Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged three alleged crypto trading platforms (Morocoin Tech, Berge Blockchain Technology, Cirkor) and four affiliated investment clubs for a coordinated investment-confidence scam that stole about $14 million from U.S. retail investors. Operators recruited victims via WhatsApp groups, social advertising and promises of AI-driven trading tips, steered them into fake trading platforms and bogus security token offerings (STOs), blocked withdrawals and extracted advance fees. Funds were routed overseas through banks and crypto wallets. The SEC’s Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit led the enforcement action, seeking injunctions, disgorgement and civil penalties. The move comes amid a surge in SEC filings referencing blockchain — and a wave of spot Bitcoin ETF applications — highlighting heightened regulatory scrutiny. For traders: the case underscores elevated counterparty and platform risk, the need to verify licensing and withdrawal proofs before committing capital, and the potential for compliance-driven volatility around Bitcoin-related news. Primary keywords: SEC enforcement, crypto scam, Bitcoin ETF filings, retail investor risk. Secondary/semantic keywords: WhatsApp recruitment, fake trading platforms, security token offerings, funds movement, regulatory scrutiny.

2025 was a structural year for crypto as regulatory clarity, institutional moves and stablecoin adoption reshaped markets. The US formalized pro-crypto policy with a presidential executive order establishing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve (SBR), reframing BTC as a strategic asset. Europe completed enforcement of MiCA, enforcing reserve, transparency and licensing rules that prompted market restructuring and encouraged regulated euro-pegged stablecoins. Latin America saw a surge in stablecoin use (notably USDT and USDC) as a hedge against inflation — Chainalysis data showed stablecoins dominated exchange and P2P flows in major LATAM markets, with roughly 50% of crypto purchases in Colombia involving stablecoins. Protocol upgrades advanced infrastructure: Ethereum deployed the Pectra upgrade (May) to broaden validator staking ranges, improve execution efficiency and enhance account abstraction; Solana pursued layered scaling for high-throughput applications. Market highs included Bitcoin reaching $126,000 in October and total crypto market cap peaking at $4.2 trillion in June. Overall, 2025 marked a maturation from speculative cycles toward integration with finance, driven by enforcement of regulation, institutional adoption and practical protocol improvements.

Charles Hoskinson argued that XRP Ledger and Cardano have long operationalized features TradFi projects are only now attempting to build. He says XRP focused early on high-throughput, low-cost institutional settlement and Cardano implemented compliance-friendly, decentralized design via its layered architecture, extended UTXO model, formal verification and the upcoming Midnight privacy stack. Hoskinson framed the gap as “100x” — not in token price but in depth of development and infrastructure maturity — and criticized TradFi-led projects for tighter permissioning, slower iteration cycles and confusing control with innovation. He noted XRP and ADA have experienced long market compression and redistribution rather than parabolic speculation, suggesting these are signs of mature infrastructure that could reprice when capital rotates back. Key themes: XRP Ledger (XRP), Cardano (ADA), institutional settlement, compliance-aware privacy (Midnight), on-chain governance, infrastructure maturity.

Regulation is reshaping crypto lending in Europe by shifting compliance from a marketing claim to a practical filter for borrowers. Europe lacks a single crypto lending license; oversight is delivered via CASP/VASP registration, AML/KYC rules, custody standards, disclosure and consumer-protection requirements, and national/EU supervisory oversight. Regulation does not remove market or platform risk but clarifies responsibilities — who holds collateral, liquidation mechanics, and the legal framework for disputes. Clapp.finance is highlighted as an example of a compliance-aligned lender: it holds a VASP registration in the Czech Republic, follows EU AML rules, offers a euro-native credit-line product with SEPA withdrawals, no interest on unused credit, interest charged only on drawn amounts, conservative LTVs, transparent liquidation thresholds, and compliance-first onboarding. These features prioritise predictability over aggressive yields. For traders, regulated lenders signal clearer counterparty and operational rules, potentially reducing some execution and custody uncertainty, but they do not eliminate crypto price risk or guarantee platform solvency. Key SEO keywords: crypto lending, European regulation, VASP, AML/KYC, credit line, LTV, Clapp.finance.

European crypto lending is shifting toward same-day, on-demand credit lines that let users access liquidity without selling assets. Unlike fixed-term crypto loans, credit lines separate credit availability from usage: collateral is posted and credit becomes instantly available, but interest accrues only on drawn amounts. Key features traders should watch are immediate credit after collateral deposit, no mandatory loan issuance, interest only on used capital, instant restoration of limits after repayment, and clear liquidation thresholds. Clapp — a Czech-licensed VASP — exemplifies this model: multi-collateral support (up to 19 assets including BTC, ETH, SOL and major stablecoins), adjustable collateral without closing the line, 0% APR on unused limits, and withdrawals/repaids via the Clapp Wallet. For European users requiring EUR liquidity or short-term access, these credit lines reduce operational friction and carry lower effective costs compared with rigid loan structures. Traders should weigh speed and flexible access alongside platform licensing, liquidation policies and collateral composition when using same-day credit lines.

Flare Networks has launched earnXRP, an on‑chain, XRP‑denominated yield vault developed with Upshift.fi and overseen by Clearstar Labs for strategy and risk management. Users deposit FXRP (XRP wrapped for Flare) into a non‑custodial Upshift vault and receive earnXRP receipt tokens representing their share. The vault auto‑deploys pooled FXRP across strategies — stXRP staking, concentrated AMM liquidity provisioning, and carry‑trade style positions — with returns compounded and paid in XRP. Clearstar targets indicative yields around 7–10%, though yields may decline as the vault grows. The product includes a 5 million FXRP initial deployment threshold, no per‑user limits, and on‑chain redeemability of earnXRP for FXRP without long lockups; fees are waived for the first 30 days. All strategy actions are verifiable on‑chain, and Flare positions the product as an on‑chain alternative to centralized yield offerings that can expand XRPFi liquidity and increase XRP utility. The launch arrives amid active U.S. regulatory debate over crypto yields — a backdrop Flare cites as a reason for clarity — and signals renewed institutional and retail focus on on‑chain XRP yield opportunities. For traders, earnXRP offers simplified, transparent exposure to compounded XRP yield with professional oversight, which could increase on‑chain demand and liquidity for XRP while carrying smart‑contract and market‑risk considerations.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will nearly quadruple targeted funding for semiconductors and artificial intelligence to about ¥1.23 trillion (≈$7.9bn) in fiscal 2026, driving an overall METI budget rise of roughly 50% year‑on‑year. The Cabinet under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has approved the plan, which moves previously ad‑hoc support into the regular budget to provide stable, predictable funding. Key allocations include ¥150 billion for state‑backed chip venture Rapidus (bringing total public support to ¥250 billion), ¥387.3 billion for domestic foundation AI models, data centers and “physical AI” (robotics/automation), ¥5 billion for critical minerals security, and ¥122 billion for decarbonisation and next‑generation nuclear. The package is coupled with ¥1.78 trillion in special bonds to back export and investment insurance linked to Japan–U.S. investment flows and follows a broader ¥21.3 trillion fiscal stimulus; the government has modestly raised GDP forecasts for the current and next fiscal years. For crypto traders, the announcement signals stronger state support for hardware and AI infrastructure that could lift demand for GPUs, data‑center services and semiconductor supply chains — potentially benefiting tokenized projects, infrastructure tokens or exchanges with exposure to Japan‑based AI and hardware ecosystems. Watch for corporate capex upgrades, procurement contracts, import/exports shifts, and collaboration announcements that may shift sector sentiment and trade flows.

Developers on Ripple’s XRP Ledger (XRPL) have implemented and are testing quantum-resistant features on a testnet (AlphaNet), including quantum consensus, quantum accounts, quantum transactions and dilithium cryptography. XRPL contributors say the network now runs a fully quantum-proof setup in test, though signatures are significantly larger — a trade-off for post-quantum security. The work focuses on optional, upgradeable signature schemes to enable wallets and validators to adopt post-quantum keys smoothly before quantum threats materialize. The move is framed as long-term infrastructure planning to future-proof XRPL and could aid institutional onboarding. Commentary from industry figures highlights that major chains like Bitcoin and Ethereum still rely on ECDSA and lag in quantum-resistant development, prompting debate over migration risks and strategic positioning. Key names mentioned: XRPL Labs engineer Dennis Angell and validator developer Vet; pundits and analysts including Sandip, Nic Carter, Jenna and Mickle are referenced in the discussion.

Lookonchain’s on-chain analytics shows Arthur Hayes’ wallet purchased roughly $973,000 worth of PENDLE and about 1,855,000 LDO (~$1.03 million) within a 20-minute window. The transactions signal concentrated exposure to DeFi governance/staking tokens — Pendle (yield markets) and Lido (staking/LDO utility). Such high-profile buys can affect perceived liquidity and market sentiment for PENDLE and LDO in the short term, potentially drawing attention from other traders and whales. Traders should combine this on-chain signal with fundamentals and risk controls before acting.

Ethereum (ETH) is trading above a short-term trend support — its 7-day simple moving average near $2,968 — and is approaching a key resistance zone at $2,980–$3,000. A daily close above $3,000 would constitute a clear technical breakout, likely triggering algorithmic buying and forcing liquidation of roughly $58 million in short positions. The 14-day RSI at 41.9 indicates neutral momentum, suggesting room for upside before overbought conditions. If the $3,000 resistance fails to yield, the next meaningful support is around $2,850; a sustained move below that would weaken the bullish case and point to consolidation. The article also includes promotional content about Outset PR’s syndication tools and case studies. Primary keywords: Ethereum, ETH price, $3,000 resistance, RSI, technical breakout. Secondary/semantic keywords: short-term support, 7-day SMA, Fibonacci retracement, short liquidations, algorithmic buying.

Bitcoin (BTC) volatility surged ahead of a record options expiry, with BTC trading around $88.5K after a spike to about $89.1K on Dec 26. The expiry size was reported at roughly $23.7–$28 billion and is cited as a key driver of short-covering and large intraday swings. On-chain and market data showed a 36% rise in daily BTC volume to about $30 billion, indicating strong participation. Analysts highlighted two phases of the move: an initial short squeeze followed by high-volume breakout buying. Key technical levels to watch: short-term confirmation requires BTC to reclaim and hold above $90,500; broader bullish momentum needs a sustained break above $94,000 to target $100,000. Conversely, a breakdown below $80,000 would shift the outlook bearish. Traders are advised to await clear breakout confirmation given elevated near-term volatility and the potential for sharp price swings as participants reposition around the options expiry.

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes purchased 549,868 PENDLE tokens, valued at roughly $973,000 according to on-chain tracker Lookonchain. The buy was reported by PANews and flagged as a notable insider/whale accumulation event. No further details about the wallet identity, timing beyond the Lookonchain alert, or intent were provided. The report stressed this is market information only and not investment advice. Key keywords: Arthur Hayes, PENDLE, whale buy, on-chain tracker, Lookonchain.

Spot gold topping $4,500/oz and silver crossing $75/oz amid Fed easing, dollar weakness and geopolitical risk has spilled into crypto, accelerating tokenized commodity growth and on‑chain trading. Tokenized commodities market cap reached about $3.95 billion (12/26), up ~300% year‑to‑date, with tokenized gold >80% market share; Tether Gold (XAUT) and Paxos Gold (PAXG) hold roughly $1.7B and $1.6B market caps. Decentralized perpetual DEXs have added commodity contracts—leading Perp DEX Ostium reports cumulative volume >$30B with commodity perpetuals ~40% of volume and >95% of open interest concentrated in gold, energy and FX; Ostium captures >50% of on‑chain gold perpetual open interest. Institutional forecasts (Goldman Sachs, Yardeni, IG) predict higher gold targets (up to $4,900–$6,000+ by 2026), and emerging‑market central bank buying (China, Russia, Poland) supports a structural bid and de‑dollarization narrative. For traders: increased liquidity and lower holding costs via on‑chain tokenization enable finer exposure and hedging; Perp DEX commodity books offer macro hedging instruments but carry elevated leverage and liquidity risk during volatile macro moves. Key metrics to watch: XAUT/PAXG flows and spreads, Perp DEX open interest and funding rates, spot gold/silver price action, and central bank monthly purchase data.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said talks with US representatives covered joint management of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the possibility of using its electricity for crypto mining. Putin told Kommersant that Washington had expressed interest in establishing crypto-mining operations at Europe’s largest nuclear site and that supplying power from the plant to Ukraine was also discussed. He said Ukrainian staff still operate the facility but have taken Russian citizenship; Russia has controlled the plant since March 2022 and runs it via Rosatom. Kyiv rejects any deal that sidelines Ukrainian sovereignty and insists on restoring Ukrainian control and demilitarizing the site. The plant, once supplying over 20% of Ukraine’s electricity, remains fragile with safety warnings from the IAEA and recurring power disruptions. For crypto traders: claims that the US considered using Zaporizhzhia’s baseload nuclear power for Bitcoin mining are unconfirmed and politically sensitive. Any material development — including changes to power routing or governance at the plant — would be highly geopolitical, could affect industry power availability and miner operating costs, and might influence Bitcoin sentiment and energy-dependent mining equities or ETFs. Monitor confirmations from Washington, Ukrainian and IAEA statements, and any on-the-ground changes to the plant’s power output or access before positioning trades.

VOOX, a cryptocurrency trading platform, has announced zero-fee spot trading across all trading pairs as a promotional reward for global users. The initiative removes trading fees on spot transactions to attract liquidity, increase user activity, and grow market share. The campaign aims to provide cost savings for active traders and market makers, encouraging higher trading volumes and tighter spreads. While specific start and end dates, eligibility conditions, and any limits per user were not detailed in the source, such zero-fee offerings typically target competitive positioning against other exchanges and may be paired with marketing incentives like referral bonuses or token rewards. Traders should watch for rapid changes in order book depth, temporary volatility from increased retail participation, and possible adjustments when the promotion ends.

TRON’s network activity surged in late 2025 even as its native token TRX fell sharply in Q4. TRON passed 355 million total accounts in December 2025 and averaged roughly 8.8–10.2 million daily transactions in Q3. A 60% fee cut in August 2025 lowered transaction costs, helping TRON surpass BNB Chain and Solana in daily active users and cementing its role as the leading chain for USDT transfers. USDT on TRON now accounts for over half of circulating USDT and settles an estimated $22 billion daily. However, the fee reduction caused Super Representative (validator) daily revenues to drop about 64%, and TRX declined more than 16% in Q4 — its weakest fourth-quarter performance since 2017. The article highlights a divergence between on-chain fundamentals (user growth, stablecoin flows, government use of TRON for publishing GDP data hashes) and market price action, warning traders that strong network usage does not guarantee short-term token gains. For traders: TRX remains a high-risk altcoin subject to altcoin flows and sentiment shifts; position sizes should be conservative and treated as speculative exposure rather than capital preservation. Primary keywords: TRON, TRX, USDT, network adoption, low fees. Secondary/semantic keywords: daily transactions, Super Representative revenue, stablecoin transfers, on-chain fundamentals, token price divergence.

Crypto betting has shifted from platforms that merely accept crypto payments to crypto-native systems built around wallets, smart contracts and on-chain settlement. Modern sites prioritize wallet-first access, automated on-chain bet settlement, real-time transparency and faster payouts — features that improve live betting, cash-out functionality and user trust. Platforms now cluster into crypto-enabled, hybrid and crypto-native categories; examples like Dexsport illustrate wallet-based access, multi-chain support and automated settlement. Key trader-relevant implications: settlement speed, on-chain verifiability and reduced custodial exposure. Risks remain — smart contract bugs, wallet security, irreversible transactions and crypto volatility. The sector’s near-term trajectory favors deeper on-chain integration, better live-betting UX, and clearer transparency standards, making crypto betting resemble DeFi more than legacy sportsbooks. Primary keywords: crypto betting, on-chain settlement, wallet-first; secondary/semantic keywords: live betting, automated settlement, smart contract risk.

CryptoQuant CEO Ju Ki-young reports a sustained whale buying phase in Bitcoin spot markets beginning February 2025 and continuing through March, identified via rising average order size, exchange outflows, wallet-size distribution shifts and miner outflows. The firm’s market-cycle framework places Bitcoin in a transition from retail capitulation to whale accumulation — a phase that historically precedes multi-month price appreciation. CryptoQuant cites parallels to 2018–19 and 2020 accumulation patterns and notes institutional adoption, ETF approvals, regulatory clarity and the halving cycle as supportive macro drivers. Analysts highlight risks including regulation and macro conditions, but on-chain indicators (larger trade sizes, exchange withdrawals to custody) suggest longer-term holders are increasing positions rather than preparing to sell. Traders should view the signal as a bullish accumulation indicator but account for potential volatility and external risks when sizing positions.

Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) are highlighted by analysts as candidates to reach $100 billion market valuations by early 2026. Solana, with a market cap near $68 billion, is expected to benefit from the Alpenglow protocol upgrade — moving transaction finalization from seconds to milliseconds and increasing block capacity — and from early institutional activity such as two U.S. banks settling USDC on Solana and Visa’s continued stablecoin efforts on the network. Cardano, with a market cap around $12.7 billion, would require far larger price appreciation but could be supported by its privacy-focused sidechain Midnight and a planned bridge to Solana that could access roughly $95 billion in DeFi liquidity. Regulatory developments are also pivotal: the U.S. CLARITY Act progressing through the Senate could clarify ADA’s status as a commodity and pave the way for potential Cardano ETF approvals. Analysts cite technical upgrades, growing institutional integrations and regulatory clarity as the decisive drivers for valuation upside, while warning of the usual high volatility and risks in crypto markets.

Solstice and Cor Prime executed the first institutional stablecoin-for-stablecoin repurchase agreement (repo) on a public blockchain, settling via Membrane’s post-trade infrastructure. The deal used tokenised USD stablecoins — one as collateral to borrow another — creating a collateralised short-term loan structure familiar to TradFi but settled atomically on-chain through smart contracts and identity-verified institutional addresses. Key outcomes: it proved technical feasibility for institutional-grade, on-chain cash-management primitives; reduced settlement times and counterparty risk through collateralisation and atomic settlement; and demonstrated a regulated-friendly model for custody, KYC/AML and auditability. Traders should note implications for capital efficiency (stablecoin holders can obtain liquidity without off‑ramping to fiat), 24/7 liquidity management, and potential reductions in fiat banking frictions. The pilot could accelerate development of decentralized repo markets and broader TradFi–DeFi integration, potentially unlocking trapped liquidity and changing institutional treasury operations if adoption widens.

Bitget has launched a new PoolX cycle offering a 3:1 unlock ratio: participants lock 1 BTC to unlock 3 BTC, with a per-user lock limit of 50 BTC. The lock window runs from 18:00 on Dec 27, 2025 to 18:00 on Jan 2, 2026 (UTC+8). Eligible users who record a net-positive BTC deposit during the event will receive a 5% BTC wealth-management coupon after PoolX ends. First-time PoolX participants who meet the net-deposit requirement by 19:00 on Jan 1, 2026 (UTC+8) qualify for an additional 10% BTC coupon. Net deposits must be completed by the Jan 1 cutoff to receive the first-time bonus. Key trader takeaways: large short-term yield incentives (3x unlock ratio and coupon rewards) that could shift BTC flows into Bitget custody, a 50 BTC per-user cap limiting concentration risk, and a deposit cutoff (Jan 1) that may concentrate inflows before that time. Primary keywords: Bitget, PoolX, BTC, Bitcoin yield. Secondary keywords: lock-up, liquidity program, wealth-management coupon, net deposit. This concise briefing highlights timing, eligibility, caps and potential market flow effects for traders evaluating short-term BTC liquidity and yield opportunities.

In 2025 the crypto ecosystem refocused on custody, counterparty and regulatory risk after major incidents and policy moves. A high-profile early-year theft from Bybit — reported at about $1.4 billion and attributed to a North Korea–linked actor — intensified scrutiny of exchange custody controls, multisignature procedures and counterparty exposure. Policymakers advanced the GENIUS Act, clarifying stablecoin issuance, reserve requirements and audit standards, while efforts to standardize crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) sought to broaden institutional access and improve market pricing. Year-end developments included cross-border regulatory coordination, national trust-bank pilots for digital asset services, and listings on exchanges such as HKEX, all reinforcing governance and operational controls. The cycle closed with increased enforcement actions, highlighting that custody failures and weak governance can trigger material market risk and regulatory response. Primary keywords: Bybit hack, stablecoin regulation, GENIUS Act, custody risk. Secondary/semantic keywords: exchange security, ETP standardization, counterparty risk, North Korea-linked theft, HKEX listings. Relevance for traders: monitor exchange custody updates, stablecoin reserve/audit disclosures, and regulatory announcements — these drive liquidity, counterparty confidence and pricing for BTC and broader crypto markets.

AI-driven forecasts from an ensemble of Claude Sonnet 4, Gemini 2.5 Flash and GPT-4o indicate a modest near-term outlook for Hedera (HBAR) into the end of 2025 and early 2026. At publication HBAR traded at $0.1157 (market cap $4.95B, 24h volume $107.09M), up ~4.9% over 24 hours and ~6.1% for the week. Finbold’s aggregated AI projection for the period ending 31 Dec 2025 averaged $0.115 (≈ -1.33% from the quoted level). Model outcomes diverged: Claude Sonnet 4 showed a potential +6.27% upside while Gemini 2.5 Flash outlined a -6.63% downside, reflecting elevated short-term volatility. Analysts note seasonal dynamics: HBAR historically averages ~38% gains in January, which may attract anticipatory buying, while year-end tax-loss harvesting can exert selling pressure. Key technical level: holding above $0.115 support through Dec 27–30 could signal absorption of tax-driven selling and set up a January rebound. For traders, the data suggests a cautious approach—expect heightened volatility, watch the $0.115 support zone, and position sizing should account for divergent AI scenarios and seasonality.

A record $27.14 billion of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) options expire tomorrow in the largest quarterly settlement ever for crypto derivatives. Most exposure clusters around Bitcoin’s current price near $85,000, with heavy call open interest near $90,000 and significant put interest around $85,000. Dealers and market makers have been hedging gamma risk through spot and futures trades, which likely compressed Bitcoin’s trading range between roughly $85K and $90K and suppressed volatility. Once the options expire, hedging activity should unwind, reducing mechanical liquidity flows and potentially increasing short-term volatility as price reacts more directly to spot order flow. Analysts are monitoring the $80,000–$82,000 area and the post-expiry sessions to determine whether the recent consolidation reflects accumulation or distribution. Traders should watch for increased intraday moves, shifting liquidity, and rapid directional responses near the noted levels.

Gate Web3 today launched a BountyDrop ForeGate airdrop via the Gate Web3 App. Users can join from the app’s "Activities" page and complete tasks in the BountyDrop module. Among all task completers, 500 participants will be randomly selected to share a 5,000 USDT prize pool. Separately, Gate Web3 is running a New Year "Opening Bonus" event from December 25, 2025 to January 7, 2026: users who complete a first-time trade above a specified amount (Swap or Web3 DEX) on the Gate app will receive a guaranteed random airdrop reward and reimbursement of first-trade gas fees. Additionally, users whose cumulative Swap volume reaches thresholds can unlock tiered cash rewards. Gate Web3 positions itself as a multi-chain wallet connecting 100+ chains and thousands of DApps; BountyDrop is its in-app earn-and-discover section where simple tasks can yield airdrops or lottery entries. This campaign may boost on-chain activity, user engagement and Swap/Dex volumes on Gate’s platform in the short term. (Note: content is market information, not investment advice.)

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes purchased 1.85 million LDO tokens on Binance, totaling approximately $1.03 million, according to on-chain tracker Onchain Lens. The transaction was reported by PANews and flagged as market information only. No additional context about the purpose of the purchase or subsequent moves was provided. Key details: buyer — Arthur Hayes; venue — Binance; asset — LDO (Lido DAO token); quantity — 1,850,000 LDO; value — ~$1.03 million. Traders should note this sizable allocation by a prominent crypto figure, which could signal conviction in LDO but lacks further on-chain signals about holding period or selling intent.

Solar (SXP) plunged 13.02% on Binance spot over 24 hours as thin order books amplified selling, leaving the token in the lower half of its daily range (~$0.0606–0.0654). Trust Wallet Token (TWT) staged a 10.5% intraday rebound from its low, but remains weak on 1‑ and 3‑month horizons after a recent Chrome‑extension exploit and profit‑taking. Several mid‑caps — API3, ACA, BIFI and LAYER — showed “wick up then fade” intraday profiles, spiking then selling off and ending 10–20% below intraday highs, a pattern consistent with exit‑liquidity in a shallow market rotating back to majors. Analysts note the moves reflect a grinding sell‑off rather than forced liquidations; SXP’s USD weakness will likely persist versus Bitcoin if BTC dominance holds. Base case into year‑end: macro flows and Bitcoin ETF positioning keep BTC strength and pressure altcoins. Tactical short‑term: TWT can see a 10–15% USD squeeze into Dec 31 on short covering, but structural underperformance versus BTC is probable without a BTC pullback.

Aave’s governance dispute escalated after an ARFC proposal to transfer brand assets (domains, social accounts, naming rights) from Aave Labs to the DAO was decisively rejected (≈994,800 against vs ~63,000 for) with a large abstention (~41%). The conflict followed community claims that Aave Labs rerouted front‑end swap fee flows when switching aggregators (ParaSwap → CowSwap), potentially diverting substantial revenue away from the DAO — estimates suggested up to ~$200k weekly. Founder Stani Kulechov defended Aave Labs, noting the DAO generated roughly $140M this year and saying his $10–15M AAVE spot buy was not used to influence votes. Market reaction was immediate: a major holder executed a programmed sell of ~230,000 AAVE (≈$38M notional), crystallizing heavy selling pressure after buying earlier at higher prices. AAVE price fell roughly 20% during the week (from high $180s to mid $140s), with perp funding turning negative and volatility spiking. Aave Labs has initiated an ARFC snapshot to resolve brand-control issues while pledging clearer communications on value delivery to the DAO. For traders: expect elevated volatility and downside risk in the short term — key support sits around $140–$142; a decisive break lower would likely accelerate exits, while governance clarity, a large buyer, or institutional fixes would be needed to restore confidence and remove the governance discount.

Ripple’s XRP surged to a $3.65 all-time high in July 2025 but has declined nearly 50% to trade below $1.90 by late December 2025. Despite Ripple’s legal victory over the SEC, major partnerships, and acquisitions (including Hidden Road), XRP fell after July and continued downward even after the launch of spot XRP ETFs in mid-November, which failed to prevent a 20%+ drop. ChatGPT suggests key steps for XRP to reach a stronger position by Christmas 2026: 1) Technical recovery — break the long-term downtrend by reclaiming $2.20, holding above $2.50, and targeting a $3.00–$3.20 retest with strong volume; 2) Convert ETF inflows into sustained market impact via larger, consistent ETF and institutional inflows and participation from firms like BlackRock or Fidelity; 3) Strengthen narratives — spotlight payments, real-world tokenization, enterprise adoption, or ETF growth; 4) Improve on-chain utility — increase settlement volume, production use of XRP liquidity, and expand On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) corridors and enterprise integrations. For traders, the piece highlights key price levels, the importance of ETF flows vs. spot price action, and the need to watch on-chain adoption metrics and institutional moves as catalysts for medium- to long-term upside.