Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin has seen very little movement in the past 24 hours, with prices trading in a narrow range as the holiday season keeps activity low. Market conditions remain calm, and there have been no major breakouts so far.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is holding above an important short-term support zone near $85,500. As long as the price stays above this level, the overall short-term outlook remains stable. Another level to watch is $84,400, which marked a recent low earlier this month. A drop below that level could weaken the current recovery attempt.

Holiday trading is typically slow, and analysts are not expecting strong price action through Christmas and into the weekend. With Friday, Saturday, and Sunday often seeing lower volumes, Bitcoin may continue to move sideways in the near term.

For signs of strength, experts are looking whether whether Bitcoin can move above $88,350, which was the last short-term high. A clear break above that level would suggest growing buying interest. The next major resistance sits around $90,550. If Bitcoin manages to climb above both levels, attention would likely shift to higher resistance near $96,900.

For now, the advantage of the current market setup is clarity. Support and resistance levels are well defined, making it easier for traders to manage risk. While there is still a chance Bitcoin could briefly dip lower, the fact that prices are holding above the current support range keeps the short-term outlook constructive.

Overall, Bitcoin appears to be in a waiting phase. Bigger moves may not arrive until after the holidays, when trading volumes return and market participation increases. Until then, experts are closely watching whether support continues to hold and whether Bitcoin can slowly build momentum into the final days of the year.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

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Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has shared his thoughts on how Ethereum and Solana may perform as the crypto market moves toward 2026. His comments show the different strengths and challenges facing both blockchains.

Hoskinson said that Solana has better growth potential in the short term. He explained that Solana can move faster when it comes to adopting new technology and making upgrades. This is partly because its leadership structure allows quicker decision-making.

Solana has focused heavily on speed and scalability, which has helped it handle a large number of transactions. Today, it leads many blockchains in daily transaction volume, showing strong network activity and user demand.

Where Solana Still Lags Behind EthereumDespite its speed, Solana still trails Ethereum in important areas. Hoskinson pointed out that Solana’s total value locked (TVL) and stablecoin usage are far smaller than Ethereum’s. In fact, Solana is estimated to have only about one-tenth of Ethereum’s size in these categories.

This means that while Solana is growing quickly, it still has significant ground to cover before it can match Ethereum’s broader financial ecosystem.

Ethereum’s Long-Term Vision and Research FocusHoskinson described Ethereum as a platform that has become a victim of its own success. Because it supports a massive ecosystem, making changes takes more time. However, Ethereum continues to invest heavily in research, especially in areas like zero-knowledge proofs and advanced scaling solutions.

He said Ethereum is working toward a future where blockchains rely more on cryptographic proofs instead of simple transaction checks. This would allow Ethereum to act as a global verification layer for many networks, including Layer 2 solutions.

A Slower Path, But a Stronger Long-Term DirectionWhile Ethereum may need to adjust its strategy again, Hoskinson believes its overall direction is correct. He compared this to past upgrades that took longer than expected but eventually strengthened the network.

In the long run, he sees Ethereum’s proof-based model as a better solution for building systems that can scale to internet-level demand.

Final Take: Speed vs StrategyHoskinson summed it up by saying Solana may have the advantage in the short term due to speed and flexibility. Ethereum, on the other hand, could win over the long term because of its research-driven approach and long-range vision.

Both networks remain major players, each taking a different path as the blockchain industry continues to grow.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

On Dec. 26, the largest expiration of Bitcoin options in history by "notional value" will take place. 

Tomorrow will likely be boring and choppy because big institutions are forcing the price to stay still to maximize their profits on expiring contracts.

However, once that event is over and January begins, an explosive move upward could take place if there is no major bad news affecting the top crypto. 

HOT Stories

Massive expiry event Roughly $23.7 billion in BTC options are expiring. When you add Ethereum (ETH) and others, the total is around $28 billion.

Options are contracts that give traders the right to buy (calls) or sell (puts) Bitcoin at a specific price by a certain date. When these contracts expire, they must be settled.

A $28 billion expiration means massive amounts of capital are tied up in these bets. Markets have to "hedge" their positions to avoid losing money.

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Market makers (MMs) generally write (sell) the options that retail traders buy. MMs profit most when the options expire worthless. The price point where the most options expire worthless is called the "max pain" price.

MMs buy BTC when the price drops and sell BTC when the price rises to keep the market neutral. This makes it possible to manage risks. 

This constant buying-low and selling-high by MMs creates a "suppressive" force. It keeps the price strictly range-bound.

"Uncolining spring"Once the expiration moment passes (usually 8:00 AM UTC on Fridays), the MMs no longer need to hedge these positions. The "suppressive weight" is lifted. This usually leads to a return of volatility.

Before a possible move up, the market could drop briefly to "hunt liquidity." Algorithms push the price down to trigger "stop-loss" orders from nervous traders.

Historically, January sees an inflow of money, which is bullish for BTC.

A drop is considered unlikely since expirations are neutral-to-bullish (as a rule).

That said, "thin" markets are easier to manipulate. A relatively small order can move the price significantly because there are fewer buyers/sellers to absorb it.

Hedera has faced persistent bearish pressure over the past two months, tracking weakness across the broader crypto market. HBAR price declined steadily as risk appetite faded and capital rotated into defensive positions. 

Despite recent losses, market structure suggests January could mark a meaningful shift in momentum for the altcoin.

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HBAR’s History Speaks For ItselfJanuary has historically been one of the strongest months for HBAR price performance. Over seven years of price history, the token posted an average January return of 38%. The median return stands at 19.7%, highlighting consistent seasonal strength rather than isolated rallies.

Seasonality data remains relevant for long-term market participants. If historical patterns repeat, HBAR could see renewed demand early in 2026. Such behavior would align with post-year-end repositioning, when traders reassess undervalued assets following extended drawdowns.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

HBAR Monthly Returns Historical. Source: CryptoRankSponsored

Hedera Traders Seem BearishDerivatives data support a cautiously bearish outlook among active traders. Futures positioning shows short exposure at approximately $4.30 million, while short exposure currently sits lower, near $3.16 million. This indicates an imbalance favoring downside expectations.

This positioning reflects a lack of confidence that downside risk may be limited near current levels. HBAR traders typically expand short exposure when they anticipate further decline. While leverage increases volatility, the current structure suggests a more pessimistic approach rather than optimistic hedging.

HBAR Liquidation Map. Source: CoinglassSponsored

Bitcoin Is Leading The WayHBAR maintains a strong correlation with Bitcoin, currently measured at 0.89. This relationship has strengthened over recent days, signaling that Hedera price movements increasingly mirror broader market direction. Such alignment reinforces Bitcoin’s role as a primary driver of short-term momentum.

Correlation presents both opportunity and risk. A Bitcoin recovery would likely lift HBAR alongside other large-cap altcoins. Conversely, renewed weakness in BTC could undermine any standalone recovery attempt by Hedera.

HBAR Correlation To Bitcoin. Source: TradingViewMacro conditions, therefore, remain critical. As long as Bitcoin holds key support levels, HBAR may benefit from positive spillover. Any sharp BTC correction would likely weigh heavily on Hedera’s price structure.

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Can HBAR Price Reclaim This Critical Support?HBAR price traded near $0.110 at the time of writing. The token remains capped below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement drawn from the $0.155 high to the $0.102 swing low. Recovery from this zone remains possible, though momentum appears gradual rather than impulsive.

A deeper pullback may be required to rebuild strength. A move toward the $0.100 psychological level could attract stronger demand. Liquidity often concentrates near round numbers. As long as the price remains below the $0.112–$0.115 range, activity reflects distribution rather than accumulation.

HBAR Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewIf buyers regain control, the first objective would be reclaiming the 23.6% Fib level at $0.115 as support. Success there could open the path toward $0.130 during January. However, a failure to sustain bullish momentum or a downturn in Bitcoin could push HBAR below $0.100. Such a move would expose the HBAR price to $0.099 or lower, invalidating the bullish prediction.

In brief
The stablecoin supply jumped $100 billion to a total of $314 billion in 2025.
Tether leads in transaction activity, followed by Ripple's RLUSD and Circle's USDC.
The Trump-backed USD1 reached the top 5 just months after April launch.
This was a defining year for stablecoins, with the signing of the GENIUS Act, a high-flying IPO for Circle, and a handful of tokens outpacing the rest.

Since the start of January, the overall U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin supply has increased by more than $100 billion, to $314 billion total. But that doesn’t mean all boats have risen at the same rate.

To measure stablecoin performance, Decrypt calculated velocity using historical data from crypto price aggregator CoinGecko from January through December 15. Velocity divides total volume by average supply, resulting in a calculation of how many times each coin has, on average, changed hands.

As former Commodities and Futures Trading Commission Chairman Timothy Massad explained to Decrypt, measuring velocity beats rankings that rely only on total supply.

“Stablecoins can be very useful without there being a large market cap,” he said. “In other words, it's really the velocity, the transaction use, and they can circulate very quickly even if the amount outstanding is not that great.”

Tether (USDT)Tether tops the list with a velocity of 166 because it’s long been a workhorse for global crypto trading. It can’t claim the crown as the first-ever stablecoin—that belongs to BitUSD. But it launched the same year, in 2014, and became the first widely used one.

Tether boasts a market capitalization of $186 billion after increasing 35% since the start of the year, according to CoinGecko data. The bulk of Tether tokens get traded on Ethereum (46.3%) and Tron (41.4%), according to DeFi Llama data.

Tether began the year by relocating to Bitcoin-friendly El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele declared BTC legal tender in 2021. There have been a few bumps, though. In March, Binance said it would delist USDT for European Union users to stay compliant with MiCA regulations, which require stablecoin issuers to be licensed.

But that’s not stopped the company from turning a hefty profit. So far in 2025, Tether has seen $10 billion in profit in the first three quarters of the year, the company said in October.

Ripple USD (RLUSD)Ripple Labs’ stablecoin, RLUSD, swiped the second spot with a velocity of 71. That means, on average, every RLUSD token has changed hands 71 times since the start of the year.

In most stablecoin lineups, Circle’s USDC would hold this spot because its $78 billion market capitalization trumps that of RLUSD’s $1.3 billion. But as Massad pointed out, stablecoin performance has more to do with being able to move money efficiently than its total supply.

Ripple was provisionally approved for a national banking charter by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or OCC, in December. “This is a massive step forward—first for RLUSD— setting the highest standard for stablecoin compliance with both federal (OCC) & state (NYDFS) oversight,” Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse wrote on X.

HUGE news! @Ripple just received conditional approval from the @USOCC to charter Ripple National Trust Bank. This is a massive step forward - first for $RLUSD, setting the highest standard for stablecoin compliance with both federal (OCC) & state (NYDFS) oversight.

To the…

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) December 12, 2025

Ripple Senior Vice President of Stablecoins Jack McDonald has often pointed out that RLUSD was specifically designed for institutional use.

At the start of December, Ripple got the green light from the Singapore Monetary Authority, or MAS, to expand XRP and RLUSD payments in Singapore. And earlier this year, RLUSD was integrated into Securitize's tokenization platform. That means it’s one of the assets investors can swap for tokenized money market funds.

Circle (USDC)USDC saw its velocity reach 56 in 2025, while its market capitalization climbed 78% to $78.4 billion by December 15.

Perhaps more than any of its competitors, Circle benefitted massively from the passage of the GENIUS Act. Its operating model already resembled the federally regulated framework that’s now become U.S. law. That’s given Circle a head start on compliance and investor confidence—and investors took note.

CRCL was so popular with investors on its debut that the NYSE halted trading three times. Since then, Circle has reported $740 million in Q3 revenue, marking a 66% year-over-year increase. Circle has also rolled out the testnet for Arc, its layer-1 blockchain, which counts BlackRock, Visa, and Amazon Web Services as early participants.

Circle was also one of several  stablecoin issuers—including Ripple, Paxos and BitGo—which got a provisional approval for its national banking charter and will be looking to expand into broader financial services.

USD1 (USD1)USD1 is an outlier because it launched in April, and therefore doesn’t have nearly a full year’s worth of data. But that didn’t stop it from landing right next to the podium with a velocity of 39.

Issued by World Liberty Financial—the crypto-focused firm co-founded by Donald Trump Jr. and partners—USD1 was designed from the outset to be a highly liquid transactional stablecoin. The token reached a $1 billion market cap in April, less than a month after its launch, according to data from CoinGecko.

There have been some very bullish predictions about its growth. Blockstreet’s Kyle Klemmer told Decrypt he believes USD1 will be the world’s dominant stablecoin, beating USDT and USDC, before President Donald Trump’s second term ends in 2029.

The project has leaned heavily on retail distribution and promotional partnerships, including integrations with several U.S.-based crypto exchanges, like Coinbase and FalconX, and it’s making a bid to become “Solana’s go-to stablecoin” by teaming up with meme coin platform Bonk and decentralized exchange Raydium.

PayPal USD (PYUSD)PayPal USD’s velocity of 18 lands it in fifth place on this list.

Its 2023 debut made big waves because it was the first time an established payments platform made a bid at issuing a stablecoin—years before there was a regulatory framework in the U.S..

For most of this year, growth for PYUSD moved at a modest pace. Its market capitalization peaked above $1 billion in June and then established a foothold in September. Since then, it’s nearly tripled to $3.8 billion as of December 15.

PayPal has teamed with LayerZero to expand the token’s presence to nine new blockchains, including Tron, Abstract, Aptos, and Avalanche. But there’s also been some controversy.

In October, observers noted that PYUSD issuer Paxos minted and then immediately burned $300 trillion worth of tokens. It’s an impossibly large number of tokens, given it represents more than twice the world’s GDP.

At 3:12 PM EST, Paxos mistakenly minted excess PYUSD as part of an internal transfer. Paxos immediately identified the error and burned the excess PYUSD.

This was an internal technical error. There is no security breach. Customer funds are safe. We have addressed the root…

— Paxos (@Paxos) October 15, 2025

"This was an internal technical error. There is no security breach,” the firm wrote on X. “Customer funds are safe. We have addressed the root cause."

USDe (USDe)Ethena Labs’ USDe demonstrated a velocity of 11 in 2025, with its market capitalization showing a modest gain of 11% from $5.8 billion in January to $6.5 billion by December 15.

But that trajectory leaves out the fact that its market cap soared to nearly $15 billion before the early October flash crash.

USDe is the only stablecoin on this list that isn’t backed by fiat currency: It’s backed by a delta-neutral strategy involving staked Ethereum and perpetual futures hedges. But its reliance on derivatives means that times of high volatility and shifts in sentiment can cause big swings in market capitalization.

Even with a less straightforward structure, the token’s advocates include billionaire Arthur Hayes. But not all regulators are convinced. Ethena Labs pulled out of the German market in April over growing scrutiny over its “serious deficiencies” in compliance.

USDS (USDS)Sky’s USDS showed extremely low velocity of 1 in 2025—and that’s by design. To avoid confusion: Sky is a rebrand of DeFi OG MakerDAO and USDS is a rebrand of its DAI stablecoin.

Unlike USDT or USDC, which function as transactional stablecoins, most USDS tokens sit locked in Maker vaults or savings contracts as collateral for DeFi loans rather than circulating. Its role in DeFi is closer to a yield-bearing savings instrument than digital cash, so it naturally turns over far less often.

For example, the Sky Protocol currently offers a 4% rewards rate (paid in SKY tokens) to users who hold USDS. As of 2025, USDS has seen its market capitalization grow from $5.2 billion at the start of the year to $9.8 billion, marking an 85% increase in just under 12 months.

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// Price

Reading time: 2 min

Published: Dec 25, 2025 at 20:18
Updated: Dec 25, 2025 at 20:24

Sui's (SUI) price has remained below the moving average lines but above the $1.30 support since November 21.

On December 19, buyers attempted to push the price above the moving average lines but were halted at the 21-day SMA barrier. 

Technical indicators

Key supply zones: $4.00, $4.20, $4.40

Key demand zones: $3.00, $2.80, $2.60 

SUI price long-term prediction: bearish

The cryptocurrency price is sliding towards its current support at $1.30. The bears have retested this support three times but were repelled.

On the downside, if the bears break below the $1.30 support, selling pressure will resume. The crypto could return to its October 10 price of $0.61. Subsequently, the bearish momentum may reach the bottom price of $0.56. However, SUI will maintain its range-bound trend if the altcoin retraces and remains above the $1.30 support.

Sui price indicator analysis

The price bars have fallen below the downward-sloping moving average lines. Buyers were unable to sustain bullish momentum after breaking above the 21-day SMA barrier. The price action is characterised by Doji candlesticks, resulting in sluggish and range-bound movement. The price bars remain below the downward-sloping moving average lines, indicating a downtrend.

What is the next move for Sui?

SUI is declining below the moving average lines as it approaches the current support level of $1.30. Since 21 November, the price has traded above the $1.30 support but below the $1.80 resistance level. Doji candlesticks have helped to stem the decline. The altcoin has declined but is still above the $1.40 support.

Disclaimer. This analysis and forecast are the personal opinions of the author. The data provided is collected by the author and is not sponsored by any company or token developer. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell cryptocurrency and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Coinidol.com. Readers should do their research before investing in funds.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A securities class action lawsuit styled Smith v. F5, Inc., et al., No. 2:25-cv-02619 (W.D. Wash.) has been filed, seeking to represent investors in F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV) who purchased or otherwise acquired F5 securities between October 28, 2024 and October 27, 2025.

The lawsuit comes in the wake of F5’s October 15, 2025 report that, on August 9, 2025, it learned of a major cybersecurity incident involving a nation-state actor that gained unauthorized access to certain Company systems, including its highest revenue product (F5 BIG-IP). This and related subsequent disclosures drove the price of F5 shares sharply lower.

National shareholders rights firm Hagens Berman continues to investigate whether F5 timely reported the breach to investors and its impact on the company’s business. The firm urges F5 investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with knowledge who may be able to assist in the investigation to contact its attorneys.

Class Period: Oct. 28, 2024 – Oct. 27, 2025
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Feb. 17, 2026
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/ffiv
Contact the Firm Now: [email protected]
                                       844-916-0895

F5, Inc. (FFIV) Securities Class Action:

The lawsuit is focused on the timing and propriety of F5’s disclosures about the sufficiency of its cybersecurity response plan, the adverse effect of any cybersecurity incidents on its business and growth prospects including its F5 BIG-IP products which provide application delivery and security solutions.

Specifically, the complaint alleges that during the Class Period F5 assured investors that it “delivers the most effective and comprehensive app and API security platform in the industry[]” and claimed that it could uniquely address newly developing security concerns while providing best-in-class security offerings.

Investors’ expectations were dashed beginning on October 15, 2025. That day, F5 revealed that “[o]n August 9, 2025, F5, Inc. […] learned that a highly sophisticated nation-state threat actor had gained unauthorized access to certain Company systems.” F5 also disclosed “the threat actor maintained long-term, persistent access to certain F5 systems, including the BIG-IP product development environment and engineering knowledge management platform.”

Still, the company assured investors “this incident has not had a material impact on the Company’s operations[.]”

This news sent the price of F5 shares down $47.82 (-13.9%) during the two trading days ended October 16, 2025.

The incident’s full impact became clearer on October 27, 2025. That day, the company reported its Q4 and FY 2025 financial results and guided for 2026 revenue growth of only 0% to 4% as compared to 2025 revenue growth of 10%. Management blamed the steep growth deceleration “on what we see as potential near-term impact related to the security incident[]” and said “it would be natural that in some of our customers, at an executive level, we may see some delays of approvals or delays of deals or additional approval, as customers across a complex organization make sure that they want to be reassured that their projects should move forward[.]”

This news sent the price of F5 shares down $22.83 (-7.8%) the next day.

“We’re focused on when F5 determined that the August 2025 cybersecurity incident was material and whether the company timely informed investors consistent with the SEC’s 4 business day rule and which might have predated the October 15 disclosure,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm’s investigation.

If you invested in F5 and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the F5 case and our investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding F5 should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. 

Contact:
Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National shareholder rights law firm Hagens Berman is alerting investors in Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE: PRMB) that the deadline to move the Court for appointment as lead plaintiff in the pending securities class action lawsuit is January 12, 2026. The firm urges investors who suffered substantial losses to contact our firm now.

The lawsuit seeks to recover investor losses sustained after the disclosure of an allegedly concealed severe, operational crisis following the merger of Primo Water and BlueTriton Brands. The complaint alleges that while management repeatedly assured investors that the integration was “flawless” and would accelerate growth, the alleged reality was a catastrophic failure of technology, logistics, and customer service.

The truth allegedly emerged over multiple disclosures, culminating on November 6, 2025, when Primo Brands announced a dramatic reduction in its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance and the immediate replacement of its CEO. On this news, the stock crashed 21%, erasing substantial shareholder value.

For a detailed breakdown of the fraud allegations and answers to frequently asked questions about the Primo case, visit the dedicated Hagens Berman Primo Brands (PRMB) Case Page.

“The crux of the complaint is the alleged contradiction between the company’s repeated assurances of a ‘flawless’ merger and the new CEO’s admission of ‘self-inflicted’ disruptions that crippled the ReadyRefresh delivery business,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm’s investigation. “We are scrutinizing when management became aware that the foundational technology and operational integration had failed.”

Alleged Undisclosed Merger Failures

The litigation focuses on how the company’s alleged misrepresentations regarding the merger integration masked severe, undisclosed operational risks.

Misrepresentation Regarding the Integration of BlueTriton Brands: The complaint alleges Primo executives repeatedly assured investors that the merger integration was proceeding “flawlessly,” would accelerate growth, and deliver substantial synergies.Concealed Operational Reality: The complaint alleges the company failed to disclose that the accelerated integration process was causing severe technology breakdowns, supply disruptions, and massive customer service issues within its direct delivery segment.The First Disclosure Event (August 7, 2025): The company reported weak Q2 results and reduced guidance, partially blaming “service issues,” causing the stock to drop 9%.The Final Disclosure Event (November 6, 2025): The market’s misperception of Primo Brands was allegedly fully corrected when the company slashed its EBITDA guidance again and replaced its CEO. The new CEO described the issues as “self-inflicted,” allegedly confirming the severity of the undisclosed operational issues. This final disclosure caused the stock to drop 21%. Next Steps: Contact Partner Reed Kathrein Today

Hagens Berman is a leading plaintiff litigation firm recognized for prosecuting complex securities fraud cases.

Mr. Kathrein is actively advising investors who purchased PRMB shares during the Class Period (June 17, 2024 – Nov. 6, 2025) and suffered substantial losses due to the undisclosed merger integration failures and the subsequent management shakeup.

The Lead Plaintiff Deadline is January 12, 2026.

TO SUBMIT YOUR PRIMO BRANDS (PRMB) LOSSES NOW, PLEASE USE THE SECURE FORM BELOW:

Submit Your Primo Brands (PRMB) Losses NowContact: Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected]
Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Primo should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. 

Contact:
Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Alvotech (NASDAQ: ALVO) resulting from allegations that Alvotech may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Alvotech securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=15814 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On November 2, 2025, Alvotech issued a press release entitled "Alvotech Provides Update on the Status of U.S. Biologics License Application for AVT05." It stated that the " U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a complete response letter (CRL) for Alvotech's Biologics License Application (BLA) for AVT05, in a prefilled syringe and autoinjector presentations[.]" Further, the "CRL noted that certain deficiencies, which were conveyed following the FDA's pre-license inspection of Alvotech's Reykjavik manufacturing facility that concluded in July 2025, must be satisfactorily resolved before this BLA for AVT05 can be approved."

On this news, Alvotech's stock price fell 34% on November 3, 2025, and nearly 4% on November 4, 2025.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SBSW either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.

The fund made a big cut to its Kinetik stake -- but it still didn't fully exit the position.

On November 14, New York City-based SIR Capital Management disclosed a sale of 583,116 Kinetik Holdings shares, reducing its position by $25.98 million for the quarter.

What HappenedAccording to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated November 14,  SIR Capital Management sold 583,116 shares of Kinetik Holdings (KNTK +0.48%) during the third quarter. The transaction resulted in an estimated $25.98 million reduction in the fund’s Kinetik position, which now totals 227,722 shares valued at $9.73 million as of September 30.

What Else to KnowThis sale brought the position down to 0.87% of 13F reportable assets, from 3.19% in the previous quarter.

Top holdings after the filing: 

NASDAQ: VNOM: $82.04 million (7.36% of AUM)NYSE: PR: $62.83 million (5.64% of AUM)NYSE: KMI: $51.55 million (4.62% of AUM)NYSE: DVN: $51.18 million (4.59% of AUM)NYSE: OKE: $47.79 million (4.29% of AUM)As of Wednesday, KNTK shares were priced at $35.73, down a staggering 38% over the past year and well underperforming the S&P 500, which is up about 15% in the same period.

Company OverviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$1.72 billionNet Income (TTM)$125.45 millionDividend Yield8.7%Price (as of Wednesday)$35.73Company SnapshotKinetik Holdings provides midstream services, including gathering, transportation, compression, processing, and treating of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and water in the Texas Delaware Basin.The company also provides services to companies that produce natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and water in the Delaware Basin.It serves a customer base of upstream oil and gas producers, including both large-scale and regional energy companies operating in the region.Kinetik Holdings Inc. is a midstream energy company with a significant presence in the Texas Delaware Basin, supporting the energy value chain through critical infrastructure and services. The company leverages a contract-driven business model to deliver stable cash flows and maintain a high dividend yield. Its strategic location and integrated asset base provide a competitive advantage in servicing leading oil and gas producers in one of the most prolific resource plays in the United States.

Foolish TakeFor long-term investors, portfolio trims in midstream names tend to matter less as market calls and more as statements about balance-sheet confidence and cycle timing. Kinetik’s business still checks many of the boxes that typically attract patient capital, including long-term contracts and cash flows that are less volatile than upstream production. But recent results show why conviction is being tested.

In the third quarter, Kinetik generated $242.6 million in adjusted EBITDA and $158.5 million in distributable cash flow, while free cash flow came in at $50.9 million. Management revised full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $965 million to $1.005 billion, citing slower-than-expected volume ramp-ups at Kings Landing and ongoing Permian takeaway constraints. Net debt stood at roughly $4.15 billion at quarter end, with leverage around 4.3 times adjusted EBITDA, a level that leaves little margin for error in a weaker commodity backdrop.

Against that backdrop, it’s notable that this position was reduced while larger allocations remained concentrated in other midstream and upstream names like Viper Energy, Permian Resources, and Kinder Morgan. The move doesn’t invalidate Kinetik’s long-term thesis, but it does underline a key takeaway: in capital-intensive midstream businesses, execution and balance-sheet discipline matter just as much as yield.

Glossary13F assets under management (AUM): The total value of securities a fund manager reports to the SEC on Form 13F.
Alpha: A measure of an investment's performance relative to a benchmark, showing excess return or underperformance.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends per share divided by the share price, expressed as a percentage.
Trailing twelve months (TTM): The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Midstream services: Activities involving the transportation, storage, and processing of oil, gas, and related products between production and end users.
Delaware Basin: A major oil and gas producing region located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or investment firm.
Contract-driven business model: A business approach relying on long-term contracts to generate predictable revenue streams.
Integrated asset base: A collection of interconnected infrastructure and facilities supporting a company's operations across the value chain.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool recommends Oneok and Viper Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasTech 

SummaryMicrosoft Corporation maintains a market-leading moat across software, cloud, and AI infrastructure, despite recent market skepticism and competitive noise.MSFT's deep enterprise integration and AI partnerships, especially with OpenAI, position Azure for accelerated growth and monetization through 2026 and beyond.Strategic capital allocation and margin discipline remain intact, with CapEx expected to decelerate by FY2028, supporting long-term profitability conviction.Maintaining MSFT at Buy, with its valuation nearing its 10-year average, while still retaining incredibly strong free cash flow margins. lcva2/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Microsoft: Debunking The Pessimism For 2026 A correction engulfing the stock of Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is nothing new, even for the software behemoth. Wait, is Microsoft a software company, or is it a hyperscaler? Should investors consider its

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NVDA, MSFT, GOOGL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.

As the end of 2025 draws near, the investment community is getting ready to bid farewell to Warren Buffett. For nearly 60 years, the Oracle of Omaha helped turn Berkshire Hathaway into one of the most well-respected investment firms in history.

But beginning in 2026, longtime Buffett steward Greg Abel is taking over as CEO. With Buffett's days at the helm nearing an end, investors are naturally poring over some of Berkshire's notable decisions over the last year. Against this backdrop, a curious move from the end of 2024 has come back into focus.

Let's take a look at this particular trade and assess what it could mean as the markets soar to new heights into 2026.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Remember when Berkshire unloaded its S&P 500 ETFs?
One of Buffett's greatest pieces of advice was telling investors to buy the S&P 500 index. By investing in the index, you automatically gain exposure to a multitude of industry sectors, instantly creating a diversified portfolio. The S&P 500 also provides investors with a healthy balance of blue chip, growth, and dividend stocks.

Given these dynamics, it's not surprising that Berkshire complemented its individual stock positions with two S&P 500-themed exchange-traded funds (ETFs): The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO +0.33%) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY +0.37%).

Back in February, Berkshire released its 13F filing for the fourth quarter of 2024. A 13F is a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which breaks down the buying and selling activity at institutional investment funds during the prior quarter. According to Berkshire's Q4 13F, the firm dumped its respective positions in both the Vanguard S&P 500 and SPDR S&P 500 sometime late last year.

Image source: Getty Images.

With the markets roaring higher into the new year, should investors follow Buffett's move?
I can't say what exactly influenced Buffett's decision to exit Berkshire's S&P 500 ETFs. However, I can take a solid guess. A chief part of Buffett's investment philosophy is that he does not chase hype. In fact, Buffett is considered a contrarian -- often going against the grain of what other "smart money" investors are doing.

At the end of 2024, the S&P 500 Shiller CAPE ratio hovered around 37. The CAPE ratio is a useful tool because it measures inflation-adjusted earnings over a period of 10 years relative to the current level of stock prices.

As the trends in the chart below make clear, the CAPE ratio had only reached near this level twice before -- the end of the 1920s, and in the year 2000. In both cases, the stock market experienced pronounced corrections after the CAPE ratio peaked -- during the Great Depression and the bursting of the dot-com bubble.

S&P 500 Shiller CAPE Ratio data by YCharts.

My thinking is that Buffett may have viewed the market as unsustainably frothy, as the S&P 500 has been propped up by a small cohort of mega-cap stocks -- most of which have benefited from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

What's ironic is that the S&P 500 is on pace for its third straight year of double-digit gains in 2025. Once again, technology stocks have ushered in a prolonged period of bullish momentum. Does this mean Buffett's decision to sell the S&P 500 ETFs was ill-timed? Not necessarily.

Buffett is a prudent investor and is always looking for a good deal. In my eyes, Buffett simply didn't see any attractively valued stocks at the time he sold out of the Vanguard and SPDR ETFs. This may be what influenced Berkshire to collect some gains and earn easy passive income through interest on Treasury bills and a growing stockpile of cash.

Today's Change

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501.27

The CAPE ratio is now closer to 40 -- higher than it was at the end of last year. While this would suggest that the market is becoming even more heated, and thereby lending validation to the idea of a correction on the horizon, the chart above makes one thing abundantly clear. Whether you invested in the S&P 500 during all-time highs or decided to buy the dip during bear markets, long-term trends show that investing in the index has been a profitable decision overall, as Buffett has long suggested.

For this reason, I do not think investors necessarily need to follow Buffett's moves to a "t." Furthermore, given the robust long-run average returns across the S&P 500, I see no reason to panic going into 2026 -- despite the markets roaring even higher.

Both Ford and Rivian made big headlines recently, but is there real growth to be had for investors?

For years, the automotive industry was looked down upon by most investors because it tends to be a fiercely competitive market, is capital-intensive, and is notoriously low-margin (unless you're Ferrari). That investment attitude is slowly changing as vehicles load more technology into the ride, driverless vehicle programs expand, and artificial intelligence (AI) works its way into the industry.

Recently, Ford Motor Company (F +0.30%) and Rivian (RIVN 0.24%) both announced new developments worthy of investor attention. But do these developments move the needle and make the two stocks buys now?

Image source: Ford Motor Company.

Rivian's AI chip
Rivian is looking to accelerate the rollout of autonomous driving features. It has developed its own AI computer chip and said that it will add lidar sensors to the upcoming R2 SUV. The Rivian Autonomy Processor will power its upcoming third-generation Autonomy computer. The chip can process 5 billion pixels per second and enables a "dramatic expansion of Rivian's autonomy capabilities," said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, according to Automotive News.

Rivian's new chip marks its most aggressive push into autonomous driving technology and positions the company to compete more directly with Tesla, especially when the R2 SUV hits the roads in 2026 and goes head to head with Tesla's top-selling Model Y. Another positive from Rivian developing its own chip is that it can move faster to deploy advanced driver-assistance features than it could if it was forced to work with suppliers.

For investors, as far as revenue streams go, the new Autonomy+ driver-assistance package will cost $2,500 as an upfront payment or $49.99 per month, according to Rivian. That's noticeably cheaper than Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which costs consumers $8,000 upfront or $99 per month.

The question, however, is: Does this recent development make Rivian stock a buy? Not necessarily. It's a great headline, and it's certainly technology that investors want Rivian to develop, but it doesn't seem like a game-changer for an investment thesis. At least, it doesn't change the investment thesis until perhaps it's more intertwined with joint venture business, potential licensing, or other new revenue streams.

Developing this simply puts Rivian on par with, or in the vicinity of, Tesla's current technology. While it does open the doors in the future for more ambitious autonomous projects that could be game-changing, what should really matter to investors right now is the R2. Until then, watch Rivian stock from the sidelines as it builds scale and continues to improve gross profits.

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$19.5 billion pivot away from EVs
Ford had its own massive development as the Detroit automaker announced it would take a charge of $19.5 billion over the next couple of years in a pivot away from full electric vehicles (EVs) to place a renewed focus on hybrids. Ford made a massive decision when it saw a market that wasn't buying high-end EVs -- think in the $50,000 to $80,000 range -- to pivot and focus on not only hybrids but more affordable EVs based on its new, low-cost, flexible Universal EV Platform.

Ford now expects about 50% of its global volume to be hybrids, extended-range EVs, and full EVs by 2030, up substantially from this year's 17%.

But those strategic changes and that pivot only explain the massive charge. What was also interesting in Ford's broader announcement was that the company is dipping its toes into a new business: Battery energy storage systems (BESS). The plan is to repurpose an existing U.S. battery manufacturing plant in Kentucky to serve the expanding BESS market, creating a new and profitable revenue stream for Ford.

To support its new endeavor, the automaker plans to invest roughly $2 billion over the next two years to scale the business. It's a move that Ford hopes will capture the increasing demand for energy storage as AI data centers and other infrastructure weigh on the energy grid.

Today's Change

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Long road ahead
Both Rivian and Ford made solid moves with future potential aplenty. Rivian's venture into developing its own AI chips could certainly provide competitive advantages, especially as it develops partnerships -- such as the one with Volkswagen Group -- to generate revenue from its software stack. While the automaker is a long way from competing with tech giants in the space, there is an intriguing future where Rivian's autonomous vehicle technology could power its growth potential.

Ford, on the other hand, is fine-tuning its growth strategy to focus its investments on higher-growth-potential opportunities. It's great news for investors that Ford is willing to pivot toward where the market actually is, rather than where they hoped it would be, and a focus on hybrids could prove a wise business move in the near term. It's a positive development, but not something that would fundamentally change your investment thesis. Investors might be wise to take a wait-and-see approach on both stocks, for the time being.

// Price

Reading time: 2 min

Published: Dec 25, 2025 at 16:47
Updated: Dec 25, 2025 at 16:48

Ethereum's price has slipped below the moving average lines, indicating rejection at the 21-day SMA.

Price long-term analysis: ranging

Since November 21, Ether has moved sideways above the $2,800 support but below the moving average lines. During recent price action, buyers kept the price above the 21-day SMA barrier. However, momentum was halted at $3,400 and the 50-day SMA.

On the upside, Ether will resume its bullish trend once buyers break above the $3,400 resistance and the 50-day SMA. Today, Ether is down as it faces rejection at the 21-day SMA and is declining as it approaches the current support level of $2,800. If this support is breached, Ether will fall below $2,630. If the support holds, the cryptocurrency will continue to trade within this range.

Technical indicators:

Resistance Levels: $4,500 and $5,000

Support levels: $3,000 and $2,500

Ethereum price indicator analysis 

The moving average lines are horizontal, and the price bars oscillate above and below the 21-day SMA support. On the 4-hour chart, the price bars have returned below the downward-sloping moving averages. Doji candlesticks dominate the price bars, slowing price fluctuation.

What is the next direction for Ethereum?  

Ether price is falling below the moving average lines. The decline has stalled above the $2,900 support level. The cryptocurrency is currently range-bound, with support at $2,800 and resistance at $3,400. Price movement has been flat in the middle of this range. The largest altcoin will maintain its range for a few days.

Disclaimer. This analysis and forecast are the personal opinions of the author. The data provided is collected by the author and is not sponsored by any company or token developer. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell cryptocurrency and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Coinidol.com. Readers should do their research before investing in funds.

Author

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Evernorth’s decision to build one of the largest known XRP treasuries has become one of the most closely watched institutional crypto experiments of 2025. What began as a high-conviction accumulation strategy has since evolved into a stress test of timing, volatility management, and long-term positioning in a market that has repeatedly punished short-term optimism.

A High-Conviction XRP Treasury Meets Market Reality
Evernorth accumulated approximately 388.7 million XRP between late October and late December 2025, deploying capital aggressively as XRP traded in a strong uptrend. At its peak, the position was valued at roughly $947 million and briefly generated a gain of about $71 million. This early performance reinforced the thesis that institutional-scale XRP exposure could deliver meaningful upside if market momentum held.

However, that momentum did not persist. As XRP’s price slid from the $2.60 region toward the $1.80 range, Evernorth’s treasury position moved decisively below its aggregate cost basis. What was once a profitable allocation quickly turned into a substantial unrealized drawdown. By late December, the paper loss had expanded to roughly $220–225 million, according to on-chain and price-based estimates.

Importantly, this outcome was not driven by forced selling or liquidation. The losses remain unrealized, meaning Evernorth has not exited its position. Instead, the situation reflects a classic mark-to-market recalibration, where exposure size and price volatility intersect unfavorably. Moreover, a chart shared by market watcher JA_Maartun in relation to Evernorth’s treasury illustrates a clear progression, with early profit zones giving way to sustained loss territory as XRP’s price trend weakened over time.

Source: CryptoQuant
What Evernorth’s Performance Signals For Institutional Strategy
Beyond the headline loss figure, Evernorth’s 2025 performance highlights several structural realities about institutional crypto exposure. First, concentration risk is non-trivial. A treasury strategy centered on a single volatile asset amplifies sensitivity to short- and medium-term price swings, regardless of long-term conviction. Even disciplined accumulation can be undermined by unfavorable macro and market timing.

Second, Evernorth’s experience underscores the disconnect that can exist between price action and broader institutional interest. While the altcoin’s spot price declined, XRP-linked exchange-traded products reportedly continued to attract steady inflows, pushing total ETF-held XRP value to around $1.25 billion. This divergence suggests that some institutional participants are expressing exposure through structured vehicles rather than direct balance-sheet holdings, potentially mitigating volatility risk.

In practical terms, Evernorth’s XRP treasury has so far delivered a sobering outcome in 2025: large-scale exposure, significant paper losses, and heightened scrutiny. Yet, the case reframes how success and failure are measured in crypto treasury strategies. The current unrealized loss does not automatically invalidate the strategy, but it does reset expectations. The ability to withstand prolonged drawdowns without triggering exits will determine whether this treasury move is remembered as a misstep or a long-duration bet that simply endured early turbulence.

Price moves downward as bears dominate | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

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I'm Sandra White, a writer at Bitcoinist, and I provide the latest updates on the world of cryptocurrencies. I believe crypto a gateway to a new order and I have made it my life's mission to help educate as much people as possible.
When I'm not at work, I love listening to music, learning new things, and dream of traveling around the world.

As Bitcoin (BTC) struggles to maintain its position below the $90,000 threshold, market sentiment appears to be shifting toward the possibility of a new bear market. Notably, analyst Ali Martinez has drawn comparisons with historical market cycles to forecast Bitcoin’s trajectory. 

Bitcoin Market Patterns
In a recent social media post, Martinez highlighted a recurring pattern that suggests it typically takes around 1,064 days for Bitcoin to transition from a market bottom to a market top, followed by approximately 364 days from a market peak back to the next bottom.

In the first cycle, the market bottomed out in January 2015 and reached its peak in December 2017, exactly 1,064 days later. This was followed by a bear market that lasted 364 days, culminating in the bottom in December 2018. 

The second cycle mirrored this pattern: the market bottomed in December 2018 and reached its apex in November 2021, again over a span of 1,064 days. Subsequently, another downturn followed, leading to a bottom in November 2022, when Bitcoin traded around $15,500.

Next Bottom At $37,500?
Currently, the analyst highlights that the market is in what could be the third cycle, having witnessed a market bottom in November 2022 and a current peak above $126,000 reached back in October. 

Applying the historical patterns of these cycles, it suggests that Bitcoin is now within the 364-day correction window, indicating a potential bottom could materialize around October 2026 — approximately 288 days from now.

Examining past bear markets offers additional context for projecting potential downside. The bear market from 2017 to 2018 saw a correction of approximately 84%, while the market decline from 2021 to 2022 experienced a retracement of roughly 77%. 

Averaging these two corrections, Martinez suggests an expected retracement of around 80%, positioning Bitcoin’s next market bottom at around $37,500.

The 1-D chart shows BTC’s price correction after the October highs. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com
Currently, the market’s leading cryptocurrency is trading slightly above the $88,290 mark, which is a 30% gap from the current peak. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The central bank of Russia is gearing up to enable both qualified and retail investors to purchase crypto assets.

In a statement, the Bank of Russia says it has prepared a framework for regulating cryptocurrency. 

The move will greenlight the trading of digital currencies and stablecoins but still prohibit using these assets to pay within the country.

“The Bank of Russia still considers cryptocurrencies a high-risk tool…When deciding to invest in crypto assets, investors should be aware that they are taking the risks of potential loss of their funds.”

Qualified and unqualified investors will follow separate rules when purchasing crypto assets.

Unqualified investors can purchase most liquid cryptocurrencies, the criteria for which will be later established by legislation, after passing a risk awareness test. Their transactions will be limited to 300,000 rubles, or about $3,800 per year, through one intermediary.

Meanwhile, qualified investors will be able to buy crypto assets without volume restrictions after passing the test. The rule applies to all cryptocurrencies except anonymous tokens.

Residents of the BRICS co-founding country will be allowed to purchase cryptocurrencies abroad using their foreign accounts. They can also transfer previously purchased cryptocurrencies through Russian intermediaries abroad provided they notify the tax service of these transactions.

The plan is to prepare the legislative framework by July 1st, 2026 and introduce the liabilities for intermediaries engaged in illegal activities by July 1st, 2027.

Zcash is up almost 10% in the past 24 hours and is trading near $446. The breakout from the bull flag pattern on December 15 remains active, and the projected target is near $655. That is the level that the flag projection and Fibonacci extension agree on. So the target survives. The problem is timing.

Mega whales have stepped in like Zcash price Santa, but the rest of the market is not ready to sing carols just yet.

Sponsored

Mega Whales Try To Deliver The GiftThe top 100 Zcash addresses on Solana increased their spot holdings by 2.86% in the past 24 hours, moving from 34,542 to 35,532 ZEC. At the current ZEC price, that is roughly $441,480 in fresh positioning (small yet critical). That activity supports the idea that the bull flag breakout still matters and that long-term conviction is alive.

Mega Whales: NansenWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

The structure is simple. A bull flag broke on December 15 and has not been invalidated yet. The price retraced, but the pattern still points higher. Whales adding into that structure is the closest thing to a price Santa this market has had all month.

Zcash Flag Target: TradingViewThat said, timing could be an issue as retail is not following.

Sponsored

Dip Buying Isn’t Convincing, And Derivatives Don’t AgreeBetween December 17 and December 23, the Zcash price trended higher. At the same time, the Money Flow Index (MFI) made lower lows. MFI measures buy and sell pressure using price and volume. When prices rise, but MFI fails to follow, it signals weak dip buying and a lack of confidence among smaller participants. It is not yet a breakdown signal, but it is a warning.

Weak Dip Buying: TradingViewHyperliquid’s derivatives data confirms this hesitation.

Sponsored

In the 24-hour window:

Whales in perps: net short.
Consistent winners: still net short despite increasing some long positions.
Smart money: still net short, hinting at bearish bias (yet some long positions are forming)
Top 100 perps addresses: cutting long exposure instead of adding.
Zcash Perps Show Short Bias: NansenSo even while spot mega whales accumulate ZEC (spot buying), the derivatives side is not backing the move. It shows a market that accepts the breakout thesis but does not trust the timing.

Put simply, the $655 target remains, but the rally lacks broad-based near-term support.

Sponsored

Zcash Price Levels That Decide The Route To $655The first checkpoint for momentum sits near $458. That is the 0.5 Fibonacci level. Clearing that area with a daily close opens room toward $479 and then $508. If the Zcash price reaches $546, momentum would match the original bull flag projection, and $655 becomes realistic, not just mathematical.

If Zcash reaches $655, that satisfies the measured move of the flag and the 1.618 Fibonacci extension.

Zcash Price Analysis: TradingViewIf momentum fails, $411 becomes the first check for damage. Below that, $370 threatens a full invalidation. For now, the flag structure stays intact. Whales are trying to deliver. Retail and derivatives are not ready to open the door.

The volume of blockchain-related mentions in SEC filings surged throughout 2025, reaching approximately 8,000 mentions by August and maintaining elevated levels through November.

Bitcoin-related mentions have dominated the increase, accounting for the largest share of filing activity. This concentration reflects the proliferation of spot Bitcoin ETF filings and amendments following the successful launch of multiple products in early 2024, as traditional asset managers continued to expand their cryptocurrency offerings throughout 2025.

The sustained elevation in Bitcoin mentions contrasts with more cyclical patterns seen in categories like ICOs and general cryptocurrency references, suggesting institutional focus has coalesced around Bitcoin as the primary regulatory pathway for traditional finance entry.

The filing surge coincided with meaningful legislative progress that provided clearer operational frameworks for market participants.

The GENIUS Act was a key piece of legislation in the U.S. that established comprehensive stablecoin regulation in early 2025. The Act detailed 100% reserve backing requirements, strict AML compliance, monthly disclosures, and dual regulatory pathways through federal oversight for larger issuers and state options for those under $10 billion.

Following this, the House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in July, building on the FIT21 framework from 2024 to establish broader market structure guidelines. These legislative developments have created more predictable compliance pathways, encouraging firms to formalize their operations through proper registration.

This is an excerpt from The Block's Data & Insights newsletter. Dig into the numbers making up the industry's most thought-provoking trends.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are crashing again, with the crypto market failing to record a ‘Santa rally’ like other major assets. This comes as BTC and ETH continue to face significant selling pressure from the crypto ETFs, which are facing sustained outflows. 

The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are down again amid selling pressure from the BTC and ETH ETFs. According to Arkham data, BlackRock deposited 2,292 BTC ($200 million) and 9,976 ETH ($29 million) into Coinbase yesterday, likely to sell these coins. This marked the second time this week that the world’s largest asset manager had sent BTC and ETH to Coinbase in a bid to offload these coins. 

Further data from Arkham shows that BlackRock deposited 2,838.78 Bitcoin ($255 million) and 29,928 Ethereum ($91.29 million) into Coinbase on December 22. These sell-offs come as the crypto ETFs continue to record significant outflows. The BTC ETFs have seen a total net outflow of $330 million this week, while the ETH ETFs have a weekly net outflow of $11 million. 

This indicates that the institutional interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum is fading at the moment, which provides a bearish outlook for the largest crypto assets by market cap. A CoinShares report released earlier this week revealed that Bitcoin ETFs saw outflows of $460 million last week, while Ethereum ETPs saw outflows of $555 million. 

From a macro perspective, the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have also continued to decline as the Fed looks unlikely to cut interest rates at the January FOMC meeting. The recent U.S. GDP and jobless claims reports have sparked a surge in the odds that the Fed will hold rates steady next month. 

The Bear Market Risk Is Becoming More Relevant
A CryptoQuant analysis revealed that the bear market risk is becoming more relevant based on the Bitcoin Combined Market Index (BCMI). The BCMI is said to be below equilibrium at the moment but well above historical bottom zones. This suggests that there is still more room for the BTC price to drop to the downside.  

Source: Chart from CryptoQuant
The CryptoQuant analysis stated that from a data-driven perspective, this opens the possibility that Bitcoin is transitioning into a bear phase and not just experiencing a pullback. If history repeats itself, BTC is expected to form a more durable bottom if the BCMI revisits the 2019 to 2023 levels. The analysis added that this is a scenario worth considering, as at this stage, the market appears to be in a downward transition rather than a completed reset. 

Related Reading: Major Ethereum Metric Just Hit A New All-Time High – Can Price Reclaim $3,000?

At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $87,700, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

BTC trading at $87,768 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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Scott Matherson is a leading crypto writer at Bitcoinist, who possesses a sharp analytical mind and a deep understanding of the digital currency landscape. Scott has earned a reputation for delivering thought-provoking and well-researched articles that resonate with both newcomers and seasoned crypto enthusiasts.
Outside of his writing, Scott is passionate about promoting crypto literacy and often works to educate the public on the potential of blockchain.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of PGC either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.

Ignore the bears and buy Costco stock right now.

Costco (COST +2.03%) has been a favorite stock among many investors for years, but over the past 12 months, the wholesale retailer's shares have declined 10%. Part of the reason for the drop may be fueled by investors reallocating their money to more high-growth areas of the market, such as artificial intelligence stocks, while others are worried about Costco's slipping renewal rates.

What's happening with Costco stock right now, and is the latest share price pullback a good buying opportunity? Here's what you should know.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Costco's stock is under pressure right now
Some investors have been concerned lately that Costco's growth hasn't been as impressive as in the past, and the company's (still fantastic) renewal rates for some members are slowing down more than they have traditionally.

For example, one analyst at Roth Capital recently stated that Costco's membership sign-ups in the most recent quarter were only 400,000, compared to a typical membership sign-up of 1 million.

Costco's management said on the first quarter earnings call that while membership sign-ups were lower, this was largely due to younger Costco shoppers who sign up for memberships online and tend to renew at a slower pace. That could persist for a few more quarters, according to Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip:

"Our goal is to continue to improve renewal rates by improving engagement with members who signed up digitally. Although for the reasons previously shared, we may still see a slight decline in the overall renewal rate over the next few quarters."

Worries about Costco are overblown
It's worth noting a few key facts from Costco's first quarter as a reminder of just how strong the company's performance was, despite the stock's underperformance. Here are some of the highlights:

Costco reported earnings per share of $4.50, outpacing Wall Street's consensus estimate of $4.27.
Revenue increased 8% to $67.3 billion, also beating the analyst's consensus estimate of $67.1 billion.
Comparable sales increased 5.9% in the U.S. and 6.4% overall.
Costco's Black Friday sales set a record of over $250 million in non-food orders.

Those are all impressive results, and they indicate that many investors are missing the bigger picture: Costco is still growing at an impressive rate. In addition to all of the above, the company also increased its digital sales by 20.5% in the quarter, traffic on its site rose by 24%, and mobile app traffic jumped 48%.

Today's Change

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2.03

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17.38

Current Price

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872.17

As I mentioned earlier, the company's membership renewal rates remain very impressive, even if they are slightly lower than in recent years. Costco has 81.4 million paid members, an increase of 5.2% from the year-ago quarter, and North American renewal rates were 92.2% -- down slightly from its average of 93%.

It's a little surprising that some investors latched onto slightly lower renewal rates while overlooking the fact that renewal rates are still enviable by any measure and that the quarterly results are great on nearly every metric.

Ignore the bears and buy Costco stock
While it's not great to see Costco's share price falling right now, the good news is that it's creating a new buying opportunity for investors who recognize that Costco is still successfully expanding its sales and earnings and continues to have strong customer loyalty.

Even if the next few quarters are a bit volatile for Costco stock, nothing has fundamentally changed for the company over the past year that should cause serious concern about its continued growth. For long-term investors, Costco stock looks like a good buy at a discounted price.

NEW YORK, Dec. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Skye Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYE) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Skye securities between November 4, 2024 and October 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/SKYE.

Skye Case Details

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding Skye’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

(1)   nimacimab was less effective than Defendants had led investors to believe;
(2)   accordingly, nimacimab’s clinical, regulatory, and commercial prospects were overstated; and
(3)   as a result, Defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

What's Next for Skye Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/SKYE. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Skye you have until January 16, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to Skye Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Skye Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

NEW YORK, Dec. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: FLY) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Firefly securities: (1) pursuant to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company's August 7, 2025 initial public offering ("IPO"); or (ii) between August 7, 2025, and September 29, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/FLY.

Firefly Case Details

The Complaint alleges that the Offering Documents were negligently prepared and, as a result, contained untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading and were not prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations governing their preparation. Additionally, the Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. The Complaint specifically alleges that the Offering Documents and Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

(1)   Firefly had overstated the demand and growth prospects for its Spacecraft Solutions offerings;
(2)   Firefly had overstated the operational readiness and commercial viability of its Alpha rocket program;
(3)   the foregoing, once revealed, would likely have a material negative impact on the Company; and
(4)  as a result, the Offering Documents and Defendants’ public statements throughout the Class Period were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein.

What's Next for Firefly Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/FLY. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Firefly you have until January 12, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to Firefly Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Firefly Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.