Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Bitcoin attempted a relief rally above $89,500 but bulls failed to hold higher levels; sustained recovery may require renewed institutional demand. Since Dec. 15, BTC ETFs have seen over $1 billion in outflows. Analysts note Fed policy will remain a key driver in Q1 2026; a 0.25% rate cut and steady Treasury purchases could push BTC toward $92–98k if ETF inflows and institutional accumulation resume. Short-term technical levels: BTC support at $84,000 (break risks drop to $80,600 and $74,508); resistance at the 20-day EMA (~$88.6k) and $94,589, with $100,000 as bullish target. Ether trades inside a symmetrical triangle — break above moving averages could target $4,000; breakdown risks $2,623 and $2,373. BNB sits on an uptrend line; a move above moving averages could challenge $928, failure risks a slide to $790. XRP attempts recovery inside a descending channel; needs a close above 20-day EMA (~$1.93) to reach $2.09 and the downtrend line; supports at $1.61 and $1.25. Solana faces resistance at the 20-day EMA (~$127); break below $116 risks $95. Dogecoin remains under $0.13; loss of $0.12 targets $0.10, while gains above MAs could reach $0.19. Cardano shows RSI positive divergence; close above 20-day EMA (~$0.38) could target $0.43–$0.50, while failure risks $0.30 and $0.27. Bitcoin Cash shows relative strength and could rally past $631 to $720 if buyers hold; otherwise possible consolidation between $443–$631. Chainlink is rangebound between ~$12.78 and $11.61; breakout could target $15–$16.8, breakdown risks a fall toward $7.90. Hyperliquid (HYPE) sits below its 20-day EMA but above $22.19; a break above the EMA could push to ~$32 and $35.50, while a failure risks a retest of Oct lows near $20.82. Overall market: major altcoins are struggling near recent lows while Bitcoin’s path depends on institutional flows and macro policy cues. This is not investment advice.

WazirX founder Nischal Shetty said the long‑running ownership dispute between WazirX and Binance has entered formal litigation. Shetty reiterated that WazirX was sold to Binance around late 2019–early 2020, a claim Binance has denied. He said legal resolution will determine final ownership but stressed the platform’s operational focus is on restarting and rebuilding services. WazirX has resumed operations after completing a Singapore court‑approved restructuring. Updated terms of service now clarify ownership and dispute details to provide greater transparency for users. No specific financial figures or dates for the litigation timeline were provided.

Hani Rihan, CEO of BiG Agency, argues blockchain can transform insurance from a transactional, opaque industry into a trust-based, relationship-driven sector. Key proposals include customer-owned policy data on-chain for real-time updates and verified behavioral inputs (e.g., safe driving, home security) to enable personalized pricing and faster claims. Internally, insurers can issue utility tokens to align agents’ incentives — turning agents into stakeholders via token rewards, on-chain voting, and smart-contract automation for fair, instant compensation. The article positions tokenization as a tool to track contributions, measure impact, and reinforce a purpose-driven culture focused on long-term value rather than short-term sales. BiG Agency’s Bigganos token is cited as an example: a utility reward token for agents that the company intends to evolve into a compliant real-world-asset framework pending regulation (the Clarity Act). No market statistics or explicit token economics (supply, valuation) are provided. Primary keywords: blockchain insurance, tokenized agents, user-owned data, smart contracts. Secondary keywords: personalized policies, claims automation, utility token, decentralized governance.

A leading crypto analyst has warned that a significant Ethereum (ETH) rally in 2026 is unlikely. The analyst cited macroeconomic headwinds, prolonged risk-off sentiment, and on-chain metrics that do not yet support a major bullish breakout for ETH. Key points include subdued network activity, reduced fee revenue compared with past bull runs, and an absence of strong accumulation signals from long-term holders. The analyst also noted that while protocol upgrades and ecosystem development remain positive fundamentals, they may not be sufficient to trigger a large near-term price surge without broader market liquidity and macro tailwinds. Traders should watch metrics such as exchange flows, on-chain supply concentration, staking rates, and macro indicators (interest rates and risk appetite) for signs of a shift. The analyst recommended a cautious trading stance: favoring risk management, smaller position sizing, and using defined entries and exits rather than assuming a broad-market-led ETH rally in 2026.

Gold and silver were the standout performers of 2025, with gold surging roughly 72% year-to-date to record highs above $4,500 per ounce and silver rallying about 160% YTD, reaching near $75 an ounce. Bitcoin lagged traditional equities and precious metals, slipping modestly during holiday-thinned trading. Many quality DeFi tokens are trading near multi-year lows despite solid fundamentals and growing app revenue — on Solana, application-level revenue now generates roughly three times the network’s revenue. The report highlights a shift in value capture from infrastructure to applications and suggests 2026 may present buying opportunities in liquid tokens if valuations begin to reflect that shift. Key metrics: gold ~+72% YTD, silver ~+160% YTD, silver ~+45% in the past month, gold ATH >$4,500/oz, silver ~ $75/oz. Main themes: precious metals rally, BTC underperformance, DeFi valuation disconnect, Solana app revenue outpacing network revenue, potential 2026 opportunities for traders.

Public bitcoin miners diverged sharply in 2025 as companies pivoting to AI and high-performance computing (HPC) substantially outperformed pure-play BTC miners. IREN led the sector with roughly +300% year-to-date gains driven by major GPU cloud deals and Microsoft backing. Cipher Mining rose about +230% via expanded AI hosting partnerships, and Hut 8 gained ~+139% after announcing a $7 billion, 15-year AI data-center lease (245 MW) at its River Bend site. By contrast, large BTC-holding pure miners underperformed: Marathon (53,250 BTC) fell ~44% YTD, CleanSpark (13,011 BTC) rose ~16%, Riot Platforms (19,324 BTC) rose ~32%, and Core Scientific was up ~9% after rejecting an acquisition. Bitdeer was the biggest laggard, down ~50% following a disappointing Q3, wider net loss and delays to its ASIC chip that cloud its AI expansion plans. The takeaway for traders: diversification into AI/HPC—GPU cloud deals, hyperscaler partnerships and long-term data-center contracts—drove share-price outperformance this year, while BTC holdings alone were insufficient to guarantee gains amid earnings shortfalls and execution risks.

SHIB (Shiba Inu) has shown modest gains, trading at $0.00000719 on December 26. Short‑term technicals indicate buyers control the market into year‑end, with hourly charts nearer resistance than support. A breakout above the nearest level at $0.00000729 could propel SHIB toward the $0.00000750–$0.00000770 zone. Mid‑term support is identified at $0.000007; if price closes clearly above that support, a bounce toward $0.00000750 becomes more likely. Traders should watch the $0.00000729 resistance and the $0.000007 support for potential entry or stop levels.

Bitcoin’s price structure has improved following the largest-ever bitcoin options expiration, which cleared approximately $23.6 billion notional and eased hedging-driven deleveraging, according to Negentropic, co-founder of Glassnode (cited by COINOTAG). The pullback drew steady demand and prior lows held, suggesting a healthier setup and a gradual uptrend bias as genuine supply-demand dynamics return. Macro liquidity also supports the outlook: US M2 rose 4.3% year‑over‑year to $22.3 trillion in November (21 consecutive months of expansion), leaving real M2 about 1.5% higher YoY after inflation — a potential tailwind for BTC amid fiat dilution. Key points: largest-ever options expiry (~$23.6B notional) removed hedging pressure; price structure intact with prior low preserved; analysts expect normalization and gradual upside; US money supply expansion provides macro support. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, options expiration, deleveraging. Secondary/semantic keywords: BTC, Glassnode, hedging, M2 money supply, price discovery, supply-demand, liquidity. This summary targets crypto traders: expect reduced volatility from expiry-related liquidations, potential recovery as funds exit risk-off hedges, and a macro backdrop that favors digital-asset demand. Monitor on-chain indicators and liquidity flow to time entries and manage risk.

XRP Ledger active user count spiked to nearly 191,000 and has stabilized around 170,000, signaling a measurable rise in on-chain participation despite muted price movement. Exchange reserves for XRP are declining, open interest has cooled, and funding rates are elevated but not extreme — conditions that reduce forced selling pressure. Price remains below major moving averages and inside a descending channel, with key support at $1.85–$1.90 and resistance at $2.10–$2.20 and $2.30–$2.40. Analysts note a divergence between rising network activity and compressed price action; if active addresses keep rising while XRP holds above $1.85 and reclaims $2.20 with volume, it could mark the start of a medium-term recovery rather than another leg down. Traders should watch active addresses, exchange flows, open interest and whether price can break $2.20 on volume. (Keywords: XRP, XRP Ledger, active users, exchange reserves, open interest, funding rates, XRP price)

Spot precious metals rallied sharply: gold climbed to $4,540/oz, up about 1.35% intraday, reflecting renewed demand for bullion amid shifting risk sentiment and macro cues. Palladium surged past $1,900/oz, rising more than 12% in-session as traders rotate exposure toward scarce catalysts and supply dynamics tighten. Platinum gained over 10% intraday, hitting a new record high of $2,452.95/oz, driven by strong industrial demand and potential supply constraints. The moves were reported by COINOTAG and market data provider Oriental Wealth. Key figures: gold $4,540/oz (+1.35%), palladium >$1,900/oz (+12%+), platinum $2,452.95/oz (+10%+).

Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, has issued a pilot corporate loan secured by domestically mined cryptocurrency to Intelion Data JSC, one of the country’s largest miners. The mined coins (including Bitcoin) are held in Sberbank’s Rutoken custody system for the loan term to reduce custody and volatility risk. Sberbank Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said the transaction tested digital-collateral processes and compliance workflows that could inform upcoming regulation. The pilot anticipates planned changes from the Bank of Russia that would broaden crypto trading and derivatives access for retail and qualified investors by July 1, 2026. The move follows Russia’s 2024 mining regulation—though fewer than one-third of miners have registered—within a sector estimated at roughly 200,000 farms and significant concentration among large operators (Intelion, Bitriver). Key implications for traders: (1) increased institutional acceptance of BTC and other mined assets as bank-backed collateral; (2) potential rise in demand for on-chain custody and custody-as-a-service offerings like Rutoken; (3) miners gaining access to liquidity without selling holdings, which could reduce selling pressure; and (4) regulatory developments that may change mining economics and capital flows in Russia. Traders should monitor further bank pilots, registration uptake among miners, and the Central Bank’s regulatory timeline, as these factors could affect regional BTC supply dynamics and custody demand.

CoinShares says 2025 marked a decisive shift in crypto from speculative price focus to real-world utility and integration into traditional finance. The firm highlights Bitcoin’s new all-time highs and broader institutional adoption—spot Bitcoin ETFs gaining traction—as signs the market has matured. Progress in 2025 included stronger infrastructure, practical protocol adoption (example: Chainlink as an oracle connector), regulated crypto-enabled products (prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi), and tokenised financial products moving from pilots toward issuance. CoinShares expects 2026 to be driven more by adoption than macro catalysts: app-based retail savings, stablecoin settlement by payment firms and banks, and expanded custody/trading services. Regulation, particularly clearer frameworks in the US and pragmatic implementation in Europe, is seen as enabling scale rather than suppressing innovation. The firm warns micro-bubbles and project failures will continue, but says winners will be defined by economic function (cash flows, settlement utility) not narrative momentum. For traders, CoinShares’ view signals a market maturing toward utility-focused assets and infrastructure rather than purely narrative-driven speculation.

Analysts and sponsored providers are linking the anticipated launch of an XRP ETF with sharply higher XRP price targets, with some bullish estimates suggesting a short-term rise of about 350% and multi-year targets in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. The article is sponsored content promoting BI DeFi, a UK-based cloud-mining platform that offers daily payouts and automated contracts for cryptocurrencies including XRP, BTC and ETH. BI DeFi claims regulatory compliance (MiCA/MiFID II), third-party audits, insured custodial assets, enterprise security and flexible plans that let users purchase mining-power contracts denominated in various cryptos or stablecoins. Sample product tiers in the promotion show short-term contracts with stated daily yields and total returns; the largest example lists a $10,000 plan with quoted daily yield and overall gains. The piece frames cloud mining as a way for XRP holders to secure steady cash flow and “lock in” returns ahead of ETF-driven volatility, arguing mining returns are less sensitive to short-term price swings. Disclosure notes the content is third-party partner material and not investment advice.

XRP is showing weakening bullish momentum around the critical $1.80 support level as consecutive rallies fail to overcome selling pressure. Technical structure remains bearish with lower highs intact, and bullish volume is notably absent during recovery attempts. A daily close below $1.80 would remove nearby structural support and increase the probability of a rapid capitulation move toward the next major liquidity zone near $1.37. Traders should watch for a confirmed hold above $1.80 accompanied by rising volume to validate any bullish reversal; otherwise downside risk and swift moves driven by stop-loss cascades are more likely.

Solana (SOL) shows signs of a short-term reversal as on-chain metrics and price action hint at renewed buyer interest. SOL trades around $124 (+1.9% 24h) with 24‑hour volume surging ~93.8% to $3.53 billion. The token has held the $118–$120 support zone, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits near 41.82 — neutral to mildly bearish but improving from deeper oversold levels. Analysts note volume spikes on recent lows, suggesting selling exhaustion; a sustained hold above $118–$120 could enable a ~13% move to $140. Potential catalysts include an announced Cardano–Solana cross‑chain bridge (access to ADA liquidity), broader Bitcoin strength during the holiday rally, and growing adoption via the newly launched Solana ETF. Traders should watch RSI behavior (avoidance of sub‑30), volume confirmation on upward moves, and Bitcoin correlation for near‑term momentum. Key risk remains a failure to hold $118–$120 support or renewed marketwide weakness that could invalidate the bounce thesis.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson criticized legacy finance initiatives like the Canton Network—backed by institutions such as State Street and BNY Mellon—as underambitious for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. He argued that blockchain-native projects, notably the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Midnight (Cardano’s privacy-preserving protocol), already deliver capabilities that traditional players are trying to recreate and said they operate at a “100x” higher level. Hoskinson framed the RWA opportunity as roughly a $10 trillion market that requires fully integrated, end-to-end strategies, credible partners, and committed communities — attributes he claims decentralized projects possess and legacy institutions lack. The comments prompted pushback from a developer questioning the empirical basis of the “100x” claim. The article notes XRPL’s combined RWA market cap of about $131 million (Messari) and Cardano’s participation in an LSEG-led project (MCM Fund I). The piece highlights intensifying competition in RWA tokenization and positions Midnight and XRPL as competitive alternatives to legacy finance approaches. (Disclaimer: informational, not financial advice.)

Bitcoin fell below $87,000, trading around $86,965 on Binance USDT after a sharp intraday drop that erased about 4.2% from its price. Trading volume rose sharply (+18.3% 24h) to roughly $42.8 billion as selling intensified during Asian and European sessions. Technicals show BTC breached multiple support levels; $85,000 is the next key support, with resistance near $89,500. Short- and mid-term moving averages: 50-day EMA ≈ $84,200, 200-day SMA ≈ $76,400. Market capitalization across crypto fell ~3.2% in six hours; top altcoins including ETH, SOL and ADA moved down alongside Bitcoin. Analysts cite profit-taking, renewed correlation with macro markets (inflation and rate expectations), exchange outflows to cold storage, and shifting derivatives positioning as drivers. Network fundamentals (hash rate, active addresses, institutional allocation, Layer-2 growth) remain intact, suggesting the decline reflects sentiment and positioning rather than fundamental deterioration. Traders should watch the $85,000 support and monitor volume, exchange flows and options/futures skew for signs of further downside or institutional accumulation. Risk management: adjust position sizing, consider hedges via options, and avoid reactionary moves based solely on short-term volatility.

On-chain trackers reported that BlackRock transferred sizable holdings to Coinbase Prime over several days around Christmas. Between Dec. 24–26 the asset manager moved a total of 4,044 BTC (~$354M) and 80,121 ETH (~$235M) according to earlier and later snapshots; the later, more granular report noted 1,044 BTC (~$91.9M) and 7,557 ETH (~$22.4M) on Dec. 26 and prior transfers of 2,292 BTC (~$199.8M) and 9,976 ETH (~$29.2M) on Dec. 24. No official statement accompanied the transfers. Large institutional deposits to a major exchange can signal selling, rebalancing, custody consolidation or pre-positioning for products (eg, staking or liquidity provisioning), but they are not definitive proof of intent. Traders should monitor Coinbase inflows/outflows tied to BlackRock wallets, exchange reserves, spot and futures order-book depth, and options open interest for BTC and ETH. Current market context — Bitcoin trading sideways with compressed volatility and thin options positioning — raises the possibility of a breakout; however, repeated exchange deposits could create short-term downward pressure if intended for sell-side liquidity. Key keywords: BlackRock, Coinbase Prime, Bitcoin, Ethereum, BTC, ETH, institutional flows, exchange deposits, on-chain transfers, volatility, options positioning.

Ripple released XRPL v3.0.0 and has opened five protocol amendments for validator voting through January 2026: fixAMMClawbackRounding, fixIncludeKeyletFields, fixMPTDeliveredAmount, fixPriceOracleOrder and fixTokenEscrowV1. These changes correct AMM clawback rounding, add identifying fields to ledger objects, restore DeliveredAmount metadata for MPT payments, enforce canonical asset-pair ordering for price-oracle entries, and fix escrow accounting for MPT transfers with fees. Collectively they improve oracle reliability, on-chain accounting and AMM behavior — reducing operational risk and improving price and risk-model inputs for traders. Separately, Ripple engineer Edward Hennis announced an on-ledger institutional XRPL Lending Protocol targeted for validator voting in January 2026. The protocol will use Single Asset Vaults, provide fixed-term/fixed-rate underwritten credit, and allow private or public contributions; intended use cases include market-maker inventory borrowing, PSP prefunding of merchant payouts and short-term working capital for fintech lenders. Traders should monitor validator votes, amendment activation timelines, oracle behavior after activation, MPT escrow flows and AMM liquidity shifts. The immediate amendments mainly reduce execution and accounting risk on XRPL; the prospective lending protocol is a structural change that could raise on-ledger demand for XRP and related stablecoins (e.g., RLUSD) if adopted, potentially affecting supply dynamics and yields.

Trump-themed meme coin launched during Inauguration Week and saw a rapid initial listing and trading activity but drifted toward year-end with falling liquidity and reduced community engagement. The token attracted speculative attention during the presidential transition, with spikes in volume and price followed by steady declines as initial hype faded. Key issues highlighted include thin liquidity pools, wide bid-ask spreads, low market depth, and high susceptibility to price manipulation and rug pulls. The article notes there were no major protocol incidents but emphasizes investor risks inherent to meme tokens backed by political branding rather than fundamentals. Recommended trader takeaways: avoid large position sizes on low-liquidity meme coins, check on-chain liquidity and wallet concentration, use limit orders, and be prepared for high volatility and potential rapid devaluation. Primary keywords: Trump meme coin, meme token, liquidity, price manipulation. Secondary keywords: on-chain liquidity, bid-ask spread, rug pull, trading strategy.

Tokenized commodities — blockchain-backed digital representations of physical metals — have climbed to an estimated $3.93 billion after rising about 11% in the past month, driven by record highs in precious metals. Spot gold peaked near $4,530/oz and silver briefly hit $74.56/oz. RWA.xyz data show Tether Gold (XAUt) leads the market at roughly $1.74 billion and Paxos Gold (PAXG) follows at about $1.61 billion. Tokenized precious metals enable on-chain transfers outside traditional market hours, but pricing, liquidity and redemption remain tied to legacy markets and off-chain infrastructure. Ethereum dominates tokenized real-world assets (RWA), holding approximately 65% of tokenized RWA value (~$12.7B), with BNB Chain around 10.5% (~$1.85B). Standard Chartered projects tokenized RWA (excluding stablecoins) could expand to $2 trillion by 2028, with about $250 billion flowing into less liquid asset classes such as private equity and commodities. On-chain activity from RWAs is increasing Ethereum fees (Ethereum recorded ~$11.41M in fees over the past 30 days) but remains small versus stablecoins and fungible-token trading; chains dominated by stablecoins (Tron, BNB Chain, Solana) currently capture larger fee shares. For traders: rising tokenized commodity market caps and record metal prices signal growing institutional and retail interest, especially for Ethereum-based tokenized assets. Expect potential increases in on-chain trading volume and liquidity for XAUt and PAXG, greater correlation between crypto and precious-metal markets, and persistent counterparty and redemption risks tied to off-chain custodial and pricing mechanisms. Watch Ethereum activity and fee metrics for signs of growing RWA flow, and monitor liquidity/redemption terms of individual tokenized metal products before trading.

Sponsored analysis argues that 2026 could be a major convergence year for AI and crypto following a potential high‑value OpenAI IPO and Ethereum’s renewed strength. The piece highlights Based Eggman — a presale token built on Base (an Ethereum L2) with multi‑chain expansion to Binance Smart Chain, a play‑to‑earn gaming hub and creator monetization — as a top speculative bet positioned to capture “AI spillover” capital. Key claims: OpenAI IPO valuations debated up to $1 trillion; ETH recently reclaimed ~$2,900; conservative 2026 ETH price target cited at $12,000–$15,000; Based Eggman presale shows strong staged demand. The article outlines presale participation steps (MetaMask/Coinbase Wallet, fund with ETH/BNB, use official links) and stresses this is a sponsored piece with a disclaimer. Primary keywords: Based Eggman, OpenAI IPO, Ethereum, presale, Base L2. Secondary keywords: ChatGPT prediction, play‑to‑earn, BSC, ETH price prediction. Traders should note this is promotional content — it signals potential retail interest and presale momentum but carries standard presale and token risks (smart contract, liquidity, regulatory, market rotation).

Clear Street analyst Owen Lau ranked Coinbase (COIN) among his top three fintech stock picks for 2026 alongside Nasdaq and S&P Global. Lau kept a Buy rating and a $415 12-month price target for COIN, implying roughly 70% upside from current levels. He cited Coinbase’s expanding revenue mix — subscriptions, stablecoin (USDC) activity split revenue with Circle, and on-chain financial services — plus diversification into tokenization, payments, prediction markets, derivatives and AI tools. Lau views 2026 as a “transition year” for crypto equities, where adoption and stable revenue sources will matter more than trading volumes; he expects regulatory clarity (crypto market-structure and stablecoin rules) and product rollouts to be re-rating catalysts. The thesis points to Coinbase’s strong balance sheet, international reach and lower reliance on volatile spot trading as advantages versus peers. COIN shares were modestly lower amid a post-Christmas selloff at the time of the report. Keywords: Coinbase, COIN, USDC, tokenization, stablecoin revenue, fintech picks, AI tools.

ABN AMRO’s German subsidiary, Hauck Aufhäuser Digital Custody, has received authorization under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), enabling it to offer regulated crypto custody and trading services to institutional clients across the European single market. Concurrently, ABN AMRO and German bank DZ BANK executed their first international over‑the‑counter (OTC) smart derivatives contract. The ten‑day trade was fully automated using distributed ledger technology: settlement, valuation and collateral management were handled on‑chain, with daily payments executed instantly via SEPA and confirmed back to the smart contract. The transaction highlights institutional adoption of tokenised derivatives, improved operational speed, on‑chain transparency, and compliance under a unified European regulatory framework. Key keywords: MiCAR, ABN AMRO, crypto custody, on‑chain derivatives, DZ BANK, SEPA, distributed ledger technology.

Bitcoin recovered modestly over the holiday week, briefly testing near $90,000 after stronger-than-expected US CPI data but repeatedly failed to sustain breakouts. Price moves: a short surge to almost $90K, rejection under $85K, recovery to $90.4K, then falls below $87K, fluctuating around $87–89.5K and currently near $88.3K. BTC remains year-to-date negative after starting 2025 above $94K. Market cap reclaimed about $1.76 trillion and BTC dominance sits near 57.7%. Major altcoins showed mixed weekly performance: ETH, BNB, XRP, SOL, DOGE and ADA slightly down; BCH, XMR, ZEC modestly up; CC and UNI posted the largest gains. Notable headlines include analyst forecasts of an extended bear market (possible bottom in late 2026), a Binance USD1 pair flash-wick to $24K explained as an illiquid pair event, a $7M Trust Wallet drain with potential insider involvement, and Tom Lee’s Bitmine accumulating ~98,852 ETH (now 3.37% of supply). Key metrics: market cap $3.06T, 24h vol $93B, BTC $88,300 (+0.5%), ETH $2,955 (-0.1%), XRP $1.87 (-0.2%). Traders should note repeated failed BTC breakouts, elevated volatility around macro prints (CPI), and mixed altcoin strength — factors that favor cautious position sizing and watching macro catalysts and on-chain flows into ETFs or large accumulators for directional bias.

COIN (Coinbase) shares fell about 0.96% as a broad pullback hit cryptocurrency-related equities amid a cautious U.S. open: the Dow rose 0.03%, the S&P 500 0.16% and the Nasdaq 0.15%. Other notable crypto stocks slid, including MSTR (-0.09%), CRCL (-1.69%), SBET (-2.50%) and BMNR (-1.75%), reflecting a risk-off tone driven by thinner liquidity and regulatory headlines. Traders are showing a defensive stance, rotating out of higher-beta blockchain equities while seeking liquidity and realistic valuations ahead of upcoming sector catalysts. The report underscores how macro caution and slim market depth can amplify dispersion across crypto-linked stocks and influence short-term volatility for related crypto markets.

Approximately $23.6 billion of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired on March 21, 2025, in one of the largest quarterly expiries of the year. Analysis by Negentropic (run by Glassnode co‑founders Jan Happel and Yann Allemann) indicates the event unwound concentrated options open interest — particularly large call concentrations near $70,000–$75,000 strikes — that had imposed a “structural price cap” via hedging flows. As market makers reduced hedging-related selling pressure, Bitcoin’s spot market can resume cleaner price discovery. Pre‑expiry open interest was roughly $18.5B for BTC options and $5.1B for ETH options. Key technical supports remain near $65,000 and the 50‑day moving average (~$63,500). On‑chain metrics — falling exchange reserves, high hash rate, and accumulation by >100 BTC addresses — and rising institutional participation bolster fundamentals. Traders should note reduced gamma exposure post‑expiry could allow trend development with less choppy, hedge‑driven movement, though expiries can also trigger short‑term volatility. Overall, the removal of the derivatives overhang may shift near‑term drivers from complex hedging flows to supply/demand and macro fundamentals, affecting liquidity, momentum, and trade setups for both spot and derivatives desks.

HYPE appears compressed beneath key resistance (~$25.50–$26) while a well-known whale reopened a 10× leveraged long (~$7.9M) immediately after booking ≈$249k profit. Derivatives data show shorts controlling ~62% of taker volume and Open Interest rising ~3.38% to about $1.42B, signaling added exposure during consolidation. Funding rates remain mildly positive (~+0.0057%) and restrained, implying leverage entered without panic. Price finds support near $22.50–$23 and repeatedly tests the descending-wedge upper boundary; a daily close above $26 would likely trigger short-covering and rapid upside towards $28, $34.90 and possibly $42.60. Rejection would target $22. The setup favors a quick breakout scenario driven by trapped shorts and rising OI rather than a prolonged decline.

As doubts grow over the dollar’s dominance, analysts see continued inflows into gold and silver and forecast further gains into 2026. GlobalData’s Ramnivas Mundada projects gold could climb another 8–15% and silver 20–35% by 2026, citing drivers such as slowing U.S. growth, rising geopolitical risks, trade frictions, accelerated de‑dollarization by central banks, and an expected Fed easing cycle in 2026. Prominent gold bulls (e.g., Peter Schiff) warn the dollar’s structural role may be weakening and that gold could regain central-bank reserve prominence. Meanwhile, Bitcoin—recently down from its all‑time high (~$126k) to around $90k—is viewed as relatively underpriced by some analysts (e.g., Bitbank’s Hasegawa). With capital reallocating toward safe havens and away from the dollar, analysts argue Bitcoin could experience a “catch‑up” rally if precious metals’ momentum continues, attracting value‑oriented and macro-driven flows. Key themes: de‑dollarization, Fed policy, precious metals leadership, and potential re‑rating of BTC.