Market Signal Briefing

TL;DR

Stable launched its mainnet and the STABLE token, backed by Bitfinex and using USDT as the ecosystem’s gas, alongside the Stable Foundation.
STABLE serves as the network’s governance and security token.
The network attracted $2,000M in pre-deposits and formed partnerships with PayPal, Anchorage, and Standard Chartered to integrate payments and DeFi.

Stable, the Bitfinex-backed Layer 1 blockchain built on USDT, went live with its mainnet and native token, marking the launch of its payments and stablecoin ecosystem. The project also unveiled the Stable Foundation, an independent organization designed to manage network development, support community programs, and participate in protocol governance.

Introducing a Complete and Renewed Ecosystem
StableChain is designed to facilitate both institutional and retail integrations, using USDT as the gas token for all transactions. STABLE will serve as a utility token for network governance and security, allowing holders to delegate to validators and vote on key protocol decisions. The network runs on a delegated proof-of-stake consensus mechanism called StableBFT and offers staking rewards from a portion of network fees denominated in USDT.

Ahead of the mainnet launch, a pre-deposit campaign raised over $2 billion across more than 24,000 wallets in two phases. The project had previously secured $28 million in a seed round led by Bitfinex and Hack VC, with guidance from Paolo Ardoino (Tether CEO and Bitfinex CTO), Nathan Macauley (Anchorage CEO), and other crypto angel investors. In October 2024, Bitfinex also led a $3.5 million funding round for Plasma, an EVM-compatible sidechain focused on eliminating USDT transaction fees.

The StableChain launch coincides with strategic partnerships with institutional and payments-focused firms, including Anchorage Digital, PayPal, and Standard Chartered’s Libeara tokenization platform. The goal is to enable both institutions and the DeFi community to join the ecosystem and use stablecoins for efficient payments.

STABLE Tokenomics
The STABLE token has a fixed supply of 100 billion. Distribution allocates 10% for genesis, 40% for developer grants and partnerships, and 25% each for the team and early investors, with a one-year cliff and four-year vesting schedule. There are no planned inflationary emissions, and all network transactions will continue to settle in USDT.

CEO Brian Mehler emphasized that the initiative aims to “rewrite the way digital payments are processed globally, activating a fully on-chain economy for individuals and enterprises.” The project lays the foundation for a USDT-based payments and governance ecosystem, combining security, institutional participation, and scalability to drive mass adoption

TLDR

Table of Contents

TLDRTether’s USDT Becomes Recognized Fiat-Referenced TokenRipple’s RLUSD and Binance’s Approval Follow Similar PathsTether Expands Global Presence with Regional Approvals

Tether’s USDT stablecoin gains approval for use across multiple blockchain networks in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
USDT is now recognized as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token (AFRT), enabling regulated activities on various blockchain platforms.
The approval extends USDT’s utility to blockchains like Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, and TRON, boosting multi-chain interoperability.
Ripple’s RLUSD and Binance’s approvals in the region signal growing regulatory acceptance of digital currencies in the UAE.
Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, emphasized the importance of stablecoins in advancing financial inclusion and innovation in the Middle East.

Tether has obtained approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to offer its USDT stablecoin across multiple blockchain networks. This approval allows Tether to extend its services within the region’s regulated financial framework. USDT will now be usable on networks such as Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON.

Tether’s USDT Becomes Recognized Fiat-Referenced Token
According to a press release, Tether’s USDT has officially been recognized as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token (AFRT) within the ADGM regulatory framework. Authorized persons licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) can now offer regulated activities involving USDT. This includes using USDT on various blockchain platforms like Aptos, Solana, and Avalanche, where the stablecoin was previously recognized.

The recognition enhances the multi-chain utility of USDT, enabling it to serve as a reliable asset for trading and decentralized applications. Tether emphasized that this recognition highlights the company’s commitment to resilience, transparency, and regulatory compliance. “This approval demonstrates our ability to meet the AFRT criteria and safeguards set by the FSRA,” the company stated.

Ripple’s RLUSD and Binance’s Approval Follow Similar Paths
Tether’s achievement comes shortly after Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin received similar approval from the FSRA. Ripple’s RLUSD now has permission to operate in the same regulatory environment, marking a shift toward wider acceptance of digital currencies in the region. Additionally, Binance recently secured full regulatory approval from the FSRA, allowing the exchange to provide trading, custody, and settlement services.

Binance’s approval is part of a broader trend of crypto firms securing regulatory approval in the UAE. This growing regulatory acceptance signals a more stable and established framework for crypto services in the region. The FSRA’s actions indicate increasing confidence in the crypto market and its integration into the financial system.

Tether Expands Global Presence with Regional Approvals
Tether’s recognition in the ADGM is another step in its expansion across international markets. The approval enhances USDT’s role as a global settlement asset, supporting interoperability across blockchain platforms. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated that the company is proud to contribute to the UAE’s leadership in crypto regulation.

Ardoino noted that the approval reinforces the importance of stablecoins in modern financial systems. Tether’s efforts to expand its presence in the region will contribute to financial inclusion and innovation. The recognition also underscores the growing role of stablecoins in the Middle East’s digital economy.

Ethereum price lacks conviction as weak volume and failed follow-through increase the risk of a deeper correction toward $2,200 unless buyers step in to defend key support zones.

Summary

ETH struggles to reclaim the value area high due to thin bullish volume.
Losing $2,800 opens the door to the untapped $2,200 support.
Market structure remains range-bound, with downside momentum building.

Ethereum (ETH) price is showing signs of weakness despite its recent bounce, with price action struggling to gain traction above key technical levels. The rally has not been supported by strong bullish volume, raising concerns that the move may lack the momentum needed for sustained continuation.

With the price unable to decisively break above the value area high, Ethereum now faces the possibility of a reversal toward lower support zones. Traders are watching closely as structural signals point toward growing downside risk, particularly if critical support fails to hold.

Ethereum price key technical points

Ethereum’s rebound is occurring on low volume, signaling weak buyer participation.
Failure to reclaim the value area high increases the risk of a move toward $2,800 support.
A breakdown of $2,800 would expose the next support zone at $2,200.

ETHUSDT (1D) Chart, Source: TradingView
The current bounce on Ethereum has exhibited little strength, struggling to create meaningful follow-through above the value area high. This region serves as an indicator of whether the price can sustain upward expansion or remains confined within its broader range. In Ethereum’s case, the inability to push above this threshold suggests that bullish momentum is lacking.

The weakness is further highlighted by Ethereum ETFs recording over $75 million in outflows with zero inflows, signaling fading institutional appetite as ETH stalls around $3,000. One of the first areas of interest is the $2,800 support level, which has acted as a structural pivot in recent months.

If Ethereum fails to hold $2,800, the probability of a deeper correction increases significantly. Beneath this level lies the $2,200 region, a key support area that has not been revisited since June. This zone contains resting liquidity and represents a natural downside magnet if the market begins to unwind. A sweep of this liquidity could accelerate downward pressure and complete a full rotation within Ethereum’s broader trading range.

It is also important to consider the repeated lack of follow-through in recent bullish attempts. Several countertrend rallies have formed, yet none have managed to break the structure or invalidate the broader downtrend. Each attempt has been met with sell pressure, pushing the price back into the lower half of the range. This series of failed moves further confirms the absence of meaningful buyer commitment.

The long-term structure remains intact within this high-time-frame range, with price oscillating between support and resistance zones for several years. Until Ethereum shows decisive breakout strength, it is likely to continue trading within this larger pattern. This means both rallies and declines are constrained by well-established boundaries, making volume and momentum key indicators for anticipating directional moves.

This broader stagnation mirrors wider market conditions as NFT sales remain modest at $77 million, and Ethereum-based NFTs dropped 13 percent, underscoring the reduced enthusiasm across the ecosystem.

Currently, those indicators lean bearish. With weakening momentum, thin volume on the bounce and no structural break to the upside, Ethereum faces elevated downside risk. A reclaim and close above the value area high would be needed to reverse this short-term bearish bias. Without such confirmation, the path toward $2,200 remains a technical possibility.

What to expect in the coming price action
If Ethereum fails to hold $2,800 and cannot generate bullish volume, the price is likely to rotate toward the $2,200 support level. Only a decisive breakout above the value area high with volume confirmation would negate this bearish scenario.

15h05 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Ifeoluwa O.

Summarize this article with:

Ethereum has returned to levels above $3,100 after a shaky performance in November, but the headline price does not tell the full story. Activity on the network has picked up significantly, with capital flowing efficiently and stablecoin transactions surging, showing Ethereum’s growing role as a key hub for value transfer.

In Brief

Daily stablecoin transfers on Ethereum have climbed past $85 billion, placing the network well ahead of other blockchains in real-world activity.
In the fourth quarter alone, Ethereum handled nearly $6 trillion in stablecoin settlements, surpassing major traditional payment networks.
Transaction costs have fallen to historically low levels, with median fees hovering near zero.

Ethereum Hits Record Activity
Data shared by Token Terminal on X highlights a clear rise in Ethereum’s real-world activity. According to the analytics platform, daily stablecoin transfer volume on the network has climbed beyond $85 billion, placing Ethereum far ahead of all other blockchains in the same dataset. The scale of this movement shows that the network continues to position itself as a central venue for digital value exchange.

Alongside the surge in activity, Token Terminal reported that the cost of using the network has fallen to historically low levels, with the median transaction fee near zero. Meanwhile, the total supply of stablecoins on Ethereum has grown to $183.9 billion. Liquidity and capital movement in low-risk decentralized finance, including lending and stablecoins, are now at record highs, while the delivery of Ethereum’s main development updates is also occurring at an unprecedented pace.

Ethereum stablecoin supply climbs to $183.9B.
Adding to this context, a pseudonymous market watcher pointed out on X that Ethereum recorded $6 trillion in stablecoin volume in the fourth quarter, surpassing the transaction levels of major global payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Ethereum Steady After November Drop
While on-chain activity remains strong, Ethereum is trading around $3,130, up more than 2% in the past 24 hours. This comes after a sharp drop in late November, with the asset finding support and beginning a gradual recovery. The rise has been steady rather than explosive, indicating that the market may still be searching for direction. 

From a technical standpoint, the relative strength index sits close to 50.49, placing it firmly in the middle of the scale. This position signals neutral momentum, with no clear dominance from buyers or sellers. The RSI is also positioned slightly above its moving average, which often implies that momentum is beginning to lean upward, although the signal remains mild. Importantly, the indicator is not approaching the 70 or 30 zones, suggesting the market is not in an overheated or deeply oversold condition.

Long-Term Expectations Strengthen
Even with the market still moving cautiously, confidence in Ethereum’s long-term potential remains firm among prominent analysts. Tom Lee of Bitmine continues to take a bullish stance, stressing that Ethereum’s current price near $3,000 does not capture its underlying strength. He points to the asset’s eight-year average performance, which he believes supports a possible move toward $12,000. Lee also outlines higher-end projections that place potential future values at $22,000 and even $62,000 per coin, based on how Ethereum has historically behaved over extended periods.

Meanwhile, Ethereum is moving forward with stronger network performance following the activation of Fusaka. The upgrade brings improved scalability, lower fees, and a more seamless user experience, creating a firmer foundation that could help support further price growth as the network continues to operate efficiently.

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Ifeoluwa O.

Ifeoluwa specializes in Web3 writing and marketing, with over 5 years of experience creating insightful and strategic content. Beyond this, he trades crypto and is skilled at conducting technical, fundamental, and on-chain analyses.

DISCLAIMER

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

Ondo Finance said the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has closed a confidential, multi-year investigation into the company without filing charges, marking what it described as a "major step forward for tokenized securities in the United States."

The probe, initiated under the Biden administration during a period of heightened digital asset scrutiny, examined whether Ondo's tokenization of real-world assets complied with federal securities laws, and whether the native ONDO token itself should be treated as a security.

According to a blog post from Ondo on Monday, the company fully cooperated and maintained throughout the inquiry that its approach to tokenization aligns with investor protection principles. The firm said the formal SEC notice represents a "meaningful milestone not just for Ondo, but for the broader tokenization industry."

The investigation began in 2024, when the U.S. regulatory environment for digital assets was characterized by crypto exchange failures, speculative tokens, and what Ondo described as "occasionally overbroad enforcement actions." At that time, Ondo had emerged as one of the few firms tokenizing publicly listed equities at scale and was experiencing growing adoption from global investors. "Being early and being successful came with scrutiny," the firm said.

With the probe now concluded, Ondo said it will continue to prioritize innovation, compliance, security, and investor protection.

Ondo's token is up around 5% on Monday following the news, according to The Block's ONDO price page.

A spokesperson for the SEC said the agency does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation.

Washington's tokenization shift
Ondo framed the outcome as part of a broader shift in Washington, where regulators are reassessing approaches to digital asset oversight and reversing or softening several of the prior administration's more aggressive actions.

Tokenization has also moved onto the SEC's formal agenda, with its Investor Advisory Committee evaluating how blockchain-based systems could modernize the issuance, trading, and settlement of public equities.

Ondo also pointed to accelerating market adoption as another sign of momentum, noting that tokenized U.S. Treasuries have become one of the fastest-growing onchain asset categories, and recently launched tokenized equities are showing similar traction.

The company plans to outline the next phase of its roadmap at the Ondo Summit in New York on Feb. 3, 2026, where regulators, policymakers, and traditional finance executives will discuss the firm's vision for what it calls a "new era of onchain finance."

Updated with response from the SEC.

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.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy has expanded its Bitcoin treasury again, buying nearly $1 billion in BTC even as digital asset treasury inflows cool and its own stock trades sharply lower on the year.

Strategy chairman Michael Saylor announced on X that the company bought 10,624 Bitcoin (BTC) for roughly $962.7 million at an average price of $90,615 per coin last week. The move brings Strategy’s total holdings to 660,624 BTC, acquired for approximately $49.35 billion at an average price of $74,696.

The move comes during a rough stretch for Strategy’s equity. According to Google Finance, Strategy shares recently traded around $178.99, down 51% over the past 12 months.

Despite this, the company has billions in unrealized gains on its BTC holdings. According to BitcoinTreasuries.NET, Strategy’s current BTC holdings are worth about $60 billion, more than 22% above the firm’s aggregate cost basis.

Strategy is up 22% on its Bitcoin holdings. Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NETSaylor pushes Bitcoin to wealth funds as digital capitalAt the Bitcoin MENA event in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Saylor said he had been meeting with sovereign wealth funds and a diverse range of investors, including people who run banks and family offices, to discuss Bitcoin. 

“My message by the way is very straightforward. My message is: We now have digital capital. Bitcoin is digital capital. It’s digital gold,” Saylor said. “On top of digital capital, we have a new asset class called digital credit. Digital credit strips the volatility from the capital and provides yield.” 

Despite a downturn in Strategy stock prices, the company’s chairman consistently reaffirms their belief in the asset, saying recently on social media that they “won’t back down” from their Bitcoin bet. 

Strategy also recently raised $1.44 billion to dispel fear, uncertainty and doubt, or FUD. According to Strategy CEO Phong Le, there were concerns about whether the company could continue to service its debts and payment obligations should the stock’s price fall too far. 

“There was FUD that was put out there that we wouldn’t be able to meet our dividend obligations, which causes people to pile into a short Bitcoin bet,” he said. 

DAT inflows in November drop to lowest in 2025Strategy’s latest Bitcoin purchase comes amid digital asset treasuries (DATs) having their slowest month in November. DefiLlama data showed that DATs only had $1.32 billion in inflows during the month, down 34% from October. 

Bitcoin-focused firms led the month with over a billion in inflows driven by Strategy’s $835 million buy on Nov. 17. Ether-focused DATs flipped negative with $37 million in outflows. 

Magazine: Koreans ‘pump’ alts after Upbit hack, China BTC mining surge: Asia Express

The company framed the move, happening in early 2026, as a planned sunset. Dec 8, 2025, 2:21 p.m.

Matter Labs plans to deprecate ZKsync Lite, the first iteration of its Ethereum layer-2 network, the team said in a post on X over the weekend.

The company framed the move, happening in early 2026, as a planned sunset for an early proof-of-concept that helped validate their zero-knowledge rollup design choices before newer systems went live.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

ZKsync Lite, which debuted in 2020, was built for basic token transfers, but took a back seat after developers released ZKsync Era in March 2023, a more advanced zkEVM rollup, which now anchors the project’s broader ZK Stack roadmap.

The Lite network will continue operating for now, with funds remaining safe and withdrawals to Ethereum mainnet still available, the team said. A detailed migration plan and timetable for the shutdown will be published next year.

“ZKsync Lite was a ground breaking proof-of-concept and validated critical ideas related to building production ZK systems. It did its job: prove what’s possible and pave the way for the next generation,” the team wrote on X.

Read more: Matter Labs Opens zkSync Era to Users, Claiming First in ‘Zero Knowledge’ Tech on Ethereum

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Drift, one of the largest perpetuals trading platforms on Solana, has launched Drift v3, a major upgrade meant to make on-chain trading feel as fast and smooth as using a centralized exchange.The new version will deliver 10-times faster trade execution thanks to a rebuilt backend, marking the largest performance jump the project has made so far.Read full story

Tom Lee's BitMine Immersion Ramps Up Ether Acquisition, Adding $435M of ETH to TreasuryThis was the firm's largest weekly haul in more than a month; the company also increased its cash holdings to $1 billion. Dec 8, 2025, 2:23 p.m.

BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR), the Ethereum-focused digital asset treasury firm, acquired 138,452 ether ETH$3,158.95 last week, accelerating its accumulation strategy that lifted its total holdings to 3.86 million tokens, the company reported Monday.

At current ETH prices, last week’s acquisition is worth roughly $435 million. That's a 156% increase from four weeks ago when it added about 54,000 ETH, the firm pointed out, and it's also higher than the previous two weeks' haul of 97,000 and 70,000 tokens.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The firm also increased its cash holdings to $1 billion, up from the previous week's $882 million. Including its small bitcoin stash and a stake in Eightco Holdings (ORBS), the company's total crypto and cash assets are worth $13.2 billion.

The latest purchase increases BitMine’s share of the second largest cryptocurrency's circulating supply to over 3.2%, reinforcing its position as the largest known ETH treasury.

BitMine's shares were up 3.8% pre-market with ETH modestly bouncing over the weekend back to $3,150.

Digital asset treasuries have slowed or reversed accumulation as token prices and equity valuations came under pressure in recent weeks. BitMine has taken the opposite approach, increasing purchases as ether continues to trade well below its summer highs.

Chairman Thomas Lee said the firm stepped up buying after Ethereum's Fusaka upgrade on December 3, which introduced improvements to the network’s scalability and security. He also pointed to macro factors, including the Federal Reserve’s expected rate cut this month and the end of quantitative tightening, as support for a stronger ETH market in early 2026.

Lee released a separate message Monday titled "The Crypto Supercycle is Intact," arguing that expanding adoption and growing interest in tokenization could drive demand next year.

BitMine remained one of the most actively traded U.S. stocks, with about $1.8 billion in average daily volume, placing it among the top 40 most traded equities, the firm said. However, the firm is still sittting on hefty unrealized looses on its ETH stash, estimated at nearly $3 billion at current prices.

Read more: BitMine Immersion Sitting on $4B Loss on Ether Bet as Analyst Warns of Structural Issues

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

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French Banking Giant BPCE to Roll Out Crypto Trading for 2M Retail Clients

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The service will allow customers to buy and sell BTC, ETH, SOL, and USDC through a separate digital asset account managed by Hexarq.

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French banking group BPCE will start offering crypto trading services to 2 million retail customers through its Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne apps, with plans to expand to 12 million customers by 2026.The service will allow customers to buy and sell BTC, ETH, SOL, and USDC through a separate digital asset account managed by Hexarq, with a €2.99 monthly fee and 1.5% transaction commission.The move follows similar initiatives by other European banks, such as BBVA, Santander, and Raiffeisen Bank, which have already started offering crypto trading services to their customers.Read full story

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Quantum panic is back on the timeline, but JAN3 CEO Samson Mow cuts through it, saying Bitcoin is not the asset that breaks in a quantum scenario; it is everything around it that fails first.

Cover image via U.Today

The Quantum panic made another round this week as a "doomsday clock" claims that Bitcoin keys could be cracked by 2028. Samson Mow, known for his bold $1 million BTC call, shut down the panic in a recent interview, saying people keep stressing over the wrong things, and Bitcoin is not one of them.

Mow maintains the same argument in every conversation: if a quantum system ever becomes strong enough to break elliptic curve cryptography, it will target the traditional banking system first. Banks still use weaker encryption and lack a viable upgrade path.

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What Mow stresses is that the market does not need to worry about Tether's reserves when your local bank uses a fractional model that would collapse under minimal pressure or worry about what price Strategy might sell Bitcoin at when most equities lose 10% a year on decaying cash positions. 

Source: Quantum Doomsday ClockDo not worry about quantum computers "killing Bitcoin" when the real nightmare scenario is that military infrastructure will be cracked long before anyone touches a blockchain, says the Bitcoin entrepreneur.

No doomsday for Bitcoin, but there's a catchQuantum systems would require thousands of logical qubits and millions of physical ones, as well as error rates far below what is currently available. Even under favorable assumptions, the runtime problem remains significant. P2PKH users would still have enough time to move coins before anyone tries to access them.

The bottom line of Samson Mow's thesis is straightforward: Bitcoin is not the weak point in a quantum world, as everything else breaks first.

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Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world, is entering one of its most interesting phases in months. In just a few hours, big institutions moved 9,000 ETH off exchanges, major whales opened large long positions, and exchange supply dropped to new lows. 

Many now wonder, is Ethereum preparing for its next big rally?

Institutions Pull 9,000 ETH in Few HoursAccording to Arkham Intelligence, institutions removed a significant amount of Ethereum from exchanges. Two major players, Amber Group and Metalapha, withdrew 9,000 ETH worth over $28 million from the Binance exchange in the past few hours.

This isn’t a one-day event. Over the last five months, institutions have accumulated nearly 4 million ETH, a level of inflow that usually appears before major market shifts

🚨 INSTITUTIONS ARE ACCUMULATING $ETH ~ QUIETLY.

In the last few hours:

• Amber Group withdrew 6,000 ETH ($18.8M) from Binance
• Metalapha withdrew 3,000 ETH ($9.4M)

That’s 9,000 ETH pulled off exchanges in a single morning.

This is the same pattern we’ve seen for weeks:… pic.twitter.com/MBgyXoPfJz

— BMNR Bullz (@BMNRBullz) December 8, 2025 Meanwhile, these are not short-term trades. These are the kind of withdrawals institutions make when preparing for custody, long-term positioning, or deploying capital for the next big cycle.

Ethereum Sees Silent Whale AccumulationAlong with institutional withdrawals, several big wallets opened large long positions on Ethereum. Wallets like 1011short and Anti-CZ together added around $426M in leveraged ETH longs. 

Ethereum Exchange Balances Hit LowOn-chain data shows Ethereum’s available supply is shrinking fast. Only 8.7% of ETH now sits on exchanges, while more than 28 million ETH is locked in staking, custody, and long-term storage. Daily staking inflows stay strong, with over 40,000 ETH added each day.

This steady supply drop lowers selling pressure and helps create a stronger base for Ethereum’s next major move, even as the price trades around $3,040.

Ethereum Price Outlook: Key Levels to WatchFollowing this accumulation, Ethereum has posted a 3% gain over the last 24 hours and is now holding the $3,100 support level strongly.

According to analyst Ted Pillows’ chart, ETH is trading inside a tight range between $3,050 and $3,200, awaiting confirmation.

If ETH breaks above the crucial $3,300–$3,400 resistance, it could rally toward the $3,700 to $3,800 zone.

However, rejection from this band may push ETH back toward $3,000, where buyers could attempt another recovery.

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The token is now linked between HyperCore and HyperEVM, enabling secure, natively minted USDC deposits directly to HyperCore.
This is a milestone in improving cross-chain usability while maintaining security. In the long term, the Arbitrum bridge will be phased out, and all USDC will be natively minted, creating a more streamlined and robust experience.

A Safer, Smoother User Experience
During this transition, users should not expect any immediate disruptions. Deposits and withdrawals can continue from both the Arbitrum bridge and HyperEVM. HyperCore now supports one-click deposits from chains enabled with Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol, or CCTP, which simplifies the minting process on HyperEVM. While transfers from HyperCore to HyperEVM may occasionally fail if HyperEVM lacks sufficient balance, funds remain secure within HyperCore. More info, in its Github repo.

Users can always use the Arbitrum bridge as a fallback, ensuring no loss of funds. For example, if a developer needs USDC on HyperEVM for a decentralized finance application, they can send it via CCTP from Arbitrum, just as before, with the added confidence that HyperCore acts as a reliable bridge and vault.

USDC is now linked between HyperCore and HyperEVM. This is a major milestone in allowing secure, natively minted cross chain USDC deposits directly to HyperCore. In the final state, the Arbitrum bridge will be deprecated and all USDC will be natively minted. There are many… pic.twitter.com/0g8fTCgkVl

— Hyperliquid (@HyperliquidX) December 8, 2025

The new integration offers improved efficiency. USDC contracts now allow transfers from other chains to HyperCore in a single transaction. This design reduces the number of steps needed to deposit USDC on HyperEVM, enhancing both speed and user experience. Developers can begin updating their applications to use HyperEVM USDC flows, simplifying workflows for end users while preparing for the eventual deprecation of the Arbitrum bridge.

More About Hyperliquid
Hyperliquid announced a new feature allowing users to trade $STABLE with leverage for the first time. By popular community request, traders can now take long or short positions with up to three times leverage, increasing both potential gains and risks.

By community request, you can now long or short $STABLE with up to 3x leverage. pic.twitter.com/KwLiZnMESh

— Hyperliquid (@HyperliquidX) December 8, 2025

This move reflects growing demand for more flexible trading tools in the stablecoin market, giving users the ability to amplify their strategies while maintaining control over their positions. Hyperliquid emphasized that all leveraged trades are designed with risk management in mind, ensuring a safe and responsive trading experience.

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

The world's largest asset manager is seeking the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's sign-off for a staked Ethereum exchange-traded fund.

BlackRock filed a registration statement with the SEC on Friday for the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF. This comes a few weeks after the firm filed a name registration with the state of Delaware for that ETF, signalling that an SEC filing could be incoming. 

 "The Trust seeks to reflect generally the performance of the price of ether and rewards from staking a portion of the Trust’s ether, to the extent the Sponsor in its sole discretion determines that the Trust may do so without incurring undue legal or regulatory risk, including, without limitation, any risk to the Trust’s qualification as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes," BlackRock said in the filing.

Last year, BlackRock debuted its existing Ethereum ETF on Nasdaq. In July, Nasdaq submitted an updated 19b-4 filing to add staking to that ETF. Other issuers have added staking to their crypto ETFs, including Grayscale's Ethereum ETF and another from Fidelity that includes staking for its SOL ETF. 

Over the past few months, firms have launched several different types of crypto ETFs, including ones tracking DOGE and XRP, in the wake of a friendlier presidential administration toward crypto this past year.

BlackRock's spot ether fund, the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ticker ETHA), is the largest of its kind with about $17 billion in AUM.

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.

Mon, 8/12/2025 - 14:46

Wall Street's $500 million move into Ripple at a $40 billion valuation is met with scrutiny, putting the company's real value and XRP's role at the forefront.

Cover image via U.Today

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According to Bloomberg's latest reporting, Ripple's November share sale landed exactly where the company has been trying to position itself for years: at the center of institutional capital that wants crypto exposure but insists on structured protection. The round brought in $500 million, setting Ripple’s valuation at $40 billion, the highest private valuation recorded for a digital asset firm in this cycle.

As the news circulated, XRP traded higher inside the day, approaching $2.09. This increase aligned with the market strength rather than being a standalone reaction, but it showed that traders are tracking the news.

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The deal's notable aspect was not the investors — Citadel Securities, Fortress, Marshall Wace, Brevan Howard, Galaxy and Pantera — but the terms. According to Bloomberg, investors secured the right to sell their shares back to Ripple after three or four years, earning a 10% annual return. 

If Ripple initiates a repurchase, the return increases to 25% annually. A liquidation-preference clause was also added, ensuring that the new money sits at the front of the line in the event of a sale or restructuring.

Ripple's XRP plays crucial role in $500 million dealAccording to Bloomberg’s sources, the fundamental driver is that several funds assessed that up to 90% of Ripple’s net asset value comes from XRP. This is backed by July disclosures showing $124 billion in token holdings before a market decline. 

Despite recent weakness — a 16% pullback since late October and over 40% since mid-summer — Bloomberg's calculations estimate Ripple's current XRP position at over $83 billion, well above the equity valuation.

XRP/USD by TradingViewRipple securing institutional money on structured terms reinforces one point for XRP holders: large funds still view Ripple’s valuation as anchored to its token reserves. Bloomberg’s numbers show that Ripple’s XRP position remains well above the company’s equity valuation even after recent price pressure, which turns XRP into the asset underpinning the entire deal. 

It does not guarantee an upside, but it does confirm that institutions are pricing XRP’s scale, liquidity and long-term relevance into their exposure, even as they hedge against volatility with contractual protections.

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In the meantime, Ripple continues to expand beyond pure token exposure through acquisitions such as Hidden Road and GTreasury yet maintains no stated IPO timeline. For now, Wall Street is positioned with downside protection and optionality on whatever comes next.

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Unlike Bitcoin, XRP has fallen 31% in two months while social metrics show FUD at its highest level since October, conditions that could set the stage for a rapid, double-digit rally.

Brian Njuguna2 min read

8 December 2025, 02:50 PM

Source: ShutterstockIs XRP Poised for a Double-Digit Rally Amid Market Fear?XRP has grabbed attention amid market turbulence, dropping 31% over two months. Unlike Bitcoin, now facing peak fear, uncertainty & doubt (FUD) since October, XRP could be poised for a strong rebound.

Santiment data shows XRP’s market sentiment is hitting levels last seen on November 21, when the price surged 22% in just three days before profit-taking set in. 

Therefore, this historical pattern suggests XRP could be poised for a similar rapid move as investor sentiment swings between fear and optimism.

Source: SantimentSantiment’s social metrics reveal critical market dynamics for XRP. Red Circles highlight days when bullish commentary sharply outweighs bearish sentiment, a “Greed Zone.” Green Circles indicate the opposite, a “Fear Zone.” Currently, XRP is nearing conditions seen before previous rapid rallies, with fear temporarily outweighing optimism.

Extreme sentiment often precedes major price moves. While fear can drive short-term selling, it can also set the stage for sharp rebounds. Despite a recent 31% drop, historical patterns suggest XRP could be poised for a potential double-digit rally.

Therefore, XRP is showing signs of a potential rebound as fear dominates social sentiment. Historical patterns hint at a possible double-digit rally, making sentiment indicators crucial for traders eyeing the next move as price hovers around the $2.10 mark.

ConclusionXRP’s market sentiment hints at a potential turning point. Fear now dominates social chatter, and past patterns show sharp rebounds from similar conditions, setting the stage for a possible double-digit rally. 

While profit-taking remains a risk, traders tracking sentiment and market activity may find a strategic opportunity to capitalize on XRP’s next move.

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Brian Njuguna

Brian Njuguna is a seasoned crypto journalist at Coinpaper, specializing in blockchain innovation, market trends, and regulatory developments. With a background in economics and years of experience covering the digital asset space, Brian delivers sharp, data-driven insights that cut through the hype. His reporting bridges global crypto narratives with emerging market perspectives, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience.

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Latest Cryptocurrencies News TodayXRP (Ripple) News

Summary

Bitcoin trades in a tight $91k–$92k band with market cap near $1.8 trillion and dominance around 58–60%.​
Price sits above the 200-day moving average but struggles to clear the $100k–$120k resistance zone as momentum indicators flatten.​
High open interest and positive funding show crowded leveraged longs, increasing liquidation risk if spot reverses.

Bitcoin (BTC) traded little changed around 91,500–92,000 dollars on Monday, with spot prices hovering near the upper end of their recent range and keeping the network’s market value close to 1.8 trillion dollars. The move left the asset consolidating near record territory, with derivatives positioning and prior failed breakouts tempering short‑term momentum.

Over the past 24 hours, BTC (BTC) changed hands between roughly 91,000 and 92,000 dollars, a tight band compared with recent swings. Market data providers show daily trading volumes fluctuating between about 25 billion and 56 billion dollars, implying low single‑digit float turnover relative to the asset’s near 1.8 trillion‑dollar market capitalization. Bitcoin’s circulating supply is just under 20 million coins against a fixed maximum of 21 million, reinforcing its low‑inflation profile.

Bitcoin stuck around $90k
Spot liquidity remains concentrated on large centralized exchanges, with tether‑denominated pairs capturing a substantial share of turnover while smaller venues handle limited flow. That structure, combined with relatively thin order books at higher price levels, leaves the market vulnerable to slippage when large orders hit support or resistance zones. Bitcoin (BTC) continues to anchor broader crypto trading, with its dominance fluctuating around the 58–60% band of total digital‑asset market capitalization.ainvest+4​

On technical measures, Bitcoin trades above its 200‑day moving average, keeping the long‑term trend constructive, but it has struggled to sustain moves through a broad 100,000–120,000 dollar resistance region flagged by multiple chart studies. The 50‑day average still points higher, while shorter‑term averages such as the 20‑day have converged toward spot, signaling loss of upside momentum. Recent readings from common oscillators, including RSI and MACD, sit in neutral to mildly positive territory and have flattened after prior bullish signals, consistent with consolidation rather than a fresh breakout.

Derivatives metrics show elevated but stable open interest in Bitcoin futures across major venues, with notional positions in the billions of dollars. Funding rates and futures basis tend to flip positive near the top of the recent range, indicating a tilt toward leveraged long exposure and raising the risk of long liquidations if prices retreat. High open interest alongside comparatively muted spot turnover suggests a market heavily influenced by derivatives traders rather than underlying spot demand.

The latest price action comes against a backdrop of shifting dominance dynamics, as recent data show Bitcoin’s share of total crypto market value edging down from peaks while capital rotates into select altcoins. No single headline catalyst appears to explain the most recent intraday moves on major price‑tracking platforms. Bitcoin and related crypto assets remain highly volatile instruments, and past performance does not indicate future results; prices and liquidity conditions can change rapidly, particularly in markets with significant leverage and concentrated trading activity.

TL:DR:

Four critical US economic releases in early December covering inflation, jobs, consumer, and industrial data could steer Bitcoin sentiment sharply.
Strong data may boost risk appetite and drive demand for crypto. Weak figures could spur a flight to safety and trigger outflows.
Interest‑rate expectations and resulting market volatility will likely respond aggressively to the data, making the week pivotal for Bitcoin’s near‑term trajectory.

As the calendar flips to December, crypto investors are sharpening focus on four key U.S. economic data releases that could dramatically influence sentiment around Bitcoin. With markets already touchy and the macro backdrop uncertain, these numbers may determine whether Bitcoin rides toward fresh highs or dives under renewed pressure. These upcoming reports carry weight because they may redefine investor expectations for interest‑rate policy, inflation, and economic momentum, all major drivers of crypto demand and risk tolerance.

Why These Four Economic Events Matter for Bitcoin
Labor and inflation data could shift the scale on risk appetite. Among the releases are reports on jobless claims and inflation measures, which many traders consider barometers of economic health. Strong data may embolden risk‑on sentiment, possibly boosting demand for Bitcoin as an alternative asset. But weak outcomes could renew fears of economic slowdown, pushing investors toward safer holdings.

Industrial and consumer data offer clues on real economy resilience. Reports on manufacturing and services PMI, retail sales, and other measures will help gauge how deeply consumer demand and business activity are holding up. A healthy real‑economy reading could underpin confidence in risk assets like crypto. Signs of weakness might erode it.

Expectations around interest‑rate policy are being recalibrated. The data will likely factor heavily into the Federal Reserve’s internal debate over future moves. If inflation remains stubborn or employment stays strong, rate‑holders may resist looser monetary policy. That stance typically strengthens the dollar and burdens crypto valuations.

Volatility could return quickly as traders reset positions around data. With uncertainty high, each print carries the potential to trigger sharp reactions. For Bitcoin, that might mean price swings larger than usual as markets price in shifting macro risks. Active traders may see opportunity, but long‑term holders could face added turbulence.

In short, these releases don’t just offer economic updates, they may reset the stage for the next major crypto move. For anyone holding or trading Bitcoin, the coming week demands attention. Expect headlines, brace for volatility, and watch closely how macro signals align.

The inquiry focused on the legality of Ondo’s tokenization of US Treasury products and the classification of ONDO tokens.

Key Takeaways

The SEC has ended a two-year investigation into Ondo Finance, allowing it to expand its tokenized asset operations in the US.
Ondo Finance specializes in tokenized securities and enables global investors to access US stocks and ETFs via blockchain.

The US SEC has concluded a two-year investigation into Ondo Finance, a platform specializing in tokenized securities and assets on blockchain networks, without filing charges, clearing regulatory uncertainty and permitting the company’s further US expansion, according to Crypto In America.

The probe, initiated in October 2023, examined Ondo’s compliance with US securities laws in tokenizing Treasury products and ONDO tokens. Formal notice was given in November.

The resolution addresses ongoing discussions in the US regarding the regulation of tokenized assets. Ondo Finance enables on-chain access to US stocks and ETFs for global investors through blockchain networks.

The company has submitted guidance to the SEC advocating for clear regulations on digital asset securities to support compliant tokenization in the US. The recommendations include clarifying rules for tokenized treasuries and supporting both permissioned and permissionless blockchains.

Under SEC Chair Paul Atkins, most crypto cases have been closed, reversing prior Biden-era actions. Ondo is now set to expand in the US after registering as an investment advisor and acquiring Oasis Pro Markets, with new offerings expected at its February 3 Ondo Summit in New York.

Disclaimer

Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP inched higher in early Asian and London trading on Monday, extending last week’s fragile rebound as traders brace for a crucial Federal Reserve rate decision and fresh US jobs data.

Bitcoin is hovering around 91,700 dollars, up about 1.5 percent on the day, Ethereum is holding above 3,120 dollars, and XRP trades near 2.09 dollars, all recovering modestly from their late-November lows.

The broader tone remains cautious. Liquidity is thin, funding markets are tight, and risk appetite is still healing from October’s leverage wipeout, but traders are beginning to position for a potential policy shift later this week.

Bitcoin Price Today: BTC Edges Back Above $91,000 as Traders Reset for Fed Week
Bitcoin has climbed steadily from the 85,000 dollar floor it tested earlier this month, supported by a calmer derivatives market and renewed expectations that the Fed could deliver a rate cut before year-end.

A sharp drop in early November wiped out nearly 18 percent of BTC’s value for the month, plus tens of billions in leveraged positions, leaving market makers cautious across Asia and Europe. That hangover is still visible in today’s trading range.

Nic Puckrin, co-founder of Coin Bureau, summed up sentiment in a note:

We’re not out of the woods yet, but December may be shaping up to be a far better month than its predecessor, and a Santa rally is certainly not off the cards.”

Noted Nic Puckrin, co-founder of Coin Bureau.
Bitcoin Chart Analysis
BTC/USD is trading near 91,700 dollars, trying to stabilise above the lower boundary of its recent weekly range. Immediate support sits near 90,000 dollars, which has acted as a short-term floor after last week’s drop.

On the upside, the first resistance zone appears around 94,000–95,000 dollars, where price previously stalled. A clean break above 98,000 dollars would confirm stronger recovery momentum ahead of Wednesday’s Fed decision, potentially opening the door for a move back toward the psychological 100,000 zone.

BTC/USD weekly chart illustrating Bitcoin recovering toward the 92,000 dollar zone with RSI stabilising near mid-range levels. Created on:TradingView
In my view, Bitcoin is behaving like a market waiting for permission. If the Fed signals confidence in the disinflation trend, BTC could finally break out of its tight range.

Ethereum Price Today: ETH Outperforms Majors but Still Faces Resistance
Ethereum is showing relatively stronger momentum, up more than 2 percent on the day near 3,130 dollars. The asset has now risen over 10 percent in the past week, narrowing the gap created by October’s downturn.

ETH sentiment was supported last week as developers completed the Fusaka hard fork, introducing upgrades aimed at improving scalability and validator performance. That technical progress has helped cushion volatility ahead of the Fed meeting.

Ethereum (ETH) Weekly Chart Analysis
Ethereum is showing a steadier structure than BTC, trading around 3,160, after reclaiming its major 2,770 support zone. The weekly RSI near 53 suggests improving momentum, hinting that buyers are cautiously returning after November’s broad market pullback.

Upside resistance is clustered near 4,800, where ETH was rejected multiple times in 2025. If bulls maintain control above 3,000, ETH could target a move toward 3,500–3,800 in the short term. A breakdown below 2,770 would invalidate the recovery and expose ETH to lower supports.

ETH/USD weekly chart illustrating Ethereum rebounding from the 2,770 dollar support region. Created on: TradingView
XRP Price Today: XRP Climbs Above 2 Dollars as Traders Rotate Back Into Majors
XRP is up 2.14 percent today at 2.09 dollars, benefiting from the broader market’s stabilisation and lighter weekend liquidity. The token continues to hold firm above 2 dollars, an area that previously acted as a pivot during market pullbacks.

While flows into XRP remain modest compared to earlier this quarter, the asset is tracking Bitcoin’s recovery and showing signs of steady accumulation.

XRP (XRP/USD) Chart Analysis Today
XRP trading around 2.10 dollars, hovering just above the 1.99 dollar support level that has repeatedly kept the downside in check. For now, the structure stays neutral, with the first resistance zone near 2.70 dollars, which capped every rebound attempt through November.

A daily close above that area would signal improving momentum and open the way towards the 3.00 dollar psychological barrier. Losing the 1.99 dollar floor, however, could expose a deeper dip as liquidity remains thin across altcoins this week.

XRP/USD daily chart illustrating XRP holding above the 1.99 dollar support level while repeatedly failing to clear the 2.70 dollar resistance zone. Created on: TradingView
What Crypto Traders Should Watch This Week
The next 72 hours are macro-heavy and could dictate the path for all three top crypto assets.

Key catalysts:

Final Federal Reserve rate decision of the year
US non-farm payrolls and jobless-claims data
Market liquidity conditions as year-end approaches
Ongoing rotation between gold, silver and Bitcoin as macro hedges

A decisive rate signal from the Fed could finally kick crypto out of its narrow consolidation and determine whether December becomes a recovery month or another sideways grind.

Top Crypto Prediction: Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Outlook
The Top Crypto Prediction for Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP remains cautiously optimistic as markets head into a data-heavy week. Bitcoin is attempting to hold above the 91,000 zone, Ethereum is stabilising near 3,100, and XRP is gaining modestly from its recent lows.

If macro conditions improve and liquidity returns, all three could extend their rebound into mid-December. But if support levels fail, the market may slip back into a defensive phase, keeping traders focused on the Fed decision, US jobs data and volatility signals before committing to fresh positions.

Why is Bitcoin rising back above $92,000 today?

Bitcoin is climbing as traders position ahead of the Fed rate decision and jobs data, with improving liquidity and steadier sentiment lifting BTC above $92,000.

Can Bitcoin break above the $94,000–$95,000 resistance this week?

BTC is pushing toward the key resistance band, but a breakout will likely depend on ETF inflows and whether the Fed signals a clear path toward rate cuts.

What is the outlook for Ethereum and XRP as Bitcoin strengthens?

Ethereum is outperforming majors due to strong network activity, while XRP is stabilising near support, with both expected to follow Bitcoin’s direction around major macro events.

This article was originally published on InvestingCube.com. Republishing without permission is prohibited.

The Shiba Inu burn rate has experienced a 88.07% decline over the past 24 hours. This sharp drop comes as cryptocurrency traders adopt a wait-and-see approach before critical central bank meetings this week.

Data from Shibburn reveals that only 4,103,799 SHIB tokens were removed from circulation in the last day. This figure represents a substantial decrease from the previous day's burn of 34,397,753 SHIB tokens. The reduced burning activity has directly contributed to the steep decline in the daily burn rate.

Despite the daily setback, the weekly burn rate tells a different story. Over the past seven days, 96,746,621 SHIB tokens have been burned. This marks a 3.45% increase compared to the previous week. The ongoing burn mechanism continues to reduce the total supply of Shiba Inu, which now stands at 589,246,109,943,196 SHIB tokens.

Central Bank Decisions Take Center StageCryptocurrency markets opened slightly higher on Monday, tracking gains in Asian equity markets. Investors are positioning themselves ahead of several major central bank policy announcements scheduled for this month.

The Federal Reserve will announce its policy decision on December 10. Market participants have largely priced in expectations for a 25-basis-point interest rate cut. The CME FedWatch tool indicates that traders are assigning an 87% probability to this outcome when the central bank wraps up its two-day meeting.

Additional central bank meetings will follow in quick succession. The Bank of England is scheduled to announce its policy decision on December 18. The Bank of Japan will conclude the year with its policy statement on December 19.

These monetary policy decisions carry significant weight for cryptocurrency markets. Interest rate changes affect liquidity conditions and risk appetite across all asset classes. Lower rates typically support higher valuations for speculative assets like cryptocurrencies.

SHIB Price Shows Weekly GainsShiba Inu traded at $0.000008495 at the time of reporting, suggesting a 0.81% gain in the last 24 hours. The token has registered a 6% gain over the past week, reflecting broader positive sentiment in cryptocurrency markets.

SHIB price chart, Source: CoinMarketCap

However, market observers note that caution remains prevalent among traders. Without new catalysts or increased liquidity, the potential for price declines persists. The upcoming Federal Reserve meeting could serve as a catalyst for renewed market activity.

Coinbase Derivatives launched 24/7 trading for monthly altcoin futures on December 5. This development allows traders continuous access to various cryptocurrency assets, including Shiba Inu. The round-the-clock trading capability removes previous time restrictions on futures contracts.

The exchange plans to expand its Shiba Inu offerings further. U.S. Perpetual Style Futures for SHIB will become available on December 18. These perpetual contracts differ from traditional futures by having no expiration date. Traders can maintain positions indefinitely without rolling over contracts.

Staking rewards from BlackRock’s new Ethereum ETF will be distributed to shareholders, while measures address liquidity, security, and regulatory concerns.

Key Takeaways

BlackRock's new iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF will stake 70% to 90% of its Ethereum holdings.
Staking rewards will be distributed to shareholders, with Coinbase Custody and Anchorage Digital Bank serving as custodians.

BlackRock plans to stake most of its Ethereum holdings through a new exchange-traded fund structure, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF seeks to stake 70% to 90% of its Ethereum holdings under normal market circumstances, the filing shows. The product will hold Ethereum and distribute staking rewards, minus fees, to shareholders at least quarterly.

The trust will use third-party staking service providers selected by the Ether Custodian to operate validators. Coinbase Custody Trust Company will serve as the primary custodian, while Anchorage Digital Bank has been added as an alternative custodian.

The trust may reduce staking if the sponsor determines the activity raises regulatory concerns or risks the trust’s grantor trust tax status. Shares will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ETHB.

This is a developing story.

Disclaimer

Strategy (MicroStrategy) has acquired 10,624 BTC for $962.7 million at an average price of $90,615 per bitcoin.

The purchase has been financed with proceeds from common equity ATM (an “at-the-market-offering”) and STRD preferred sales

Its total holdings to 660,624 BTC with an average acquisition cost of $74,696 per bitcoin.

The December purchase is the largest in Q4, surpassing the Nov. 17 buy (8,178 BTC) and dwarfing the smaller weekly tranches (168–525 BTC in October/November).

In fact, this is the largest Bitcoin buy announced by the Virginia-based business intelligence firm. 

Bitcoin remains unmoved  However, the mammoth purchase has had little impact on the Bitcoin price, which is still sitting just below $92,000. 

MSTR is up by 3% in pre-market trading following the recent announcement. 

A new market thesis is grabbing attention.

Author and industry expert Shanaka Anslem Perera says the Bitcoin cycle didn’t break this time, but flipped instead. And if he’s right, the bear market everyone is waiting for may already be behind us.

A Different CyclePerera points to one unusual moment: Bitcoin broke its all-time high before the halving. That has never happened in any previous cycle.

To him, that was the key signal that the usual four-year rhythm had inverted.

He argues that 2024 wasn’t a bull run at all, calling it “political repricing.” In other words, investors were reacting to the possibility of a pro-crypto U.S. administration, not the start of a new crypto wave.

2025 Looks Like a Bear Market in DisguiseOn paper, Bitcoin near $90K shouldn’t feel bearish. But Perera says the signs are there:

Bitcoin dominance at multi-year highsAltcoins “bleeding to death”$3.5B in ETF outflows in a single monthA 29% correction from the October peakSentiment indicators stuck in fearA price that once sounded impossible now feels uncomfortable.

Bitcoin’s Demand Now Moves With the FedPerera believes the halving cycle was overtaken by macro. Once ETFs funneled institutional capital into Bitcoin, demand began tracking Federal Reserve liquidity instead of retail euphoria.

Some agreed with him, saying Bitcoin “outgrew its old cycle” the moment it entered mainstream financial plumbing. Others argued the narrative is compelling but not confirmed.

Looking Ahead to 2026Perera’s conclusion is straightforward: if the market already lived through its bear phase emotionally , even at high prices, the next major move could be the real blow-off top.

In his words: “The bear market is behind you. Act accordingly.”

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According to reports, a well-known crypto commentator/investor who goes by the handle Crypto X AiMan has sold all his Bitcoin and moved the proceeds into XRP. He says four reasons drove his decision, and the move has stirred debate across trading circles.

Investor Dumps Bitcoin For XRP
AiMan, who says he first bought Bitcoin when it traded at $3,000, told followers that legal clarity is the main reason for his shift. He pointed to a July 2023 court ruling by Judge Torres that found certain programmatic XRP sales were not securities.

According to him, that court decision gives XRP a different standing from many other tokens. He also noted that US regulators often treat Bitcoin as a commodity, a stance reiterated by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. AiMan framed the court outcome as a rare, explicit legal test that favored XRP.

He highlighted another factor: Ripple’s large holdings. Based on company disclosures, Ripple holds close to 40 billion XRP, nearly 40% of the total supply. AiMan argued those reserves could support future use cases if Ripple or its partners chose to deploy the tokens for payments.

I just sold ALL my Bitcoin.

Yes, you read that right.

I went 100% all-in on XRP.

Here’s why:

XRP is the only crypto with legal clarity in the United States (won the SEC case, not a security).

Ripple owns ~40B XRP and is partnered with 300+ banks, central banks, and payment… pic.twitter.com/tRzpiKPas5

— Crypto X AiMan (@CryptoXAiMan) December 5, 2025

He called XRP faster and cheaper to move than Bitcoin, saying it is built for cross-border transfers — a point he used to contrast XRP’s utility with Bitcoin’s role as a store of value. He also ran through a market-size scenario.

Market analysts have projected the cross-border payments market at $250 trillion by 2027, and AiMan suggested that even a 1% share of that volume could mean big gains for XRP.

He admitted the trade is extreme: “If I’m wrong? XRP probably goes to zero, and I lose everything,” he said. He added that if he is right, the payoff would be huge.

XRPUSD currently trading at $2.09. Chart: TradingView
XRP’s Legal Advantage
Market reaction has been mixed. Based on reports from data providers, traders are taking large short positions against XRP. Coinglass figures show XRP with $15 million in shorts versus $0.6 million in longs — a roughly 96% short allocation and a shorts-to-longs ratio near 25 to 1.

For comparison, Bitcoin had $131 million in shorts and $70 million in longs; Ethereum showed $110 million shorts and $58 million longs. Despite heavy shorting, XRP has posted daily gains at times, according to recent price movements.

Source: Coinglass
Aggressive Shorts Dominate Positioning
Analysts say heavy short positions can indicate weak near-term sentiment. They also create technical risks, because a squeeze could push prices higher quickly if shorts are forced to cover.

That does not remove the core risks AiMan flagged and others raised: a big token allocation held by one company raises centralization concerns, and banks have not broadly shifted settlement rails to public tokens.

Bitcoin still has a market cap near $1.8 trillion and deeper liquidity, which many investors view as stability in a volatile market.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Binance Coin (BNB) has surged past key technical levels, confirming a breakout that has traders and investors closely monitoring the token’s next potential moves.

The price action reflects a combination of regulatory progress, technical momentum, and growing institutional interest in Binance Coin.

BNB coin price breakout
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BNB price has broken out of a multi-month falling wedge and, after retesting the upper boundary of the wedge on December 1, bounced decisively, confirming the breakout.

BNB coin price chart | Source: TradingViewThis bullish movement has been reinforced by the formation of a textbook Cup & Handle pattern identified by Token Talk on the 4-hour chart, signalling potential upward continuation toward $1,020 if the resistance “Red Zone” is cleared.

$BNB painting a textbook Cup & Handle pattern on the 4H.
The path to $1,020 is clear. Break that Red Zone for confirmation and a major run.

On the daily chart, the price has reclaimed the $900 level after bouncing from the 50-day SMA at $884, with the MACD histogram flipping positive for the first time since late November, further validating the strength of the breakout.

Trading activity also supports the rally, with 24-hour spot volume surging by 43% to $1.97 billion, highlighting that investors are actively participating in this upward movement.

Futures markets also reflect increased bullish sentiment, with the open interest rising by 1.5% to $1.4 billion following recent regulatory developments.

Why is the price of BNB crypto rising?
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Several fundamental factors are driving the current surge in BNB’s price.

A major catalyst was Binance securing full licensing from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) on December 8, covering spot, derivatives trading, and custody services effective January 2026.

This is a BIG DEAL! (I almost never use CAPS 😆)
#Binance, the first to secure Global Licenses under ADGM
🔶Three licenses:
🔸exchange
🔸clearing house
🔸broker-dealer
🔶Global operations
🔶Full business coverage
🔶Top tier regulator
Onwards!
binance.com/en/blog/regula…

This licensing positions Binance as the first global crypto platform with a comprehensive license in the region, creating institutional gateways and fueling confidence in the market.

In addition to regulatory support, speculation around a VanEck Nasdaq spot BNB ETF has added momentum.

Unlike Bitcoin futures ETFs, the proposed fund would hold BNB directly, presenting a structural bullish catalyst.

While SEC approval remains uncertain due to the token’s prior legal history in the United States, the filing itself signals growing institutional interest.

Abu Dhabi’s treasury plans, which involve allocating $1.25 billion toward BNB holdings, further reinforce the narrative of institutional confidence driving the token’s demand.

Binance Coin price forecast: the key levels to watch
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Looking ahead, several price levels will be crucial for BNB’s trajectory.

The immediate support to watch is $899.94; maintaining above this level is essential to sustain bullish momentum.

If the token holds above $905 and eventually breaks past $933.01, analysts foresee a possibility of rising to the target, the next resistance at $1,054, with a more ambitious move toward $1,079 on the horizon.

The Cup & Handle pattern on shorter timeframes points to $1,020 as a near-term target if the resistance “Red Zone” is breached, aligning with Fibonacci projections and the recent swing highs.

On the downside, a failure to hold $899.94 could expose BNB to a decline toward $859.50, marking the next major support area.

Bitcoin (BTC) climbed 14.50% from its recent lows at $80,600, inching back toward $93,000 as traders are at odds between a “comeback” by the bulls or the start of a bear market.

Key takeaways:

Analysts say Bitcoin’s rebound is a bull trap, with risks extending to as low as $40,000.

Google Trends suggests a rally toward $97,000 before the correction continues.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: TradingViewAmong those leaning bearish is CryptoBirb, who remained unconvinced, arguing that the current and upcoming Bitcoin price “rallies are for selling,” not signals of a renewed push toward widely cited year-end targets of $150,000 and beyond.

Bear flag hints at a 16% BTC price dip nextThe top arguments in favor of a Bitcoin bull trap mentioned a classic technical pattern dubbed the “bear flag,” a structure that, during downtrends, typically resolves with another leg lower.

Mister Crypto, Celeb Franzen, and several other analysts highlighted the bearish continuation pattern during Bitcoin’s recovery, with some noting that the BTC price can easily plunge toward $80,000.

Source: XA further examination of the bear flag revealed its technical downside target for December to be around $77,100, calculated by adding the previous downtrend’s height to a potential breakdown point near the $88,000 support.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingViewThat is down about 16% from the current price levels.

Bitcoin can crash to $40,000 if 2021 fractal repeatsBitcoin’s current structure mirrors the 2021 cycle almost “exactly,” according to analyst Leshka.

He shared a BTC fractal that consisted of a repeating double-top formation, a sharp breakdown into cycle support, and a deceptive rebound that ultimately formed a bull trap before a more resounding crash.

BTC/USD weekly chart. Source: TradingView/LeshkaIn the 2021 analogue, that trap preceded a prolonged decline that cut BTC’s value in half. The 2025 fractal showed a nearly identical setup, with the price hovering within the same support band before an expected breakdown.

Leshka warned Bitcoin could revisit the $40,000 region in early 2026, a drop of more than 50% from current levels, if the pattern repeats.

Analyst Alex Wacy highlighted the same downside target, citing Bitcoin’s retreat from its multiyear ascending trendline resistance, which typically results in 70% drawdowns.

Source: XBitcoin “crowd is terrified again,” per Google TrendsLast week, Google searches for “Bitcoin bear market” on a five-year time frame hit their highest level on record, as highlighted by analyst AndrewBTC in his Monday post on X, who said the BTC “crowd is terrified again.”

Source: Google Trends/AndrewBTCHistorically, these fears appeared just ahead of BTC market selloffs.

For instance, in May 2021, when BTC hovered near $60,000 before a 50%-plus correction, and again in June 2022, around $26,000, as Bitcoin slid toward the then-cycle bottom of around $15,450.

BTC/USDT weekly chart. Source: TradingViewA spike in the “Bitcoin bear market” Google search trend in August also followed a downturn in the BTC price.

Bitcoin could easily rally toward the $97,000 zone next, but only to trap bulls, AndrewBTC warned, adding:

“Everyone will think the bull run is back, but it isn’t and bear market starts.”This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.