Market Signal Briefing

In brief
Publicly traded firms are starting to stack up Solana in addition to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The top firms have collectively amassed nearly a couple billions dollars' worth of SOL.
The leader, Forward Industries, maintains a balance of nearly 7 million SOL on its own.
Michael Saylor popularized the digital asset treasury when his firm Strategy began buying Bitcoin in 2020, racking up over $59 billion worth of BTC in the years since—and inspiring a wave of followers.

Now, publicly traded firms are moving down the risk curve and adding different crypto tokens to their balance sheets, including Ethereum and XRP.

That includes creating treasury strategies centered on Solana, the seventh-largest crypto asset by market capitalization. Solana is popular as a destination for token trading and internet capital markets, and the network has drawn the attention of several publicly traded firms.

The top Solana treasury firms have already snatched up nearly a couple billion dollars' worth of SOL. Here’s a look at the top 5 publicly traded firms that are betting on Solana, based on their current holdings.

1. Forward Industries - 6,921,432 SOLPublicly traded medical design firm Forward Industries currently holds the largest Solana treasury, boasting 6,921,432 SOL. Despite dropping $1.6 billion to pick up the bulk of that sum in September, as of this latest update, the firm’s treasury value has plummeted to $865 million.

The firm—propelled by financing from major crypto players like Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital—raised $1.65 billion via a private investment in public equity (PIPE) to establish its treasury just days before acquiring its Solana stash.

Fueled via a mix of on-chain and open-market transactions, Forward aims to differentiate its treasury from others by participating more on-chain and providing what it says is more effective execution for its shareholders. The firm is staking all of the SOL in its treasury, generating yield for its business and shareholders. In Q4, it has so far generated around $4.6 million in staking revenue, according to a December update.

After making its splashy purchase, the firm announced intentions to raise another $4 billion to purchase Solana for its treasury. It recently tokenized shares of the company on the Solana blockchain.

2. Solana Company - 2,200,000 SOLPublicly traded medical device firm Helius Technologies changed its name to Solana Company as it embraced a digital asset treasury strategy centered on SOL.

The firm first announced plans to raise $500 million via a PIPE offering led by notable crypto firms Pantera Capital and Summer Capital in mid-September.

Less than a month later, it used the funds to accumulate more than 2.2 million SOL, quickly making it the second-largest publicly traded Solana treasury. Once valued around $500 million, the firm’s treasury is now worth around $275 million.

Shares in the firm grew by 141% after its initial raise announcement, but retraced after it made its first purchase. Despite a gain of more than 220% in the month following its strategy shift, HSDT is still down around 99% year-to-date.

In Q3, the firm brought in its first revenue from staking rewards, netting $342,000. At the end of the quarter, it held $124 million in cash.

3. DeFi Development Corp. - 2,195,926 SOLA real estate software firm turned Solana treasury company, DeFi Development Corporation is the second-largest publicly traded Solana treasury—narrowly edging out a pair of others that sit not far below on the list.

The firm holds just shy of 2.2 million SOL, worth almost $275 million at today’s Solana price, accumulating the amount across various purchases since establishing its treasury strategy in April.

DeFi Development Corp. has been of the most active of the treasury firms on the list, becoming increasingly ingrained within Solana’s community through its acquisition of a Solana validator company and collaborations with leading meme coins like BONK.

In June, it established a $5 billion equity line of credit to fuel strategic Solana purchases. In December, it publicly signaled support for a new Solana Improvement Proposal (SIMD) that would lower the network’s inflation rate, producing fewer SOL tokens annually.

4. Upexi - 2,106,989 SOLConsumer products firm Upexi also debuted its Solana treasury strategy in April, spiking shares of UPXI more than 300% in the process. Those shares have since fallen massively, sliding from a 52-week high of $22.57 to recently change hands at $2.08. 

What started with a $100 million raise to fuel SOL purchases has now turned into more than 2.1 million Solana, valued around $263 million.

After its first raise, the firm added another $200 million via an equity offering and convertible notes, marking $300 million total in raises that ultimately was used to grab its current SOL stack at an average price of $151.44 per token. The treasury in total is down around 9% based on data from the firm’s dashboard.

In August, the firm established a new advisory committee to be a catalyst for its next leg of growth, adding BitMEX co-founder and crypto billionaire Arthur Hayes as its first member.

To show his commitment to the firm’s mission, the firm’s CEO Allan Marshall publicly disclosed the purchase of 150,000 shares of UPXI in December—valued around $285,000.

5. Sharps Technology - 2,000,000 SOLMedical device manufacturer Sharps Technology established a plan to raise $400 million for a Solana treasury in late August. 

Amid the news, shares in the firm jumped by more than 40%. A week later, it completed the acquisition of “more than 2 million SOL” using the proceeds from its raise to do so, giving it a starting treasury of around $400 million in the process. A representative for the firm did not immediately respond to Decrypt's question about a specific SOL denomination.

Today those 2 million SOL are worth around $250 million. 

According to Alice Zhang, the firm’s Chief Investment Officer, it will lean on a team “with deep ties to the Solana ecosystem and proven founder-level experience in scaling institutional digital asset platforms” when building its treasury. 

The medical device firm now refers to itself as a “Solana accelerator company,” but still maintains product information for its drug delivery products on its website homepage.

Editor's note: This story was originally posted on September 16, 2025 and last updated on December 21.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Cardano (ADA) rebounds above its 20-day EMA, signaling potential upside, says CryptoCeek. Sustained momentum depends on clearing key resistance and holding support levels.

Source: CryptoCeek
A decisive break above the 50-day SMA at $0.50 could shift ADA from short-term consolidation to a broader bullish trend, with potential upside toward $0.60–$0.70. Historically, surpassing the 20-day EMA has often preceded such rallies, reinforcing the bullish case.

Nevertheless, CryptoCeek cautions that a firm rejection at the $0.50 support could push ADA back below its 20-day EMA, reigniting selling pressure and risking a drop toward lower support. The current price is $0.363.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has stunned the crypto world by turning his focus to the XRP community, proposing a DeFi summit at the University of Edinburgh. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Hoskinson sparked excitement about potential cross-chain collaboration and the future of defi.

Hoskinson’s proposal signals a strategic shift from single-chain ecosystems to multi-chain collaboration, aligning with a growing trend among developers. By engaging the XRP community, he highlights XRP’s strengths in payments, tokenization, and DeFi, creating a stage for innovation and cross-platform partnerships.

Advertisement
 

Therefore, XRP finds itself at a pivotal moment since Solana’s recent integration underscores its growing network influence and cross-chain interoperability.

As Ethereum’s DeFi dominance shows strain, emerging ecosystems like Cardano, Solana, and XRP-backed platforms are staking their claim, emphasizing real-world utility and broader recognition.

In brief
Arthur Hayes believes Bitcoin could run to $200,000 by March before settling around $124,000.
The BitMex co-founder thinks the Fed's new RMP policy is a catalyst, likening it to quantitative easing (QE).
In this scenario, Hayes sees BTC ranging from $80,000-$100,000 to close out the year.
BitMex founder and Bitcoin billionaire Arthur Hayes says BTC will soon rise to a price of $200,000 before falling back to create a bottom above $124,000.

According to Hayes, the sharp rise in Bitcoin’s price will stem from the Fed’s “Reserve Management Purchases” or RMP, a new operating policy shared by the Fed at its most recent FOMC meeting that he likened to quantitative easing. 

“RMP is a new acronym that entered my Love Language dictionary on December 10th, the day of the most recent Fed meeting,” wrote Hayes in his latest blog post from Friday.

“Immediately, I recognized it, understood its meaning, and treasured it like my long-lost love, quantitative easing (QE),” he continued. “I love QE because it means money printing, and thankfully I own financial assets like gold, gold/silver mining stocks, and Bitcoin that rise faster than the pace of fiat money creation.”

In Hayes’ view, if money printing continues to drive the adoption of Bitcoin, then it may ultimately replace the “filthy fiat fractional reserve system” one day.

The Bitcoin billionaire has previously pointed to money printing, or the Fed increasing the money supply and buying assets, as a major catalyst for the top crypto coin. Earlier this year, he predicted that Bitcoin could rise to $250,000 by year’s end as a result of money printing policies.

That hasn’t happened yet, and he no longer believes that, now instead calling for BTC to range between $80,000-$100,000 through the end of the year.

In the new year, though, he expects Bitcoin to quickly take off. 

“As the market equates RMP to QE, Bitcoin will quickly retake $124,000 and punch quickly towards $200,000,” Hayes wrote. “March will mark peak expectations for the power of the RMP to ramp asset prices, and Bitcoin will decline and form a local bottom well above $124,000 as John Williams keeps his grubby fingers firmly planted on the Brrrr button.”

Williams, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, serves as vice chair of the FOMC, the body responsible for setting monetary policy—like interest rates. 

With Bitcoin’s expected rise alongside the introduction of RMP, Hayes also likes Ethena’s native token, ENA, calling it a “a TradFi vs. crypto USD rates play” 

Bitcoin would need to jump 127% in the coming months to reach Hayes’ predicted mark. It recently changed hands around $88,000—30% below its all-time high mark of $126,080.

Hayes' comments came the same day that crypto analytics firm CryptoQuant said that Bitcoin appears to have entered a bear market, based on various market factors (beyond price) that suggest significant decline since early October.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

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 rates of the coins are going down on the last day of the week, according to CoinMarketCap.

Top coins by CoinMarketCapDOGE/USDThe price of DOGE has declined by 1.52% over the last 24 hours.

Image by TradingViewOn the hourly chart, the rate of DOGE might have found a local support of $0.1287. However, if a bounce back does not happen by the end of the day, one can expect a level breakout, followed by an ongoing correction to the $0.1250 area.

Image by TradingViewOn the bigger time frame, the price of DOGE has once again failed to fix above the resistance of $0.1330. If the candle closes far from that level, there is a high chance to witness a further decline to the $0.12-$0.1250 area.

Image by TradingViewFrom the midterm point of view, there are no reversal signals so far. However, traders should pay attention to the weekly bar closure.

You Might Also Like

If it happens with a long wick, one can expect a local bounce off to the $0.14 zone by the end of the month.

DOGE is trading at $0.1296 at press time.

The price of Ethereum endured significant selling pressure over the past week, reflecting the current climate of the crypto market. The latest data shows that the spot US-based Ethereum ETFs (exchange-traded funds) did not have it any better, as significant capital flowed out of the market in the past week.

Ethereum ETFs Weekly Outflow Exceeds $600 Million
In a Quicktake post on the CryptoQuant platform, market pundit CryptoOnchain revealed an overwhelming exodus of institutional capital from the Ethereum market. More specifically, the analyst highlighted that over $600 million in capital flowed out of the US-based spot Ethereum ETFs over the past week. 

The relevant indicator here is the ETH ETF Net Flow metric, which monitors the net movement of capital (in millions of USD) into or out of the Ethereum exchange-traded fund market.

BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (with the ticker ETHA) is the primary contributor to the massive outflows witnessed by the Ethereum ETFs in the past week. CryptoQuant’s data shows that about $470 million in value was withdrawn from ETHA in the last trading week.

Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund (ticker: FETH) also registered a notable amount in net outflows, as around $35 million was withdrawn by investors. Grayscale’s Ethereum ETF (ETHE) also posted significant net outflows of approximately $49 million in the past week.

What The Outflow Means For Ethereum Price
In normal conditions, the Ethereum ETFs tend to provide substantial price stability and institutional support for the ETH price. However, these products could also be a source of immense volatility for the market, depending on their investor behavior. 

Typically, waves of ETF outflows indicate a reduction in institutional risk appetite for Ethereum. CryptoOnchain explained that when the week begins with reduced exposure from institutional participants, their not-so-optimistic sentiment becomes apparent in the market, as price nosedives, too. The lack of institutional demand could, in turn, make it difficult for Ethereum to defend its immediate support levels. 

Moreover, this could mean that institutional interest sits at price levels further south of the Ethereum price. This creates a vacuum of demand beneath the current price levels, which short-term traders in general may have trouble filling. 

Until ETF flows begin ascending towards positive values, the Ethereum market could be in for more bearish pressure. It, then, becomes very likely that the ‘king of altcoins’ would revisit lower support levels.

Hence, it is important that investors involve themselves in the market with utmost caution. As of press time, Ethereum is valued at approximately $2,975, with no significant price movement in the past day. 

The price of ETH on the daily timeframe | Source: ETHUSDT chart on TradingView
Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView

The crypto market in 2025 looks very different from previous cycles. While some familiar patterns remain, new factors like institutional adoption, ETFs, and real-world use cases are changing how investors think about the future. Because of this shift, analysts say that choosing the right altcoins to buy for 2026 should be based on data and long-term fundamentals.

Here are the top altcoins experts are watching for 2026:

Ethereum (ETH): Ethereum remains one of the most important altcoins to buy for 2026. After facing criticism for slow and expensive transactions, Ethereum’s recent Fusaka upgrade has improved scalability, reduced fees, and increased transaction speed.

These improvements have renewed confidence among developers and investors. Institutional interest in Ethereum is also growing, supported by spot ETFs and increasing use in decentralized finance and tokenization.

Sui (SUI): Sui has gained attention for continued development despite weak market conditions. Institutional players are already showing interest, including the launch of a leveraged SUI ETF on Nasdaq.

The Sui network is expanding its stablecoin offerings and working on blockchain-based payment solutions. It is also becoming active in real-world asset tokenization, including supply-chain tracking for critical minerals.

With its price still well below previous highs, analysts see SUI as a discounted altcoin with strong long-term potential for 2026.

Bittensor (TAO): Bittensor stands out as one of the most innovative AI-focused crypto projects. Unlike Bitcoin mining, Bittensor rewards participants for performing useful AI-related tasks.

The network recently completed a halving event, which reduced token supply growth. While TAO’s price dipped after the event, analysts believe long-term demand could rise as interest in artificial intelligence continues to grow.

For investors looking for AI exposure, Bittensor is often considered a top altcoin to buy for 2026.

Ondo Finance (ONDO):Ondo Finance operates in the fast-growing real-world asset (RWA) sector. Major financial institutions, including BlackRock, are betting heavily on tokenizing traditional assets like bonds and securities.

A development came after US regulators approved blockchain-based tokenization through the DTCC, which settles trillions of dollars in financial transactions every year. This move could accelerate adoption of RWA-focused projects.

Although ONDO’s price remains under pressure,  its fundamentals make it a strong long-term play as tokenization expands in 2026.

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.

TLDR:

Long-term Bitcoin holders recorded three consecutive months of net distribution and selling pressure

Coins held beyond 155 days are now moving, breaking typical pattern of dormant holder behavior

The market faces absorption challenge as historically stable supply enters circulation during thin liquidity

Analysts predict bearish year ahead before potential three-year bull run based on distribution patterns

Long-term Bitcoin holders have begun selling their coins at an unprecedented rate, marking a notable shift in market behavior. 

These investors, traditionally known for their steadfast holding strategies, are now distributing their positions across exchanges. 

The recent on-chain data reveals three consecutive periods of net selling, suggesting a fundamental change in confidence among Bitcoin’s most committed participants.

Distribution Pattern Reveals Market Psychology
The current market dynamics show a clear departure from typical long-term holder behavior. According to a recent analysis shared by Nolimit, the 30-day change in long-term holder supply has turned negative. 

🚨 LONG-TERM BITCOIN HOLDERS ARE DUMPING ALL THEIR COINS

Why is that crazy?

Because they’re the people who usually NEVER SELL.

And you can literally see it in this chart.

They’re losing confidence in the markets.

Let me explain exactly what’s going on right now:

– Black… pic.twitter.com/HRoQaLBokZ

— NoLimit (@NoLimitGains) December 21, 2025

Green bars on tracking charts indicate accumulation periods, while red bars signal distribution phases. The latest data displays three consecutive red bars, confirming sustained selling pressure from this cohort.

Long-term holders are classified as addresses holding Bitcoin for approximately 155 days or longer. Beyond this threshold, coins statistically become less likely to move. 

When these dormant holdings do shift, the movement typically stems from two primary motivations. Profit-taking during late-cycle rallies represents one scenario. Capitulation driven by fear or loss of confidence constitutes the other.

The distinction matters because these holders form a crucial part of Bitcoin’s supply dynamics. Their selling activity directly impacts market liquidity and price discovery. 

Without sufficient fresh demand to absorb the incoming supply, prices must adjust downward until buyers emerge at lower levels.

Market Implications and Future Outlook
The distribution from long-term holders creates additional resistance for price rallies. Each upward move faces selling pressure from this historically stable group. 

While such distribution can be healthy during robust bull markets, the pattern becomes problematic when liquidity remains thin. High leverage across the market compounds these risks, potentially amplifying downward movements.

The analyst behind these observations has pointed to a track record of notable market calls. Claims include identifying the Bitcoin bottom at $16,000 three years ago and a top at $126,000 in October. 

The current assessment suggests a bearish outlook for the upcoming year. This view anticipates downward pressure before a potential multi-year bull run emerges.

Market participants now face a critical juncture as supply dynamics shift. The selling from long-term holders introduces fresh coins into circulation at a time when demand must prove resilient. 

Trading volumes and buyer interest will determine whether the market can absorb this supply without significant price corrections. 

The coming months will test whether new capital can step in to support current price levels or whether further adjustments become necessary to establish equilibrium.

Amid concerns over the threat of quantum computing, Solana has taken a preemptive measure to protect its blockchains. The Solana Foundation has inked a deal with Project Eleven to quantum-proof the blockchain amid accelerating industry research across the cryptoverse.

According to an official announcement, the Solana Foundation has taken the first step toward quantum-proofing the Solana blockchain by signing a partnership with Project Eleven, a Google-led research initiative.

Per the joint statement, Project Eleven has conducted a “full threat assessment” to measure how future quantum computing innovation could adversely affect Solana. The assessment measured the effects on Solana’s core infrastructure, validator security, and user wallets, charting a tentative solution for the blockchain.

After the assessment, Project Eleven prototyped a functioning Solana testnet and deployed a functioning post-quantum signature system. By the end of the study, Project Eleven proved that quantum-resistant transactions on Solana are possible, laying the foundation for mainstream applications.

“Efforts like Project Eleven’s reflect early, concrete steps to strengthen the network and stay at the forefront, ensuring Solana’s resiliency long-term,” said Matt Sorg, VP, Technology at the Solana Foundation.

Advertisement
 

At the moment, quantum computing does not pose an immediate threat to blockchains. However, the frenetic pace of innovation by Big Tech companies has stoked fears that quantum computers could crack blockchain signatures in the near future.

“Solana didn’t wait for quantum computers to become a headline problem,” said Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden. “The results show that post-quantum security on Solana is viable with today’s technology.”

Bitcoin And Ethereum Are Bracing For Impact
Bitcoin developers are currently experimenting with NIST post-quantum standards and hybrid signature proposals to safeguard the network. Meanwhile, the Ethereum Foundation is prioritizing quantum-proofing the network before the end of the decade with Vitalik Buterin backing the push.

However, several experts have downplayed the threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin. Cryptographer Adam Back revealed that Bitcoin is not at risk from quantum computing for at least two decades. While Michael Saylor notes that quantum computing threats will strengthen Bitcoin, venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya predicts that the earliest risks to the network will emerge before the end of the decade.

Michael Saylor is signaling another aggressive Bitcoin accumulation for Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy).

This signals that the firm is down on its high-stakes treasury strategy even as its MSTR stock falters.

Sponsored

Sponsored

Why Saylor is Teasing a New Bitcoin Buy for StrategyOn December 21, Saylor posted a cryptic image to X captioned “Green Dots ₿eget Orange Dots,” referencing the company’s “SaylorTracker” portfolio visualization.

The post continues a year-long pattern Saylor has used to hint at a new BTC purchase. Notably, such a weekend teaser is usually followed by a Monday morning SEC filing confirming a significant acquisition.

Meanwhile, a new purchase would add to an already staggering hoard.

As of press time, Strategy held 671,268 BTC—valued at roughly $50.3 billion—representing 3.2% of the total Bitcoin supply.

Strategy’s Bitcoin Holdings. Source: Strategy However, the market has punished the stock in 2025. MSTR shares have collapsed 43% year-to-date to trade around $165, mirroring Bitcoin’s 30% retreat from its October peak of $126,000.

Sponsored

Sponsored

While the company touts a “BTC Yield” of 24.9%—a proprietary metric measuring the accretion of Bitcoin per share—institutional investors are increasingly focused on the looming external risks rather than internal yield metrics.

However, the most immediate threat to Saylor’s strategy is not Bitcoin’s price, but a potential regulatory reclassification.

MSCI is considering removing Strategy Inc. from its global indices during its February review. The index provider has flagged concerns that the firm now functions more like an investment vehicle than an operating company.

Market analysts have pointed out that the financial implications of such a move are severe.

JPMorgan estimates that an exclusion would trigger approximately $11.6 billion in forced selling as passive ETFs and index-tracking funds liquidate their MSTR positions.

This mechanical selling pressure could decouple the stock from its Bitcoin holdings, creating a liquidity spiral.

In response, Strategy has launched a vigorous defense.

The firm called the MSCI proposal “arbitrary, discriminatory, and unworkable,” arguing that it unfairly targets digital asset companies while ignoring other holding-heavy conglomerates.

“The proposal improperly injects policy considerations into indexing. The proposal conflicts with U.S. policy and would stifle innovation,” it argued.

So, Saylor’s potential new purchase serves a dual purpose: it lowers the company’s average cost basis during a market correction, but more importantly, it signals to the market that despite the MSCI threat and the stock’s poor performance, the “all-in” strategy remains unchanged.

Wang Chun, a co-founder of the major Bitcoin mining pool F2Pool, recently shared a personal anecdote from last year while sharing his opinion on a separate phishing incident that cost another person 50 million USDT. 

Unlike Wang Chun, the victim is working with law enforcement to find the hacker, but has also given the person a way out for both of them.

Wang Chun loses Bitcoin to ‘generous’ hacker 
According to Wang Chun’s post, the incident he described in his post went down sometime last year, and it differs from regular scams in that the F2Pool cofounder already suspected something was off with that wallet. 

In his post, he recalled being suspicious that one of his wallet’s private keys had been compromised. To determine if the wallet was being actively monitored by the hacker, Wang Chun claims he deliberately sent in 500 BTC. 

Why he sent such a large amount is beyond anybody, but it could be that he needed a big enough bait to elicit a response from the hacker monitoring the wallet. Well, he got what he was looking for because immediately the funds hit the wallet, the hacker got busy. 

However, according to Wang Chun, this hacker was not completely greedy and only drained 490 Bitcoins, leaving 10 behind, which caused Wang to sarcastically tag the attacker “generous.” He joked that they could have drained the entire account but chose to leave enough for his “bread and butter.”

Wang’s post makes it clear that this was not a traditional exploit or accidental loss; it was him intentionally probing to eliminate doubt. And he was right. Although it cost him 490 Bitcoins. 

Wang shared the hacker’s address, “14H12PpQNzrS1y1ipjF4mPuVgQEpgfGA79,” for reference, but did not say anything about tracking the hacker down or attempting to recover the stolen funds. 

In the comment section, users commented with confusion and skepticism. They wanted to know why he had to test his suspicion with such a large amount. Some even implied he was just trying to play it cool and that he actually sent in the BTC without knowing the wallet was compromised. 

Others poked fun at him for claiming he needed 10 BTC for “bread and butter.” 

Did someone lose $50 million to phishing?
Wang Chun shared the story of his ordeal last year in response to posts about a phishing incident that occurred on December 20, where Cryptopolitan reported that the victim lost up to 50 million USDT. 

The F2Pool co-founder called the event regrettable, as he hoped the user would get his funds back. The funds were lost after the affected user mistakenly sent nearly $50 million in USDT to a scam address in what has been tagged a classic address poisoning attack.

According to on-chain investigator Web3 Antivirus, the victim lost 49,999,950 USDT after copying a malicious wallet address from their transaction history. The user was actually cautious, according to on-chain data, as they initially sent a small test transaction of $50 to the correct address. 

However, the scammer immediately spoofed a wallet with the same first and last four characters, then carried out an address poisoning attack. This worked because many wallets hide the middle part of the address with “…” to make the UI look better.

Most of CT is used to this, and many users will often copy the address from transaction histories, usually only checking the starting and ending letters. The victim was no different. 

When transferring the remaining 49,999,950 $USDT, the victim copied the fake address from his transaction history, checked the start and ending letters, and minutes later sent the full $50 million transfer to the poisoned address. 

Security researcher Cos, founder of SlowMist, has confirmed there was indeed a similarity between the addresses, and even though it was subtle, it was enough to deceive even experienced users. “You can see the first 3 characters and last 4 characters are the same,” he wrote.

The attacker has since swapped the stolen USDT for Ether, splitting it into multiple wallets, and partially moved it into Tornado Cash. However, the affected user, unlike Wang Chun, is not letting the funds go and has worked with law enforcement to trace the hacker. 

The user has sent an on-chain message to the hacker, revealing they have filed a criminal case and, with help from law enforcement and other agencies, gathered information on the hacker’s activities. 

According to the message, the hacker has a final chance to walk away from this incident without legal consequences. The hacker is required to send 98% of the stolen funds back within 48 hours and has been advised to keep $1,000,000 for identifying the vulnerability. The offer is dependent on their immediate cooperation. 

Failure to comply, the user promises to escalate investigations and unveil the identity of the hacker while pursuing civil and criminal action until justice has been fully served. 

The ETH Community Foundation weighs in
It is not the first time such an address poisoning scam has happened, but according to the Ethereum Community Foundation, it needs to be the last time. To that end, the ECF has called for an “end to the practice of truncating addresses with dots.”

According to the foundation, all screens can now display full addresses, so hiding the middle characters only serves to create avoidable risk. 

“Wallets and block explorers continue to ship UI choices that actively undermine user safety,” the foundation wrote on X. “This is solvable.”

Sign up to Bybit and start trading with $30,050 in welcome gifts

The sale came just days before Tether-backed video streaming site Rumble announced its $767 million agreement to acquire Northern Data.

This week, the crypto market tested investor conviction. 

The BOJ rate hike, combined with November’s softer-than-expected inflation reading, kept Bitcoin [BTC] volatile. The result? Macro FUD pushed fear levels higher, showing that the risk-off mood is still present.

However, a few coins still managed to grab the spotlight.

Canton [CC] — Smart-contract reclaimed key levels in one decisive move
Canton [CC] topped this week’s gainers with a sharp 50% rally from the $0.07 open. In fact, the rally has pushed CC back to mid-November levels, clearly reclaiming multiple resistance zones in one clean move.

That said, the “overheating” question is now on the table. From the technical front, CC’s RSI jumped from 60 to nearly 80 in just a week, highlighting strong momentum but also flashing overbought conditions.

Consequently, after such a fast, decisive move, some cooling wouldn’t be surprising, especially with Canton now pressing into the $0.10 supply zone, a level it couldn’t crack last month.

Source: TradingView (CC/USDT)

Notably, this is where Canton’s recent strategic roadmap comes into play. 

Initially, CC’s weekly rally was largely “hype-driven,” sparked by an SEC-linked boost, as AMBCrypto recently noted. However, as that momentum has continued, key fundamentals have started to align.

As a result, what began as speculative enthusiasm is now evolving into a more structurally supported move, making a sustained breakout for Canton look increasingly likely.

Audiera [BEAT] — Creator-economy token reinforced bullish conviction
Audiera [BEAT] emerged as the second-biggest weekly gainer, rallying 40% from the $2 open. In doing so, BEAT showed strong technical resilience, breaking through a key overhead resistance.

Moreover, this move marked BEAT’s seventh consecutive green weekly close, reinforcing a bullish market structure. That said, the rally is unfolding alongside a few important variables. 

For one, the broader market remains in a risk-off environment. Meanwhile, BEAT’s Futures liquidity appears to be overheating. So, looking ahead, what happens once the market flips back to risk-on? 

With BEAT nearing the $3 level, sentiment could turn cautiously optimistic.

Uniswap [UNI] — DEX token showed early signs of bottoming out 
Uniswap [UNI] secured third place on this week’s gainers list with a 20% run. Notably, much like Canton, UNI had an eventful week, with three back-to-back developments helping spark renewed FOMO.

From a technical standpoint, the timing couldn’t have been better. 

After four straight red weekly closes pushed UNI’s RSI deep into oversold territory, this week, price responded with a sharp bounce, naturally raising questions around a potential bottom.

That said, it’s still too early to confirm a full trend reversal. 

However, as AMBCrypto noted, bullish signals are building. If UNI can break the $7 level in the coming days, then a V-shaped recovery could start to take shape, making UNI one of the more compelling setups to watch.

Other notable winners
Outside the majors, altcoin rockets stole the spotlight this week.

BitLight [LIGHT] led the charge with a massive 274% jump, followed by Luxxcoin [LUX] climbing 214%, and Fasttoken [FTN] rounding out the leaderboard with a strong 139% gain.

Weekly losers
XDC Network [XDC] — Enterprise-focused blockchain couldn’t hold key support
XDC Network [XDC] topped this week’s losers chart with an 8% dip. At first glance, the move doesn’t look dramatic. However, when seen weekly, the dip further confirms that bearish control remains firmly intact.

Since topping out at $0.10 in mid-July, XDC has printed four lower lows, indicating that bulls have failed to defend key levels. Naturally, a reversal has struggled to materialize, which is why even an 8% dip holds weight.

Zooming in further, the bearish structure becomes even more apparent. Notably, three of those four lower lows have formed in Q4 alone, effectively dragging XDC back to mid-November territory.

Source: TradingView (XDC/USDT)

That means XDC has wiped out all of its post-election gains. 

From an investor standpoint, that likely means many hype-driven buyers have either exited or are stuck holding unrealized losses. Because of this, holding and confirming a solid support zone is now critical. 

Otherwise, if conviction continues to weaken, XDC could easily drift back toward pre-election levels near $0.02.

Hyperliquid [HYPE] — Derivatives platform erased its Q4 gains
Hyperliquid [HYPE] emerged as the second-biggest weekly loser. Notably, just like XDC, HYPE continues to signal a bearish market outlook, with back-to-back red weekly closes indicating weak investor conviction.

As a result, stress is rising among HODLers. 

For instance, AMBCrypto reports that a major HYPE whale is now sitting on about $22 million in unrealized losses. Because of this, maintaining key support levels is critical to reignite FOMO and prevent broader capitulation.

Looking at the price, HYPE is hovering near the $20 level, with RSI pushing deeper into oversold territory. If bulls step in, price could chop sideways. However, if support fails, HYPE risks sliding back to its April lows.

MemeCore [M] — Meme-focused L1 saw bears regain control
MemeCore [M] took the third spot on this week’s losers list. However, unlike its counterparts, M is showing relatively strong resilience. From a technical perspective, bulls haven’t fully abandoned the altcoin.

In fact, this week’s drawdown comes right after last week’s 40% rally, indicating that buyers quickly stepped in around the $1.20 level. As a result, this zone has become a key support to watch.

Looking at the daily chart, strong bullish intervention hasn’t yet emerged, with only a minor 0.4% intraday gain. That said, if buying pressure ramps up next week, M could quickly reinforce $1.20 as a solid bottom.

Other notable losers
In the broader market, downside volatility hit hard.

FOLKS [FOLKS] led the losers with a steep 75% drop, followed by TOMI [TOMI] falling 73%, and Legacy Token [LGCT] slipping 59% as momentum sharply cooled.

Conclusion
This week was a rollercoaster. Big pumps, sharp dips, and nonstop action. As always, stay sharp, do your own research, and trade smart.

Final Thoughts

Canton [CC], Audiera [BEAT], Uniswap [UNI] led the week in gains.
XDC Network [XDC], Hyperliquid [HYPE], MemeCore [M] saw significant declines.

Fund size, stock coverage, and trading flexibility set these two ultra-low-cost ETFs apart for investors prioritizing scale and liquidity.

The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM +0.88%) and the iShares Core SP Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT +0.90%) stand out for their broad U.S. equity exposure, near-identical costs, and very similar performance and sector makeup, with ITOT offering greater scale and liquidity.

Both SPTM and ITOT aim to track the total U.S. stock market across large, mid, and small caps, making them popular options for investors seeking broad, low-cost diversification. This matchup highlights the subtle but important differences that could matter for those prioritizing fund size, trading needs, or slight nuances in risk and performance.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricSPTMITOTIssuerSPDRISharesExpense ratio0.03%0.03%1-yr return (as of 2025-12-19)15.7%15.9%Dividend yield1.1%1.1%AUM$11.9 billion$79.1 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Both SPTM and ITOT are priced at an extremely low 0.03% expense ratio, making them among the most affordable options for broad U.S. stock market exposure, and both offer a 1.1% dividend yield as of the latest data.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricSPTMITOTMax drawdown (5 y)-24.14%-25.36%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$1,822$1,744What's insideITOT covers nearly the entire investable U.S. equity universe, holding 2,490 stocks as of Dec. 2025. Its largest sector weights are technology (34%), financial services (13%), and consumer cyclicals (11%), with top holdings concentrated in Nvidia (NVDA +3.80%), Apple (AAPL +0.17%), and Microsoft (MSFT +0.40%). With $79.1 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a fund history stretching almost 22 years, ITOT is one of the most established and liquid total market ETFs available. There are no leverage, currency, or ESG quirks to watch for.

SPTM offers a nearly identical sector profile and top holdings, also led by Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, but holds a slightly smaller basket of 1,511 stocks. Its focus remains on the broad U.S. market, but with less depth in the smallest companies. SPTM is considerably smaller in AUM and may appeal to investors already using the State Street SPDR suite for portfolio building blocks.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsThe State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) and the iShares Core SP Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT) are very similar, including the expense ratio, making a choice between the two a tough one.

ITOT has a few key differences compared to SPTM. Its AUM is far greater, offering more liquidity. Moreover, ITOT has a longer track record, and its larger set of holdings provides exposure to nearly the entire U.S. stock market.

SPTM may be younger than ITOT, but it still encompasses the top 1,511 U.S. stocks. This provides investors with broad market exposure, while helping it achieve a lower drawdown than ITOT. As a result, SPTM can be seen as offering a bit higher quality, but lower growth potential compared to ITOT, as it isn't exposing you to some smaller companies.

Still, these two ETFs are very much comparable for investors looking for broad market exposure. ITOT is for those who like an ETF with a longer history and larger AUM. SPTM is for investors who want a greater concentration in the largest U.S. stocks.

GlossaryETF: Exchange-traded fund; a fund that trades on stock exchanges and holds a basket of securities.
Expense ratio: The annual fee, as a percentage of assets, charged by a fund to cover operating costs.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends paid by a fund or stock, expressed as a percentage of its current price.
Beta: A measure of an investment's volatility compared to the overall market, typically the S&P 500.
AUM: Assets under management; the total market value of assets that a fund manages.
Liquidity: How easily and quickly an asset can be bought or sold without affecting its price.
Max drawdown: The largest observed percentage drop from a fund's peak value to its lowest point over a period.
Sector allocation: The distribution of a fund's investments across different industry sectors.
Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.
Composite index: An index that combines multiple market segments or asset classes into a single benchmark.
Small caps: Companies with relatively small market capitalizations, typically considered higher risk and higher growth.
Leverage: The use of borrowed money or financial derivatives to increase the potential return of an investment.

Robert Izquierdo has positions in Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares Trust - iShares Core S&P Total U.s. Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Detroit automaker has done a great job winning over investors this year.

For investors in the U.S., Ford Motor Company (F +1.13%) is probably a household name, especially these days. That's because its shares have performed extraordinarily well, producing a total return of 48% in 2025 (as of Dec. 17). That gain almost triples the performance of the S&P 500.

The Detroit carmaker has had a phenomenal year, giving it due credit. Investors should have no complaints. However, there's one automotive stock you should not hesitate to consider buying before Ford in 2026.

Image source: Getty Images.

Positive developments at Ford don't cover up what's under the hood
This year, Ford has been hit by tariffs, warranty costs, and a supplier factory fire. But investors have become more bullish. The stock started 2025 trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 6.8. Today, that multiple has climbed to 11.5.

The market is likely focusing on the success of Ford Pro. This segment sells vehicles, software, and services to commercial clients. It posted double-digit revenue growth and an 11.4% operating margin in Q3 (ended Sept. 30). It supports Ford's ability to generate predictable and recurring high-margin sales.

Management has also refocused its strategy with respect to electric vehicles (EVs). Efforts are being scaled back, with an emphasis on hybrids and smaller, more affordable EV models.

It's still easy to argue that Ford is a subpar business, though. Its long-term growth prospects are weak, profits are low, capital expenditures are significant, and demand is cyclical.

Today's Change

(

1.52

%) $

5.65

Current Price

$

378.30

This luxury carmaker is a much better business
A much better business that investors should look at is Ferrari (RACE +1.52%). The one knock investors may have is that the valuation is never really cheap. Ferrari's stock price is down 29% from its peak, pressured by a softer-than-expected long-term outlook provided by executives in October, but it still trades at a rich P/E ratio of 37.

That valuation can be justified. Ferrari is an outstanding company that is nothing like its peers. It has an incredibly powerful brand that commands pricing power, supported by intentionally limited volume prediction. Ferrari caters to the ultra-wealthy, a group that is recession-resilient, leading to durable demand.

Its revenue has increased at an annualized rate of 12% in the past three years. And the business boasts an unbelievable trailing-12-month average operating margin of 29%. These factors are impossible to ignore.

In the past decade, Ford shares generated a total return of 65%, not even in the same ballpark as Ferrari stock's impressive gain of 726%. Looking to 2026 and beyond, the Italian car brand is without a doubt the better investment opportunity, as business quality matters. It's poised to significantly outperform again going forward.

Iren has outpaced most stocks this year, but a 50% drop over the past few weeks has some investors on edge.

Iren (IREN +11.58%) has more than tripled this year, comfortably outpacing the S&P 500, due to its pivot to AI infrastructure. However, the growth stock has lost more than 50% of its value in less than two months. Misguided concerns about an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble have put considerable pressure on leaders like Iren, and the recent drop looks like an attractive buying opportunity.

Image source: Getty Images

What's driving the current drop
Some of Iren's recent losses and declines in the broader AI market are based on questionable rumors. For instance, an article came out saying that Oracle's $10 billion data center was in limbo after financing talks with Blue Owl stalled. However, Oracle told investors the same day that its Michigan data center project is still on track, even without financing from Blue Owl. Oracle also had to push back on a report that its OpenAI data centers would be delayed.

Today's Change

(

11.58

%) $

4.14

Current Price

$

39.95

The Oracle rumor mill had an impact on most AI stocks, including Iren. Rising capital expenditures and questions about sustainable debt also emerged, but not all AI stocks are in that situation. Iren has a pristine balance sheet that features a 5.52 current ratio, which means it can comfortably keep up with current obligations.

Iren also has a five-year deal with Microsoft, so worries about how OpenAI can afford to pay Oracle don't apply to Iren.

Declining Bitcoin (BTC +0.18%) prices are a short-term headwind for Iren. While its long-term future revolves around AI infrastructure, the company made 97% of its revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (ended Sept. 30) from crypto mining. It's still the main revenue driver that helps fund its data centers, and any drop in Bitcoin prices translates into lower revenue and profits.

AI data infrastructure is the future
Iren has still outperformed Bitcoin year to date, but the recent drop for both of these assets suggests they are still linked. However, that link should weaken over time, giving Iren the opportunity to rally even if Bitcoin prices stay flat.

That's because the AI data center provider anticipates $3.4 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by the end of 2026. All of this revenue will come from AI cloud demand. For the sake of comparison, Iren brought in $501 million in fiscal 2025 (ended June 30), with approximately 97% of it coming from crypto mining.

The jump to $3.4 billion in ARR has a good foundation due to the Microsoft deal. Iren has enough energy to support multiple deals like the Microsoft one, which can boost ARR even quicker.

Although the AI trade hasn't looked good over the past month, chipmakers have still reported exceptional demand for their AI products. Broadcom delivered 74% year-over-year revenue growth for its AI semiconductors in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 (ended Nov. 2), while Micron Technology crushed expectations and delivered optimistic guidance. Micron's revenue increased by 56.6% year over year in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (ended Nov. 27).

Both earnings results suggest that AI demand is still surging despite a temporary slowdown in the AI trade. As more investors realize the recent disconnect and the Oracle drama recedes into the past, Iren can rally and become a promising stock in 2026. Investors just have to remain patient during this challenging stretch. Even the best stocks have bad months and quarters.

Marc Guberti has positions in Broadcom and Iren. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Microsoft, and Oracle. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Deagreez/iStock via Getty Images

Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

After two down years in a row, history suggests Santa will return this week. (0:17) Q3 GDP is due. (1:15) Bill Ackman wants to help SpaceX go public. (1:36)

The following is an abridged transcript:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for stock market bulls.

Here comes Santa Clause right down Maiden Lane, then left on Nassau heading straight for Wall and Broad.

The Santa Claus Rally — the last five trading days of December and the first two of January — is set to kick off Wednesday, with markets closing early for Christmas Eve and shut on Thursday for Christmas.

Historically, the S&P 500 has been higher 77% of the time during the Santa Rally, according to Subu Trade.

They note the last two were negative — but there’s never been a third straight down Santa Rally.

Alexander Guiliano, CIO at Resonate Wealth Partners, says despite choppy trading over the past six weeks, the backdrop remains strong, and the recent valuation pullback is creating opportunities for under-invested bulls.

So far in December, the S&P is slightly lower, the Nasdaq is down about 0.25%, and the Dow is up 1%.

The earnings calendar is light, but traders won’t be bored.

The key data point is the Q3 GDP report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo says while the headline number may be stale, the details matter.

They’re expecting 3.6% annualized growth, boosted by a pullback in imports. Consumers rebounded strongly in the second half, though construction remains a drag.

In the news this weekend, Bill Ackman floated a novel idea for taking SpaceX public, pitching a merger with Pershing Square SPARC that would distribute special investment rights to Tesla shareholders, giving them first crack at a SpaceX IPO — or the option to sell those rights. Ackman called it a way to “democratize” the IPO process.

Out west, power was restored to most of San Francisco late Saturday after a major outage. Roughly 130,000 customers lost service at the peak, with most restored by late evening.

For income investors, Broadcom (AVGO) and Vistra Energy (VST) go ex-dividend on Monday. Both pay out on New Year’s Eve.

Altria (MO) and Philip Morris (PM) go ex-dividend on Friday. Altria has a Jan. 9 payout date and Philip Morris pays out on Jan. 14.

In the Wall Street Research Corner, JPMorgan picked 11 standout tech stocks for 2026.

On the list are Arista (ANET), Guidewire (GWRE), Broadcom (AVGO), Salesforce (CRM) and LendingClub (LC).

Oklo has soared 280% on the year. Can the run continue into 2026?

Oklo (OKLO +7.29%) has crushed the market this year.

After a lackluster 2024, in which it dropped more than 50% at the end of its first day of trading (May 10), Oklo shares went nuclear (pun intended) in 2025. At one point, the stock was up well over 700% on the year.

Today's Change

(

7.29

%) $

5.67

Current Price

$

83.39

Since hitting about $193 a share in October, Oklo has fallen to just $83, as worries over an AI bubble have soured sentiment toward nuclear stocks.

With a pullback like that, an investment of $1,000 in Oklo stock might seem like an opportunity. Before you consider this pre-revenue start-up, though, it's worth weighing the bull case against the bear case.

Image source: Getty Images.

Oklo: Hype, or tomorrow's power?
The bull case for Oklo is easy to understand: AI needs round-the-clock power, and nuclear energy has the potential to supply it.

It can do this through its microreactor design, the Aurora powerhouse. Smaller and cheaper to build than traditional nuclear power plants, these powerhouses are expected to deliver up to 75 megawatts of continuous power. The reactor will be factory-built and assembled on-site to cut down construction time.

Oklo is targeting clients who need off-grid power, like AI data center operators. It has announced collaborations with big names in the field, such as Equinix, Vertiv, and Liberty Energy.

The bear case for Oklo is just as easy to understand.

The company has no revenue. More importantly, it lacks regulatory approval to operate its powerhouses commercially. While it's been making progress on that front (thanks to the Pilot Reactor Program), the lack of commercial revenue makes its current $12 billion market valuation seem outlandish.

Sure, investors are betting on future cash flow in an era of AI. But with no revenue expected next year, and about $16 million projected for 2027, I'd expect Oklo to need a fresh cash injection (read: dilution) before it generates meaningful revenue.

OKLO Revenue Estimates for Current Fiscal Year data by YCharts

As such, a $1,000 investment in Oklo is best for money you can afford to lose.

The purveyor of premium athletic apparel just beat Wall Street estimates.

Lululemon Athletica (LULU 2.63%), the pioneer of the athleisure fashion trend, recently reported financial results for its fiscal 2025's third quarter (ended Nov. 2). The company posted revenue of $2.6 billion and earnings per share of $2.59. Both of these figures were ahead of consensus estimates from Wall Street sell-side analysts.

This growth stock has soared 22% in the past month (as of Dec. 17). If you're looking to hop on the Lululemon bandwagon, here are three things you need to know first.

Image source: Getty Images.

Lululemon's brand is its differentiator
Put your consumer cap on, and think of all the different places you could shop when searching for sportswear like yoga pants, shorts, joggers, hoodies, or shoes. The industry is very competitive, with companies targeting customers at all price points with a wide range of options. It's also hard to predict how consumer tastes will change.

That's why it's so important for businesses to differentiate themselves. Lululemon's strategy from the beginning has been to develop products with high-quality fabrics that its customers will value. As a result, the company positions itself at the premium end of the market. For instance, its women's pants sell for well over $100, while one of its men's best-selling shirts can be purchased for $78. These items certainly aren't cheap.

But Lululemon has historically been able to leverage this pricing power. It doesn't depend much on third-party retailers, which gives it tighter control over distribution. The brand's strength is evident in the company's impressive sales per square foot of almost $1,600 in fiscal 2024. When it comes to profitability, during the latest fiscal quarter, Lululemon reported a fantastic gross margin of 55.6% and operating margin of 17%, despite tariffs introducing a headwind.

Financial results differ based on geography
Lululemon's Q3 year-over-year revenue growth of 7% doesn't tell investors the whole story. The bright spot was China, where sales skyrocketed 46%. Lululemon is rapidly opening new stores in the country to target a massive consumer base that is clearly drawn to its merchandise assortment.

Sales in the U.S. fell 3% in the quarter, continuing a weak trend. Consumer confidence has been pressured, and it's at the lowest levels in at least the past decade. People are feeling squeezed by inflationary pressures, something other well-known consumer brands, like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Home Depot, are seeing as well.

That subdued demand in the U.S., also driven by a lack of product newness, could be the main reason why the stock has performed so poorly. Since hitting a peak in December 2023, it's down 59%. Without question, the domestic market still matters the most to the business. Any improvements in the U.S. could work wonders to boost shareholder confidence.

Today's Change

(

-2.63

%) $

-5.66

Current Price

$

209.45

Low expectations can lead to positive surprises
Over the past five years, the S&P 500 has returned 98%, a very favorable outcome. Lululemon, on the other hand, is down a stomach-churning 42%.

That can be blamed on disappointing sales trends in the U.S. But Lululemon's overall revenue growth has slowed. Between fiscal 2019 and 2024, the top line increased at a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%. Between fiscal 2024 and 2027, consensus estimates call for yearly growth of just 4.5%. CEO Calvin McDonald will be stepping down at the end of January, which could be due to those lackluster sales gains.

There's no arguing with the fact that Lululemon's stock is cheap. The forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.4 is a bargain in today's market environment. Value investors might favor these kinds of opportunities because it signals that market expectations are currently low, creating an easy bar for Lululemon to clear should financial results start to improve.

Lululemon shares will probably remain volatile, but they deserve a closer look.

2025 was a solid year, and valuations aren't cheap, yet there is still significant upside left in these three AI leaders.

2025 is nearly over, and despite the strong year, many investors are biting their fingernails over the prospects for 2026. Will the artificial intelligence (AI) boom continue despite talks of a bubble and debt investors recently balking at funding large-scale data centers? Whom will President Donald Trump pick as the new Federal Reserve chair, and will the new nominee be independent?

Short-term concerns always dominate headlines and investors' mindsets in the moment, but real long-term outperformance comes from taking a broader mindset and looking at the big picture.

Assuming the AI buildout continues apace and AI usage increases over the next several years -- and there's no evidence AI adoption is slowing at all -- these three artificial intelligence stocks still look like they have upside. In fact, there's a case for 50% upside for each in 2026.

Today's Change

(

0.22

%) $

1.08

Current Price

$

485.06

1. Microsoft
Microsoft (MSFT +0.22%) is up a solid 15% year to date in 2025 but has pulled back in recent months. Investors have grown nervous over OpenAI's technical moat and ability to fund massive spending commitments. That's important for Microsoft, which is both a 27% owner of OpenAI and a cloud provider for $250 billion of OpenAI cloud computing commitments -- a result of the 2025 negotiations by which OpenAI converted into a for-profit company.

That ownership and cloud pipeline would be highly bullish for Microsoft, but doubt has crept in regarding OpenAI's lead in generative AI in recent months. Rival Anthropic has shown significant enterprise growth, and Alphabet (GOOG +1.55%) (GOOGL +1.47%) released its impressive Gemini 3 model in November.

Still, the fear may be misplaced. It doesn't seem likely that the AI revolution would be dominated by a single model builder, but rather by a cohort of winners in an oligopoly. That's how both the semiconductor and cloud computing sectors have evolved. The AI large language model (LLM) market will likely follow a similar path.

After all, Alphabet was regarded as a loser in the AI race as recently as this year, only to retake the lead. OpenAI is certainly not going away, and this week's investment in OpenAI by Amazon appears to indicate that at least some astute executives and investors still believe in the company.

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley sell-side analyst Keith Weiss just upgraded Microsoft stock, giving it a $650 price target, good for 35% upside from the current price. His analysis and conversations with management indicated that Azure AI demand is stronger than initially thought and that Azure AI's gross margins can expand with scale as more revenue is generated over the next two years. Furthermore, Weiss noted that his estimates don't even contemplate the full OpenAI contract, which could lead to further upside.

2026 should also see the introduction of Microsoft's next-generation AI chip, named Braga. According to reports this past summer, the chip was initially planned for 2025, but a redesign pushed back its introduction by six months. If Microsoft can develop an impressive in-house-designed chip, as Alphabet and Amazon have, that could lead to even more optimism.

2. Alphabet
Speaking of Alphabet, it would definitely be possible for both Microsoft and Alphabet to appreciate 50% in 2026. While Alphabet has had the best year of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, up 62% on the year, Alphabet also entered the year as the cheapest of the bunch. In fact, despite this year's rise, it's still the second-cheapest of the bunch.

Coming into the year, investors were nervous that AI chatbots could disrupt Alphabet's Search business. However, that doesn't seem to be happening. Search paid clicks grew by 2%, 4%, and 7% in the first, second, and third quarters, respectively, showing a reacceleration after Alphabet introduced AI Mode into Search in May.

Image source: Getty Images.

With the November release of Gemini 3, Alphabet has seemingly taken the lead for the moment in the AI race across several benchmarks. What's even better is that Gemini 3 was trained on Alphabet's homegrown Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). Following the Gemini release, other major companies are now looking to buy or lease TPUs from Alphabet or its cloud unit, Google Cloud.

Even Alphabet rival Meta Platforms is reportedly considering using TPUs, according to late-November press reports. And just last Friday, Reuters reported a massive cloud deal worth over $10 billion between cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks and Google Cloud.

That all bodes very well for Google Cloud, which has been an incredibly underrated part of Alphabet's business. Google Cloud has now reached scale, with a $60 billion revenue run-rate and an almost $5 billion operating profit run-rate as of the last quarter. Growth accelerated by 34% for that business in Q3, accompanied by margin expansion.

So not only could the Cloud unit become a second major profit center beyond ad revenue, but 2026 could also bring exciting developments for Waymo. Waymo is now delivering over 1 million autonomous rides per month, with a significant lead over competitors in scaling. Next year could bring about more disclosure around Waymo's revenue or valuation, which could add yet another major business to Alphabet's expanding empire.

3. Intel
Intel (INTC +1.49%) has had an even better year than Alphabet or Microsoft, up 83.6% on the year thus far. Of course, Intel was trading at a practically distressed price heading into 2025, below its book value and without a CEO. And despite the 2025 surge, its market cap is still far, far lower than all the supposed AI winners of today.

Meanwhile, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who joined the company in March, will begin to make his presence felt more noticeably. The all-important 18A node -- the node at which Intel predicts it will either equal competitors or regain its technology leadership in the industry -- will begin to deliver product. 18A has just begun high-volume manufacturing this quarter, with the first 18A product, Panther Lake, set to enter the laptop market in January.

Success on 18A in the form of better revenue and margins could yield external customer wins for future nodes 18AP and 14A. Already, technology pundits are reporting that major companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and even Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices are looking to potentially use the 14A node for their server central processing units (CPUs), according to analysts for China research firm GF Securities.

If an external customer were to commit to Intel's 14A node, which is expected to be released in 2027 or 2028, there could be confirmation of the customer win during 2026. After all, there has already been a flurry of positive reports on 14A technology and the adoption of Intel's EMIB packaging technology over the past month or so.

If investors come to believe that Intel has pulled even or ahead in terms of process technology, financial results improve with 18A manufacturing, and/or Intel announces a significant external 18AP or 14A customer win for its foundry, there is still considerable upside left in the stock.

Discover why Marvell could become one of the most important AI infrastructure players of the decade and what could drive the stock much higher.

Marvell Technology (MRVL 0.45%) is strengthening its position in AI infrastructure as demand for high-speed data movement and efficient power delivery accelerates. With a record quarter, new photonic interconnects, and expanding data center opportunities, Marvell stock could deliver substantial long-term upside if it executes well.

Stock prices used were the market prices of Dec. 15, 2025. The video was published on Dec. 20, 2025.

Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Marvell Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) 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 Coupang securities between August 6, 2025 and December 16, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/CPNG.

Coupang Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

Coupang had inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months without being detected;
this subjected Coupang to a materially heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny;
When defendants became aware that Coupang had been subjected to this data breach, they did not report it in a current report filing (to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")) in compliance with applicable reporting rules; and
as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

What's Next for Coupang 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/CPNG. 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 Coupang you have until February 17, 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 Coupang 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 Coupang 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.

SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

Italy's Saipem said on Sunday it had been awarded an offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract by QatarEnergy LNG in partnership with China's Offshore Oil Engineering Co (COOEC).

-

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Significant Losses In Rezolute To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered significant losses in Rezolute stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Rezolute, Inc. (“Rezolute” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: RZLT).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

Rezolute, Inc. shares tumbled sharply on December 11, 2025, as investors reacted to disappointing topline results from its Phase 3 sunRIZE clinical trial for ersodetug, its lead drug candidate for treating congenital hyperinsulinism. The study failed to meet both its primary and key secondary endpoints, with the highest dose showing reductions in hypoglycemia events that were not statistically significant versus placebo.

To learn more about the Rezolute investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/RZLT or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

More News From Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

Back to Newsroom

-

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Gauzy To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Gauzy between March 11, 2025 and November 13, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Gauzy Ltd. (“Gauzy” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GAUZ) and reminds investors of the February 6, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) three of the Company’s French subsidiaries lacked the financial means to meet their debts as they became due; (2) as a result, it was substantially likely insolvency proceedings would be commenced; (3) as a result, it was substantially likely a potential default under the Company’s existing senior secured debt facilities would be triggered; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On November 14, 2025, before the market opened, Gauzy Ltd. shocked investors by announcing that the Commercial Court of Lyon had commenced Redressement Judiciaire—French insolvency proceedings—against three of the Company’s French subsidiaries. According to Gauzy, Redressement Judiciaire is intended to preserve operations and employment while formulating a recovery plan; however, the Company further acknowledged that the initiation of these proceedings constitutes a default under its existing senior secured debt facilities and, if not cured, could trigger an event of default. Gauzy also disclosed that it would not release its third-quarter 2025 financial results on November 14 as previously scheduled due to these developments.

In response to this news, Gauzy’s share price declined precipitously, falling $2.00 per share—or nearly 50%—over two trading days to close at $2.02 on November 17, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Gauzy’s conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Gauzy class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/GAUZ or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

More News From Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

Back to Newsroom

-

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Significant Losses In Tvardi To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered significant losses in Tvardi stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. (“Tvardi” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TVRD).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

On Monday, October 13, 2025, Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. saw its shares plummet over 80% after disappointing preliminary data from the Phase 2 REVERT clinical trial of TTI-101 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study was designed to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory outcomes related to lung function. After reviewing the preliminary safety data and exploratory efficacy results, including changes in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), the Company concluded that the study did not meet its goals. Preliminary data demonstrated patients’ baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms, with the exception of percent predicted FVC, which was lower in the placebo-treated patients compared to the TTI-101-treated arms.

To learn more about the Tvardi investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TVRD or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

More News From Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

Back to Newsroom