The token has resistance at the $1.53 and then the $1.64 levels.
Bitcoin is struggling to reclaim the $90,000 level as it continues to test critical demand around the $86,000 zone. After weeks of corrective price action, bulls are finding it increasingly difficult to build a convincing case for trend continuation. Related Reading: XRP Liquidity Dries Up: Futures Buy Volume On Binance Falls from $5.8B to $250M Momentum has faded, upside attempts have been rejected, and market confidence is weakening. As a result, a growing number of analysts are beginning to openly discuss the possibility that Bitcoin is transitioning into a broader bear market phase rather than a temporary pullback within a larger uptrend. This shift in narrative is supported by structural data. In a recent analysis, Axel Adler highlights that Bitcoin’s price action is now aligned with a clear deterioration in market structure. His chart, which combines a composite Structure Shift signal with a Donchian Channel, shows that the indicator has decisively moved into negative territory. The Structure Shift composite ranges from -1 to +1, with values below zero signaling bearish regime dominance. Currently, the signal sits near -0.5, a level historically associated with sustained downside pressure rather than short-lived corrections. At the same time, Bitcoin price has dropped to the lower boundary of the 21-day Donchian Channel and is hovering just above the $85,000 support area. Together, these signals suggest that the market is operating in a risk-off environment, where downside risks remain elevated unless structure improves meaningfully. Bitcoin Structure Confirms Bearish Regime Adler notes that the current position of the Structure Shift composite signal confirms Bitcoin has firmly established itself within a bearish structural zone. With the indicator sitting below zero, the market is no longer in a neutral or transitional phase but operating under sustained downside conditions. According to this framework, the primary trigger for improvement would be a decisive recovery of the composite signal back above the zero threshold, ideally while price continues to hold support within the Donchian Channel. Without that shift, any short-term bounce risks remaining corrective rather than trend-changing. This bearish structure is reinforced by Bitcoin’s Bull-Bear market structure index, which focuses on derivatives dynamics through fast and slow regime components. The latest data shows the bullish component collapsing to just 5%, an extremely low reading that reflects the near absence of constructive long-side momentum. At the same time, the fast bearish component has moved deeper into negative territory, signaling rising seller pressure driven primarily by the futures market. This configuration highlights a critical imbalance. Short-term momentum is firmly controlled by bears, while spot demand has so far proven insufficient to absorb derivatives-led selling pressure. For conditions to improve, the bullish component of the index would need to recover meaningfully, signaling renewed participation from buyers. Taken together, both indicators point to the same conclusion: Bitcoin has undergone a local structural shift into bearish territory. The dominant risk remains continued downside pressure driven by derivatives, especially in the absence of strong spot accumulation. Related Reading: Who Really Sold The Dip? On-Chain Data Exposes Bitcoin’s True Sellers Bitcoin Price Tests Critical Support as Downtrend Persists Bitcoin continues to trade under clear downside pressure. The price now hovers around the $86,500 level after failing to reclaim higher resistance zones. The chart highlights a decisive breakdown below the short- and medium-term moving averages. With BTC trading well beneath the 50-day and 100-day averages. These levels, which previously acted as dynamic support during the uptrend, have now flipped into resistance. Reinforcing the bearish market structure. The most notable technical development is Bitcoin’s interaction with the 200-day moving average, shown in red. Price has briefly tested this long-term support but remains fragile, with follow-through buying notably absent. Historically, sustained trading below faster-moving averages while compressing near the 200-day often signals either a prolonged consolidation phase or the risk of an additional leg lower if demand fails to appear. Related Reading: Why Bitcoin’s Quiet Price Action May Be ‘Dangerous’ – IFP Signals Rising Structural Risk Structurally, Bitcoin remains in a lower-high, lower-low sequence since the October peak near $125K. As long as price remains capped below the $90K–$95K resistance zone, downside risks persist. For bulls to regain control, BTC must first stabilize above current demand and reclaim key moving averages. Signaling that sellers are losing dominance. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
SBI Ripple Asia signed a memorandum of understanding with Doppler Finance to explore XRP-based yield infrastructure and real-world asset tokenization on the XRP Ledger, the firms said Dec. 17. According to information shared with CryptoSlate, firms said they will explore collaboration on yield infrastructure for XRP, which lacks native staking, as well as RWA tokenization […]
The post Ripple and SBI are redefining XRP DeFi, targeting a billion-dollar yield stream that ignores on-chain mechanics appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Google introduces Gemini 3 Flash as the default AI Mode in global search, improving precision and speed in handling complex queries.
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Phantom adds Kalshi prediction markets to its wallet, letting users trade real-world events directly with Solana tokens.
The post Phantom begins rolling out access to Kalshi-powered prediction markets appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
More than 46,000 claimants could potentially receive a payout from a court-approved settlement involving the FTX-tied Silvergate Bank, which shuttered in 2023.
Circle and LianLian Global collaborate to enhance cross-border payments using USDC, aiming for efficient and transparent transactions.
The post Circle partners with LianLian Global to enhance cross-border payments using USDC appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Strong selling pressure overwhelmed positive Coinbase integration news as the psychological $1.90 level failed to hold.
The decline was accompanied by sharp volatility in bitcoin and weakness in U.S. tech stocks, suggesting a return of risk-off sentiment.
The decline in ether contributed to the selling pressure on meme coins, as traders often use ETH as a risk gauge for altcoins.
In this week’s Crypto Long & Short Newsletter, Jared Lenow’s insights on the DOJ’s increased focus on crypto seizures and what it means for the broader industry – the good, the bad and the ugly. Then, we dive into a year end vibe check with two observations, two predictions and reader favorite quotes from 2025 by Andy Baehr.
XRP's price action now faces resistance at the former support levels, with $1.90 as the immediate line of defense.
BitGo and Voltage partner to offer institutional lightning access, enabling fast, low-cost Bitcoin transactions with secure custody.
The post BitGo partners with Voltage to offer institutional access to Lightning Network appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Michael Saylor’s firm Strategy continues to make Bitcoin headlines with its enormous purchases, making it one of the largest holders in the world. Related Reading: TechCrunch Founder Names XRP Among His Largest Crypto Positions Reports show the company owns 671,268 Bitcoin, roughly 3.2% of the total supply, valued at about $58.61 billion at the time of publication, according to Saylor Tracker. Bitcoin entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano said on his podcast that it would be extremely difficult for any other public company to match Strategy’s buying pace. Massive Holdings And Recent Purchase Strategy announced a fresh buy of 10,645 Bitcoin for $980.3 million, paying an average of $92,098 per coin. That move pushed its total hoard to roughly 3.2% of all Bitcoin in existence. Those are large figures. They also show why rivals would need huge sums to close the gap. Pompliano On The Scale Needed To Compete According to comments made on The Pomp Podcast, Pompliano said that a company trying to match Strategy would have to “raise hundreds of billions of dollars.” He said it would be “very hard to see that happening.” He pointed to Strategy’s early entry in 2020, when Saylor’s initial purchase was about $500 million while Bitcoin traded between $9,000 and $10,000. That initial stake, based on current prices cited in reports, is now worth more than $4.8 billion with Bitcoin trading around $86,950. Market Impact And Buying Method Market watchers have flagged Strategy’s growing share as something to watch. Some worry a single large holder could influence price moves. Others note the firm does most of its buying through over-the-counter desks. OTC trades are used to handle big orders without sending shockwaves through exchange order books. Many investors see the regular, large purchases as a positive sign for Bitcoin demand. Holding Strategy And Influence Concerns Pompliano described 3.2% as “a big number, but it’s also a small number.” He added, “It’s not like they own 10%.” That view captures a split: the holding is large enough to matter for supply dynamics and market psychology, but not so large that it gives absolute control. Still, the combination of size and repeated buys draws attention from traders and regulators alike. Outlook And Long Term Plans Reports quote Strategy’s CEO Phong Lee as saying the company probably won’t sell any Bitcoin until at least 2065. Saylor has also posted that he plans on “buying the top forever.” Those statements reinforce a long-term stance rather than short-term trading. The market tends to treat such commitments as bullish, and many participants adjust expectations for future demand accordingly. Related Reading: Ethereum Meets Wall Street: JPMorgan Rolls Out Tokenized Fund A Dominant Buyer With 671,268 Bitcoin on the books and a steady program of purchases, Strategy remains a dominant public buyer. Based on current numbers and public comments, it will be difficult for another listed company to match that level of accumulation without very large capital raises or a dramatic change in corporate behavior. The pace set by Strategy is likely to keep drawing attention from investors watching supply and demand for Bitcoin. Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
Welcome to The Block’s 2026 Digital Assets Outlook Report, a comprehensive analysis of the past year’s developments in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. This report leverages insights from our research team and is designed to provide insights to stakeholders across the digital asset ecosystem, from institutional investors and developers to policymakers and enthusiasts. To access […]
Bitfinex introduces zero trading fees on spot, perpetuals, tokenized assets, and OTC markets for all users, with no eligibility limits.
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Crypto-linked stocks pulled back, with miners like MARA Holdings (MARA) down 4.8% and Core Scientific (CORZ) down 6%.
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 …
Under the pilot, DTC participants will be able to convert entitlements to DTC-held U.S. Treasurys into blockchain-based tokens.
Executives and lobbyists are attending a meeting today with Senator Tim Scott and others to hash out the ongoing talks over crypto's most important policy effort.
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 …
DTCC unveiled plans to issue tokenized securities on Canton Network, the privacy-enabled blockchain built for financial institutions.
Boys Club will retain full control over its creative direction, voice, and business operations,” and maintain its client roster.
Also: Ripple news, Aave protocol debate, and pudgy penguins takeove
Bitcoin liquidations reached $148M as prices surged to $90K before correcting to $87,500, impacting longs and shorts alike.
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It was a blink and you missed it rally as continued deflation in the AI trade sent the Nasdaq sharply lower, dragging crypto along with it.
The malware downloaded by Mark Koh was able to steal wallet credentials without his browser wallets being open.
Robinhood stands to gain more from prediction markets than Coinbase as users plan to deploy fresh capital rather than sell existing crypto, the bank said.
The bank said bipartisan Senate talks on market structure legislation and parallel GENIUS Act rulemaking could deliver a workable U.S. crypto framework by early 2026.
Russia has reiterated its firm stance on crypto, drawing a clear distinction between digital assets and traditional currency. While global debate continues over whether crypto can coexist with national currencies, Russian lawmakers are reinforcing a long-held view. Related Reading: Bitcoin ‘Death Cross’ Panic Returns: History Says It’s A Late Signal Inside the country, payments remain the sole domain of the ruble. The position comes as crypto usage grows worldwide and as Russia experiments with alternative settlement tools for cross-border trade under pressure from sanctions. At the center of the latest comments is Anatoly Aksakov, chair of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets and a key figure behind Russia’s crypto legislation. Speaking to state media, Aksakov said there is no ambiguity in the law. BTC's price records some gains on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview Lawmakers Reinforce Ruble-only Payment Rule In Russia, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum can be held or traded as investments, but they are not permitted to function as a means of payment in domestic commerce, according to lawmaker Anatoly Aksakov. All payments for goods and services must continue to be settled in rubles. Aksakov’s remarks restate provisions introduced in Russia’s 2020 digital assets law, which removed cryptocurrencies from any form of legal tender. Lawmakers argue that money must be issued and controlled by the state, and private digital currencies do not meet that standard. Officials say there are no plans to soften this stance. The rule applies across retail, online services, and business contracts, closing the door on crypto payments regardless of adoption trends or market conditions. Central Bank Skepticism Shapes Policy The Bank of Russia continues to play a decisive role in this approach. Governor Elvira Nabiullina has long warned that cryptocurrencies pose risks to financial stability and consumer protection. The central bank has consistently opposed using crypto as a medium of exchange and has previously pushed for broad restrictions on exchanges and transactions. This position has led to years of friction with the Ministry of Finance, which favored regulation and taxation over outright limits. While several legislative proposals emerged from that debate, none altered the core prohibition on crypto payments. Today, policymakers appear to be aligned in preserving the ruble’s monopoly. Cross-Border Use Grows Despite Domestic Ban Although crypto is barred from internal payments, Russian authorities acknowledge its growing role in international trade. Businesses are permitted to use digital assets for cross-border settlements under an experimental legal regime, a workaround that has gained traction amid global financial restrictions. Officials estimate that billions of dollars’ worth of trade has already moved through such channels. Similarly, Russia has legalized cryptocurrency mining and is tightening oversight of the sector, underscoring a split strategy, limited use abroad, and strict control at home. Related Reading: The Bearish Structure That Puts Bitcoin Price At $92,550, And Then $82,000 That divide alone defines Russia’s crypto policy. Digital assets may serve as investment tools or external settlement instruments, but inside the country, the ruble remains the only means of payment. Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview