A sharp sell-off in crypto markets forced roughly $500–$637 million in derivatives liquidations as leveraged long positions in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and XRP were closed out across major futures and perpetual venues. The event combined rapid deleveraging, concentrated perpetual/futures liquidations and thinner order-book liquidity, producing sudden price dislocations, widened bid-ask spreads, and spikes in implied volatility and funding rates. The move occurred alongside a risk-on rally in equities, suggesting capital rotation away from leveraged crypto exposure. Immediate effects included rapid order-book imbalances and higher short-term margin requirements; both retail and institutional traders were affected. For traders: expect elevated liquidation risk, potential short squeezes and intraday volatility; monitor exchange-specific open interest, funding rates, order-book depth and on-chain flows for signs of capitulation or renewed accumulation. This episode mirrors prior leverage-driven crashes and implies short-term risk-off behavior with possible mean-reversion opportunities if selling exhausts.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz publicly released the XRPL Hub he privately operated, publishing real‑time operational metrics — uptime, peer counts, latency, throughput, hostnames, ports and public keys — and confirming the node has run XRPL v2.6.2 stably for over a month. He said the hub is currently under capacity, with peer reservations available if demand rises. The disclosure creates a new reference point for developers, node operators and analysts to benchmark setups and troubleshoot network issues. Schwartz used the publication to argue against large, monetisation‑led smart‑contract overhauls and staking‑style reward systems, urging evidence‑driven, stability‑first protocol upgrades and cautioning that radical additions risk core ledger changes. Separately, Ripple led a $25 million Series C investment in Bitnomial, a CFTC‑regulated exchange that listed XRP and supports spot, futures, perpetuals and options — expanding XRP’s regulated market presence. Market reaction: XRP fell roughly 4–5% in 24 hours to about $2.03 amid the announcements and broader weakness. Key SEO keywords: XRPL Hub, XRPL transparency, XRP price, David Schwartz, XRPL v2.6.2, Ripple investment.
The International Monetary Fund published a 56-page report warning that stablecoins could undermine monetary sovereignty and pose financial stability risks, arguing that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are a preferable policy response. The IMF highlighted scenarios such as currency substitution and fire sales that could force central bank intervention, and flagged weak compliance and potential illicit use of stablecoins. Industry figures criticized the report: payments entrepreneur Erbil Karaman noted stablecoins’ benefits in unstable fiat economies; Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi and Gate CBO Kevin Lee argued private stablecoins can coexist with CBDCs; billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego framed official opposition as fear of losing institutional power. The story echoes recent ECB and BIS concerns and follows ongoing global regulatory scrutiny. Key names: IMF, ECB, BIS, Erbil Karaman, Kevin Lee, Arjun Sethi, Ricardo Salinas Pliego. Primary keywords: stablecoins, CBDC, monetary sovereignty. Secondary/semantic keywords: financial stability, currency substitution, regulatory compliance, illicit finance.
CoinPoker и амбассадор платформы, известный игрок Марио Мосбек, запустили новый YouTube‑канал; к премьере приурочили акцию: за 24 часа до выхода первого видео любой подписчик автоматически участвовал в розыгрыше. В конкурсе разыграли 200 билетов CoinMasters по $25 (общий пул $5,000). Победители определялись рандомайзером, билеты были напрямую зачислены в игровые аккаунты. Билеты дают доступ к серии турниров CoinMasters с гарантиями $10,000 и шанс на редкие CoinMasters Coins, а также на участие в программе с призовым фондом $250,000, совместно подготовленной Мосбеком и топ‑регулярами. Новый канал обещает закулисный контент с турниров, разборы раздач, стратегии и образовательные видео — формат ориентирован на поклонников профессионального покера и пользователей CoinPoker. Хотя первый розыгрыш завершён, CoinPoker планирует новые акции и промо; подписка остаётся каналом получения ранних объявлений о турнирах и бонусах.
SoftBank Group is negotiating to acquire DigitalBridge Group, an alternative asset manager focused on digital infrastructure such as data centres and telecom towers. The potential deal would expand SoftBank’s holdings in data-centre and telecom infrastructure and strengthen its position in AI-focused facilities in Asia; DigitalBridge recently partnered with KT to develop next-generation AI data centres in South Korea. DigitalBridge has been streamlining assets, including selling Digita Group to GI Partners, while SoftBank has been actively investing in data-centre operators and related tech and telecom assets. The move fits a wider industry trend of consolidation as demand for large-scale data-centre capacity and AI infrastructure grows.
Bitcoin failed to break and was repeatedly rejected at the key $94,000 channel-high pivot, prompting a shift in momentum toward downside targets. Multiple attempts to reclaim $94k produced weak buying volume and stronger sell-side pressure, marking a lower high in market structure. With futures open interest declining (de-leveraging) and momentum indicators turning bearish, BTC is rotating back toward the channel midpoint and faces a major support band near $78,000–$78,430. Traders should watch for a break below the midpoint to confirm a move to $78k; only a strong, high-volume reclaim of $94k would invalidate the bearish bias. Short-term outlook: increased probability of a corrective drop toward $78k. Longer-term recovery requires reclaiming the channel high and renewed buyer participation. Primary keywords: Bitcoin price, $94,000 pivot, $78,000 support.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that rapid growth of dollar-backed stablecoins (notably USDT and USDC) poses risks to emerging markets by encouraging currency substitution, weakening central bank control of monetary policy and capital flows, and increasing financial stability risks. The IMF notes stablecoins now account for the vast bulk of issuance—USDT circulating supply ~$185.5B and USDC ~$77.6B—with combined trading volumes reaching $23 trillion last year. Asia leads in activity, while Africa, Latin America and the Middle East show fastest growth relative to GDP. Benefits include cheaper cross-border payments and greater financial inclusion via mobile services, but risks include reserve run risk, market contagion from rapid asset sales, difficulties monitoring pseudonymous holders and unhosted wallets, and potential deposit flight from banks (Standard Chartered estimates up to $1T could shift from bank deposits). Regulatory fragmentation creates gaps for arbitrage; advanced economies (US, EU, UK, Japan) are developing frameworks while many emerging markets lack clear regulation. The IMF calls for stronger oversight, reserve transparency and coordinated policy to mitigate threats while preserving stablecoins’ payment benefits.
A coordinated Sybil attack used thousands of disposable bot wallets to snipe the Solana-based WET presale, capturing the majority of allocation within seconds and reportedly draining millions of dollars in value. The presale ran via Jupiter’s aggregator and HumidiFi — the Solana AMM — confirmed the exploit, paused the launch, and announced a probe plus remedial measures including creating a new token and pro‑rata airdrops for verified buyers while excluding identified snipers. Blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps traced clusters of at least ~1,100 suspicious wallets among ~1,530 participants, noting identical funding patterns often seeded from exchanges. There were no reports of a direct compromise to Solana’s network or the presale smart contracts; the breach exploited weak anti‑Sybil controls and disposable address tactics. Market reactions included delayed token deposits and liquidity plans, flagged sales on some centralized platforms, and reduced community trust. For traders: expect heightened short‑term volatility in WET and related Solana (SOL) assets, increased caution around on‑chain presales, and stronger demand for projects implementing KYC, algorithmic Sybil detection, or manual vetting. Monitor on‑chain activity, presale rules, and any follow‑up airdrop or re‑launch details that could materially affect supply and price.
Bitcoin plunged below $90,000 as bearish momentum intensified, triggering more than $200 million in liquidations across crypto futures markets. The sell-off pressured leveraged long positions, with concentrated liquidations on major exchanges amplifying intraday volatility. Market indicators showed elevated funding rates and rising open interest before the move, suggesting crowded long positioning. Short-term traders faced rapid stop-outs while order books thinned, widening spreads and increasing slippage. Analysts note the event reflects typical deleveraging after extended rallies: forced liquidations accelerate declines, attract volatility-seeking flows, and can briefly push prices further from fair value. Key statistics: price breach of $90K and over $200 million in futures liquidations. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, liquidations, futures, BTC price. Secondary/semantic keywords: leveraged positions, funding rates, open interest, volatility, exchanges.
Pudgy Penguins, a high-profile NFT collection, has signed a brand licensing deal with German toy maker Schleich to produce physical figurines based on Pudgy Penguins characters. Schleich — known for hand-painted collectible figures and global retail distribution — will design, manufacture and distribute the toys, which are slated for unveiling at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair on January 27, 2026. The agreement offers real-world utility for NFT holders, potential royalty or exclusive-edition benefits, and increased mainstream exposure that can validate NFT intellectual property. Key implications include new revenue streams from physical product sales, stronger brand recognition through association with an established manufacturer, and a potential blueprint for other NFT projects seeking mainstream adoption. Challenges noted are the lengthy timeline to launch (early 2026), design translation from 2D/metadata to 3D collectables, and toy-industry market risks. Actionable takeaways for traders and collectors: prioritize NFTs with clear utility roadmaps and credible brand partners, monitor holder benefit disclosures (royalties, exclusives), and watch for secondary-market price effects as mainstream visibility and perceived IP value increase. (Keywords: Pudgy Penguins, Schleich, NFT licensing, NFT utility, collectible toys)
Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a decentralized lending protocol launched in early 2025, has entered the final stage of its presale: Phase 6 is ~99% allocated and the token trades under $0.04 after rising from a $0.01 launch price. The project reports roughly $19.1M raised, more than 810M presale tokens sold and ~18,300 holders. Mutuum’s dual-market model issues interest-accruing mtTokens when users deposit ETH or USDT; protocol revenue will partly buy back MUTM and redistribute it to mtToken holders, creating built-in buy pressure. The team plans a V1 Sepolia testnet in Q4 2025 to roll out liquidity pools, mtTokens, a liquidator bot, debt tracking and ETH/USDT borrowing with liquidation and auction logic. Security measures include a CertiK token-scan score of 90/100, an ongoing Halborn audit, a $50,000 bug bounty and daily community rewards; large whale commitments (> $100k) and gamified incentives (daily $500 MUTM leaderboard, card payments) have accelerated late-stage sales. Analysts cited in project materials project a potential multix move after full V1 rollout if borrowing volume scales, but forecasts are conditional on adoption. Key trading takeaways: near-final presale creates short-term buying pressure, whale concentration and remaining presale allocation pose supply-risk and centralization concerns, and outcome hinges on testnet progress, real borrowing activity, token unlocks/vesting and on-chain whale flows—monitor these before taking positions.
Solana’s stablecoin supply reached a record $16.2 billion, driven primarily by Circle’s USDC, which accounts for about 58% (~$8 billion) of the total on-chain stablecoins on Solana. On-chain analytics (Dune) show Solana now exceeds Bitcoin and Ethereum in stablecoin holdings for the first time, supporting increased DeFi activity, payments and remittance use-cases on the network. Tether (USDT) holds roughly 20% (~$2.7 billion) of Solana stablecoins. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) flagged potential macro and financial-stability risks from the rapid expansion of stablecoins globally — the market now tops $300 billion — citing possible disruptions to capital flows, currency substitution in vulnerable economies, and regulatory fragmentation that enables arbitrage and unmonitored liquidity buildup. The article also notes Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin recently surpassed $1 billion market cap and shows rapid user and transfer-volume growth. Key takeaways for traders: Solana’s growing stablecoin liquidity can support faster on-chain trading and DeFi flows (potentially tighter spreads and higher activity on SOL-based venues), while IMF regulatory concerns could prompt increased scrutiny and possible regulatory actions that may affect stablecoin issuer behavior, cross-border flows and market sentiment.
Solana (SOL) weakened after CoinShares withdrew its SEC application for a Solana staking ETF on Nov. 28, accelerating a month-long pullback. Technicals deteriorated: price fell below $140, RSI around the low 40s, MACD turning negative, with immediate support near $130 and next at about $122. Market sentiment cooled, prompting rotation into high-yield altcoin opportunities. One notable beneficiary is Digitap (TAP), a fintech-focused token combining fiat and crypto wallets, Visa-branded debit cards and remittance features. Digitap’s Black Friday “96 Hours of Madness” presale drove strong demand — TAP rose from $0.0125 to roughly $0.033–0.034 in presale, the project confirmed an intended launch price near $0.14, and more than $2.24 million was raised. The presale used hourly discounts, token rewards, cashback and card-upgrade incentives to boost conversions and FOMO; organizers claim ~120k connected wallets and stage sell-through near completion. Digitap’s tokenomics allocate significant revenue to buyback-and-burn and staking rewards from a fixed 2 billion supply, a narrative pitched to support scarcity as adoption grows. Traders should note: this story ties a negative catalyst for SOL (ETF withdrawal) to capital flows into a speculative presale (TAP). Risks remain — SOL’s technical weakness and headline risk could sustain downside, while TAP’s gains reflect presale mechanics and marketing, not live-market liquidity or proven product traction. This is not investment advice.
Solana (SOL) jumped about 13% from $123 to roughly $140, renewing market momentum and prompting traders to hunt for small-cap tokens that could outperform large-cap gains. Digitap (TAP), a live crypto-fintech app with Visa-compatible payments, omni-bank features, crypto-to-fiat interoperability, IBANs, and app availability on Google and Apple stores, is presented as a potential beneficiary of this spillover interest. Earlier reporting noted TAP presale progress (over $850k raised, 65.04M tokens sold) and audited smart contracts; the later update cites a different presale price and larger claimed whale allocations ($2.2M) and projects an expected listing price implying substantial upside (presale reported at $0.0334 vs expected $0.14). Digitap markets no-KYC onboarding, on-chain utility (deposits, withdrawals, swaps), staking with high promotional APY (presale staking cited at 124%), and tokenomics that allocate 50% of platform profits to burns and staking rewards. Smart-contract audits (SolidProof, Coinsult) and a privacy Stealth Mode were previously highlighted. For traders, the news signals both short-term speculative opportunity—buying into TAP presale before scheduled price jumps—and longer-term adoption potential if the product achieves real payment flows. The piece is informational and not trading advice.
Polymarket is recruiting an internal market-making desk that could trade directly against platform users as the prediction-market operator expands in the U.S. after resolving a 2022 CFTC enforcement matter. Bloomberg and Cointelegraph reports say Polymarket has been speaking with traders, including sports bettors, to staff the desk and could use RFQ-style pricing to match orders and package parlays — moves that require capital and may give the house an edge. Rival Kalshi already operates an in-house desk and has faced user criticism and a proposed class-action alleging it sets lines that disadvantage customers; Kalshi also works with external market makers such as Susquehanna. Industry reaction is mixed: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong argued trading desks can enhance market signals, while BlackRock’s Larry Fink questioned the lasting value of short-term betting markets. Prediction-market volumes surged in Q3 2024 (top platforms’ combined volume up 565% year-over-year to $3.1bn), highlighting growing interest and liquidity needs. Critics warn Polymarket’s shift toward proprietary market making risks conflicts of interest, privileged access to order flow or timing data, erosion of market-driven probability signals that helped during the 2024 U.S. election cycle, PR and legal exposure, and potential regulatory scrutiny similar to past controversies. Polymarket had not commented at publication. (Keywords: Polymarket, market making, prediction market, sportsbook, liquidity, RFQ, Kalshi, regulation)
CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid has integrated Circle’s euro-backed stablecoin EURC across Ethereum (ERC‑20), Solana (SPL) and Base, enabling merchants in Europe to accept euro-denominated on‑chain payments. The move targets e-commerce, travel and iGaming sectors by offering faster settlement, reduced FX risk and MiCA-aligned compliance. CoinsPaid CTO Aliaksei Tulia described the listing as strengthening the firm’s bridge between traditional finance and blockchain settlement rails. EURC is fully reserved, 1:1 redeemable with euros held in European banks and positioned as a transparent alternative to USD-denominated stablecoins. The integration complements previous USDG support, expanding CoinsPaid’s fiat-backed, audit-verified stablecoin options and improving access to euro liquidity for merchant settlement and cross‑border payments as the EU implements MiCA.
Cointelegraph Research and EigenPhi analysed over 95,000 sandwich attacks on Ethereum between Nov 2024 and Oct 2025, estimating trader losses near $60 million. Monthly sandwich extraction fell from roughly $10M in late 2024 to about $2.5M by October 2025. Attackers captured only about 5% of extracted value after gas — much of the remainder went to block builders through fees — and net monthly attacker profits averaged ~$260K in 2025 (skewed by an $800K outlier). Attack frequency remained high (60k–90k/month) across ~515 distinct bots observed in October, though only ~100 bots were actively executing sandwiches monthly; average profit per sandwich is about $3, with many bots near breakeven. Roughly 70% of attacks are attributed to a single operator, “Jared,” whose upgraded v2 bot targets multiple victims and can manipulate pool liquidity. Nearly 40% of attacks hit low-volatility pools (stablecoins, wrapped tokens, liquid-staking tokens) and ~12% targeted stable-swap pools, exposing traders to unexpected slippage. The decline in extraction is consistent with growing adoption of MEV-protection tools and better slippage controls, but no universal, protocol-level fix exists yet; proposals such as threshold encryption are under discussion. The report also includes technical analysis for ETH: a break above the $3,600 resistance band could target $4,000–$6,000, while failure to hold $3,000 risks a pullback to ~$2,800. For traders: sandwich risk remains material — especially in low-volatility and stable pools — so use MEV protection, enforce tight slippage limits, monitor targeted pools, and account for silent execution costs that can erode returns even as overall extraction declines.
Kraken has launched a holiday sweepstakes running Dec. 4, 2025–Jan. 5, 2026. Eligible users who opt in and trade at least $1 (or equivalent) receive one entry; every additional $1 traded adds another entry, capped at 1,000,000 entries per user. The prize pool awards a grand prize of 3 BTC, ten winners of $8,500 in BTC, and 100 winners of $850 in BTC. Trades that do not count include fiat↔stablecoin and stablecoin↔stablecoin swaps; entries are calculated using the USD value of qualifying trades. Eligible regions include the U.S. (excluding FL, ME and NY), Canada (excluding Quebec), the EEA and other listed countries. A no‑purchase necessary option provides up to ten free entries. Winners will be randomly selected after Jan. 5 and credited directly to verified Kraken accounts. Terms and conditions apply. This promotion is designed to boost trading volume on Kraken; traders should expect elevated on‑platform activity during the campaign, which may increase short‑term BTC orderflow and liquidity. Primary keywords: Kraken sweepstakes, win BTC, trade to win. Secondary keywords: crypto promotion, trading incentive, holiday giveaway, BTC prize pool.
Fidelity Investments CEO Abigail Johnson publicly confirmed she personally owns Bitcoin, describing it as the “gold standard” of crypto and a meaningful part of some individuals’ savings hierarchy. Johnson said she does not hold large amounts but views Bitcoin as a stable, enduring digital asset. Her remarks underscore growing acceptance of Bitcoin among mainstream financial executives. Under Johnson’s leadership, Fidelity has expanded crypto initiatives — including experiments in Bitcoin mining and custody services — positioning the firm among the more crypto-forward traditional asset managers. The confirmation adds to a trend of institutional and senior finance figures publicly affirming personal crypto holdings, which can influence sentiment and institutional consideration of digital assets.
Cardano’s ADA trades around $0.43 and shows limited upside despite a recent SuperTrend buy signal; analysts warn the indicator may only produce a short-term 5–10% relief bounce while ADA remains beneath major resistance with weak volume. Traders are rotating toward utility-driven projects such as Digitap ($TAP). Digitap runs a live omnibank app (Android, iOS, desktop) offering fiat-crypto management, fast crypto-to-fiat conversions and a no‑KYC Visa card; these real-world features are driving adoption during the presale. $TAP rose from an opening presale price of $0.0125 to $0.0334 (≈160% gain), with over 138 million tokens sold and a planned exchange listing price of $0.14. The presale has imminent price steps and promotional incentives, which amplify FOMO. The article notes this is a paid post and not investment advice.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a $194.6 million net outflow on December 4, 2025, the largest single-day redemption in two weeks, driven mainly by redemptions at major funds. BlackRock’s IBIT led withdrawals with $112.9M redeemed and Fidelity’s FBTC saw $54.2M leave; VanEck (HODL), Grayscale (GBTC) and Bitwise (BITB) also posted smaller outflows (SoSoValue). This followed a modest $14.9M outflow the prior day. The flows coincided with increased rotation across crypto ETFs: Ethereum ETFs moved from $140.2M inflows on Dec 3 to $41.5M outflows on Dec 4, while Solana ETFs flipped from a $32.9M outflow to a $4.2M inflow (Farside Investors). Bitcoin price fell roughly 2.1% to about $91,300 amid the reallocation, after a preceding short‑squeeze rally tied to $209.5M in short liquidations and the Fed ending quantitative tightening on Dec 1. Analysts point to unwinding of basis/arbitrage trades after futures-spot spread compression and short-term institutional de‑risking as drivers of the ETF redemptions. ETF trading volume declined (from $4.2B to $3.1B), signaling reduced risk appetite and higher volatility. On-chain metrics remain constructive: exchange balances dropped to multi-year lows, suggesting continued structural accumulation despite short-term outflows. For traders: expect heightened volatility and rapid capital rotation across ETFs to pressure spot BTC in the short term; monitor U.S. macro catalysts (upcoming inflation prints and the Fed meeting) and key technical levels (~$96k–$106k) for confirmation of resumed bullish momentum.
Crypto analyst Joao Wedson reacted to Bitcoin’s recent decline, saying the loss of the $89,800 level confirmed prior signs of weakness. Wedson pointed to the failure to hold key on-chain support and warned that the market may enter an extended sideways phase. He opened a short position near a recent local high, emphasizing that consistent profitability over many trades matters more than single outcomes. Wedson highlighted critical levels: a break below $86,500 would likely open the path to $80,500 and potentially create a new local bottom. At the time of reporting, BTC traded around $88,430, with downward pressure—roughly a 2.9% drop in the last hour and 4.4% over 24 hours. (This is not investment advice.)
XRP is tracing a descending broadening wedge (DBW) pattern, according to analyst Egrag Crypto, amid heightened December 2025 volatility. A DBW features two diverging downward trendlines connecting lower highs and lower lows; repeated touches suggest weakening selling pressure and accumulation. Historical studies cited in the article indicate roughly two-thirds of DBWs in crypto resolve upward, often producing sharp moves when breakout volume confirms the pattern. Egrag projects a successful XRP breakout could yield gains of 43–57% based on the wedge’s height projection and prior logarithmic-scaling forecasts. Traders are advised to wait for a decisive close above the upper trendline with rising volume to avoid false breakouts. Risks remain: about one-third of DBWs fail, and macro, regulatory, or market-wide events can invalidate the setup. The article recommends strict risk management — confirmation, stop losses, and monitoring of volume and broader news — before taking positions.
HBAR fell 2.2% to around $0.136 on Dec 5, 2025 after breaking key $0.1380 support amid a 47% spike in volume. The intraday sell-off accelerated around 09:00 GMT when 52.21 million HBAR traded, driving a session low near $0.1367 and briefly testing a critical $0.1354 support before recovering to about $0.1361. Technical indicators show oversold conditions but a continuing downtrend with lower highs and range-bound trading between $0.1354–$0.1380. Volume analysis suggests selling exhaustion late in the session. The move came despite renewed institutional interest, including an HBAR ETF filing from Canary Capital Group alongside reports of ETF applications for LTC and DOGE, which could provide longer-term structural demand if approved. Key levels: support at $0.1354 (failure risks deeper retracement); resistance cluster $0.1380–$0.1391. Traders may consider defensive entries near $0.1357 for short-term contrarian plays while watching ETF developments and confirmation of technical direction.
The IMF issued a fresh alert on stablecoins as Bitcoin slipped from around $90,000 and registered sharp intraday moves, marking continued volatility despite recent ETF launches. Analysts noted consecutive ~7% daily swings and growing seller absorption at rallies. Market commentators (Swissblock, Maartun, Washigorira) highlighted buyer hesitation: Bitcoin needs to consolidate above $90,000–$91,500 to rebuild bullish structure; losing that zone points to support near $88,500, with possible deeper tests at $83,900, $84,000 and $80,000. Altcoins tracked Bitcoin’s decline, increasing downside pressure across the crypto market. The article cautions investors about high volatility and repeats a standard investment-advice disclaimer.
Bearish
BitcoinStablecoinsVolatilityMarket Support LevelsAltcoins
Turkey’s largest crypto platform Paribu has agreed to acquire CoinMENA — a Dubai VARA-licensed and Central Bank of Bahrain-licensed MENA-focused exchange — in a deal valuing CoinMENA at up to $240 million. The acquisition, described as Turkey’s largest fintech and first cross-border digital-asset buy, gives Paribu immediate regulatory access to VARA and CBB frameworks and a user base of more than 1.5 million across 45+ countries. CoinMENA supports 50+ cryptocurrencies and multiple local currencies and has raised nearly $20 million from investors including BECO, Arab Bank Switzerland, Circle and Bunat Ventures. Paribu, which has expanded regulated offerings since 2024 (including Paribu Custody/ColdShield® and a 2025 authorization to establish a brokerage), says both platforms will continue operating unchanged for now and that the deal accelerates its compliance-focused regional expansion and product development across Türkiye and the MENA region. For traders: the transaction strengthens Paribu’s regulated market access in key MENA hubs, expands fiat on/off-ramps and liquidity pools in local currencies, and signals continued consolidation among regulated exchanges — factors that may influence regional trading volumes and order-book depth for the tokens listed on both platforms.
XRP trades around $2.07 after a near 8% weekly drop as technical setups suggest a possible major move. Analysts highlight a Descending Broadening Wedge on a 2-week chart that projects a breakout target near $9.50 (about +360%) if XRP clears the pattern’s upper trendline; failure could expose a downside near $0.50. Other analysts note bounces from the lower trendline of an ascending channel with nearer-term targets at $2.30, $2.60, $3.00, $3.57 and $4.10, and an optimistic projection to $4.87 over months. Short-term resistance sits around $2.27 and $2.00 is main downside support. On-chain data show short-term holders reducing positions (6–12 month holding group fell from 26.18% to 21.65%), roughly 140 million XRP moved or sold by large wallets, and social sentiment has turned more negative, reaching fear levels not seen since October. Key trading considerations: watch for confirmation above the wedge/channel resistance to target $4–$9.50 scenarios, monitor $2.00 support and on-chain wallet activity, and factor in weaker short-term momentum and heightened social fear when sizing positions.
Ripple has completed a $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury, integrating a treasury-management platform that serves 800+ corporations across 160 countries and connects to 13,000 financial institutions. The deal embeds treasury workflows into Ripple’s digital asset infrastructure, enabling enterprises to access on-demand, blockchain-based liquidity and real-time settlement without handling crypto wallets. This move complements Ripple’s 2025 institutional push following purchases of Rail, Palisade and Ripple Prime, forming a full institutional finance stack aimed at reducing settlement delays, operational risk, and improving compliance.
Institutional inflows into XRP products have accelerated worldwide. WisdomTree data cited in the article shows European investors added $549 million to XRP products in 2025; outside the U.S. XRP attracted $252 million, nearly matching Bitcoin’s $268 million. A synthetic U.S. XRP product reached $241 million in inflows. Aggregate spot XRP assets hit $906 million after single-day ETF inflows of $50.27 million. Analysts note supply tightening as whales and some corporations accumulate XRP for treasury allocations.
Despite these fundamental developments and rising institutional demand, XRP price has fallen — trading near $2.07 after a 24-hour decline of ~4% and a 7-day drop of ~7.6%, and remaining ~42% below its yearly peak. Technical analysts point to key resistance at $2.28, with a break above potentially targeting $2.75; indicators like TD Sequential place XRP in a buy zone. Traders are watching consolidation and momentum levels closely as institutional adoption reshapes XRP’s supply dynamics.
Italy’s financial regulator Consob has set a firm December 30 deadline for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) operating under Italy’s OAM registration to apply for authorisation under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime. Firms must submit applications to be licensed as crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) by that date. Applicants may continue serving clients while applications are processed, but the transition ends on June 30, 2026, by which time authorities must reach a decision. VASPs that fail to apply must stop services by Dec. 30, return user funds and crypto assets, close contracts, post clear public notices and directly inform customers whether they will comply or exit. Consob warns investors to verify their provider’s plans and to request fund returns if they receive no communication. Italy’s implementing decree uses MiCA’s national flexibility to replace a simple registration model with a stricter authorisation regime, raising governance, transparency and control requirements for platforms. Traders should monitor platform announcements, possible market exits and asset withdrawals — moves that could cause short-term liquidity shifts and exchange flows. Primary SEO keywords: MiCA, Italy regulation, VASP compliance; secondary keywords: CASP authorisation, platform exits, asset withdrawals.