Lighter is set to allocate half of the token supply to the ecosystem, while the remaining half is allocated to the team and investors.
South Korean regulators remain deadlocked over who can issue stablecoins, delaying progress on a new comprehensive digital asset framework.
Metaplanet Inc. has successfully completed the issuance of 23.61 million Class B Preferred Shares (“MERCURY”) via a third-party allotment, raising ¥21.25 billion. Major investors include Nautical Funding Ltd., SMALLCAP World Fund, and select Anson and Ghisallo funds. Each share was issued at ¥900, boosting capital stock and reserves by ¥10.62 billion each. Following the allotment, …
Stablecoins are quickly shedding their image as tools meant only for crypto trading. Today, they are becoming a serious settlement layer for global finance, processing volumes that now rival, and in some cases exceed, traditional banking and payment networks. Ripple sees this shift as a major inflection point, one that could redefine how money moves …
Standard Chartered Bank has turned bullish on XRP, predicting a potential 330% price rise by 2026. The prediction comes at a time when crypto markets are slowly recovering from their recent market drop. Meanwhile, this bullish prediction is supported by growing institutional inflows into XRP ETFs and clearer regulations that are boosting investor confidence. Standard …
BUIDL tokens are used in crypto market infrastructure and as collateral, bridging traditional finance and blockchain technology.
Democrat Maxine Waters demands an SEC oversight hearing after the agency dropped major cases against Coinbase, Binance, and other crypto firms.
Bitcoin selling pressure from long time hodlers is finally abating and Ether whales are adding to their holdings. Markets remain bearish however.
Story Highlights The live price of the Beldex token is BDX could attempt a recovery toward $0.14–$0.227 by 2026 if demand for privacy-focused Web3 tools increases. By 2030, BDX may move toward $0.817 if confidential ecosystems gain wider acceptance. Beldex BDX is building a particular corner of Web3, one where privacy is the default, not …
After setting a new all-time high back in early October, the Bitcoin price entered into an extended downtrend period, losing over $40,000 of its value to drop below $90,000. During this time, sentiment and market participation have understandably been negative, with investors pulling back from the cryptocurrency. However, with the year drawing to an end, a crypto analyst has explained what is expected for Bitcoin next, and why investors aren’t ready for what’s coming. Why Bitcoin Price Could Be Gearing Up For A Big Move Pseudonymous analyst Crypto Waterman took to X to outline the reasons why they believe that Bitcoin could be on the verge of a breakout. While many believe that the top is in, Waterman argues the opposite, using the trends from previous cycle tops to show why the Bitcoin price is yet to top. Related Reading: Can XRP Price Reach $10,000? Expert Says It’s Different Math, Different League For one, the analyst argues that pullbacks like these are part of each cycle, and the previous cycles were no different. But other than the pullback, there is also the gold and silver trend, with both having hit all-time highs in December 2025, while Bitcoin has continued to struggle. Waterman explained that in previous cycles, both gold and silver hit new all-time highs before the Bitcoin price followed later. As such, with both of these assets already hitting new peaks, the crypto analyst believes that leaving Bitcoin to buy gold and silver isn’t a smart choice. Additionally, one of the major markers of a Bitcoin cycle top has been the performance of the Coinbase app on the App Store. In past cycles, Coinbase had risen to number 1 before Bitcoin peaked. Meanwhile, it only reached Number 280 in October when BTC made its $126,000 all-time high. Thus, it suggests that this isn’t the top. Why This Is Not The Top Other factors are also mentioned as to why this is not the top for the Bitcoin price, one of which is the altcoin market performance. Altcoins have continued to struggle during this time, with major alts being down between 60% and 80% from their all-time highs and no sign of an altcoin season in sight. Related Reading: Investment Firm CEO Drops Utility Bomb On XRP, Is Community Hype A Detriment? The Crypto Fear & Greed Index also did not cross the 90 mark this cycle, suggesting that euphoria did not reach its peak, as well as the MVRV Z-Score remaining below 3, when the trend is for the Z-Score to reach above 6 before it tops. Given this, the crypto analyst suggests that a number of things will happen. Investors who exited the market back in early 2025 are expected to move back in. Then, those who left in 2024 will follow, and then the 2021-2022 investor cohort will return. Finally, new retail investors join the market, which will be the signal to exit the market. Featured image from Dall.E, chart from TradingView.com
Asian stocks cooled after a seven-day winning streak, while global equities dipped for the first time in eight sessions.
Open interest rose above $1.5 billion, indicating futures traders' continued exposure.
Technical analysis suggests a defensive market stance, with XRP struggling to reclaim resistance levels and momentum indicators showing oversold conditions.
Widespread protests took place in Iran’s capital after the rial slid to record lows, prompting Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley to argue Bitcoin could help Iranians protect their savings.
Solana (SOL) is retesting a make-or-break area that could set the stage for a major move at the start of next year. Some analysts have suggested that altcoin’s chart signals a bearish performance for the coming months. Related Reading: Here’s Why Bitcoin Advocate Max Keiser Restates Bullish Outlook For 2025 Solana Faces Another Rejection From Key Resistance After hitting a three-week high of $130 on Sunday, Solana started the week with a 6.1% correction to the $122 area. The cryptocurrency recently breached below its macro support around the $120 zone, hitting an eight-month low of $116 in mid-December. Since then, the altcoin has been trading between the $120-$126 mark, attempting to break out of the local resistance multiple times but ultimately being rejected after each retest. SOL’s price surged around 5.6% toward during Sunday’s broader market bounce, trying to build a base below the crucial resistance level before plunging after the early Monday correction. Amid this performance, market observer Crypto Jobs pointed out that Solana had broken out of a six-week falling wedge, which could target the $144-$146 area if momentum holds and price confirms a retest of the breakout. However, the star-of-week pullback has momentarily sent SOL below the pattern’s upper boundary. Analyst Man of Bitcoin also highlighted that the cryptocurrency had broken above a one-month downtrend line, which suggested an initial move toward the $129-$130 area. The analyst explained that “holding above the broken trendline is key to maintaining upside momentum,” but noted that as long as the price remains below $146, a scenario where price is headed for one more low, around the $100-105 horizontal support, remains likely. Following the Monday rejection, he affirmed that “it could be that wave-4 is already complete. A decisive break below the trendline would confirm this further.” SOL’s Higher Timeframe Chart Shows Troubling Signs Market watcher Elite Crypto affirmed that Solana “doesn’t look very strong” on the higher timeframe, pointing to a multi-year bearish pattern potentially forming on SOL’s chart. According to X analysis, the cryptocurrency has been developing a Head and Shoulder pattern since early 2024, with the neckline sitting around the $105 area in the weekly timeframe. The char shows that left shoulder formed during the Q1 2024 rally, while the head and right shoulder formed during its rally to its latest all-time high (ATH) in Q1 and Q3 2025 breakouts, respectively. “If $SOL loses the $105 support then the price could move down to the $75–$51 range and this phase may last until mid 2026,” the investor detailed, adding that “after this period, the overall trend for SOL can turn bullish and set up a better move ahead.” Similarly, Henry from Lord of Alts suggested that Solana has formed a double top formation with the neckline around the current levels instead of a Head and Shoulders pattern. Related Reading: Bitcoin Nears Red Yearly Close: Galaxy Digital Explains The Setup Per the analyst, “We put in a clean double top, rolled over, and now price is going back toward a zone that’s acted as real support before.” If the altcoin fails to hold the current support, its price could retrace toward the $60 mark, the chart shows. Moreover, he added that SOL’s price could also risk a drop to the $35 area in the coming months as there’s “a big gap below that market hasn’t dealt with yet.” Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum price started a decent upward move but failed near $3,050. ETH is now struggling and might continue to move down below $2,900. Ethereum started a recovery wave but struggled above $3,000. The price is trading below $2,950 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a short-term contracting triangle forming with resistance at $2,930 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move down if it breaks below the $2,880 zone. Ethereum Price Dips Again Ethereum price started a recovery wave above the $2,920 and $2,950 levels, like Bitcoin. ETH price even climbed above the $3,000 resistance before the bears appeared. A high was formed at $3,053, and the price started another decline. There was a sharp decline below $3,000 and $2,980. The bears even pushed the price below $2,950. A low was formed at $2,907 and the price is now consolidating losses below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,053 swing high to the $2,907 low. Ethereum price is now trading above $2,950 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If the bulls are able to protect more losses below $2,900, the price could attempt another recovery wave. Immediate resistance is seen near the $2,940 level. Besides, there is a short-term contracting triangle forming with resistance at $2,930 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first key resistance is near the $2,955 level. The next major resistance is near the $2,980 level. It is close to the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,053 swing high to the $2,907 low. A clear move above the $2,950 resistance might send the price toward the $3,000 resistance. An upside break above the $3,000 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,050 resistance zone or even $3,120 in the near term. Another Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,955 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,900 level. The first major support sits near the $2,880 zone. A clear move below the $2,880 support might push the price toward the $2,840 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,800 region. The next key support sits at $2,720. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is gaining momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,900 Major Resistance Level – $2,955
Analysts are split on whether Bitcoin’s typical four-year cycle has ended in 2025, with institutional ETFs and regulatory shifts cited as key factors.
The venture capitalist argues 2026 will favor proven crypto infrastructure, while several fast-growing segments reshape how the industry expands.
The reactivation of the exploiter's wallet highlights ongoing challenges in tracking and recovering stolen crypto assets in decentralized finance.
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With Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices facing significant corrections, the two largest publicly traded holders of these cryptocurrencies, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and Bitmine Immersion, have made substantial moves to bolster their portfolios over the past week. Strategy Resumes Bitcoin Acquisitions On Monday, Strategy announced that, between 22 and 28 December, it had acquired 1,129 Bitcoin at an average price of around $88,568 each, totaling approximately $108.8 million. This latest purchase increased Strategy’s Bitcoin portfolio to 672,497 tokens, originally acquired for roughly $74,997 per token, making the total investment approximately $50.44 billion. Related Reading: Bitcoin Nears Red Yearly Close: Galaxy Digital Explains The Setup Alongside these acquisitions, the company sold $108.8 million in Class A common stock under its at-the-market equity offering, leaving a major $11.7 billion still available for future issuance and sale. This follows the week after 24 November, during which the company did not make any new crypto acquisitions or issue any securities. Notably, Strategy also paused its purchasing activities between 15 and 21 December, ending a three-week streak of acquisitions. During this time, it sold common stock amounting to $747.8 million. Bitmine Stashes 4,110,525 Ethereum On the other side, Bitmine Immersion has disclosed a significant increase in its Ethereum holdings, adding 44,463 ETH in just the past week. This move brings its total stash to 4,110,525 ETH, which constitutes about 3.41% of the entire Ethereum supply. Out of this cache, Bitmine has staked 408,627 ETH. Tom Lee, the Chairman of Fundstrat and a key figure at Bitmine, commented on the market’s seasonal activity, noting that trading tends to slow as the year draws to a close. He stated, “Bitmine added 44,463 ETH in the past week, as we continue to be the largest ‘fresh money’ buyer of ETH in the world.” Lee attributed the downward pressure on cryptocurrency and related equities to year-end tax-loss selling, which typically peaks between December 26 and December 30. Emphasizing Bitmine’s strategic focus, Lee remarked that the company remains dedicated to enhancing shareholder value. This commitment involves accretively acquiring ETH per share, optimizing yields, and income on its Ethereum holdings. Crypto Market Woes Despite these acquisitions, both cryptocurrencies have failed to regain their key levels, with BTC consolidating below $90,000 at around $87,400 and ETH trading just above $2,920. On a year-to-date basis, both ETH and BTC are set to close 2025 with losses of 12% and 6%, respectively. Related Reading: Ethereum’s Quiet Bounce Faces A Bigger Test Above $3,550 Strategy’s stock, which trades under the ticker name MSTR, is currently priced at around $156 per share. This represents a substantial 71% decline from the all-time high of $540 reached in November 2024. At the time of writing, Bitmine’s BMNR stock was trading at $28.40, having recorded an even greater loss than Strategy when compared to its all-time high price of $161. This equates to an 82% loss for the company’s stock since July of this year. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
America has recently taken steps to dissuade foreign governments from censoring US-based platforms, including the proposed GRANITE Act and sanctions against five EU officials.
Bitcoin price failed to clear $90,000 and trimmed all gains. BTC is now consolidating losses and might struggle to stay above $86,500. Bitcoin started a recovery wave but failed to surpass $90,000. The price is trading below $88,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There is a declining channel forming with resistance at $87,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might continue to move down if it trades below the $86,500 zone. Bitcoin Price Dips Sharply Bitcoin price attempted a fresh increase above $88,500 and started a recovery wave. BTC even climbed above the $89,000 barrier but struggled near $90,000. A high was formed at $90,298 before the bears appeared. There was a sharp downside reaction below $89,000. BTC trimmed all gains and even dived below $88,000. A low was formed at $86,700, and the price is now consolidating losses below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $90,298 swing high to the $86,700 low. Bitcoin is now trading below $88,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $86,500, it could attempt a fresh recovery wave. Immediate resistance is near the $87,500 level. Besides, there is a declining channel forming with resistance at $87,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The first key resistance is near the $88,000 level. The next resistance could be $88,500 and the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $90,298 swing high to the $86,700 low. A close above the $88,500 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $89,200 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $90,000 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $90,500 and $91,200. Another Decline In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $88,500 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $86,500 level. The first major support is near the $86,000 level. The next support is now near the $85,500 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $85,000 support in the near term. The main support sits at $83,500, below which BTC might accelerate lower in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $87,500, followed by $88,000. Major Resistance Levels – $86,500 and $86,000.
On-chain data shows the Bitcoin price is currently floating around the cost basis of the Active Investors, suggesting this cohort is at break-even. Bitcoin Is Trading At The Active Investors Mean In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Glassnode has shared an update on where the major Bitcoin on-chain levels currently stand. There are four pricing models of interest here, the most basic of which is the Realized Price. The Realized Price basically keeps track of the cost basis or acquisition level of the average investor on the BTC network. The spot price trading above this line means that the holders as a whole are in a state of net unrealized profit, while the reverse situation suggests the dominance of loss in the market. Related Reading: XRP Exchange Inflows Spike To End 2025: Will Price Decline Deepen? Below is the chart shared by Glassnode that shows the trend in this metric over the last few years. As displayed in the graph, the Bitcoin spot price crossed above the Realized Price back at the start of 2023, and since then, its value has remained above the indicator. At present, the Realized Price is sitting at $56,200, which means that the network as a whole is in a significant amount of profit at the current spot price. While the Realized Price does provide an overall view of the blockchain, it doesn’t tend to be too useful outside of bear markets as the asset rarely interacts with it. This is a consequence of the fact that it accounts for all tokens in circulation, even the ones that have become inaccessible due to lost wallet keys. Two other models in the chart, the True Market Mean and Active Realized Price, exist to solve this issue. These indicators only provide the cost basis of the active market participants. That is, the Bitcoin investors who have recently been involved in transaction activity. The first model, the True Market Mean, is situated at $81,100 right now. This is around where the cryptocurrency found its bottom when it crashed in November. Meanwhile, the Active Realized Price corresponds to $87,700, which is the level about which BTC has recently been consolidating. Related Reading: XRP Triangle Hints At Potential 10% Move—But In Which Direction? As Bitcoin is currently trading right at the Active Realize Price, the investors holding the economically active supply can be assumed to be just breaking even on their investment. While the active traders as a whole have a neutral profitability, the same isn’t true for a segment of them known as the short-term holders (STHs). Formally, the STHs are defined as the addresses who acquired their coins within the past 155 days. With the Bitcoin STH Realized Price equal to $99,900 at the moment, this cohort is in a state of net loss. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $87,700, down 2.6% in the last seven days. Featured image from Dall-E, Glassnode.com, chart from TradingView.com
An Investigation from ZachXBT traced the suspect through posts gloating on social media and Telegram activity.
Chainlink is trading under sustained pressure as the price continues to struggle below the $13 level, failing to regain the bullish momentum that defined earlier phases of the market cycle. Repeated attempts to reclaim higher ground have been rejected, reinforcing a cautious outlook among traders. As broader market sentiment remains fragile, a growing number of analysts are warning that LINK could face additional downside before a meaningful recovery takes shape. Related Reading: Trust Wallet Exploit Drains $7M: Hundreds Of Users Affected Despite the weak price action, on-chain data tells a more nuanced story. Analyst at CryptoQuant, known as CryptoOnchain, reports that recent market data reveals a compelling convergence between on-chain metrics and technical structure, pointing to growing accumulation activity at current levels. While price remains compressed, underlying behavior suggests that larger market participants may be positioning quietly rather than exiting. This divergence between declining price and improving on-chain signals is often observed during transitional phases of the market, when selling pressure begins to fade, but confidence has not yet returned. According to CryptoOnchain, indicators tracking exchange flows and holder behavior show signs of significant buying interest emerging beneath the surface, even as LINK struggles to attract speculative demand. Exchange Outflows and Long-Term Support Point to Accumulation The analysis highlights a notable shift in Chainlink’s on-chain and technical dynamics, starting with exchange netflows. According to the Binance Altcoins Token Netflow 7-day chart, Chainlink has seen a substantial withdrawal from Binance over the past week, with total outflows approaching $50 million. This magnitude stands out when compared with other large-cap altcoins such as Uniswap (UNI) or The Sandbox (SAND), which have not experienced similar capital movements over the same period. In on-chain analysis, large and sustained exchange outflows are commonly interpreted as a reduction in immediate selling pressure. Rather than preparing to sell, holders appear to be moving LINK into self-custody or long-term storage, signaling a shift toward holding behavior. This type of activity is often associated with accumulation phases, particularly when it occurs during periods of weak price action. At the same time, the technical structure reinforces the on-chain signal. The LINK/USDT daily chart shows price resting directly on a long-term bullish trendline that has acted as dynamic support since 2020. Historically, this level has consistently attracted demand and limited deeper drawdowns during corrective phases. The convergence of heavy exchange outflows and a retest of major historical support sends a strong signal of smart money accumulation. It suggests that larger investors view current levels as a strategic entry zone. Defending this support remains critical, as holding it would preserve Chainlink’s long-term bullish structure and increase the probability of a future trend reversal. Related Reading: Why $100,000 Is Bitcoin’s Most Important Resistance Level LINK Testing Structural Demand Chainlink (LINK) continues to trade under pressure, with price hovering around the $12.50 level on the 3-day chart after an extended corrective phase. The structure shows a clear loss of bullish momentum following repeated rejections from the $20–$25 region earlier in the cycle. Since that peak, LINK has established a sequence of lower highs, confirming a medium-term downtrend that remains intact. From a technical perspective, LINK is currently trading below its short- and medium-term moving averages, which have rolled over and are now acting as dynamic resistance. The 50-period moving average sits well above the current price, reinforcing the idea that recent rebounds have been corrective rather than impulsive. The longer-term moving average, however, is flattening near current levels, suggesting that selling pressure may be slowing as price approaches a historically important zone. Related Reading: Ethereum Bearish Structure Meets Bullish Supply Signal – What Happens Next The $12–$13 range stands out as a key support area. This level has acted as a pivot multiple times over the past two years, repeatedly attracting demand during periods of broader market weakness. The fact that LINK is consolidating rather than breaking down aggressively suggests that sellers are losing momentum. Volume behavior supports this view. While sell-offs earlier in the year were accompanied by sharp volume spikes, recent price action shows reduced participation, indicating distribution may be giving way to stabilization. For LINK to signal a meaningful trend reversal, bulls must reclaim the $15–$16 zone. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Dragonfly’s Haseeb Qureshi predicts Big Tech and Fortune 100 companies will start building in crypto in 2026, but that corporate L1s will fail to challenge Ethereum and Solana.
Increased bearish positions may signal declining market confidence, potentially impacting investor sentiment and future crypto valuations.
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As Bitcoin (BTC) maintains a consolidated trading range between $86,000 and $90,000 after experiencing a 30% correction from its all-time high in October, market expectations for the cryptocurrency’s future remain optimistic. Market analyst Dominic Basulto from The Motley Fool believes that despite the persistent challenges seen in the fourth quarter of the year, Bitcoin could soar to $150,000 by 2026, fueled by the newly established US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Is $150,000 Possible For Bitcoin? Historical context supports Basulto’s prediction; Bitcoin’s performance over the years has shown significant recovery potential, with 2015 marking its worst bull market year at just a 36% gain. Significantly, in seven of its years, Bitcoin has achieved triple-digit percentage returns. The analyst suggests that 2026 may resemble 2019, a year when Bitcoin appreciated by 95% following the dismal performance in 2018, when it plummeted by 74%. Related Reading: XRP Supply Shock Incoming? Expert Reveals The Truth In 2019, several catalysts, such as heightened global economic uncertainty and a surge in institutional interest, propelled Bitcoin upwards—situations that appear similar to current conditions. Institutional investors are increasingly adding BTC to their portfolios, driven by spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Meanwhile, concerns over global tariffs and macroeconomic instability in the US continue to resonate among investors, setting the stage for potential bullish movement. However, Basulto emphasizes that Bitcoin can only reach the $150,000 milestone if it is perceived as a long-term store of value. If investors view it merely as another high-risk asset, they may choose to favor physical gold over digital gold, which has seen a record-breaking year. The crux of his argument centers on one pivotal factor that could significantly impact Bitcoin’s price: a notable increase in purchases by the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. What Happens If Nations Stockpile BTC? Basulto claims that if the US government were to start buying substantial quantities of Bitcoin, it could trigger a global arms race among other countries keen to create their own strategic BTC reserves. According to the analyst, such purchases from national reserves could dramatically inflate Bitcoin’s price, likely surpassing the impact of corporate treasury companies that have already amassed close to 5% of the world’s circulating BTC supply. Related Reading: Investment Firm CEO Drops Utility Bomb On XRP, Is Community Hype A Detriment? Although reaching the $150,000 mark may seem ambitious given Bitcoin’s recent performance, more aggressive predictions exist for 2026. For instance, JPMorgan Chase has forecasted a potential price of $170,000, while Wall Street strategist Tom Lee from Fundstrat has suggested that BTC might even hit $250,000 next year. While a variety of factors must align for BTC to reclaim its status as digital gold, the possibility of elevated prices hinges on strategic actions by both the US government and institutional investors. Basulto concluded that if the leading cryptocurrency can consolidate its position and the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve gains traction, the predicted price of $150,000 could be achieved by next year. At the time of writing, BTC’s price retraced towards $87,330 following an early Monday move above $90,500. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
XRP is ending 2025 with one of the most paradoxical profiles in the crypto market, thanks to record-breaking institutional inflows colliding with one of the weakest price charts. According to CoinShares data, XRP investment products attracted approximately $70.2 million in net new money in the final trading week of December. This pushed its monthly inflow […]
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XRP is trading below critical technical levels after losing the $2 mark, a breakdown that has shifted market sentiment decisively toward fear. Bulls are struggling to find reliable support as price action weakens, and recent attempts at stabilization have failed to attract sustained demand. The loss of this psychological and structural level has left XRP vulnerable, with traders increasingly positioning defensively amid broader uncertainty across the altcoin market. Related Reading: Why $100,000 Is Bitcoin’s Most Important Resistance Level According to analysis shared by Darkfost, selling pressure on XRP has intensified materially over recent weeks. The data shows that the current move is not a minor pullback, but part of a deeper corrective phase. XRP has declined by roughly 50% from its cycle peak near $3.66, falling toward the $1.85 region. This magnitude of decline reflects a clear shift in market behavior, as earlier optimism has given way to risk reduction and capital preservation. Darkfost’s assessment suggests that the increase in selling is driven by a combination of profit-taking from older positions and capitulation from more recent buyers who entered at higher levels. As the price moves further away from prior highs, confidence has deteriorated, reinforcing the downside momentum. Exchange Inflows Highlight Rising Sell-Side Pressure Darkfost further explains that the recent surge in selling pressure becomes especially clear when examining XRP inflows to exchanges, with Binance standing out as the primary focal point. As the exchange that concentrates the largest share of XRP trading volume, Binance often serves as an early indicator of shifting market intent. Rising inflows to exchanges are commonly interpreted as a signal that holders are preparing to sell, particularly when the increase is sudden and sustained. After several weeks of relatively calm conditions, characterized by stable and moderate inflows, this pattern changed sharply around December 15. Since then, XRP transfers to Binance have accelerated, with daily inflows consistently ranging between 35 million XRP and a pronounced spike of roughly 116 million XRP recorded on December 19. This marks a clear break from the prior holding-oriented behavior observed through much of October and November. The shift in inflow dynamics suggests a change in investor psychology. Longer-term holders appear to be taking profits after XRP’s strong run earlier in the cycle, while more recent entrants are increasingly capitulating and selling at a loss as the price continues to slide. This combination amplifies downside pressure and reinforces the current corrective trend. As long as elevated exchange inflows persist, conditions for accumulation remain unfavorable. Without a meaningful slowdown in deposits, XRP is likely to struggle to form a durable base, increasing the risk that the correction extends further in both time and depth. Related Reading: Trust Wallet Exploit Drains $7M: Hundreds Of Users Affected XRP Price Action Details: Testing Demand XRP continues to trade under clear technical pressure, with price hovering near the $1.87–$1.90 zone after a prolonged downtrend on the daily chart. The structure shows a decisive loss of bullish control following the rejection from the $3.00–$3.50 region earlier in the year. Since that peak, XRP has consistently printed lower highs and lower lows, confirming a bearish market structure that remains intact. From a trend perspective, the price is trading below all major moving averages. The short-term moving average has turned sharply lower and now acts as immediate dynamic resistance, while the medium- and long-term averages are also sloping downward, reinforcing the broader bearish bias. Each recent attempt at a relief bounce has failed below these averages, suggesting that sellers continue to dominate rallies. Related Reading: Bitcoin and Ethereum Coinbase Inflows Collapse While Binance Retains Relative Activity – Details The $1.80–$1.85 region is now a critical support area. This zone has absorbed several tests in recent weeks, indicating short-term demand, but the lack of a strong rebound highlights weak buying conviction. A clean break below this level would expose XRP to a deeper retracement toward the $1.50 region, where historical demand previously emerged. Unless XRP can reclaim the $2.10–$2.20 range and hold above it, the path of least resistance remains to the downside, with risks skewed toward further consolidation or continuation of the correction. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com