethereum’s real-world utility through transaction activity, smart contract execution, and deeper integration into global finance.

Crypto commentators echoed the sentiment, with some arguing that Ethereum’s role as the settlement layer for regulated financial products is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

JPMorgan vs. BlackRock: Tokenized Money Market Funds Signal a New Era in Finance

JPMorgan’s move also invites comparisons with BlackRock’s tokenized money market fund, BUIDL, which has grown to roughly $1.83 billion in assets under management, according to public blockchain data.

Like MONY, BUIDL invests in short-term US Treasuries, repurchase agreements, and cash equivalents. However, it follows a multi-chain strategy and is administered through a different tokenization partner.

Together, the two funds highlight a broader trend that traditional finance (TradFi) firms are converging on blockchain to modernize low-risk, yield-bearing products.

More broadly, analysts view tokenization as a means for traditional money market funds to remain competitive with stablecoins, while unlocking new use cases such as on-chain settlement, programmability, and enhanced transferability.

JPMorgan has already experimented with tokenized deposits, private equity funds, and institutional payment tokens, suggesting that MONY is part of a longer-term strategy rather than a standalone pilot.

As regulatory clarity improves and institutional participation deepens, JPMorgan’s Ethereum-based fund reinforces the narrative that blockchain, once seen as niche, is steadily becoming an integral part of the operating system of modern finance.

For Ethereum, that shift may prove to be one of the most consequential signals yet.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Russell 2000 sets new highs, rekindling a familiar Bitcoin pattern.
• One critical XRP price level surfaces — Holding it could trigger a 9% bounce.
• Top 3 price predictions: Bitcoin, gold, and silver signal a high-stakes turning point.
• What does the stock–crypto investor divide signal for the future?
• Base creator Jesse Pollak sparks backlash by endorsing Soulja Boy–linked meme token.
• Bitcoin loses whale support? Yet history shows the price can still rise.
• Yuan at 14-month high as Fed-BOJ-PBOC split — crypto impact.
• Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal: NYT’s SEC crypto story admits no impropriety—So why the headline?

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of December 12	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$176.45	$176.75 (+0.17%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$267.46	$268.40 (+0.35%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$26.75	$26.75 (0.00%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$11.52	$11.56 (+0.35%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$15.30	$15.31 (+0.065%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$16.53	$16.65 (+0.73%)

The post Tom Lee Spots a Big Ethereum Signal in JPMorgan’s Tokenization Push| US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The Russia-Ukraine war has waged on for nearly 4 years now. Western sanctions were meant to isolate Russia financially. Instead, they forced adaptation.

In 2025, BeInCrypto began documenting how Russia and Russia-linked actors rebuilt payment routes using crypto. What emerged was not a single exchange or token, but a resilient system designed to survive freezes, seizures, and enforcement delays.

This investigation reconstructs that system in chronological order, based on on-chain forensic analysis and interviews with investigators tracking the flows.

The First Warning Signs Were not Criminal

Early signals did not point to ransomware or darknet markets. They pointed to trade.

Authorities began asking new questions on how money crossed borders for imports, how dual-use goods were paid for, and how settlements occurred without banks. 

At the same time, on-chain data showed Russian OTC desks surging in activity. Exchanges hosting Russian OTC liquidity also saw volumes spike, especially in Asia.

Meanwhile, Telegram groups and darknet forums discussed sanctions evasion openly. These were not hidden conversations. They described practical methods for moving value across borders without banks.

The method was simple. OTC desks accepted rubles domestically, sometimes as cash. They issued stablecoins or crypto. That crypto then settled abroad, where it could be converted into local currency.

Garantex Operated Russia’s Crypto Laundering Hub

Garantex played a critical role in this ecosystem. It functioned as a liquidity hub for OTC desks, migrants, and trade-linked payments.

Even after early sanctions, it continued interacting with regulated exchanges abroad. That activity persisted for months.

When enforcement finally escalated, the expectation was disruption. What followed instead was preparation.

“Even people who were leaving Russia were still using Garantex to move their money out. If you were trying to relocate to places like Dubai, this became one of the main ways to transfer funds once traditional banking routes were cut off. For many Russians trying to leave the country, Garantex became a practical exit route. It was one of the few ways to move money abroad after banks and SWIFT were no longer an option,” said Lex Fisun, CEO of Global Ledger

The Seizure Triggered a Reserve Scramble

On the day Garantex’s infrastructure was seized in March 2025, a linked Ethereum wallet rapidly consolidated more than 3,200 ETH. Within hours, nearly the entire balance moved into Tornado Cash.

That move mattered. Tornado Cash does not facilitate payouts. It breaks transaction history.

Days later, dormant Bitcoin reserves began moving. Wallets untouched since 2022 consolidated BTC. This was not panic selling. It was treasury management under pressure.

So, it was clear that assets outside stablecoin control remained accessible.

A Successor Appeared Almost Immediately

As access to Garantex faded, a new service emerged.

Grinex launched quietly and began supporting USDT. Traced flows passed through TRON and connected to Grinex-linked infrastructure. Users reported balances reappearing under the new name.

“It was probably the most obvious rebrand we’ve seen. The name was nearly the same, the website was nearly the same, and users who lost access to Garantex saw their balances reappear on Grinex,” Fisun told BeInCrypto. 

In late July 2025, Garantex publicly announced payouts to former users in Bitcoin and Ethereum. On-chain data confirmed the system was already live.

At least $25 million in crypto had been distributed. Much more remained untouched.

The payout structure followed a clear pattern where reserves were layered through mixers, aggregation wallets, and cross-chain bridges before reaching users.

Ethereum Payouts Relied on Complexity

Ethereum payouts used deliberate obfuscation. Funds moved through Tornado Cash, then into a DeFi protocol, then across multiple chains. Transfers bounced between Ethereum, Optimism, and Arbitrum before landing in payout wallets.

Despite the complexity, only a fraction of the ETH reserves reached users. More than 88% remained untouched, indicating payouts were still in early stages.

Bitcoin Payouts Exposed a Different Weakness

Bitcoin payouts were simpler and more centralized.

Investigators identified multiple payout wallets linked to a single aggregation hub that received nearly 200 BTC. That hub remained active months after the seizure.

More revealing was where the funds touched next.

Source wallets repeatedly interacted with deposit addresses tied to one of the world’s largest centralized exchanges. The transaction “change” consistently routed back there.

Why Western Sanctions Struggled to Keep Up

Western sanctions were not absent. They were late, uneven, and slow to execute.

By the time Garantex was fully disrupted, investigators had already documented billions of dollars moving through its wallets. 

Even after sanctions were applied, the exchange continued interacting with regulated platforms abroad, exploiting delays between designation, enforcement, and compliance updates.

The core problem was not a lack of legal authority. It was the speed mismatch between sanctions enforcement and crypto infrastructure. While regulators operate on weeks or months, crypto systems reroute liquidity in hours.

“Sanctions work on paper. The problem is execution. Billions can still move because enforcement is slow, fragmented, and often lags behind how fast crypto systems adapt. The issue isn’t that sanctions don’t exist. It’s that they’re enforced too slowly for a system that moves at crypto speed,” said the Global Ledger CEO. 

That gap allowed Garantex to adapt. Wallets rotated frequently. Hot wallets changed unpredictably. Remaining balances were moved in ways that mimicked normal exchange activity, making automated compliance systems less effective.

The private sector struggled to keep up. Banks and exchanges balance compliance obligations against transaction speed, customer friction, and operational cost. 

In that environment, sanctioned exposure can slip through when activity does not trigger obvious red flags.

By October 2025, the payout infrastructure was still active. Reserves remained. Routes stayed open.

This was not the collapse of an exchange, rather he evolution of a system.

Russia’s crypto strategy in 2025 showed how a sanctioned economy adapts by building parallel rails, preserving liquidity, and rerouting when blocked.

The post Inside Putin’s Crypto Cold War: How Russia Evaded Western Sanctions In 2025 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Thursday for orchestrating a $40 billion cryptocurrency fraud—a sentence notably lighter than the 25 years handed to FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) last year, despite Kwon’s fraud causing nearly four times the financial damage.

The sentencing disparity highlights how courtroom behavior, remorse, and cooperation with authorities can dramatically influence outcomes in high-profile white-collar cases.

The Verdicts

US District Judge Paul Engelmayer, presiding over Kwon’s case in the Southern District of New York, described the Terra-Luna collapse as “a fraud on an epic, generational scale.” He rejected both the prosecution’s recommendation of 12 years as “unreasonably lenient” and the defense’s request for five years as “utterly unthinkable and wildly unreasonable.”

“Your offense caused real people to lose $40 billion in real money, not some paper loss,” Engelmayer told Kwon, noting there may have been as many as one million victims worldwide.

By contrast, Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced SBF to 25 years in March 2024 for an $11 billion fraud, citing the defendant’s “exceptional flexibility with the truth” and “apparent lack of any real remorse.”

Why the Difference?

Guilty Plea vs. Trial

Kwon pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy and wire fraud charges, accepting responsibility for misleading investors about TerraUSD’s stability mechanisms. In a letter to the court, he wrote: “I alone am responsible for everyone’s pain. The community looked to me to know the path, and I, in my hubris, led them astray.”

SBF, on the other hand, went to trial and maintained his innocence throughout. He argued that FTX was merely experiencing a “liquidity crisis” rather than outright fraud. The jury took just four hours to convict him on all seven counts.

Courtroom Conduct

Judge Kaplan found that SBF committed perjury at least three times during his testimony. Kaplan called SBF’s performance on the stand the most “evasive” he had witnessed in nearly 30 years on the bench. “When he wasn’t outright lying, he was often evasive, hairsplitting, dodging questions,” Kaplan said.

The judge also found that SBF had attempted to tamper with witnesses before trial. He sent messages to former FTX general counsel Ryne Miller suggesting they “vet things with each other.”

Kwon, by contrast, listened to victim impact statements—315 letters submitted to the court—and apologized directly. “Hearing from victims was harrowing and reminded me again of the great losses that I have caused,” he told Judge Engelmayer.

Future Legal Exposure

A critical factor in Kwon’s sentencing was his pending prosecution in South Korea. He faces charges that could result in up to 40 additional years in prison. Judge Engelmayer explicitly considered this when crafting the sentence. Kwon will likely be extradited to face trial in his home country after serving his US term.

SBF faces no comparable foreign legal jeopardy, making his 25-year US sentence his primary punishment. However, he is actively fighting to overturn his conviction. In November 2025, SBF’s legal team filed an appeal, arguing that he was “presumed guilty” before his trial even began. His attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, claims the court blocked key evidence proving FTX’s solvency and allowed biased treatment throughout the proceedings. The Second Circuit is expected to take several months to issue a ruling.

	Do Kwon	Sam Bankman-Fried
Sentence	15 years	25 years
Estimated Loss	$40 billion	$11 billion
Plea	Guilty plea	Trial conviction
Remorse	Apologized to victims	No remorse shown
Perjury	None	3 counts found
Witness Tampering	None	Yes
Additional Charges	Up to 40 years in South Korea	None

The Bigger Picture

Both cases represent landmark moments in cryptocurrency enforcement. Prosecutors noted that Kwon’s losses exceeded those caused by SBF, OneCoin co-founder Karl Sebastian Greenwood, and former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky combined.

The sentencing outcomes send a clear message to the crypto industry: cooperation and genuine remorse can meaningfully reduce prison time.

Kwon has agreed to forfeit $19.3 million as part of his plea deal. He was also ordered to pay an $80 million fine and to receive a lifetime ban on cryptocurrency transactions as part of his 2024 SEC settlement.

His request to serve his sentence in South Korea was denied.

The post Do Kwon Gets 15 Years, 10 Less Than SBF—Here’s Why 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 global markets quietly shift with Japan’s bond yields surging and the BoJ hinting at a rate hike. The decades-long yen carry trade, which fueled stocks, crypto, and risk assets, could be unraveling faster than anyone expects.

Crypto News of the Day: Bitcoin Braces as BoJ May End Decades of Cheap Money

Global markets are bracing for a potential macro shock as the Bank of Japan (BoJ) prepares for its December 18–19 monetary policy meeting.

Traders now price a 90% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike, following signals from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda and persistent inflation above 2%.

Japan’s 2-year government bond yield has climbed above 1%, its highest since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, while the 10-year JGB hit a 17-year high, highlighting rising borrowing costs.

Why the Yen Carry Trade Matters

For nearly three decades, the yen carry trade fueled global risk-taking. Investors borrowed yen at ultra-low rates, converted it to dollars, and deployed capital into higher-yielding assets, including US stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

When Japan raises rates or the yen strengthens, this trade unwinds violently, forcing rapid asset sales.

The consequences are not hypothetical: in August 2024, a BoJ hike triggered a $600 billion crypto market wipe, including Bitcoin falling to $49,000 and $1.14 billion in liquidations. Analysts warn that a similar scenario could repeat if Japanese yields rise further.

🚨 The BOJ is about to shake crypto markets
🇯🇵Japan's likely rate hike to 80% Dec 18-19 – this threatens the yen carry trade that's been funding $BTC & risk assets for years
Last time they hiked was Aug 2024.

🔥BTC crashed to $49K
$600B wiped from crypto
$1.14B in liquidations…

— PaulBarron (@paulbarron) December 5, 2025

Besides Paul Barron, analyst Great Martis also calls the BoJ hike a potential “canary in the coal mine” for crypto and global markets.

“When the reckless BOJ is forced to raise rates, the yen carry trade will begin to unwind, causing market turmoil. Canary in the coal mine,” Martis wrote in a post.

Meanwhile, early signs of stress are emerging, as hedge funds and institutional investors closely monitor the simultaneous tightening of liquidity in Japan, the US, and China. This rare convergence could accelerate deleveraging.

Nonetheless, counterpoints exist. Analyst Negentropic notes that most leverage has already been flushed since October. In the same tone, Bob Elliot argues the yen carry trade is largely muted.

The Yen Carry Trade Is Dead

Despite a falling FX and low rates, the yen carry trade remains muted. Naked FX borrowing ended with the GFC, with the only thing left a lingering nostalgia for a trade that mattered 20yrs ago.https://t.co/1h7Zlp3KVQ pic.twitter.com/2llIZerTqt

— Bob Elliott (@BobEUnlimited) December 2, 2025

Yet even modest unwinding could pressure highly leveraged crypto positions and risk assets globally.

If QE Is Not the Immediate Solution, What’s Next for Bitcoin and Global Risk Assets?

Nic Puckrin, co-founder of Coin Bureau, emphasizes that quantitative easing (QE) historically follows a crisis, not routine rate adjustments.

The current tightening in Japan, the US, and China suggests that markets may face further drawdowns before any liquidity support arrives. Investors betting on easy money could face sharper-than-expected volatility.

Crypto markets are often the first to absorb funding shocks, making Bitcoin and Ethereum bellwethers for liquidity stress.

With the BoJ’s rate decision looming, traders should monitor:

• JGB yields,
• USD/JPY levels, and
• Leveraged positions.

If Japan continues tightening, global deleveraging could persist into 2026, testing the resilience of both crypto and traditional markets.

The era of free Japanese money appears to be coming to an end. Markets now face a higher-volatility environment, where fundamental value may replace cheap leverage as the main driver of asset prices.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Why XRP price refuses to rise despite Ripple’s mega moves.
• Polymarket trader makes $1 million on Google search bets, sparking insider trading fears.
• Bitcoin exchange supply nears 5-year low after $2 billion buy this week.
• IMF warns stablecoins pose financial stability risks as cross-border flows surpass Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Four reasons December could be the best time to start DCA into altcoins.
• Wolfe Research identifies ‘maximum disagreement’ as key Bitcoin market signal: What this means.
• Yi He to women: “No one goes easy on you in business.”

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company
Strategy (MSTR)	$186.01	$184.62 (-0.75%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$274.05	$273.30 (-0.27%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$27.57	$27.73 (+0.58%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$12.44	$12.37 (-0.57%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$15.59	$15.57 (-0.13%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$17.08	$17.09 (+0.059%)

The post Yen Carry Trade Collision: Bank of Japan’s Rate Shock Aims at Bitcoin | US Crypto News 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 to read how the Bitcoin mining sector is changing. Skyrocketing costs, collapsing fees, and the rise of AI are forcing miners to rethink their playbook, turning once-stable operations into a battleground for next-generation compute power.

Crypto News of the Day: AI Takes Over Bitcoin Mining Racks as Costs Explode and Profitability Craters

The CoinShares Bitcoin Mining Report Q4 2025 reported that the sector has hit its breaking point. Production costs have surged to all-time highs, hash price has collapsed, and artificial intelligence (AI) is now outbidding miners for their own infrastructure, triggering the most dramatic structural shift the sector has ever faced.

The industry entered Q2 2025 with a brutal new reality:

• The average cash cost to mine one BTC among public miners jumped to approximately $74,600,
• All-in costs soared to $137,800.
• Transaction fees, once a buffer for miner revenue, fell below 1% of block rewards in May and June, the weakest contribution since the 2024 halving.

Yet even as margins collapsed, the Bitcoin network continued to climb, smashing through 1 Zetta hash/s for the first time in August.

Public miners contributed only about 80 EH/s of year-to-date growth, meaning most of the expansion is now coming from private operators, sovereign miners, and well-capitalized energy players with vastly cheaper power.

The result: miners are being diluted by hashrate growth they are no longer driving.

AI Moves In — And It Pays 10–20× More Per Megawatt

A far bigger disruption is unfolding at the infrastructure level. Industrial-scale mining campuses, comprising 100MW to 1GW sites, share nearly identical power, cooling, and rack density requirements with modern AI datacenters.

That overlap has turned mining facilities into prime targets for hyperscalers.

Deals from Google–TeraWulf, Google–Cipher, and multi-site agreements with Fluidstack signal the same direction, that big-tech is moving into miner-built capacity at a premium.

The math explains why. Bitcoin mining yields roughly $1 million per megawatt, while AI compute generates $10 million to $20 million per megawatt.

No miner can ignore that spread.

Industry Splits: AI Megacampuses vs. Mobile, Ultra-Low-Cost Miners

The sector is now diverging into two clear models:

1. 1. Megascale miners → fully or partially converting to AI/HPC

These facilities can upgrade their electrical topology and uptime standards to meet enterprise requirements. They’re signing decade-long contracts and shifting from volatile block rewards to stable, capacity-based revenue.

2. Low-cost, mobile miners → shifting to stranded energy

Miners unable to compete with AI are moving off-grid: flare gas, remote hydro, and surplus renewables. Portable rigs are being deployed everywhere cheap energy exists, echoing mining’s early decentralized roots.

This migration marks a long-term reshaping of the industry, and not a temporary cycle.

According to a CoinShares report:

• Hashprice averaged approximately $50 per PH/s/day throughout Q2, continuing its post-halving slide.
• With difficulty rising, fees stagnant, and Bitcoin trading mostly sideways, older ASIC fleets have been forced offline.

Analysts expect hashprice to remain range-bound between $37–55 per PH/s/day through 2028 unless BTC rallies far faster than hashrate growth.

A Structural Shift: AI Outbids Bitcoin

For the first time in Bitcoin’s history, miners are being priced out of their own infrastructure.

AI’s superior economics, hyperscaler deal flow, and the rising cost of industrial mining are pushing the industry into a permanent transformation.

The Bitcoin network remains strong, where hashrate is still climbing, but the business of mining is being rewritten fast.

This puts miners at an impasse, to either go big into AI, or go remote into stranded power.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Yi He appointed Binance co-CEO amidst legal and regulatory challenges.
• Kevin Hassett as Trump’s Fed pick: How will his policy impact crypto in 2026?
• Ethereum Fusaka goes live today: Can it trigger a Pectra-like rally?
• Is Bitcoin ready to end its 5-week downtrend or face rejection at $95,000?
• Vanguard ‘degen effect’ fuels 10% surge for Bitcoin in explosive rebound.
• PENGU token jumps 30% on NHL Deal, but $108 million sell-off sparks fear.
• Binance marks 3 altcoins for delisting: Everything you need to know.
• V-shape bounce, rare Bitcoin signal, $13 billion Fed shock: What’s coming?

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of December 2	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$181.33	$185.83 (+2.48%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$263.26	$269.39 (+2.33%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$25.36	$25.90 (+2.13%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$11.91	$12.27 (+3.02%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$15.22	$15.55 (+2.17%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$15.82	$16.03 (+1.33%)

The post Bitcoin Mining Hit Its Breaking Point — Now AI Is Taking Over Its Racks | US Crypto News 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, because today’s story is not what it first appears to be. MicroStrategy’s new $1.44 billion cash wall has sparked more questions than answers, landing at a moment when markets feel unusually tense, and every move seems to hint at something deeper beneath the surface.

Crypto News of the Day: MicroStrategy Builds USD Reserve as Market Panic Tests Saylor’s Bitcoin Doctrine

MicroStrategy’s latest move was supposed to calm nerves. Instead, it has become the new focal point of a market gripped by fear, speculation, and a fast-approaching liquidity stress test.

On Monday, Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) confirmed it has established a $1.44 billion USD Reserve. This cash buffer is designed to cover dividends and interest for up to 21 months.

$MSTR announces the formation of a $1.44 billion USD Reserve and an increase in its BTC Reserve to 650,000 $BTC. pic.twitter.com/e1tAhDUo9G

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) December 1, 2025

Strategy chair Michael Saylor also revealed that the firm has added 130 BTC to its already massive treasury.

“Strategy has acquired 130 BTC for ~$11.7 million at ~$89,960 per bitcoin. As of 11/30/2025, we hodl 650,000 BTC acquired for ~$48.38 billion at ~$74,436 per bitcoin,” Saylor indicated.

The announcement arrived barely a day after traders obsessively dissected Michael Saylor’s cryptic “green dot” comments. Speculation ranged from an MSTR buy to the firm adding to its BTC stockpile.

BREAKING: MicroStrategy establishes a $1.44B USD reserve for dividend payments.

This is the actual “Green Dot.”

— Conor Kenny (@conorfkenny) December 1, 2025

The new purchase brings the company’s holdings to 650,000 BTC, or roughly 3.1% of all Bitcoin that will ever exist.

A Cash Reserve—Or a Warning Sign?

The company framed the USD Reserve as a strategic evolution. Saylor called it “the next step in our evolution” and essential for facing near-term volatility.

“…the reserve currently covers 21 months of Dividends. We intend to use this reserve to pay our Dividends and grow it over time,” Strategy CEO Phong Le indicated.

However, these remarks did not bring stability, but rather stress, coming after the MicroStrategy executive admitted to a scenario once considered unthinkable: a potential sale of Bitcoin.

In a recent interview, CEO Phong Le acknowledged a “kill switch” tied to two conditions:

• MicroStrategy’s stock trades below 1.0x mNAV—meaning the company is valued at less than the Bitcoin it owns.
• The firm cannot raise capital through equity or debt.

As of this writing, mNAV sits above 1x, pulling away from the 0.9x danger zone, below which, MicroStrategy could be pushed toward BTC-funded dividend obligations.

Markets are already on edge, with Jim Cramer, cited in a recent US Crypto News publication, issuing a warning.

“This kneejerk, somewhat vicious, decline smacks of anticipation of hedge funds blowing up over the Japan carry-trade… and Strategy/Bitcoin given that at this level they are almost the same thing,” wrote Cramer.

The line “almost the same thing” captures the structural shift: MicroStrategy has functionally become a leveraged Bitcoin ETF with a software company attached. That structure works spectacularly when Bitcoin rips higher, but compresses violently when liquidity tightens.

And liquidity is tightening fast.

MicroStrategy insists it faces no forced liquidation risk. However, the admission of a sale condition, combined with a $1.44 billion cash wall, marks a turning point.

Where Saylor once said, “We will never sell Bitcoin,” investors now have a measurable tripwire:
0.9× mNAV.

Bitcoin’s next move won’t just shape market sentiment; it may decide whether MicroStrategy remains the face of corporate Bitcoin accumulation or becomes the first high-profile test of its limits.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Crypto funds roar back with $1.07 billion inflows as rate-cut hopes surge.
• Ripple wins Singapore approval as XRP whales drive market shift.
• Japan’s bond shock slams crypto: $640 Million liquidated as 10-year JGB hits 17-year high.
• 4 US economic events to shake Bitcoin sentiment in the first week of December 2025.
• Ethereum breaks down from key pattern, opening a path toward 28% crash.
• Fed to end QT: Could this trigger multi-year altcoin rally akin to 2019-2022?

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of November 28	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$177.18	$168.10 (-5.12%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$272.82	$260.53 (-4.50%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$26.59	$25.30 (-4.85%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$11.81	$11.06 (-6.35%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$16.13	$15.14 (-6.14%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$16.89	$16.37 (-3.07%)

The post MicroStrategy Builds $1.44 Billion Cash Wall Amid Rising Market Fear | US Crypto News 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 and settle in. This week, Bitcoin’s movements have traders talking, analysts scratching their heads, and even some familiar voices hinting that not everything is as it seems. Amid dips, recoveries, and cryptic warnings, one question lingers: who—or what—might really be pulling the strings behind the scenes?

Crypto News of the Day: Behind Bitcoin’s Strength—A Cabal? Jim Cramer Thinks So

Jim Cramer has once again sparked a wave of speculation across Crypto Twitter and trading desks, after suggesting that unseen forces may be at work to keep Bitcoin elevated despite mounting macroeconomic pressure.

“Almost feels like a cabal is trying to keep Bitcoin above $90,000. I like Bitcoin, but I do not like any of the derivatives created to play it, game it, or mine it,” he stated.

The remark landed at a sensitive moment for the market. Bitcoin dipped below $90,000 earlier in the week before recovering, prompting traders to dissect Cramer’s choice of words.

His reference to a “cabal,” even if rhetorical, was enough to spark theories ranging from ETF market makers defending key levels to institutional buyers accumulating quietly as liquidity thins.

Cramer doubled down hours later with another pointed message: “Even after all of this destruction, we are not oversold!!!”

To many traders, this sounded less like caution and more like classic Cramer timing, historically notorious for aligning with market inflection points in the opposite direction.

That instantly fed the Inverse Cramer narrative: when Cramer turns bearish or warning-heavy, some traders look for a bottom instead.

BUY everything

— Ali (@ali_charts) November 19, 2025

However, analysts argue that the market’s recent behavior has far more to do with macroeconomic forces than memes.

Macro Forces, Not Memes: What’s Really Driving Bitcoin’s Recent Volatility

According to QCP, Bitcoin’s brief break below the $90,000 threshold reflected the asset’s growing sensitivity to shifts in liquidity and interest-rate expectations.

Firmer rate outlooks, coupled with persistent outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, have weighed on sentiment for weeks. The rapid repricing in Federal Reserve expectations, from an assumed December rate cut to a coin flip has only intensified those pressures.

“Markets have sharply repriced Fed expectations, cutting December rate cut odds from ‘near certain’ to ‘even,’” QCP noted, emphasizing how such macro adjustments disproportionately affect duration-sensitive assets like Bitcoin.

Meanwhile, equities have remained relatively resilient thanks to blockbuster earnings from AI-driven hyperscalers. Big Tech’s strength has left crypto trailing behind, amplifying volatility as liquidity thins.

Now that the US government has reopened and economic data releases are resuming, traders are bracing for a critical week.

Labor-market indicators and the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index, updated with new vacancy metrics, are expected to shape market expectations as we enter 2026.

These data points will help define whether the Fed leans toward caution on inflation or acknowledges signs of cooling.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s recent reminder that a December cut is “not guaranteed” has reinforced the cautious mood.

For Bitcoin, the question is whether recent turbulence represents a standard positioning shakeout or the opening act of broader risk-off dynamics.

Cramer’s “cabal” comment may have dominated the headlines, but the real driver may still be the macro tide, and whether it turns against crypto or slowly back in its favor.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• Japan’s yield shock threatens global markets — and Bitcoin may be next.
• Andrew Tate becomes “one of the worst traders in crypto” after losing over $800,000.
• Tether dominance hits 6% in November – Why this is a worrying signal.
• LIBRA price pumps 30% as investigators uncover a political bombshell.
• Analysts reveal key support levels for Bitcoin if selling pressure doesn’t ease in November.
• Ethereum drops near $3,000, but on-chain ‘opportunity zone’ hints at rebound.
• Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Gold, Silver: Bulls come ashore ahead of October FOMC Minutes.
• From 2052 to 2034: Quantum progress accelerates the countdown to Q-Day.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of November 18	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$206.80	$205.75 (-0.51%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$261.79	$262.73 (+0.36%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$25.58	$25.84 (+1.02%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$11.88	$11.99 (+0.93%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$13.94	$14.03 (+0.65%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$15.43	$15.80 (+2.40%)

The post Is Bitcoin Being Propped Up? Jim Cramer Stokes Controversy | US Crypto News 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 and settle in—this one might make you rethink what you thought you knew about crypto. In the past year, Bitcoin has surged dramatically, posting returns that rival traditional safe-haven assets. Yet, while some see a story of stability, others see lingering questions about risk, reward, and where cryptocurrencies really belong in a portfolio.

Crypto News of the Day: Crypto Returns Spark Fresh ‘Store of Value’ Debate

Since January 2024, Bitcoin ETFs have surged roughly 100%, mirroring the returns of physical gold ETFs, while the S&P 500 returned just 45%. This performance has sparked a fresh debate over Bitcoin’s role in investor portfolios: is it a “risk-on” asset like stocks, or a “store of value” like gold?

Since spot btc ETFs launched in Jan 2024, they’ve returned same % as physical gold ETFs…

Approx 100%.

S&P 500 has returned nearly 45%.

So is btc a “risk on” asset like stocks or “store of value” like gold?

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) November 17, 2025

Nate Geraci, president of the ETF Store, highlighted the surprising parity, with the striking similarity to gold returns prompting investors to reassess Bitcoin’s traditional narrative.

While Bitcoin is widely viewed as a volatile, high-risk asset, its ETF performance over the past year has aligned with one of the most stable investment vehicles in history. Against this backdrop, investors weigh whether the risk is worth the return.

“I think the question for cripto is… especially ETH. Do you want to hold a high-volatility asset for that kind of return? ETH flat or down for the past 4/5 years,” one user chimed.

This remark highlights the challenge for investors, who see Bitcoin’s rally offering gold-like gains, but but the risks due to volatility remain a persistent threat for crypto as an asset class. Risk-adjusted returns remain a key factor when evaluating crypto’s place in a diversified portfolio.

Risks notwithstanding, BlackRock’s recent People & Money report reveals the growing retail appetite for ETFs, especially among younger investors. According to Nate Geraci’s summary:

• ETFs are the fastest-growing retail investment product over the last five years.
• 19 million US adults are likely to buy ETFs in the next 12 months, with 44% being first-time buyers, 71% under 45 years old.
• Equity and crypto will be the most popular allocations among these new investors, with 47% expected to invest in crypto ETFs.

This data highlights a generational shift in investing behavior. Younger investors are increasingly incorporating crypto into their portfolios alongside traditional assets. This shows that the market is growing faster than conventional wisdom suggests.

BlackRock Moves and Market Sentiment

Institutional activity adds another layer to the debate. Whale tracker reports indicate that BlackRock recently deposited 4,880 BTC, worth approximately $467 million, and 54,730 ETH valued at nearly $176 million into the Coinbase exchange.

BlackRock deposits 4,880 $BTC, worth $467.19 million, and 54,730 $ETH, worth $175.93 million into Coinbase – Arkham. pic.twitter.com/Q7RSl6c6k3

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) November 17, 2025

The transaction marks the second move this month. Barely two weeks ago, the asset manager transferred 2,042 BTC, worth $213 million, and 22,681 ETH, valued at $80 million, to the same exchange.

Moving tokens to exchanges often suggest possible plans to sell, a move that could be bearish for Bitcoin and Ethereum prices.

“Last time they did this, the market dipped soon after. Now with Bitcoin sitting near $104K… is sub-$100K next?” Kyle Doops posed on X after the initial transaction.

Nonetheless, large transfers from major fund managers to exchanges could also mean strategic rebalancing.

With both possibilities likely to weigh on near-term price sentiment, it is worth noting that concentrated institutional holdings could amplify market swings, particularly in high-volatility environments.

Should Bitcoin be treated like digital gold, offering portfolio stability? Or is it a high-risk, high-reward asset akin to equities?

Looking ahead, retail and institutional flows, ETF innovation, and macroeconomic conditions will likely define crypto’s trajectory in 2026. As younger investors increasingly allocate to crypto ETFs, the market may see both rapid growth and heightened volatility, reinforcing the need for careful portfolio strategy.

Charts of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

•  Top 3 price prediction Bitcoin, Gold, Silver: Flash reversal signals at key technical levels.
• XRP loses $16 million as crypto funds bleed $2 billion in policy chaos.
• A European Central Bank official warns about the potential impact of a stablecoin sell-off.
• Bitcoin falls harder than tech as Nasdaq Link tightens and skew turns negative.
• XRP price is one step from a breakdown — Or a cycle bottom?
• Bitcoin slides toward $95,000, long-term metrics say undervalued.
• Arthur Hayes’ portfolio drops over 30% — Should markets be worried?
• Death cross confirmed: Is Bitcoin bottoming or about to crash?

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of November 14	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$199.75	$200.01 (+0.13%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$284.00	$284.44 (+0.15%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$26.34	$26.30 (-01.15%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$11.99	$12.05 (+0.50%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$13.95	$13.96 (+0.072%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$14.93	$15.01 (+0.54%)

The post Bitcoin ETFs’ 100% Rally Raises More Questions Than Answers | US Crypto News 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 because of how whales are splitting. Institutions are quietly loading up, and Tom Lee’s BitMine is moving faster than anyone as a major on-chain pattern breaks. With Ethereum (ETH) stuck in the $3,100 range, and volatility spiking across the market, a new battle line is forming between panic sellers and high-conviction buyers.

Crypto News of the Day: BitMine Buys 9,176 ETH From Galaxy Digital OTC

Ethereum’s biggest players are suddenly split, and Tom Lee’s BitMine is moving faster than anyone. As ETH hovers near $3,100 with mixed technical signals, whales are either panic-selling at breakeven or doubling down with record-size buys. BitMine has firmly chosen its side.

Despite a sharp market downturn, BitMine continues to accumulate at scale. On-chain data from Lookonchain shows a new BitMine-linked wallet, 0x9973, receiving 9,176 ETH, valued at $29.14 million, directly from a Galaxy Digital OTC wallet.

“Despite the market downturn, Tom Lee’s Bitmine is still buying $ETH,” Lookonchain reported, highlighting Lee’s aggressive strategy.

This follows earlier activity confirming a total accumulation of 19,500 ETH in BitMine, positioning the firm among the most active institutional buyers in November.

🚨 BREAKING

WHALES AND INSTITUTIONS ARE BUYING THE DIP!

SATOSHI WHALE BOUGHT 420,000 $ETH
FIDELITY BOUGHT 2,000 $BTC
STRATEGY BOUGHT 17,600 $BTC
BITMINE BOUGHT 19,500 $ETH
ANCHORAGE DIGITAL BOUGHT 4,000 $BTC

CRAZY ACCUMULATION HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES RIGHT NOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sLAjIyBYKR

— 0xNobler (@CryptoNobler) November 14, 2025

Whales Break Pattern: Some Sell at Breakeven, Others Buy Billions

A closer look at additional on-chain transactions suggests that broader whale activity is fragmented. A long-term holder, wallet 0x0c19, has just sold 2,404 ETH tokens, valued at $7.7 million, which they had held since August 2021. At today’s prices, the whale appears to be exiting at breakeven, signaling fading confidence after years of inactivity.

Meanwhile, a super-whale known as #66kETHBorrow is doing the opposite. They added another 16,937 ETH ($53.9 million), bringing their total to 422,175 ETH ($1.34 billion) in just a few days. Despite sitting on approximately $126 million in unrealized losses, this whale continues to accumulate with conviction.

Update:

Whale #66kETHBorrow just bought another 16,937 $ETH($53.91M)

Total purchases: 422,175 $ETH($1.34B)https://t.co/ULBnjVbQeV pic.twitter.com/KsrYQyRBJ7

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) November 14, 2025

Machi Brothers Add Leverage Even While Deep in the Red

Traders Machi Big Brother and Machi Small Brother have also doubled down. Both increased their long positions on Hyperliquid:

• Machi Big Brother: 7,400.7 ETH ($23.55 million), liquidation at $3,040
• Machi Small Brother: 5,000 ETH ($15.9 million), liquidation at $2,794

Lookonchain notes that both traders added margin as ETH fell to avoid liquidations, signaling confidence in a rebound despite being heavily underwater.

Tornado Cash Wallet Sparks Richard Heart Speculation

Elsewhere, a Tornado Cash-linked wallet, 0xa13C, sold 4,978 ETH ($16.29 million) at $3,273. On-chain data shows this same entity previously deposited 162,937 ETH, funds associated by analysts with Richard Heart, founder of HEX and PulseChain.

Another wallet, 0xa13C, received 4,978 $ETH ($16.29M) from https://t.co/11PfRBP2j2 and sold it at $3,273 eight hours ago.

Previously, Richard Heart(@RichardHeartWin, founder of HEX, PulseChain, and PulseX) deposited all 162,937 $ETH($619M) he bought at $3,800 last year into… https://t.co/nbrxNGoQX4

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) November 14, 2025

No confirmation has surfaced, but the sale adds to the narrative of whale divergence.

“Crazy accumulation happening behind the scenes,” DeFi researcher 0xNobler said.

The next major catalyst for Ethereum arrives in December, the Fusaka upgrade. Crypto Rover noted that the smaller Pectra upgrade pushed ETH up 50%, adding weight to expectations for renewed volatility.

The massive $ETH Fusaka upgrade is coming this December.

The smaller Pectra update pushed $ETH up 50%.

Prepare accordingly. pic.twitter.com/RVixSNLEOO

— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) November 14, 2025

With whales deeply divided and institutions silently accumulating, Ethereum’s next move may hinge on whether BitMine and other large buyers can flip sentiment before December’s upgrade window.

Chart of the Day

Byte-Sized Alpha

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

• UAE’s new law sparks ‘Bitcoin ban’ fears after harsh penalties.
• How Grayscale holds XLM as the price drops more than 50%.
• Democrats and Republicans find rare common ground on Bitcoin, new data shows.
• Analysts liken stress levels to FTX era as crypto liquidations exceed $1.1 billion.
• Circle stock sinks back to IPO Price amid rising insider unlocks and volatility fear.
• Not ETF buzz, nor whales — This group can save Dogecoin (DOGE) price from a breakdown.
• Bitcoin death cross in 48 hours — is this the real bottom or a drop to $70,000?
• Nearly $5 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options expire today amid a market on edge.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

Company	At the Close of November 13	Pre-Market Overview
Strategy (MSTR)	$208.54	$202.41 (-2.94%)
Coinbase (COIN)	$283.14	$274.51 (-3.05%)
Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)	$27.24	$26.06 (-4.33%)
MARA Holdings (MARA)	$12.78	$12.35 (-3.36%)
Riot Platforms (RIOT)	$13.88	$13.30 (-4.18%)
Core Scientific (CORZ)	$15.16	$14.87 (-1.91%)

The post Tom Lee’s BitMine Acts Fast as Ethereum Whale Pattern Breaks | US Crypto News appeared first on BeInCrypto.