Market Signal Briefing

As the crypto markets enter the weekend, volatility is slowly rising. The Bitcoin price is consolidating above the pivotal support zone after absorbing the short-term sellers, and XRP continues to maintain its stability. After weeks of volatility and forced liquidations, several large-cap altcoins are now trading in zones that historically coincide with late-stage sell pressure, not the start of fresh downtrends. Chainlink (LINK), Sei (SEI), and Sui (SUI) are all flashing similar signals on higher timeframes. 

Momentum Is Compressing, Not CollapsingRecent volatility has pushed several large-cap altcoins into deeply compressed momentum zones, but the structure does not resemble the start of a fresh breakdown. Instead of accelerating lower, price action is stabilizing as selling pressure fades and longer-term holders step in near key support levels.

Source: XOn the weekly timeframe, all three assets are trading with RSI readings in the low-to-mid 30s:

LINK: Weekly RSI near 38SEI: Weekly RSI around 32SUI: Weekly RSI close to 34Historically, these momentum levels tend to appear after prolonged selling, when downside acceleration slows, and marginal sellers are largely exhausted. Importantly, RSI is not signalling strong bullish momentum yet—but it is showing that there is little left to sell aggressively at current levels.

This distinction matters. Bear markets usually begin with momentum expanding lower, not compressing near long-term support.

Supply Is Absorbing—Why This Matters Going ForwardPrice action across LINK, SEI, and SUI shows a clear shift from distribution to stabilisation. Despite recent volatility, none of these assets has broken decisively below their higher-timeframe support zones. Pullbacks attract steady demand, suggesting the long-term holders will absorb the remaining supply, rather than panic sellers.

This behaviour is inconsistent with the early stages of a bear market, where support typically gives way under sustained pressure. Instead, fading sell intensity points to a base forming, improving the odds of recovery attempts over further aggressive downside. While 2026 outcomes will still depend on macro conditions and leadership from Bitcoin and Ethereum, the current structure favours consolidation and upside exploration rather than continued distribution.

The Bottom Line!The current signals across LINK, SEI, and SUI point less toward an exhausting trend and more toward distribution. With momentum compressed, key supports holding, and sell pressure fading, the probability favors stabilization and recovery. A gradual grind higher or range expansion appears more likely than a sharp breakout, as markets remain sensitive to macro cues and Bitcoin’s direction.

Looking into early 2026, outcomes will be shaped by liquidity conditions and broader risk appetite. If macro stability improves and Bitcoin holds structure, these large-cap altcoins are positioned to recover meaningfully from current levels, even if a full return to all-time highs remains a longer-term process rather than an immediate outcome.

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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Fri, 19/12/2025 - 13:47

YoungHoon Kim, the "IQ 276" figure, suddenly dropped three aggressively bullish XRP calls in one day, not only framing the token as a capital rail but also saying that $2 is "nearly free" for it.

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XRP just picked up an unexpected amplifier in the person of YoungHoon Kim, a public persona who brands himself as the person with the highest IQ level. In a sudden series of X posts, Kim dropped a cluster of XRP takes framed in a way that would surprise even the most biased community member.

The core of his stance is not a simple "XRP can go up" call but a claim that capital will flow into the XRP Ledger itself, treating the network as the destination rather than the ticker as a casino chip. In business terms, this is a bet on XRP as a settlement layer and liquidity rail, where the value story is driven by routing, throughput and utility becoming default behavior, not by headlines, memes or narrative emerging out of nowhere.

The second for Kim is a price anchor, where he publicly marks sub-$2 XRP as "nearly free," though flagging it as personal opinion rather than advice.

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Finally, the third statement by Kim is pure positioning with a "no-sell" mindset at its core. That is not a target, it is supply psychology — the attempt to normalize holding through volatility and to present time itself as the edge.

Why XRP?Why lean into XRP now is the part that matters. The most pragmatic explanation is attention economics: XRP dominated the 2025 crypto narrative, sits in front of every major crypto outlet and has one of the most organized communities on the market, so tapping that gravity is an efficient way to enter the conversation at scale. 

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The alternative explanation is that he genuinely buys the "infrastructure" thesis and sees something in XRP’s tech and network role that he believes the market will price more aggressively next.

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TLDR

Table of Contents

TLDRShareholder Growth AcceleratesBitcoin Holdings Remain StaticRecovery Takes HoldGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks

Metaplanet launches American Depositary Receipts trading Friday on US OTC market under MPJPY ticker through Deutsche Bank
The Japanese Bitcoin treasury company holds 30,823 BTC but hasn’t purchased any since September 29, 2024
Over 212,000 individual shareholders now own Metaplanet stock, making it one of Japan’s most widely held equities
ADR program provides US investors access without raising new capital, with each share representing one Tokyo Stock Exchange ordinary share
Company’s market to Bitcoin NAV ratio recovered to 1.12 after dropping below 1.0 in October

Metaplanet launches US trading Friday through American Depositary Receipts. The Japanese Bitcoin treasury company debuts on the OTC market under ticker MPJPY.

CEO Simon Gerovich said the launch responds to feedback from US retail and institutional investors. The move expands global access to Metaplanet equity.

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas handles the depositary role. MUFG Bank serves as custodian in Japan for the ADR program.

Each American Depositary Receipt represents one ordinary share on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The program covers up to $200 million in American Depositary Shares.

Metaplanet confirmed the ADRs won’t raise new capital. The program exists to provide easier US investor access to the company’s shares.

This differs from the existing MTPLF offering. That program started trading on the OTCQX market in December 2024 without a sponsored ADR structure.

Shareholder Growth Accelerates
Metaplanet now counts more than 212,000 individual shareholders. The figure makes it one of Japan’s most democratically held stocks.

The company pivoted from hotels to Bitcoin in early 2024. Metaplanet divested real estate assets and adopted Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve.

The strategy follows Michael Saylor’s playbook with Strategy. Metaplanet joined the FTSE Japan and All-World indices in mid-2024.

The firm established a Miami subsidiary earlier this year. The US operation launched with $15 million in initial capital for Bitcoin income growth.

Bitcoin Holdings Remain Static
Metaplanet stopped buying Bitcoin after September 29, 2024. The company accumulated roughly 29,000 BTC throughout the year before pausing.

Current holdings total 30,823 BTC. This ranks Metaplanet among the world’s largest digital asset treasury companies.

The buying freeze coincided with enterprise value troubles. Metaplanet’s market value dropped below its Bitcoin holdings in mid-October, sparking industry concern.

Multiple digital asset treasury firms saw share price drops. The declines followed a strong July 2024 rally across the sector.

Recovery Takes Hold
Metaplanet’s market to Bitcoin NAV ratio bounced back. The mNAV now sits at 1.12 based on official company data.

The metric measures the relationship between company value and Bitcoin holdings. Values above 1.0 indicate the market values the company higher than its BTC assets alone.

US investors gain a new pathway to Bitcoin exposure through Metaplanet. The MPJPY ADRs trade as proxies for ordinary shares listed in Tokyo.

Trading starts Friday through the OTC market. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas manages the depositary arrangement for American investors seeking access to Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury strategy.

Fri, 19/12/2025 - 14:01

Ethereum is in a tough spot, with the possibility of dropping toward $2,000 much sooner than anticipated.

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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.

One whale recently made it abundantly evident that Ethereum is in a tense situation. Address 0xed41 opened a 20x short on 9,940 ETH (~$29.3M) while simultaneously purchasing 9,638 ETH (~$28.76M) on spot through Hyperliquid and Lighter, the same dimensions, the same moment, the opposite way. 

Ethereum's price already backThis is significant because it shows how smart money currently perceives ETH. After a robust recovery, the price is currently hovering just under $3,000, but the overall structure is still damaged. Every rally in the last few weeks has been difficult to sustain, and ETH is still below major moving averages. Trend control has not changed yet, but momentum has improved. Stated differently, recovery is an attempt rather than a confirmation.

ETH/USDT Chart by TradingViewThat uncertainty is precisely reflected in the whale’s position. The belief that ETH is close to a significant value zone is implied by the spot buy. However, the 20x short indicates genuine worry about further declines. With that much leverage, the short serves as protection from a sharp leg lower rather than being ornamental.

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Will ETH fall to $2,000? The level is obviously on the table, though not necessarily. Technically speaking, there is still work to be done. Downside liquidity opens quickly if ETH loses the current range and is unable to decisively recover $3,000. There would not be much resistance in the $2,400-$2,200 range, and just because of structure and psychology, $2,000 is a realistic magnet.

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The fact that this trade is not just a bearish wager is crucial. It ranges from neutral to defensive. The whale is securing flexibility rather than reducing its exposure to ETH. The spot position gains, and the short position can be unwound if ETH rips higher and regains its trend. The short aggressively cushions losses, or even profits, if ETH rolls over.

This type of placement typically occurs close to points of inflection. It recognizes risk rather than forecasting direction. For investors, that is the most important lesson. Although ETH is no longer in a state of panic, it is still not secure. It is likely that volatility will increase from here.

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15h05 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Mikaia A.

Summarize this article with:

October and November have already shaken the crypto market well. Between broken hopes and brutal retreats, these two months have blown hot and mostly cold. And now December doesn’t hold back: a new wave of volatility hits investors, already on edge. The gift season doesn’t seem to have found its way to digital wallets yet.

In brief

The crypto market has lost 33% since October, with capitalization at 2.93 trillion dollars
Bitcoin resists macroeconomic pressure and rises 2.3% after the rate hike.
Altcoins sharply fall, some recording up to 20% losses in just a few days.
A massive influx of $457M into Bitcoin ETFs reveals growing interest from institutional investors.

Crypto market under stress: bitcoin holds up, but others give way
The overall capitalization of the crypto market just dropped below 3 trillion dollars, more precisely to 2.93 trillion dollars, its lowest level since April. Since its October peak estimated at 4.4 trillion dollars, over 33% of value has evaporated. Over the same period, BTC has lost ground but remains more resilient than altcoins. On Thursday, bitcoin was trading around $88,200, while other cryptos sank faster.

XRP, Solana, and Cardano record marked declines, sometimes close to 20% over the week. In an alarming tweet, Michaël van de Poppe mentions a “possible capitulation” on altcoins. According to him, a short collapse could precede a quick rebound, but caution is advised.

The macroeconomic climate also weighs heavily. The Bank of Japan announced a rate hike to 0.75%, an event watched closely by global markets. While this monetary tightening worries, bitcoin nevertheless rose 2.3% after the announcement. A sign of strength? Maybe. But nervousness remains palpable.

Fear is omnipresent on social networks. As Santiment indicates in their December 13 analysis:

Commentary is mainly showing fear after Bitcoin bounced to $90.2K yesterday, and then quickly retraced to $84.8K. Bearish commentary like #selling, #sold, #bearish, or #lower are notably higher across X, Reddit, & Telegram.

BTC attracts capital while altcoins are still searching
Beyond the ambient stress, an unexpected dynamic emerges: Bitcoin ETFs register a significant influx of capital. In a few days, more than 457 million dollars have been injected into these regulated investment vehicles. This renewed institutional interest suggests some actors are already betting on a near recovery of BTC.

Giants like Fidelity and BlackRock, far from being timid, are strengthening their positions despite the volatility. This trend contrasts with outflows observed in other products backed by Ethereum or Solana. Altcoins, still too exposed to risk, struggle to reassure traditional investors.

On the retail trader side, conflicting signals abound. For some, widespread fear is precisely the right moment to enter. Santiment highlights: prices tend to move opposite to social consensus. An overly pessimistic crowd would therefore be an imminent accumulation signal for the most patient.

Hot points to remember about the current situation

The total crypto market capitalization has fallen to 2.93 trillion dollars, its lowest since April;
The bitcoin price stabilizes around $88,200 despite the turbulence;
Altcoins record drops up to -20% in a few days;
An influx of $457M has entered Bitcoin ETFs recently;
Social networks show extreme fear sentiment, often a contrarian signal.

But not everything hinges on bitcoin. XRP ETFs have just crossed the billion dollars mark in cumulative value. A strong signal that shows interest in alternative cryptos also resists the storm. Enough to nourish, even in the current uncertainty, hope for a rebound extended to the entire crypto market.

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Mikaia A.

La révolution blockchain et crypto est en marche ! Et le jour où les impacts se feront ressentir sur l’économie la plus vulnérable de ce Monde, contre toute espérance, je dirai que j’y étais pour quelque chose

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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.

Insider investment signals board confidence despite recent stock price drop at Trump-backed digital asset mining firm.

Key Takeaways

Board member Richard Busch acquired 175,000 shares of American Bitcoin Corp for $290,500.
The share purchase occurred during a price decline and the company is backed by the Trump family.

Richard Busch, a board member and director of American Bitcoin, the Bitcoin-focused company led by the two Trump sons, acquired 175,000 ABTC shares for around $290,500, according to a recent SEC disclosure.

Following the transaction, Busch now holds approximately 900,000 ABTC shares, valued at about $1.4 million based on Thursday’s closing price. Shares rose about 5% in premarket trading on Friday, according to Yahoo Finance.

The stock has struggled in recent weeks, pressured by the release of pre-merger private placement shares into the public market. Over the past month, it has fallen roughly 68%.

American Bitcoin has entered the top 20 list of publicly traded companies holding Bitcoin treasuries, with a reported reserve of 5,098 BTC, valued at approximately $447 million. The company continues to boost its holdings through mining and strategic purchases.

Disclaimer

Ethereum’s roadmap for 2026 is starting to take a clearer shape. Core developers have now named the upgrade that follows Glamsterdam, calling it Hegota, and in doing so have offered a fresh signal about how the network intends to evolve over the next cycle. While the technical details are still emerging, the decision reflects a maturing upgrade process that is becoming more predictable, more iterative, and more tightly aligned with Ethereum’s long-term vision.

Ethereum Names Its Post-Glamsterdam UpgradeDuring the final All Core Developers Execution call of the year, Ethereum developers officially confirmed that the upgrade following Glamsterdam will be known as Hegota. The name blends two established conventions. Bogota represents the execution layer upgrade, continuing the tradition of using Devcon host cities, while Heze refers to the consensus layer, named after a star. Together, they form Hegota, marking the next step in Ethereum’s 2026 development cycle.

At this stage, Hegota remains firmly in early planning. Developers have not yet chosen its headline Ethereum Improvement Proposal, with a decision expected around February. For now, attention remains on finalizing the scope of Glamsterdam, which is set to be Ethereum’s first scheduled upgrade of 2026.

A Twice-Yearly Upgrade Rhythm Takes HoldThe timing of the Hegota announcement matters. Ethereum’s upgrade process is now settling into its intended twice-annual cadence. After shipping Pectra and Fusaka in 2025, the network has effectively moved away from infrequent, sweeping hard forks toward smaller, more regular updates.

This rhythm is designed to make progress more predictable and manageable. Instead of bundling years of changes into a single release, developers can iterate faster, reduce risk, and better prioritize improvements. Under this cadence, Glamsterdam is expected to land in the first half of 2026, with Hegota likely following later in the year.

What Could End Up in Hegota?Although no final decisions have been made, Hegota is expected to draw from longer-term roadmap goals and any proposals that do not make the cut for Glamsterdam. One frequently mentioned candidate is Verkle Trees, a key prerequisite for fully stateless Ethereum clients. Verkle integration has been discussed for multiple upgrade cycles, and 2026 is widely seen as a realistic window for progress on that front.

Other topics under discussion include state and history expiry mechanisms, as well as additional execution-layer optimizations. These conversations have gained urgency after recent proposals from the Ethereum Foundation highlighted the growing burden of state bloat. As Ethereum’s stored data continues to expand, running a node becomes more resource-intensive, putting pressure on decentralization. Addressing that problem is increasingly seen as unavoidable.

Glamsterdam’s Focus on Layer 1 EfficiencyWhile Hegota takes shape in the background, developers are still refining Glamsterdam. The upgrade is focused squarely on improving Layer 1 efficiency and reducing centralization pressures in block production. Proposals under consideration include enshrined proposer-builder separation, which aims to limit block-building centralization, and block-level access lists designed to ease state access bottlenecks.

There is also discussion around gas repricing, with the goal of better aligning EVM costs with actual resource usage. More ambitious changes, such as reducing slot times, have already been deferred to later cycles. Anything that proves too complex or risky for Glamsterdam’s timeline could ultimately be rolled into Hegota instead.

Placing Hegota in Ethereum’s Long-Term RoadmapHegota’s reveal also fits neatly into Ethereum’s broader multi-phase roadmap. That journey began with The Merge in 2022, when the network transitioned from proof of work to proof of stake. Since then, development has been framed around several major themes: The Surge, The Verge, The Purge, and The Splurge.

The Surge is about scaling through rollups, an area where Fusaka made progress with PeerDAS and increased blob capacity. Glamsterdam continues that effort by improving Layer 1 performance to better support growing rollup demand. The Verge, which focuses on statelessness and light-client verification, aligns closely with potential Verkle Tree adoption in Hegota. Later phases address historical data cleanup and long-term protocol simplification.

A Clearer Path Into 2026What this really means is that Ethereum’s development is becoming more disciplined. The naming of Hegota is not just a branding exercise. It signals confidence in a structured release process and reinforces the idea that Ethereum’s most ambitious goals will be reached through steady, incremental progress rather than disruptive leaps.

As developers return to core calls in early January to finalize Glamsterdam’s scope, attention will gradually shift toward shaping Hegota. By the time its headline EIP is chosen, the contours of Ethereum’s 2026 roadmap should be much clearer, and with it, the next phase of the network’s evolution.

Hyperliquid has witnessed its third-largest weekly outflow on record amid mounting competitive pressures in the decentralized perpetual derivatives market.

According to a Dune Analytics dashboard compiled by user sankin_eth, outflows for Hyperliquid exceeded $430 million over the past seven days. The mass exit also echoes a decline in assets under management, with the protocol’s total value locked slipping from north of $6 billion in mid-September to roughly $4 billion.

Amid the AUM drop, the protocol's native token HYPE has also fallen nearly 20% in the past week during a broad market downturn, The Block's price page shows.

Perp DEX wars
While onchain data does not necessarily reveal trader motivations, a tussle among decentralized perpetual venues may be contributing to the rotation of capital.

The withdrawals come as newer rivals such as Lighter and Aster have vaulted into prominent spots in perp DEX trading volume rankings this year, carving into Hyperliquid’s dominant position in DEX perp markets.

Lighter, backed by investors including Founders Fund and Ribbit Capital, has gained traction under a points-based rewards system that many traders believe could precede an airdrop or token generation event.

A Polymarket contract with nearly $8 million in volume currently prices a roughly 72% probability that Lighter conducts a TGE by Dec. 31. Speculation especially accelerated this week after onchain analysts from research group Double Top highlighted what appeared to be the Lighter team’s first movement of $LIT tokens to a Coinbase-linked wallet. They said the supposed pattern is similar to transfers that preceded recent TGEs.

Aster’s growth has also been notable, though turbulent. In September, the rebranded protocol surged into direct competition with Hyperliquid after Binance co-founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao endorsed it. Days later, Aster reached the top position in daily fees and volume among perpetual DEXs. But that momentum quickly gave way to controversy. 

Aster’s token dropped 10% after DefiLlama's head alleged potential wash trading and subsequently delisted its perpetuals data. Soon after, YZi Labs-backed Aster delayed its Stage 2 airdrop, citing "potential data inconsistencies." Despite this, Aster has remained one of the most active perp DEXs despite the setbacks.

Even after recent outflows, industry data shows Hyperliquid is still one of the largest perpetual DEX venues by both volume and open interest.

Yet, the competitive gap has narrowed. The Block’s data indicates that both Lighter and Aster have captured meaningful slices of trading activity in recent months, with Hyperliquid still leading by market share but not by the margins seen earlier this year.

As venues compete for users and patronage, venture capital's appetite for decentralized derivatives platforms has also strengthened this year.

According to previous coverage from The Block, investors have increasingly targeted perp DEX infrastructure, viewing derivatives as one of crypto’s most durable product categories, with trading activity less dependent on retail cycles.

For example, Lighter raised $68 million at a $1.5 billion valuation in November. Ostium, another similar platform that focuses on perp contracts for real-world assets, announced $24 million in fresh funding to scale its product.

Firms backing the sector have cited the shift toward onchain trading, the growth of tailor-made execution environments, and the ability for new venues to scale rapidly through incentives and product innovation as key reasons for renewed investment.

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

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

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Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s design occasionally produces outcomes that feel almost fictional. This week delivered one of those moments, when a lone miner turned a trivial amount of capital into a six-figure reward - at a time when the broader market is struggling to find direction.

Using rented hashpower sourced through NiceHash, the miner successfully validated a Bitcoin block and collected 3.152 BTC, worth roughly $271,000. The cost of entry was under $100. The odds were astronomical. The result was real.

Events like this don’t reflect a trend or opportunity. They expose the raw mathematics of Bitcoin’s proof-of-work system, where even the smallest participant is technically allowed to win, even if the probability borders on absurd.

What makes the timing notable is not the win itself, but the environment in which it occurred.

Bitcoin trades sideways as conviction fades
While the mining story captured headlines, Bitcoin’s price has been doing the opposite of surprising. Instead of breaking higher or collapsing lower, the asset has settled into a narrow range, oscillating without conviction.

The market no longer reacts strongly to incremental news. Short-lived rallies fade quickly, and sell-offs fail to accelerate. This type of behavior typically signals indecision rather than strength or panic.

🔥 TODAY: A solo miner who rented less than $100 in hashpower on NiceHash has successfully mined Bitcoin block 928351, earning a 3.152 $BTC reward worth ~$271K. pic.twitter.com/4PpoSvFoPe

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) December 19, 2025

Unlike previous cycles, where momentum either fed aggressively into euphoria or fear, the current phase feels muted. Bitcoin is expensive relative to history, yet lacks the demand surge needed to push decisively higher.

Macro noise overwhelms crypto narratives
The hesitation is not happening in isolation. Global markets are wrestling with conflicting macro signals, leaving risk assets without a clear anchor.

Central banks are pulling in different directions. Japan’s aggressive rate move tightened global liquidity expectations, while softer inflation readings elsewhere sparked speculation about easing. In the US, recent rate cuts failed to deliver the boost many crypto investors had anticipated, instead coinciding with renewed downside pressure.

The result is a market where capital is cautious, not desperate. Crypto is no longer the first outlet for excess liquidity, and that change is reshaping behavior.

Winter comparisons resurface, but the floor looks different
As price stagnation drags on, familiar comparisons to past crypto winters have returned. But the structure of this cycle is not identical to the last one.

Instead of cascading collapses and forced liquidations, Bitcoin appears to be carving out a higher plateau. The idea of a return to deeply depressed levels has lost credibility among many participants, replaced by expectations of prolonged compression.

In other words, the market may cool without freezing.

Long-term optimism survives the stall
Despite the lack of short-term momentum, longer-term expectations remain divided rather than broken. Some institutions and asset managers continue to position for another expansion phase over the next cycle, arguing that structural demand has not disappeared – it has merely paused.

Others see a longer grind ahead, where Bitcoin remains trapped between macro uncertainty and diminishing speculative energy.

For now, both views coexist.

The solo miner’s win doesn’t contradict the broader picture. It highlights it. Bitcoin remains a system where extremes are possible, even as the market itself feels stuck in the middle.

A protocol capable of delivering a 2,700x return to one participant in a single block can still struggle to convince millions of others to press “buy” at the same time.

That contradiction is Bitcoin today: mathematically open, financially constrained, and waiting for its next catalyst.

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Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over five years of experience covering the industry, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics - stay ahead of the curve with CoinsPress.

Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) long-term bull case is shifting from speculation to store-of-value dominance, with Kraken-backed research firm projected the cryptocurrency could climb to $1.4 million by 2035.

Store-Of-Value Model Drives $1.4 Million TargetCF Benchmarks analysts Gabriel Selby and Mark Pilipczuk said in a new report that Bitcoin will slowly take part of gold's role as a store of value

The report outlines a three-pillar framework combining comparative store-of-value valuation, cost-of-production economics, and sensitivity to global monetary liquidity.

Today, that market is worth about $30 trillion, with gold making up the largest portion.

Analysts modeled multiple scenarios in which Bitcoin captures between 17% and 33% of gold's market capitalization by 2035.

A probability-weighted blend of outcomes produced a base-case Bitcoin price target near $1.42 million, implying annualized returns of about 30%.

The analysts said Bitcoin offers an "asymmetrical return profile" that differentiates it from traditional asset classes, particularly as adoption broadens among institutional investors.

Rising Production Costs Reinforce Long-Term FloorThe report also looks at how much it costs to produce Bitcoin.

It treats Bitcoin like a commodity, similar to gold, where rising production costs help support price over time.

Bitcoin becomes harder to produce because of halving events, which reduce new supply every four years, and because mining difficulty increases as more computing power is used.

CF Benchmarks estimates that it currently costs about $40,000 to $50,000 to mine one Bitcoin.

The report assumes that mining growth will slow over time, hardware will keep improving, and energy costs will continue to rise.

Under those conditions, the model suggests Bitcoin's price could exceed $1 million within the next 10 years.

Historically, periods when Bitcoin trades close to or below its production cost have often marked strong long-term buying opportunities, as prices tend to recover once mining economics tighten.

Liquidity And Volatility Trends Support Institutional CaseThe report says Bitcoin's price is closely linked to global M2 money supply, which is a measure of how much money exists in the financial system, including cash, bank deposits, and savings.

When M2 increases, it means more money is available to invest. CF Benchmarks found that Bitcoin usually moves higher a few months after M2 rises, and its price often grows faster than the money supply itself during those periods.

This helps explain why Bitcoin performs best when financial conditions are loose.

The report also says Bitcoin's price swings are getting smaller over time.

Analysts expects Bitcoin's volatility to fall further, reaching around 28% by 2035, down from triple-digit levels in its early years.

Selby and Pilipczuk attributed that shift to deeper liquidity, greater institutional participation, and continued maturation of derivatives markets.

They said even modest allocations could materially improve portfolio outcomes. "Even at 2% to 5% portfolio weights, Bitcoin improves long-term risk-adjusted returns and expands the efficient frontier," the analysts wrote.

Other Industry Leaders Echo Million-Dollar CallsCF Benchmarks is not alone in projecting seven-figure Bitcoin prices. 

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong said earlier this year that Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2030, citing regulatory clarity, growing ETF adoption, and the emergence of U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserves.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has also floated a seven-figure target, while Eric Trump predicted a $1 million Bitcoin during remarks at a Federal Reserve-related event in August. 

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) CEO Phong Le has said nation-state adoption could drive a major Bitcoin buying cycle as early as 2026.

Macro Backdrop Supports Long-Term ThesisSupporters of the long-term bullish case point to favorable macro conditions, including expanding liquidity, productivity gains tied to AI, and rising institutional comfort with digital assets. 

Economist Ed Yardeni has described the U.S. economy as entering the steepest phase of a "Roaring 2020s" cycle, a backdrop historically supportive of risk assets.

Still, Bitcoin remains approx. 30% below its October ATH near $126,000, highlighting the gap between long-term projections and current market structure.

Bitcoin Chart Shows Compression Despite Bounce

BTC Price Analysis on TradingView

Bitcoin rebounded more than 3% intraday, but the broader structure remains constrained. 

The $87,000 to $88,000 zone remains a key balance area, aligning with the 0.236 Fibonacci retracement. 

Overhead resistance sits near $90,900 to $91,000, where the 0.382 retracement converges with a descending trendline. 

Supertrend remains above price near $89,600, signaling that trend control has not flipped.

A sustained close above $91,000 would reopen the $94,000 to $97,000 zone, while a loss of $87,000 would expose the rising base near $84,000 and reintroduce downside risk.

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The partnership highlights growing convergence between blockchain networks and traditional financial platforms seeking global reach and reduced settlement friction.

Key Takeaways

TRON DAO said Kalshi, one of the world’s largest prediction market platforms, has added support for the TRON blockchain network.
The move enables deposits and withdrawals using TRX and USDT on TRON.

Kalshi has integrated the TRON blockchain network, allowing users to transact on the prediction market platform using TRX and USDT on TRON, according to an announcement from TRON DAO.

The integration expands Kalshi’s multichain capabilities and opens new channels for on-chain liquidity to enter regulated event markets.

Under the rollout, US-based users can directly deposit and withdraw funds on TRON, while international users can access the network through linked exchange accounts.

The companies said the combination of TRON’s fast settlement and low transaction costs with Kalshi’s prediction market infrastructure is designed to improve capital efficiency and user access.

As financial platforms increasingly adopt blockchain technology, the collaboration underscores efforts to bridge traditional markets with decentralized infrastructures.

TRON’s scale and stablecoin dominance are expected to strengthen Kalshi’s liquidity profile as both prediction markets and digital assets continue to mature.

Disclaimer

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / December 19, 2025 / Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior" or the "Company") (TSXV:SUP)(OTCQB:NSUPF)(GR:D9M1) is pleased to announce that the Company has completed the previously announced arrangement (the "Arrangement") pursuant to which, among other things, IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) (TSX: IMG) ("IAMGOLD") acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Northern Superior (the "Company Shares") by way of a plan of arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

As a result of the completion of the Arrangement and the acquisition by IAMGOLD of all of the Company Shares, Northern Superior became a wholly-owned subsidiary of IAMGOLD. Former Northern Superior shareholders are now entitled to receive, in exchange for each Company Share held immediately prior to the effective time of the Arrangement, a combination of (i) 0.0991 of an IAMGOLD common share, and (ii) C$0.19 in cash. The Arrangement also included a distribution to Northern Superior's former shareholders of all the common shares of ONGold Resources Ltd. (the "ONAU Shares") previously held by Northern Superior on the basis of a distribution ratio of 0.19574366 ONAU Share for each Company Share held by the former shareholders of Northern Superior as at December 18, 2025. The Company Shares will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange and an application will be made for Northern Superior to cease to be a reporting issuer in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Québec.

"I would like to thank our shareholders for their enduring confidence and support, which have been fundamental to our progress and success. I am equally proud of our team, whose commitment, discipline, and hard work, both over the years and throughout this transaction, have positioned the Company for this meaningful outcome. I also extend my appreciation to our financial and legal advisors, as well as to the IAMGOLD team, for their professionalism and constructive approach during the process," said Simon Marcotte, outgoing President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Superior. "As I remarked when this transaction was originally made public, IAMGOLD is a company with extraordinary momentum, powered by a leadership team that has flawlessly executed the development of the now-iconic Côté Gold Mine, a highly strategic operation located in one of the world's most sought-after mining jurisdictions. Backed by this unique, repeatedly proven, and Québec-rooted expertise, IAMGOLD will now be able to fully unlock the value of a unified camp and build it into Québec's next major mining complex, with far-reaching economic and social repercussions across the province."

Section 85 Election

Former shareholders who are eligible holders may elect, pursuant to section 85 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (and any corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial tax legislation), to defer some or all of any capital gain they would otherwise realize on the sale of their respective Company Shares pursuant to the Arrangement (a "Section 85 Election"). Any eligible holder who wishes to make a Section 85 Election may do so by providing a signed copy of the relevant tax election form(s) to IAMGOLD within 120 days of the closing of the Arrangement. Copies of the relevant tax election form(s) will be made available on IAMGOLD's website at www.iamgold.com. Former shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors on how to make a Section 85 Election, as applicable.

Full details of the Arrangement are included in Northern Superior's management information circular dated November 10, 2025, which can be found under Northern Superior's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Northern Superior Resources Inc.

Northern Superior is a gold exploration company focused on the Chibougamau Camp in Québec, Canada. The Company has consolidated the largest land package in the region, with total landholdings currently exceeding 70,000 hectares. The main properties include Philibert, Hazeur (adjacent to Philibert), Lac Surprise (adjacent to Nelligan), Chevrier, Croteau, Monster Lake East, and Monster Lake West.

Northern Superior is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SUP and the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol NSUPF. For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.nsuperior.com or the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with operating mines in North America and West Africa, including Côté Gold (Canada), Westwood (Canada) and Essakane (Burkina Faso). The Côté Gold Mine achieved full nameplate in June 2025 and has the potential to be among the largest gold mines in Canada. IAMGOLD operates Côté in partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. In addition, IAMGOLD has an established portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects within high potential mining districts. IAMGOLD employs approximately 3,700 people and is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance practices. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: IMG).

Northern Superior Resources Inc. on Behalf of the Board of Directors

Simon Marcotte, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer

Contact Information

Katrina Damouni
Director - Corporate Development
Tel: +44 7795 128583 (Mobile/WhatsApp)
[email protected]

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Arrangement and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Northern Superior Resources Inc.

, /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Jayud Global Logistics Limited (NASDAQ: JYD) ("Jayud" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Jayud securities during the period of April 21, 2023 through April 30, 2025 (the "Class Period"), inclusive.

Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased Jayud securities during the Class Period may, no later than January 20, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE.

Jayud, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, provides end-to-end supply chain solutions, including freight forwarding, supply chain management, and value-added services such as customs brokerage and intelligent logistics IT systems.

The complaint alleges that Jayud's stock experienced a sudden collapse following an allegedly artificial surge from roughly $1.00 to $8.00 per share in early 2025. According to the complaint, the spike was driven by a "pump-and-dump" scheme by which insiders or affiliates coordinated dumping via nominee or offshore accounts. The stock's sharp decline reached an estimated 95% on April 2, 2025, causing significant losses for investors.

If you are a Jayud investor and would like to learn more about this action, CLICK HERE or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267)764-4865.

About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.

For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:
Andrew Abramowitz
Senior Counsel
Berger Montague
(215) 875-3015
[email protected]

Caitlin Adorni
Director of Portfolio & Institutional Client Monitoring Services
Berger Montague
(267) 764-4865
[email protected]

SOURCE Berger Montague

Key Takeaways CarMax posted Q3 EPS of $0.51, topping estimates, while revenues of $5.8B declined 6.9% year over year.KMX used-vehicle sales fell 7% as units dropped 8%, partly offset by a 0.9% rise in average selling price.CarMax saw wholesale revenues down 6.3%, auto finance income up 9.3%, and repurchased $201.6M in shares.
CarMax Inc. (KMX - Free Report) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended Nov. 30, 2025) adjusted earnings per share of 51 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 32 cents. The bottom line fell from 81 cents recorded in the year-ago period. Revenues totaled $5.8 billion, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.7 billion, though sales fell 6.9% year over year.

KMX currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Segmental PerformanceCarMax’s used-vehicle net sales totaled $4.54 billion for the reported quarter, down 7% year over year due to a decline in unit sales. The units sold in this segment declined 8% year over year to 169,557 vehicles and fell short of our forecast of 191,402 units. The average selling price (ASP) of used vehicles increased 0.9% from the year-ago quarter’s level to $26,383, which surpassed our projection of $25,578. Amid lower-than-expected units sold, revenues from the segment missed our estimate of $4.90 billion. 

Comparable store used-vehicle units decreased 9% and revenues fell 8.1% from the prior-year level. Used-vehicle gross profit per unit (GPU) was $2,235, which fell from the prior-year quarter’s $2,306 but surpassed our estimate of $1,978.2. 

For the fiscal third quarter, wholesale vehicle revenues decreased 6.3% from the year-ago level to $1,095.1 million. The reported figure was above our projection of $1,069.4 million. Units sold fell 6.2% to 127,603 (versus our forecast of 139,339) and the ASP declined 0.5% year over year to $8,137 (versus our estimate of $7,675). Wholesale vehicle GPU was $899, which fell from the year-ago period’s $1,015 but topped our estimate of $840.6. 

Other sales and revenues decreased 9.2% year over year to $150.6 million but missed our estimate of $170.3 million. CarMax Auto Finance’s income rose 9.3% year over year to $174.7 million at the end of the fiscal third quarter.

Other TidbitsSelling, general and administrative expenses increased 1% from the prior-year quarter’s level to $581.4 million. The firm had cash/cash equivalents and long-term debt of $204.9 million and $1.17 billion, respectively, as of Nov. 30, 2025. 

During the fiscal third quarter, CarMax repurchased shares worth $201.6 million. As of Nov. 30, 2025, it had $1.36 billion remaining under the share repurchase authorization.

Earnings Releases of Other Auto StocksTHOR Industries, Inc. (THO - Free Report) reported earnings of 41 cents per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Oct. 31), which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 11 cents. The company reported earnings of 26 cents per share in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2025. THOR registered revenues of $2.39 billion for the fiscal first quarter, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.12 billion. The top line rose 11.5% year over year.

AutoZone Inc. (AZO - Free Report) reported earnings of $31.04 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Nov. 22, 2025), which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $32.24. The company reported earnings of $32.52 per share in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2025. Net sales grew 8.2% year over year to $4.63 billion but marginally lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.64 billion.

Advance Auto Parts (AAP - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 92 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. The company incurred an adjusted loss of 4 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Advance Auto generated net revenues were $2.04 billion, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2 billion. Comparable store sales increased 3% year over year and we expected a rise of 2.4% for the same. The top line, however, decreased from $2.15 billion generated in the year-ago quarter.

Key Takeaways BAC's IB fees rose 9.5% YTD to $5B, with 2025 full-year growth projected to be around 4%.Improved deal-making, IPO momentum and lower rates are lifting BAC's investment banking prospects.IB fee contribution to BAC's non-interest income is set to rise as it aims to grow market share.
Investment banking (IB) fees constitute 13.5% of Bank of America’s (BAC - Free Report) non-interest income on average. In the first nine months of 2025, the company’s IB fees increased 9.5% year over year to $5 billion. For full-year 2025, management projects an approximate 4% increase in IB fees, suggesting the fourth quarter be “flattish to a little bit down from last year.”

After a prolonged slump since 2022 (even BAC wasn’t untouched), advisory and underwriting activity has gathered pace. Although April volatility from tariff concerns tempered optimism, the operating backdrop has improved since then.

Dealmaking momentum has strengthened on the back of a resilient economy, easing financing costs and renewed corporate confidence. A more business-friendly policy environment under the Trump administration, particularly faster antitrust reviews and smoother cross-border approvals, has further encouraged companies to pursue larger, strategic transactions. At the same time, a wave of high-profile IPOs in 2025 has revived investor appetite, with companies taking advantage of improving market conditions to access public capital.

These tailwinds were reinforced by the Federal Reserve’s third consecutive 25-basis-point rate cut this year in December, with interest rates now in the range of 3.50-3.75% (significantly lower than the peaks seen in 2023). Lower borrowing costs are expected to accelerate deal execution, prompting companies to revive shelved mergers & acquisitions (M&As) and capital-raising plans. With a resilient economy and easing financing costs, M&A and underwriting prospects look encouraging going into 2026. Hence, Bank of America’s IB fees are expected to grow given this industry-wide enhanced outlook for the IB business.

With an improving operating backdrop, the contribution of IB fees to BAC’s fee income will likely rise further in the coming quarters as the company leverages its position in the industry to expand market share.

How BAC’s Peers Fare in Terms of IB FeesSimilar to BAC, its close peers, JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) and Citigroup (C - Free Report) , are expected to continue benefiting from industry-wide improvement in the operating environment for the IB business.

In the first nine months of 2025, JPMorgan’s IB fees rose 12.3% year over year to $7.3 billion, driven by improvements in advisory and underwriting businesses. Jeremy Barnum, executive VP and chief financial officer, noted healthy deal flow with robust pipelines, supported by a constructive market environment. JPMorgan expects IB fees to rise in the low single digits in the fourth quarter of 2025.

For Citigroup, IB fees (within its Banking segment) jumped 15% year over year to $2.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Chief financial officer Mark Mason noted that the bank is seeing continued momentum in deal-making and capital markets activity, with mega deals and investment-grade activity contributing to fee growth. Citigroup expects IB fees to increase in the mid-20s (percentage) year over year in the fourth quarter.

Bank of America’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Bank of America have risen 19.2% over the past six months.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Bank of America trades at a 12-month trailing price-to-tangible book (P/TB) of 1.98X, below the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bank of America’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 16.2% and 13.9%, respectively. In the past week, earnings estimates for 2025 have risen marginally, while those for 2026 have been revised lower.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bank of America currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways TEM delivered its first positive Adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2025 and reaffirmed a positive FY outlook.
TEM's gross profit nearly doubled YoY in Q3 as Genomics and Data services scaled with disciplined spending.
TEM remained GAAP unprofitable due to stock comp, Ambry amortization and a one-time debt extinguishment.

Tempus AI (TEM - Free Report) is showing early signs of a profitability inflection, marked by its first positive Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2025 and a raised full-year revenue guidance. Management also reaffirmed its expectation for slightly positive adjusted EBITDA for full-year 2025, highlighting improving cost control and operating leverage as revenues scale. While the Paige acquisition continues to weigh on near-term profitability and is yet to contribute significantly to earnings, the core business momentum remains constructive.

Gross profit nearly doubled year over year in the third quarter, reflecting scale in both Genomics and Data and services businesses. Notably, management continues to emphasize disciplined spending, even as it invests in regulatory filings and AI compute, which are necessary to support long-term growth. Looking ahead, fourth-quarter 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is guided to remain positive, supported by multi-quarter growth trends across both business segments. As ADLT migrations progress and Data bookings convert into recognized revenues, pricing improvements and mix shift could further support margin expansion.

However, the quality of profitability remains a key consideration. GAAP losses persisted despite the positive Adjusted EBITDA, reflecting substantial stock-based compensation, higher amortization of acquired intangibles from the Ambry transaction and a one-time loss related to debt extinguishment. Non-GAAP profitability thus remains dependent on adjustments that exclude significant recurring non-cash items. Moreover, the absence of GAAP net loss guidance limits visibility into the timeline for achieving sustainable GAAP profitability, keeping the inflection thesis largely non-GAAP-driven in the near term.

Peer UpdateHims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS - Free Report) posted robust revenue growth in third-quarter 2025, approaching $600 million, while also achieving positive net income. HIMS’ profitability remains in transition, shaped by deliberate spending on new specialties, international expansion and vertical integration that temporarily pressure margins but are intended to support long-term recurring growth. Hims & Hers’ official entry into markets such as Canada and the U.K., along with continued expansion across Europe, reflects confidence in the portability of its business model.

GoodRx Holdings, Inc. (GDRX - Free Report) is maintaining stable overall revenues while continuing to shift growth toward higher-margin pharmaceutical manufacturer solutions, which saw strong year-over-year expansion. GoodRx has also rolled out new condition-specific subscriptions, including weight-loss and hair-loss offerings, reinforcing its direct-to-consumer strategy. While prescription transaction volumes remain under pressure, GoodRx is maintaining disciplined cost controls and focusing on margin durability as its growth model evolves.

TEM’s Stock Price PerformanceOver the past year, Tempus’ shares have rallied 81.4% against the industry’s 2.4% decline. The S&P 500 composite has improved 16.3% in the same time.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Expensive ValuationTEM currently trades at a forward 12-month Price-to-Sales (P/S) of 7.42X compared with the industry average of 5.77X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

TEM Stock Estimate TrendIn the past 30 days, Tempus AI's loss per share estimate for 2025 has remained unchanged.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

TEM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

All monetary amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2025) - IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) (TSX: IMG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has completed the previously announced arrangement (the "Transaction") with Northern Superior Resources Inc. (TSXV: SUP) (OTCQB: NSUPF) (GR: D9M1) ("Northern Superior"), pursuant to which IAMGOLD acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Northern Superior (the "NSUP Shares") by way of a plan of arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

"With the completion of the acquisition of Northern Superior and its assets, IAMGOLD's Nelligan Mining Complex in the Chibougamau-Chapais region of Quebec is now among the largest pre-production gold projects in Canada," said Renaud Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer of IAMGOLD. "We look forward to accelerating our exploration program in the region with a goal of further expansion and extension of the mineralization at Nelligan, Philibert and Monster Lake, as we look to continue to grow the mineralization and advance a project that complements both the scale and timing of our Côté Gold Mine and its forthcoming expansion."

As a result of the completion of the Transaction and the acquisition by IAMGOLD of all of the NSUP Shares, Northern Superior became a wholly-owned subsidiary of IAMGOLD. Former Northern Superior shareholders are now entitled to receive, in exchange for each NSUP Share held immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, a combination of (i) 0.0991 of an IAMGOLD common share and (ii) C$0.19 in cash. The Transaction also included a concurrent distribution to Northern Superior's shareholders of all the common shares in the capital of ONGold Resources Ltd. previously held by Northern Superior. Full details of the Transaction are included in Northern Superior's management information circular dated November 10, 2025, which can be found under Northern Superior's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The NSUP Shares will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange and an application will be made for Northern Superior to cease to be a reporting issuer in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with operating mines in North America and West Africa, including Côté Gold (Canada), Westwood (Canada) and Essakane (Burkina Faso). The Côté Gold Mine achieved full nameplate in June 2025 and has the potential to be among the largest gold mines in Canada. IAMGOLD operates Côté Gold in partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. In addition, the Company has an established portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects within high potential mining districts, including the Nelligan Mining Complex located in Quebec, Canada. IAMGOLD employs approximately 3,700 people and is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance practices. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: IMG).

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

All information included in this news release, including any information as to the Company's vision, strategy, future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance or impact, including statements in respect of the prospects and/or development of the Company's projects, other than statements of historical fact, constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") and such forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", "continue", "expect", "budget", "aim", "can", "focus", "forecast", "anticipate", "estimate", "maintain", "believe", "intend", "plan", "schedule", "guidance", "outlook", "potential", "seek", "targets", "cover", "strategy", "during", "ongoing", "subject to", "future", "objectives", "opportunities", "committed", "prospective", "likely", "progress", "strive", "sustain", "effort", "extend", "remain", "pursue", "predict", or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. For example, forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, those under the heading "About IAMGOLD", and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the delisting of the NSUP Shares, Northern Superior ceasing to be a reporting issuer, the anticipated benefits from integrating Northern Superior and its assets, and the expansion and extension of the mineralization at Nelligan.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, financial, operational and other risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, including those described below, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and, as such, undue reliance must not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements are also based on numerous material factors and assumptions, including as described in this news release, including with respect to: the Company's present and future business strategies; operations performance within expected ranges; anticipated future production and cash flows; local and global economic conditions and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future; the price of precious metals, other minerals and key commodities; projected mineral grades; international exchanges rates; anticipated capital and operating costs; the availability and timing of required governmental and other approvals for the construction of the Company's projects.

Risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the Company's business strategies and its ability to execute thereon; the development and execution of implementing strategies to meet the Company's sustainability vision and targets; security risks, including civil unrest, war or terrorism and disruptions to the Company's supply chain and transit routes as a result of such security risks, particularly in Burkina Faso and the Sahel region surrounding the Company's Essakane mine; the availability of labour and qualified contractors; the availability of key inputs for the Company's operations and disruptions in global supply chains; the volatility of the Company's securities; litigation; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; mine closure and rehabilitation risks; the lack of availability of insurance covering all of the risks associated with a mining company's operations; unexpected geological conditions; competition and consolidation in the mining sector; the profitability of the Company being highly dependent on the condition and results of the mining industry as a whole, and the gold mining industry in particular; changes in the global prices for gold, and commodities used in the operation of the Company's business (including, but not limited to diesel, fuel oil and electricity); legal, litigation, legislative, political or economic risks and new developments in the jurisdictions in which the Company carries on business, including the imposition of tariffs by the United States on Canadian products; changes in taxes, including mining tax regimes; the failure to obtain in a timely manner from authorities key permits, authorizations or approvals necessary for transactions, exploration, development or operation, operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities, including geotechnical difficulties and major equipment failure; the availability of capital; the level of liquidity and capital resources; access to capital markets and financing; the Company's level of indebtedness; the Company's ability to satisfy covenants under its credit facilities; changes in interest rates; adverse changes in the Company's credit rating; the Company's choices in capital allocation; effectiveness of the Company's ongoing cost containment efforts; the Company's ability to execute on de-risking activities and measures to improve operations; availability of specific assets to meet contractual obligations; risks related to third-party contractors, including reduced control over aspects of the Company's operations and/or the failure and/or the effectiveness of contractors to perform; risks arising from holding derivative instruments; changes in U.S. dollar and other currency exchange rates or gold lease rates; capital and currency controls in foreign jurisdictions; assessment of carrying values for the Company's assets, including the ongoing potential for material impairment and/or write-downs of such assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; the fact that reserves and resources, expected metallurgical recoveries, capital and operating costs are estimates which may require revision; the presence of unfavourable content in ore deposits, including clay and coarse gold; inaccuracies in life of mine plans; failure to meet operational targets; equipment malfunctions; information systems security threats and cybersecurity; laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment (including greenhouse gas emission reduction and other decarbonization requirements; the uncertainty surrounding the interpretation of omnibus Bill C-59 and the related amendments to the Competition Act (Canada); employee relations and labour disputes; the maintenance of tailings storage facilities and the potential for a major spill or failure of the tailings facilities due to uncontrollable events, lack of reliable infrastructure, including access to roads, bridges, power sources and water supplies; physical and regulatory risks related to climate change; unpredictable weather patterns and challenging weather conditions at mine sites; disruptions from weather related events resulting in limited or no productivity such as forest fires, severe storms, flooding, drought, heavy snowfall, poor air quality, and extreme heat or cold; attraction and retention of key employees and other qualified personnel; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour, negotiations with respect to new, reasonable collective labour agreements and/or collective bargaining agreements may not be agreed to; the ability of contractors to timely complete projects on acceptable terms; the relationship with the communities surrounding the Company's operations and projects; indigenous rights or claims; illegal mining; the potential direct or indirect operational impacts resulting from external factors, including infectious diseases, pandemics, or other public health emergencies; the completion of the transaction with Mines d'Or Orbec Inc., including the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the proposed arrangement, and the inherent risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business generally. Please see the Company's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or Form 40-F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar for a comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by the Company and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278577

Source: IAMGOLD Corporation

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TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) ("MediPharm", "MediPharm Labs" or the "Company") a pharmaceutical company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids, welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order  to expedite the reclassification of cannabis under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act from Schedule I to Schedule III (the "Order").1

This change recognizes the medical use of cannabis and reduces barriers to research. MediPharm Labs is well positioned to benefit from this milestone through its FDA site registration, Drug Establishment License ("DEL") and proven experience supplying clinical trial materials to the United States.

"This reclassification order is a historic milestone that validates MediPharm's pharmaceutical approach and one that we anticipate will strengthen our ability to expand U.S. clinical trial partnerships," said David Pidduck, Chief Executive Officer of MediPharm Labs. "This change could facilitate significant growth in clinical research, and MediPharm is uniquely prepared to support clinical trial partners and patients. We have already shipped product for U.S. trials, a capability that others may take years to achieve."

Rescheduling will Accelerate Cannabis Clinical Research

"This reclassification order will make it far easier to conduct marijuana-related medical research, allowing us to study benefits, potential dangers and future treatments," U.S. President Trump said in the Oval Office. "It's going to have a tremendously positive impact." 2

Reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III recognizes its medical use and will remove barriers that have long limited U.S. clinical trials. Researchers publish thousands of peer-reviewed cannabis studies annually, yet full clinical trials remain scarce due to Schedule I restrictions and lack of federally compliant cannabis. The FDA has also received more than 800 Investigational New Drug applications for cannabis-derived and cannabis-related products.3

Rescheduling is expected to accelerate research by enabling access to standardized medical-grade cannabis from registered suppliers. For MediPharm, this could mean a pipeline of researchers ready to advance clinical trials and evaluate compliant active pharmaceutical ingredient ("API") suppliers. In addition to expanding research opportunities, reclassification may pave the way for future federally sanctioned medical access programs similar to those in Canada, Australia and Germany.

MediPharm's Strategic Advantage

MediPharm Labs has developed international licensing, U.S. clinical supply experience, and global regulatory expertise over several years that position the Company to serve the anticipated future expansion of U.S. based research.

Proven Track Record Supplying U.S. Clinical Trials

MediPharm has supplied product for over 10 active clinical trials, including the U.S. National Institutes of Health funded LiBBY study with the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. To the Company's knowledge this was the first Phase 2 clinical trial of its kind with API sourced from a Canadian Licensed Producer, with MediPharm navigating the complexities of the original Schedule 1 classification. MediPharm completed their first shipment to the U.S. in 2023 and has made additional shipments in subsequent years leveraging our U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") site registration and Drug Enforcement Administration import permits.

MediPharm is Ready Now to Support New Research Partnerships

MediPharm believes that no other publicly listed cannabis-focused company in North America has the Company's combination of experience, licensing (DEL; Cannabis Drug License; Natural Health Product License; GMP and EU-GMP certified operations); and an FDA inspected facility. MediPharm was the first FDA audited purpose-built commercial cannabis facility in Canada and one of only a handful globally.

These credentials reflect years of regulatory and quality work to achieve and enable MediPharm to immediately support new research initiatives in the U.S. and globally, that require pharmaceutical-grade standards for purity and consistency.

Institutional Pharma and Biotech Investment Potential 

Reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III, may also allow institutional investors who were previously restricted by ‘Schedule I trafficking’ clauses, to consider research-oriented cannabis companies. This could result in increased interest in pharmaceutical cannabis companies, including MediPharm, as regulatory barriers evolve. There could also be renewed interest in research investments from pharmaceutical firms that previously avoided cannabis due to its high-risk classification.

About MediPharm Labs

Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. MediPharm Labs develops, formulates, processes, packages and distributes cannabis and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international medical markets.

In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a commercial scale domestic Good Manufacturing License for the extraction of multiple natural cannabinoids. The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates.

In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc. which expanded MediPharm's reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical PTY and Beacon Medical GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with Physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions.

Website: www.medipharmlabs.com 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the possible rescheduling of cannabis in the U.S., recognition of the medical use of cannabis in the U.S., the expansion of U.S. based research on medical cannabis products, the expansion of special access medical cannabis programs in the U.S., the expansion of access to standardized medical-grade cannabis from registered suppliers in the U.S., increased opportunities for future clinical research in the U.S., MediPharm's ability to expand U.S. clinical trial partnerships, the potential for institutional investors to fund research-oriented cannabis companies and the renewal of institutional investor interest in pharmaceutical cannabis companies, changes to the classification of cannabis as a high-risk investment, future marketable pharmaceutical products, and future Canadian and international commercial products that leverage MediPharm's unique pharmaceutical expertise. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; MediPharm's competitive licensing and FDA site inspection and registration; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs' filings, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

SOURCE MediPharm Labs Corp.

For further information, please contact: MediPharm Labs Investor Relations, Email: [email protected]

____________________________________

1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/increasing-medical-marijuana-and-cannabidiol-research/. 
2 https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
3 https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/em/Article/1001179.

December 19, 2025 08:45 ET

 | Source:

The Lovesac Company

STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Lovesac Company (Nasdaq: LOVE) ("Lovesac" or the "Company"), the Designed for Life home and technology brand, has released its ESG & Impact Report for the 2025 fiscal year ended February 2, 2025. This report highlights the company's continued focus on environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance (“ESG”).

Shawn Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our 2025 ESG report reflects the maturation of our sustainability journey and our deepening accountability to creating lasting impact. This year has been marked by transformative achievements that demonstrate how our Designed for Life (DFL) Philosophy extends beyond our products to how we operate as a responsible corporate citizen. From partnering with our US Sac factory in its planned transition to 100% landfill diversion and zero emissions production to expanding our Circular Operations platform, we are reimagining what responsibility looks like in home furnishings. Our expanded Associate Resource Groups and comprehensive training initiatives continue to strengthen our Love Matters culture, while our commitment to repurposing 1 billion plastic bottles and achieving 100% Certified Sustainable Wood sourcing reinforces our dedication to environmental stewardship. We remain focused on proving that building a beloved brand and creating a sustainable future represent the same mission of designing products and practices that are truly built for life.”

Lovesac’s ESG Report includes a complete description of the Company’s long-term impact strategy and standardized ESG framework indices including:  applicable Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standard index and Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures (TCFD) index. The strategy also takes inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to align Lovesac’s strategic purpose with global social and environmental priorities. This latest ESG report includes Lovesac’s progress to meeting their long-term environmental, social, and purpose-focused goals.

Lovesac's ESG strategy centers on three core pillars where the Company believes it can deliver the greatest impact: Love, inspiring a workforce with love by building meaningful relationships; Earth, improving environmental footprint by protecting and preserving Earth's finite resources; and Purpose, acting with integrity by creating a lasting positive impact on stakeholders and communities.

Key 2025 Achievements Include:

LOVE - Lovesac has maintained a strong commitment to building high performing teams and supporting individual career development through expanded programming and initiatives including those that support inclusion and belonging. The Company focused efforts in fiscal year 2025 on talent acquisition, organizational development and training, culture and engagement, and people and processes to direct and enable its initiatives and commitments.EARTH -: For the second consecutive year, Lovesac eliminated Scope 2 emissions (market-based) from all showrooms across the United States through energy reduction projects. The Company partnered with its US manufacturer to launch its first zero-landfill and net zero emissions manufacturing facility in the United States and established baseline operational recycling rates across all touchpoints. Lovesac also stood behind its commitment to Circular Operations, testing a services platform enabling customers to return products for resale and giving them a second life. The Company continues making progress toward repurposing 1 billion plastic bottles through the REPREVE® partnership, with 322 million bottles repurposed by the end of FY25, while also repurposing over 30 million pounds of post-industrial foam remnants into their proprietary Durafoam fill.PURPOSE - Lovesac maintained 100% ethical auditing compliance for all primary manufacturing vendors and continues to target 100% participation in sustainable supply chain programs among manufacturing partners. Associates contributed over 550 volunteer hours in the Company’s inaugural volunteer month, while the Company donated products with a total value of $286,000 and awarded $15,000 in charitable grants. The Company continued encouraging sustainable best practices throughout its supply chain through its vendor ESG awards program.
The report features the Company's continued goal to meet net-zero waste and emissions by 2040 and its Designed For Life principles on inventing and innovating to deliver high-quality, sustainably manufactured product platforms in multiple categories across the home space. The DFL Philosophy challenges the creation of products that last a lifetime and evolve with customers as their lives change, representing a pathway to helping families invest in solutions that endure and inspire.

This marks Lovesac's fifth annual ESG report and is part of the Company's multi-phased ESG commitment to serve its customers, associates, communities, suppliers, and stakeholders in a way that benefits them all. Lovesac plans to advance and report on the progress of its ESG priorities through successive ESG reports.

Lovesac's 2025 ESG & Impact Report is available on the Company's website at https://investor.lovesac.com/esg.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other legal authority. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words as “continue,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “strategy,” “target,” “goal,” “expect,” “strive,” “vision,” “commitment”, and “can” or variations of these terms and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties. For information on certain factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our most recently filed Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs and similar disclosures in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which we make it. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About The Lovesac Company
Based in Stamford, Connecticut, The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ: LOVE) is a technology driven company that designs, manufactures and sells unique, high-quality furniture derived through its proprietary Designed for Life approach which results in products that are built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve as customers’ lives do. The current product offering is comprised of modular couches called Sactionals, the Sactionals Reclining seat, premium foam beanbag chairs called Sacs, the PillowSac Chair, an immersive surround sound home theater system called StealthTech, and an innovative sofa seating solution called Snugg™. As a recipient of Repreve’s 8th Annual Champions of Sustainability Award and Edison Awards' 38th Annual Best New Product Awards for Sustainable Consumer Products, responsible production and innovation are at the center of the brand’s design philosophy with products protected by a robust portfolio of utility and design patents. Products are marketed and sold primarily online directly at www.lovesac.com, supported by a physical retail presence in the form of Lovesac branded showrooms, as well as through shop-in-shops and pop-up-shops with third party retailers. LOVESAC, DESIGNED FOR LIFE, DURAFOAM, PILLOWSAC, SACTIONALS, SAC, STEALTHTECH, and THE WORLD'S MOST ADAPTABLE COUCH are trademarks of The Lovesac Company and are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Investor Relations Contacts:
Caitlin Churchill, ICR
(203) 682-8200
[email protected]

Stock futures are little changed Friday after the S&P 500 and Dow snapped four-day losing streaks yesterday; Friday is the final quadruple witching day of the year, with a record amount of options contracts set to expire today; Nike stock is plunging amid concerns about sales weakness in China; TikTok reportedly has agreed to a deal to give American investors including Oracle a controlling stake; and FedEx earnings handily topped Wall Street expectations. Here's what you need to know today.

Stocks Holding Steady After S&P 500, Dow Snap Skids
Stock futures are hovering near unchanged this morning after a tech-fueled rally sent major indexes sharply higher yesterday. S&P 500 futures were flat recently, while those linked to the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.1% and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 0.1%. All three major indexes gained on Thursday after inflation data for November was better than expected, with the Nasdaq leading the charge on a tech rally that was sparked by strong earnings from memory chip maker Micron Technology (MU). Bitcoin was trading around $88,000 this morning after dipping below $85,000 yesterday. Gold futures were down 0.2% to about $4,355 an ounce after briefly setting a new high above $4,400 on Thursday. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was at 4.15% after slipping to 4.12% Thursday.

Quadruple Witching Day is Here
Friday could make for a particularly volatile day of trading, as a record amount of options contracts are set to close today. That's because Friday is the final "quadruple witching" day of the year, one of four days a year when stock index futures, stock index options, stock options and single stock futures all expire on the same day. Goldman Sachs estimates that more than $7.1 trillion in options are set to expire Friday, with $5 trillion tied to the S&P 500 and $880 billion tied to single stocks, per CNBC.

Nike Stock Sinks as China Sales Weakness Continues
Nike (NKE) stock is tumbling Friday despite stronger-than-expected quarterly results, as investors focus on comments executives made about the progress of the company's turnaround effort in China. The athletic apparel giant posted fiscal second-quarter revenue of $12.4 billion and earnings per share $0.53, each above the analyst consensus compiled by Visible Alpha. While sales rose year-over-year in North America, sales in China sank by 17% in the quarter, with a 21% drop in shoe sales. CEO Elliott Hill said Nike is "in the middle innings" of its turnaround effort, a plan he introduced around a year ago, shortly after taking over as CEO. CFO Matt Friend said in Thursday's earnings call that the company expects sales headwinds in China to likely continue for the rest of the fiscal year. Shares of the Dow component were down 11% in recent premarket trading.

TikTok Reaches Deal for Control by US Investors
TikTok has reportedly reached a deal to be controlled by American investors. A group of investors made up of cloud computing giant Oracle (ORCL), private equity firm Silver Lake, and MGX, a tech investment fund based in Abu Dhabi, will own a combined 45% stake. ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, will retain a 20% stake with the remaining stake going to other ByteDance-affiliated investors. The Biden administration passed a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if it wasn't sold to American investors, and Trump extended the deadline several times this year. Each administration raised concerns about the data of American users potentially being at risk of being handed over to the Chinese government. Oracle shares, which have fallen sharply since reporting weak quarterly results last week, were up more than 4% ahead of the opening bell.

FedEx Beats Estimates, Expects Higher Costs on MD-11 Fleet Grounding
FedEx (FDX) reported quarterly numbers that topped Wall Street expectations. The package shipping giant reported revenue of $23.47 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $4.82, each well above the analyst consensus. FedEx said its planned spinoff of its Freight business remains on track to take place in June 2026. The company also said that it took on about $25 million in added costs in November that is expected to rise through the busy holiday shipping season after a UPS (UPS) plane crash last month led to the grounding of all MD-11 planes, FedEx hired some third-party assistance for some of its air cargo transport needs, which CFO John Dietrich said during Thursday's call came at "an expensive time of the year to be getting outsourced lift." FedEx shares were down about 1.5% in recent premarket trading.

Do you have a news tip for Investopedia reporters? Please email us at

[email protected]

WH Smith PLC (LSE:SMWH) has delivered full-year results in line with expectations that were revised after a recent profit warning that has sparked a regulatory probe, but the focus among City analysts has shifted firmly to the group’s next steps.

After a turbulent year, which apart from the accounting investigation also included a strategic overhaul as it sold its High Street business and funkypigeon.com, the retailer reported adjusted profit before tax of £108 million, at the top end of revised guidance.

Yet the tone around future performance remained somewhat restrained, with management guiding to 2026 adjusted profit of between £100 million and £115 million, below consensus estimates, and announced net store closures across international markets.

Analyst Hai Huynh at UBS said the outlook for the new financial year implied around 10% downgrades, though he noted that “market expectations had already shifted”.

In North America, where accounting issues triggered a 38% share price fall since August, the group is pulling back from some stores, including in Las Vegas, while also reviewing the InMotion electronics banner.

Peel Hunt analyst Jonathan Pritchard said the margin target of 7-8% in the US was “satisfactory enough” given the reset, with the closures of some US stores signalling a more selective expansion strategy.

The UK travel business remains the strongest contributor, with 5% like-for-like growth and trading margins expected to hold at 14-15%.

However, UK growth is softening into 2026, with LFL growth slowing to 2%. Rest of World revenue grew 7% LFL, but restructuring will see further exits from non-core markets.

For investors, the priority is less about earnings beats and more about stability and governance, said Dan Lane, analyst at Robinhood UK.

“Today is about outlining plans to regain trust more than anything," he said, with the North American downgrade "brutal, but refocusing on core travel retail offers a rare positive".

While free cash flow improved to £63 million and store productivity rose, net debt increased to £390 million and management expressed commitment to reducing leverage below two times EBITDA.

With the FCA having opened an investigation into the company related to the findings of the Deloitte review, interim chief executive Andrew Harrison promised a remediation plan is “progressing at pace”, but the company faces a longer journey to restore confidence.

The shares trade on roughly 9.5-10x forward earnings, a level some analysts view as undemanding.

Peel Hunt's Pritchard said “the clarity given today is a plus" and sees upside "when the dust settles". 

December 19, 2025 08:49 ET

 | Source:

LM Funding America, Inc.

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LM Funding America, Inc. (NASDAQ: LMFA) (“LM Funding” or the “Company”), a Bitcoin treasury and mining company, today announced that it has entered into securities purchase agreements with institutional investors to purchase 1,822,535 shares of common stock and 7,332,395 pre-funded warrants in lieu of shares of common stock along with warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 9,154,930 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering. The combined effective offering price for each share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and accompanying warrant is $0.71. The warrants will have an exercise price of $0.71, be exercisable beginning on the effective date of stockholder approval and will expire on the five-year anniversary from the date of stockholder approval. In addition, the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price on outstanding warrants to purchase 3,472,740 shares of common stock held by an investor from $2.95 to $0.87, subject to stockholder approval, and extend the term of such warrants to five years from the date of stockholder approval.

The gross proceeds to the Company from the registered direct offering are estimated to be approximately $6.5 million, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The offering is expected to close on or about December 22, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Maxim Group LLC is acting as the sole placement agent in connection with the offering.

The securities are being offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-281528), which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 21, 2024. A prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed by the Company with the SEC. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering, together with the accompanying prospectus, can be obtained at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, or via email at [email protected] or telephone at (212) 895-3500.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sales of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

About LM Funding America

LM Funding America, Inc. (Nasdaq: LMFA), operates as a Bitcoin treasury and mining company. The Company was founded in 2008 and is based in Tampa, Florida. The Company also operates a technology-enabled specialty finance business that provides funding to nonprofit community associations primarily in the State of Florida. For more information, please visit https://www.lmfunding.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the expected completion, timing and size of the offering, the intended use of proceeds from the offering, the risks of operating in the cryptocurrency mining business, our limited operating history in the cryptocurrency mining business and our ability to grow that business, the capacity of our Bitcoin mining machines and our related ability to purchase power at reasonable prices, our ability to identify and acquire additional mining sites, the ability to finance our site acquisitions and cryptocurrency mining operations, our ability to acquire new accounts in our specialty finance business at appropriate prices, changes in governmental regulations that affect our ability to collect sufficient amounts on defaulted consumer receivables, changes in the credit or capital markets, changes in interest rates, and negative press regarding the debt collection industry. The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations
Orange Group
Yujia Zhai
[email protected]

SEOUL, KOREA / ACCESS Newswire / December 19, 2025 / Global Interactive Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:GITS) today announced that its Faning platform is set to host the official fan club for K-Pop group ICHILLIN', providing a dedicated online space for fans to engage with official content and community activities.

Faning will also host virtual fan events with Lee Jae-won, a member of the K-Pop group H.O.T., through scheduled online fan meetings and interactive sessions. These events will allow fans to participate remotely through the Faning platform.

"Faning is designed to support direct, official engagement between artists and fans," said Taehoon Kim, Chief Executive Officer of GITS. "These collaborations reflect the platform's role in providing structured digital experiences for artists and their fan communities."

Faning offers features including official fan clubs, live streaming, virtual fan interactions, and community engagement tools. The platform is currently available through mobile applications on Apple iOS and Android devices, with web access in progress, and supports multilingual content to accommodate international users.

About Global Interactive Technologies, Inc.

Global Interactive Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:GITS) is an entertainment technology company focused on developing digital platforms for fan engagement, content distribution, and interactive online experiences.

About Faning

Faning is a digital fandom platform that provides official fan clubs, virtual events, and interactive features enabling artists and fans to connect through structured online experiences.

Company Contact:

Global Interactive Technologies, Inc.
Taehoon Kim
[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Global Interactive Technologies, Inc.
Taehoon Kim
[email protected]

SOURCE: Global Interactive Technologies, Inc.

Historical change to the structure of Invesco QQQ reduces investor fees by 10% and marks a new era for the 26-year-old fund

, /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), a leading global asset management firm announced today that shareholders in Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1, voted to approve proposals to modernize Invesco QQQ, restructuring it from a unit investment trust ETF to an open-end fund ETF, and changing its governance structure to a board of trustees. Invesco expects QQQ to begin trading as an open-end fund on Monday, December 22.

As part of this conversion, shareholders of Invesco QQQ will benefit from a decrease in the fund's total expense ratio from 0.20% to 0.18%. The reclassification also provides the opportunity for Invesco QQQ to reinvest income and participate in securities lending. There will be no tax implications from this conversion for QQQ investors.

"I want to thank the shareholders who voted to transform Invesco QQQ into a modern ETF format. We are proud to deliver a ten percent reduction in fees to QQQ investors while creating more flexibility to utilize tools that could deliver better outcomes for investors," said Andrew Schlossberg, President and CEO of Invesco. "This is an important milestone that demonstrates our intention to deliver continuous product excellence and respond to the needs of our clients."

QQQ will continue to track the Nasdaq-100 Index®, the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. QQQ modernization does not alter the terms of Nasdaq's licensing arrangements with Invesco nor the administration of the Nasdaq-100 Index®. 

"Today's landmark reclassification of Invesco QQQ, one of the largest and most recognizable ETFs in the world1, provides investors with a more beneficial way to access the companies of the Nasdaq-100 Index®," said Brian Hartigan, Global Head of ETFs and Index Investments, Invesco. "This aligns with Invesco's goal to offer investors access to ETFs that deliver innovation, not just in performance, but in every aspect of the fund's operations."

The modernized QQQ ETF will remain a key component of Invesco's popular Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite, the most expansive set of ETFs2 to offer unique and varied exposures of the Nasdaq-100 Index®. Launched in October 2020, the Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite is a 'one stop shop' for innovation that allows investors an opportunity to customize their exposure to the index based on their specific needs and preferences through a range of ten differentiated ETFs.

1 By assets under management of top five largest ETFs in the world, Bloomberg as of 11/28/2025.
2The assets under management for the Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite, which includes the funds QQQ, QQQM, QQQJ, QQQS, QQA, QQMG, QQJG, QQHG, QBIG and QQLV is US$ 474,696,043,744, per Bloomberg, as of 11/30/25 – the highest AUM of any provider tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

About Invesco Ltd.
Invesco Ltd. is one of the world's leading asset management firms with 8,500 employees helping clients in more than 120 countries. With $2.1 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2025, we deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. Our collaborative mindset, breadth of solutions and global scale mean we're well positioned to help retail and institutional investors rethink challenges and find new possibilities for success. For more information, visit www.invesco.com.

Important Information:

The Nasdaq-100 Index® is designed to measure the performance of the largest 100 companies of Nasdaq-listed non-financial companies. An investment cannot be made directly into an index.

About Risk:

There are risks involved with investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. Shares are not actively managed and are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, including those regarding short selling and margin maintenance requirements. Ordinary brokerage commissions apply. The Fund's return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund is subject to certain other risks. Please see the current prospectus for more information regarding the risk associated with an investment in the Fund.

Investments focused in a particular sector, such as technology, are subject to greater risk, and are more greatly impacted by market volatility, than more diversified investments.

Securities lending involves a risk of loss because the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. If a Fund is unable to recover the securities loaned, it may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement security in the market. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Funds if and to the extent that the market value of the loaned securities increases and the collateral is not increased accordingly. 

Invesco does not offer tax advice. Please consult your tax adviser for information regarding your own personal tax situation.

The information in this release does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy or product. and should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. As with all investments there are associated inherent risks. This should not be considered a recommendation to purchase any investment product. This does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy for a particular investor.

Investors should consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions if they are uncertain whether an investment is suitable for them. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing.

Before investing, investors should carefully read the prospectus/summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and more complete information about the Fund call 800 983 0903 or visit invesco.com for the prospectus/summary prospectus.

Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco's retail products, and is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd.

Nasdaq-100 Index® and QQQ®, are trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. (which with its affiliates is referred to as the "Corporations") and are licensed for use by Invesco Distributors Inc. The Product(s) have not been passed on by the Corporations as to their legality or suitability. The Product(s) are not issued, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the Corporations. The Corporations make no warranties and bear no liability with respect to the product(s).

Note: Not all products, materials or services available at all firms. Financial professionals, please contact your home offices.

Not a Deposit l Not FDIC Insured l Not Guaranteed by the Bank | May Lose Value | Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency

NA4919833             12/25

Contact: Stephanie Diiorio, [email protected], 212.278.9037 

SOURCE Invesco Ltd.

Both XRP and Solana have the potential to turbocharge your portfolio returns.

When it comes to minting new millionaires, crypto investors have their pick of dozens of high-risk, high-upside altcoins.

Two that stand out right now are XRP (XRP 0.17%) and Solana (SOL +1.49%). While both are down in 2025, they have displayed plenty of upside potential in the recent past. And both could become favorites of large institutional investors, thanks to the recent introduction of new spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

So which one of these altcoins -- XRP or Solana -- has the best chance of helping you become a millionaire?

In search of exponential upside potential
For any cryptocurrency to have legitimate millionaire-maker potential, it needs to have the ability to grow exponentially in price over an extended period of time.

Crypto investors typically talk in terms of coins having 10-fold, 100-fold, or even 1,000-fold upside potential. The real millionaire makers, of course, are those that have the most upside potential. A small upfront investment could easily turn into $1 million or more.

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Take Bitcoin (BTC +0.92%), for example. Twelve years ago, it traded for less than $100. Today, it trades for $87,000. That's the epitome of 1,000-fold upside potential.

Somewhat surprisingly, both XRP and Solana have shown the ability to keep pace with Bitcoin. During the most recent five-year period, Bitcoin has delivered returns of 202%. Solana is up an impressive 261%. And XRP is up a respectable 176%.

Bitcoin / U.S. dollar chart by TradingView.

Solana's performance is especially noteworthy, given how far it fell in 2022 during the crypto winter. It lost more than 90% of its value, and at one point, looked like it was headed to zero. But in 2023, it exploded in value by more than 900%. So, just like Bitcoin, it is prone to intense cycles of boom and bust.

Future growth prospects
Another clue to the millionaire-maker potential of any cryptocurrency comes from the long-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts. While these price targets tend to be overly bullish, they can provide a good sense of where a cryptocurrency is headed over the long haul.

The good news is that both XRP and Solana have no shortage of ultra-bullish long-term price targets. For example, Standard Chartered thinks the price of XRP is going to $12.50 by the end of 2028 from less than $2 today. And it thinks the price of Solana is going to hit $500 by 2029 from about $125 today. Based on today's prices, that's roughly a sixfold return for XRP investors and a fourfold return for Solana investors.

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But there's an even more bullish price target for Solana that has my attention. Back in 2023, investment firm VanEck set an ultra-bullish price target of $3,211 for Solana for 2030. It was based on the prediction that Solana -- as one of the largest Layer-1 blockchain networks in the world -- would continue to gain market share from archrival Ethereum (ETH +3.20%) in key areas such as decentralized finance (DeFi).

And, by and large, that prediction is now coming true. Solana has emerged as a legitimate threat to Ethereum. In fact, in terms of 24-hour trading volume on its decentralized exchanges, Solana has now surpassed Ethereum. Moreover, Solana now ranks second in terms of total value locked (TVL), which is a key indicator of overall DeFi strength.

By way of comparison, XRP's appeal is much more limited. It ranks 48th in terms of TVL. That's because it has never really broadened its reach beyond being a bridge currency for cross-border payments. Value may move through the XRP blockchain, but it doesn't stay there. And now stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged 1-to-1 to the dollar, have emerged as a potentially superior way to move money across international borders.

Solana could be a millionaire maker
When taking into account both past price performance and long-term growth prospects, Solana appears to be the superior pick. That's because it has exactly the types of characteristics that investors expect from a millionaire-maker cryptocurrency.

Chief among these is the ability to deliver exponential growth. Solana has already shown signs of this in 2023 and in 2024. If it can string along enough of these years in a row, it might enable your investment to grow by a factor of 10 or even 25 over time. That, in turn, could put you well on the path to millionaire status.

But just keep in mind: Investing in Solana is not for the faint of heart. Remember that in 2022, it lost 94% of its value, wiping out many investors. So before you invest in this high-risk, high-reward cryptocurrency, make sure you do your due diligence.