Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP traded carefully on Friday as global investors watched the expiry of about $7.1 trillion worth of U.S. stock and ETF options. This is the largest options expiry ever recorded, and its size has raised concerns about short-term market volatility. Still, analysts say such events do not automatically lead to a sharp …
Bybit has reentered the U.K. after a two-year pause, reopening access to spot trading on about 100 crypto pairs for local users. Instead of operating directly, the exchange is using a structure that aligns with the Financial Conduct Authority’s strict financial promotion rules by routing services and marketing through London-based, FCA-regulated crypto exchange Archax. This …
Bitcoin prices swung sharply around the opening of U.S. markets this week, triggering large liquidations and renewing debate over the role of derivatives, liquidity and timing in the world’s largest cryptocurrency. Bitcoin saw fast moves higher and lower within short time frames, leading to the forced closure of both bullish and bearish leveraged positions, according …
While Bitcoin and most altcoins are still testing key levels, Zcash has already delivered one of the strongest rallies of the year. But according to Real Vision CEO Raoul Pal, this explosive move may not signal the start of a lasting bull run. Instead, he believes Zcash’s surge looks more like capital rotating into niche …
The U.S Senate has confirmed two regulators with openly pro-crypto views to lead key financial agencies, signaling a clear shift toward more constructive oversight. The confirmations passed as part of a broader package of nominations in a 53–43 Senate vote, marking a notable shift in the regulatory tone toward digital assets. Mike Selig has been …
Solana (SOL) is currently one of the poorest performers among the top ten largest cryptocurrencies in the market, experiencing a sharp 13% decline over the past week. Bearish Patterns Emerge For Solana This downturn comes as the cryptocurrency has broken below the critical support level of $120, which had acted as a pivotal floor since the start of the month and previously prevented further drops. The situation appears even more dire for investors with bullish sentiments, as recent data from CoinGecko indicates that Solana has retraced nearly 60% from its all-time high of $293, reached back in January of this year. Year-to-date, the token has experienced a significant loss of 40%, which raises additional concerns among top analysts about its near-term stability. Related Reading: Optimism Grows In Crypto Market Structure Bill After Wednesday’s Senate Banking Meeting Experts are cautioning that unless conditions change, the Solana price may soon retest the $100 mark—an area not seen since April. Should this scenario materialize, it would imply an additional drop of approximately 15.9%. Some analysts, like market commentator EddieTradezz, have pointed to a bearish “head and shoulders” pattern formed in SOL’s daily chart, suggesting that Solana is on the brink of a substantial decline. He notes that it is now breaking through strong long-term resistance, with April’s lows around $95 potentially being a more realistic target than $100. Adding to the bearish sentiment, fellow expert ColdBloodShill has indicated that Solana may be heading toward a price point of $80, which would result in a drastic additional drop of 32%. However, as EddieTradezz mentioned, the possibility for recovery would largely depend on market-wide conditions and investor sentiment. Institutional Interest Grows As SOL ETFs See Major Inflows Despite the prevailing bearish indicators, there has been a noteworthy development on the institutional front. Recently approved Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US have seen impressive uptake, amassing $63.9 million in net inflows over the past week. This suggests that institutions are beginning to accumulate Solana, potentially viewing it as a long-term investment opportunity. However, this positive news has been overshadowed by heavy selling pressure in spot markets. Related Reading: Bitwise’s 2026 Crypto Forecast: Bitcoin, Ethereum, And Solana Poised For New Record Highs Increased volatility has led to a rise in liquidations for leveraged positions, dampening Solana’s price reaction to the overall positive developments in institutional interest. Ultimately, Solana’s future remains uncertain. While institutional interest may offer some hope, the immediate outlook is clouded by increased selling pressure and the inability to regain capital in the broader market, which has recently dropped below the $2.90 trillion mark in total market capitalization. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Coinbase Global Inc. sued Michigan, Illinois, and Connecticut, challenging their attempts to regulate prediction markets as gambling. The crypto giant argues that only the CFTC has exclusive jurisdiction over these event contracts. This comes after Coinbase partnered with Kalshi to join the $27.9 billion market on elections, sports, and economy. Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal noted …
Crypto payment platform MoonPay is poised to receive a significant fundraising boost as recent reports suggest that Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), is exploring an investment in the company. According to a Bloomberg report, which cited sources familiar with the discussions, MoonPay is close to finalizing this fundraising round and is targeting a valuation around $5 billion. New Regulatory Approval And Investment Talks Based in New York, MoonPay specializes in simplifying the trading of cryptocurrencies through various payment methods, including PayPal, Apple Pay, and Venmo. The platform also offers tools for users to send, receive, and manage stablecoins. Notably, MoonPay recently obtained a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), a significant regulatory approval that complements its existing BitLicense. Related Reading: Bitwise’s 2026 Crypto Forecast: Bitcoin, Ethereum, And Solana Poised For New Record Highs This charter enables MoonPay to expand its custody and other crypto services within New York, placing the company in league with established players like Coinbase (COIN) and PayPal, which also operate under the state’s strict digital asset regulations. The momentum for MoonPay continues to build, particularly with news that Caroline Pham, the acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), plans to join the firm as its chief legal and administrative officer. CFTC Chair Caroline Pham to Join MoonPay Pham has been a notable figure in the regulatory landscape, having served on the CFTC’s board since April 2022 and becoming acting chair in January 2025. She announced her intention to return to the private sector once a permanent chair was confirmed, which is expected to happen this week with Mike Selig’s anticipated confirmation. Under Pham’s leadership, the CFTC expedited several initiatives focused on cryptocurrencies, including the allowance for spot crypto trading on futures exchanges and the launch of a digital assets pilot program permitting the use of assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in derivatives markets. Additionally, Pham implemented various operational changes within the CFTC, reportedly leading to nearly $50 million in annual savings by enhancing governance and accountability. Related Reading: Optimism Grows In Crypto Market Structure Bill After Wednesday’s Senate Banking Meeting Pham articulated that her agenda as acting chair concentrated on executing a range of presidential executive orders aimed at promoting regulatory clarity and efficiency across government agencies. Reflecting on her decision to join MoonPay, she emphasized the importance of people in her career choices, stating that meaningful connections guide her decisions. Her connection to MoonPay began through a dinner hosted by Christie’s Art + Tech in 2023, where she met MoonPay’s president, Keith Grossman. A conversation that started at the dinner evolved into a friendship and later professional discussions as Pham considered her options post-government. Grossman expressed confidence in Pham’s capabilities, stating, “MoonPay has really matured, and Caroline is the exact type of leader with the exact type of big bank and regulatory experience that’s needed for us to be able to move to the next level.” Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
XRP-linked exchange-traded funds crossed $60 million in assets under management on December 17. The milestone comes even as XRP’s spot price continues to weaken, puzzling investors who expected ETF inflows to support prices. XRP was trading around $1.79, down more than 4% on the day, at the time of writing. Institutional Buying Follows Lengthy Approval …
The crypto market has turned red today, with tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP trading lower. The total crypto market value has dropped to about $2.97 trillion, down more than 2% in the last 24 hours, as investors remain cautious. Even though some positive economic news has come out, traders are still selling risk assets, …
The broader crypto market has been under pressure in recent weeks, with prices moving lower. Bitcoin has slipped below $88,000, Ethereum has dropped more than 1%, and several altcoins have followed the downward trend. Despite this pullback, one area of the market is clearly standing out: XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While Bitcoin and Ether ETFs …
The US financial landscape witnessed good numbers on December 18 from an key 3-star news. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report has just revealed a much sharper decline in price pressures than analysts were anticipating before. This cooling US inflation is currently sitting at a headline rate of 2.7% year-over-year, which has caught the …
For years, crypto investors have relied on one idea more than almost any other: the Bitcoin four-year cycle. Buy after the crash, wait for the halving, sell into the bull market, repeat. Simple. Predictable. Almost like a cheat code. Popular crypto analyst Lark Davis recently revisited this idea and raised an uncomfortable question: What if …
XRP is back in focus after a fresh signal appeared on the weekly chart. The weekly RSI for XRP has fallen to 33, which usually means the price is getting close to oversold levels. In the past, XRP has often bounced when RSI moved this low. Because of this, many traders are now watching closely …
Taiwan has joined the growing list of governments holding Bitcoin, not as an investment strategy but as a result of law enforcement activity. The country’s Ministry of Justice has confirmed it currently holds 210.45 BTC in seized assets, securely stored as legal evidence. While the amount may seem modest compared to corporate treasuries, the move …
Kraken is launching its xStocks product on the TON blockchain, now available through Telegram’s TON Wallet. This integration lets users trade tokenized stocks directly within Telegram, offering a simple and familiar interface. By combining Kraken’s robust trading platform with TON’s fast blockchain and Telegram’s large user base, the move aims to make digital assets more …
The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November will be released today at 8:30 AM ET, following the cancellation of the October report due to the government shutdown. Analysts anticipate a 3.1 % headline CPI and 3.0 % core CPI, with month-over-month growth around 0.3 %. With no monthly CPI data available, investors are closely watching the annual figures …
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the network still falls short of being truly “trustless,” arguing that decentralization is not just about open-source code or distributed validators, but also about how many people can understand how the system works. According to Buterin, when only a small group of experts can fully follow the protocol, trust quietly …
A proposed rule change by MSCI is quickly becoming a major talking point across traditional finance and crypto markets. Analysts warn the move could trigger billions of dollars in forced selling, not just in stocks, but potentially spilling into Bitcoin itself. At the center of the debate is how crypto-heavy public companies are treated inside …
In its latest report, asset manager and exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuer, Bitwise, has shared an optimistic 2026 outlook for the crypto market, anticipating significant growth, while predicting new all-time highs for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). Megatrends In Crypto? Bitwise begins by asserting that Bitcoin is poised to break free from its traditional four-year price cycle, setting the stage for new records. Several factors contribute to this bullish forecast. The dynamics of past cycles, including the Bitcoin Halving, interest rate fluctuations, and market booms and busts fueled by leverage, are expected to be less impactful in the coming years. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bottom Forecast: Top Expert Predicts $40,000 Target Next Year, Here’s The Analysis Notably, the entry of large institutions like Citi, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Merrill Lynch into the crypto space is anticipated to accelerate institutional allocations toward spot ETFs and enhance on-chain developments by 2026. As a result, Bitcoin is projected to become less volatile, even indicating that it has demonstrated lower volatility than tech giant Nvidia throughout 2025. The report also expresses strong optimism for Ethereum and Solana, particularly contingent upon the passing of the CLARITY Act. Bitwise believes that the growth of stablecoins and tokenization represents significant “megatrends,” with both Ethereum and Solana positioned to be the primary beneficiaries of this trend. ETFs To Acquire New Market Supply Institutional demand is forecasted to surge, with ETFs expected to acquire more than 100% of the new supply of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. By 2026, Bitwise expects that most institutional investors will have access to crypto ETFs. As Bitwise projects the new supply hitting the market, estimates indicate roughly 166,000 Bitcoin valued at $15.3 billion, 960,000 Ethereum around $3.0 billion, and 23 million Solana coins amounting to $3.2 billion. However, the firm anticipates that ETFs will likely purchase even more than these figures suggest. The report further highlights that crypto equities are expected to outperform traditional tech stocks. While tech shares have surged by 140% over the past three years, crypto equities have significantly outpaced them. The Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Index, which tracks companies providing crucial infrastructure and services for crypto assets, has rocketed by 585% during the same time frame. Bitwise believes this momentum will persist into 2026, driven by potential revenue growth, mergers and acquisitions, and a favorable regulatory landscape. Stablecoins As Scapegoats For Economic Woes As stablecoins gain traction, Bitwise cautions that they may become scapegoats for destabilizing emerging market currencies. Currently valued at nearly $300 billion, the market for stablecoins, which include tokenized versions of the US dollar like USDT and USDC, is predicted to reach $500 billion by the end of 2026. With this rise, it’s anticipated that one or two countries may blame stablecoins for their financial troubles, despite the reality that people would not turn to stablecoins if their local currencies were stable. Related Reading: Cantor Fitzgerald Projects Major Growth For Hyperliquid (HYPE) In Explosive New Report Additionally, Bitwise forecasts the launch of over 100 crypto-linked ETFs in the United States, following the SEC’s issuance of new listing standards that enable these funds to enter the market under a unified regulatory framework. This regulatory clarity sets the stage for what Bitwise dubs “ETF-palooza” in 2026. Lastly, the firm predicts that half of Ivy League endowments will likely invest in cryptocurrencies, and that on-chain vault assets under management will double in the coming years. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $86,165, having recorded major losses of 2% and almost 7% over the past 24 hours and seven days respectively. Currently, the leading crypto is trading 31.8% below its all-time high of $126,000. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
On Wednesday, a bipartisan meeting of the Senate Banking Committee, led by Senator Tim Scott, offered a cautiously optimistic outlook for discussions surrounding the anticipated crypto market structure bill. Despite the absence of any markup hearings scheduled for this week, industry representatives and senators engaged in what many considered a productive dialogue regarding the evolving legislative landscape. Senators Collaborate With Industry Leaders Key figures from major crypto firms were among the attendees, including executives from Coinbase (COIN), Kraken, Chainlink, a16z, and Ripple, who have been increasingly involved in discussions aimed at fostering the positive growth of digital assets in the country. According to Eleanor Terret from Crypto In America, the atmosphere of the meeting was described as “constructive and collaborative.” Senators from both parties engaged actively with industry representatives, asking insightful questions and exploring the nuances of the proposed bill text. Related Reading: Cantor Fitzgerald Projects Major Growth For Hyperliquid (HYPE) In Explosive New Report Participating senators included Democrats Mark Warner and Catherine Cortez Masto, who were noted for their engagement and for posing significant questions to both the industry representatives and Senate Banking staff. Three key areas of ongoing negotiation emerged from the discussions: the classification of tokens—distinguishing between securities and commodities, the roles of stablecoin interest versus rewards, and discussions surrounding decentralized finance (DeFi). The meeting’s update follows earlier confirmation from a committee spokesperson that the Banking Committee will not conduct a markup hearing prior to the upcoming Christmas break. Instead, the committee intends to monitor the bill’s progress for potential action in early 2026. Intensified Talks On Crypto Regulation In a statement released earlier this week, Jeff Naft, spokesperson for Chair Scott, emphasized the committee’s commitment to pursuing a bipartisan approach to address the complexities of digital asset market legislation. “Chairman Scott and the Senate Banking Committee have made strong progress,” Naft noted, underscoring continued efforts to establish a new regulatory framework that would enhance clarity for the crypto sector and position the United States as a leader in the digital assets arena. Negotiations have intensified over the past week, with Republican members of the Banking Committee working closely with their Democratic counterparts to seek a viable compromise. Related Reading: SEC Wraps Up Investigation Into Aave Protocol, Confirms CEO Stani Kulechov However, Democrats have also consistently called for additional time in the piece of legislation to address various concerns, particularly regarding financial stability, market integrity, and ethical considerations. Specific ethics concerns have arisen related to President Donald Trump and his family’s involvement in crypto-related business ventures, which reportedly have added to their wealth. As Congress prepares to reconvene after the holiday break, immediate attention will shift to federal government funding, with the current funding bill set to expire on January 30. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Coinbase revealed major expansions at its December 17 System Update event in San Francisco, launching stock trading for major U.S. stocks and ETFs with 24/5 access and zero fees, along with perpetual futures starting early next year for users outside the U.S. Prediction markets will launch through a Kalshi integration, offering thousands of regulated event …
Cryptocurrency markets are facing heightened volatility as the Bank of Japan (BOJ) prepares to raise interest rates, a move that could have ripple effects on Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and other digital assets globally. BOJ Prepares Historic Rate Increase Japan has maintained ultra-low interest rates for decades to stimulate economic growth through cheap borrowing. However, rising …
Cryptocurrency prices are under pressure today, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP all trading lower as global market sentiment turns red. The total crypto market value has slipped to around $2.92 trillion, down nearly 2%, while investor sentiment remains weak. Bitcoin fell toward the $86,000 level after another volatile session. There were sharp price swings, with …
The launch of the first XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) has turned into one of the fastest-growing ETF stories in recent years, according to Sal Gilbertie, CEO of Teucrium Trading. In an interview with Zach Rector, Gilbertie said bringing the first XRP-linked ETF to market felt especially meaningful because of his long background in commodities and …
Bitcoin’s sharp pullback from record highs has left investors searching for direction, and Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz says the market may need more time before confidence fully returns. Speaking about the current market setup, Novogratz said price action, not sentiment, is giving the clearest signals. He pointed to Bitcoin’s prolonged battle around the $100,000 …
Crypto investors are closely watching Japan this week, as the Bank of Japan prepares for a major policy decision that could impact Bitcoin, XRP and the broader digital asset market. Japan is expected to raise interest rates again, a move that has historically triggered volatility across risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Why Japan’s Decision Matters for …
The SOL price is once again under pressure, but not without context. After slipping from $134 earlier this week, Solana now hovers near a long-term support range that has historically defined its most of the broader trend since 2024. As macro risks rise with BOJ in picture, traders are weighing whether this SOL/USD zone marks …
The world’s highest IQ holder has said XRP could surpass Ethereum in market value in 2026 adding to a growing debate over the future of the two major cryptocurrencies. YoungHoon Kim, who claims an IQ score of 276, said in a social media post that XRP could overtake Ethereum’s market capitalization by 2026. He added …
The Ethena price has returned to a critical zone this mid-december that previously marked the start of a powerful rally in 2024. While the current short-term price action can’t be ignored as it remains strongly subdued by macro sentiment. But, a combination of technical positioning and improving on-chain metrics is drawing renewed attention to Ethena …