XRP is trading around $1.85, down ~15% in December, but analysts attribute the weakness to derivatives-driven pressure ahead of a large global options expiry included in a $7.1 trillion event. Market analyst Zach Rector warns that leveraged long liquidations tied to the expiry could push XRP briefly to $1.60–$1.70 as a short-term washout to clear leverage. Rector and other observers note ongoing structural demand: five U.S. spot XRP ETFs (Canary Capital, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, 21Shares) launched in mid-November and have recorded roughly $1.14B net inflows with AUM near $1.25B, absorbing selling pressure while BTC/ETH ETFs saw outflows. Ripple executives highlight XRP’s utility for liquidity and cross-border settlement, and institutional interest — plus potential adoption catalysts such as Japanese bank integrations (e.g., SBI) and FX volatility — could support medium-term revaluation. Social metrics show unusually negative retail chatter, historically a contrarian signal during institutional accumulation. Key signals for traders: (1) watch the global options expiry as a likely short-term volatility catalyst and possible stop-run that could create a buying opportunity; (2) monitor continued ETF inflows as a structural demand indicator; (3) expect potential short-lived shakeouts to $1.60–$1.70 before a medium-term repricing toward analyst targets of $3–$5 by 2026 if institutional flows and adoption persist.
Nubila has launched its Validator Node system on the Monad mainnet, enabling node operators to deploy three node types (Cloud, Rainy, Sunny) to validate and anchor real-world environmental data (e.g., weather and environmental signals) on-chain. As Monad’s native data-validation layer, Nubila leverages the mainnet’s high throughput and low latency to produce verifiable, auditable and continuously updated data feeds that smart contracts and AI agents can call directly. Node operators receive daily $NB rewards for ongoing validation activities. The network targets DeFi, RWA, automated decision systems and AI-native applications as primary consumers. With Monad’s ecosystem growth, Nubila aims to become a core bridge between physical-world environmental signals and on-chain systems.
Ozak AI (OZ) has completed multiple presale rounds, selling more than 1.03–1.05 billion OZ tokens and raising roughly $5.12–$5.1 million in private funding, with totals approaching a $5.5 million target ahead of exchange listings. Presale price rose from approximately $0.001 to $0.014 (about 14x). Commentators and analysts cited in coverage project aggressive post-listing scenarios — one scenario implies a listing price near $1 (≈71x from presale) and later targets between $5–$10, while other estimates suggest up to ~300x several months after listing. The project markets a three-layer AI-focused architecture (AI layer, IPFS-encrypted Data layer, and OSN layer) to run predictive models and ingest on-chain/off-chain data, and highlights DePIN, cross-chain capabilities and partnerships with firms such as Openledger, Meganet, Phala Network, SINT, Gremory AI and IQ Wiki. The articles note the coverage is sponsored and not financial advice. For traders: the presale demonstrates strong early demand and high implied upside expectations, but price forecasts are speculative and depend on exchange listing dynamics, liquidity, token unlocking, and execution of the project’s technical and partnership roadmap.
XRP has fallen about 15% in December and is down roughly 47% from its yearly high, with market cap falling from $210.4B to $113.8B and daily volume dropping from $13.2B (July) to $1.8B (Dec. 26). On-chain and market signals show renewed demand: Santiment data indicates an increase in whale wallets holding 10,000–1,000,000,000 XRP since Dec. 22, and U.S. investors bought $64M of XRP ETFs this week—bringing cumulative ETF inflows to $1.14B and total assets held to over $1.25B with no net outflow days since November. Technicals show a descending wedge on the daily chart; price is testing the $1.90 support/resistance level. A confirmed breakout could target the $2.58–$2.65 zone (~27% upside). Momentum indicators align with a potential reversal: Aroon Down has declined (less selling pressure) and RSI is near oversold levels. Risks remain given lower liquidity and recent price weakness; the article is not investment advice.
Prominent analyst Doctor Profit says the current Bitcoin bear market could persist into late 2026, with a potential market bottom in September–October 2026. He tweeted that he moved remaining USDT back to the banking system and holds no liquid crypto, citing prolonged bearish conditions. Doctor Profit disclosed a large BTC short entered in the $115,000–$125,000 range and a medium long position bought around $85,000; he expects a short-term rally toward ~$107,000 ahead of another downward leg in Feb–Mar. Bitcoin traded near $89,259 after a 2% daily gain, staying below critical resistance. On-chain data from CryptoQuant identifies $100,000 as key short-term resistance because new whales (holders <155 days) have an average cost basis ~ $100,500. Binance spot users average cost sits near $56,000, offering downside support, while long-term whales (>155 days) average cost is about $40,000. Analyst Ali Martinez warns that losing the 50-week SMA historically led to average declines of ~54%, implying a potential drop toward $40,000 if that level is not reclaimed. Key keywords: Bitcoin, BTC, bear market, on-chain data, CryptoQuant, 50-week SMA, whale cost basis.
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, labelled Midnight — Cardano’s privacy-focused spinoff — the “Manhattan Project” for privacy-enhanced transactions (PET), chain abstraction and “smart compliance.” Hoskinson said he is drafting extensive technical documentation (80–100 pages daily) and preparing internal workshops in January. He also plans a non-technical PET book, “The Land of PET,” aimed at community ambassadors. The post frames Midnight as compliance-first rather than adversarial to regulators, potentially appealing to institutional developers. MARKET DATA: utility token NIGHT traded around $0.07676, up ~19.6% over the week, market cap about $1.27B and 24h volume ~$589M, after earlier weekly volatility and consolidation. Hoskinson suggested that if January workshops produce a roadmap, “New ADA” could become a concrete 2026 plan. Key themes: Cardano, Midnight (privacy/PET), smart compliance, January workshops, narrative rollout and potential roadmap.
Exodus Movement (EXOD) has partnered with MoonPay and infrastructure provider M0 to launch a fully reserved, US dollar‑backed stablecoin aimed at payments in early 2026. MoonPay will issue and manage the token on M0’s programmable, interoperable platform, enabling rapid minting, cross‑network expansion and enterprise issuance features. Exodus plans to integrate the stablecoin into Exodus Pay so users can send, spend and earn rewards while retaining self‑custody of private keys. The rollout emphasizes speed, reliability and regulatory compliance — coming after the U.S. GENIUS Act (July 2025) which mandates 100% reserves, monthly disclosures and annual audits for regulated stablecoins. Product availability, supported networks and merchant integrations will be announced closer to launch. Market context: the stablecoin sector exceeded $300 billion in 2025 with incumbents such as USDC and PYUSD; Exodus aims to compete as a payment‑focused, regulated digital dollar leveraging MoonPay’s distribution network and M0’s infrastructure.
Trust Wallet has pledged full compensation for users affected by a recent hack that resulted in roughly $7 million in losses. The announcement was confirmed by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who reassured users that funds remain secure while an investigation continues. Trust Wallet — acquired by Binance in 2018 — said it will cover all user losses and implement enhanced security measures based on investigation findings. The incident underscores vulnerabilities in self-custody wallets but also marks a notable shift toward greater accountability in crypto services. Key takeaways for traders: the loss estimate is ~$7M; Binance/Changpeng Zhao publicly backing the remedy; Trust Wallet will reimburse victims and pursue security upgrades; no specific timeline for compensation has been given. Recommended user actions include enabling extra security layers (2FA), keeping wallet software updated, and diversifying asset storage.
Uniswap governance approved the UNIfication package with overwhelming support (~125.34M UNI for, 742 against), implementing a protocol-level fee switch that redirects a portion of trading fees (including net sequencer fees from Unichain/Uniswap’s layer-2 routing) from liquidity providers to the protocol treasury. After a two-day timelock the proposal will immediately burn 100 million UNI from the treasury — an amount Uniswap says approximates cumulative burns had the fee switch been active since launch — and route ongoing collected fees into continuous UNI burns. The package also consolidates operations by moving Uniswap Foundation functions to Uniswap Labs, removes fees from Uniswap Labs’ interface, wallet and API, and establishes a UNI-funded annual growth budget for development and ecosystem expansion. Founder Hayden Adams framed the changes as foundational for Uniswap’s next decade. Traders should note immediate on-chain effects: a fixed one-time supply reduction (100M UNI) plus an activated revenue-to-burn mechanism that ties protocol usage to deflationary pressure. Short-term risks include market reaction to the treasury burn timing and the opportunity cost of diverting fees from LPs and grants; longer-term effects may increase UNI scarcity and value accrual to token holders if fee volumes remain material. Key facts: ~125M yes votes, 742 no; 100M UNI burn; fee switch activated and ongoing fee-to-burn flow; two-day timelock before execution.
The SEC chair signaled that the Crypto Clarity Act and a companion Market Structure Bill are being sent to Congress. The legislation seeks to clearly define which digital assets are securities versus commodities or payment/utility tokens, and to assign regulatory oversight between the SEC and the CFTC. Sponsors claim the reforms could cut market manipulation by up to 80% and reduce enforcement-by-litigation by replacing ad hoc actions with rule-based standards. For XRP (XRP), long entangled in U.S. regulatory uncertainty, the bills could cement its status when used for payments or network utility and create standardized rules for trading venues, custody and settlement. That clarity may accelerate partnerships with banks, increase institutional participation, deepen liquidity and broaden exchange support. Broader market effects include lower risk premia, improved sentiment and possible inflows of institutional capital. Key actors: SEC Chair Paul Atkins and U.S. Congress. Main keywords: Crypto Clarity Act, Market Structure Bill, XRP, SEC, CFTC, regulatory clarity.
Bitcoin (BTC) tested resistance near $90,000 as markets reopened after the holidays, trading up over 2% in Asian hours. Traders highlighted about $24 billion of bitcoin options set to expire around the Wall Street open — an event seen as a potential reset that could remove hedging pressure and allow more "organic" price discovery. Option-driven flows and short-term volatility contributed to more than $200 million in liquidations during the latest move. BTC is attempting to break a two-month downtrend that began in October; analysts say a confirmed daily close above current resistance could open a path to $95,000 and the $100,000 area near the 50-day moving averages (50-day SMA ≈ $91,458; 50-day EMA ≈ $92,651). On-chain commentators and traders expect improved market conditions in January as asset managers rebalance, which could support further upside. At the same time, precious metals extended rallies — gold and silver hit record highs in Asian trading, and silver briefly exceeded bitcoin by market capitalisation on some metrics. Key trading cues for crypto traders: monitor BTC daily close and acceptance above $95K, watch options open interest and expiry flows for reduced hedging pressure, and track 50-day moving averages as resistance near $91–93K and around $100K. This summary does not constitute investment advice.
Neutral
BitcoinOptions expiryLiquidationsTechnical levelsGold and silver
Cryptocurrencies are increasingly used for online betting in 2026 because they offer faster deposits/withdrawals, lower fees, greater privacy and blockchain security. Key selection criteria for betting coins include transaction speed, fees, security/privacy, platform adoption/compatibility and price stability. Recommended options for bettors: BTC (widespread acceptance; Lightning improves speed but on-chain remains slower), ETH (smart contracts enable provably fair payouts and dApp betting), LTC (faster blocks, lower fees), DOGE (low fees, fast transfers, strong community and wide acceptance on betting sites), stablecoins such as USDT/USDC (price stability for bankroll management), BNB (exchange integration, discounts and promotions), and research-driven or fast-transfer chains like ADA and XLM (scalability and low-cost cross-border transfers). The article advises bettors to prioritise speed for live/esports betting, prefer stablecoins when avoiding volatility, and choose coins widely supported by betting platforms to reduce friction and costs.
Bitcoin (BTC) faced intense holiday volatility but is defending the $85,000 level as traders assess whether a year-end rally remains intact. A sharp, brief move on Binance on Dec 24 saw BTC drop from about $87K to roughly $24K — a 73% flash crash attributed to low holiday liquidity and suspected whale-triggered liquidations — before quickly rebounding to around $85K. Despite a small market-cap outflow (~0.82% / ~$30B) across late December, BTC posted a 2.2% intraday gain and is approaching a key $90K resistance zone. Market sentiment sits in a “fear” zone historically linked with accumulation, and analysts interpret the sudden drawdown as a shakeout that removed weak hands and reinforced a bid wall. For traders, the main takeaways are: $85K is the current short-term support/launchpad; a sustained move above $90K would signal renewed FOMO and short-squeeze risk; holiday-thin liquidity increases the chance of outsized intraday moves and fakeouts. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, BTC price, holiday volatility, $85K support. Secondary/semantic keywords: liquidity, Binance flash crash, whale activity, short squeezes, accumulation.
South Korea’s exchange Bithumb is running a two-day BABY token airdrop from Dec 26–27, 2025, distributing a 3,000,000 BABY token pool (approx. 73 million KRW / $52,700) to eligible users. BABY is the native token of the Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon. To qualify, users must deposit more than 500,000 KRW (~$361) worth of BABY into their Bithumb account and execute at least one BABY trade on both event days. All qualifying participants will share the token pool equally. Tokens will be credited on Jan 6, 2026. The promotion celebrates Bithumb’s partnerships with Aave and an unnamed BTC financial firm. Traders should note price volatility risk for BABY between now and distribution and check regional eligibility and tax implications before participating.
Franklin Templeton’s spot XRP ETF (XRPZ) has surpassed the 100 million XRP milestone, now holding roughly 101.55–105.9 million XRP (est. $192.7m–$200m). The inflows appear steady and methodical, driven by regulated institutional and compliance-focused demand rather than short-term speculative buying. ETFs acquire XRP from open markets and place tokens into custody, removing supply from exchange balances. With exchange reserves falling and substantial amounts moving into long-term custody and ETF vehicles, circulating supply tightens — a dynamic that can amplify price pressure if demand increases. Analysts view this as growing institutional adoption: ETFs provide regulated access for retirement accounts, brokers and compliance-conscious investors and may support more stable, lower-volatility demand compared with retail-driven rallies. Key details: ETF ticker XRPZ, holdings above 100M XRP, estimated value near $193M, and implications for supply dynamics and trading volume. Disclaimer: not financial advice.
Binance Wallet emerged as the top public token launch platform over the past year, producing the strongest returns among IDOs, ICOs and IEOs. Data from CryptoRank and DeFi Oasis show projects launched via Binance Wallet averaged a current return of 12.69×, with peak gains exceeding 78× on early highs. Binance Wallet hosted 44 projects in the period, the latest on December 17. Competing platforms underperformed: MetaDAO averaged 4.15× (peak 8.73× across seven launches), OKX Wallet averaged 3.22× (near 35× peak but small sample), Echo averaged 2.83× (peak 17× across 30 launches) — Echo was acquired by Coinbase for $375m to bolster compliant public sales. Beyond the top tier, returns fell sharply: MEXC (1.98×), Kraken Launch (1.92×), Buildpad (~1.22×), while Cake Pad, Legion and Bybit projects traded below break-even. DeFi Oasis found eight of 12 major launchpads delivered <2× returns, with five below break-even. Analysts attribute outcomes largely to exit timing and liquidity: early sellers captured outsized profits while longer-term holders faced post-launch selling pressure and reduced liquidity. Broader market trends — a ~32% TVL decline in DeFi between February and April and lower launchpad TVL into December — favoured short-term trading. Launchpad activity peaked Oct 1 (volumes > $530m); by December TVL was around $344m. The report highlights that token launch success increasingly depends on timing, liquidity management and disciplined exits rather than long-term holding. This is informational and not financial advice.
Zcash (ZEC) has regained market attention after a dramatic six-month rally that delivered over 1,000% gains, but recent price action shows mixed signals. Short-term trading range is roughly $390–$480 with resistance near $510–$520 and immediate support in the mid-$300s (around $313). ZEC briefly reached highs in November before correcting into early December and has since rebounded; trading volumes remain elevated. Technicals are ambiguous: the 10-day moving average sits above the 100-day, suggesting a nascent uptrend, yet ZEC has declined about 13% month-over-month while posting near 15% weekly gains. A decisive break above $510 could target roughly $600 (≈20% above recent highs) and open bullish scenarios cited by analysts, while failure to clear resistance would keep bears in control and risk deeper pullbacks toward the mid-$300s. Broader factors — stability in BTC, ETH, SOL and other majors, sector-wide weakness among privacy coins, and renewed institutional focus on privacy infrastructure — will influence ZEC’s path. Traders should watch price action around $510 resistance, mid-$300s support (notable prior low ~$313), volume, and short- and long-term moving averages to time entries and manage risk. This summary is informational and not investment advice.
Top token sales of 2025 largely underperformed after high-profile fundraising rounds. Pump.fun led 2025 with a $600M sale for PUMP, yet the token is down ~70% from launch and roughly 80% from its peak, pressured by whale selling, meme-market slowdown and token fatigue despite buybacks and DEX revenue. World Liberty Fi raised $550M for WLFI (including a $30M Justin Sun stake); WLFI fell from $0.24 peak to about $0.14 amid weak altcoin conditions. Monad (MON) raised $217M but dropped ~50% from recent highs after a rally to $0.04. Major L2 projects MegaETH and Aztec have delayed token launches, citing unfavorable market conditions. Overall, high-profile ICOs and token launches in 2025 often led to immediate selling pressure and negative sentiment; some projects opted to remain tokenless or pursue alternative funding (IPOs). Key figures and stats: PUMP $600M raise, PUMP down ~70% vs launch (IPO price $0.004; latest ~$0.0017), WLFI $550M raise (Justin Sun $30M), WLFI peak $0.24 -> ~$0.14, MON $217M raise, MON down ~50% from recent rally. Implication: token sales amid a weak altcoin environment have tended to harm short-term token prices and market sentiment.
Analysts say Bitcoin (BTC) is poised for a potential breakout if it decisively clears a multi-month descending trendline, with an initial target near $95,000 and $100,000 as the next psychological milestone. Key drivers include the expiration of roughly $24 billion in options — removing hedging-related selling pressure — and a daily candle testing the two-month resistance line. Crypto Ideology and analysts such as Michaël van de Poppe highlight that a daily close above the trendline on strong volume would confirm the reversal and likely trigger algorithmic and momentum buying. Risks include macroeconomic volatility, interest-rate developments, and a possible rejection at the trendline that would return BTC to its prior range. Traders are advised to watch for a strong daily close above the descending line with volume confirmation, treat $95K as an intermediate target, and expect pullbacks and tests of new support during any rally. This setup is cautiously bullish but not guaranteed; maintain risk management and position sizing.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) is set to finish December 2025 in negative territory after losing roughly 14–14.5% so far this month. SHIB opened December near $0.000008385 and trades around $0.00000720–$0.00000717, requiring about a 16–17% rally to close the month positive near $0.0000084. December has historically been weak for SHIB (notable moves: −29.5% in Dec 2021, −13.5% in Dec 2022, +24.6% in Dec 2023, −21% in Dec 2024). Trading volumes remain muted for dollar value — under $100m — with one report showing a 13% 24‑hour uptick while another noted a 10% drop, reflecting light and inconsistent holiday liquidity. Market drivers cited include shortened trading hours, reduced retail participation, and defensive positioning around year‑end, which can amplify downside on thin volumes. Analysts flag potential upside from a Santa Claus Rally (last five trading days of the year plus first two of the new year) that could push SHIB toward near resistances at about $0.00000765, $0.00000843 and $0.00001125; failure to attract end‑of‑year flows would likely leave support near the $0.000007 range. Traders should watch end‑of‑year flows, volume contraction, and short‑term momentum for signals on whether SHIB avoids closing December in the red. This information is for market awareness and not financial advice.
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has remained in the “Extreme Fear” band (0–24) for 14 consecutive days, registering 20 on Dec. 26, 2025. This extended streak surpasses the index’s extreme readings during the November 2022 FTX collapse, despite Bitcoin trading near $88k — roughly five times higher than during the FTX-era crash. The index, compiled by Alternative.me from volatility, volume, dominance and social metrics, reflects sustained anxiety rather than a single liquidity shock. Market conditions seen across the two reports: muted spot volumes compared with the 2024 ETF launch window; compressed funding rates and falling open interest on BTC perpetuals (lower leverage); sideways broader market action with NFT tokens down over 24h and some small gains in AI/SocialFi-related baskets; and social/search engagement returning to bear-market norms. Macro and regulatory headwinds persist — U.S. rates remain restrictive and enforcement on centralized venues and stablecoin issuers continues. Traders should note that prolonged “Extreme Fear” typically coincides with lower liquidity and higher volatility, which can amplify price moves on low-volume flows and limit altcoin rallies due to subdued retail participation. While the index’s methodology often flags extreme fear as a potential buying opportunity, current signals suggest caution: the reading reflects persistent low leverage and sentiment risk, and ongoing macro/regulatory developments could keep downside pressure on BTC in the near term.
Bearish
Crypto Fear & Greed IndexBitcoinMarket SentimentDerivativesRegulation
DOGEBALL, a new dog-themed ERC‑20 token, is launching a four-month presale starting 2 January 2026 on a live custom Ethereum Layer‑2 called DOGECHAIN. The project markets near‑zero fees, sub‑2‑second blocks and full EVM compatibility. Tokenomics: 80 billion total supply, ~20 billion (25% in earlier summary) allocated to the ICO/presale across 15 stages starting at $0.0003, with a confirmed listing price of $0.015 implied by earlier materials (large early-stage uplifts advertised). The presale pledges at least 15% of proceeds to liquidity. DOGEBALL pairs an on‑chain dodgeball-style game with a $1 million prize pool (top prize $500,000) and cites a partnership with Falcon Interactive; smart contracts were reportedly audited by Coinsult in earlier coverage. The marketing positions DOGEBALL as a meme‑coin with potential for large multiples (100x–200x for Stage 1) and compares its infrastructure-first pitch to established meme tokens PEPE and FLOKI, which are highlighted for sustained volume and expanding utility respectively. Disclosure: coverage is a paid press release and not trading advice.
OAK Research’s year‑end report shows major Layer‑1 and Layer‑2 tokens suffered steep price and user declines in 2025 as capital and activity rotated toward Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), BNB Chain and revenue‑generating protocols. Total Monthly Active Users across major chains fell about 25.15%. Solana (SOL) lost roughly 94 million users (>60% decline) while BNB Chain nearly tripled its user base by capturing migration flows. Layer‑2 performance diverged: Base saw TVL gains aided by Coinbase distribution, Optimism and zkSync Era experienced sharp contractions, and Mantle posted modest TVL growth largely tied to concentrated token supply. OAK attributes the token sell‑offs to three structural issues: aggressive and continuous unlock schedules, weak value‑capture linking on‑chain usage to token demand, and institutional preference for BTC/ETH. Developer activity remained resilient — Electric Capital data shows sustained dev growth across EVM and SVM stacks and two‑year full‑time developer growth strongest on Bitcoin. On‑chain revenues concentrated in stablecoin issuers (Tether, Circle) and derivatives venues, leaving undifferentiated infrastructure tokens exposed. Outlook for 2026: continued downside and consolidation risk for undifferentiated L1/L2 tokens without clear revenue models or differentiation (speed, cost, security); protocols with meaningful revenues may stabilize but still face unlock pressure and market volatility. For traders: expect ongoing sell pressure on speculative L1/L2 tokens, flight to base layers and fee‑earning protocols, and heightened sensitivity to token unlock schedules, TVL and on‑chain revenue metrics.
On‑chain trackers Arkham and Lookonchain report large Chainlink (LINK) withdrawals from Binance over the past 48–72 hours, indicating significant off‑exchange accumulation. Multiple newly created Ethereum addresses received bulk transfers: notable withdrawals include 469,437 LINK (~$5.8M) and 234,979 LINK (~$2.9M), with one address earlier in December moving roughly $10M in LINK across four transfers. In total, on‑chain monitors observed roughly 1.56 million LINK (~$19.8–$20M) withdrawn across several wallets, several of which now hold multimillion‑dollar LINK positions (two addresses > $2M, four > $1M, others $400k–$610k). Binance remains Chainlink’s most liquid market, accounting for more than 7% of LINK trading volume. Price context: LINK trades near $12.60–$12.70, below the 50‑day EMA and still down from the October crash that reached $7.90; RSI shows neutral momentum. Implications for traders: sustained large exchange outflows reduce on‑exchange sell liquidity and can be bullish if demand persists, but the price remains in a downtrend — verify ongoing Binance balance changes, wallet clustering, and price/volume reaction before positioning. Possible reasons for the withdrawals include long‑term accumulation, private custody, or OTC transfers.
Gold advocate and Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff described Bitcoin’s recent price rebound as a “Christmas gift” exit opportunity for holders, urging investors to sell BTC and buy silver as the best trading play for 2025. Schiff argues the rebound is a seasonal, technical bounce lacking fundamental support: Bitcoin missed bullish targets set earlier in the year while precious metals (gold and silver) showed stronger momentum. He frames the move as a trap for the unwary amid absent “Santa rally” in crypto. The article notes broader context: crypto faced regulatory and macro headwinds through 2024, while metals benefited from geopolitical and inflation pressures. Counterarguments from crypto proponents are mentioned, including continued adoption, institutional interest, and the upcoming Bitcoin halving historically preceding rallies. Practical advice for traders includes reassessing Bitcoin thesis, comparing cross-asset performance, rebalancing oversized positions, and weighing technical and fundamental indicators. The piece concludes that investment decisions should reflect individual goals rather than a single commentator’s view and that 2025 will bring fresh challenges and opportunities across asset classes.
Bitunix, a growing crypto derivatives exchange, has achieved Top-7 global ranking for derivatives trading volume and Top-10 for open interest in 2025 according to CoinGlass. The platform showed rising adoption in prior years — noted by CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko and Similarweb — and reported improving liquidity depth. Bitunix says it will deepen product offerings, enhance user trading experience, and expand global deployment into 2026 to further support liquidity and execution efficiency. Key market context in the same update includes large industry events: a record Bitcoin options expiry (~$28B notional) and elevated annual liquidations cited by Coinglass; however, Bitunix’s announcement focuses on platform-level growth and liquidity goals rather than macro market moves. Primary keywords: Bitunix, crypto derivatives, trading volume, open interest, liquidity.
Coinglass data compiled by Coinotag shows total forced crypto liquidations in 2025 reached about $154.64 billion, averaging roughly $4–5 billion per day. Liquidations in a highly leveraged market typically fluctuate from tens to hundreds of millions daily and rarely produce lasting, system-wide price declines. True systemic stress concentrated in episodic windows — notably the mid‑October deleveraging event around October 10–11 — rather than reflecting ongoing market collapse. Coinotag’s report does not single out any specific cryptocurrency as the primary driver. Traders should monitor leverage metrics and liquidity conditions to anticipate short-term volatility and manage risk, especially during identified stress windows. Primary keywords: crypto liquidations, Coinglass data, leverage, liquidity, market volatility.
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, is exploring crypto-collateral lending and is prepared to work with regulators to develop infrastructure for collateralized crypto finance. Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said the bank may announce such deals soon, contingent on the country’s evolving regulatory framework. Sberbank has already issued over 160 tokenized products this year across real estate, oil and commodities, and is offering regulated crypto-linked investments totaling 1.5 billion rubles. Meanwhile Moscow Exchange and St. Petersburg Exchange confirmed readiness to launch regulated crypto trading once Russia’s unified legal framework takes effect by July 1, 2026. The Bank of Russia published a regulatory concept that splits market access between qualified and non-qualified investors, imposes annual caps and knowledge tests for non-qualified participants, and bans anonymous tokens. Russia recorded $376.3 billion in crypto transaction receipts from July 2024–June 2025, making it Europe’s largest crypto market by volume. The regulatory timeline includes penalties for illegal intermediaries from July 1, 2027. Officials stressed cryptocurrencies will remain investment instruments, not legal money, and debate continues over treating mining as export activity. Key names: Sberbank (Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov), Moscow Exchange, St. Petersburg Exchange, Bank of Russia. Key metrics: 160+ tokenized issues by Sberbank; 1.5 billion rubles in crypto-linked products; $376.3 billion crypto transaction receipts (Jul 2024–Jun 2025); unified regulation target date: July 1, 2026.
Whale Alert reported a single transfer of 89,312 ETH (~$264 million) from South Korean exchange Bithumb to an unknown private wallet on December 26, 2025. Large exchange-to-private-wallet moves typically indicate long-term holding, exchange cold-storage operations, or institutional repositioning. The unknown destination prevents identification of the recipient’s intent, prompting trader speculation. Removing this volume from an exchange can reduce immediate sell pressure and is often interpreted as a bullish sign, though correlation with price movement is not guaranteed. Traders should treat this whale transfer as contextual information: compare it with recent accumulation/distribution patterns, daily trading volumes, and concurrent market news; combine whale data with technical indicators and risk management rather than using it as a standalone trading signal.