Market Signal Briefing

As markets head into the Christmas break, U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds are seeing clear signs of year-end de-risking. Thin liquidity, portfolio rebalancing, and seasonal profit-taking are driving outflows, even as U.S. equities rally to fresh highs on strong economic data. What looks dramatic on the surface appears, on closer inspection, to be more about calendar mechanics than changing conviction.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs Extend Losing Streak

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $188.6 million in net outflows on Tuesday, marking the fourth straight day of negative flows. According to SoSoValue data, the largest share of redemptions came from BlackRock’s IBIT, which saw $157.3 million exit the fund in a single session. Fidelity’s FBTC, Grayscale’s GBTC, and Bitwise’s BITB also reported net outflows.

Zooming out, the weekly picture reinforces the trend. Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $497.1 million in net outflows last week, reversing the $286.6 million in inflows recorded in the prior week ending December 12. The timing aligns closely with year-end balance sheet adjustments rather than any sudden macro shock. 

Ether ETFs Follow the Same Seasonal Pattern

Spot Ethereum ETFs mirrored Bitcoin’s weakness. On Tuesday alone, Ether products saw $95.5 million in net outflows, a sharp reversal from $84.6 million in inflows just one day earlier. Grayscale’s ETHE led the decline, shedding $50.9 million, the largest single-day outflow among Ether ETFs.

Despite the headline numbers, market participants caution against reading too much into the moves. Vincent Liu, CIO of Kronos Research, described the Ethereum ETF outflows as a function of year-end mechanics, driven by thinner liquidity, portfolio rebalancing, and profit-taking rather than deteriorating fundamentals for Bitcoin or Ether.

Analysts Urge Caution on Over-Interpreting FlowsThat view is echoed across the research community. Nick Ruck, director at LVRG Research, pointed to seasonal profit-taking and tax-loss harvesting as key drivers, noting that investors often reduce exposure ahead of the Christmas holiday when liquidity drops.

Rick Maeda, research associate at Presto Research, went a step further, warning against over-interpreting short-term ETF data altogether. He highlighted that ETF flows have been choppy for months and that year-end balance sheet housekeeping is normal, especially after a volatile fourth quarter.

Maeda also drew a useful historical comparison. In the four trading days leading up to Christmas 2024, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than $1.5 billion in net outflows as Bitcoin pulled back from an all-time high. Against that backdrop, the current drawdown looks relatively modest. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading around $86,931, down 0.7% over 24 hours, while Ether slipped 1.18% to roughly $2,931.

Not All Crypto ETFs Are Seeing OutflowsInterestingly, not all digital asset ETFs are under pressure. Spot XRP ETFs recorded $8.2 million in net inflows, while spot Solana ETFs logged $4.2 million in inflows. The divergence suggests selective positioning rather than a blanket exit from crypto exposure, reinforcing the idea that this is tactical de-risking, not a broad risk-off signal.

U.S. Stocks Rally Despite Crypto ETF WeaknessWhile crypto ETFs struggled, U.S. equities moved in the opposite direction. The S&P 500 rose 0.46% on Tuesday to close at a record high of 6,909.79. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.57%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.16%.

The rally was supported by fresh macro data from the Commerce Department, which showed the U.S. economy expanding at a robust 4.3% annualized pace in the third quarter, up from 3.8% in the second. Strong growth, combined with easing inflation expectations, has helped sustain risk appetite in equities even as crypto markets consolidate.

What to Watch After the Holiday BreakU.S. markets will close early at 1 p.m. ET on December 24 and remain shut on December 25, reopening on December 26. According to market participants, the real signal will come once liquidity returns.

As Kronos Research’s Vincent Liu put it, post-holiday trading will be key. Investors should watch how price-led flows behave once normal volumes resume, along with upcoming U.S. initial jobless claims on December 27. Those signals are likely to shape sentiment as markets head into early 2026.

For now, the takeaway is simple. Crypto ETF outflows ahead of Christmas look more like seasonal housekeeping than a verdict on Bitcoin or Ether’s long-term outlook.

TLDR

Stochastic RSI and bullish divergences suggest that selling momentum is reaching exhaustion.
Miner capitulation, reflected in the hashrate drop, historically precedes positive returns.
Macroeconomic liquidity points to a potential rally start within the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Following a correction of over 35% from its all-time high of $126,200, market expectations are centered on whether the price has finally bottomed out. Technical indicators and on-chain metrics indicate that Bitcoin could be in the process of establishing a Bitcoin local bottom, halting the bleeding and paving the way for a new upward trend.

In this context, the weekly Stochastic RSI is one of the most promising indicators, having recently moved out of oversold levels. Generally, this pattern coincides with critical inflection points, such as the lows seen in 2019, the post-COVID crash in 2020, and the aftermath of the FTX collapse in 2022.

Added to these factors is a bullish divergence on the three-day chart, where the price is marking lower lows but momentum is not, suggesting an exhaustion of selling pressure.

Miner Capitulation and Macro Liquidity Injection
Miner behavior is another crucial factor. In this regard, VanEck indicated that the recent 4% drop in hashrate is a bullish contrarian signal linked to miner capitulation. Statistically, since 2014, when the hashrate compresses in this manner, BTC has generated positive returns 65% of the time in the following 90 days, with the probability increasing to 77% over a six-month horizon.

On the other hand, the macroeconomic landscape is sending signals of relief. Analysis of the National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI) suggests that peaks in tightening often precede rallies in crypto assets.

This scenario could allow the market to establish a Bitcoin local bottom within the next 4 to 6 weeks, driven by a Federal Reserve asset rotation into Treasury bills—similar to the 2019 liquidity injection that triggered a 40% price surge.

In summary, while general sentiment remains cautious and some analysts still foresee drops toward lower support zones, technical data indicates that capitulation is nearing completion, laying the groundwork for a solid recovery in the short term.

Ethereum continues to show signs of weakness, failing to build any significant recovery despite holding above local support. Market participants are showing hesitation, likely due to broader uncertainty and the lack of bullish momentum from Bitcoin. While ETH hasn’t broken down yet, it also hasn’t managed to flip any major resistances, which keeps it in a vulnerable, range-bound state.

Technical Analysis
By Shayan

The Daily Chart
On the daily timeframe, ETH is currently trading below the key $3,300–$3,700 supply zone, where the 200-day (orange) and 100-day (blue) moving averages are acting as major dynamic resistance. This zone has consistently rejected the price over the past month, confirming it as a key battleground between buyers and sellers.

The RSI on the daily timeframe is also stuck below the 50 level, showing weak momentum and continued bearish pressure. If ETH cannot break above the mentioned confluence area soon, the probability of a deeper pullback toward the $2,700 support zone increases. A rejection here would also confirm a lower high on the macro structure, which is not a good look heading into 2026.

The 4-Hour Chart
On the 4-hour chart, the structure has turned fragile again after ETH failed to hold the lower channel trendline and broke back below the ascending channel. The uptrend attempt near $3,100, followed by a lower high, signals a clear loss of bullish strength.

Currently, the asset is hovering just above the $2,800 support level, which is acting as a short-term support. But there is no follow-through or aggressive buying. The RSI has also started to curl back down, indicating fading momentum on intraday timeframes. If the $2,800 support zone breaks, a quick flush toward the $2,600 area would be likely.

Sentiment Analysis
Open Interest
Ethereum’s open interest remains quite high at around $18B across all exchanges, even as the price struggles to push higher. This disconnect between stable open interest and flat-to-downward price action often signals a build-up of speculative leverage, particularly from longs. Without a breakout or strong demand to back it, this kind of OI behavior becomes a risk factor, especially if funding rates start to show highly positive readings.

If ETH fails to hold key supports, this situation opens the door for a long squeeze, where overly optimistic positions get forcefully liquidated, accelerating the drop. Therefore, for buyers, it is critical that open interest starts dropping with the price, or that a breakout confirms the build-up was justified.

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Ethereum Whale Activity Intensifies Amid Stagnant Prices

Bruce Buterin

December 24, 2025

Ethereum is witnessing increased activity from large investors, known as whales, as December draws to a close. On-chain data and institutional reports indicate a trend of significant accumulation by these entities, despite a slowdown in price momentum. This ongoing accumulation could have broader implications for the cryptocurrency market, as it suggests growing interest from high-capital investors during a period devoid of major price surges.

Data reveals that Ethereum balances in wallets holding between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH have witnessed a rapid increase. This cohort’s holdings have scaled from approximately 17–18 million coins to over 21 million ETH in a relatively short time frame. The pace of this accumulation is noteworthy when compared to previous market dynamics. According to crypto analyst Joseph Young, “whale accumulation of ETH is at an all-time high,” indicating that substantial buying is taking place outside typical peak price periods. This group of investors typically comprises funds, long-term holders, and individuals with significant net worth, rather than those engaging in short-term speculative trading.

Ethereum remains a dominant player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. Data from Conviction Capital highlights that the Ethereum network holds 68% of the total value locked in DeFi and is responsible for issuing over 64% of all stablecoins. Additionally, major financial institutions like JPMorgan are actively developing infrastructure on Ethereum, underscoring the network’s importance in the blockchain space.

Institutional interest in Ethereum is further substantiated by recent transactions. Bitmine Immersion Technologies, led by Tom Lee, has reportedly added 98,852 ETH to its reserves in the last week alone. This month, purchases linked to Lee’s firm have amounted to approximately $953 million, surpassing November’s figures. Such actions suggest a strategic move by institutions to increase their exposure to Ethereum.

Exchange data supports this trend of accumulation and long-term holding. According to CryptoQuant, Ethereum reserves on exchanges have decreased from around 20.8 million tokens to approximately 16.4 million over the past year, indicating a net outflow of about 4.4 million ETH from centralized platforms. This decline in exchange balances, even during periods of price retracement, suggests ETH is being transferred into self-custody, staked, or otherwise held for the long term rather than being prepared for immediate sale. Coupled with the increase in whale-held ETH, this points to a sustained absorption of supply.

Currently, Ethereum is trading at roughly $2,940, showing modest weekly gains but experiencing lower daily momentum. Analysts are closely monitoring the 200-week exponential moving average, which is considered a significant technical level during prolonged consolidation phases. CryptoPulse remarked that a strong rebound from this level could help maintain Ethereum’s price structure, while failing to hold could lead to a decline towards the $2,000–$2,100 range. Meanwhile, CryptoWZRD observed that maintaining above $3,060 could pave the way for short-term gains, with $2,800 serving as a crucial support level.

As these dynamics unfold, the Ethereum market’s immediate future will likely hinge on whether whales and institutions continue their accumulation strategy or if selling pressure mounts. The coming weeks could provide more clarity on Ethereum’s direction, with potential shifts in market sentiment possibly impacting its price trajectory.

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Bruce Buterin

Bruce Buterin is an American crypto analyst passionate about the evolution of Web3, crypto ETFs, and Ethereum innovations. Based in Miami, he closely follows market movements and regularly publishes in-depth insights on DeFi trends, emerging altcoins, and asset tokenization. With a mix of technical expertise and accessible language, Bruce makes the blockchain ecosystem clear and engaging for both enthusiasts and investors.
Specialties: Ethereum, DeFi, NFTs, U.S. regulation, Layer 2 innovations.

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Solana price shows early bullish strength after reclaiming and retesting $120 support, signaling a failed auction. The door’s now open for a potential upside expansion.

Summary

Solana confirms a bullish retest above $120 support.
Failed auction below support signals seller exhaustion.
Bollinger Band compression hints at upside expansion.

Solana (SOL) price is displaying constructive technical behavior after completing a successful bullish retest of the $120 support level. Following a sharp reclaim of this region and acceptance above value, price action now suggests that downside attempts have been rejected.

With demand clearly present above support and volatility compressing, Solana may be preparing for an upside expansion toward higher value levels.

Solana price key technical points

$120 support reclaimed and successfully retested, confirming buyer strength.
Failed auction below support signals seller exhaustion.
Bollinger Band compression suggests a volatility expansion is approaching.

XRPUSDT (4H) Chart, Source: TradingView
Recent Solana price action indicates an important structural shift at lower time frames. After briefly trading below $120, price quickly reclaimed this level alongside the Value Area High, producing an impulsive bullish candle. This behavior confirms a failed auction, where sellers were unable to establish acceptance below support due to a lack of follow-through selling pressure.

Failed auctions are significant because they often indicate that the market has tested lower prices and rejected them. In Solana’s case, this rejection led to a rapid move back into value, shifting short-term control back toward buyers.

Following the reclaim, price action returned to the $120 region, where it printed a bullish reaction candle, confirming the level as newly established support. This bullish retest is a critical validation step, as strong trends often begin with a reclaim followed by a successful retest that holds on a closing basis.

From a market-structure perspective, holding above $120 keeps Solana positioned favorably for continuation. This level now represents both high-time-frame support and a structural pivot that separates bearish continuation from bullish rotation. As long as price remains above this region, downside risk is limited, and higher targets remain in play.

That upper boundary sits near the Value Area High, which becomes the next logical upside objective. A rotation toward this region would represent a full auction move from support back to resistance, consistent with balanced market behavior following a failed auction.

Volatility dynamics further strengthen the bullish case. The Bollinger Bands are currently compressing, a condition that historically precedes expansion moves. Compression reflects declining volatility and market indecision, but once expansion begins, price often moves decisively. Given the successful bullish retest at $120, the probability favors an upside expansion as long as support remains intact.

From a price-action perspective, demand above $120 is evident. Buyers have defended this region decisively, while sellers have failed to push price lower despite multiple opportunities. This shift in behavior suggests that bearish momentum has weakened, and control is gradually transitioning back to the bulls, a backdrop that aligns with Solana’s revenue narrowing the gap with Ethereum and growing investor interest in structured yield platforms like SolStaking.

That said, confirmation remains essential. While the structure is constructive, sustained upside will require follow-through and continued acceptance above $120. A loss of this level would invalidate the bullish retest and reopen downside risk.

Solana price action: What to expect
As long as Solana holds above the $120 support and remains above the Value Area Low, the probability of an upside expansion increases. A move toward the Value Area High is the next likely target, with Bollinger Band expansion potentially accelerating the move.

Failure to hold $120 would negate the bullish setup and shift focus back to consolidation or downside risk.

According to a recent social media post by Etherscan, the Ethereum network processed a record-breaking 1.91 million transactions on Layer 1 (L1) in a single day. At the same time, the fees are incredibly low at $0.16.

📊 Ethereum L1 recorded its highest daily transaction count in 2025

Yesterday, Ethereum processed 1,913,481 transactions with an average transaction fee of $0.16

Ethereum is scaling ⧫ pic.twitter.com/AL9T5b8RHj

— etherscan.eth (@etherscan) December 24, 2025 This shows that the network can now handle massive traffic without pricing out normal users.

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Major progressThis combination of high throughput and low costs is the direct result of two major network upgrades executed in 2025: Pectra and Fusaka.

Fusaka, which went live earlier in the month, is the most immediate cause of the record was the upgrade. This upgrade directly expanded the capacity of the Ethereum L1 blockchain.

The upgrade has managed to increase the size of each block by roughly 33%. This allowed the L1 network to fit significantly more transactions into every block.

Previously, all nodes had to download all data, which created a bottleneck. PeerDAS, a new feature introduced in Fusaka, has made it possible for nodes to verify data "blobs", large chunks of transaction data, by sampling just tiny parts of them. Blobs, which were introduced in an earlier update called Dencun but expanded here, are like sidecars attached to the main block. They carry data cheaply and don't compete with standard transactions.

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The Pectra upgrade, which took place in May, laid the groundwork for scaling by optimizing how Layer 2 networks of the likes of Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base interact with the main chain.

Pectra doubled the number of these "sidecars" from 3 to 6 per block. Because there was suddenly double the supply of space for Layer 2 data, the cost for L2s to "settle" on Ethereum dropped. This kept the overall network uncongested.

More scaling challenges Ethereum scaling is still not "finished" despite the massive success of the 2025 upgrades.

The Ethereum ecosystem is still fractured. Users tend to find it challenging to use L2 funds without complicated bridges. Hence, the fragmentation remains a major issue. 

The database of all accounts, balances, and smart contracts (the "State") grows larger and larger. Eventually, the State becomes terabytes or petabytes in size. If it gets too big, a normal person can't buy a hard drive big enough to run a node.

Crypto analyst Cryptollica has pointed to a Dogecoin cycle fractal, which shows where the DOGE price may be headed next. This came as the analyst provided a bullish outlook for the top meme coin and indicated that this was a good time for investors to buy DOGE. 

Dogecoin Cycle Fractal Shows DOGE’s Bull Run Is Imminent
In an X post, Cryptollica indicated that Dogecoin was at the point before it begins its bull run, with the accompanying chart showing that the meme coin could still rally above $1. The analyst noted that the cycle fractal has repeated itself at the macro level, with their chart highlighting four distinct structural points. 

Cryptollica revealed that Dogecoin is currently at Point 4 and that the structure is rhyming perfectly with the pre-bull run accumulation phases of the past. The analyst then broke down the patterns observed in this cycle fractal. The first is the ‘Rounding Bottoms,’ with Zones 1 and 2 being the “boredom phases” in which volatility died and smart money accumulated.  

Source: Chart from Cryptollica on X
Zone 2 is said to be the launchpad for the massive 2021 parabolic run for Dogecoin. Meanwhile, Zone 4 is the current price action, with Cryptollica noting that the same rounding-bottom formation is playing out. The analyst added that the DOGE price is stabilizing and forming a heavy base just like it did before the previous explosions. 

Cryptollica then highlighted Dogecoin’s Relative Strength Index (RSI), noting that the 32 level acts as a historical floor. The analyst explained that the DOGE price has formed a macro bottom every single time the weekly RSI touched or hovered near this baseline. The RSI is said to have reset back to this critical support level, indicating that sellers are exhausted and the momentum is primed to flip. 

DOGE Is In The “Golden Pocket” For Accumulation
Cryptollica stated that the cycle fractal isn’t just random noise but a cyclical reset, as the chart suggests that Dogecoin is in the Golden Pocket for accumulation. The analyst further remarked that if the fractal plays out as it did in 2020, in Zone 2, then the current DOGE price action is simply the calm before the storm. 

Cryptollica again highlighted the technical structure, noting that a bullish rounding bottom was forming for Dogecoin while the RSI was at a historical oversold support level, which is a buy zone. The analyst declared that the spring is loading and that patience is required, but that the setup points to a major impulsive move that is on the horizon. In line with this, Cryptollica urged investors to “buy Dogecoin.”

At the time of writing, the Dogecoin price is trading at around $0.127, down almost 3% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

DOGE trading at $0.12 on the 1D chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Peakpx, chart from Tradingview.com

XRP price pulls back into key Fibonacci support near $1.80, raising the probability of a short-term reversal if buyers can defend the level and reclaim value.

Summary

XRP pulls back into strong Fibonacci support at $1.80.
Reclaiming the Value Area Low is needed for confirmation.
Upside targets sit at $1.98 and $2.21 if support holds.

XRP (XRP) price is approaching a technically significant inflection point as price consolidates around the $1.80 region, where a local 0.618 Fibonacci retracement aligns with higher-time-frame support. After a corrective move from recent highs, price action is now stabilizing in an area that historically attracts buyer interest.

While confirmation is still required, the current structure suggests the early stages of a potential reversal, with upside targets emerging if key levels are reclaimed.

XRP price key technical points

Price tests the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement near $1.80, a critical support zone.
Higher-time-frame resistance sits at $1.98 and $2.21, the next upside objectives.
Reclaiming value and breaking local resistance are required to confirm a structural shift.

XRPUSDT (4H) Chart, Source: TradingView
The current XRP pullback appears corrective rather than impulsive, with the price retracing into the 0.618 Fibonacci pocket after failing to extend higher. This behavior is consistent with a healthy market structure during trend transitions, where price often retests support before resuming movement.

Importantly, the $1.80 level carries added weight beyond Fibonacci confluence. It sits above a higher-time-frame support zone, meaning that buyers defending this area would be doing so from a structurally favorable location. As long as price holds this region on a local time frame, the probability of a rotation toward higher resistance increases.

From a market-auction perspective, XRP is attempting to transition from low acceptance back to value. However, this transition is still in its early stages. For the bullish thesis to gain traction, price must reclaim the Value Area Low (VAL)and hold above it on a closing basis. Acceptance above value would signal that the market is no longer comfortable trading at lower prices, often a prerequisite for sustained upside.

The first major upside checkpoint sits at $1.98, a level that represents both local resistance and a key volume reference. A clean reclaim of this region suggests that buyers are regaining control, opening the door to a continuation move toward $2.21, where higher-time-frame resistance is positioned.

A break above $2.21 would carry broader implications, as it would likely confirm a change in market structure from corrective to bullish.

Volume behavior will be a key confirmation factor. Reversals that lead to sustained trends are typically accompanied by increasing volume, signaling strong participation and conviction. A low-volume bounce, by contrast, would increase the risk of rejection near resistance and a continuation of range-bound or corrective price action.

From a price-action perspective, the structure is constructive but unconfirmed. Holding above $1.80 is necessary to maintain the bullish setup. A decisive loss of this level would invalidate the reversal thesis and shift focus back toward deeper support, even as Ripple’s European payments push mirrors Arc Miner’s revenue approach, underscoring the gap between improving fundamentals and near-term technical confirmation.

In summary, XRP is at a decision point. The current trade region offers favorable risk-reward for a potential reversal, but confirmation remains the key variable. Until value is reclaimed and resistance is broken, the market remains in transition rather than trend.

XRP price action: What to expect
If XRP holds the $1.80 Fibonacci support and reclaims the Value Area Low on a closing basis, a rotation toward $1.98 and potentially $2.21 becomes increasingly likely. Failure to hold support would delay reversal confirmation and keep the price in a corrective or range-bound phase.

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The World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) stablecoin linked to the family of US President Donald Trump gained $150 million in market capitalization on Wednesday after Binance announced a yield program centered around the token.

The stablecoin’s market capitalization climbed from $2.74 billion to $2.89 billion on Wednesday after Binance announced its “booster program,” offering up to 20% annual percentage rate (APR) on USD1 flexible products for deposits exceeding $50,000.

The “first promotion” was designed to “help USD1 holders to maximize their rewards” and runs until Jan. 23, 2026, with passive yield for the bonus tiered APR distributed directly in Binance users’ earn accounts daily, according to the announcement.

The USD1 stablecoin is part of the Trump family’s growing crypto ventures, which reportedly generated about $802 million in income in the first half of 2025.

USD1 market capitalization, one-week chart. Source: CoinGecko.comUSD1 soars to become seventh-largest stablecoinBinance has been launching increasingly more products, making USD1 a growing part of its ecosystem. 

On Dec. 11, the exchange expanded support for the USD1 stablecoin by adding fee-free trading pairs for the leading cryptocurrencies and said it would convert all collateral assets backing its Binance USD (BUSD) stablecoin into USD1 at a 1:1 ratio.

In May, USD1 was used to settle MGX’s $2 billion investment into Binance Exchange, according to an announcement by Eric Trump during a panel discussion at Token2049 in Dubai.

The increasing ecosystem implementations from the world's biggest exchange have been part of the stablecoin’s climb to become become the seventh-largest stablecoin by market capitalization in the world, trailing PayPal USD (PYUSD).

Top stablecoins by market capitalization. Source: CoinGecko.comHowever, some questions remain unanswered regarding the ties between Binance and WLFI, as a July Bloomberg report suggested that Binance was responsible for developing some of the code behind USD1, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

In response to the article, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao claimed that it contained factual errors, and teased that he might “sue them again for defamation.”

Lawmakers have also raised concerns about the alleged relationship. In October, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said Binance.US, a separate legal entity of the exchange, was “promoting Trump crypto,” a week after Trump “pardoned Binance’s owner.”

Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Original U.Today article

Wed, 24/12/2025 - 13:24

Should traders expect to see the price of Bitcoin (BTC) near $90,000 by the end of the week?

Cover image via U.Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

The cryptocurrency market is going down today, according to CoinStats.

Top coins by CoinStatsBTC/USDThe price of Bitcoin (BTC) has declined by 0.38% over the last 24 hours.

Image by TradingViewOn the hourly chart, the rate of BTC is rising after a false breakout of the local support of $86,718. If buyers can hold the gained initiative, one can expect a test of the resistance by tomorrow.

Image by TradingViewOn the longer time frame, the situation is less bullish. The price of the main crypto is far from key levels, which means neither buyers nor sellers have enough energy for a sharp move. 

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This is also confirmed by the falling volume. In this case, sideways trading in the range of $86,000-$89,000 is the most likely scenario.

Image by TradingViewFrom the midterm point of view, the picture is similar. As none of the sides is dominating, traders are unlikely to see increased volatility for the rest of the month.

Bitcoin is trading at $87,306 at press time.

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Wed, 24/12/2025 - 13:29

Christmas Eve got a ghost-wallet headline as a 2,000 ETH stash awoke after 10.4 years with nearly 1,000,000% profit as Ethereum trades around $2,930 in thin holiday books.

Cover image via U.Today

Ethereum got a classic “ghost wallet” moment on Christmas Eve as a dormant premine address holding 2,000 ETH suddenly reawakened after 10.4 years. 

It all started with Whale Alert reporting about a transfer worth $5.86 million today, up from $620 back in 2015, which comes out to a 944,992% gain and puts this holder in the "generational wealth” category off one early investment decision 10 years ago.

The on-chain sequence does not look random. Trackers by Arkham show a one ETH probe first, then a much larger transfer of 1,599 ETH into a new address, and three other tranches worth 100 ETH each. 

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As this story is all about timing, the real hook is on the price chart of Ethereum. Through this 10 years, Ethereum has already lived through a full boom-bust cycle, printed the 2021-era blow-off, reset hard and then spent the last two years rebuilding into large, tradable swings. 

Why on Christmas?Why the mysterious Ethereum visionary decided to wake up now remains an open question. It is also a holiday week and order books are thinner, so the price can react harder to fewer transactions, especially such a massive one.

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If this is just a custody upgrade, the next moves will be slow and fragmented. If it is a sell plan, the tell will not be the awakening headline — it will be an exchange deposit, a split into many wallets, or a routing into venues that convert ETH to stables.

Even though the crypto market is in a festive mood, it is definitely worth keeping an eye on whether the remaining 401 ETH follows the same route because one confirmed exchange touch can flip this from curiosity into pressure during a low-volume session this week.

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According to a recent report by Wintermute, BTC slipped below $85,000 midweek. ETH dropped under $3,000, triggering sharp liquidations.
On Monday alone, around $600 million in positions were liquidated, with an additional $400 million cleared on both Wednesday and Thursday. These movements underscore how quickly strength can be sold in a choppy market. Even as major tokens continue to attract steady buying pressure.

Major Tokens Lead the Way
Wintermute’s internal flow data indicates sustained buying pressure for major cryptocurrencies, particularly BTC, which has seen a longer and more consistent period of inflows. Ethereum is also showing signs of increased demand as the year closes. Institutional investors remain a consistent source of capital. This is while retail participants are rotating out of altcoins and back into the majors. This trend aligns with the broader consensus that Bitcoin often needs to stabilize first before risk appetite spreads to smaller assets.

A real-world example comes from the derivatives market, where net buying in BTC and ETH coexists with sharp intraday volatility. Crowded leverage is frequently flushed out, creating air pockets that impact price discovery while spot buyers maintain a steadier base. Funding rates and basis metrics for the majors have remained relatively compressed, even as options markets price in a wide range of outcomes. Implied volatility remains elevated, reflecting split expectations between a further decline toward the mid-$80k range for Bitcoin and a potential recovery toward recent highs.

Market Structure and Adoption
Beyond price action, crypto-specific developments suggest steady adoption by institutions, corporates, and consumers. Traditional financial players are entering the space deliberately, and once capital and activity are established, they tend to remain sticky. Wintermute notes that this ongoing integration is likely supportive for medium-term prices, even if short-term upside momentum is muted.

The report concludes that markets continue to consolidate, with BTC and ETH acting as primary risk absorbers while the broader altcoin market faces pressure from oversupply and limited risk appetite. As year-end approaches, liquidity is expected to remain thin, and trading activity lighter. In the absence of macro or policy catalysts, positioning is likely to drive market movements rather than conviction, with price action remaining range-bound and selective.

Disclaimer
The information provided by Altcoin Buzz is not financial advice. It is intended solely for educational, entertainment, and informational purposes. Any opinions or strategies shared are those of the writer/reviewers, and their risk tolerance may differ from yours. We are not liable for any losses you may incur from investments related to the information given. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are high-risk assets; therefore, conduct thorough due diligence. Copyright Altcoin Buzz Pte Ltd.

Wed, 24/12/2025 - 13:34

With just seven days to the end of 2025, a key date for XRP holders to watch in 2026 emerges as XRP Ledger prepares for the next phase of growth.

Cover image via U.Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

In a recent tweet, RippleX reveals a key 2026 date for XRP holders as the XRP community day event is set to return in February 2026.

RippleX announced that the XRP community day event will be held on X spaces on Feb. 11, 2026.

The last XRP community day event, held on Jan. 28, 2025, saw the convergence of XRP holders, builders, community leaders and Ripple executives. The global, virtual event celebrated the continued innovation, utility and growth across the digital asset XRP and the broader XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem.

The sessions at the event covered key topics across cross-chain innovation, institutional DeFi adoption, XRPL ecosystem growth and the roadmap.

HOT Stories

Higher expectationsCome 2026, expectations for the XRP community event are higher, with the bar raised amid Ripple and XRP's enormous progress in 2025.

2025 marked Ripple's most ambitious year yet, with four major acquisitions, including that of GTreasury, Rail, Palisade and Hidden Road (now Ripple Prime), cementing its push to be the one-stop infrastructure provider for moving value. Ripple has invested nearly $4 billion into the crypto ecosystem through strategic investments and acquisitions.

In November, Ripple announced a $500 million strategic investment at a $40 billion valuation from Wall Street institutional investors. XRP received its first set of spot ETFs in the U.S.; the Ripple lawsuit filed by the SEC officially ended in 2025.

Ripple to reveal 2026 prioritiesAt the 2025 XRP community day event, Ripple revealed its priorities for the year. Ripple executives, including Brad Garlinghouse, Monica Long, David Schwartz and Markus Infanger joined XRP community members to reflect on key milestones, share news updates and inspire the next wave of on-chain innovation.

At 2025's XRP community event, Ripple shared key goals and priorities with similar expectations in place for the upcoming 2026 event. This comes as the XRP Ledger ecosystem prepares for its next phase of growth.

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DOGE USDT Chart AnalysisDogecoin starts 2025 with good momentumFollowed by a swift uptick, the memecoin price is now at its yearly low.DOGE lost $0.13, a crucial zone.Doge USDT 4 hour chart shows a reclaim power pattern above $0.13 and higher. Dogecoin, the 9th largest crypto by marketcap if 21.5B USD, is currently driving in a crucial zone. Currently trading at $0.1282, the memecoin has fallen to nearly 60% in a year and records lows in the weekly and daily time frames, too. 

The crypto was in the concern zone after losing its position below $0.13 amid huge volume spot selling. This level needs to be reclaimed for the coin to stay in the right zone of recovery, else we may see it crossing below its last summer figures. 

DOGEUSDT 4h Chart Is All BullishThe price movement here shows basic bullish acceleration above $0.12600, a positive sign for the buyer. A purchase can be considered as long as the price remains above $0.1250. 

RSI at 42 shows growing interest of buyers, and a breakthrough of RSI will boost momentum into the resistance of $0.134. A surge above this zone will lead the DOGE price to $0.14. 

In the event of invalidation of the trend, the crypto will move below the $0.12 zone, which becomes riskier. 

The derivatives surge is a sign for Doge?The Dogecoin futures are showing high volatility, with a volume surge of 53,000% to $260 million. This came even before the recent stability of Dogecoin. The Dogecoin ETF and the derivatives surge remain the catalyst for this and the upcoming trend reversal.

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.

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Rob Hadick, Dragonfly general partner, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of crypto, bitcoin price trends, 2026 outlook, future of prediction markets, and more.

APT has support at $1.56 and resistance at $1.63, per CoinDesk technical models. Dec 24, 2025, 1:51 p.m.

APT slipped 1% to $1.56 over the last 24 hours, as wider crypto markets also retreated. The CoinDesk 20 index was 0.6% lower at publication time.

The token traded between $1.62-$1.56 during the 24-hour period, establishing a $0.06 range representing 3.6% intraday volatility, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis model.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The model showed a battle between bulls and bears at $1.63 resistance during evening hours.

Support held firm near $1.56 as momentum faded into thin holiday trading, according to the model.

Volume spiked 71% above the 24-hour average to 4.69 million tokens, coinciding with selling pressure from the session peak of $1.62, the model said.

The token completed a double-bottom formation at $1.52 support before rallying through $1.56 resistance.

Technical Analysis:Primary resistance holds firm at $1.66 through multiple tests while support consolidates near $1.56 11% drop in volume versus 30-day metrics signals trader fatigue, though selective spikes above 46,000 tokens reveal pockets of accumulation interestDouble-bottom structure at $1.52 support triggers recent rally attempt, creating potential launch pad for moves above $1.56 resistanceUpside breakout targets $1.58-$1.585 resistance cluster while breakdown below $1.56 support opens path to $1.52 retest levelsDisclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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Dec 19, 2025

L1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below.

What to know:

2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. Institutional milestones were reached and TVL increased across most major ecosystems, yet the majority of large-cap Layer-1 tokens finished the year with negative or flat returns.

This report analyzes the structural decoupling between network usage and token performance. We examine 10 major blockchain ecosystems, exploring protocol versus application revenues, key ecosystem narratives, mechanics driving institutional adoption, and the trends to watch as we head into 2026.

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Gold knocks on a door that's been shut for 50 years as bitcoin tests a defining support

2 hours ago

Measured against U.S. money supply, gold is back at levels that marked major historical peaks, while bitcoin retraces toward a key cycle floor.

What to know:

Gold is challenging a resistance zone against the U.S. money supply that was last seen in 2011 and the early 1970s, and only broken decisively during the late 1970s surge.Against the same measure, bitcoin, known to some as digital gold, is testing support near the April "tariff tantrum" low that also marks prior cycle high from March 2024.Read full story

Arthur Hayes is on a mission to reduce his Ethereum exposure and invest in other types of tokens. He has chosen to rotate into a basket of underperforming decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens. This move comes in when the market is dealing with increased selling pressure and weakening investor sentiment.

Fresh data shows that Arthur Hayes deposited another 682 Ethereum (approximately worth $2 million) into Binance over the past 24 hours. This transfer adds to a series of similar moves made over the last week. Hayes has already sold a total of 1,871 ETH (approximately worth $5.5 million) and aims to continue this trend.

Hayes bets on DeFi tokens down 80% from highs
Arkham data shows that Hayes has reduced his Ether holdings by more than half since November. These sales are a part of his portfolio shift. However, USDC now accounts for more than 60% of his on-chain portfolio. It is seen as a sharp increase from earlier this year.

Arthur Hayes(@CryptoHayes) has just deposited another 682 $ETH($2M) into #Binance to sell and rotate into high-quality DeFi tokens.

In the past week, he has sold a total of 1,871 $ETH($5.53M), and bought 1.22M $ENA($257.5K), 137,117 $PENDLE($259K), and 132,730 $ETHFI($93K).… pic.twitter.com/2mddOY3H1t

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 24, 2025

Funds generated from the recent sales of his ETH have already been used to buy his choice of DeFi tokens. Meanwhile, these tokens have seen a heavy dump in 2025.

Over the past week, Hayes purchased around 1.22 million ENA, the native token of Ethena. He went long on Pendle and bought 137,117 tokens of it. The governance token of EtherFi stood out to be his other choice as he added 132,730 ETHFI to his bag.

The combined value of those purchases stood under $650,000. The timing is notable as all three tokens are down between 80% and 90% from their respective highs.

ENA price is down by a huge 78% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. It is trading at an average price of $0.199 at press time. Pendle price shows a similar pattern and is down by 65% on YTD. The same is with ETHFI, it is running down by 69% in the same period.

Arthur Hayes builds $48M USDC war chest
Hayes has been open and out about the rationale behind the shift. In recent posts, he said he is rotating out of Ether and into what he described as “high-quality DeFi names.” He argued that these assets stand to outperform if global liquidity conditions ease. 

This view stands totally apart from his bullish outlook on Ethereum. He has publicly suggested that ETH could eventually trade as high as $20,000. However, Hayes also had claimed that holding 50 Ether could be life-changing by the next US presidential election.

Ethereum price has slumped by more than 25% over the last 60 days. ETH is trading at an average price of $2,933 at press time.

Arthur Hayes’ holdings. Source: Arkham Intelligence
Arkham data shows that Hayes’ USDC balance has surged from roughly $1 million in mid-November to nearly $48 million today. Such a build-up in stablecoins is often seen as preparation to buy deeper dips. It can also be a signal of caution amid uncertain macro and crypto-specific conditions.

The global crypto market is still struggling and trading under pressure. The cumulative crypto market cap dipped marginally over the last 24 hours to stand at $2.95 trillion. Bitcoin is still trying to reclaim $88,000 mark. However, the fear and greed index is flashing “Fear” sentiment among the investors.

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The Dogecoin price is currently trading within a tight range as analysts evaluate its next potential move. Recent technical analysis has focused on specific price levels that could influence future movement. They suggest that a shift in broader crypto momentum, combined with a crucial Fibonacci level reclaim, may set the stage for a renewed, explosive upside for DOGE. 

Dogecoin Price Faces Key Test At $0.138 
Dogecoin has been trending downwards for months now, as it faces pressure from ongoing volatility and an overall market slowdown. Although DOGE’s price remains below $0.13 after declining consistently over the past few months, crypto market analyst Kevin has outlined conditions under which the meme coin’s price could recover and see a strong upside soon. 

In an X post on Tuesday, Kevin pointed to the $0.138 level as a critical area that must be reclaimed on a strong higher time frame three-day to one week closes. According to his view, such a move would mark a meaningful shift in Dogecoin’s momentum and signal renewed strength after an extended period of consolidation. He also disclosed that a recovery would open the door to a potentially massive price rally for the meme coin. 

The analyst explained that reclaiming the $0.138 level would place Dogecoin back above a key macro Fibonacci retracement around 0.382. This Fibonacci level has acted as an important dividing line between bearish and bullish market phases in the past. As a result, a move above it could suggest that long-term buyers are regaining control. 

Source: X
Kevin also emphasized the significance of the 200-week Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the chart, noting that it often serves as a key support or resistance level during significant trend changes. A decisive move above this key level would validate the analyst’s bullish perspective, signaling that Dogecoin could be nearing the end of its correction and preparing to transition into a stronger market phase. 

Notably, once this structural change occurs, Kevin’s chart points to the next major liquidity and resistance zone, which sits around $0.46. 

Dogecoin Price Rally Tied To Bitcoin’s Momentum 
In his accompanying chart, Kevin shows that Dogecoin is currently trading sideways within what appears to be a DCA zone. This range reflects extended consolidation where price has failed to make a decisive move in either direction.

The chart setup suggests that any meaningful breakout in Dogecoin’s price would likely coincide with renewed strength in Bitcoin. Kevin notes that Bitcoin reclaiming the $88,000 to $91,000 region could support bullish momentum across the crypto market and influence a potential price rally for Dogecoin. 

A move toward this range would require the leading cryptocurrency to rally by approximately 2-6% from its present price level. Without that confirmation, the analyst believes that DOGE may continue consolidating within its current narrow range. 

DOGE price continues to trend low | Source: DOGEUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

15h05 ▪
3
min read ▪ by
James G.

Summarize this article with:

El Salvador is once again under scrutiny as talks with the International Monetary Fund advance over its Bitcoin strategy. Although negotiations to sell the state-run Chivo Bitcoin wallet are nearing completion, disagreements persist over continued government BTC purchases. Public statements by President Nayib Bukele continue to conflict with IMF conditions under a major loan agreement.

In brief

IMF confirmed talks to sell the Chivo wallet are close to completion as part of a $1.4B loan deal tied to Bitcoin limits.
Conflicting reports emerged, with IMF data showing no recent BTC buys, while El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office reports new purchases.
Deal terms call for limited public Bitcoin use, voluntary private adoption, and reduced state involvement in Chivo.
President Bukele insists daily Bitcoin buying will continue, putting pressure on IMF conditions and future funding.

IMF Confirms Advanced Talks to Sell El Salvador’s Chivo Wallet
IMF officials confirmed that negotiations to sell Chivo, El Salvador’s government-backed Bitcoin wallet, are at an advanced stage. As outlined in a Monday release, the fund’s mission chief said authorities remain engaged with staff on the broader Bitcoin agenda, including public-sector involvement. In parallel, separate discussions are underway regarding the country’s ongoing Bitcoin acquisition.

The discussions follow a financing agreement reached in May, under which the IMF approved a $120 million disbursement as part of a broader $1.4 billion loan package for 2024. The deal set limits on government Bitcoin activity and included a commitment to reduce involvement in the Chivo wallet.

Questions remain over whether the government is complying with those terms. IMF data released in July indicated that no BTC purchases were made after December 2024. By contrast, updates from El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office show continued acquisitions. The disclosures include a purchase of 1,090 BTC in November, valued at about $100 million at the time.

Bitcoin Purchases Remain a Sticking Point in Negotiations
These conditions continue to frame negotiations:

Public sector BTC activity must remain limited.
Private businesses may accept Bitcoin voluntarily.
Government participation in the Chivo wallet should be reduced.
Sale terms for Chivo remain confidential.
Oversight continues on future BTC purchases.

Bitcoin became legal tender in El Salvador in 2021, becoming the first country to adopt the OG crypto. President Nayib Bukele backed the policy and directed state funds toward regular purchases. On Bitcoin Day, authorities added 21 BTC to national reserves, drawing attention despite IMF restrictions.

Government data shows holdings of 7,509 Bitcoin as of Monday, worth roughly $659 million at the time of publication. At the same time, Bukele reiterated in March that the country would continue buying at least one BTC per day. The policy stance raises questions about the durability of the IMF agreement and the future pace of disbursements.

Tensions increased in July when the IMF criticized El Salvador for bypassing the non-accumulation pledge through the Chivo wallet. With talks over the wallet’s sale ongoing, future policy direction remains unclear as negotiations continue.

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James G.

James Godstime is a crypto journalist and market analyst with over three years of experience in crypto, Web3, and finance. He simplifies complex and technical ideas to engage readers. Outside of work, he enjoys football and tennis, which he follows passionately.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Hyperliquid reiterated zero tolerance for insider trading after confirming a terminated employee's wallet was behind major HYPE shorts.

Hyperliquid has confirmed that a recent large shorting incident involving its native HYPE token was linked to a former employee who was dismissed in the first quarter of 2024 for insider trading.

In a statement issued this week, the decentralized perpetuals exchange said on-chain analysis had verified that the wallet behind the activity belonged to the ex-employee. Hyperliquid reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward trading misconduct.

Behind the HYPE Dump
The disclosure comes amid increased community scrutiny after unusually large short positions emerged on the platform, which initially sparked speculation that major “whale” traders or internal actors were responsible. An on-chain sleuth said that wallets connected to the address 0x7Ae4, which it identified as belonging to a former employee, are still actively holding HYPE short positions directly on the protocol.

On-chain data also found that 0x7Ae4 was first funded on the Arbitrum network by wallet 0xA2c5, which later transferred funds to address 0x5a62 on the Polygon network. This Polygon address appears to be linked to extensive activity on Polymarket under the account name “trytings.” Between September and November, 0x5a62 received roughly $66,000 in USDC from Hyperliquid.

On December 17, five days before the company’s public clarification, the same wallet deposited about $53,000 USDC back into Hyperliquid and opened leveraged short positions totaling approximately $223,000. These included a $180,000 HYPE short at 10x leverage and a $43,000 Bitcoin short at 40x leverage, while retaining around $63,000 in free margin.

Hyperliquid co-founder Iliensinc said employees and contractors are prohibited from trading HYPE derivatives, either long or short, and violations result in immediate termination. The firm said the policy is intended to ensure accountability and maintain alignment with the long-term health of the ecosystem.

Response to Solvency and Transparency Claims
In a related development, Hyperliquid pushed back against what it described as factually incorrect claims in a recent article, while reaffirming that the protocol is fully solvent, transparent, and decentralized. The platform said all USDC on HyperCore is verifiably accounted for on-chain, and noted the report failed to include native HyperEVM USDC balances.

You may also like:

Hyperliquid Denies $362M Risk Claims, Says Platform Is Fully Solvent

Bitcoin (BTC) Retreats to $90K, Hyperliquid (HYPE) Plunges by 9% Daily: Market Watch

DEXs Hit All-Time High of $419 Billion Volume Despite Market Corrections: CoinGecko

It also rejected allegations of retroactive volume manipulation, special user privileges, and “godmode” controls, clarifying that cited functions are testnet-only or misinterpreted. Hyperliquid said that its entire state, including orders, trades, fees, and liquidations, is publicly verifiable by anyone running a node.

Tags:

Key Takeaways MBGYY reached a $149.6M settlement with U.S. states over allegations tied to diesel emissions cheating.The deal covers nearly 39,565 vehicles, with funds aimed at pollution mitigation and emissions software fixes.Mercedes-Benz Group AG reported lower Q3 revenues and double-digit declines in car and van sales YoY.
German AutomakerMercedes-Benz Group AG (MBGYY - Free Report) has agreed to a $149.6 million claim settlement with the United States to resolve a long-running probe tied to allegations of diesel emission cheating. The settlement officially ended years-long legal trouble for Mercedes in the United States over the diesel gate emission scandal, which was first uncovered at Volkswagen (VWAGY) in September 2015.

Under the settlement with 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, Mercedes will pay a total of $149.6 million, out of which $120 million will be allocated to the states to prevent, abate, and mitigate air pollution. The remaining $29.6 million is suspended and will be reduced by $750 for each affected vehicle that Mercedes repairs, removes from the market, or buys back.

State authorities also said that Mercedes installed undisclosed, unlawful software in diesel vehicles that concealed the actual levels of pollution and incorrectly lowered emissions during government testing. In normal driving conditions, the vehicles emitted up to 30 or 40 times the legal limit.

The settlement covered 39,565 U.S. vehicles that were not repaired or permanently removed from the road as of August 2023. Mercedes will bear all costs associated with installing the state-approved emissions modification software and will pay $2,000 per vehicle. Claims must be submitted by September 30, 2026, and the automaker will send an email detailing the program.

In 2020, Mercedes-Benz agreed to pay $2.2 billion to resolve a U.S. government investigation into diesel emissions cheating, as well as claims from approximately 250,000 U.S. vehicle owners. That same year, states launched their own investigation into Mercedes-Benz following Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal, which ultimately cost VWAGY more than $20 billion in fines, penalties, and settlements. Volkswagen admitted in 2015 that it had manipulated emissions tests by installing defeat devices and sophisticated software in nearly 11 million vehicles worldwide.

As part of the settlement, Mercedes is restricted from selling or leasing any diesel vehicle equipped with the illegal emissions-cheating devices. The company is also prohibited from making any misleading statement about a vehicle’s emissions performance, including claims mentioning that the diesel vehicle is clean or low-pollution, unless the claim is accurate and substantiated. Additionally, the company is required to provide regular reports on the progress.

The settlement comes as Mercedes faces pressure from weaker operating performance. The company reported consolidated revenues of €32,147 million in the third quarter of 2025, significantly below the prior-year figure of €34,528 million.

In the third quarter of 2025, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 441,453 vehicles, reflecting a decrease of 12% compared to last year. Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 83,843 vehicles, representing a decrease of 8% from the prior-year level.

Zacks Rank & Key PicksMBGYY stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Mazda Motor (MZDAY - Free Report) and Subaru Corporation (FUJHY - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MZDAY’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 EPS has improved 6 cents and 3 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FUJHY’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 EPS has improved 15 cents and 10 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.

Key Takeaways Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci platform is fueling over 20% procedure growth across 10,800 systems worldwide.SYK's robotics business supports growth but remains part of its broader, diversified MedTech portfolio.ISRG derives about 85% of revenues from recurring sources, supporting strong margins as system use expands.
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) and Stryker (SYK - Free Report) are two of the most influential players in global MedTech, each benefiting from long-term procedural growth, hospital technology adoption and favorable demographic trends. While both companies participate in surgical innovation, their business models and exposure to robotics differ meaningfully. This faceoff evaluates which stock offers greater upside potential today, with a focus on growth leverage, revenue visibility and strategic positioning.

Core Business FocusIntuitive Surgical is a pure-play leader in robotic-assisted soft-tissue surgery. The company’s da Vinci platform is its foundational asset, supporting procedures across urology, gynecology, general surgery, thoracic and colorectal indications. Management emphasized that Intuitive Surgical currently supports more than 10,800 installed da Vinci systems globally, with procedure volumes exceeding 20% growth in recent quarters, underscoring the platform’s central role in modern minimally invasive surgery.

Stryker operates a diversified MedTech portfolio spanning orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, endoscopy, neurotechnology and medical devices. Robotics plays a meaningful but smaller role through the Mako system, which is focused on joint replacement procedures, such as knees and hips. Management consistently highlighted strength across multiple segments, reinforcing Stryker’s identity as a broad-based surgical solutions provider rather than a robotics pure play.

Robotics ExposureRobotics is Intuitive Surgical’s core growth engine. The da Vinci ecosystem generates recurring, high-margin revenue through instruments and accessories tied directly to procedure volumes. Management cited 85% of total revenues coming from recurring sources, with utilization rising across multiport, SP and Ion platforms. Surgeon training, embedded workflows, and continuous platform upgrades, such as da Vinci 5, create high switching costs and a durable competitive moat.

Robotics is one pillar within Stryker’s broader portfolio. Mako remains a strong franchise, with management noting more than 2 million robotic procedures performed and record installation in the last two quarters. However, Mako’s scope is largely limited to orthopedic applications, with growth closely tied to implant sales rather than a standalone robotics ecosystem.

We note that ISRG offers concentrated exposure to surgical robotics as a secular growth driver, while SYK provides diversified robotics participation embedded within a multi-category portfolio.

Revenue Model & VisibilityIntuitive Surgical operates a classic razor-and-blade model. System placements drive long-term demand for instruments, accessories and service contracts. Management reported recurring revenue growth of over 20% in the last two reported quarters, supported by procedure growth and rising utilization. Pro forma operating margins remained near 39%, reflecting strong operating leverage as volumes scale.

Stryker’s revenue mix includes capital equipment, implants, and consumables across multiple specialties. While margins are lower than ISRG’s, management highlighted consistent gross and operating margin expansion driven by pricing initiatives, manufacturing efficiency, and scale benefits. This diversification provides resilience across procedure cycles but limits pure-play operating leverage.

ISRG Revenue Estimates

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SYK Revenue Estimates

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Growth ProfileManagement continues to frame Intuitive Surgical’s opportunity as multi-dimensional — deeper penetration of general surgery, expansion of SP and Ion platforms, and geographic growth in markets such as India, Korea, and distributor regions. Procedure growth remained in the high-teens to 20% range, supporting a faster long-term growth profile but with higher sensitivity to procedural trends and capital budgets.

Stryker’s growth profile is steadier. Organic sales growth has consistently tracked high single digits to low double digits, supported by aging demographics, elective procedure recovery and broad product launches. Notably, growth is diversified across multiple platforms, mitigating volatility while simultaneously limiting upside relative to a robotics pure-play model.

ISRG Earnings Estimates

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SYK Earnings Estimates

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Price Performance & Valuation of ISRG & SYKOver the past year, Intuitive Surgical has gained 7.5% against the Stryker’s decline of 4.3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SYK looks more attractive than ISRG from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/earnings ratio, Stryker’s shares currently trade at 23.7 forward earnings, significantly lower than Intuitive Surgical’s 60.45.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Risk FactorsKey risks for Intuitive Surgical include valuation sensitivity, increasing competition in surgical robotics, and potential hospital capital spending slowdowns — particularly internationally, where management cited budget pressures in Japan, China and parts of Europe.

Stryker faces slower relative robotics innovation compared with pure-play peers, pricing pressure in orthopedics, and execution risk from ongoing acquisitions and integrations, including Inari Medical.

Bottom LineBoth companies are high-quality MedTech leaders, but their upside profiles diverge. Stryker’s diversification, consistent execution, and margin discipline make it a defensive compounder well-suited for stability-oriented investors.

However, Intuitive Surgical offers greater upside potential today, driven by its concentrated robotics exposure, structurally higher margins, recurring revenue visibility, and long-term leverage to procedure growth and platform innovation. While ISRG carries higher sensitivity to valuation and capital cycles, management’s commentary underscores a durable growth runway that remains compelling relative to Stryker’s more balanced (but inherently capped) growth profile.

Meanwhile, Intuitive Surgical carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and Stryker has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 24, 2025) - Leading international securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in CarMax, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/carmax-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

Investors have until January 2, 2026, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in CarMax securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and is captioned Jason Cap v. CarMax, Inc., et al., No. 1:25-cv-03602.

Why is CarMax Being Sued For Securities Fraud?

CarMax sells used cars. During the relevant period, the Company touted the strong and sustainable demand for its cars, driven by factors such as a seamless customer experience.

As alleged, in truth, it appears that the announcement of U.S. tariffs imposed on cars provided a short-term boost to demand, as customers purchased cars prior to the tariffs taking effect.

BFA Law is also investigating the unexpected departure of CEO Bill Nash on November 6, 2025, and whether CarMax properly assessed or reserved for its portfolio of car loans.

Why did CarMax's Stock Drop?

On September 25, 2025, the Company reported disappointing financial results for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2026. Specifically, CarMax announced sales declines across the board, including a 5.4% decline in retail used unit sales, a 6.3% decline in comparable store used unit sales, and a 2.2% decline in wholesale units. The Company also posted a disappointing second quarter net income of about $95.4 million, down from $132.8 million over the prior year. A main reason for the declines, according to CarMax, was a "pull forward" in demand into the first fiscal quarter due to the announcement of tariffs.

On this news, the price of CarMax stock dropped $11.45 per share, or roughly 20%, from $57.05 per share on September 24, 2025, to $45.60 per share on September 25, 2025.

Then, on November 6, 2025, CarMax announced the unexpected departure of CEO Bill Nash and a weak preliminary Q3 2025 outlook. On this news, the price of CarMax stock dropped over 24%.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/carmax-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in CarMax you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/carmax-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/carmax-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278245

Source: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld

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Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

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New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 24, 2025) - Leading international securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after significant stock drops resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in Stride, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/stride-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

Investors have until January 12, 2026, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Stride securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and is captioned MacMahon v. Stride, Inc., et al., No. 1:25-cv- 02019.

Why is Stride Being Sued For Securities Fraud?

Stride is an education technology company that provides an online platform to students throughout the U.S. During the relevant period, Stride stated it was seeing "increasing growth in our business," "in-year strength in demand" for its products and services, and that its customers and potential customers "continue to choose us in record numbers."

As alleged, in truth, Stride had inflated enrollment numbers by retaining "ghost students," ignored compliance requirements for its employees, and had "poor customer experience" that resulted in "higher withdrawal rates," "lower conversion rates," and had driven students away.

Why did Stride's Stock Drop?

On September 14, 2025, a report stated that a complaint had been filed against Stride for fraud, deceptive trade practices, systemic violations of law, and intentional and tortious misconduct. It claimed Stride inflated enrollment numbers by retaining "ghost students" on rolls to secure state funding and ignored compliance requirements, including background checks and licensure laws for its employees. This news caused the price of Stride stock to drop $18.60 per share, or more than 11%, from a closing price of $158.36 per share on September 12, 2025, to $139.76 per share on September 15, 2025.

Then, on October 28, 2025, Stride admitted that "poor customer experience" resulted in "higher withdrawal rates," "lower conversion rates," and drove students away. Stride estimated the impact caused approximately 10,000-15,000 fewer enrollments and stated that, because of this, its outlook is "muted" compared to prior years. This news caused the price of Stride stock to drop $83.48 per share, or more than 54%, from a closing price of $153.53 per share on October 28, 2025, to $70.05 per share on October 29, 2025.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/stride-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Stride you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/stride-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/stride-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278246

Source: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld

Ready to Announce with Confidence?
Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us