Comments from Galaxy Digital’s leadership have looked into what ultimately sustains value in the crypto market. In a recent YouTube discussion centered on 2026 expectations for Bitcoin, crypto, and artificial intelligence, Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz and Head of Research Alex Thorn singled out XRP and Cardano, questioning whether even the strongest communities can survive if real usage fails to expand when users have a vast number of alternatives to choose from. Galaxy Digital Leadership Raises Questions About Community Versus Utility During the YouTube discussion, Mike Novogratz presented the utility debate through the lens of capital allocation. He explained that the real question is what an investor chooses when presented with many viable options. If capital can flow into something like SpaceX, then crypto assets must compete on similar grounds. Related Reading: Charles Hoskinson Reveals What XRP And Cardano Are Already Doing 100x Better He acknowledged that XRP and Cardano both have deeply committed communities, but questioned whether that loyalty can be sustained if users do not see any real utility with those ecosystems. “Can Ripple hold it together? Can Cardano hold it together?” Novogratz said. In drawing comparisons, Novogratz referenced Charles Hoskinson, noting his success in maintaining Cardano’s community over time despite it being a “blockchain that people don’t really use a lot.” He made similar observations about XRP’s following, which has a strong community. However, he posed a direct question about sustainability: “Can you keep it together when there are more and more options?” Recent crypto market dynamics have caused capital flows to become more selective. Developers and teams behind blockchain ecosystems all know this, and this is why there has been a race to demonstrate usage, revenue models, or clear value flows tied directly to their tokens. According to Novogratz, that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s probably a year-long process, not a one to three-month process. Cardano And XRP Proving Real-World Relevance The questions raised during the Galaxy Digital discussion arrive at a time when both Cardano and XRP are actively trying to strengthen their utility narratives. Recent events have seen Cardano attempting to reinforce its practical relevance through initiatives like the Midnight sidechain. Midnight is a privacy-focused Cardano sidechain network designed to support confidential smart contracts and selective data disclosure. Related Reading: Flare Launches New Way For XRP Investors To Earn Midnight is intended as a way to attract enterprise and institutional use cases that require compliance-friendly privacy, an area where public blockchains have traditionally struggled. XRP, on the other hand, is taking a different path through Ripple’s hard work to increase the utility of the XRP Ledger. Ripple has been expanding utility around Ripple USD (RLUSD), its US dollar-backed stablecoin, including broader deployment across multiple Layer-2 networks. Ripple has also been on a partnership spree this year in moves to strengthen the utility of the XRP ecosystem, with about $4 billion spent on major acquisitions in 2025. The company also recently partnered with Doppler Finance to explore collaboration in XRP-based yield infrastructure and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization on the XRP Ledger, which is another added utility. Featured image from Pxfuel, chart from Tradingview.com
The purchase brings Strategy’s total bitcoin holdings to 672,497 BTC, acquired at an average price of about $74,997 per bitcoin.
Tom Lee's publicly traded miner and treasury firm said it now controls more than 3% of ether’s total supply and is accelerating staking plans.
Bitmine's significant Ethereum stake could influence market dynamics, highlighting the growing importance of corporate crypto treasuries.
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Hacken says Web3 losses climbed to nearly $4 billion in 2025, with North Korea behind over half the damage, and regulators are under pressure to turn security guidance into hard rules.
Cardano (ADA) was also a top performer, gaining 4.2% from Friday.
Prediction markets hit $2B in weekly volume as regulatory hostility faded and mainstream players from CNN to the NHL jumped on the trend.
Renowned Bitcoin advocate and El Salvador presidential advisor Max Keiser has once again reiterated his ultra-bullish outlook for BTC in 2025, doubling down on predictions that highlight the cryptocurrency’s role as a hedge against inflation and macroeconomic instability. As the traditional financial systems face increasing pressure, Keiser maintains that BTC’s fixed supply and expanding market infrastructure position it for significant upside in the year ahead. How Macro Debt And Inflation Risks Strengthen Bitcoin’s Case According to a recent post from Crypto Miners on X, Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser has once again reiterated his long-standing BTC thesis from 2025. Keiser points to total US debt surpassing $36 trillion and annual interest expenses approaching $1 trillion, claiming that this environment could push BTC beyond $2 million as capital seeks protection from fiat debasement. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bottom Forecast: Top Expert Predicts $40,000 Target Next Year, Here’s The Analysis The argument remains consistent with Keiser’s long-standing BTC maximalist stance, which links rising sovereign US debt expansion and currency dilution to upward pressure on a fixed supply asset. Replies are split, and supporters point to a 21 million supply against the unlimited debt. Thus, critics remain unconvinced, noting that BTC continues to trade below the $100,000 level despite similar high-conviction predictions made throughout 2025. Market commentator The Penguin updated that Bitcoin’s lower timeframe (LTF) structure is still looking a bit less impulsive, but nothing meaningful has changed in the count. Instead, BTC remains comfortable treating the current formation as a leading diagonal for wave 1, with recent LTF fluctuations resembling short-term noise rather than a decisive shift in trend. The Penguin pointed out that by setting Elliott Wave analysis aside and focusing on standard technical analysis, BTC continues to respect a well-defined range. This behavior is seen as consistent with the fact that Sunday trading and volume are light. From a trading perspective, the analyst’s focus is on longs and monitoring a possible shallow deviation toward the 0.886 retracement level marked on the chart. On the bullish side, the confirmation would be acceptance back above the $90,500 level, which would invalidate the bearish idea. Overall, the directional bias remains the same as the low-vol LTF chop is ahead of the yearly open. The Penguin added that the broader structure still looks solid and should hold up, while also noting signs of relative strength in assets such as XPL. Why Momentum Will Decide The Next Major Move Bitcoin high-timeframe (HTF) price action and momentum are currently navigating a structural pattern that mirrors a historical turning point. Crypto investor and trader known as Titan of Crypto has highlighted that BTC is showing a sequence similar to Q2 2021 and Q1 2025. Related Reading: Bitcoin Recent Dips Reveal Market Structure Issue Not Coming From Selling Pressure While the structure price behavior remains comparable on the HTF charts, momentum indicators are showing signs of weakening. As a result, the next trend will depend on whether momentum can re-accelerate or confirm trend exhaustion. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
Altcoins lagged Bitcoin in 2025, but XRP, Zcash and Algorand outperformed on regulatory clarity, privacy demand and tokenization.
Bitmain cut prices on Bitcoin mining rigs on Dec. 23 after miner revenue per unit of hashrate fell in November. The discounts, which extend to current-generation hydro and immersion products, are landing in a cycle in which Bitcoin’s price strength has not translated into the kind of mining-margin expansion that previously drove hardware scarcity and […]
The post Bitmain just slashed mining rig prices, proving the market’s oldest “Bitcoin rule” is officially dead appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Currently at $1.84, DOT has support at the $1.83 level and resistance at $1.88.
Strategy's significant Bitcoin purchase highlights its commitment to crypto, but market volatility poses risks to its stock performance.
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Strategy added 1,229 BTC for about $108.8 million, averaging $88,568 per Bitcoin, achieving an impressive 23.2% yield YTD 2025. As of December 28, 2025, the company holds a total of 672,497 BTC, purchased for around $50.44 billion at an average price of $74,997 per Bitcoin, proving their relentless HODL even after last week’s 10,645 BTC …
Sberbank's crypto-backed loan pilot could accelerate Russia's digital asset market growth and influence global crypto regulations.
The post Russia’s largest lender Sberbank explores crypto-backed loan with Bitcoin miner appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Strategy, the largest public BTC holder resumes buying, lifting holdings to 672,497 coins.
Trust Wallet said it has identified 2,596 compromised addresses following its Christmas Day exploit as investigators work to separate real victims from false claims.
Peter Schiff has warned that Bitcoin could suffer the opposite fate of silver after the metal posted a sudden, sharp rise. Based on reports, traders and analysts are debating whether the move in silver marks a broad shift back to real assets or a brief, crowded trade that may unwind quickly. Related Reading: Bitcoin Rules The Decade: Outshines Gold And Silver, Analyst Says Silver’s Rapid Climb According to trading data, silver jumped more than 10% in a single session and rose from about $78 to $79 in roughly ninety minutes. Spot silver climbed 18% last week to close at a record $79.31 on thin post-Christmas volume and its new status as a strategic metal. Reports have disclosed that this rally is being driven by a supply deficit and Washington’s decision to classify silver as a critical mineral, not by geopolitics or hopes for US rate cuts. A TradingView chart showed a near-vertical breakout, and a monthly RSI reading reached its highest level in 45 years, a sign of extreme momentum. What is happening with silver may soon be happening with Bitcoin, only in reverse. But since markets tend to melt down faster than they melt up, the time frame for the move should be condensed. — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) December 27, 2025 Tokenized Commodities And Market Value Tokenized versions of metal assets have also gained ground. Based on reports, these crypto-linked commodity tokens are approaching a $4 billion overall valuation, reflecting growing investor curiosity. CompaniesMarketCap data showed silver’s market value closing the gap with NVIDIA, a comparison that highlights heavy institutional demand for metal exposure. Still, tokenized assets remain small compared with spot markets and big ETFs, which means the shift is visible but not yet broad-based. Silver Vs. Bitcoin Bitcoin traded near $87,000 with little movement over the same period, according to CoinMarketCap snapshots, and some market charts show Bitcoin losing relative ground to silver since 2017. A silver-to-Bitcoin valuation model places Bitcoin’s trend value near $394,000, a figure that prompts debate among traders about where each market could go next. The BlackRock Bitcoin ETF’s strong inflows in 2025 point to steady institutional accumulation in crypto, while other indicators suggest Bitcoin’s gains can stall without fresh catalysts. Spot Silver Surge Spot silver’s strong weekly gain has left technicians and strategists split. Some say the move reflects a true supply-demand mismatch reinforced by the US critical mineral designation, which has encouraged long-term buying. Others point to the thin volume after the holidays as a factor that magnified price moves. A closing price reversal top pattern at record highs has been flagged by chart watchers, signaling that a correction could follow after such rapid ascent. These signs, combined with extreme RSI readings, raise questions about the sustainability of the current breakout. Related Reading: Bitcoin Forecasts For 2026 Range From $65K To $250K As Sentiment Hits ‘Extreme Fear’ Technical Warning Signs Market veterans emphasize that fast rallies can reverse quickly when liquidity dries up. Peter Schiff argued that declines often accelerate under pressure, and that idea matters because crowded positions can be unwound in a short span. At the same time, long-term flows into Bitcoin-related ETFs and institutional products should not be ignored; they can support higher prices over time. What traders watch next will be trade volumes, whether silver holds above current levels, and whether Bitcoin regains momentum in the face of metal strength. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
China’s central bank will let banks pay interest on digital yuan wallets from Jan. 1, 2026, reshaping e-CNY as deposit-like money as the US bans CBDCs.
Japan is moving closer to fixing one of crypto’s biggest pain points in the country – taxes. But the details show the change won’t apply to everyone. Under its 2026 tax reform blueprint, Japan plans to cut crypto capital gains tax from as high as 55% to a flat 20%. The move would put certain …
Crypto markets are heading into the final trading days of the year with thin liquidity and a closely watched US macro calendar. While price action across risk assets remains relatively contained, several key events this week could influence short-term sentiment, particularly for cryptos that tend to react sharply during low-volume conditions. FOMC Minutes in Focus …
As the markets are approaching the end of 2025, the consolidation seems to have overpowered the volatility among the cryptos. Bitcoin price silently climbed above $90,000, and Ethereum price rose above $3,000. Unfortunately, both levels were lost as bears teamed up, dragging them below the psychological barrier. This suggests the capital remains concentrated in the …
The collaboration could significantly enhance AI capabilities and market reach, impacting data-center and consumer tech industries globally.
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Weekly fund flows point to lingering caution, with investors favoring newer products and select regions over broad market exposure.
Sberbank used its in-house crypto custody tool to back a loan for mining firm Intelion Data, signaling broader interest in crypto lending.
A single corporate treasury has effectively hijacked Ethereum’s validator mechanics, executing a billion-dollar maneuver that has flipped the network’s flow data from a steady exodus to a sudden traffic jam. For the first time in six months, the queue to stake ETH, locking up tokens to secure the blockchain in exchange for yield, significantly outstrips […]
The post Ethereum’s record staking queue looks bullish, but one corporate giant is secretly distorting the real signal appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Japan is preparing a major shift in how cryptocurrency gains are taxed, signaling a more welcoming stance toward digital assets after years of criticism over high tax burdens. Under the government’s 2026 tax reform plan, profits from certain crypto investments could soon be taxed at a flat 20%, a sharp drop from the current rates …
Bitcoin is heading into New Year’s Eve on the verge of printing a red yearly candle, an awkward setup after a year packed with pro-crypto policy and institutional headlines. Galaxy Digital head of research Alex Thorn said BTC is down 6.3% year-to-date and 8.25% year-over-year, and would need a daily close above $93,389 on New Year’s Eve to finish 2025 positive. The late-year mood has been defined by a soft Q4 tape and a deeper drawdown than many bulls expected this late in the cycle. Thorn noted BTC traded as low as roughly 36% below its Oct. 6, 2025 all-time high of $125,296, even as a steady stream of bullish headlines landed throughout the year. “Despite the tepid finish, 2025 was a banner year for Bitcoin. Even Bitcoin’s staunchest supporters wouldn’t have believed some of 2025’s headlines just a few years ago… 2025 has been filled with dozens of positive headlines for Bitcoin that in the past would have sparked euphoria. Today, these victories feel like par for the course. Maybe we really are ‘tired of winning?’” Thorn wrote in Galaxy’s weekly research note. Bitcoin On Verge Of Red Yearly Candle Thorn argued that part of the market’s stalled feel is mechanical, not philosophical. He pointed to a large month-end options expiry as a potential catalyst for loosening the range-bound behavior he described between the mid-$80,000s and $90,000. Related Reading: Why $100,000 Is Bitcoin’s Most Important Resistance Level “A significant options expiry at the end of the month clear some of the outstanding dealer gamma that has encouraged bitcoin to stay pinned between major $85k and $90k, and January may prompt some portfolio managers to take a fresh look at the world’s oldest cryptocurrency. There are reasons why the quiet period we’ve seen for the last month will not persist in the near term.” He also cited headwinds that hit spot demand and risk appetite: “significant whale distribution,” an Oct. 10 leverage wipeout, and competition from other macro trades such as AI, hyperscalers, gold, and the “Mag 7.” One of Thorn’s key observations was the divergence between bitcoin’s drawdown and US bitcoin ETF behavior. He said US bitcoin ETF cumulative inflows are down only 9% from their October peak of $62 billion, even though bitcoin fell sharply from its highs and, in his estimate, 60% of ETF inflows are underwater at current prices. That resilience, he argued, makes the source of selling more notable. “So, who has been selling?” Thorn wrote. “The call is coming from inside the house.” Since July 2025, he said coins held by long-term holders have declined more sharply than at any point in the eight years since the 2017 bull run, suggesting older on-chain holders have been net sellers into newer brokerage-led demand. Thorn framed that distribution as painful in the short run but constructive for the asset’s long-run maturity, lifting the average cost basis and broadening ownership. He highlighted bitcoin’s realized market cap above $1.1 trillion and a realized price above $56,000 as evidence of the network’s rising aggregate principal. Related Reading: Bitcoin Extreme Fear Streak Extends To 13 Days On Christmas In a Dec. 21 post summarizing Galaxy’s 2026 outlook, Thorn said Galaxy predicts bitcoin to hit $250,000 by year-end 2027, while calling 2026 “too chaotic to predict.” Options markets, he noted, are currently pricing roughly equal odds of $70,000 or $130,000 by end-June 2026, and $50,000 or $250,000 by year-end 2026, reflecting unusually wide uncertainty bands. He also pointed to a structural decline in longer-term volatility and a changed skew: the BTC vol smile now prices puts as more expensive than calls, which he described as a shift toward patterns more typical of macro assets than high-growth markets. Looking into 2026, Thorn’s near-term marker is whether BTC can “firmly re-establish” itself above $100,000–$105,000. Over the longer run, he argued the bigger story is demand for non-dollar hedges—and how little incremental allocation might be needed to move the market. “We believe it is likely only a matter of time before ‘Bitcoin follows gold to become widely adopted as a monetary debasement hedge.’ It doesn’t take much to start a stampede in that direction – a few major allocators, central banks, or nation states might be all it takes to spark the fuse and light a fire.” At press time, BTC traded at $87,748. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Whale withdrawals from exchanges suggest increased long-term holding, potentially reducing market liquidity and impacting Bitcoin's price stability.
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RWA protocols have overtaken decentralized exchanges by total value locked, as tokenized Treasurys, private credit and commodities become core onchain building blocks.
Bitcoin needs a return of retail and institutional demand for BTC to clear the next big hurdle at $90,000 and spark a new rally toward six figures.