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
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 0.25%, taking the benchmark rate to 0.75%, the highest in nearly 30 years. The central bank also signaled that more rate hikes could come in the future if the economy remains strong. This tighter policy has raised concerns among macro analysts, who warn that Bitcoin could come …
With so many voices in crypto today, finding creators who share clear, honest, and genuinely helpful information can be challenging. There’s hype everywhere, rushed reactions to every price move, and influencers who disappear during bear markets. But in the middle of this noise, YouTube still has creators who explain the market in a thoughtful way. …
The lawsuits follow Coinbase's announcement a day earlier that it plans to enter prediction markets through a partnership with Kalshi.
Dogecoin started a fresh decline below the $0.1250 zone against the US Dollar. DOGE is now consolidating losses and might face hurdles near $0.1235. DOGE price started a fresh decline below the $0.1250 level. The price is trading below the $0.1220 level and the 100-hourly simple moving average. There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $0.1300 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The price could extend losses if it stays below $0.1280 and $0.1300. Dogecoin Price Dips Further Dogecoin price started a fresh decline after it closed below $0.1300, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. DOGE declined below the $0.1280 and $0.1250 support levels. The price even traded below $0.1220. A low was formed near $0.1198, and the price is now showing bearish signs. It is consolidating below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $0.1305 swing high to the $0.1198 low. Dogecoin price is now trading below the $0.1280 level and the 100-hourly simple moving average. If there is a recovery wave, immediate resistance on the upside is near the $0.1235 level. The first major resistance for the bulls could be near the $0.1280 level or the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $0.1305 swing high to the $0.1198 low. The next major resistance is near the $0.1300 level. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $0.1300 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair. A close above the $0.1300 resistance might send the price toward the $0.1350 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $0.1372 level. The next major stop for the bulls might be $0.1400. More Losses In DOGE? If DOGE’s price fails to climb above the $0.1300 level, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $0.1200 level. The next major support is near the $0.1195 level. The main support sits at $0.1150. If there is a downside break below the $0.1150 support, the price could decline further. In the stated case, the price might slide toward the $0.1050 level or even $0.10 in the near term. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for DOGE/USD is now gaining momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for DOGE/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $0.1280 and $0.1250. Major Resistance Levels – $0.1340 and $0.1350.
Institutional interest in Ripple-linked assets remains strong, though overall market participation is limited.
Mike Selig pledged to make crypto a priority when he was picked to lead the CFTC in October, while Travis Hill has spoken out against crypto debanking.
Libya’s cheap power fueled a hidden Bitcoin mining boom, straining the grid and forcing authorities into an escalating crackdown.
Japan’s 10-year government bond yield briefly touched 2% for the first time since 2006 after the central bank lifted its benchmark rate.
IcomTech promoters used luxury cars and flashy events to project legitimacy while investors lost millions in a crypto Ponzi scheme.
The total crypto market cap fell to $2.93 trillion, its lowest since April, erasing yearly gains as analysts anticipated further declines.
Real Vision CEO Raoul Pal said the key signal indicating whether Zcash shows the start of a rally is if it can hold up during a broader market uptrend.
XRP price failed to gain pace above $1.920 and trimmed gains. The price is now struggling and faces resistance near the $1.820 level. XRP price started a fresh decline below the $1.850 zone. The price is now trading below $1.850 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bearish trend line forming with resistance at $1.920 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could continue to move down if it settles below $1.780. XRP Price Dips To New Weekly Lows XRP price attempted a recovery wave above $1.90 but failed to continue higher, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price started a fresh decline below $1.880 and $1.850. There was a move below the $1.820 support level. A low was formed at $1.7707, and the price is now showing bearish signs below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1.9331 swing high to the $1.7707 low. The price is now trading below $1.850 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a bearish trend line forming with resistance at $1.920 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $1.810 level. The first major resistance is near the $1.8520 level or the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1.9331 swing high to the $1.7707 low. A close above $1.8520 could send the price to $1.880. The next hurdle sits at $1.920 and the trend line. A clear move above the $1.920 resistance might send the price toward the $1.9650 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $2.00 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $2.050. More Losses? If XRP fails to clear the $1.8520 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1.780 level. The next major support is near the $1.7620 level. If there is a downside break and a close below the $1.7620 level, the price might continue to decline toward $1.720. The next major support sits near the $1.70 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $1.680. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $1.780 and $1.7620. Major Resistance Levels – $1.8520 and $1.920.
The lawsuit against Jump Trading highlights the ongoing legal and financial challenges in the crypto industry, affecting market stability.
The post Jump Trading sued for $4 billion over Terraform Labs fallout: Report appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Data shows Bitcoin and Ethereum have formed a divergence in the Funding Rate indicator, with traders going long on BTC, short on ETH. Bitcoin & Ethereum Funding Rates Are Showing Opposite Values In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has talked about how the Funding Rate has developed for Bitcoin and Ethereum amid the latest market volatility. Related Reading: Ethereum Risks Slide To $2,000 If December Closes Below This Level: Analyst Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies saw some sudden price swings during the past day, with BTC’s price first rallying to $90,300 in a blink, but then crashing back toward $86,000 just as quickly. The coin’s decline later extended to $85,300. While BTC returned to about the same levels as before the flash surge, the same wasn’t true about Ethereum. After its rally to $3,000, ETH plummeted to $2,830, before another leg down to about $2,790. Before the volatility storm, the cryptocurrency was trading around $2,920. The difference in price action could be a potential factor behind the divergence that has formed in the derivatives market sentiment as gauged by the Funding Rate. The Funding Rate keeps track of the periodic amount of fees that derivatives traders are paying on all centralized exchanges. A positive value on the indicator is a sign that long investors are paying the short ones, while a negative one implies bearish positions outweigh the bullish ones. Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows how the Funding Rate has changed for Bitcoin and Ethereum over the past month: As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin Funding Rate has been positive for the last few days, indicating that a bullish mentality has been dominant among the traders. This sentiment has been maintained even after the price volatility. Ethereum was also observing a positive value on the Funding Rate prior to the volatility, but unlike for BTC, the trend didn’t last. Since ETH has gone through its quick surge and flash crash, the indicator has turned red, a sign that shorts have started outpacing longs. The fact that bullish sentiment around ETH has weakened, however, may not actually be negative. According to Santiment, highly leveraged long positions have historically led to sharp liquidation events and volatility. This trend was also seen during some recent tops and pullbacks. Thus, considering that the Funding Rate is negative for Ethereum now, the risk of volatility may be lower. That said, Bitcoin’s long-heavy market could still be relevant for the cryptocurrency. Related Reading: Bitcoin Could Be Sub-$50,000 By 2028 Without Quantum Fix, Warns Capriole Founder As Santiment explains, “all assets will still move with Bitcoin, meaning Bitcoin’s funding rates must stay neutral or go negative in order to justify a clear path back to $100K and for altcoins to rebound.” BTC Price Bitcoin has recovered back to $87,100 following its plunge on Wednesday. Featured image from Dall-E, Santiment.net, chart from TradingView.com
The Bank of Japan raised its short-term policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75%, the highest in nearly 30 years.
Markup sessions review, amend, and vote on the bill in the committee before it advances to a full floor vote in the Senate.
In a lawsuit, the SEC says some hosted Bitcoin mining services could trigger US securities laws, but an industry executive says most providers have nothing to worry about.
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 …
Ethereum price failed to stay above $2,950 and declined again. ETH is now consolidating and might soon aim to attempt another recovery wave if it clears $2,850. Ethereum started a fresh decline below the $2,920 zone. The price is trading below $2,900 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,925 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move down if it settles below the $2,800 zone. Ethereum Price Faces Renewed Selling Pressure Ethereum price attempted a fresh increase but struggled above $2,950, like Bitcoin. ETH price dipped below $2,920 and $2,900 to enter a bearish zone. The bears even pushed the price below $2,820. A low was formed at $2,775 and the price is now consolidating losses well near the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $2,993 swing high to the $2,775 low. Ethereum price is now trading below $2,870 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. Besides, there is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,925 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. If there is another upward move, the price could face resistance near the $2,850 level. The next key resistance is near the $2,880 level and 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $2,993 swing high to the $2,775 low. The first major resistance is near the $2,925 level and the trend line. A clear move above the $2,925 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 $3,080 resistance zone or even $3,120 in the near term. Downside Continuation In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,850 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,800 level. The first major support sits near the $2,775 zone. A clear move below the $2,775 support might push the price toward the $2,720 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,640 region. The next key support sits at $2,620. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,775 Major Resistance Level – $2,880
Gold and silver hit fresh highs on Tuesday while Bitcoin slid back under $89,000, sending a clear message that some investors are favoring metal over riskier bets. Related Reading: Russia Rejects Crypto As Legal Tender, Finance Official Confirms According to Reuters and market data, gold traded above $4,330 an ounce and silver pushed past $66 an ounce in what market participants called a strong run for bullion. Reports have disclosed that silver’s rally has lifted local prices in India to about ₹2.06 lakh per kilogram. Metals Rally, Hit New Highs Silver’s advance has been dramatic. It is up roughly 120-130% year-to-date, a jump that outpaces gold by a wide margin. Traders point to a mix of stronger industrial demand from solar and electronics, tighter supplies, and flows into safe assets as reasons behind the move. Gold buyers have also been encouraged by signs that US inflation may cool and by shifting expectations for central bank policy, which tends to support non-yielding assets when real yields fall. JUST IN ????: Silver soars to $66 for the first time in history ???????????? pic.twitter.com/YGCrB5VDPH — Barchart (@Barchart) December 17, 2025 Safe Haven Demand And Industrial Use Some investors are treating metals as a hedge. Others want exposure linked to real economy needs. Both forces are at work. Analysts say silver’s dual role — as an industrial metal and as a store of value — is amplifying moves. Energy prices and supply reports have added pressure on markets, and that has upped demand for physical metal in several trading hubs. Bitcoin Slips Under Key Level Bitcoin fell below $89,000 and was trading nearer to $88,450 in mid-session, giving back gains from earlier months. Based on reports and market feeds, BTC is about 7% lower year-to-date and roughly 30% below its October 2025 peak above $126,000. Some crypto funds recorded outflows recently, and several traders described market tone as risk-off, which has weighed on digital assets this week. Liquidity, ETF Flows And Sentiment ETF flows played a role. Where money leaves ETFs, prices can feel the impact quickly. Margin calls, profit taking after a volatile run, and investors moving to what they see as safer stores of value have all been cited by sources watching the tape. Technical levels near $84,000 to $85,000 are now being watched for support, while resistance sits close to $90,000 to $92,000. Related Reading: 5,606 Bitcoin: Lightning Network Sets Fresh Capacity Record Markets Eye Data And Policy Moves Economic reports and central bank signals are next on traders’ calendars. US inflation prints and comments from global central banks have been flagged as possible triggers for fresh moves in both metals and crypto. Investors also noted that equity weakness, especially in some large tech names, has nudged money toward hard assets and away from riskier positions. Several market strategists said that policy shifts overseas, including from the Bank of Japan, could further change global liquidity and investor choices. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
With most work finished, the ECB says the digital euro now depends on political approval as discussion continues on sovereignty and privacy.
Bitwise has filed an initial registration for an ETF tracking Sui, joining the race to launch with Canary Capital and 21Shares.
Crypto has tracked lower late this year despite pro-regulation shifts, ETF launches, and institutional buying, prompting analysts to question structural issues.
Bitcoin price attempted to start a fresh increase but failed at $89,500. BTC is now struggling below $86,500 and might continue to move down. Bitcoin started a fresh decline below the $86,500 zone. The price is trading below $86,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There was a break below a bullish trend line with support at $87,250 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might continue to move down if it settles below the $85,000 zone. Bitcoin Price Dips Again Bitcoin price attempted a fresh recovery wave above $88,000 and $88,500. BTC tested the $89,500 resistance zone and reacted to the downside. There was a sharp decline below $88,000. There was a break below a bullish trend line with support at $87,250 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The price even spiked below the $85,000 support. However, the bulls were active near the $84,500 zone. A low was formed at $84,421 and the price is now consolidating losses below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $89,437 swing high to the $84,421 low. Bitcoin is now trading below $87,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. If the bulls remain in action, the price could attempt more gains. Immediate resistance is near the $86,600 level. The first key resistance is near the $87,000 level and the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $89,437 swing high to the $84,421 low. The next resistance could be $88,000. A close above the $88,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $88,800 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $89,500 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $90,000 and $90,500. More Losses In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $87,000 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $85,000 level. The first major support is near the $84,500 level. The next support is now near the $83,200 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $82,500 support in the near term. The main support sits at $80,500, 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 – $85,000, followed by $84,500. Major Resistance Levels – $87,000 and $88,000.
The Senate's approval signals a potential shift towards more crypto-friendly regulatory policies, impacting financial markets and innovation.
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US President Donald Trump says that he has narrowed down his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to three or four candidates.
Bitcoin has been under intense selling pressure in recent sessions, leaving market participants increasingly cautious about near-term direction. On Wednesday, BTC briefly surged from the $86,000 area toward $90,000, offering short-term investors a moment of relief after weeks of downside volatility. That rebound, however, proved short-lived. Price quickly retraced back to the $86,000 level, once again stalling bullish momentum and reinforcing the perception that sellers remain firmly in control. Related Reading: From Cycles To Continuity: Why Bitcoin’s 4-Year Pattern May Be Breaking This failed recovery attempt has weighed heavily on sentiment, particularly among short-term holders who entered positions at higher levels during the previous consolidation range. According to a report by Axel Adler, on-chain data reveals that this cohort has entered a clear stress regime. Bitcoin’s price has fallen below the average purchase price of short-term holders, a condition that historically increases the probability of reactive selling behavior. The stress is further reflected in the Short-Term Holder Spent Output Profit Ratio (STH-SOPR, 30-day), which has declined to 0.98. This reading indicates that short-term holders are, on average, realizing losses when they sell. Such environments often coincide with deteriorating confidence and heightened sensitivity to further downside moves. With BTC unable to hold recent relief rallies and short-term participants increasingly underwater, the market enters a fragile phase. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this pressure evolves into deeper capitulation or stabilizes into a base-building process. Short-Term Holders Under Stress as Loss-Taking Accelerates Adler explains that the Short-Term Holder Spent Output Profit Ratio (STH-SOPR 30D) is a critical gauge of short-term market stress, as it measures whether recent coin sales are occurring at a profit or a loss. Values above one indicate that short-term holders are selling profitably, while readings below one signal loss realization. Historically, sustained periods below one reflect deteriorating confidence and raise the risk of further downside, as loss-taking behavior can cascade into additional sell pressure. A continued decline in SOPR would likely intensify this dynamic and open the door to new local lows. By contrast, a meaningful recovery would require the metric to reclaim and hold above the one level, signaling that selling pressure is being absorbed and losses are no longer dominant. This stress is reinforced by the Short-Term Holders Positive vs Negative Sentiment chart. The indicator classifies holders based on whether they are in profit or at a loss. Over the past five weeks, sentiment has shifted decisively toward the orange and purple zones, representing negative positioning. The growing dominance of underwater holders increases the probability of panic-driven selling. Together, both charts deliver a consistent message: short-term participants are under pressure, and the current environment remains fragile until clear signs of relief emerge. Related Reading: Bitcoin Structure Turns Bearish As Structural Indicators Flip Negative Bitcoin Tests Critical Support as Bears Persist Bitcoin continues to trade under pressure, with the chart showing price consolidating around the $87,000 area after a sharp corrective move from the October highs near $125,000. The rejection from the upper range marked a clear shift in market structure, as BTC lost the 50-day and 100-day moving averages and failed to reclaim them on subsequent rebounds. The blue moving average has now turned downward, reinforcing the short- to medium-term bearish bias. Price is currently hovering just above the 200-day moving average, plotted in red, which sits near the $86,000–$88,000 zone. This level represents a critical area of long-term demand and structural support. Historically, sustained closes below the 200-day average tend to coincide with deeper corrective phases or prolonged consolidation. Related Reading: XRP Liquidity Dries Up: Futures Buy Volume On Binance Falls from $5.8B to $250M Volume dynamics add to the cautious outlook. Selling pressure expanded significantly during the breakdown in October and November, while recent rebound attempts have occurred on relatively muted volume. This suggests that short-covering and tactical buying, rather than strong spot demand, are driving price stabilization. Structurally, Bitcoin is forming lower highs since the peak, keeping the broader trend vulnerable. A recovery scenario would require BTC to reclaim the $95,000–$100,000 region and hold above the declining moving averages. Until then, the chart favors continued consolidation or further downside risk around the long-term support zone. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Cypherpunk Adam Back dismissed concerns that quantum computing poses a threat to Bitcoin, arguing the technology is still “ridiculously early.”
The large BTC deposit may signal market volatility, influencing investor sentiment and potentially impacting cryptocurrency valuations and strategies.
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