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Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

, /PRNewswire/ -- The DJS Law Group  reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against  DeFi Technologies Inc. ("DeFi " or "the Company") (NASDAQ: DEFT ) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Shareholders who purchased shares of DEFT during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointments. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.

CLASS PERIOD:  May 12, 2025 to November 14, 2025

DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

CASE DETAILS: According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. DeFi's arbitrage strategy, a key revenue driver for the Company, was faced with delays. The Company understated competition it faces from other companies in the digital asset treasury ("DAT") space. Based on these facts, DeFi's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, contact us to participate .

NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS : Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.

WHY DJS LAW GROUP?  DJS Law Group's primary focus is to enhance investor return through balanced counseling and aggressive advocacy. We specialize in securities class actions, corporate governance litigation, and domestic/international M&A appraisals. Our clients are some of the largest and most sophisticated hedge funds and alternative asset managers in the world. The litigation claims of our clients are extraordinarily valuable assets that demand respect, focus, and results.

Join the case to recover your losses.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

CONTACT:

David J. Schwartz

DJS Law Group

274 White Plains Road, Suite 1

 Eastchester, NY 10709

Phone: 914-206-9742

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE DJS Law Group LLP

STOCKHOLM , Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As communicated in Truecaller's interim report for the third quarter, Truecaller started to record lower ad revenues from mid-August 2025. This was primarily caused by a change in an algorithm by Truecaller's largest demand partner, and to some extent also due to a weaker ads market in India.

December 15, 2025 02:00 ET

 | Source:

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd (“Falcon”)

Beetaloo Sub-basin - Completion of the SS2-1H well stimulation program

15 December 2025 – Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) is pleased to announce that Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited’s (“Falcon Australia”) joint venture partner Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited (collectively the “BJV partners”) has completed the Shenandoah South SS2-1H well (“SS2-1H”) stimulation program.

Stimulation Program Details:

58 stages were stimulated across a ~3,050-metre (10,009 foot) horizontal section within the Amungee Member B Shale, with an average intensity of 2,206 pounds per foot of proppant placed along the completed horizontal section.Wellhead injection rates were consistently above 100 barrels per minute.The program utilized Liberty Energy’s (NYSE: LBRT) modern stimulation equipment.Optimization of the stimulation design during the campaign increased stage spacing from ~50 metres to ~60 metres (164 feet to 196 feet), reducing the total number of stages required. This adjustment is expected to lower costs in future stimulation programs.  Due to an equipment issue encountered during the cleaning out of the well, it was determined that ~2,632-metres (8,635 feet) of the horizontal section (86%) will contribute to unimpeded flow but flow may be impeded for the remaining ~419-metre (1,374 feet) section from the toe.Following completion with tubing, the well will be soaked for 30 days before being flow tested for 30 days.30-day initial production (IP30) flow rates are expected during the first quarter of 2026.In H1 2026, three wells (which includes the second well of the 2024 drilling campaign) are expected to be stimulated ahead of the commencement of gas sales.All wells included in the Shenandoah South Pilot Project are expected to deliver the contracted 40 MMcf/d volume required under the Gas Sales Agreement with the Northern Territory Government subject to weather conditions and final stakeholder approvals.As previously announced, Falcon Australia opted to reduce its participating interest in the three wells drilled in 2025 to 0%, with no cost exposure. Philip O’Quigley, CEO of Falcon commented: 

“This is another major milestone for the BJV partners with the stimulation of the first 3,050-metre horizontal well. With three more wells to be stimulated in H1 2026 and planned gas sales to commence shortly thereafter, 2026 is going to be a very busy and exciting year in the Beetaloo.

The definitive agreement entered into between Falcon and Tamboran Resources Corporation is progressing and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.”                                                                                                   

Ends.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.         +353 1 676 8702Philip O’Quigley, CEO+353 87 814 7042Anne Flynn, CFO+353 1 676 9162 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (NOMAD & Broker)Neil McDonald+44 131 220 9771 This announcement has been reviewed by Dr. Gábor Bada, Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd’s Technical Advisor. Dr. Bada obtained his geology degree at the Eötvös L. University in Budapest, Hungary and his PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is a member of AAPG.

Figure 1: Completion metrics

WellSS-1HSS-2H ST1SS2-1HSS2-16H(Likely Useable)

Usable lateral stimulation length (feet)1,6405,48310,0098,635Number of stimulated stages (#)10 (1)35 (1)5849Average spacing (feet)164157172176Stimulation intensity (lb/ft)2,2122,7062,2062,223Average sand per stage (lb)355,997423,884380,772391,729Equipment UsedCondor EnergyLiberty EnergyEquipment Horsepower (HHP)40,00080,000 (1) Excludes stimulation of the toe stage of the horizontal section.

Source: Tamboran

About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. 

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is an international oil & gas company engaged in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio focused in Australia. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited is a c. 98% subsidiary of Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. Please visit www.falconoilandgas.com

About Beetaloo JV Partners (EP 76, 98 and 117)   

CompanyInterestFalcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited (Falcon Australia)22.5%Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited (“Tamboran B2”)77.5%Total100.0% Shenandoah South Pilot Project -2 Drilling Space Units – 46,080 acres1

CompanyInterestFalcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited (Falcon Australia)5.0%Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited95.0%Total100.0% 1Subject to the completion of SS-4H wells on the Shenandoah South pad 2.

About Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited
Tamboran (B1) Pty Limited (“Tamboran B1”) is the 100% holder of Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited, with Tamboran B1 being a 50:50 joint venture between Tamboran Resources Corporation and Daly Waters Energy, LP.

Tamboran Resources Corporation is a natural gas company listed on the NYSE (TBN) and ASX (TBN). Tamboran is focused on playing a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future, by developing the significant low CO2 gas resource within the Beetaloo Sub-basin through cutting-edge drilling and completion design technology as well as management’s experience in successfully commercialising unconventional shale in North America.

Bryan Sheffield of Daly Waters Energy, LP is a highly successful investor and has made significant returns in the US unconventional energy sector in the past. He was Founder of Parsley Energy Inc. (“PE”), an independent unconventional oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin, Texas and previously served as its Chairman and CEO. PE was acquired for over US$7 billion by Pioneer Natural Resources Company.

Advisory regarding forward-looking statements
Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “projects”, “dependent”, “consider” “potential”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “anticipated”, “outlook”, “budget”, “hope”, “suggest”, “support” “planned”, “approximately”, “potential” or the negative of those terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, the optimization of the stimulated design having the potential to lower costs in future stimulation programs, following completion with tubing the SS2-1H well will be soaked for 30 days before being flow tested for 30 days, IP30 flow rates expected during the first quarter of 2026, approximately eighty six percent of the horizontal section will contribute to unimpeded flow but flow may be impeded for the remaining fourteen percent, in H1 2026 three wells (which includes the second well of the 2024 drilling campaign) are expected to be stimulated ahead of the commencement of gas sales, the commencement of gas sales to the Northern Territory Government via the Sturt Plateau Compression Facility in mid-2026 subject to weather conditions and final stakeholder approvals; all wells included in the Pilot Project expected to deliver the contracted 40 MMcf/d volume required under the Gas Sales Agreement with the Northern Territory Government and the Shenandoah Pilot project continuing to progress.

This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The risks, assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results include risks associated with fluctuations in market prices for shale gas; risks related to the exploration, development and production of shale gas reserves; general economic, market and business conditions; substantial capital requirements; uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves and resources; extent of, and cost of compliance with, government laws and regulations and the effect of changes in such laws and regulations; the need to obtain regulatory approvals before development commences; environmental risks and hazards and the cost of compliance with environmental regulations; aboriginal claims; inherent risks and hazards with operations such as mechanical or pipe failure, cratering and other dangerous conditions; potential cost overruns, drilling wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than estimated and may not result in any discoveries; variations in foreign exchange rates; competition for capital, equipment, new leases, pipeline capacity and skilled personnel; the failure of the holder of licenses, leases and permits to meet requirements of such; changes in royalty regimes; failure to accurately estimate abandonment and reclamation costs; inaccurate estimates and assumptions by management and/or their joint venture partners; effectiveness of internal controls; the potential lack of available drilling equipment; failure to obtain or keep key personnel; title deficiencies; geo-political risks; and risk of litigation.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive and that these factors and risks are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Falcon assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Falcon. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Falcon’s filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.com, including under "Risk Factors" in the Annual Information Form.

Any references in this news release to initial production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons; however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for Falcon. Such rates are based on field estimates and may be based on limited data available at this time.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / The Board of Pantheon Resources plc (AIM:PANR)(OTCQX:PTHRF) ("Pantheon", the "Group" or the "Company"), the oil and gas company developing the Kodiak and Ahpun oil fields immediately adjacent to pipeline and transportation infrastructure on Alaska's North Slope, announces that, in line with the succession plans announced in February 2025, Jay Cheatham, Non-Executive Director and the Company's former Chief Executive Officer, formally retired at a meeting of the board of directors on Friday, 12th December, 2025.

Jay joined the Board in 2008 and served as Chief Executive Officer until early in 2025, and since stepping down as CEO he continued to serve as a Non-Executive Director.

The Board wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to Jay for his long and distinguished service to the Company and its shareholders. His leadership, commitment, and experience have played a central role in shaping the Group over more than 17 years. The Board extends its very best wishes to him for the future.

David Hobbs, Chairman, commented:
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to reiterate our deep appreciation for Jay's exceptional contribution to the Company over 17 years. His dedication and wisdom have been instrumental in the Group's development."

Further information:

Pantheon Resources plc

David Hobbs, Chairman
Max Easley, Chief Executive Officer
Justin Hondris, SVP, Investor Relations

[email protected]

Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nominated Adviser, andJoint Broker)

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
James Asensio
Charlie Hammond

+44 20 7523 8000

Oak Securities (Joint Broker)

+44 20 3973 3678

Jerry Keen
Nick Price

BlytheRay (Corporate Communications)

+44 20 7138 3204

Tim Blythe
Megan Ray
Matthew Bowld

MZ Group (USA Investor Relations Contact)
Lucas Zimmerman
Ian Scargill

+1 949 259 4987

About Pantheon Resources
Pantheon Resources plc is an AIM listed Oil & Gas company focused on developing its 100% owned Ahpun and Kodiak fields located on State of Alaska land on the North Slope, onshore USA. Independently certified best estimate contingent recoverable resources attributable to these projects currently total c. 1.6 billion barrels of ANS crude and 6.6 Tcf of associated natural gas. The Company owns 100% working interest in c. 259,000 acres.

Pantheon's stated objective is to demonstrate sustainable market recognition of a value of approximately $5 per barrel of recoverable resources by end 2028. This is based on bringing the Ahpun field forward to FID and producing into the TAPS main oil line (ANS crude) by the end of 2028. The Gas Sales Precedent Agreement signed with AGDC provides the potential for Pantheon's natural gas to be produced into the proposed 807 mile pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska during 2029. Once the Company achieves financial self-sufficiency, it will apply the resultant cashflows to support the FID on the Kodiak field planned, subject to regulatory approvals, targeted by the end of 2028 or early 2029.

A major differentiator to other ANS projects is the close proximity to existing roads and pipelines which offers a significant competitive advantage to Pantheon, allowing for shorter development timeframes, materially lower infrastructure costs and the ability to support the development with a significantly lower pre-cashflow funding requirement than is typical in Alaska. Furthermore, the low CO2 content of the associated gas allows export into the planned natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska without significant pre-treatment.

The Company's project portfolio has been endorsed by world renowned experts. Netherland, Sewell & Associates estimate a 2C contingent recoverable resource in the Kodiak project that total 1,208 mmbbl of ANS crude and 5,396 bcf of natural gas. Cawley Gillespie & Associates estimate 2C contingent recoverable resources for Ahpun's western topset horizons at 282 mmbbl of ANS crude and 803 bcf of natural gas. Lee Keeling & Associates estimated possible reserves and 2C contingent recoverable resources of 79 mmbbl of ANS crude and 424 bcf natural gas.

For more information visit www.pantheonresources.com.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Pantheon Resources PLC

Danske Bank said on Monday it had completed a three-year corporate probation with the United States' Department of Justice, marking the end of all formal regulatory processes tied to its former Estonian branch.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

, /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Baxter International Inc. ("Baxter" or "the Company") (NYSE: BAX) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors who purchased the Company's securities between May 25, 2022 and February 8, 2023, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before September 11, 2023. 

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].

The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Baxter concealed the extent of its supply chain problems from investors. In fact, the Company touted its ability to maintain a strong supply chain despite global challenges. The Company's projected earnings were misleading to investors. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Baxter, investors suffered damages.

Join the case to recover your losses.

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

CONTACT:

The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335
[email protected]

SOURCE The Schall Law Firm

STMicroelectronics has shipped more than 5 billion radio-frequency antenna chips to Elon Musk's SpaceX for the Starlink satellite network, and chips delivered under the partnership in the next two years could double that number, a senior executive at the chipmaker told Reuters.

Texas Facility Expansion Increases Magnet Capacity, Supports Domestic Critical-Minerals Supply Chains and IncreasesPost-Tax NPV to US$780 million (forecast prices) and US$409 million (current prices) CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Mkango Resources Ltd (AIM:MKA)(TSX-V:MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango"), is pleased to announce that HyProMag USA, LLC ("HyProMag USA"), a U.S.-based leader in rare-earth recycling and processing, has expanded the magnet capacity of its first facility (the "Texas Hub" or the "Project") and has updated the valuation of the Project with the completion of the Class 2 AACE[i] capital cost estimate as part of the Detailed Engineering Design and Value Engineering Phase (the "Detailed Design"). The Class 2 AACE capital cost estimate and detailed value-engineering work confirm a significant increase in magnet production capacity and materially improved Project economics.

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Part of the Team Since

Jan 2024

About Author

Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

Has Also Written

Last updated: 

December 14, 2025

Bitcoin slipped below $90,000 on Friday as Asian markets started the final full trading week of 2025 on a weaker footing, with growing doubts over technology earnings weighing on risk appetite across equities and crypto alike.

Equity futures pointed to losses for Australian, Hong Kong and Japanese benchmarks in early trading after US stocks slumped on Friday.

A downbeat sales outlook from Broadcom rattled confidence in the artificial intelligence trade and pushed the S&P 500 lower by about 1%, reinforcing concerns that heavy AI spending may not translate into profits as quickly as investors once expected.

Market snapshot
Bitcoin: $89,293, down 1.1%
Ether: $3,111, down 0.3%
XRP: $2.00, down 1.4%
Total crypto market cap: $3.13 trillion, down 0.9%
Tech Valuation Fears Weigh On Global Sentiment As Asia Faces Added PressureGlobal risk sentiment has been fading as traders question whether tech stocks, which have climbed roughly 300% since the current bull market began three years ago and driven global indices to record highs, can continue to justify rich valuations and aggressive AI budgets.

Asian markets, which have outperformed global peers this year, look especially exposed given the region’s dependence on manufacturing the chips and hardware that power the technology boom.

MSCI’s broad gauge of Asia Pacific equities outside Japan fell about 1%, with South Korea, often seen as a bellwether for AI exuberance, dropping more than 2% in Monday trade.

Equity index futures for major US benchmarks shifted between small gains and losses in Asian hours, after Wall Street ended Friday with technology shares leading the retreat. The choppy tone in futures trading reflected uncertainty over how much more earnings downgrades could pressure high-multiple growth names into year-end.

Softer Dollar And Rate Cut Bets Offer Support, But Crypto Eyes Tech Led Risk SwingsPresident Donald Trump added another layer to the macro discussion, saying the new Federal Reserve chair will want interest rates to fall. The dollar recorded its longest run of weekly losses since August last week as markets firmed up bets on two Fed rate cuts in 2026, one more than the central bank itself is currently signalling.

For crypto traders, that mix of softer dollar momentum and growing expectations of future rate cuts would usually be a tailwind, but the immediate focus has shifted back to equity volatility and the durability of the AI trade.

With tech now central to both stock indices and digital asset narratives, any wobble in earnings can spill quickly across risk markets.

Follow us on Google News

Despite positive institutional developments, XRP's price remains disconnected from broader market improvements.Updated Dec 15, 2025, 4:29 a.m. Published Dec 15, 2025, 4:29 a.m.

XRP continues to struggle at the $2.00 psychological level, with elevated volume signaling aggressive selling into strength even as broader institutional narratives remain supportive.

News BackgroundXRP price action remains disconnected from improving macro and structural signals across crypto markets. The Federal Reserve delivered a 25 basis-point rate cut, lowering its target range to 3.5%–3.75%, marking the third cut of the year. While the move supported risk assets broadly, internal dissent within the Fed highlighted persistent concerns around inflation, limiting upside follow-through across speculative assets.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

At the same time, XRP continues to benefit from expanding institutional infrastructure. U.S. spot XRP ETFs have recorded steady inflows in recent sessions, and ecosystem developments — including new custody, DeFi, and cross-chain integrations — reinforce longer-term adoption narratives. However, these positives have yet to translate into decisive upside at the chart level.

Technical AnalysisFrom a structural standpoint, XRP remains capped beneath a well-defined resistance band at $2.00–$2.01. This zone has now rejected price action three times, each accompanied by expanding volume — a classic signal of distribution rather than accumulation.

The most notable technical feature is the volume divergence. During the latest rejection, trading volume surged roughly 186% above average, confirming that sellers are actively defending this level rather than passively waiting. This behavior typically precedes either a sharp breakout (if supply is fully absorbed) or a deeper retracement once buyers exhaust.

Momentum indicators remain mixed. Short-term RSI has stabilized but failed to enter bullish expansion territory, while intraday structure continues to print lower highs beneath $2.03. Until XRP can close decisively above $2.01 on sustained volume, the technical bias remains neutral-to-bearish.

Price Action SummaryXRP declined roughly 1% over the session, sliding from $2.03 to $2.01 after another failed attempt to establish acceptance above $2.00. Price briefly dipped to the $1.98 area before buyers stepped in, forming a short-term support base between $1.97–$1.98.

Late-session action showed signs of stabilization. On the 60-minute chart, XRP rebounded from $1.987 to just above $2.00, supported by a localized volume spike near 4.75 million units. While this move briefly pierced resistance, follow-through remained limited, and price settled back into consolidation.

Overall, XRP is compressing between firm demand near $1.97 and persistent supply at $2.00–$2.01.

What Traders Should KnowXRP is approaching a decision zone.

• Repeated rejections at $2.00 with rising volume suggest sellers remain in control for now
• Sustained acceptance above $2.01 would likely trigger a momentum expansion toward $2.15–$2.20
• Failure to hold $1.97 exposes downside toward the $1.90–$1.92 support band
• ETF inflows and ecosystem expansion continue to build longer-term support beneath price
• Until a clean breakout or breakdown occurs, range-bound strategies dominate

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Protocol Research: GoPlus Security

Nov 14, 2025

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As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.View Full Report

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ETH, SOL, ADA Slide as Bitcoin Sees Year End Profit-Taking

36 minutes ago

Trading volumes have thinned noticeably in recent sessions, amplifying price moves and reinforcing a defensive tone, some market watchers say.

What to know:

Crypto markets declined as investors remain cautious amid concerns over technology valuations and mixed signals from the Federal Reserve.Bitcoin and ether both saw slight decreases, with most major tokens trading lower, reflecting fragile risk appetite.Year-end positioning and thin trading volumes are contributing to the current market weakness, with expectations of continued pressure into the new year.Read full story

Analysts warn that falling Bitcoin exchange activity could make prices more fragile, even without heavy selling pressure.

Summary

Bitcoin exchange flows have dropped, reducing internal market liquidity and increasing sensitivity to sudden trades.
Analysts say thin order books and elevated leverage raise the risk of sharp, unstable price moves.
Derivatives data shows a reset in speculative positioning rather than panic selling, keeping the market fragile but not broken.

Bitcoin’s price looks calm on the surface, but deeper market mechanics suggest growing fragility beneath the range.

In a Dec. 15 analysis, CryptoQuant contributor XWIN Research Japan warned that a sharp slowdown in Bitcoin (BTC) flows between exchanges is weakening internal market liquidity. This increases the risk of sudden and outsized price moves despite the lack of heavy selling pressure.

Exchange liquidity is quietly drying up
Since the start of December, Bitcoin has chopped sideways between roughly $80,000 and $94,000 after pulling back from its October peak near $126,000. While that range-bound behavior may appear constructive, on-chain data tells a more delicate story.

XWIN pointed to the Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse, a CryptoQuant metric that tracks the flow of Bitcoin between exchanges. The indicator has turned red, indicating a slower flow of capital between trading venues. 

When money flows freely between exchanges, arbitrageurs support deep order books and stable prices. However, liquidity falls when those flows decline. Once momentum builds, even relatively small trades can begin to move prices, increasing slippage and causing sharper swings.

This is unfolding at a time when Bitcoin balances on exchanges are near historic lows. While that can be supportive in quiet markets, since there’s less immediate sell pressure, it also leaves less supply available to cushion sudden buying or selling.

As XWIN notes, the concern isn’t heavy distribution right now, but a fragile market structure. With thinner buffers and leverage still in play, even small shocks can quickly turn into outsized price moves.

Derivatives data points to a reset, not panic
Separate data from another Cryptoquant contributor Arab Chain reinforces the idea that the market is cooling rather than collapsing. The combined open interest and funding Z-score for Binance derivatives metrics is close to -0.28, which is slightly below its historical average. 

That signal indicates that traders are gradually lowering leverage and overall risk rather than jumping into new speculative bets, most likely in response to previous excesses.

In the past, pullbacks often followed sharply positive Z-scores, which typically appeared during overheated runs. The current negative reading tells a different story, one of risk being slowly taken off the table as higher-risk positions are unwound over time.

Bitcoin has largely hovered around the $90,000 level, even as activity in the derivatives market cooled off. There doesn’t seem to be a wave of forced liquidations driving that pullback, but rather traders reducing their leverage.

Although this has somewhat slowed the short-term rally, many analysts see it as a positive reset rather than an indication of more serious weakness. They warn that until exchange liquidity improves, Bitcoin may continue to be susceptible to sudden movements in either direction rather than a steady trend, even though long-term supply dynamics and institutional adoption are still favorable.

Bitcoin and Ethereum are attempting to recover after recent declines that dragged both assets below key technical levels.

While momentum indicators show early signs of improvement, overhead resistance zones remain critical hurdles for any sustained upside move.

Bitcoin tries to rebound below key resistance
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Bitcoin prices corrected sharply after failing to hold gains above the $92,000 and $92,500 levels.

The sell-off pushed BTC below the $90,500 support zone and briefly under $88,000, before buyers emerged near the $87,500 area.

A short-term low was established at $87,582, from where prices have started to move higher.

The recovery has seen Bitcoin climb above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the decline from the $93,561 swing high to the recent low.

However, BTC continues to trade below $90,000 and remains under the 100-hourly simple moving average, highlighting lingering bearish pressure.

Immediate resistance is located near $90,000, followed by a more significant barrier around $90,500.

A bearish trend line on the hourly BTC/USD chart also adds resistance near $90,650. If Bitcoin manages to settle above the $90,500 zone, the next upside targets lie near $92,000 and $92,500.

A close above $92,000 could open the door to further gains toward $93,200, with $94,000 and $94,500 acting as higher resistance levels.

On the downside, failure to clear $90,500 could trigger another decline. Initial support is seen near $88,550, followed by $88,000 and $87,500.

A deeper move lower could expose the $86,500 level, while the main support remains at $85,000.

Technically, the hourly MACD is gaining strength in bullish territory, and the RSI has moved above 50, suggesting improving short-term momentum.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $89,295, down by 1.16% in the last 24 hours.

Ethereum consolidates after dip toward $3,000
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Ethereum has mirrored Bitcoin’s recent weakness, retreating after failing to sustain levels above $3,180.

The decline pushed ETH below $3,150 and $3,120, briefly testing the $3,000 area.

A low was formed at $3,026, from where prices have attempted a modest recovery.

ETH has moved above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the drop from the $3,273 swing high to the recent low.

Despite this rebound, Ethereum remains below $3,200 and the 100-hourly simple moving average.

A bearish trend line on the hourly ETH/USD chart is also capping gains near $3,175.

If Ethereum continues to recover, resistance is expected near $3,150 and around the 50% Fibonacci retracement level.

The $3,180 zone and the $3,200 level represent more significant hurdles.

A clear break above $3,200 could see ETH retest $3,250, with potential extensions toward $3,320 or even $3,400 if bullish momentum strengthens.

Ethereum was trading at $3,114, down by 0.19% in the previous 24 hours.

Downside risks remain for both assets
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Should Ethereum fail to reclaim $3,200, downside risks persist. Initial support lies near $3,080, followed by the key $3,050 level.

A sustained move below $3,050 could push prices toward $3,020 and the psychological $3,000 mark, with $2,940 acting as a deeper support zone.

For now, both Bitcoin and Ethereum show tentative signs of stabilisation, supported by improving momentum indicators.

However, their ability to overcome nearby resistance levels will likely determine whether the current recovery attempts develop into more sustained upward moves or fade into another leg lower.

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price once again slipped below the $90,000 support level over the weekend, as heightened volatility continues to define trading conditions in December.

Several traders are pointing to the repeated appearance of the so-called “Bart Simpson” pattern on Bitcoin’s price chart. Notably, one appears to be forming now, which could likely define BTC’s price action in the coming days.

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The Bart Simpson Pattern: Influence and Resurgence in DecemberThe Bart Simpson pattern is named after the popular cartoon character Bart Simpson because of its shape, which resembles the character’s hair. It forms when Bitcoin moves sharply in one direction, either upward or downward, within a short time frame.

Price then pauses and trades sideways in a range. After that, the market quickly moves back toward the earlier price area. Although its name is playful, this pattern presents real challenges for participants in volatile markets.

Several traders documented its frequent occurrence last month. One analyst shared a chart showing three patterns from December 10-12. Other observers highlighted five cases and more from late November to mid-December.

Against this backdrop, one analyst suggested that Bitcoin may now be completing another Bart pattern. If confirmed, the formation could be followed by another leg higher.

However, the sustainability of the surge remains in question. The analyst added that a breakout followed by another reversal is a “likely scenario.”

“Bart pattern + weekend order books = stop-hunt bingo. My base case: both sides get cleaned before direction is obvious. Sunday/Monday is less ‘prediction’ more ‘liquidity event’,” Paweł Łaskarzewski said.

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Liquidity and Market MechanismsMeanwhile, an analyst noted that the Bart pattern is not a new phenomenon and has appeared repeatedly throughout Bitcoin’s trading history.

According to the analyst, the formation tends to emerge under specific market conditions, particularly when liquidity is thin. He added that these setups often coincide with activity from large market participants.

Retail traders begin to chase momentum after sudden price moves. At the same time, stop-loss levels become clearly visible.

“Price rips during low liquidity, everyone starts tweeting targets, confidence comes back… then we go straight down and fully retrace. People will still argue it’s ‘organic price discovery’ while staring at a chart that looks like it was drawn with a ruler. Love it or hate it, Bart never misses,” the post read.

Other analysts suggest that repeated Bart patterns often function as short-term volatility traps. These abrupt price movements can trigger rapid reversals and shakeouts, forcing short-term traders out of positions as momentum quickly fades.

“Bart patterns are meant to exhaust traders emotionally. Long-term holders barely notice these moves,” a market watcher added.

$BTC with the classic Bart pattern over and over again. We've seen many of these in 2018/2019. Probably more reason to not trade leverage right now, these moves mostly happen to liquidate leveraged traders. pic.twitter.com/ayG7i0lJOb

— Christian Ott (@ChrisOtt) December 12, 2025
Thus, as Bitcoin continues to trade in a reactive environment, the repeated appearance of Bart patterns highlights the role of liquidity and market structure in short-term price behavior. While these formations can create sharp moves and rapid reversals, analysts note that they tend to have limited significance beyond short-term positioning, leaving broader trend direction dependent on sustained liquidity and participation.

Journalist

Posted: December 15, 2025

Litecoin (LTC) has secured a place inside a regulated investment product after its recent inclusion in the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW). The Index ETF began trading on NYSE Arca on 9 December 2025.

While Litecoin’s allocation in the fund remains relatively small, commanding just 0.26% of the large share, the inclusion places LTC alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum inside an index-based ETF structure.

For an asset like Litecoin, this represents a shift in positioning rather than an immediate market demand shock.

Litecoin ETF inclusion brings credibility, not instant volume
BITW tracks the top cryptocurrencies by screened market capitalization. Litecoin’s inclusion signals a recognition rather than dominance, especially as Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to command the majority of the fund’s weight.

In fact, Bitcoin commands the largest share with 74%, with the same closely followed by ETH with 15% of the Index ETF.

So far, the ETF-related development has not translated into aggressive spot activity. For example – Litecoin’s spot trading volume dropped by nearly 30%, falling to around $189 million. This suggested that short-term traders have remained cautious, despite the headlines.

Whales accumulate as spot activity cools
Despite the spot volume cooling down, on-chain behaviour did hint at long-term bullish bias. Whale orders have increased noticeably, pointing to accumulation at press time price levels, rather than distribution.

Such a divergence often reflects a shift in market structure. At the time of writing, retail participation appeared muted, but longer-term players might just be comfortable building positions quietly.

Source: CryptoQuant

At the same time, buyers have started to gain dominance too, hinting at a fall in sell-side pressure. This was evidenced by Litecoin’s Cumulative Volume Delta at press time. 

If the momentum persists, the negative spot volume inflows could be countered.

Source: CryptoQuant

A long-term positioning play?
Litecoin’s ETF inclusion looks more like a structural milestone set for long-term gains. With LTC now being a part of a regulated index product, the asset’s institutional visibility and legitimacy may be set for an improvement. Even if immediate price reactions remain limited.

In light of shrinking spot liquidity and surging whales’ activity, Litecoin may be entering a consolidation phase where positioning matters more than momentum. Whether this evolves into a broader trend will likely depend on the demand for sustainability.

On the daily charts, the altcoin has been consolidating. Litecoin’s price, at the time of writing, was still trading below the 20-day Exponential Moving Average at $83.81. This might be a cautious bearish signal, until the buying pressure supersedes the prevailing bearish run.

Source: TradingView

Final Thoughts

Litecoin’s inclusion in BITW strengthens its institutional profile, despite short-term spot activity cooling down.
Rising whale accumulation might be indicative of long-term positioning, despite muted retail participation.

Author

David Pokima

Author

David Pokima

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2023

About Author

David is a finance journalist and a contributor to Cryptonews.com with a keen interest in breaking comprehensive, accurate, and reliable blockchain news.

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Last updated: 

December 15, 2025

Bitcoin continues to trade in a narrow range just below the $90,000 level, reflecting a broader pause in market momentum as the year draws to a close. The world’s largest cryptocurrency was last hovering around $89,700, down roughly 1.2% over the past 24 hours, with price action largely subdued.

The lack of volatility reflects a wider consolidation phase, as institutional trading desks scale back activity ahead of the holidays. With liquidity thinning and risk appetite muted, market participants appear reluctant to take fresh directional bets.

Post-October Correction Sets a Defensive ToneThe current sideways movement follows a sharp correction from Bitcoin’s October highs. On October 10, BTC was trading above $113,000 before a steep sell-off reset market expectations. That drawdown has since fostered a more cautious tone, particularly as the market enters a traditionally low-liquidity period.

On-chain and derivatives data suggest participation has steadily weakened through the final quarter. A recent Glassnode report shows trading activity declining from November into December, alongside expectations that implied volatility will continue to compress toward year-end.

“The contraction in volume reflects a more defensive overall market positioning, with less liquidity-driven capital flow available to absorb volatility or sustain directional moves,” Glassnode noted.

Institutional Fatigue and a Wait-and-See MarketThat assessment aligns with commentary from market analysts, including Markus Thielen of 10x Research, who has pointed to signs of “institutional fatigue.” Despite substantial spot Bitcoin ETF inflows earlier in the year, those allocations have yet to translate into sustained upside, prompting funds to de-risk and close books into year-end.

10x Weekly Crypto Kickoff – Why Year-End Risk Skews to the Downside

The report covers derivatives positioning, volatility trends, and funding dynamics across Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with sentiment, technical signals, ETF and stablecoin flows, option activity, expected… pic.twitter.com/4Pp3VyBX3h

— 10x Research (@10x_Research) December 14, 2025
With retail participation also subdued, analysts broadly agree that the conditions for a meaningful breakout are lacking. Even the Federal Reserve’s recent neutral stance on interest rates has failed to act as a catalyst for renewed institutional positioning.

For now, Bitcoin appears content to remain range-bound, with traders and investors alike waiting for clearer signals, and deeper liquidity, likely not until the New Year.

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YoungHoon Kim, the supposed world’s highest IQ holder, personally believes XRP could rise to $100 within 5 years. This is an extremely high target considering XRP’s current price (around $0.5–$1 historically).

Kil began posting about XRP very recently (specifically on Dec. 12). Back then, he stated that he would start buying XRP. 

The sudden XRP endorsement appears to be primarily engagement bait. 

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Before the, his posts focused heavily on religious declarations and Bitcoin maximalism, 

This 180-degree pivot from a Bitcoin advocate to an XRP uber-bull without any reasoning is certainly ridiculous. 

Does he actually have the world’s highest IQ? Many of Kim’s posts follow a formula: a bold claim + the "IQ 276 verifiable below" link. 

However, very few people actually believe that he is the world’s smartest man.

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the IQ score is statistically implausible. This would  represents a rarity of about 1 in 10^29 people

His endorsements come from organizations like the World Memory Championships, World Mind Sports Council, GIGA Society Professional, and others. Many of these are either founded by or closely tied to individuals associated with his claims.  

A detailed VICE article interviewed multiple high-IQ society leaders, who unanimously rejected the claim's validity. 

“Based on my personal view, you just used only a quarter, perhaps even less, of your IQ,” an Bitcoin maximalist quipped on the X social media network after reading Kim’s XRP price prediction.

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Metaplanet stock wavers near 440 JPY ahead of its crucial extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to determine its Bitcoin strategy for next year. CEO Simon Gerovich urges shareholders to exercise their voting rights on key proposals that could shape the company’s future.

Metaplanet Sends Notice to Shareholders About Extraordinary General Meeting
Metaplanet took to X on December 15 to reach out to its wider stockholders and the crypto community about a convocation notice sent regarding the December 22 online extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

The meeting will bring together shareholders to discuss and vote on key agenda items relevant to the company’s strategic and governance matters, including next year’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

The Bitcoin treasury quoted the meeting as “crucial” for the company’s future. It asked shareholders to exercise their voting rights in advance by this Friday.

“If you have not yet exercised your voting rights, please promptly do so in advance using the QR code,” the company added. The Bitcoin treasury company is also offering some special perks, including Planet Gear benefits and giveaways.

CEO Simon Gerovich Calls on Shareholders for Key Bitcoin Buy Decision
Metaplanet CEO calls on all shareholders to actively exercise their voting rights as the EGM includes important proposals.

メタプラネットの株主の皆さまへ
来週12月22日（月）に開催される臨時株主総会に向けて、ぜひ議決権の行使をお願いいたします。

本総会では、今後の優先株式の発行に関する重要な議案が含まれており、当社の中長期戦略にとって非常に重要な内容となっています。… pic.twitter.com/1b7rY3noBo

— Simon Gerovich (@gerovich) December 15, 2025

He revealed key proposals, including the issuance of preferred shares in the future. It is extremely significant for the company’s mid and long-term strategy. Metaplanet has announced Class A preferred shares (MARS) and Class B preferred shares (MERCURY).

The company also plans a proposal to reduce capital stock and capital reserves. Notably, the company targets to expand its total Bitcoin holdings to 100,000 BTC by 2026-end, according to its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Current MTPLF Stock and Bitcoin Price Action
Japan-listed Metaplanet stock and the US-listed MTPLF rebounded nearly 15% in recent sessions after mNAV bounced back above 1. However, stock wavers amid market uncertainty around the EGM and Bitcoin price volatility.

At press time, Metaplanet stock price closed 1.36% lower at 436 JPY. The 24-hour low and high are 408 JPY and 439 JPY, respectively.

MTPLF stock closed 2.8% lower at $2.71 on Friday. It erased most gains due to potential uncertainty ahead of EGM.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin price action remains volatile and trades near $89K. The 24-hour low and high are $87,634 and $90,302, respectively. Trading volume dropped further by 30% over the past 24 hours.

Economist Peter Schiff took a dig at the conviction of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) holders on Sunday,  suggesting that their expectations might be misguided.

Schiff Questions ‘Overwhelming’ Consensus Among BitcoinersIn an X post, Schiff challenged Bitcoiners’ supposed conviction that they are guaranteed “extraordinary gains” if they weather the market’s volatility.

“When such an overwhelming consensus develops, markets tend to confound expectations by doing the opposite of what the crowd expects,” the Bitcoin critic added.

See Also: Vanguard Exec Says Bitcoin Is Like ‘A Digital Labubu’

The Counter-PointThe post comes as Bitcoin’s price dropped below $88,000 on Sunday, down from highs above $90,000 earlier in the week. The sentiment slipped into “Extreme Fear,” according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin advocates countered Schiff’s argument. Eli Nagar, CEO of Bitcoin mining firm Braiins, said the idea of the market doing the “opposite of consensus” applies to discretionary assets but not Bitcoin, which, according to him, reprices monetary debasement.

Bullion Over Bitcoin?Schiff’s comments on Bitcoin come at a time when he has been vocal about his expectations for gold and silver. On Saturday, he advised investors to purchase these precious metals before equity markets open for trading next week, anticipating new record highs.

Earlier, Schiff had called a Bitcoin rebound a ‘good opportunity’ to sell the ‘fool’s gold’ and invest in silver instead, as he celebrated silver’s new all-time high above $60 per ounce.

Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $89,762.95, up 0.50% in the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

Spot gold traded at $4,326.75 per ounce, up 0.56% in the last 24 hours. Spot silver traded up nearly 1% at $62.6225 per ounce.

Read Next: 

Stablecoin NFTs? Archimedes Launches Leveraged Yield App With Origin Dollar
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo by Momentum studio via Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Hex Trust launched wrapped XRP across Ethereum, Solana, Optimism, and HyperEVM on Dec. 12 with $100 million in initial liquidity, positioning the token as a trading pair for Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin.

This latest move to make XRP available across multiple ecosystems adds to Coinbase's cbXRP on Base and Axelar's eXRP on the XRPL EVM sidechain.

Within months, XRP will exist in at least four distinct wrapped formats across a dozen networks, each with different custody arrangements and bridge infrastructure.

Additionally, RLUSD has over $1 billion in circulation, mostly on Ethereum, and deep XRP/RLUSD pairs on chains where capital already sits, expanding XRP's addressable market beyond XRPL's native orderbooks.

But the expansion trades one risk profile for another. Native XRP operates as a trustless protocol asset, while wrapped XRP replaces that model with a custodian holding real XRP, a bridge coordinating cross-chain state, and smart contracts managing the synthetic token.

The question is whether the liquidity gains compensate for the new layers of trust, operational complexity, and attack surface.

What actually launchedHex Trust issues wXRP tokens 1:1 with native XRP held in segregated institutional custody, with minting and redemption restricted to authorized participants via a KYC/AML-compliant flow.

The token uses LayerZero's Omnichain Fungible Token standard, synchronizing supply via message-passing contracts across multiple chains. Hex Trust seeded the launch with $100 million in TVL and positioned wXRP as a counterpart to RLUSD on EVM chains.

Wrapped.com has offered Wrapped XRP as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum since December 2021, with Hex Trust as the custodian.

Coinbase's cbXRP on Base follows the same structure: 1:1 backing by XRP held in Coinbase custody, redeemable through Coinbase's operational flow.

Ripple's XRPL EVM Sidechain, live on mainnet since June 2025, provides a different on-ramp. Users lock XRP on the XRP Ledger and receive eXRP on the EVM sidechain via Axelar's bridge.

The sidechain uses eXRP as its gas token, and Axelar's interoperability layer connects it to 80 additional chains, routing eXRP into broader EVM DeFi.

Firelight's stXRP adds another synthetic layer: users stake XRP on Flare and receive a liquid staking derivative.

The proliferation is rapid, as each product targets a different use case, but all replace native XRPL settlement with a trusted intermediary.

Liquidity gains are real but conditionalRLUSD reached $1 billion in circulation within a year of launch, with most issued on Ethereum rather than XRPL.

That gives XRP a large, liquid stablecoin counterpart on chains where trading volume already concentrates. Hex Trust's $100 million initial TVL seeds deep orderbooks from day one.

Wrapping XRP on Ethereum, Solana, and Base plugs it into the deepest on-chain trading venues.

Native XRPL has a functional DEX, but its liquidity is thin compared to Uniswap, Curve, or Raydium. A wrapped token on those platforms gains access to better execution, tighter spreads, and integration into lending and yield protocols that do not exist on XRPL.

The XRPL EVM sidechain and Axelar bridge create a direct path from XRPL into multi-chain DeFi. Lock XRP, mint eXRP, route it through Axelar to Arbitrum or Polygon, and XRP functions as collateral in protocols that have never integrated XRPL directly.

But the liquidity improvement assumes wrappers maintain tight pegs, custodians process redemptions reliably, and bridges do not become attack vectors. Each assumption introduces new points of failure that native XRPL does not have.

XRP would capture $8.26 billion in liquidity on Ethereum if wrappers reached 5% of total chain liquidity, while tapping Solana for $810 million.Where risk migratesThe shift from native XRP to wrapped representations transfers risk from protocol-level consensus to custodial and bridge infrastructure.

Custodian and issuer risk comes first. Every wrapped XRP product requires someone to hold the underlying asset. For wXRP, that is Hex Trust. For cbXRP, Coinbase. For eXRP, Axelar's validator network controls the bridge state and mint/burn logic.

XRP wrappers add another layer of risk on top of the XRP Ledger's consensus, as they are centralized entities that promise to hold and redeem XRP. If the custodian halts withdrawals, declares insolvency, or suffers a hack, the wrapped token's backing disappears regardless of what happens on XRPL.

Bridge and interoperability risk is the second layer. Hex Trust's wXRP uses LayerZero's OFT standard for cross-chain coordination, managing supply via off-chain message-passing and on-chain validation.

Axelar's eXRP depends on validators relaying state between XRPL and the EVM sidechain.

Bridges have been the single largest target in DeFi exploits. Hacken's 2025 Web3 Security Report showed that over $1.5 billion of the $3.1 billion stolen from crypto services in this year's first half relates to bridges, accounting for over 50% of DeFi losses.

Vitalik Buterin's argument against cross-chain architectures emphasizes that bridges do not diversify risk but rather concentrate it. A bug in a bridge contract can drain reserves across all connected chains simultaneously.

Redemption mechanics form the third risk domain. Hex Trust's wXRP restricts minting and redemption to authorized participants, not end users. If those merchants become insolvent or halt operations, liquidity providers holding wXRP have no direct path to redeem for native XRP.

The token can trade freely on secondary markets, but its convertibility depends on intermediaries remaining functional.

XRP already exhibits fragmentation: Wrapped.com's Ethereum wXRP, Hex Trust's multi-chain wXRP, Coinbase's cbXRP on Base, and Axelar's eXRP all claim 1:1 backing but operate on separate infrastructure.

A liquidity shock or operational pause in one version creates arbitrage gaps, temporary de-pegs, and user confusion about which wrapper holds value.

Risk typeWhat it is (plain English)Where it shows up in XRP’s multi-chain setupCustody / issuer riskSomeone has to hold the real XRP and promise 1:1 backing for the wrapped token. If they fail, the wrapper can be under-collateralized or unrecoverable.Hex Trust for wXRP; Coinbase for cbXRP; any custodian behind older ERC-20 wXRP; entities holding locked XRP for bridges or sidechains.Bridge / messaging riskCross-chain value moves via bridge contracts and message relayers. Bugs or attacks can mint extra wrapped tokens, block redemptions, or steal locked XRP.LayerZero OFT stack for multi-chain wXRP; Axelar bridge for XRPL EVM eXRP; any third-party bridges linking XRP to EVM or Solana.Smart-contract / protocol riskWrapped tokens and bridges rely on smart contracts with upgrade keys and governance. A bug, admin error, or malicious upgrade can break the wrapper.wXRP contracts on Ethereum, Solana, Optimism, HyperEVM; cbXRP contracts on Base; eXRP contracts on XRPL EVM; DeFi protocols that list these assets as collateral or LP tokens.Redemption and peg riskThe promise that 1 wrapped token always redeems 1 native XRP depends on smooth mint/burn flows and cooperative issuers/merchants. Stress events can break that.Authorized-merchant model for wXRP; institution-only redemption flows at Coinbase; bridge withdrawal queues when moving back to XRPL.Liquidity fragmentationMultiple different “XRP” tickers across chains split order books and depth. Some wrappers may be deep and tight, others thin and fragile.Native XRP on XRPL; Hex Trust wXRP; legacy ERC-20 wXRP; cbXRP on Base; eXRP on XRPL EVM; any future competing wrappers.Regulatory / compliance riskWrapped assets and custodial bridges sit squarely in regulated territory. Enforcement or licensing changes can force abrupt pauses or wind-downs.Hex Trust’s regulated custody; Coinbase’s cbXRP; RLUSD–wXRP pairs on KYC venues; any wrapper issued under a specific jurisdiction’s rules.Operational / key-management riskCustodians, bridge operators, and protocols all depend on ops processes and key security. Human error or compromised keys can be fatal.Custody setups for the underlying XRP; multisigs or HSMs securing bridge and token contracts; relayer and oracle infrastructure that reports cross-chain state.Narrative / functional driftOnce XRP is wrapped and paired with RLUSD or other stables, its role can shift from “payments asset” to “volatile DeFi collateral,” changing who uses it and why.wXRP–RLUSD pairs on Ethereum/Solana; DeFi protocols that treat wrapped XRP mainly as yield collateral, not as a settlement rail.Testing for infrastructure versus wrapper theaterThe expansion can be evaluated through four questions that reveal whether the product improves market plumbing or adds synthetic layers without reducing systemic risk.

First, who holds the XRP, and under what regime? Hex Trust and Coinbase position themselves as regulated custodians with segregated client assets.

RLUSD is regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services, and Ripple just got a national bank charter. That regulatory scaffolding determines whether users have legal recourse if custody fails.

A wrapper that cannot clearly identify its custodian, audit trail, and reserve attestation is not infrastructure, it is an unregulated promise.

Second, how many dependencies sit between the user and native XRP? A Solana DeFi user holding wXRP depends on XRP remaining on XRPL, Hex Trust maintaining reserves, LayerZero OFT messages propagating correctly, and Solana smart contracts executing as designed.

Native XRPL settlement depends on XRPL's consensus. Wrapped XRP has four or five.

Third, what economic role does XRP serve once wrapped? RLUSD's $1 billion circulation and positioning as a payments stablecoin create tension. A stable, regulated dollar token may be better suited for institutional settlement than volatile XRP.

If true, wrapped XRP ceases to function as a transactional medium and becomes collateral sitting atop a stablecoin-based payments layer.

Fourth, is the risk compensated and transparent? Bridges remain the industry's preferred attack surface, with billions in losses since 2022. If a wrapper offers marginal convenience but depends on an opaque custodian or experimental bridge design, the trade-off is asymmetric.

By contrast, if wXRP/RLUSD pairs develop deep liquidity on audited protocols with circuit breakers, the risk/return calculation becomes defensible.

Risk reallocationXRP's expansion across Ethereum, Solana, Base, and the XRPL EVM sidechain is not a decentralization narrative. It is a liquidity-for-custody trade.

The wrapped tokens improve access to deeper markets and richer protocol integrations. However, they replace the XRP Ledger's trustless settlement with trusted custodians, experimental bridges, and fragmented redemption flows.

For institutions evaluating whether to deploy capital into wrapped XRP, the calculus is not “does this expand XRP's reach?” but “does the custodial and bridge infrastructure meet the same reliability standard as the native ledger it wraps?”

The current architecture works as long as nothing breaks. The question is what happens when something does.

Mentioned in this article

Key NotesSaylor’s X post hints at another Bitcoin purchase.Strategy now holds ~660,624 BTC (~$58.5B); average cost $74,696 per coin.Bitcoin sits near $90K, ~−3% over 7 days amid ETF outflows.
Michael Saylor signaled he may be back in the market for more Bitcoin, posting “Back to More Orange Dots” on X alongside a portfolio chart on December 14. Such a well-worn tease typically precedes a purchase by his company, Strategy (MicroStrategy).

₿ack to More Orange Dots. pic.twitter.com/rBi1aagDVO

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) December 14, 2025

The hint comes days after Strategy disclosed its largest purchase since late July: 10,624 BTC (about $963 million) on Dec. 12, at an average price of $90,615.

That buy lifted the company’s stash to ~660,000+ BTC, making it the world’s biggest corporate holder of the asset. Public trackers put the trove’s notional value in the high-$50 billion range at recent prices.

Top-20 Bitcoin holders | Source: bitcointreasuries.net

Crypto market backdrop: what’s driving the tape
Spot price (today): Bitcoin has been oscillating between $89.5k and $90k in recent sessions, after a dip below $90k late last week. Read our Bitcoin price prediction to learn more.

7-day performance: According to Dec. 15 data on CoinMarketCap, BTC is down roughly ~3% week over week (about $92.7k → $89.6k) amid choppy risk sentiment. 

Why the pressure? November–December saw bouts of spot-ETF outflows, including a record $523M single-day redemption from BlackRock’s fund. It was also affected by macro jitters, such as central-bank moves and rate expectations, which whipsawed risk assets. BTC’s break below $90k on Nov. 18 underscored the fragile tone. 

What analysts think of Bitcoin price
Forecasts remain split. JPMorgan has floated scenarios ranging from a stabilization “floor” to a potential catch-up with gold’s market dynamics in 2026, implying substantial upside if conditions align. The bank’s views were summarized across major outlets this month.

Why Saylor’s tease matters
Strategy’s buys have often acted as signaling events for corporate treasury adoption and as incremental demand shocks in thinner markets. If Sunday’s message foreshadows another allocation, it would extend a December accumulation streak that already added five-figure coins to Strategy’s balance sheet.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Bitcoin News, News

Yana Khlebnikova joined CoinSpeaker as an editor in January 2025, after previous stints at Techopedia, crypto.news, Cointelegraph, and CoinMarketCap, where she honed her expertise in cryptocurrency journalism.

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Roomba's parent company, iRobot, is filing for bankruptcy protection.

Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

2025-12-15T02:43:07.586Z

Roomba's parent company, iRobot, said it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The vacuum cleaner manufacturer will be acquired by its main lender, Picea.
The bankruptcy announcement comes after years of cash struggles and a failed acquisition by Amazon.

The parent company of Roomba, which has sold millions of cleaning robots, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday after 35 years of operation.

In a Sunday press release, Massachusetts-based robotics company iRobot said it had filed for bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware court.

The company said that it would be wholly acquired by its main manufacturer and lender, vacuum cleaner maker Shenzhen PICEA. Picea has R&D and manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam, per the release.

The Picea deal would allow iRobot to continue operating, developing new products, make "timely payments to vendors and creditors," and meet its commitments to employees, the release said.

Under the deal, iRobot will be a private company owned by Picea, and its common stock will be wiped from stock exchanges.

iRobot was founded in 1990 by three roboticists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The company introduced the Roomba, its iconic disc-shaped vacuuming robot, in 2002.

The bankruptcy deal follows several quarters of weak sales and a cash crunch. The company wrote in its third-quarter earnings report that, as of September 27, its cash totaled $24.8 million, compared to $40.6 million as of June 28.

iRobot said it had withdrawn $5 million in restricted cash on September 27, after which it had "no sources upon which it can draw for additional capital."

Its third-quarter revenue, $145.8 million, was about a 25% drop compared to the same period the year before, with sales dropping 33% in the US.

Last month, the company warned that the last possible iRobot buyer had backed out of a deal, which left it likely to pursue bankruptcy.

iRobot went through a failed acquisition attempt by Amazon. In 2022, Amazon announced that it would buy iRobot for $1.7 billion, but pulled the deal in January 2024, citing regulatory hurdles in the US and Europe.

The collapse of the Amazon deal hit iRobot hard. On the same day as Amazon's announcement, iRobot said it would lay off 31% of its staff, and its CEO, Colin Angle, would step down.

iRobot's stock price has dropped more than 50% in the past year and more than 90% in the past five years.

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The company's brand name is its most valuable asset.

Coca-Cola (KO +2.04%) is a household name, with strong brand recognition that helps it remain relevant over time. The business has a presence all over the world, offers over 200 different drinks, and sees 2.2 billion servings of its products consumed every single day. This indicates tremendous market power.

The company's success has resulted in sizable profits that management prioritizes paying out to shareholders. Income investors might be wondering how many shares of Coca-Cola they'd need to earn $10,000 in yearly dividends.

Image source: Getty Images.

Coca-Cola has a stellar dividend streak
Coca-Cola's Board of Directors approved an increase to the dividend earlier this year in February, with the business now paying $0.51 per share each quarter. This makes 63 straight years that Coca-Cola has raised its payout, an unbelievable streak.

Investors who want to generate $10,000 in passive income from this beverage stock must own about 4,902 shares if Coca-Cola keeps its dividend at current levels. With a stock price of $70.50 (as of Dec. 12), this amounts to nearly $346,000 worth of shares.

Today's Change

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Current Price

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Coca-Cola is a safe stock to own
Coca-Cola's powerful brand supports its wide economic moat. The company experiences stable demand regardless of economic conditions. And it's highly profitable, with a third-quarter operating margin of 32%.

The stock trades at a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio of 23, too. But Coca-Cola isn't going to outperform the broader market over the long term, as the last 10 years suggest.

Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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