Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Crypto loans and crypto credit lines both let holders access liquidity without selling assets, but they differ materially in funding, interest mechanics and flexibility. Traditional crypto loans disburse a lump sum, charge interest on the full amount from day one, and usually have fixed terms and scheduled repayments—suitable for borrowers who need a known capital amount. Crypto credit lines set a collateral-backed revolving limit (based on BTC, ETH, SOL, BNB, LINK and stablecoins in many offerings), allow on-demand withdrawals and instant repayments, and charge interest only on amounts drawn; unused credit typically carries 0% APR. Credit lines are therefore more capital-efficient in partial-use scenarios (e.g., $10k limit with $2k drawn). They also avoid scheduled monthly payments and can refresh available credit immediately after repayment. No credit checks or income verification are usually required, but borrowers must manage collateral LTV to avoid liquidation. The newer summary highlights Clapp.finance as an implementation: multi-collateral support (up to 19 assets), liquidity offered in USDT, USDC or EUR, no deposit fees, interest only on withdrawals, no repayment deadlines, and instant credit refresh on repayment. For traders, the practical takeaway is: choose fixed-term loans for straightforward, predictable funding needs; choose credit lines for flexible, intermittent liquidity, lower carrying costs, and to preserve market exposure — which can also carry tax advantages in many jurisdictions since borrowing often does not trigger capital gains. Primary keywords: crypto loan, crypto credit line, crypto lending, collateral, liquidity.

Aave founder Stani Kulechov has accumulated 84,033 AAVE (roughly $12.6M spent over a week), including a fresh purchase of 32,660 AAVE (~$5.15M) on Dec. 23 at an average price near $158. The aggregated position carries an average cost around $176 and currently shows an unrealized loss of roughly $2.2M–$2.3M at prevailing prices (~$153–$154). The buys come amid a heated governance dispute after a December integration routed swap fees to Aave Labs wallets instead of the DAO treasury, triggering heavy selling: AAVE fell about 18% over the week, lost over $500M in market value, saw more than 980 on-chain holders drop in a day, and experienced a sharp decline in trading activity per on-chain trackers. Aave Labs submitted a divisive Snapshot vote (Dec. 23–26) on brand ownership, which markets view as having low odds of passing. Short-term risks include continued whale selling, governance uncertainty between Aave Labs and the DAO, and degraded liquidity and trading volumes. Kulechov’s purchases provide a high-profile signal of founder conviction but do not resolve the underlying dispute; traders should monitor large wallet flows, Snapshot vote results, holder counts, and on-chain activity metrics for near-term price direction. Key metrics: 32,660 AAVE latest buy (~1,699 ETH / ~$5.15M), total wallet holding 84,033 AAVE, avg buy price ~ $157.78 for last tranche, position avg cost ~ $176, unrealized loss ~ $2.2M–$2.3M, AAVE price drop ~15–18% over the week.

Ethereum (ETH) fell about 2% to near $2,970–$2,980 after U.S. spot ETH ETFs recorded heavy outflows. CoinShares and other trackers reported roughly $555 million exited ETH products this week — the largest weekly outflow since August 2025 — led by BlackRock’s ETHA. Broader digital-asset products saw about $952 million in redemptions, with Bitcoin also suffering significant outflows. Market caution stems from delayed U.S. crypto legislation, profit-taking after a recent monthly gain, and weakening technicals. Derivatives risk amplified the pullback: Deribit flagged roughly $27 billion of BTC and ETH options expiring on Dec. 26, concentrating critical ETH strikes near $2,900 and raising the chance of hedging flows and liquidation events. Recent liquidations (~$222M) and reduced spot and derivatives volumes point to position unwinding. Technical indicators show ETH failing to clear near-term resistance around $3,080–3,150 and trading below recent averages; immediate support sits near $2,975–$2,980 with secondary support around $2,800–$2,900. Offsetting downside, Bitmine reportedly accumulated ~4 million ETH (adding to a large crypto treasury), suggesting institutional dip-buying that may provide local support. For traders: expect subdued volatility into the options expiry, elevated downside risk if $2,975–$2,980 breaks (which could trigger stop-loss cascades), and potential short-covering or rebound if ETH reclaims $3,150 post-expiry. Manage leverage, tighten stops on long positions, and monitor ETF flows, options expiries and on-chain whale activity for directional cues.

Ethereum (ETH) shows signs of a short-term recovery after stabilising near the lower edge of a longer descending channel and trading inside a rising corrective channel. Key resistance remains the top of the larger descending channel; a decisive break above $3,000 would open upside toward $3,216, while a drop below the short-term rising channel risks renewed declines. Meanwhile, DeFi lending project Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is in Phase 6 of its presale at $0.035 and is reported nearly 99% sold, having raised roughly $19.5–$19.6 million from over 18,550–18,560 participants; Phase 7 will raise the price to $0.04. MUTM promotes a two‑tier lending model, liquidity pools, mtToken rewards, Halborn-audited lending/borrowing contracts, and an imminent Sepolia testnet beta before mainnet. The report frames MUTM as a high‑growth, use‑case oriented altcoin with notable presale demand, and reminds readers the content is a press release — perform due diligence before acting. Primary keywords: Ethereum price, ETH technical analysis, MUTM presale, DeFi token presale.

Metaplanet, Japan’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin with 30,823 BTC (≈$2.7–2.75bn), won shareholder approval for five capital-restructuring proposals that enable issuing dividend-paying preferred shares targeted at institutional investors. The company doubled authorized shares for two preferred classes (Class A and Class B to 555 million each) and reclassified capital reserves to capital surplus to fund preferred dividends and potential buybacks while continuing BTC purchases without diluting common equity. Class A will pay monthly floating dividends under a Metaplanet Adjustable Rate Security (MARS) that raises pay when the share price falls below par to help stabilise value. Class B will pay quarterly fixed dividends with a stated yield of 4.9%, includes a 10-year issuer call at 130% of face value, and grants a put right to investors if no IPO occurs within one year. Approval also allows issuance of Class B shares to overseas institutional investors, creating an income-style, indirect route to Bitcoin exposure via preferred equity rather than spot BTC or common stock. The Tokyo-listed stock jumped about 4.16% after the vote and the company has begun U.S. ADR trading via Deutsche Bank. For traders: this creates a novel institutional instrument tied to a large corporate BTC reserve, may broaden institutional demand for corporate-linked Bitcoin exposure, and signals Metaplanet’s continued capacity to buy BTC while offering predictable yield; the impact on BTC price is likely indirect but could be modestly supportive of institutional demand.

Ripple developers have proposed XLS-66d to add institutional-grade, native lending to the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The design introduces Single Asset Vaults — isolated, per-loan vaults for XRP and stablecoin RLUSD — managed by pool administrators who underwrite, service loans, and provide first-loss capital. Loans are fixed-term and fixed-rate, with underwriting and KYC performed off-chain to reduce smart-contract and regulatory risk. Target users include banks, payment firms, market makers and fintechs for corridor funding, inventory financing, market-making liquidity and pre-funding instant settlements. Ripple expects validator governance voting on activation in late January 2025. Community voices urged holders not to sell XRP and suggested using borrowing against holdings as an alternative. For traders, the proposal could create new yield pathways for XRP and RLUSD, potentially increasing demand and on-ledger liquidity while reducing pooled-lending systemic risk. Key risks include uptake uncertainty, regulatory scrutiny, and credit/default exposure managed by administrators. Primary keywords: XRPL, XRP, onchain lending, RLUSD, institutional lending.

Trump Media & Technology Group executed an on-chain purchase of roughly 450 BTC (about $40M), moving the coins into long-term custody across multiple addresses. On-chain analytics indicate the funds were bought directly from a major exchange and shifted to cold storage as part of a deliberate corporate-treasury strategy to hold Bitcoin as a reserve asset rather than trading inventory. The buy raises the company’s disclosed corporate crypto exposure toward the billion-dollar range reported earlier in 2025. The acquisition coincided with Trump Media’s announced plan to merge with fusion energy developer TAE Technologies in a transaction valued near $6 billion, signalling broader strategic diversification into energy and advanced technology. There was no formal corporate statement detailing the Bitcoin strategy; market reaction to the combined disclosures was positive, with the company’s stock moving higher after the announcements. Key facts for traders: ~450 BTC acquired (~$40M), purchases executed across multiple on-chain transfers from an exchange, coins placed into long-term custody, timing overlaps a $6B TAE Technologies merger announcement. Primary keywords: Trump Media, Bitcoin, BTC, corporate treasury, institutional accumulation. Secondary keywords: reserve asset, long-term custody, TAE Technologies, merger.

Erebor, a digital bank backed by Palmer Luckey and Peter Thiel, closed a $350 million funding round led by Lux Capital with participation from Founders Fund, 8VC and Haun Ventures, doubling its valuation to about $4.35 billion. The company has received FDIC approval for deposit insurance and obtained a preliminary national bank charter, positioning it to offer both traditional deposit-taking services and crypto-tailored products. Erebor targets a 2026 launch and intends to serve crypto firms and technology companies by integrating supervised national banking with digital-asset services. Key SEO keywords: Erebor, crypto banking, FDIC approval, bank charter, Lux Capital.

Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers has introduced measures to exempt digital assets from Arizona property tax, bar local governments from taxing or fining blockchain node operators, and provide clearer regulatory definitions for digital assets. The package includes two bills and a constitutional resolution: one bill would remove virtual currency from taxable property lists; a second would prohibit counties, cities and towns from imposing taxes or fees on blockchain node operations; and a constitutional resolution would amend the state constitution to explicitly exclude digital assets from property-tax definitions, requiring voter approval in November 2026. Supporters argue the proposals reduce compliance burdens, prevent double taxation, and attract blockchain businesses, talent and investment — potentially increasing onshore holdings of Bitcoin and other digital assets. Critics warn of lost state revenue and possible conflicts with federal tax rules. Traders should monitor committee votes, floor passage, and the 2026 ballot timetable; passage — especially of the constitutional amendment — could be a longer-term bullish signal for onshore demand (not immediate price action), while legislative debate and fiscal-impact analyses may create short-term volatility for crypto-related names and local market sentiment.

Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below the $89,000 mark on OKX across two intraday reports, trading between $87,979 and $88,976 at the respective times of reporting. The earlier update showed BTC at $87,979 (−1.98% intraday) while the later check recorded $88,976 (−0.84% intraday). Both notes cite market data only and do not offer investment advice. No specific market drivers or other cryptocurrencies were highlighted. For traders, the modest pullback from very high price levels appears consistent with short-term profit-taking or minor rotation rather than a clear trend reversal. Key points for trading: short-term volatility may increase as stop-losses and liquidations trigger near high leverage positions; position sizing and risk management are advisable until clearer directional signals and volume confirmation emerge. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, BTC price, OKX; secondary keywords: intraday drop, crypto market, profit-taking, liquidations.

Decentralized exchange Aster launched Stage 5 of its ASTER buyback program on December 23, 2025, allocating up to 80% of daily platform fees to repurchases. The program splits fees into two on‑chain mechanisms: 40% for automatic daily market buybacks and 20–40% held in a strategic reserve for targeted purchases triggered by market conditions. Both mechanisms are fully on‑chain, publicly verifiable and managed via dedicated wallets. The announcement coincided with a near‑term ASTER price uptick of about 3% to $0.725 after a week in which the token fell roughly 20% due to selling pressure. The token previously spiked more than 30% in November following disclosure of a >$2.5M holding by Binance co‑founder CZ. A pseudonymous analyst flagged ASTER trading near the bottom of its channel and projected a corrective rebound to $0.88–$0.90, noting a decisive break above $0.90 would be required to confirm a stronger trend reversal. Key SEO keywords: ASTER buybacks, on‑chain buyback, Aster exchange fees, token repurchase, ASTER price action.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is advancing through its presale—now in Phase 6 and nearly sold out—with raised proceeds around $19–19.5 million and roughly 18.3–18.6k holders. Phase 6 price sits at $0.035 (≈3.5× the Phase 1 price of $0.01); Phase 7 will start at $0.04 and the planned public launch price is $0.06. The project has added gamified incentives (daily leaderboard rewards and a large giveaway) to boost participation and promotes a dual lending model combining peer-to-contract and peer-to-peer lending. Development milestones include an independent security audit in progress, lending/borrowing contracts in final review, and a planned V1 on Sepolia testnet supporting ETH and USDT with liquidity pools, mtTokens, debt tokens and a liquidator bot. Traders are being urged to buy at current presale prices before Phase 6 fills, though articles note this is promotional material and advise due diligence. By contrast, Cardano (ADA) has shown weakening price action: trading near $0.36 after recent drops, below its 50- and 200-day moving averages, with negative RSI/MACD and Chaikin Money Flow below zero. Analysts cited support levels around $0.438, $0.386 and $0.354, with a downside target near $0.29 if key support fails. The coverage frames MUTM as an early-stage, discounted altcoin offering potential short-term upside for speculators, while ADA’s deteriorating technicals and reduced on-chain momentum make it less attractive for traders seeking immediate gains.

The Digital Asset PARITY Act, a bipartisan draft bill circulating in the U.S. House, proposes major crypto tax reforms aimed at simplifying taxation and encouraging broader adoption. Key provisions include: a capital‑gains exemption for dollar‑pegged stablecoin payments under $200 issued by regulated entities (removing routine purchase reporting); optional deferral of taxation on staking and mining rewards for up to five years, with tax due on disposition or at the five‑year mark; application of traditional wash‑sale rules to digital assets (closing a loophole used in tax‑loss harvesting); a mark‑to‑market election for active traders; constructive sale doctrine limits to prevent indefinite deferral via derivatives; and potential tax incentives to attract foreign investment through U.S. brokers. The bill also contemplates special treatment for crypto loans, NFTs and thinly traded tokens, and timing rules for enactment. As a draft, the measure remains subject to committee review and congressional votes; no change to current tax obligations is effective until law is passed. Traders should monitor developments: if enacted, the stablecoin exemption could increase stablecoin payment use and reduce taxable events for small transactions; staking/mining deferral would improve short‑term cash flow for validators/miners and change timing of taxable income; and applying wash‑sale rules would alter tax‑loss harvesting and short‑term trading strategies.

Citigroup lowered its 12–18 month price target for MicroStrategy (MSTR) to $325 from $485 (≈33% cut) while retaining a Buy rating, citing revised Bitcoin (BTC) price forecasts, higher expected volatility, and risks tied to MicroStrategy’s use of debt to accumulate BTC. This follows earlier broker notes (e.g., Cantor Fitzgerald) that also trimmed valuations due to near-term BTC declines and reduced assumptions about capital raises; Cantor had cut its treasury valuation sharply but still kept an Overweight view citing balance-sheet buffers. Combined, the updates underscore that MSTR behaves as a hybrid asset: company fundamentals matter, but MSTR’s near-term share performance is tightly correlated with Bitcoin price moves and index/flow risks. Trading takeaways: treat MSTR as a leveraged BTC proxy—monitor BTC price and volatility, track the premium/discount between MSTR market cap and its BTC treasury, and factor in MicroStrategy’s debt and preferred-share funding (dilution and dividend buffers) in position sizing. Expect heightened short-term volatility tied to BTC swings and periodic event-driven outflows; the revised targets compress near-term upside but leave a longer-term buy case for risk-tolerant investors.

The Federal Reserve has opened a 45‑day public comment period on a proposal to create limited “payment accounts” that would let eligible non‑bank payment firms and crypto companies clear and settle payments directly on Fed rails without full master account privileges. These accounts would be separate from standard master accounts, carry balance caps (the Fed is considering an overnight cap equal to the lesser of $500 million or 10% of an institution’s assets), earn no interest, have no access to Fed credit facilities, and prohibit correspondent services or settling on behalf of others. The design aims to modernize payment infrastructure, reduce supervisory and systemic risk, and accommodate fintech and crypto business models. Governor Christopher Waller endorsed the move as supporting payment innovation and Fed work with blockchain tools. Governor Michael Barr warned such access could raise money‑laundering and terrorist‑financing risks unless safeguards and supervision are clear. The proposal follows the Fed’s withdrawal of a 2023 statement that had restricted banks’ crypto activities and amid legal challenges from firms denied master accounts. Traders should monitor eligibility rules, balance limits, and operational timelines (Waller suggested a Q4 2026 target) because direct Fed access for stablecoin issuers and crypto payment processors could lower settlement friction, speed fiat on/off ramps, and change on‑chain/off‑chain settlement dynamics—factors that may affect liquidity and short‑term flows in stablecoins and related payment tokens.

Experienced Dogecoin (DOGE) traders are noting early-cycle signals across crypto markets similar to DOGE’s 2021 run and are shifting attention toward undervalued, utility-focused altcoins. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is highlighted as a leading candidate: its presale advanced through Phase 6 at $0.035 and is moving into Phase 7 at $0.04. The latest report says the MUTM presale is over 98% sold, with roughly $19.5 million raised and more than 18,550 holders. MUTM describes a two-token DeFi lending model with interest-bearing tokens, optimized liquidity pools, planned Sepolia testnet beta and pending mainnet deployment, and a Halborn smart-contract audit cited to bolster security claims. The articles contrast MUTM’s development-stage fundamentals and low entry price with Dogecoin’s current technical range (DOGE trading roughly $0.131–$0.138 after a bounce from $0.1199), positioning MUTM as a speculative, low-cost opportunity for early investors. Both pieces are promotional press releases and include reminders to perform due diligence before investing.

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R–Wyoming), long known as the “Bitcoin senator,” announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, citing insufficient energy for another six‑year term while reaffirming her pro-crypto stance and commitment to Wyoming. She said she will use her remaining Senate term to prioritise and advance major digital-asset legislation—notably the U.S. crypto market-structure bill—with the goal of delivering these measures to the president’s desk in 2026. Prominent crypto figures including White House adviser David Sacks and entrepreneur Mario Nawfal praised her record. Some observers speculated about political timing, but Lummis framed the decision as personal and workload-related. For traders: Lummis’s continued legislative push preserves momentum for U.S. crypto regulation and market-structure reform; passage of market-structure and custody-related bills in 2026 could materially affect Bitcoin (BTC) liquidity, custody rules and institutional participation, influencing trading volumes and market access.

Spot XRP ETFs in the US recorded $82 million of net inflows last week, pushing total XRP ETF assets under management (AUM) above $1.2 billion after six consecutive weeks of inflows since their mid‑November launch. Early demand was initially retail-led but institutional investors — including pension and insurance funds — have begun allocating to XRP ETFs, with industry figures citing XRP’s payments use case and operational track record as easing institutional adoption. By contrast, US Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs saw significant outflows last week: roughly $497 million from BTC ETFs and about $644 million from ETH ETFs (SoSoValue data). Solana spot ETFs attracted $66.5 million in inflows. Despite these ETF flows, XRP’s price slipped below $2 amid broader market weakness. Earlier reporting showed a different snapshot in which US crypto ETFs overall had net inflows exceeding $500 million over a comparable period, led by BTC ($287M) and ETH ($209M), Solana ($33.6M) and persistent XRP inflows over 30 days. The combined coverage indicates a rotation of capital: some money is moving away from BTC/ETH ETFs into alternative spot-crypto ETFs like XRP and SOL, reflecting shifting retail and growing institutional interest in non-BTC/ETH exposure. For traders: monitor ETF subscription/redemption data, AUM trends, and short-term liquidity as these reallocations can decouple ETF flows from immediate spot price moves, create transient volatility in BTC/ETH and bolster demand for XRP and SOL.

The Bank of Russia has acknowledged that Bitcoin mining likely contributes to ruble strength but said the effect is hard to quantify because much mining remains in a legal and reporting gray zone. Governor Elvira Nabiullina described mining as “one of the additional factors” supporting the currency but warned against attributing the ruble’s 2025 gains solely to mining. Senior officials, including deputy presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin, have characterized crypto-linked flows as a de facto new export that can influence currency markets by channeling value outside standard routes. The central bank is pushing to “whiten” the sector through tighter regulation and improved reporting, coordinating rules with the Finance Ministry and other agencies to ensure crypto transactions pass through licensed market participants. State Duma financial committee chair Anatoly Aksakov reiterated that cryptocurrencies will not be treated as money in Russia. Traders should watch for follow-up policy measures: taxation and reporting rules for miners, requirements for onshore conversion of earnings to rubles, tighter licensing of intermediaries, and any energy-policy shifts that affect mining operations. Potential market implications include increased Russian mining output and hash rate if firms formalize operations, marginally higher ruble demand from conversion of mining proceeds, and greater regulatory scrutiny that could affect cross-border flows. At press time, Bitcoin traded near $88,927. Keywords: Bitcoin mining, ruble strength, Russia crypto regulation, capital flows, BTC price.

Developers and industry figures warn that preparing Bitcoin for quantum computing will be a multi-year effort. Bitcoin Core developer Jameson Lopp and Blockstream CEO Adam Back say current quantum computers are not an immediate threat to Bitcoin’s cryptography, but coordinating a protocol upgrade and migrating funds to quantum-resistant addresses could realistically take five to ten years. The core challenge is logistical: consensus-driven changes require broad coordination among node operators, miners, exchanges, wallet providers and users, and a rushed rollout could introduce vulnerabilities. Migration would likely trigger mass transfers — including long-dormant coins — which increases operational risk and could take years to complete safely. Some investors, including Charles Edwards, warn market perception matters and say Bitcoin (BTC) price could be pressured if the protocol’s post-quantum readiness is unclear by 2028; they call for consideration of proposals such as BIP-360 to enable quantum-resistant signature schemes. Other voices, including Pierre Rochard and Samson Mow, downplay near-term danger, citing substantial technical and economic barriers to any practical quantum attack. Consensus in the community: the threat is theoretical today, but ignoring post-quantum preparedness could be costly. Traders should monitor developer coordination, adoption signals for BIP-360 or similar proposals, large on-chain movements of dormant coins, and any shifts in institutional messaging that could affect BTC sentiment.

Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand have confirmed a January committee markup for the CLARITY Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to clarify U.S. crypto market structure by defining which digital assets are securities and which are commodities. The markup is the first detailed Senate review and follows earlier House passage and coordination among lawmakers. Key provisions would assign most spot-market oversight for digital commodities to the CFTC while preserving SEC authority in specified cases, set registration and compliance requirements for trading platforms and custody providers, and add AML and custody standards. The announced timetable signals renewed legislative momentum and increases the likelihood of substantive amendments during committee debate. For traders, the process could materially affect spot trading, listings, custody operations and regulatory risk premia: clearer rules may spur institutional adoption and exchange compliance but raise compliance costs for some firms. Traders should watch committee amendments, shifts in SEC/CFTC authority language, and the timing of votes — each could change liquidity, custody arrangements and listing decisions in U.S. markets.

MoonPay president Keith Grossman says tokenization of real‑world assets (RWA) is set to reshape finance faster than digital media did, driven by concrete institutional moves. Major players — BlackRock, Franklin Templeton and global banks including Citi, BofA and JPMorgan — are already offering or piloting tokenized funds, on‑chain settlement, tokenized deposits and real‑time asset flows. RWA market capitalization (excluding stablecoins) is near $19 billion per RWA.XYZ, with most tokenized RWA concentrated on Ethereum. Benefits for traders and institutions include 24/7 markets, global cross‑border access, lower transaction costs from disintermediation, and settlement times measured in minutes rather than days, which reduces counterparty risk and improves capital efficiency. Regulators are signaling support: the SEC and CFTC issued a joint statement endorsing a 24/7 capital markets regime, and the DTCC received SEC approval to offer tokenized instruments and plans to launch tokenized U.S. Treasuries and equity indices in H2 2026. Remaining challenges are legal clarity, cybersecurity and securities‑law compliance. Grossman’s message to incumbents: those that adapt early can gain advantage; laggards risk losing market share. For traders, the trend implies expanding institutional demand for on‑chain liquidity, growing tokenized RWA products to watch, and potential increased integration between traditional markets and crypto rails.

Memento Research tracked 118 Token Generation Events (TGEs) in 2025 and found 84.7% (100/118) now trade below their launch valuations. The median token’s fully diluted valuation (FDV) is down 71% and market cap down 67% since launch. High-profile losses include Syndicate (SYND) -93.6%, Animecoin (ANIME) -93.6%, Berachain (BERA) -93.2%, Bio Protocol (BIO) -93.1%, Xterio (XTER) -92.9% and Lit Protocol (LITKEY) -92.1%. Venture-backed projects also suffered steep drawdowns (e.g., Mira -91.1%, Venice Token -90.8%, Plasma -89.9%). Memento highlights several drivers: heavy pre-TGE venture allocations and large VC rounds (billions raised in 2025) that left retail buying at inflated, fully diluted valuations; oversupply of new tokens and fragmented liquidity; brief post-launch volume spikes followed by 50–70% falls within weeks; market-wide correction events (notably the Oct 10–11 crash) and increased regulatory caution. The data covers both H1 and H2 2025. For traders the takeaway is clear: buying at TGE no longer reliably yields upside for retail investors. Recommended tactics include strict position sizing, thorough due diligence on vesting schedules and liquidity, prioritising established projects, and waiting for sustained on-chain liquidity and secondary-market depth before entering new listings.

Live USDT in-play betting removes crypto price volatility from live wagering, letting bettors concentrate on odds movement, timing and strategy. USDT’s price stability improves decision-making, bankroll control and reduces emotional risk during fast-moving markets. In 2026 leading Web3 sportsbooks for USDT live wagering include Dexsport (crypto-native, multi-chain USDT, no KYC, real-time odds, cash-out, broad crypto support), Vave (feature-rich live markets, streaming, mobile-friendly, conditional KYC and stricter bonus terms), Thunderpick (esports-focused, provably fair mechanics, narrower traditional sports coverage, slower withdrawals) and Stake (high liquidity, KYC at withdrawal). Key criteria for traders: speed and stability of live odds updates, cash-out availability and rules, USDT network support and withdrawal speed, transparent bet settlement, and bonus wagering conditions for live bets. Practical steps to start: choose a USDT-supporting Web3 sportsbook, connect a wallet or create an account, deposit USDT on the correct chain, and use live tools (cash-out, streaming, live stats). Common trader mistakes include chasing shifting odds, ignoring latency, overusing cash-out and poor bankroll discipline. For active traders, USDT reduces volatility risk during rapid in-play moves and simplifies bankroll management; therefore platform performance, liquidity and live-market responsiveness matter more than bonus size. Overall, stablecoins like USDT are likely to increase predictability and on-chain live-betting volumes as traders prefer instant settlement and low-volatility stakes.

The Blockchain Association, joined by more than 125 crypto and fintech groups, urged the Senate Banking Committee not to broaden the GENIUS Act’s ban on stablecoin issuers paying yield to also cover third‑party platforms (exchanges, wallets, apps). The GENIUS Act bars permitted stablecoin issuers from directly paying interest but—per industry interpretation—would still allow platforms to offer rewards to holders. Banking trade groups, led by the American Bankers Association, counter that permitting third‑party rewards would circumvent the law and could drain bank deposits; they cite Treasury modelling that in some scenarios stablecoins might pull large sums from bank deposits. The Blockchain Association warned that extending the prohibition to platforms and partners would entrench incumbent banks, reduce competition, stifle innovation, and harm services built on yield‑bearing stablecoins and platform rewards. Senate Banking staff are reviewing letters from both sides ahead of hearings, and regulators drafting implementing rules (including recent FDIC proposals enabling banks to issue stablecoins via supervised subsidiaries) face pressure to block evasion without unintentionally advantaging incumbent banks. For traders: outcomes could affect product offerings and competitive dynamics for exchanges and yield products — a ruleset that restricts platform rewards could reduce competitive pressure on bank‑linked stablecoins and compress yields available in the crypto ecosystem.

NFT market activity rebounded last week, with total weekly volume rising roughly 11–12% to about $69 million, driven mainly by renewed demand on Ethereum. CryptoSlam data show buyer counts jumped ~50% to ~231k and sellers rose ~43–45% to ~165k, while transactions were flat to modestly higher. Ethereum-led NFT sales surged (around $28M; increases reported between ~36% and ~46%), including some flagged wash trading. Top chains by volume included BNB Chain (~$8.7–9.6M), Bitcoin-based NFTs (~$7.4M), Polygon (~$4.1–4.7M), Solana (~$4M), Mythos (~$3.2M), Immutable (~$3.2M) and Base (~$2M). High-value sales reported: Wrapped Ether Rock #38 (90 ETH, ~$265.6k), Beeple Spring Collection #100100001 (60 ETH, ~$186.5k), a $X@AI BRC-20 NFT (~1.7951 BTC, ~$160.3k), Autoglyphs #192 (55 WETH, ~$156.3k) and CryptoPunks #5133 (44.99 ETH, ~$131.2k). Market context: spot crypto prices softened (BTC around $88k; ETH under $3k) and total crypto market cap slipped slightly. For traders: the pickup in NFT volume and large increase in buyer participation — concentrated on Ethereum — signals improved liquidity and renewed speculative demand for NFTs, though presence of wash trades and mixed performance across chains (BNB underperformed) warrant caution when sizing positions.

Hilbert Group (HILB), a Swedish investment firm, has acquired high-frequency trading platform Enigma Nordic for $32 million to accelerate market‑neutral, algorithmic cryptocurrency trading across global venues. The purchase gives Hilbert Enigma’s proprietary HFT engine and execution stack, enabling cross‑exchange, data‑driven arbitrage and systematic strategies across spot and derivatives markets. Hilbert plans to integrate Enigma’s market‑neutral strategies into its hedge‑fund products to offer institutional investors scalable, systematic crypto strategies, improve liquidity provision and reduce execution slippage while maintaining strict risk controls and governance. Enigma’s quant strategies are reported to have strong risk‑adjusted performance and substantial cumulative trading volume, underscoring the capability play to capture real‑time inefficiencies in digital‑asset markets. The deal reflects growing institutional demand for scalable algorithmic trading tools and diversified crypto revenue streams, though actual deployment and expansion may face regulatory scrutiny and require ongoing risk management.

Fidelity Global Macro research director Jurrien Timmer says Bitcoin’s historical four‑year halving cycle remains intact after the post‑halving rally that peaked in October near $125,000. Timmer’s cycle analysis—based on patterns from 2012, 2016 and 2020—shows roughly 145 weeks of gains before a top, and he expects a multimonth bear‑like phase to continue into 2026. Fidelity identifies likely support in the $65,000–$75,000 band. The view contrasts with more bullish commentary from some analysts who argue institutional adoption and spot‑ETF flows could alter historical cycles. For traders: BTC may face continued downside pressure or consolidation in early‑to‑mid 2026, with potential buying opportunities around the $65k–$75k support zone; volatility could stay elevated as markets reassess ETF flows and macro conditions. This is market analysis, not investment advice.

Blockstream CEO Adam Back publicly rebuked investor Nic Carter after Carter explained Castle Island Ventures’ backing of Project Eleven, a startup building post-quantum protections for Bitcoin and other crypto assets. Carter said conversations with Project Eleven’s CEO convinced him the quantum risk is real and disclosed his investment publicly. Back called Carter’s public warnings “uninformed noise,” saying developers are quietly researching quantum resistance and that a practical quantum attack on Bitcoin is unlikely for decades. The dispute revived a broader debate: some experts, like Charles Edwards, warn a breach could occur in 2–9 years and urge action by 2026, while others, including Kevin O’Leary, downplay near-term incentives to target Bitcoin. Vitalik Buterin’s models were cited estimating roughly a 20% chance of a crypto-breaking quantum machine before 2030 with a median near 2040. There is currently no quantum computer capable of breaking Bitcoin cryptography, but private investment in startups offering quantum-resistance tools is rising. Traders should note the dispute centers on messaging, transparency and upgrade pathways (eg. BIP 360) rather than an immediate technical threat. Market implications: heightened attention and short-term narrative-driven volatility are possible, but no direct technical catalyst for BTC price falls exists today.