Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Multiple high-profile crypto figures—Arthur Hayes, Tom Lee and Michael Saylor—issued bullish Bitcoin (BTC) price targets for 2025 that materially diverged from actual market performance. Despite early-year optimism driven by institutional adoption, ETF inflows and pro-crypto policy expectations, macroeconomic headwinds and investor fatigue pushed BTC down about 10% for the year. Specific deviations: Arthur Hayes predicted up to $200,000 and later $150,000–$200,000 by year-end, but BTC closed near $86,000 after an April drop below $80,000 tied to U.S. tariff policy headlines. Tom Lee initially forecast $250,000 for year-end then revised to above $100,000 in November; BTC’s $86,000 December 19 price was ~17% below his lowered target. Michael Saylor forecast $150,000 for year-end, but BTC finished roughly 80% below that level; Saylor remains long-term bullish, projecting $20 million per BTC over 20 years. The story underscores the difficulty of precise short-term BTC forecasting and highlights continuing long-term optimism among industry leaders despite near-term underperformance. This content is for market information and not investment advice.

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) spot exchange-traded funds have recorded sustained 30‑day net outflows, signaling continued capital departure from the two largest digital assets. CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn and Glassnode data show negative 30‑day simple moving average (30D‑SMA) flows for both BTC and ETH, with recent 30‑day netflows of roughly -$656m for Bitcoin and -$422m for Ethereum, and combined spot‑ETF outflows near $952m over a seven‑to‑eight week stretch. While outflow intensity has moderated, the persistent negative 30D‑SMA points to muted institutional demand and ongoing selling pressure from ETFs. Historical precedent matters: earlier outflow phases (e.g., March–April) were followed by rapid inflows and multi‑month BTC rallies, so reversals are possible. Separately, corporate and government digital‑asset treasuries now exceed $185 billion across 368 entities (companies hold ~73%), representing a potential alternate source of demand. Traders should watch ETF flow metrics (netflow, 30D‑SMA), spot price reactions, liquidity indicators, and capital shifts into competing assets (equities, gold, commodities). Near term: ETF outflows increase downside pressure and liquidity contraction, raising the probability of a risk‑off episode for crypto. Medium term: flows can reverse quickly and trigger strong rallies, so monitor for capitulation, large inflows, or renewed institutional buying heading into 2026.

Pi Network has temporarily disabled its wallet payment request feature after a wave of social-engineering scams targeted users with large PI balances. Scammers scanned the public Pi blockchain to locate high-balance wallets, then sent deceptive payment requests impersonating trusted contacts or official accounts. When users approved the requests the tokens were instantly transferred and unrecoverable. The Pi Core Team stressed this is not a protocol vulnerability but user-approval exploitation and has suspended payment requests network-wide while it evaluates safeguards. Community moderators advise rejecting all payment requests. Market context: PI traded near $0.20 at the time of the announcement, pressured by low liquidity and ongoing token unlocks — about 105 million PI were unlocked in December and 134M more are referenced ahead of January, contributing to supply pressure. Daily volumes average $8M–$30M; PI remains well below its $2.99 all-time high and analysts expect a $0.15–$0.25 range unless network usage or confidence improves. Key numbers: single scam wallet reportedly received 838,000+ PI in December; cumulative losses across users likely amount to millions of PI. Relevant keywords: Pi Network, PI token, wallet payment request, scam, social engineering, token unlock, liquidity.

South Korean retail investors continued heavy net buying of BitMine Immersion Technologies through 2025, funneling about $1.4 billion into the U.S.-listed stock despite an ~82% decline from July highs. BitMine — backed by Peter Thiel and run by Tom Lee — pivoted from Bitcoin mining to building an ether (ETH) treasury earlier in the year, a strategy that powered a >3,000% rally into early July and made BitMine one of the largest public-company ETH treasuries (roughly $12 billion in ETH holdings). Traders also bought leveraged exposure via the T-Rex 2X Long BitMine Daily Target ETF (T-Rex), which attracted roughly $566 million but has since fallen about 86% from its September peak. Ether itself is down roughly 11% in 2025 after earlier accumulation pushed ETH near $5,000 in August. Korean retail interest appears driven by convexity: equity-listed ETH treasuries function as amplified ETH proxies, delivering outsized gains in momentum phases and steep drawdowns when flows reverse. Key data points for traders: $1.4B net Korean inflows into BitMine in 2025, ~82% stock decline from July high, >3,000% rally earlier in the year, ~$566M into a 2x leveraged BitMine ETF, and ~ $12B in company ETH holdings. This dynamic increases correlation between BitMine equity flows and ETH price moves, raising both leveraged upside in rallies and amplified downside risk during reversals.

Analysts signal multiple bullish indicators for Bitcoin (BTC) that could drive prices back toward six figures and beyond in early 2026. Traders observed a potential "Santa short squeeze" pattern after a brief late‑December dip, historically followed by January reversals. Technicals show BTC forming a daily symmetrical triangle; a decisive daily close above the triangle’s upper trendline and the $90,000 level would imply a measured upside target near $107,400 (roughly +22%). On the fundamentals side, spot-BTC ETF net outflows have materially slowed since late November and are now near zero, reducing selling pressure from funds. Long‑term holder sell pressure has also cooled, according to on‑chain reports. Institutional adoption — via ETFs and corporate treasuries — combined with supportive macro conditions (potential rate cuts/liquidity) are cited as drivers for an extended bull cycle. Citi analysts project a 12‑month base case of $143,000 and an optimistic scenario up to $189,000, underscoring institutional optimism. Key points for traders: watch daily closes above $90k for a likely rally toward ~$107k; monitor spot‑ETF flows and long‑term holder activity for confirmation; be mindful that patterns like short squeezes can produce fast, volatile moves. This is analysis, not investment advice.

Ethereum mainnet (L1) recorded a new single-day high of roughly 2.2 million transactions while average per-transaction fees have fallen to about $0.17, according to Etherscan. Fees peaked in May 2022 at over $200 per transaction and fell during market downturns; they were around $8.48 on October 10. Recent protocol upgrades in 2025 — Pectra (validator improvements and staking flexibility) and Fusaka (increasing gas limit from 45M to 60M and improving scalability and data throughput) — are credited with boosting capacity and lowering fees. On-chain activity is rising: Token Terminal reports a record ~8.7 million new smart contracts created and deployed on Ethereum in Q4 2025. Staking dynamics show the stake-in queue recently exceeded the exit queue for the first time in six months, with awaiting stake roughly double the amount queued for exit. Higher L1 throughput and lower fees have drawn some users back from L2s, and more developers are using Ethereum as a settlement layer. Key implications for traders: reduced transaction costs improve on-chain trading and arbitrage efficiency; higher throughput may support greater DeFi and NFT activity, potentially increasing on-chain volume and liquidity.

China Bank announced the "Announcement on the Payment of Interest on Digital RMB," effective January 1, 2026. Customers with real‑name digital RMB wallets opened at China Bank will earn interest on their digital RMB balances at the bank’s prevailing savings rate. Interest calculation and payment rules will mirror those applied to traditional savings deposits. The move integrates digital RMB more closely into routine retail banking by providing a familiar yield profile and transparent, rule‑based payouts aligned with conventional deposit products. Key points: effective date (2026‑01‑01), applies to real‑name digital RMB wallets at China Bank, interest paid at current savings rate, calculation/payments follow existing savings deposit rules.

South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) fined crypto exchange Korbit 2.73 billion won (about $2.0M) after finding roughly 22,000 compliance violations. Key failings included lapses in customer due diligence, faulty transaction restriction protocols, inadequate transaction monitoring, failing to perform anti–money laundering risk assessments before listing new tokens, and 19 transactions involving unregistered overseas virtual asset service providers. The FIU also issued a formal caution to Korbit’s CEO and a reprimand to the Chief Compliance Officer. The action follows ongoing regulatory tightening under the 2021 Special Financial Transactions Information Act and signals heightened enforcement of AML/KYC rules in South Korea. Implications: exchanges should strengthen enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring, pre-listing risk assessments, and executive oversight; compliance tech demand may rise. Primary keywords: Korbit fine, South Korea FIU, AML failures, crypto compliance.

Iran’s rial plunged to a record low around 1.42 million per USD after losing more than 40% since June 2025, triggering street protests and mounting banking stress. Bank Melli showed distress after taking on a failed bank, putting roughly 42 million customers at risk and precipitating the central bank governor’s resignation. Steep domestic electricity subsidies make Bitcoin mining extremely cheap in Iran (estimated mining cost ≈ $1,300 per BTC) while BTC trades near $87,600, creating a strong local incentive to mine and hold BTC despite government efforts to criminalize mining. Analysts and industry figures, including Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley, frame Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat failure. Market commentators expect macro and structural drivers in 2026 — post-halving reduced supply, institutional ETF inflows and possible sovereign demand — to support higher Bitcoin prices, with analyst targets ranging roughly $170,000–$250,000. Key takeaways for traders: a sovereign currency collapse can accelerate local crypto adoption and increase miner supply; cheap Iranian mining economics could raise sell-side pressure if mined BTC enters global markets; and macro/institutional flows remain the dominant potential drivers for a 2026 rally. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, Rial collapse, bitcoin mining, ETF inflows. Secondary keywords: fiat devaluation, central bank resignation, on-chain activity, sovereign reserves.

Debate has resurfaced over whether XRP can reach $100, driven by growing ETF interest and clearer U.S. regulation. Commentators such as Moonshilla and YoungHoon Kim project large multi‑year rallies, citing institutional flows and regulatory clarity as catalysts. XRP’s maximum supply is 100 billion and circulating supply is about 60.57 billion. At $100, XRP’s market cap would be $10 trillion (max supply) or roughly $6.05 trillion (current circulation) — far exceeding Bitcoin’s present market cap and larger than top global corporates. An AI model (ChatGPT) analyzed the scenario and found $100 mathematically possible but highly unlikely without major structural changes: mass adoption by global banks as a settlement asset, significant token burns or supply reduction, and a dramatic expansion of overall crypto market capitalization. The articles note that on‑chain usage alone would not ensure sustained price gains. One piece included a paid promotion for a low‑cap altcoin (Minotaurus, MTAUR), flagged as sponsored content and not investment advice. Key trader takeaways: consider supply dynamics and the enormous market‑cap scale required; $100 XRP is improbable under current market structure and would require simultaneous, large‑scale adoption and supply contraction to be realistic.

Binance Alpha has initiated the second airdrop for Quack AI (Q). Users who hold at least 240 Binance Alpha points are eligible to claim 2,500 Q tokens on a first-come, first-served basis. The announcement was published on December 31 by PANews. The event is described as limited and available only while supplies last. No additional distribution details, vesting schedules, or participation deadlines were provided in the source. The notice includes a standard disclaimer that the content is for market information only and is not investment advice. Key keywords: Binance Alpha, Quack AI, Q token, airdrop, Alpha points.

Binance has suspended direct Visa and Mastercard withdrawals for users in Ukraine after its fiat payments provider Bifinity UAB said it will stop services at month-end owing to regulatory changes. The pause—effective immediately for users who relied on Bifinity—blocks card-based withdrawals and prevents recurring fiat buys and existing fiat-based limit buy orders from being processed. Binance says core crypto functions remain available: deposits and purchases via Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay funding, SWIFT bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals, and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading as an alternative exit route. Zen.com euro/PLN deposit and withdrawal services for Ukraine are also partly affected, with full functionality expected to resume on 6 January 2026. Binance described the suspension as temporary and caused by partner infrastructure and technical updates, not actions by the Ukrainian central bank. Separately, the exchange faces renewed regulatory scrutiny after a Financial Times report claiming large post‑settlement transfers; Binance disputed the report, saying the wallets involved were not sanctioned at the time and transactions were reviewed. Traders should note potential regional liquidity and on‑ramp/off‑ramp frictions for Ukrainian users, increased reliance on SWIFT and P2P channels, interrupted recurring fiat flows, and that continued regulatory attention may raise perceived exchange risk premium.

Ethereum (ETH) is testing a key higher-timeframe structural demand zone at $2,890. Analysts flag this level as a make-or-break point: if ETH holds above $2,890, bullish market structure remains intact and targets of $3,650 and $4,250 become viable as the current triangle/compression pattern resolves. A confirmed breakdown below roughly $2,800 would invalidate the bullish thesis, likely shifting market structure to bearish and prompting accelerated selling. Weekly charts show mixed signals — ETH vs BTC lacks consistent bullish momentum — and recent data (a 22% November decline) keeps sentiment cautious. Traders should watch acceptance above $2,890 for long setups and a breakdown below $2,800 for risk-managed shorts or defensive positioning.

US crypto regulation is converging toward a unified framework in 2026 as multiple federal and state actions line up. Key milestones: January Senate hearing on the Crypto Market Structure Act to clarify SEC vs. CFTC jurisdiction and consider an Innovation Exemption for startups; potential policy shifts around Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term expiration in May that could affect market sentiment; California’s Digital Asset Act licensing requirements taking effect July 1; the GENIUS Stablecoin Act compliance, capital and issuance rules due July 18; expected crypto tax legislation and CFTC blockchain rules (including possible small-value stablecoin exemptions) in August; and the November midterm elections that may influence regulatory direction. The developments emphasize clearer stablecoin standards, licensing and enforcement timelines and possible relief for startups, creating a more structured regulatory environment for issuers, exchanges and institutional participants. Primary keywords: GENIUS Stablecoin Act, crypto regulation, stablecoin, Crypto Market Structure Act, SEC, CFTC. Secondary/semantic keywords: Digital Asset Act, licensing, Innovation Exemption, Fed policy, crypto tax. This consolidated timeline is relevant to traders as it signals regulatory risk reduction, potential liquidity impacts around implementation dates, and shifting compliance costs for issuers that could affect stablecoin supply and on‑chain activity.

UNUS SED LEO (LEO) is analyzed for its 2026–2030 price outlook, with emphasis on its utility within the Bitfinex ecosystem and a strong, revenue-linked burn mechanism. Key drivers include Bitfinex trading volumes, the protocol’s commitment to using at least 27% of monthly revenue to buy and burn LEO, broader crypto adoption, regulatory clarity (e.g., EU MiCA), and potential Bitfinex product upgrades or DeFi integrations. Comparative metrics position LEO as lower-volume but more aggressively deflationary versus major exchange tokens like BNB and FTT. Scenario projections: a bull case driven by accelerated platform growth, successful DeFi integration and favorable regulation; a base case of steady user growth and consistent burns; and a bear case from regulatory pressure, platform competition or falling trading volumes. Longer-term (2030) valuation will hinge on centralized vs. decentralized exchange dynamics, technological innovations (cross-chain, custody, CBDC integration), and accumulated supply reduction from continuous burns. Traders should monitor trading volume trends, burn consistency, regulatory announcements, and DeFi adoption as primary signals for LEO price moves. This analysis is informational and not investment advice.

The CME Group raised margin requirements on precious-metals futures, prompting a sharp intraday risk-off move that pushed silver down over 9% and sparked a broader precious-metals selloff. The move reduced liquidity in traditional futures venues and prompted traders to rebalance positions across derivatives and cash books. While crypto prices did not directly mirror the metal declines, the episode highlighted how margin requirements and funding-cost pressures in traditional markets can spill over into digital-asset volatility. Market participants monitored liquidity indicators and scaled back risk appetite, with selective hedging suggested for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and various altcoins. Traders are advised to enforce tighter risk controls, smaller position sizing, and disciplined use of derivatives as liquidity conditions shift.

Ethereum’s mainnet recorded a new daily record of 2.2 million transactions while average transaction fees fell to roughly $0.17. Block explorer Etherscan reported the milestone, marking continued growth in L1 usage after two 2025 network upgrades — Pectra (validator and staking improvements) and Fusaka (gas limit raised from 45M to 60M to boost capacity). Fees have dramatically declined from May 2022 highs (over $200 per tx) and from the Oct. 2023 liquidation spike (~$8.48). Rising on-chain activity suggests users and developers are returning to Ethereum L1; Token Terminal data shows new smart contract deployments peaked at 8.7 million in Q4. Ethereum’s staking queue also flipped, with nearly twice as much ETH queued for staking than for exiting, indicating stronger stake inflows. Key takeaways for traders: higher mainnet throughput and lower fees can increase on-chain activity, reduce costs for smart-contract interactions and DeFi strategies, and support ETH network demand dynamics tied to staking behavior and protocol upgrades.

In 2025 institutional investors significantly reduced Bitcoin (BTC) market volatility by using derivatives to generate yield from idle spot holdings. Key volatility gauges—the Volmex BVIV and Deribit DVOL 30-day annualized implied volatility—fell from about 70% at the start of the year to near 45%, touching a low of 35% in September. The primary driver was widespread selling of out-of-the-money covered calls by entities holding BTC or spot Bitcoin ETFs, producing steady premium income and increasing options supply that pressured implied volatility. Market participants also observed a persistent put skew across expiries—puts trading at a premium to calls—reflecting hedged long positions rather than outright bearish sentiment. Industry voices cited include Imran Lakha (Options Insights) and Jake Ostrovskis (Wintermute), who noted that over 12.5% of mined Bitcoin sits in ETFs and treasuries, creating an incentive to harvest yield via option overwriting. For traders, the decline in implied volatility implies cheaper option premiums, smaller expected short-term moves in BTC prices, and greater likelihood of option-seller strategies performing well. Primary keywords: Bitcoin volatility, covered calls, implied volatility, options selling, institutional adoption. Secondary/semantic keywords: BTC, spot ETFs, put skew, options premium, yield harvesting.

On-chain exchange balance data undermines claims of an imminent XRP “supply shock.” Analysts and commentators pointed to falling XRP balances on some exchanges as evidence of looming scarcity, but consolidated tracking shows 15.4 billion XRP remain on 26 exchanges — about 15% of the 100 billion total supply and roughly 25% of the circulating 60.67 billion. Major holders include Upbit (≈6.25B), Binance (≈2.52B) and Bithumb (≈1.82B). Legal expert Bill Morgan and XRPL validator dUNL both argue that this level of exchange liquidity — plus the fact that spot XRP ETFs hold under 1% of total supply (≈679.14M tokens, 0.67%) — is insufficient to create a sustained supply crunch. They note traders can quickly top up exchange balances when needed, keeping market liquidity deep. The piece concludes the supply-shock narrative is overstated and unlikely to trigger a meaningful, ETF-driven price surge absent a large and persistent removal of tradable XRP from circulation.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said on Dec. 31 that crypto-market liquidity likely bottomed in November and is slowly recovering, signaling the time for cryptocurrencies to start rising. Hayes suggested improved liquidity conditions could support price appreciation. The comment was shared by PANews and framed as market information, not investment advice. Key points: Arthur Hayes (BitMEX co-founder); liquidity bottom in November; gradual liquidity recovery; potential start of a crypto rally. Primary keyword: crypto liquidity. Secondary keywords: Arthur Hayes, BitMEX, market liquidity, crypto rally.

Iran’s rial plunged to record lows — about 1.4 million rials per USD and more than 40% weaker since June — triggering street protests and the resignation of Central Bank Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin. Banking stress, including October’s Bank Melli collapse and warnings that eight banks could be dissolved, plus international sanctions, have intensified financial strain and driven narratives that Bitcoin (BTC) can serve as a store of value. Observers including Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley and Human Rights Foundation strategist Alex Gladstein have publicly framed Bitcoin as a defensive hedge. Iran has legalized crypto trading but maintains strict controls: Bitcoin mining is officially banned, enforcement against unregistered miners has increased, and cheap electricity still attracts clandestine mining. Crypto-specific risks include the June hack of Nobitex (~$81m) and an 11% drop in crypto flows from June to July. For traders, the rial collapse and banking instability create demand-side narratives for BTC as a safe haven, but execution and custody risks—tight local rules, limited exchange access, intensified mining crackdowns, sanctions and cyber incidents—raise volatility and episodic flow risk. Key takeaways: heightened local demand narratives for BTC; significant regulatory and operational barriers in Iran; and greater macro-driven volatility that can produce short-term price spikes and risk-on/off episodes for BTC.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has weakened across both reportings. Latest price sits near $0.00000708 (down ~1.4% 24h, ~9.7% 14d, ~11.9% month) versus an earlier note around $0.00000792. Key intraday and daily technical levels: primary support is the 0 Fib near $0.000006988 — a daily close below that opens the path toward ~$0.0000065. Immediate resistance lines are the 0.236 Fib at ~$0.00000758 and the 0.382 Fib at ~$0.00000794; reclaiming and holding above $0.00000758 is necessary to blunt near-term bearish momentum. Momentum indicators are weak (RSI ~37; Chande near neutral in earlier note), indicating limited buying pressure and consolidation within a short-term downtrend from November highs. On-chain metrics show elevated burn activity in both updates: one report recorded a 1,706% spike with ~35.37M SHIB burned (including two large burns), while the later update cites a 75.56% 24h increase with ~2.6M SHIB burned (notable single burns ~1,000,000 and ~396,716). Circulating and total supply remain large (total supply ≈589.25T earlier; ~585.27T circulating), with a substantial share already burned historically. For traders: monitor whether the $0.000006988 support holds or breaks (break = likely deeper decline toward $0.0000065); a sustained breakout above $0.00000758 is needed to shift momentum bullish. Elevated burn rates are a potential supply-reduction tailwind but may be transitory; treat burns as a secondary bullish factor unless they persist and materially lower circulating supply. This is informational only and not financial advice.

Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad warned in March 2025 that the United States risks losing ground to China in the digital finance race if policymakers prohibit or restrict interest payments on stablecoins. China’s central bank has introduced guidelines allowing interest on digital yuan wallets, positioning the digital yuan as a programmable, interest-bearing CBDC with advantages for adoption, monetary policy transmission, financial inclusion and cross‑border settlement. In the U.S., the CLARITY Act and other legislative efforts remain unresolved and are silent on interest provisions for stablecoins, creating regulatory uncertainty. Experts cited include Georgetown fintech researcher Dr. Sarah Johnson, who noted that interest-bearing digital currencies open new monetary policy channels. Market implications discussed include potential challenges to dollar dominance, bank disintermediation, altered savings behavior, and varying consumer‑protection needs. Coinbase’s message frames stablecoin interest policy as a strategic inflection point that could shape international payment systems and U.S. financial innovation depending on Congressional action in the coming months.

Binance has scheduled a Binance Alpha token airdrop for today at 15:00 (UTC+8). Eligible users must hold at least 240 Binance Alpha points and can claim tokens on a first-come, first-served basis until the airdrop pool is exhausted or the event ends. Binance has not disclosed the specific token(s) or the total airdrop size; it urges users to follow official channels for updates and distribution details. Traders should note the eligibility threshold (≥240 Alpha points), the limited supply and timing — which can prompt rapid on-chain activity and short-term volatility — and that the announcement is informational, not investment advice.

Representative Maxine Waters has requested a House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing into the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation under Chair Paul Atkins. In a December 28 letter to Committee Chair French Hill, Waters flagged ten areas of concern including dropped, delayed or prematurely closed enforcement actions involving major industry figures and firms — notably Coinbase, Binance and Justin Sun — and cited weakened market surveillance and fraud-prevention efforts. She questioned the SEC’s independence and potential political influence during the Trump administration, and referenced recent developments around Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao. Waters also warned that Republican-backed bills such as the CLARITY Act and GENIUS Act could reduce investor protections. She asks the committee to examine transparency around case closures, the SEC’s capacity to police market manipulation and fraud in crypto markets, and how the agency will protect retail investors as digital-asset regulation evolves.

This article ranks six essential crypto mobile apps for investors in 2026, chosen for usability, security, multi-chain support and clear use cases. Key apps: ChangeNOW (fast non-custodial swaps supporting 1,500+ assets and 70+ fiats; 1–2 minute swaps), CoinRabbit (crypto-backed loans and Earn products; supports 350+ collateral assets, up to 90% LTV, ~5% stablecoin APY), MetaMask (self-custodial Web3 wallet with ~30M monthly users and multi-chain support), TradingView (charting and technical analysis with 100+ indicators and alerts), CoinStats (portfolio aggregator across 300+ exchanges/wallets), and Google Authenticator/Authy (2FA security). For traders: ChangeNOW enables quick portfolio rebalancing without custody; CoinRabbit provides liquidity without selling positions; MetaMask is the gateway to DeFi and dApps; TradingView supports timing and technical decisions; CoinStats unifies portfolio visibility; and 2FA apps are mandatory for account protection. The piece emphasises combining these specialist apps to cover swaps, lending, Web3 access, charting, portfolio tracking and security rather than relying on a single all-in-one platform. Shortcomings noted include ChangeNOW’s lack of advanced trading features and the general need to use multiple apps to build a complete trading toolkit.

Bitcoin price remains supported around $88,000 as an on-chain triangle pattern tightens, keeping volatility contained while traders watch for a breakout. Crypto investment firm Prenetics has halted its scheduled BTC purchases, citing internal adjustments, temporarily removing a predictable source of buy-side demand. Technicals show BTC compressing into a symmetrical triangle—volume declining and moving averages converging—suggesting a near-term decisive move. Key levels: $88K as immediate support and resistance clustered above toward recent highs. Market participants are monitoring order flow, volatility metrics, and funding rates for signals. The pause in Prenetics’ buys may reduce short-term demand but does not fundamentally alter Bitcoin’s institutional adoption trend. Traders should expect higher volatility around a triangle breakout: short-term range trading and tighter stops are advisable, while longer-term positions can consider maintaining exposure if macro risk appetite stays intact. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, BTC price, triangle pattern, Prenetics, BTC buys. Secondary/semantic keywords: support level, breakout, volatility, institutional demand, on-chain flows.

Jon Callaghan, co-founder of True Ventures (managing ~ $6B), predicts smartphones could become largely obsolete within a decade as more natural, less intrusive interfaces — especially wearables and AI-driven devices — gain traction. True Ventures’ investment thesis prioritizes products that enable new human behaviors rather than incremental hardware improvements; past successes include Fitbit, Ring and Peloton. Market signals supporting the shift include ~2% annual smartphone growth versus double-digit gains in wearable segments, US smartwatch penetration rising from 14% to 35% since 2019, a 42% YoY increase in smart ring shipments (2024), and >50% voice assistant adoption for specific tasks. True Ventures backs Sandbar, a voice-activated “thought companion” ring focused on capturing and organizing voice notes, founded by ex-CTRL-Labs team members Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong. Callaghan highlights AI as the next major computing wave and foresees large value at the application/interface layer despite capital-intensive infrastructure concerns. For traders: the article underscores a strategic pivot in tech investment toward AI-enabled interfaces and wearables, implying funding flow and M&A activity could shift away from smartphone-centric ecosystems toward specialized hardware, AI applications, and wearable-adjacent tokens and stocks.

Zcash (ZEC) led a privacy-coin rally in Q4 2025, driven by narrative momentum and rising usage across privacy networks. Grayscale reported that privacy tokens dominated Q4 performance, with ZEC gaining over 600%, Dash (DASH) up 218% and Monero (XMR) up 48% in the quarter. ZEC surged more than 1,000% in October to a record high of $751 before retracing to $320 in early December; it traded near $539 at press time. A pseudonymous analyst, Anonymist, forecasts ZEC could reach $1,000, citing a potential tradable-supply squeeze: of 16 million circulating ZEC, roughly 5 million are shielded and less available, leaving an estimated 8–10 million tradable coins as price rises. Market signals are mixed — prediction market Polymarket assigns ~30% odds of ZEC hitting $1,000, while CoinGlass showed 70% of Binance’s top traders shorting ZEC. Increased spot accumulation and reduced freely tradable supply could support a renewed rally, but high volatility and significant short interest pose downside risk for traders.