Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

A California widow, Margaret Loke, lost nearly $1 million after falling victim to a pig-butchering scam that began as an online romance. Scammers contacted Loke via Facebook, moved communications to WhatsApp, and built a relationship under the alias “Ed.” He encouraged her to sign up on a crypto investment site, wire funds, and repeatedly reinvest after fictitious gains were shown. Loke withdrew large sums—up to $120,000 at one point—and kept investing toward a promised $5 million target until withdrawals were blocked and she discovered the scheme. The fraud depleted her retirement savings and put her two-bedroom condo at risk. The case highlights targeted scams exploiting elderly widows, the use of romance to build trust, and crypto investment platforms that display fake profits. Primary keywords: pig-butchering scam, romance crypto scam, California widow, crypto investment fraud. Secondary/semantic keywords: WhatsApp grooming, fake trading platform, elder fraud, wire transfer, loss of retirement funds. Traders should note that such scams can harm retail confidence in crypto products, attract regulatory scrutiny, and generate negative press that may affect sentiment-sensitive small-cap tokens or exchange reputations.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) told attendees at Binance Blockchain Week that the core joy of life lies in its uncertainty. Asked to name five wishes, CZ replied “one is enough,” revealing his single wish: global health. He likened life to a game where known outcomes are less engaging, arguing that challenges and unpredictability create meaning through cooperation and effort. For crypto traders, CZ’s philosophy reframes market volatility not merely as risk but as a source of opportunity and engagement. Key takeaways: embrace the process over short-term price predictions, reframe downturns and regulatory hurdles as phases that strengthen the ecosystem, and value cooperation across developers, users and institutions. The remarks emphasize mindset and resilience rather than new product announcements or policy changes. No specific tokens, price targets, or regulatory developments were reported.

USPD, a decentralized stablecoin protocol, confirmed a sophisticated CPIMP (Clandestine Proxy in the Middle of Proxy) exploit that drained roughly $1 million. The attacker hijacked proxy admin control during deployment on Sept. 16 via a Multicall3 transaction, initializing a hidden proxy implementation that forwarded calls to the audited contract while spoofing storage slots and events to evade verification tools. The attacker minted about 98 million USPD and liquidated ~232 stETH, removing liquidity and converting assets. Audits by Nethermind and Resonance found no logical code vulnerabilities; the incident exploited a deployment/configuration window rather than core contract logic. USPD published an emergency warning urging users not to buy USPD and to revoke token approvals, flagged two addresses for investigation (infector: 0x7C97313f349608f59A07C23b18Ce523A33219d83; drainer: 0x083379BDAC3E138cb0C7210e0282fbC466A3215A), and is coordinating with law enforcement, exchanges and security firms to trace funds. A whitehat-style recovery offer was announced: return 90% of stolen funds to avoid prosecution. Traders should expect elevated on-chain volatility for USPD and related liquidity pools, watch the flagged addresses and exchange delist or monitoring actions, and avoid buying USPD until a technical post-mortem and recovery status are confirmed.

NFT sales volume held essentially flat at $77.10 million last week (up 1.77% week‑over‑week) while market participation rose sharply. Buyers increased 23.45% to 490,600 and sellers rose 15.36% to 403,483, but NFT transactions fell 18.99% to 1,100,748. Ethereum remained the largest NFT network with $27.30M in sales (down 13.6%) and notable wash trading of $4.63M; Immutable jumped to second with $8.51M (up 148.6%) as buyer counts climbed. BNB Chain, Bitcoin, Mythos, Polygon and Solana followed in rankings with mixed gains. Top collections included DMarket (Mythos) $6.73M, Guild of Guardians Heroes (Immutable‑Zk) $5.46M (up 162%), Algebra Positions (ETH) $4.47M (down 54%), and Courtyard (Polygon) $3.42M. The largest single sale was a Bitcoin BRC‑20 NFT ($X@AI) at $809,337 (8.7195 BTC); CryptoPunks sales also featured in the top five. Overall, the report signals stronger buyer engagement despite flat dollar volume and shifts in leaderboard positions across blockchains and collections—key data points for traders monitoring NFT liquidity, wash‑trade risk and cross‑chain momentum.

Analysts are increasingly skeptical of extreme Dogecoin (DOGE) price forecasts, arguing that utility‑driven valuation models expose a gap between meme‑based price targets and DOGE’s real economic function. Technical setups keep DOGE trading near $0.13–$0.15, where a break below $0.13 could push prices toward $0.11–$0.12, while upside scenarios depend largely on speculative cycles rather than sustained demand. Experts note DOGE lacks core utility — it isn’t a smart‑contract hub, a primary DeFi settlement layer, nor a leading cross‑border payment rail — so long‑term appreciation would require meaningful real‑world adoption. The article contrasts DOGE with Remittix (RTX), a payments‑focused project that has raised $28.5m, sold 693 million RTX at $0.119, launched a mobile wallet, passed a CertiK audit with an 80.09 Skynet score (Grade A), and secured listings on BitMart and LBank. Remittix is developing a crypto‑to‑fiat web app to connect crypto balances to bank rails, positioning itself as a utility coin that could attract organic demand from remittances. For traders, the takeaway is to weigh fundamentals: meme coins like DOGE remain vulnerable to sentiment and hype, while payment‑oriented tokens with demonstrable products and exchange liquidity (e.g., RTX) may offer more defensible medium‑ to long‑term value if adoption follows the roadmap.

South Korean exchange Upbit has finished staged maintenance on its deposit and withdrawal services that began after a system inspection on November 27. The maintenance focused on wallet-system stability and upgraded security protocols to better protect user assets and handle higher transaction volumes. Upbit says all deposits and withdrawals are now fully operational. Traders are advised to verify service status via official channels, consider small test transactions after maintenance, and use hardware wallets for long-term holdings. The update signals Upbit’s proactive approach to platform security and operational reliability, reducing the risk of future disruptions.

Strategy Group CEO said the firm has built a $1.44 billion cash reserve to reassure investors amid concerns that firm-held Bitcoin sales could exacerbate a market slump. The move follows heightened scrutiny over large crypto holders and the potential for forced or strategic BTC liquidations to pressure prices. The CEO framed the reserve as a buffer to meet obligations without selling substantial Bitcoin holdings, aiming to stabilize market sentiment. Key figures: $1.44B cash reserve; unnamed Strategy Group; Bitcoin (BTC) is the focal asset. The statement is positioned to calm fears around liquidity-driven sell-offs and to reduce perceived tail risk from concentrated holders. Traders should note the emphasis on cash liquidity rather than asset sales, possible reduced probability of large BTC dumps by this firm, and the signal that major holders may be preparing balance-sheet measures to manage market shocks.

The Bitcoin privacy debate has intensified after Zcash co-founder Eli Ben‑Sasson revealed a private exchange with MicroStrategy co‑founder Michael Saylor. Saylor argued against integrating Zcash‑style shielded transactions into Bitcoin, warning that stronger on‑chain privacy could prompt governments to restrict or attempt to shut down parts of the network. Privacy proponents counter that selective disclosure tools — notably viewing keys based on zero‑knowledge proofs — can balance user anonymity with regulatory auditability. The discussion has gained traction amid rising on‑chain surveillance (analytics firms improving tracing), CBDC pilots with built‑in monitoring, and institutional interest in privacy coins: Grayscale filed for a Zcash spot ETF and surveys show investor concern about traceability. Other chains (Solana, XRP Ledger) are adding confidential features, underscoring a broader shift toward hybrid privacy models. Key figures: Michael Saylor, Eli Ben‑Sasson; key themes: viewing keys, zk‑SNARKs/zero‑knowledge proofs, regulatory risk, institutional demand. Key stats cited: over 10% of Zcash transactions use shielded pools; Chainalysis cited a 70% rise in analytics tools use; firms report substantial increases in tracing queries. Traders should watch institutional flows into privacy coins, regulatory guidance on anonymity tech, and any governance debate within Bitcoin Core or major custodians that could affect liquidity or exchange listings.

A newly filed Indiana bill (House Bill 1042), introduced by Republican State Representative Kyle Pierce, would require state-run retirement and savings plans to offer Bitcoin exposure via crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and permit certain public pension funds to invest directly in crypto-linked ETFs. The measure would also authorize the state treasurer to allocate funds from specific accounts into stablecoin-based ETFs. Beyond pension investing, the bill seeks to limit local governments from imposing "unreasonable" restrictions on digital-asset activity — covering crypto payments, private wallet ownership, and mining — and strengthens self-custody protections by allowing private keys to be compelled only via court order when no other legal access exists. If passed, Indiana would be the first U.S. state to mandate Bitcoin access as a standard option in publicly managed retirement programs. The proposal mirrors a broader U.S. trend: several states (Oklahoma, Kentucky, Wyoming, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, New York City) have enacted or considered laws expanding pension exposure to crypto, recognizing self-custody rights, or integrating crypto into state payments and property rules. Traders should note the bill’s potential to boost institutional demand for Bitcoin ETFs and signal stronger regulatory support at the state level, which could influence ETF flows and market sentiment if enacted.

China’s Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), led by Chair Wu Qing, announced an accelerated push to integrate fintech — specifically AI, big data and blockchain — across capital markets. Speaking at the China Securities Association’s 8th member conference, Wu urged industry bodies to conduct research, launch and expand innovation pilots and broaden regulatory sandbox scenarios. The CSRC said it will collaborate with industry associations to streamline pilot mechanisms, expand monitoring and supervision, and strengthen risk‑response capabilities to ensure responsible, compliant deployment. The initiative aims to improve market efficiency, investor protection and infrastructure resilience, and signals continuing government support for regulated experimentation with distributed‑ledger and advanced analytics technologies. For crypto traders, this increases the likelihood of clearer rules, more pilot programs linking blockchain to securities markets, and gradual institutional adoption — factors that could reduce regulatory uncertainty over time and create new on‑ and off‑ramp opportunities for tokenized assets.

Reports and statements from Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, indicate that some ultra-wealthy family offices are quietly accumulating XRP alongside large inflows into new XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Anecdotal accounts include an overheard conversation suggesting sizeable family holdings. ETF data show over 400 million XRP moved off exchanges into ETFs, with reported inflows above $887 million and assets near $906 million since launch. On-chain metrics point to rising activity: XRP ledger velocity hit a yearly high (0.0324), major whale transfers were observed, and about half of ~7 million wallets hold under 100 XRP, a concentration that could magnify price moves. Price has traded near $2.06, with traders watching whether ETF demand and large private purchases will push further upside. Key things to monitor: ETF flows, on-chain velocity and whale movements, and any public family-office allocations. Primary keywords: XRP, XRP ETF, family office accumulation, on-chain velocity. Secondary keywords: whale transfers, ETF inflows, institutional adoption.

United Kings positions itself in 2025 as a credible forex signal provider that prioritizes transparent, executable signals and strict risk management, with a particular focus on gold (XAUUSD) and major FX pairs. The provider emphasizes structured alerts that include pair, direction, entry zone, stop-loss and multiple take-profit levels, plus short educational notes. United Kings markets signals timed to high-liquidity windows (London and London–New York overlap) and highlights fixed-per-trade risk (suggested 0.5–1.0% of account), partial profit-taking, and moving stops to breakeven. The service explicitly avoids account management, never requests broker logins, API keys or seed phrases, and warns users about impersonators. The article evaluates United Kings against seven criteria for top providers in 2025—track record transparency, clear entry/exit, timing, risk management, education, safety, and realistic marketing—and finds the service aligns with those standards. Practical guidance for traders is included: set fixed risk, use limit orders inside entry zones, respect stop-losses, take partial profits, avoid overtrading and keep a trade journal. The piece is informational and sponsored; readers are reminded to do their own research.

U.S. prosecutors have asked a federal judge to sentence Terraform Labs co‑founder Do Kwon to 12 years in prison for his role in the May 2022 collapse of the TerraUSD (UST) algorithmic stablecoin and the linked LUNA token, an event that wiped out roughly $40 billion in market value. Kwon pleaded guilty in 2025 to conspiracy counts including commodities fraud, securities fraud and wire fraud; his plea deal caps the U.S. sentence at 12 years and includes forfeiture of about $19.3 million. Prosecutors filed sentencing papers on Dec. 4 asking for the 12‑year term and arguing a stiff sentence is needed for deterrence and to restore market trust; sentencing is set for Dec. 11, 2025 before Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan. The defense seeks a five‑year term, citing nearly three years of detention abroad, ongoing South Korean prosecution (where authorities seek a 40‑year sentence), Kwon’s cooperation and asset forfeiture. The collapse, Kwon’s arrest in Montenegro in 2023 and U.S. extradition in early 2025 triggered regulatory scrutiny, class actions and wider debate over algorithmic or undercollateralized stablecoins and liquidation mechanics. For traders, the case underscores elevated regulatory and enforcement risk for projects tied to algorithmic stablecoins, may depress sentiment around similar tokens, and could lead to increased compliance scrutiny and tighter rules that affect liquidity and risk models.

Binance will list perpetual futures contracts for Power Protocol (POWER) on its Binance U platform on December 6 (17:00 Beijing time). The USDT-settled perpetual offers up to 20x leverage and expands Binance’s derivatives lineup. The listing has already triggered notable price reaction and increased trading activity for POWER. Traders should review Binance’s official notice for final contract specs, margin rules, funding rate, tick size and risk controls before trading. Expected effects include improved liquidity, greater institutional and professional trader participation, and enhanced hedging options for POWER holders — alongside higher volatility and amplified downside risk because of leverage. Use stop-losses, conservative position sizing or testnet/small allocations when initiating trades.

Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies approved two resolutions on December 4 requiring all Bitcoin miners and mining companies to register with state authorities. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce must report registered operators and companies, while the National Electricity Administration (ANDE) must supply lists of electrical connections used for mining. Agencies have 15 days to submit data. Paraguay supplies about 3.9% of global Bitcoin hashrate and reportedly earns roughly $12 million per month from mining by redirecting surplus hydroelectric power from Itaipú and Yacyretá dams. The country hosts 45 licensed mining operations with ~20 applications pending; authorities confiscated equipment from over 30 unauthorized farms in 2024 and criminal penalties up to 10 years exist for illegal mining. Notable investment includes HIVE Digital Technologies’ planned expansion to 400 MW in Paraguay (including a new 100 MW Yguazú data centre). The measures aim to increase transparency, curb illegal operations, protect the national grid and monetise renewable energy. Key SEO keywords: Bitcoin mining registration, Paraguay mining regulation, hydroelectric power, Bitcoin hashrate, mining compliance.

A recent market episode saw gold and silver outperform crypto and equities during a liquidity shock caused by a data-center malfunction. Over the past 30 days silver returned ~23.6% and gold ~7.3%, while Bitcoin fell nearly 10% for the month and the Nasdaq gained only ~0.2%. Since early 2025 altcoin market share has been gradually declining amid what the author terms a “data vacuum” that could prolong low risk appetite. Options markets and implied forward yields point to institutional hedging: BTC and ETH implied forward yields are low (approximately 5.31% and 3.81%), and there is sustained far-month bearishness in options pricing—traders appear to be betting on extended downside rather than short, transitory pullbacks. Market makers’ reduced support increases crash-acceleration risk. Macro factors cited as weighing on risk assets include higher US debt servicing costs and potential Bank of Japan tightening. For traders, the chief takeaways are: safe-haven metals are attracting capital in stress conditions, crypto is showing institutional disinterest and hedging behavior via options, and current market structure favors protective positioning that could exacerbate declines if liquidity shocks reoccur.

Polygon and partners are preparing ARC (Asset Reserve Certificate), a fully collateralised INR stablecoin targeted for Q1 2026 that aims to sit alongside India’s e‑Rupee CBDC and UPI rails. ARC is structured as a deposit token issued and custodied only by regulated entities (banks, NBFCs), with 1:1 off‑chain reserves held in cash, government securities or fixed deposits. Transactions will be restricted to whitelisted addresses and processed with Polygon/Uniswap v4 protocol hooks for compliance, traceability and programmable on‑chain flows. Polygon says ARC can act as an embedded transaction layer to speed INR redemptions and enable cross‑border swaps (eg. USDC → ARC → INR), reducing reliance on dollar‑pegged stablecoins and anchoring liquidity domestically. For traders, ARC could meaningfully increase on‑chain INR liquidity, lower settlement times and costs for high‑volume payments, and expand rupee‑pegged DeFi instruments. However, regulatory acceptance by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and broad adoption by banks and fintech firms are decisive: approval would likely attract significant capital into on‑chain INR markets, while strict constraints or rejection would limit uptake. Primary keywords: INR stablecoin, Polygon ARC, UPI, e‑Rupee, programmable money. Secondary keywords: cross‑border payments, DeFi interoperability, deposit token, regulatory compliance.

Polkadot (DOT) shows technical signs of a market bottom and potential reversal after strong buyer activity around the $2 support level. Price posted a long lower wick in early December, interpreted as a Wyckoff "Spring"—a shakeout below support followed by a rapid recovery. DOT rallied to about $2.30 but met resistance and pulled back toward $2.12. Analysts note DOT may have been in an accumulation phase since 2023; a sustained break above the $2.30–$2.50 zone would be a "Sign of Strength" and could open much larger upside targets (analysts cite $12–$15 in extended scenarios). On-chain and ecosystem metrics remain constructive: Polkadot continues to rank among the most active Web3 development platforms, supporting long-term fundamentals despite recent price weakness. Traders should watch for daily/closing confirmations above mid-range resistance to validate the Wyckoff setup. This is technical analysis, not investment advice; crypto markets remain volatile.

POWER surged about 40% following its listing on Binance US perpetual futures, a move traders attributed to increased derivative exposure and a liquidity impulse. At the time of reporting, POWER traded near $0.1637 with a market capitalization of roughly $34.39 million. Binance launched POWER perpetual contracts offering up to 20x leverage, expanding access for futures traders. The article notes this as a short-term bullish catalyst and advises traders to review volume, open interest and broader liquidity metrics before assuming sustained gains.

Galaxy Research warns that Bitcoin treasury (DAT) firms have entered a “Darwinian phase” as equity premiums collapse and previously effective leverage becomes a liability. After Bitcoin fell from October highs near $126,000 to around $80,000, issuance-driven growth reversed: NAV-per-share fell below BTC price, open interest and spot liquidity contracted, and an October 10 deleveraging event accelerated losses. Many DAT stocks that traded at large premiums this summer now trade at discounts despite Bitcoin being ~30% below its high. Firms such as Metaplanet and Nakamoto show large unrealized losses with average BTC purchase prices above $107,000; one firm, NAKA, plunged over 98% from its peak. Galaxy outlines three paths: prolonged compressed premiums and stagnating BTC-per-share growth; consolidation via acquisitions or restructurings for over-levered firms; or recovery only for firms that preserved liquidity if BTC reaches new highs. Separately, Strategy raised a $1.44 billion cash reserve to secure dividends and debt coverage for at least 12 months, while Bitwise’s CIO said Strategy won’t be forced to sell BTC if its share price drops. Key keywords: Bitcoin treasury, DAT, NAV, premiums, leverage, deleveraging, Metaplanet, Nakamoto, Strategy.

Zcash (ZEC) rallied from below $50 earlier this year to a peak near $742 in November, then plunged about 53% to roughly $350 by Dec. 6, 2025, wiping market cap from over $11 billion to about $5.8 billion. Technical analysts attribute the move to the 100‑year-old Wyckoff Theory: prolonged multi-year accumulation, a markup phase beginning in September (spurred by Grayscale’s ZEC fund application), followed by distribution and a markdown phase after a double-top at $740. Price action shows bearish patterns — a three black crows formation and a retest of support near $305 (Nov 2021 high). A brief relief rally ahead of possible SEC approval of a Grayscale ZEC product is possible, but analysts warn any bounce may be a dead‑cat bounce; a break below $305 points to further downside toward the next significant support around $215. Primary keywords: Zcash, ZEC price, Wyckoff Theory, price analysis. Secondary/semantic keywords included: Grayscale ZEC fund, markup phase, distribution, markdown, support levels, dead‑cat bounce. This concise technical overview helps traders assess risk, key levels ($305, $215) and likely bearish momentum in the near term.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is advancing toward a Q4 2025 V1 deployment on the Sepolia testnet as it closes a strong presale and commissions an independent security audit. The presale has attracted over 18,000 participants and raised roughly $19 million, with Phase 6 reportedly about 95% sold at $0.035; Phase 7 will raise the price to $0.04. The upcoming V1 testnet will implement Mutuum’s decentralized lending features — mtTokens, reward mechanics, collateralization and borrowing terms, and an interest-rate formula — with initial token support for ETH and USDT. A Halborn audit (following earlier security checks referenced in prior reporting) aims to validate contract security, functionality and funds safety before a public testnet schedule is announced. For traders, the combination of high presale uptake, an imminent functional testnet and a professional audit are potential catalysts for increased demand and volatility in MUTM, especially as the token moves to a higher presale price tier. Key SEO keywords: Mutuum Finance, MUTM, Sepolia testnet, presale, Halborn audit, decentralized lending, mtToken.

XRP slipped to the key $2.00 support amid a broader crypto correction that erased about $150 billion from the market since mid-week. Despite continued inflows into newly launched spot XRP ETFs, trading volume is declining and whale selling has intensified — including ~150 million XRP moved in two days earlier this week. An AI model (ChatGPT) warned that a break below $2.00 could push XRP toward the next support near $1.90. Technical indicators show short-term oversold conditions (RSI, MACD), which can prompt a corrective bounce, but overall structure remains fragile. ETF inflows have slowed over the past five days; a return to early launch-level inflows would be needed to support a stronger rally. The AI outlined a likely trading range of roughly $1.98–$2.12 for the coming week, with a bullish scenario topping out near $2.25 if significant ETF inflows and a market-wide relief rally occur. Primary keywords: XRP, XRP ETFs, $2 support. Secondary/semantic keywords: whale selling, trading volume, RSI, MACD, ETF inflows, BTC dominance.

UBS analysts expect the Federal Reserve to resume modest monthly purchases of short-term U.S. Treasuries — roughly $40 billion per month — in early 2026. The projection signals a possible Fed shift toward providing additional liquidity in the short-term government debt market. UBS framed the estimate as a market expectation, not investment advice. The note may influence expectations for U.S. Treasury bill yields, dollar liquidity and short-end rates, which in turn can affect risk assets including cryptocurrencies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a 56-page report urging stronger global cooperation on stablecoin regulation as the sector rapidly expands. The IMF highlighted that the two largest stablecoins, USDT and USDC, have tripled combined market capitalization since 2023 to about $260 billion, and 2024 trading volume rose ~90% to $23 trillion with Asia surpassing North America in activity. The report emphasized stablecoins’ benefits—faster, cheaper cross-border payments and greater financial inclusion—while warning of material risks: de-pegging and reserve fire sales, currency substitution that undermines monetary sovereignty, fragmented oversight, and limited interoperability. The IMF and other bodies (like the Financial Stability Board) have issued recommendations, but regulatory approaches vary across jurisdictions, creating potential gaps for regulatory arbitrage. The report concludes that stablecoins and tokenization are likely to persist, but mitigating macrofinancial risks will require closer international policy coordination, clear legal frameworks, robust reserve and integrity standards, and cooperation between policymakers, regulators and the private sector.

A well-known longtime Bitcoin investor, Pumpius, revealed on X that he has placed deep limit orders to buy 1,000,000 XRP at $1 each (a $1 million position) following warnings from PhoenixReborn about an imminent XRP flash crash. The alert sparked debate; commentator Dr. John questioned the tone of the warning. At press time XRP trades around $2.04 (down ~2% day, ~6.3% week). The article recalls XRP’s October 10, 2025 flash crash from $2.83 to $1.25 (a 56% drop) and near-immediate rebound to $2.45, during which traders with deep buy orders captured large gains. Concerns are elevated by trader Peter Brandt’s call that Bitcoin corrections historically reach 74–86%, which could ripple into altcoins and trigger violent dips. Other notable accumulators include Dave Portnoy, who reportedly bought $1M of XRP in a downturn. Analysts say a dip to $1 is possible in a bear market, but no flash crash has occurred yet. The piece frames Pumpius’s $1-per-XRP buy order as positioning to capitalize on a rapid, temporary collapse similar to October’s event. (Informational — not financial advice.)

Europol coordinated a multi‑country operation that dismantled a sophisticated crypto fraud and money‑laundering syndicate responsible for defrauding victims of more than €700 million. Raids in October 2025 and a follow‑up phase targeted fake investment platforms, affiliate marketing networks, call centres and deepfake ad campaigns across Cyprus, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, France and Israel. Authorities arrested nine suspects linked to laundering and seized assets including €800,000 in bank funds, €415,000 in cryptocurrency, €300,000 cash, devices and luxury items. Investigators found the group used fabricated trading dashboards, forged celebrity endorsements, social‑engineering call centres and rapid cross‑chain/exchange transfers to obscure fund flows. Europol deployed on‑site crypto analysis specialists to trace blockchain flows and coordinate asset recovery. The takedown highlights rising use of AI‑driven deepfake ads and complex laundering techniques, underscores persistent investor risk from fraudulent platforms and manipulated advertising, and adds momentum to cross‑border enforcement aimed at recovering illicit crypto funds. Traders should note increased enforcement activity and on‑chain tracing efforts, which may pressure illicit OTC liquidity and influence exchange compliance and delisting scrutiny.

The European Commission has proposed transferring direct supervision of crypto firms from national regulators to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to harmonise implementation of the Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) framework across the 27 EU member states. The package gives ESMA direct powers over trading venues, central counterparties, central securities depositories and crypto-asset service providers, moving ESMA from a coordinator role toward an SEC‑style supervisor. The proposal responds to complaints from France, Austria and Italy about inconsistent MiCA enforcement and follows a critical ESMA peer review of Malta’s authorisation process. Industry groups warned that centralisation could slow decision-making, strain ESMA’s resources and complicate market access for new crypto and fintech entrants that rely on domestic supervisors and passporting. The wider December 4 package also targets cross-border trading and post‑trading frictions, seeks to improve passporting and relaxes parts of the DLT Pilot Regulation to ease distributed‑ledger testing. The measures must be negotiated and approved by the European Parliament and Council before taking effect. Traders should watch potential short‑term market uncertainty around EU‑licensed services and onboarding timelines, and monitor how ESMA operationalises new powers — resource constraints or stricter, harmonised enforcement could affect liquidity and access for EU crypto products.

Bitcoin’s Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) has dropped to about 1.35—the lowest level since early 2024—according to Coinotag reporting CryptoOnchain data. With BTC trading near $89,700, analysts interpret the decline as a profit-taking reset: realized gains are cooling and near-term selling pressure may be approaching exhaustion. Historically, SOPR troughs at similar levels have coincided with local market bottoms and preceded orderly uptrends. Traders are advised to treat SOPR as one of several on-chain signals—combining it with liquidity metrics and price action—rather than relying on it in isolation. Key facts: SOPR ≈ 1.35, BTC ≈ $89,700, lowest SOPR since early 2024. Primary keywords: Bitcoin SOPR, SOPR ratio, Bitcoin price, on-chain indicators. Secondary/semantic keywords: profit-taking reset, selling pressure exhaustion, local bottom, liquidity signals, price action.