Crypto News

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.

This combined analysis evaluates whether Avalanche (AVAX) can reach $100 between 2026 and 2030, integrating technical, on-chain and market forecasts from two complementary reports. It highlights Avalanche’s core strengths — the three-chain architecture (X-, C-, P-Chain), fast finality and its Avalanche consensus — plus tokenomics (720M max supply, staking, fee burning/governance). Analysts use price technicals (support/resistance, moving averages, volume, RSI), ecosystem metrics (TVL, daily transactions, active addresses, developer activity) and macro/institutional factors to build conservative, moderate and bullish price bands for each year. Short-term (2025–2026) forecasts are cautious: a 2025–early-2026 range centers below $100 (example bands: $45–$85 for near-term), with $100 possible only under exceptional conditions. Mid-term (2026–2028) scenarios raise the probability of $100 — conservative to bullish ranges expand (examples: $60–$150 for 2026; $75–$180 for 2027), and bullish projections place a realistic chance of AVAX exceeding $100 between late 2027 and early 2028. Long-term (2029–2030) optimistic cases project $150–$300, though such outcomes require strong adoption and favorable macro/regulatory environments. Key catalysts include institutional adoption, subnet expansion, DeFi growth, major partnerships, protocol upgrades and clearer regulation. Primary risks are competition from Ethereum, Solana and Cardano, security or scaling issues, regulatory setbacks, macro downturns and potential loss of developer interest. Trader guidance emphasizes risk management: diversification, position sizing, dollar-cost averaging, stop-losses, long time horizons, staking for yield and continuous research. Overall, AVAX is presented as having solid fundamentals and a credible path to $100, but reaching that level is conditional on execution, broader market cycles and favorable external catalysts; high volatility and uncertainty remain, so traders should plan for multiple scenarios.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On-chain monitors reported a wave of LINK withdrawals from Binance: over the past three days 11 newly created wallets moved a combined 1,567,000 Chainlink (LINK) — roughly $19.8 million — off the exchange. Earlier reporting had flagged a single wallet that previously withdrew hundreds of thousands of LINK in two transfers (about $2.49M and $3.08M), leaving it with roughly 445,775 LINK. The new report expands the scope, showing the outflows are concentrated across multiple new addresses rather than a lone wallet. No destination patterns, identities, or follow-up on-chain activity were disclosed. Traders should note the size, concentration and timing of these Binance outflows: such transfers can presage large sell-side pressure if moved to trading wallets, or indicate consolidation into cold storage if funds are being secured. Monitor subsequent on-chain movements and order-book activity for signs of liquidation or redistribution.

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.

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.

CoinGecko’s 2025 State of Memecoins report shows the meme coin sector surged to a record $150.6 billion market cap in December 2024, driven by politically themed tokens (so-called “PolitiFi” such as TRUMP and LIBRA), Solana-era launch platforms, and social-media-driven virality. The peak coincided with extreme token issuance—reportedly as many as ~73,000 new token launches per day in January 2025—and practices that increased on-chain risk, including rug pulls, insider-heavy launches, alleged large insider outflows (reported ~$107M from LIBRA), and artificial demand through wallet bundling. Dog-themed tokens (led by DOGE) retained ~47% of sector value even as new narratives (politics, AI) and ecosystem tokens (BONK, FLOKI, DEGEN) spread across chains including Solana, Bitcoin, Base and BNB Chain. Public interest shifted toward the U.S. (rising from ~20% to nearly 30%) but overall attention fell sharply from early 2025 levels. By late 2025 the sector had retraced substantially—estimates show a decline of about 69% (to ~$47.2B) or ~73% (to ~$38B) depending on timing—illustrating how political narratives can produce rapid inflows and equally swift reversals. CoinGecko highlights potential next-phase drivers such as tighter CEX–DeFi integration (in-app on-chain trading from exchanges like Coinbase and Binance) that could reintroduce users while blurring risk exposure. Key takeaways for traders: extreme volatility and elevated scam/rug-pull risk; narrative-driven flows (especially political tokens) can cause sharp short-term moves; market share remains concentrated (DOGE dominant); and cross-chain launch activity and centralized exchange on-chain features could reshape liquidity and risk profiles.

Ethereum (ETH) saw a marked surge in new wallet creation in December, with Santiment reporting daily spikes near 196–197K and a daily average around 163K. Active sending addresses and daily network growth rose to multi‑month highs, producing roughly a 25% increase in network activity versus November and about a 12% rise in active addresses. Holder sentiment shifted from negative in November to neutral–positive by mid‑December, suggesting reduced selling pressure among long‑term holders. Despite these on‑chain improvements, ETH traded range‑bound near $2,800–$3,300 for several weeks, with trading volume still below October averages. Analysts (including Merlijn The Trader and others citing historical parallels from 2015–2018 and 2024 patterns) view the sustained wallet inflows and reaccumulation as signs of renewed demand and potential upside — one projection targets a move toward $3,700 and an outperformance of BTC on the ETH/BTC pair. Key trading signals to monitor: continued new wallet inflows and active‑address growth for demand confirmation; a decisive rise in volume (20%+ above recent averages) to validate a breakout; and price structure around $2,860–$2,900 for accumulation risk management. Watch resistance near $3,700 and leverage/retail participation metrics that could amplify any move.

A single sophisticated entity tied to a large Hyperliquid wallet (0x72b23...) resumed accumulation of HYPE, buying about 490,000 HYPE (~$12.1M) over 14 days. This continues a prior accumulation phase from July–October when the same entity acquired roughly 581,000 HYPE (~$14.4M) and later moved ~323,000 HYPE (~$8.0M) into the Hyperliquid platform—likely for staking, liquidity provision, or platform use—before restarting purchases. On-chain flows show concentrated holder behaviour and increased on-chain demand for HYPE, reducing immediate circulating supply. For traders, the pattern implies stronger buy-side pressure that can be bullish for price if accumulation persists, but it also raises short-term volatility risk because the same large holder moving tokens onto a liquid venue may enable sizable future sells. Track the involved addresses on Etherscan and analytics providers (Nansen, Arkham) and weigh this whale activity against tokenomics, project fundamentals and broader market conditions before trading.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed proposed final consent judgments against former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison and former FTX engineers Gary Wang and Nishad Singh as part of its FTX fraud enforcement. The SEC alleges that from May 2019 to November 2022 FTX and Sam Bankman‑Fried raised over $1.8 billion while misrepresenting risk controls and treating Alameda Research as a regular customer but exempting it from protections. Complaints say Wang and Singh coded systems that diverted customer funds to Alameda and Ellison misused those funds; hundreds of millions were allegedly sent for Alameda investments and personal loans. Ellison, Wang and Singh consented to final judgments without admitting liability: permanent anti‑fraud injunctions and bans from serving as public‑company officers or directors — Ellison for 10 years, Wang and Singh for 8 years — subject to court approval. The action is part of broader SEC enforcement and asset‑recovery efforts tied to the criminal case against Sam Bankman‑Fried. Market reaction was muted: FTX’s native token FTT rose about 6% intraday to roughly $0.51 after the filings but remains over 99% below its all‑time high. For traders: the rulings reinforce regulatory risks around centralized exchanges and governance failures, are unlikely to materially change FTT’s fundamentals, and may modestly affect sentiment toward legacy FTX‑linked assets.

South Korean lawmaker Min Byoung‑duk (Democratic Party) urged the government to speed up stablecoin legislation and implement a won‑pegged stablecoin to protect national payment sovereignty. Speaking at the Global Business Forum in Seoul, Min warned that dollar‑pegged stablecoins are increasingly used in cross‑border payments, trade settlement and remittances, and that Korean firms — including SMEs — are already paying overseas workers and exploring dollar‑denominated stablecoins for international settlements. He argued the policy debate should move from whether to adopt stablecoins to how to implement them, calling for cooperation between regulators and traditional financial institutions and for a legal framework that balances consumer protection and AML with broader digital asset classification. Min proposed a won‑backed stablecoin with distinct domestic use cases (for example, cultural payments or SME services) to capture market share and retain oversight of Korea’s payment infrastructure before foreign stablecoins become entrenched. This signals potential regulatory action and product development that traders should monitor for implications on stablecoin markets, FX flows and regulatory risk in the region.

A long-dormant Ethereum ICO wallet (0xbDb6) moved its entire holding of 2,000 ETH — roughly $5.96 million at reporting — to a new address after more than a decade of inactivity. The wallet’s original ICO investment was about $620, implying an on-chain return near 9,616x. On-chain analytics (flagged by Lookonchain/LookIntoChain) noted the transfer but provided no immediate details about the recipient, intent to sell, or links to known entities. This activity constitutes a renewed on-chain liquidity event that can affect market microstructure, including short-term liquidity provision and price discovery. Traders should monitor the destination address for subsequent distribution, concentrated selling, or gradual reallocation. Key data: 2,000 ETH moved; estimated value ~$5.96M; original ICO cost ~$620; implied ROI ~9,616x. Primary keywords: Ethereum, ETH, ICO wallet, dormant wallet, on-chain transfer, liquidity event.

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 0.75% on Dec. 18, the highest since 1995, marking a break from decades of ultra‑accommodative policy. Markets now price further BOJ normalization and a higher yield environment in Japan, with some JGB maturities trading above 2%. The move tests global funding structures, notably the long‑running yen carry trade that has helped finance leveraged positions across risk assets including Bitcoin. After the announcement, U.S. investors showed net selling of Bitcoin—Coinbase’s retail premium gap turned negative (around -$57 at one point) and on‑chain/exchange flows signaled U.S. outflows. Higher Japanese yields and rising FX hedging costs are making domestic bonds relatively more attractive versus U.S. assets and crypto. Analysts describe a “macro stalemate”: U.S. data could push the Fed toward easing while Japan tightens, creating positioning stress rather than an immediate fundamental collapse. The principal market risk is indirect: sustained higher JGB yields may keep global interest rates elevated, reducing risk appetite and pressuring high‑beta assets like BTC. Traders should monitor JGB yields, USD/JPY moves, FX hedging costs, Coinbase premium and exchange flows, and bond–crypto correlations. Short term, expect heightened volatility and possible selling if carry trades unwind; medium to long term, dynamics are complex—Japan’s still negative real rates could eventually weaken the yen and, depending on global demand for Treasuries and hedging behaviours, create scenarios that are less uniformly negative for Bitcoin.

BlackRock has posted multiple senior and mid-level job openings across the US, Europe and Asia as it scales its digital-assets business. Roles announced by Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s global head of digital assets, cover New York, San Francisco, Wilmington, London, Dublin and Singapore and range from associate to managing director level. Specific vacancies include Digital Assets Associate, Managing Director (including Head of Research), Product Strategist, Fund Services — Digital Asset Tokenization, EMEA Digital Assets Lawyer and financial-crime compliance roles. Job descriptions reference work on crypto assets, stablecoins and tokenization; experience requirements run from 3–6 years for associate roles to 12+ years for senior hires. One New York Managing Director listing shows a $270,000–$350,000 salary range and a hybrid (minimum four days/week) schedule. BlackRock is already a leading issuer of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and launched the first tokenized fund on Ethereum last year. This hiring push signals institutional scaling of crypto capabilities — expect potential acceleration of ETF product rollouts, new tokenized real-world-asset offerings and deeper liquidity or custody programs. Traders should monitor upcoming SEC ETF filings, specific technical and regulatory hires, regional base announcements, and job descriptions for clues on timelines (likely 6–18 months), product scope and market impact.