Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Arbitrum’s Alpha Transaction Race began distributing rewards on December 27 at 11:00 UTC+8, according to Coinotag citing official sources. The distribution includes VSN and LAVA allocations under the network’s structured incentives program. Eligible users can claim rewards via the established portal. Users who submit claims after a 48-hour window will receive an additional 5 Alpha points, provided as either VSN or LAVA to meet eligibility criteria. The rollout is intended to boost liquidity and on-chain activity without changing token economics. Traders should verify official announcements and monitor the rewards dashboard for claim status and potential short-term shifts in token flows.

CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator told the Fortune Brainstorm AI conference that the current AI boom is constrained by real, physical supply-chain limits rather than a circular flow of capital. He said the bottlenecks extend beyond GPUs and chips into raw materials such as copper and other metals needed for data-center infrastructure, and that resolving them requires cross-industry cooperation. Intrator rejected the notion that the AI market is merely capital recycling, arguing demand is “fast and aggressive.” He noted CoreWeave’s strategic shift away from concentrated customer exposure (Microsoft once represented 85% of revenue, now no single customer accounts for more than 30% of backlog) and defended the company amid stock volatility since its IPO (shares near $90 vs $40 IPO). Intrator described the market as a macro supercycle driven by a shift from sequential to parallel computing and said delivery delays are tied to policy, physical infrastructure and energy constraints. Key takeaways for traders: persistent end-user demand for AI compute may limit downward pressure from used-GPU supply; supply-chain and energy constraints create upside pressure on prices and delayed capacity growth; customer-diversification reduces single-client risk but stock remains sensitive to short-term delivery updates.

Bank of China (BoC) completed the first cross‑border digital renminbi (e‑CNY) QR code payment with Laos on December 27 under guidance from the People’s Bank of China and the Bank of Laos. The pilot, led by BoC’s Vientiane branch, connects Lao merchants to a cross‑border digital RMB platform offering real‑time exchange‑rate quotes, on‑site QR verification and immediate clearing. Chinese tourists can pay in RMB by scanning merchant QR codes in an e‑CNY app; Lao merchants receive settlements via their existing devices and channels without major hardware changes while compliance is preserved. The trial aims to lower barriers to cross‑border settlement, simplify payments for tourism and local commerce, and demonstrate how CBDC‑enabled QR payments can facilitate regional digital payment integration.

TeraWulf (WULF) and Cipher Mining (CIFR) are crypto miners pivoting to AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads after securing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure deals with Google Cloud (Alphabet) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). These hyperscaler contracts are expected to drive strong revenue growth in 2026 — analysts project roughly 132% growth for TeraWulf and about 66% for Cipher. Valuation multiples could expand to approximately 21–22x 2026 revenues, implying potential share-price upside of 45–50% if the companies deliver. Key risks include TeraWulf’s higher leverage and both firms’ need to execute large-scale buildouts and meet hyperscaler performance and timeline requirements. The story places crypto miners as infrastructure providers in the AI acceleration trend, linking mining operators’ revenue outlook to enterprise cloud demand rather than only BTC price movements.

AI-focused crypto tokens have plunged amid concerns of an AI crypto bubble and weakening U.S. labor-market indicators. Latest data show AI tokens fell 24.9% in the past month and are down 74.6% year-to-date, while 24-hour trading volume for AI tokens and related altcoins has declined about 20% to $3.48 billion — a sign liquidity is drying up. Broader altcoins have lost roughly 34% of market value, bringing altcoin market capitalization to about $1.16 trillion from a prior peak near $1.77 trillion. Analysts highlighted a growing correlation between AI equities and AI tokens: the S&P 500 is up ~17.8% YTD, driven in part by AI stocks, even as U.S. labor participation slips (reported at 59.4%), a divergence that historically precedes market corrections. Firms cited include Alphractal (raising bubble parallels tied to labor-market divergence) and Artemis (reporting token declines and volume drop). Traders should monitor employment data, AI-equity strength, and liquidity metrics closely: further weakness in AI stocks or negative employment surprises could accelerate downside for AI tokens and exert broader pressure on altcoins, with some analysts warning of a potential move toward a $1 trillion altcoin market cap if sentiment worsens.

CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju says Bitcoin’s spot order-flow distribution currently signals a Price Decrease phase characterized by Whale Accumulation while retail investors are selling. According to Ki, range-bound markets often follow a two-step dynamic: price rises trigger Retail FOMO and Whale Sell-off; price drops trigger Retail Sell-off and Whale Accumulation. The present configuration — predominant whale accumulation amid retail outflows — typically indicates shifting on-chain liquidity and consolidation before a possible next leg of directional price discovery. Traders are advised to monitor on-chain liquidity, watch interactions between retail activity and large holders, and use disciplined risk controls and corroborating indicators before changing exposure.

An on-chain expert said Bitcoin’s rapid drop to about $24,000 was not a genuine market crash but a liquidity wick on Binance driven by concentrated sell-side pressure. The move briefly pushed BTC below key support levels before prices quickly recovered, suggesting the decline resulted from order-book imbalances and a cascade of liquidations on a single exchange rather than broad market capitulation. Analysts noted that such exchange-specific liquidity events can create sharp, short-lived price distortions, attracting algorithmic liquidations and stop-loss executions. The episode underlines the influence of centralized exchange order books on short-term volatility and highlights risks for leveraged traders during thin liquidity periods. Traders should watch exchange-level liquidity, large order flows, and liquidation clusters to better manage risk and avoid false breakouts.

ZKP, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, will launch trading on South Korea’s major exchanges Upbit and Bithumb. The listings mark a significant market entry for ZKP in one of the world’s largest crypto trading hubs, potentially increasing liquidity and user access. Exact listing dates, trading pairs, and deposit/withdrawal schedules were announced by the exchanges (or ZKP team) in linked statements. The move follows growing interest in privacy tokens despite regulatory scrutiny in some jurisdictions. Traders can expect higher on‑exchange volume for ZKP at listing, potential short-term price volatility around the announcement and listing dates, and improved price discovery over time as Korean market participants engage. Key keywords: ZKP, privacy token, Upbit, Bithumb, South Korea, crypto listing, liquidity, trading pairs, price volatility.

A post on the Truth platform alleging that former President Trump uncovered “1 million” pages of new Jeffrey Epstein documents and that the DOJ was diverted to handle a politically motivated scheme has circulated without verification. The claim, amplified on social media, highlights how political headlines can drive short-term crypto market moves by altering perceptions of regulatory risk and macro policy uncertainty. Traders may see amplified volatility during thin liquidity sessions; Bitcoin and major altcoins are particularly susceptible to rapid repricing as market participants reassess risk exposure. Recommended trader actions include prioritizing official statements and on-chain data over social posts, maintaining disciplined stop-loss levels, using diversified hedges, and avoiding overreaction to unverified narratives. Key themes: political headline-driven sentiment, regulatory risk, short-term volatility, importance of risk controls.

On-chain exchange flow data show over 50 billion Shiba Inu (SHIB) tokens were withdrawn from centralized exchanges in a rapid outflow. CryptoQuant and other sources report a large negative exchange netflow, marking sustained withdrawals that most likely reflect accumulation or transfers to cold storage rather than mere internal wallet reshuffling. The outflow reduces exchange-listed supply and so lowers immediate sell-side liquidity — a condition that can amplify upward price moves if buy-side demand returns. Price action remains below key moving averages and in a longer-term downtrend, but the decline’s slope has flattened; momentum indicators are in oversold territory and volatility has eased, suggesting a late-stage bearish setup that often precedes consolidation or reversal. Trading volume increased alongside the outflow, supporting the view that withdrawals were accompanied by genuine buying interest rather than low-liquidity noise. For traders: the exchange netflow and rising volume are bullish indicators to monitor, but outflows alone do not guarantee a rally — renewed demand or a broader crypto market catalyst is required. Short term: expect continued consolidation with elevated upside risk if inflows resume or the wider market rallies. Mid-to-long term: sustained exchange withdrawals historically precede stronger rallies once buying pressure returns. Keywords: Shiba Inu, SHIB, exchange outflow, exchange netflow, token withdrawals, accumulation, liquidity, trading volume, price consolidation.

Japanese analyst Yuto Kanzaki says private Japan–South Korea talks on joint blockchain infrastructure, together with impending Japanese regulatory clarity for Ripple Prime and Ripple Custody, could accelerate institutional use of Ripple and XRP across East Asia. The discussions — not yet public — may produce shared frameworks for payments, remittances and enterprise blockchain services where the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is already active. Ripple has committed a large portion of its one‑billion‑XRP program to an XRPL Japan and Korea Fund aimed at partnerships, startup investment and developer support. Network-level momentum includes new XRPL validators in the region — South Korea’s Infinite Block and Japan’s SBI VC Trade — which strengthen decentralization, resilience and compliance credibility. Kanzaki advises XRP holders to monitor developments closely, arguing that combined government coordination, clearer regulation, regional investment and growing validator participation could improve institutional integration and adoption of XRP. This is informational and not financial advice.

WazirX founder Nischal Shetty has confirmed the long-running ownership dispute with Binance has moved into formal litigation. The dispute stems from Binance’s 2019 acquisition announcement; both sides now assert competing claims over control, governance and operational rights of WazirX. The escalation raises regulatory and strategic risk for WazirX, India’s largest crypto exchange, and could complicate cross-border cooperation and licensing discussions. The litigation may increase uncertainty around platform control, asset access and user trust, potentially affecting withdrawal behaviour and liquidity. Separately, WazirX and its founder have publicly clashed with custody provider Liminal following a July 2024 hack that drained roughly $230 million from an external fund-management site linked to WazirX. WazirX attributed part of the loss to failures in its multisignature custody framework; Liminal denies a breach and says about $175 million remained under its control after the incident. The custody dispute highlights scrutiny on multisig and third-party custodial arrangements and their role in exchange security and asset recovery. Key takeaways for traders: monitor court filings and official statements for changes in platform control or governance; watch on-chain movements, wallet migrations and any announced asset recoveries; expect heightened regulatory attention in India that could affect operational clarity and user flows; and consider possible short-term volatility in assets associated with WazirX user balances and withdrawal demand. Primary keywords: WazirX, Binance, custody dispute, multisig, exchange litigation.

Jan3 CEO Samson Mow said on X that he expects 2025 to be a bear market but believes Bitcoin will soon begin a prolonged bull market lasting until about 2035. The brief report — shared by PANews — conveys Mow’s forward-looking market view without providing detailed timing, price targets, or the analysis supporting his forecast. No trading advice or specific strategies were offered. The statement is positioned as market commentary from a notable industry figure rather than an analytic report. Relevant keywords: Bitcoin, bull market, bear market, Samson Mow, 2025, 2035.

Market analyst Colin Wu warns the GENIUS Act — enacted in July — creates both opportunities and major risks for the crypto sector. While the bill could boost adoption of USD-backed stablecoins and demand for dollars and US Treasuries, Wu says it concentrates geopolitical and financial influence and complicates global dollar flows. The Act defines acceptable reserve assets (bank deposits, short-term Treasuries, repo agreements), but their price volatility could produce reserve shortfalls if Treasury values fall. Wu argues stablecoin rules will likely trigger broader regulation of crypto assets and real-world assets (RWAs), pushing licensed banks to enter tokenization, custody and clearing once legal recognition arrives. That shift could centralize stablecoin infrastructure within regulated banks and reduce risks to monetary stability — but also threatens the current stablecoin industry by displacing unregulated firms and changing profit dynamics. Traders should note potential liquidity and reserve risks, increased regulatory scrutiny across crypto sectors, and the prospect of greater bank involvement in tokenization. Key implications include higher USD/Treasury demand, regulatory-driven market reconfiguration, and elevated uncertainty for stablecoin-backed trading and RWA activity.

Jan3 founder Samson Mow said 2025 should be viewed as a Bitcoin bear market and predicted a potential decade-long bull run starting after 2025. Mow’s view, posted on X, was echoed by on-chain analyst PlanC, who noted that surviving 2025 meant surviving the bear market and pointed out Bitcoin is on track for a red yearly candle—something Bitcoin has never had two years in a row. Bitcoin reached an all-time high near $125,100 in October but has since pulled back and was trading around $87,420 (down ~9% year-to-date and ~3.3% over 30 days at publication). Market sentiment slipped into “extreme fear” in December (Crypto Fear & Greed Index ~20). Analysts remain divided: some (Peter Brandt, Jurrien Timmer) warn of deeper declines into 2026 (targets near $60k–$65k), while others (Matt Hougan, Phong Le) expect an up year or resilient fundamentals in 2026. The piece highlights key price metrics, mixed analyst outlooks, low sentiment readings, and the contrast between short-term weakness and potential multi-year bullish thesis.

Uniswap’s UNIfication governance proposal passed decisively on 26 December 2025, with ~125 million UNI voting in favor and just 742 opposing. After a short timelock, the plan executes a one‑time 100 million UNI burn and enables protocol fees on Uniswap v2 and v3 pools on Ethereum, plus fee capture from Unichain activity. The change installs an ongoing fee-funded burn mechanism that shifts UNI’s tokenomics toward deflationary behavior and creates clearer revenue capture for the protocol. On-chain metrics confirm Uniswap remains the DEX leader with roughly $60.7 billion monthly volume and a >50% spot market share. Market reaction has been muted: despite stronger fundamentals, UNI’s price shows neutral-to-bearish technicals (weakened RSI, subdued MACD) and dense liquidity clusters near the reported $5.1 support that could amplify downside if macro sentiment weakens. For traders: monitor on-chain fee accrual, actual burn flow data, and liquidity cluster behavior around $5.1; expect an immediate supply shock from the 100M burn with potential long-term bullishness from recurring fee burns, but maintain caution for near-term technical risk and liquidation cascades.

Coinbase has confirmed the arrest in India of a former customer support employee tied to a customer data breach first disclosed in May, CEO Brian Armstrong said. The incident involved attackers reportedly bribing a contractor to access sensitive customer records and included a $20 million ransom demand; Coinbase previously called it one of its most notable security breaches and estimated remediation costs could reach $400 million. The company has not disclosed the arrested individual’s identity or whether further arrests are expected. Analysts say the case highlights ongoing cybersecurity and governance shortcomings at major exchanges and renews calls for stronger privacy controls, clearer incident reporting and tighter regulatory oversight. For traders, the episode may prompt short-term volatility in Bitcoin (BTC) and other exchange-listed assets as confidence in custodial security is tested. Longer-term implications include increased scrutiny of exchange risk, greater emphasis on compliance and potential acceleration of shifts toward self-custody solutions. Primary keywords: Coinbase, data breach, customer data, arrest. Secondary keywords included naturally: Brian Armstrong, ransom demand, security incident, remediation costs.

Onchain Lens data shows a wallet linked to Justin Bram received 5.37 million WLD tokens from the Worldcoin vesting wallet (roughly $2.6 million). Of those, 943,000 WLD were transferred directly to Justin Bram and subsequently sold for about $458,814. The same address also sold 23.84 million FAI tokens for $54,629. The activity highlights token vesting distributions and early token sales by an individual associated with Worldcoin. Traders should note the size of the WLD transfer and the on-chain sale, which could increase short-term sell pressure on WLD and draw attention to token unlock schedules and insider-related flows.

OKX spot market snapshot: MINA recorded the largest intraday gain at +3.22%, trading at $0.0794. Other top gainers included CHZ (+3.20%, $0.0364), PEOPLE (+3.06%, $0.00939), BLUR (+2.94%, $0.0287) and OP (+2.81%, $0.271). On the downside, MEME was the biggest decliner at -1.91%, trading at $0.00100. Additional intraday losers were CRV (-1.59%, $0.383), CORE (-0.61%, $0.114), JUP (-0.60%, $0.200) and BCH (-0.55%, $599). The report is a market information update and does not constitute investment advice.

Keonne Rodriguez, co‑founder of Bitcoin privacy app Samourai Wallet, published a letter from a U.S. federal prison describing his first week after surrendering to begin a five‑year sentence. Rodriguez detailed intake procedures, medical checks, housing moves and an emotional family goodbye, calling the facility “confusing and unnatural” but “manageable” and saying fellow inmates treated him respectfully. He was sentenced on Nov. 19 in connection with his role in a crypto mixing protocol; prosecutors argue some tools were structured or promoted in ways that enabled illicit transfers. Supporters warn the prosecution threatens open‑source development and free speech, with a clemency petition gathering over 12,000 signatures and public calls for a pardon; former President Donald Trump said he would “take a look” at the case. The story has drawn comparisons to the Tornado Cash prosecution and sharpened debate over whether creating or maintaining privacy software can trigger criminal liability. For crypto traders, the case highlights regulatory and legal risk for privacy tools and services—potentially affecting developer behaviour, project funding, and market sentiment toward privacy‑focused crypto solutions.

Investors pulled roughly $1 trillion from active equity mutual funds in 2025 as stock selection failed to keep pace with a market dominated by a handful of megacap tech stocks. Bloomberg Intelligence and ICI data show this marked the 11th consecutive year of net outflows from active equity mutual funds, while passive equity ETFs attracted more than $600 billion. Narrow market breadth — with gains concentrated in the “Magnificent Seven” — made underweighting large tech names a high-risk strategy: 73% of U.S. equity mutual funds underperformed their benchmarks in 2025, one of the weakest showings since 2007. Few active managers prevailed; notable exceptions included Dimensional Fund Advisors’ International Small Cap Value Portfolio (returned ~50%) and Allspring’s Diversified Capital Builder Fund (about 20%), both driven by concentrated, non-benchmark exposures. Analysts warn that market concentration and rich tech valuations increase volatility and create a difficult environment for diversified active managers, prompting continued flows into passive ETFs. Primary keywords: active equity funds, passive ETFs, megacap tech, fund outflows. Secondary/semantic keywords: market concentration, stock selection, fund underperformance, investor flows.

Zcash’s shielded (private) supply has stabilized at about 23% after climbing from roughly 15% earlier in 2025 (an 8 percentage-point rise reported earlier this year). Usage of Zcash privacy features remains steady, reflecting broader interest in privacy-focused transactions across the crypto ecosystem. Monero is cited as another beneficiary of rising privacy demand. Analysts expect privacy tools to grow in importance in 2026 as real-world on-chain payments and stablecoin activity expand, while warning that transparent blockchains expose users’ full transaction histories and balances, creating practical privacy concerns for retail and business use. Separately, Grayscale has filed to list a Zcash-based ETF (ticker ZCSH) on NYSE Arca, marking a significant test of whether privacy-focused assets can be integrated into heavily regulated financial products with custodianship, compliance and sanctions screening. The Grayscale filing could reveal whether regulatory frameworks and institutional structures can accommodate privacy-preserving cryptocurrencies without negating their privacy properties. Key points: shielded supply ~23%; earlier 8% rise in 2025; rising interest in privacy across projects (eg. Monero); Grayscale Zcash ETF filing (ZCSH) tests privacy under regulation.

Crypto educator Jesse, founder of Apex Crypto Academy, argues XRP could exceed $10 if banks and central banks adopt it as a settlement asset. Trading near $1.84 at publication, Jesse frames valuation around payment throughput and settlement velocity rather than static market-cap comparisons or Bitcoin-style store-of-value metrics. He notes traditional finance and central banks process far greater daily volumes than Bitcoin and says Ripple’s focus on cross-border payments and partnerships with banks could drive institutional demand for XRP liquidity. Jesse warns simple market-cap math ignores settlement velocity, liquidity cycles and institutional behavior; broad adoption as a settlement asset would materially raise required liquidity and could justify a roughly fivefold price increase (implying a market cap near $600 billion). Critics counter that XRP has traded below $3.84 for years and view double-digit forecasts as optimistic. The coverage emphasizes this is opinion, not financial advice.

On-chain monitoring by onchainschool.pro shows FBG Capital transferred roughly 15 million BIO tokens (about $700,000) to Binance overnight. Analysts note some of the moved tokens originated from the project’s team unlock wallet. After the transfer, the sender’s wallet still retains approximately 14.9 million BIO. Market observers are watching for further deposits or withdrawals on centralized exchanges, since large token flows from team or institutional wallets can signal selling pressure, token distribution events, or wallet consolidation. Key points: 15M BIO (~$700K) deposited to Binance; portion from team unlock wallet; sender wallet balance ≈14.9M BIO. Primary keywords: BIO token, FBG Capital, Binance, token transfer.

LookIntoChain reports that the Ethereum wallet pension-usdt.eth initiated a long-to-short trade, shorting 20,000 ETH using 3x leverage. The short entry price was $2,921 and the liquidation price is $4,832. Historical on-chain analysis shows this address typically performs short-term swing trades with modest leverage, maintains exposure across BTC and ETH, averages roughly 20 hours per cycle, and has generated an estimated $13.87 million profit over the past 30 days. Traders should note the large notional size and leveraged exposure — this position can exert downward pressure on ETH spot and derivatives markets and amplify liquidation cascades if prices spike toward the liquidation level. Market participants should monitor real-time order book liquidity, funding rates, and whale wallet movements for confirmation and potential trading opportunities.

Jared Isaacman, newly confirmed NASA Administrator and Elon Musk ally, told CNBC the U.S. will return to the Moon under a second Trump term with a focus on building an "orbital economy." Isaacman outlined plans for space data centers, a permanent Moon base, nuclear propulsion and Helium‑3 mining. He said NASA is actively partnering with SpaceX, Blue Origin and Boeing under the Artemis program, which received $9.9 billion in recent U.S. funding. Artemis II (crewed test flight) and Artemis III (landing with a SpaceX lunar lander) are upcoming milestones. Isaacman also highlighted development of reusable heavy‑lift rockets and on‑orbit cryogenic propellant transfer as enablers for affordable, frequent lunar missions and future Mars missions. The interview also touched on terrestrial developments: SpaceX reportedly bought over 1,000 Tesla Cybertrucks as Tesla faces weak consumer demand. Key entities: Jared Isaacman, Elon Musk/SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, NASA, Trump administration. Primary keywords: space data centers, orbital economy, Artemis, SpaceX; secondary keywords: Helium‑3, lunar base, on‑orbit refueling, nuclear propulsion.

A prominent on-chain trader known as pension-usdt.eth has shifted from long to short after realizing over $25 million in cumulative profits. According to Lookonchain, the trader closed prior ETH long positions taking $278,000 in realized gains, then opened a leveraged short: 20,000 ETH at 3x leverage (approximately $58.44 million notional value). The move represents a significant directional bet against ETH and follows substantial profit taking. This development is relevant for traders because large leveraged positions and flips from profitable whales can increase short-term volatility and influence market sentiment around ETH. Key data: >$25M total profits, $278K realized from closing longs, short: 20,000 ETH at 3x (~$58.44M notional).

Solstice updated its public sale terms, confirming that SLX tokens from the public sale will be 100% unlocked at token generation event (TGE). A 14‑day refund window will be available after the sale for investors concerned about near‑term USX volatility. Solstice says SLX issuance is on schedule with the TGE targeted for Q1 2026 and no delays reported. The team is actively managing liquidity — including LP and market‑making measures — after a brief USX depeg tied to liquidity strains; the peg has largely recovered. Prior public sale activity took place on Legion. The update aims to preserve investor liquidity, align with governance disclosure standards, and reassure markets ahead of the planned TGE.

CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index sits at 16, signaling a Bitcoin-dominated market where roughly 16% of the top 100 non-stablecoin tokens have outperformed BTC over the past 90 days. The index compares 90-day returns of the top 100 coins (excluding stablecoins and wrapped tokens) against Bitcoin; readings above 75 denote an altcoin season. The low reading reflects risk-off sentiment, rising Bitcoin dominance and institutional flows into BTC (notably via Bitcoin ETFs). Some niche sectors such as DePIN and RWA show isolated strength but lack the market-wide capital rotation needed to lift the index. Analysts note the metric is a 90-day, lagging regime indicator — it confirms shifts rather than predicts immediate reversals. For traders, the takeaway is to favour BTC or selectively allocate to vetted altcoins with clear utility, reduce overexposure to high-risk tokens, and watch for a sustained index move above 50 (and especially 75), or clear catalysts such as cross-chain ETF approvals or positive regulatory clarity, as signs of broad altcoin rotation.